Double cup glory for Clare owners

FROM the Clare point of view, all-age cups wins for Paddy Marrrian of Miltown Malbay and Paddy Conlon from Cree were the highlights of a splendid Killimer-Kilrush coursing meeting at Aylervarroo last weekend. It was the first time ever that both cups stayed in Clare.

It was also a meeting, which produced its fair share of shock results and Chiang Mia in the Oaks was the only favourite to survive in the major stakes.
The Aylevarroo venue was looking its best on Saturday and Sunday with supporters commenting on the pleasant conditions which were in complete contrast to last year when wind and downpours spoiled the occasion.
Trained by Pat Norris for the D-Four-D syndicate from Galbally, Tipoka was all the rage for the Gilligan McMahon Memorial Cup for 16 all-age dogs. After winning three rounds in Clonmel last season and doing fairly well at the Irish Cup, he was making his seasonal debut at Killimer-Kilrush where he was 6/4 favourite before coursing. Other odds were 3/1 King Saunderes, 4/1 one Boxer, 5/1 Bright Engine, 6/1 Colossal Storm and 8/1 Milesian Son.
With the exception of the Pat Curtin-trained King Saunders, who was a first-round casualty to the locally owned I Say So, the rest of the short-priced participants survived their opening rounds on Saturday. Tipoka was in flying form and was now the 4/6 favourite on Sunday with 2/1 Colossal Storm and Lone Boxer and 3/1 Milesian Son.
The first semi-final clash was between the George Gallery Jnr trained Trim Cup winner Colossal Storm and Lone Boxer, trained by Willie Keane of Listowel for the Tomasin Bar syndicate from Lisselton. This was a close affair with Lone Boxer getting the verdict by half a length.
In the second semi-final, Milesian Son showed plenty of power when getting the better of the favourite Tipoka, by one length. It was all set for the Clare-Kerry final in which Milesian Son (Matt Hyland- Scattery Mac) was again in flying form to get the first turn when four lengths in front of Lone Boxer (Bexhill Eoin-Hollyhill Blonde). It was a great triumph for Paddy Conlon whose Milesian Son reached the semi-final of the cup at Miltown Malbay at the end of October. The cup winner was nominated by Seán Crowley and club officer, JJ O’Dea nominated the runner-up.
Skellig Wave came to Killimer-Kilrush with a big reputation. She already won a cup at Miltown Malbay and was again impressive at Galway-Oranmore but she went off line when well in command.
She was a 2/1 chance before coursing and other short prices were Skellig Time, who was involved in a great double for the O’Driscoll family from Glanmire, at the Miltown Malbay fixture, Burnpark Sadie, Prolific Artist, Tromora Ocean and Jeru Eile. The big casualties in the opening round were Burnpark Sadie, who was beaten by Prolific Artist and Miltown Malbay runner-up Jeru Eile who went out to the Tarbert-owned Razor Spirit by one length. Skellig Wave was due to meet Skellig Time in the second round but the Oaks qualifier was withdrawn.
Survivors for the second day were Atlantic Ashmore (6/4), Skellig Wave (2/1), Look Who’s Unique (2/1) and Squid of Inagh (4/1).
In the opening semi-final, Skellig Wave looked to be on her way to a second final in Clare but as they passed the steep part of the incline, Atlantic Ashmore showed that she still has plenty of pace and power when moving out in front for a one-length success in a straight run.
There was no turn either in the second semi-final in which Squid of Inagh got the better of the Liscannor-owned Look Who’s  Unique.
In the all Clare final Atlantic Ashmore (Ashmore View-Atlantic Beauty), nominated by Marty Madigan, was again in full flight and she was four lengths in front for the first turn. The winner is owned and trained by Paddy Marrinan of Miltown Malbay and Michael Corcoran, Oranmore is also involved in the ownership. The runner-up, Squid of Inagh (Droopy’s Caesar-Fire of Inagh), nominated by Patrick Troy, is trained by Gerry Arthur of Inagh for the PSC syndicate, also from Inagh.
After winning the reserve at Mitchelstown, Chiang Mia was expected to do well in the Oaks Trial Stake (32). Before coursing she was 4/1 with Mariner’s Glen and Delightful Mark, Corrib Sophie Coolvanny Rise, Jeru Abu, Fawn of Inagh at 5/1.
