€150,000 Puppy Stake a boost for Limerick

THE Limerick Greyhound Racing Stadium received a timely boost with the announcement that it is to host Ireland’s second richest event next March.

Ranked second only behind the Irish Derby in terms of value on the Irish calendar, the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Puppy Stake will carry a total prize fund of nearly €150,000, due to the sponsorship of JP and Noreen McManus in memory of Noreen’s late parents. It will be by far the most valuable puppy stake ever run in this part of the country, catering for 2011 whelps with a prize of €80,000 going to the winner; €20,000 going to the runner-up and €10,00 for third place. It will be over 525 yards for which there will be qualifiers at all of the 19 tracks in Ireland as well as five in the UK. The stake will be seen as the ultimate feeder event for the Irish Greyhound Derby and also the English Derby.
The 525 event for emerging two-year old stars will see 96 dogs race over five weeks.
The stake will also have an associated event with all GAA clubs in County Limerick given a nomination to be decided by open draw. There will be a pool of €20,000 with €10,000 going to the winning club as well as a free benefit night at the Limerick stadium, which could also earn the club  considerable funds. The other club prizes will be €5,000 and €2,000, while unplaced finalists will receive €1,000.
Phil Meaney, chairman of the Irish Greyhound Board, said they are thrilled about the potential of this fantastic new event for puppies in Ireland, which firmly establishsthe Irish greyhound industry as a world leader in exciting races as well as a breeding nation.
He added the event creates a new niche in greyhound racing. It recognised and rewards good young stock, underpinning the future of the industry in Ireland. They expect a worldwide audience and are grateful to JP and Noreen, who want the greyhound industry to further develop in the Mid-West on the back of the opening of the new stadium in Limerick.
Noreen McManus said this will be an exciting Limerick event for the greyhound industry and she and her family are delighted to be associated with it. It is named in honour of their parents, Con and Annie Kirby.

 

