Meehans scoop first Clare success of season

SIXMILEBRIDGE man and Kilskeam, County Cork-based Gerry Meehan, Ardkyle has recorded the first big Clare success of the new coursing season.

Oilean Smile (Bexhill Eoin-Beautiful Smile), which he handles for his son Sean, won the final of the all-aged bitch stake (16) at the Glin meeting last Sunday.

The Ballyduff-owned Misty Herris (Droopys Saunders-Misty Hazel) was favourite to win the final but Oilean Smile was always in front for her two-and-a-half-length win. She had an outing the previous week in Kilflynn when beaten in the second round.

The coursing season continues with a combined Regional-Loughrea meeting this Friday, Saturday and Sunday with an 11.30am start on all three days.

Windfarm Eiscir will be defending his Curran all-aged cup (16) title, while Fishermans Aime will contest the all-aged bitch stake (16).

The order of running is as follows: Friday: twice through Loughrea Derby trial stake (32) and once through Regional Members; Saturday: twice through Regional Derby trial stake (32), Regional Oaks trial stake (32) and once through Curran all-aged stake and all-aged bitch stake; Sunday: starting with Gerry Garvey Memorial Stake, Loughrea trial stakes, Regional trial stakes and complete card.

The officials will be Tony Reddan, judge and Richie Quinn, slipper.