Most of the fancied runners survived the two rounds on Saturday and on the second day, the Sixmilebridge-owned Delightful Mark was the new evens-money favourite with Chiang Mia and Derheen Deluxe at 2/1; 3/1 Mariner’s Glen, 4/1 Crafty Valino, 6/1 Baby Sasha and Aristo Duchess and 8/1 Coolvanny Rose.
First into action on Sunday morning were Derheen Deluxe and the Clarecastle-owned Baby Sasha and Derheen came through by one length in a straight run. Chiag Mia accounted for Coolvanny Rose by one length; Crafty Valino had a one-length advantage on Aristo Duchess while Delightful Mark continued her good form with a three-length win over the West Clare owned Mariner’s Glen,
Chiang Mia was first to qualify for the final when she got the turn by two lengths from the Killarney-owned Derheen Deluxe (Peter Shaughnessy) while Deligtful Mark progressed with a three-length win over Crafty Valino, representing ICC president Brian Divilly and Master Shane Divilly, Claregalway. However, Delightful Mark (Droopy’s Saunders-Brat’s Delight) won her semi-final buckle at a cost as she picked up an injury and Chiang Mia (Muckle Meg-Cable Sal) was declared the winner. Chiang Mia is owned in Kilmallock by John Treacy. It was hard luck on  Seamus O’Shea and Jane Mulready, Sixmilebridge, as their Delightful Mark was already beaten in the reserve final at the Regional meeting.
Windfarm Fawn (3/1) and Crafty Emporio, Eoin Blond, and Tanavalla Tank, all at 4/1, were the short prices for the reserve dog trial stake (32). Crafty Emporio beat Eoin Blond in the opening round on Saturday and went through to the second day when beating A Hoi Hoi. Also through to the quarter-finals were the reserve runner, Roger Crystal, Fisherman’s Toll, Valparaiso, Denham Matt, Tanavalla Tank, Scholar’s Gold and Coorheen Guest.
In the first of the quarter’s buckles, Crafty Emporio came from behind to beat the Ennis owned Roger Crystal;Valparasio had a bye run through the absence of Fisherman’s Toll; DenhamMatt got the better of Tanavalla Tank by four lengths and one length was the winning distance for Coorheen Guest against Scholar’s Gold.
Board prices for the semi-finals were 4/6 Crafty Emporio, Valparasio ( 2/1), Denham Matt ( 6/4) and Coorheen Guest (evens money).
Crafty Emporio was well in control in his semi-final buckle with the Jerry Griffin-trained Valparaiso, winning by five lengths while Coorheen Guhest overcame the challenge of Denham Matt, owned by Jimmy Normoyle, Doonbeg, getting the flag by three lengths after a straight run.
Galway was very much to the fore in the final which went to Crafty Emporio (Mounteden Guest-Crafty Arubo) beating Coorheen Guest (Mounteden Guest- Marwood Type) by two lengths. The winner is owned by ICC president, Brian Divilly and Master Shane Divilly, Claregalway and the runner-up carried the hopes of Ger O’Mahony, Loughrea and  Ennis publican John Quinn.
There was no final in the Members Stake (16 greyhounds) when Shandangan Lough (Droopy’s Maldini-Money GoLucky) the black dog owned by JJ O’Dea, Derrylough and Sixmilebridge native Stephen Murray was declared the winner. Withdrawn from the final was Tromora Eoin (BexhillEoin-Quarrymount Dee) owned by Kathleen, Hogan, Quilty. The beaten semi-finalists were Windfarm Rock and Lischane Flash. Shandangan Lough was also a winner at the Galway Greyhound Racing Stadium last Friday night.
Clonreddan Sam (Droopy’s Vieri-Clonredan Tina) won the members’ surplus stake (16). In the final, he beat the brindled bitch, Rinnwood Call (Trajectory-Cillowen Call), owned by Michael Corcoran and Des Flaherty (Oranmore) by four lengths.