O’Garney Patch in final

O’GARNEY Patch, trained by Bernard Coffey for his wife, Helen Coffey, Oatfield, Sixmilebridge, has qualified for this year’s final of the Con Kirby Memorial Open 550 at the Limerick Greyhound Racing Stadium this Friday night.
The white and black son of Ballymac Mave-O’Garney Pearl finished third in his semi-final heat last Friday night to earn a place in the final. The heat was won in 29.98 by the Pat Guilfoyle-trained LaughillBilly (Premier Fantasy-Laughill Lass). He took over from the fast-starting Liscahane Tiger to lead at the opening bend and move on for a length-and-a-half win over Liscahane Tiger. The slow-starting O’Garney Patch in trap five finished well to clinch third spot, five lengths back.
The other semi-final heat was won in 30.37 by the Graham Holland-trained Lass Cause (College Causeway-Borna Lass) who had three parts of a length on Collard Chief with Riverside Cashen a half length further back for third place.
Trap draw for the final: 1. Riverside Cashen; 2. Coolard Chief; 3. O’Garney Patch; 4. Laughill Billy; 5. Lass Cause; 6. Liscahane Tiger.
As well as the Con Kirby Memorial Open 550, worth €5,000 and a trophy, the Limerick card on Friday night will also be a fundraiser for O’Callaghan’s Mills Community Centre with a number of sponsored races.
The Saturday night card includes three finals, A5 525, A4 575 and A2 525, all sponsored by Limerick and Clare GOBA.
The Limerick track will also have a meeting on Monday featuring three 12 dog sweepstakes, A5 550, A3 600 and A1 525, again sponsored by Limerick and Clare GOBA.
The next sales in Limerick will be on Tuesday, July 10 at 9.30am. 
The fourth race in Limerick last Friday night, an N1/N2 graded 525, went to Messi Black (Head Bound-Messi), trained by Joe Collins, Parteen, for the Shanakyle syndicate, Parteen. In his maiden race, the black took over the number one spot from the second bend and raced clear for a seven-length win in 29.52.
Mullagh owner-trainer, John O’Kelly, also came away with a win from the Dock Road venue, his Cragaknock Shaw (Black Shaw-Cragaknock Grey) coming home the 29.27 winner in an A4 graded 525. Leading from the opening bend, the black held the advantage for the remainder of the trip to win by two lengths in 29.27.
In an earlier race, a 525 for A7/A8 grade dogs, John O’Kelly’s Cragaknock Lilly, was runner-up, three lengths behind More Fame, the 29.52 winner.
The great Michael Marrinan from Ennistymon had another win with his Tom Flanagan-trained Middlepark Mal. The son of Droopy’s Maldini-Scattery Maid has put the spotlight on Ennistymon publican on a few occasions at this venue and on Friday night last, he took over the running at the second bend on his way to a three-length win in 30.07 in the A0 graded open 550.
Scariff owner, Patrick Moroney, was runner-up with his Scariff Bound in the second race on the card, an A9 graded 525. The honours went to the Croom-owned Honeypound Misty, who was an eight-length and 29.81 winner.
West Clare owner, Tony Cusack, had a winner at the same venue on Saturday night with his Rabbits Conor in trap six in an A5 graded 525. Disputing the lead early on, the fawn son of Vans Escalade-Bodyshop Nikita soon raced clear to win the race by two and a half lengths. His time was 29.16.
Mary Crotty’s Inislosky Ruso was runner-up in an A7/A8 graded 525 won by Mary Martina in 29.60. The winning distance was five lengths.
Contentious, owned by Tom Flanagan from near Ennistymon, was also runner-up in a tight finish to an A2 graded 525. Slow off the mark from trap six, Contentious put in a storming finish but Action Breaker just held out to win the race by a neck in 29.00.
Killaloe trainer, Nicola Downes, was on the ball in Limerick on Monday night with Portroe, which she handles for Edward Ryan, Ballykeeffe, winning a semi-final heat of the Limerick and Clare GOBA A5 event over 525 yards. The black son of Droopy’s Deco-Minnie’s Alainn, was moving well down the back to take over at the third bend and race on for a five-length win in 29.17.
The second semi-final heat of the same event also went to Clare with Kilcuala Hondo winning for Newmarket-on-Fergus owner, Michael O’Dowd. The brindled son of Hondo Black-Oldinn Betty got his break at the second bend where he went clear to set up a five-length win in 29.12 from Orla’s Treasure. Another Clare qualifier in third spot was Hawk’s Hill Lulu, owned and trained in Liscannor by Darryl Hopper.
Steves Duke, owned by Sean Stack, Sixmilebridge and John Healy, Killaloe, qualified for the final of the Limerick and Clare GOBA A2 525 final. After a fast break from trap four, he looked the likely winner for most of the trip but was caught at the line by Hidden Jester who had the best clock of the night (28.75)  when beating Steve’s Duke by three parts of a length. The other semi-final was won in 28.90 by Mickey Ned.
A late challenge by Shanakyle Jet, owned and trained by Joe Collins, Parteen, just failed when beaten by three parts of a length by Raymond’s Haze, the 19.35 winner of an S6 graded sprint race.
Meeting trouble at the first and second bends, John O’Kelly’s Cragaknock Tango finished third in an N2 graded 525 won by Sporting Tonga in 29.47.
The Ennis (Michael Hogan) owned and Paul Hennessy-trained She’s a Tornado was runner-up in an open bitch stake in Shelbourne Park on Saturday night. The favourite was two lengths in front at the opening bend but Ballinclare Meg improved down the back to edge in front at the third.  She powered home to win by three lengths in 28.84.

Express win for Kilrush man

HER third victory on the trot saw the Kilrush-owned Fitzler Express win the top race of the night, the final of the Food Packages A6 event over 525 yards at the Galway Greyhound Racing Stadium on Thursday night last.
Owned by Johnny Fitzgerald, the 6/4 favourite was away fast from trap four with the locally owned Windfield Lass in five. There was little between them in the run to the opening bend but with the advantage of the inside lane, Fitzler Express moved in front and it was not long until the the daughter of Scarty Lad-Rathglass Girl was three lengths clear. She extended that lead before she reached the finishing line, where she was five and a half lengths in front of runner-up, Windfield Lass. The time was 29.06. The win was worth €700 for the Kilrush owner.
Clare owners and trainers were prominent in the two semi-final heats of the Online Bookings A5 event over 525 yards.
John Browne from Ballyea trains Brickhill George, the winner of the first semi-final heat for members of the Bogey Boys’ Syndicate from Ballyhaunis. Taking the lead from Full Blunt at the opening bend, Brickhill George started to draw away from the rest of the field and was well clear when emerging from the back straight. At the line, he had four lengths on NadyRumble in a time of 29.36.
The Shannon-owned Starlight Kevin (trap two) had the best clock of the night (28.96) when winning the second semi-final heat. Disputing the early lead with Blenheim Impact, the brindled and white son of Express Ego-Mild Flavour was in control with a three-length lead as they approached the halfway stage. The outcome was never in doubt as Starlight Kevin went on to score an impressive win by nearly seven lengths for Shannon owners, Thomas and Niall O’Sullivan, to secure the second part of their double act on the night. Blenheim Impact was runner-up and another Clare qualifier in third place was Martin Griffin’s Faoie, one length back.
Earlier on, Starlight Spirit, a litter brother of Starlight Kevin, recorded the first part of the double for the Shannon owners. Coming in as a reserve in trap one in an A7 graded 525, he got off to a flyer along the rail to take the lead down the far side. It was a lead he held on to, despite the best efforts of the Noel Mullins-trained Strange Clouds and another Gort-owned runner, Moneypoint Ray (Madeline Walsh). Starlight Spirit won by a length in 29.61 from Strange Clouds owned by the Arch Rivals syndicate with Moneypont Ray beaten by a neck into third place.
Pearl’s a Winner, owned in Quin by Helen Vaughan, was prominent in the early stages of the first race on the card, a 525-yard race for A8/A9 grades. However, the Jack Mahony-owned New Quay Ten took over at the third bend to win by nearly eight lengths in 29.63 from Gurteenree Lad, with Pearl’s a Winner in third place.
Front runner, Knockcallan Girl, owned in Miltown Malbay by Michael Mahony, set up a three-length lead at the opening bend but went wide at the home bend to open the way for River Boss to secure a one-length win in 19.45 in an S6 graded sprint. Knockcallan Girl was runner-up and third home was Pixie Lou Lou (Declan McDonagh, Liscannor).
Quin-based trainer, Frank Browne, is scoring well in recent times at the College Road venue. He was on the mark again on Thursday night with Mine Hazel, owned by his wife, Marty Browne. The Cooraclare-owned  Fernpark Rocket led from Garryowen Hawk and Mine Hazel from the start but making good progress on the inside, Mine Hazel was in front as they came to the third bend. Garryowen Hawk came through on the inside at the home bend to set up a challenge but Mine Hazel (Hades’ Rocket-Jumeirah Jess) was up to it and in a desperately tight finish, held out to win by a head in 30.03. A length and a quarter back for third place was TJ McMahon’s Bodyshop Legacy.

Five Clare-owned qualifiers

THERE were five Clare-owned qualifiers from the four quarter-final heats of the Murphy Commercials A3 525 at the Galway track on Friday night.
Joinedupthinking (Royal Impact-Face Value), the even-money favourite  in trap three, obliged Kilmihil owner, Martin Keane, in the opening heat. Leading by a length as they headed for the first bend and extending that lead down the black, the favourite came under pressure for a finish as Wood Enda made ground over the last two bends. In the run for the line, Joinedupthinking survived to win by a neck from Wood Enda in 29.46. Third spot went to County Hurlers, trained by Noel Mullins for Sean and Mike Mullins, Gort.
Gipsy Madam, Knockdine Black and reserve runner, Bumblebee Bingo in six, were prominent in the early stages of heat two. However, when they passed halfway, the David Sheridan-owned Kildallon Rapid started to progress along the rail and got inside Gipsy Madam at the third bend. There was not much between them as they headed to the line, Kildallon Rapid emerging as the winner by half a length in 29.27 from the Jimmy Normoyle-trained Gipsy Madam (Joan Normoyle and Imedla Grauer). Third place went to Knockdine Black (Michael O’Brien, Miltown Malbay).
Cosmic Queen (29.18) won heat three from Unknown Tornado and Tommie Gallagher’s Good Slick, while the Peter Connolly-owned Sellout Skip won the final heat in the fastest time of 29.08 from Cahercalla Risk (Sean J Heeney and Tony Quinn, Ennis) and Summerfield Buzz.
Comely Maiden, in her first outing, scored the first part of a double for Kilmihil owner, Martin Keane. This was the first race of the night, an S9 graded sprint, which saw Pat Hogan’s Aulton Lisel show the way with a two-length lead. As they came to the home bend, she was challenged on either side by Wilbrook Wonder and Comely Maiden. In the scramble for the line, Comely Maiden (Swords Prince-Face Value) got there by a neck from Aulton Leisl in 19.79. Beaten by under a length for third place was Wilbrook Wonder (Michael Davoren, Ennistymon).
Miltown Malbay owner, Bernadette Sexton, scored another West Clare win in race two, an A8 graded 525 with Madge’s Choice (Droopy’s Scolari-Dunsallagh Lucy) in trap one. Two in front at the  opening bend and eight lengths clear at the halfway stage, Madge’s Choice galloped well clear to score an impressive 17-and-a-half-length win in her maiden outing. Her time was 29.89.
Runway Charlie, owned by the Rineanna Syndicate, finished third in an S7 graded sprint won by Tyrur Potter (19.46).
Also third home in the next race, an A5 graded 525, was the Frank Browne-trained Chrisola (Michael Browne and John Moran).
Into the list of winners after the outcome of the sixth race were Cathal and Michael Meaney from Kilrush whose Spot the Way came out best in an A5 graded 575. First to show was Davris Ria who led by a length from Dunsallagh Lisa with Spot The Way in third place. Davris Ria still led from Spot The Way down the back but Spot The Way was now in front on the inside as they emerged from the back. Cool Rose challenged strongly up the straight but Spot The Way (College Causeway-Dr Proctor) survived to win by a length in 32.37.