There was a big Killimer cheer when Josie Kelly from Ballmacrinan, Killimer won the Hare Catcher Stake (16 two-course dogs) with his Roadstone Flyer (Matt Hyland-Scattery Mac). In the final, he went three lengths clear of Job Done (Windfarm-Larkspur Flash), the brindled bitch owned by Master Cathal Meaney,Tullabrack, Cooraclare.The gap closed before they reached the escape but by then, Roadstone Flyer had done  enough. In the semi-finals, Roadstone Flyer beat Windfarm Power by four lengths while Job Done had a bye run after Gipsy Madam and Scattery Flyer were withdrawn.
The successful meeting ended on a high note with the cup for all all-age dogs  going to Clohanmore in Cree. With the aid of the perfect weather conditions, the Killimer-Kilrush fixture certainly lived up to all expectations.
Gilligan and McMahon Cup (16 all-aged dogs) semi-finals Lone Boxer beat Colossal Storm; Milesian Son beat Tipoka; Final Seán Crowley n/s Patrick Conlon’s ( Cree) Milesian Son (Matt Hyland-Scattery Mac) 4l beat JJ O’Dea’s n/s Tomasin Bar syndicate’s (Lisselton) dkbd Lone Boxer (Behill Eoin-Hollyhill Blonde).
Aylevarroo all-age bitch stake (16) semi-finals Atlantic Ashmore beat Skellig Wave; Squid of Inagh beat Look Who’s Unique. Final Marty Madigan’s n/s Paddy Marrinan (Miltown Malbay) and Michael Corcoran’s (Oranmore) Atlantic Ashmore(Ashmore View-Atlantic Beauty) 4l beat Patrick Troy’s n/s PSC’ syndicate (Inagh) Squid of Inagh (Droopy’s Caesar-Fire of Inagh),
Oaks trial stake (32 bitch puppies) semi-finals Chiang Mia beat Derheen Deluxe; Delightful Mark beat Crafty Valino. Final John Treacy’s (Kilmallock) beat Chiang Mia (Muckle Beg-Cable Sal) Jan declared winner; Seamus O’Shea and Jane Mulready’s (Sixmilebridge) Delightful Mark (Droopy’s Saunders-Brats Delight) Jan. withdrawn.
Reserve Derby trial stake (32 dog puppies) semi-finals Crafty Emporio beat Valparaiso; Corheen Guest beat Denham Matt. Final Brian Divilly and Master Shane Divilly’s (Claregalway) Crafty Emporio (Mounteden Guest-Crafty Arubo) Jun 2l beat Gerard Mahony (Loughrea) and John Quinn’s (Ennis) bdw Corheen Guest (Mounteden Guest-Marwood Type, Jan
Members Stake 16 one-course duffers semi-finals Shandangan Lough beat Danaghers Jack; Tromora Eoin beat Lischane Flash. Final JJ O’Dea (Derrylough) and Stephen Murray’s (Sixmilebridge) beat Shandangan Lough Droopy’s Maldini-Money Go Lucky) declared winner, Kathleen Hogan’s (Quilty) Tromora Eoin (Bexhill Eoin- Quarrymount Dee) withdrawn.
Hare Catchers Stake 16 two-course duffers semi-finals Roadstone Flyer beat Windfarm Power; Job Done, a bye. Final Joseph Kelly’s (Ballymacrinan, Killimer) fd Roadstone Flyer (Matt Hyland- Scattery Mac) 3l beat Master Cathal Meaney’s (Cooraclare) bdb Job Done (Windfarm- Larkspur Flash).
Surplus Members’ stake (16 dogs) semi-finals Clonreddan Sam beat Boxer Choice; Rinnwood Call beat Fernpark Gold. Final Thomas Keane’s (Cooraclare) bkwd Clonreddan Sam (Droopy’s Vieri-Clonreddan Tina) 4l beat Michael Corcoran and Des Flaherty’s (Oranmore) bdb Rinnwood Call (Trajectory-Cillowen Call).

Finalist withdrawn
WILLIE O’Leary of Doneraile and Ennistymon reached the final of the Oaks trial stake (32) at the Rathkeale meeting on Sunday last. However, his Gortown Silver (Kyle James-Ballybeg Fancy) was withdrawn injured. The declared winner was Pony Link (Lochbo Butch-Moon Phase) owned by PJ Keane, Abbeydoney.