Clare owners on the Bee’s Wing

CLARE successes were confined to two races in Galway on Saturday night, Pinnacle Roxy winning for Ballyvaughan owners, Michael Costello and Douglas Culligan and Bee’s Wing scoring again for trainer, Stephen Murray, and owners, Frankie Sheehan, Ennis and West Clare’s Michael Lillis.
Pinnacle Roxy (Boherduff Light-Coldwar Baby) was in control from trap two in an S6 graded sprint. Despite moving wide on the run to the opening bend, she still had three lengths on Pallasmore Boy at the bend. She stayed on to beat Pallasmore Boy by a length and a quarter in 19.38 to secure her 10th career win.
Twice a winner in Limerick and once in Galway, Bee’s Wing (Nobooth For Gary-Mona the Minx) extended his College Road wins to two after leading all the way in an S2 graded sprint. He went into an early two-length lead and after going wide at the home turn, was still in front to hold off the effort of the Gerry Holian-trained Ice Lightning to win by a neck in 18.81.
Placed in their races were Pinnacle Hero (Douglas Culligan), Alva Alice (Michael Lillis and Frankie Sheehan), Fast Fit Mandy (John Quinn, Gort) and Peadar’s Touch, trained by Donie Duggan for Peter Russell, Shannon, finishing third in the chief supporting race of the night, an A2 graded 525.

Coursing Loss

CLARE coursing lost a great friend through the sudden death of Sean Meehan, Ardkyle, Sixmilebridge last week-end. A leading stalwart of the Tradree Coursing Club for many years, he held various positions within the club, including secretary and was a president of the club at the time of his death. Aged 82 years, he was a well-known and popular figure on the Clare coursing scene .
Outside of coursing, he was an outstanding hurler with Sixmilebridge and was a member of the  the team that reached the Clare senior hurling finals in 1952 and 1962. He had the honour of being on the Sixmilebridge  team that won the club’s first Clare Champion Cup in 1954.
There were large and representative attendances at the removal of his remains from McMahon’s Funeral Home to Sixmilebridge Church on Tuesday evening and at the mass on Wednesday and funeral afterwards to Feenagh Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; sons, Gerry and Paddy and daughters, Maura and Carmel.

Bookies to return to Limerick

FOLLOWING a dispute with Bord na gCon over the last number of weeks, bookmakers will be standing at the Limerick Greyhound Racing Stadium  this Friday  night.
The dispute arose over a decision to relocate them from their pitch near the rails in front of the stand.
A spokesperson for the six bookmakers told The Clare Champion that following talks with Bord na gCon, they agreed to return to Limerick this Friday night on a temporary basis. Their new pitch is nearer the main building and adjacent to the door leading to the outside viewing area.