The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
Liz, who took over new job on Monday last, joined the Irish Greyhound Board in 2009 as sales, operations and commercial manager of Curraheen Greyhound Racing Stadium in Cork. During her time there she oversaw a large restructuring of stadium operations. Recently she relocated to Shanagolden and joined the IGB head office in Limerick with a role in business development. She is a native of near Wexford town and her West of Ireland parents, John and Barbara Igoe, live in Ballyline, near Crusheen.
She said she was looking forward to working with all the stakeholders involved with the Limerick Greyhound Racing Stadium and the existing team to ensure the stadium maintains continued success. She was confident that the experience she gained in Cork would prove invaluable in the new challenging role in Limerick.
On the racing front first round heats of the Limerick and Clare GOBA A6 and A4 525 stakes got underway last weekend.
First round heats of the A6 stake were decided on Friday night when the fastest winner with a good 28.97 clock was the Adare owned Kilfinny Ruby (Westmead Hawk-Move Over Dora).
Winner of the fourth and final heat was Inislosky Jacko (|Ballymac Ruso-Inislosky Daisy) owned by Mary Crotty, O’Briensbridge. Challenging for the lead down the back straight, the brindled dog hit the front at the home bend and raced on for a three lengths win in 29.47.
The opening heat was won in 29.08 by the Roscrea-owned Cowboys Dream (Hondo Black-Parnell Daisy), a heat in which Doctor Ill, trained by Donal Cooney, Killuran, Broadford, for Seamus McGrath, Feakle, came third.
Heat three went to the Denis O’Malley trained Turkey Trotter (Express Ego-Moneygall Lark) in 29.25.
The best clock for the first round heats of the A4 stake on Saturday night was 28.75 by Varra Blackstone (Blackstone Gene-Varra Snowflake) owned in Lisnagry by Donal Casey.
The other heat winners were Rathdromin Maggs (Head Bound-Shots Dinky) 29.06, Gaelic Hawk (Westmead Hawk-Black Biscuit) 29.20 and Cloon Premier (Premier Fantasy-Cloon Flash) 29.17.
Runner up in race two was Kiulcuala Lily, owned by Michael O’Dowd, Newmarket-on-Fergus, who was beaten one length by the 29.89 winner, Cashen Shamozzle (Cashen Legend-Send It Sally) in an N2-graded 525.
The Mullagh-owned Cragaknock Hope (John O’Kelly) was third in an A5-graded 525 in Limerick on Friday night, won on 29.30 by Rathdromin Jean (Cabra Cool-Shots Dinky).
Clare owners dominate in Galway
Clare owners fared exceptionally well at the Galway Greyhound Racing Stadium last weekend when their tally accounted for 14 wins, 13 runner-up spots while eight more were placed.
Clare owners dominated proceedings in Galway on Thursday night when accounting for seven of the 10 races on the card. They won the first six races and there was another Clare name behind the winner of the eight race.
First up was Pat Hogan from Templemaley with the Michael Enright-trained Aulton Ron (Droopys Scolari-Loclar Cia) in an A3-graded 525. Drawn in trap two and sent off the money on favourite. Aulton Ron had a fast break to lead by two lengths at the opening bend and show the way to the line where he had two lengths on Hanover Debbie. The clock was 29.17.
Clarecastle man John Moloney was next to join the winner’s list with his Noisey Boy (Slip the Lark-Golden Lady) doing the business from trap six in an A5-graded 525. This was another trap-to-line success with the black securing his win by four-and-a-quarter lengths in 29.59 from Windword Express-owned by Master Thomas Hehir, Inagh.
Ennistymon owner, Michael Davoren, was next to visit the winner’s enclosure after the outcome of an S8/S9-graded sprint that saw Ashgrove Maeve in trap two lead for most of the way. As they turned for home the challenge came from the Ennistymon-owned Wilbrook Fancy (Sheepwalk Mac-Missouri Dame) in trap three and Derrymoyle Jack in five and when they reached the line Wilbrook Fancy just got there to win by a neck in 19.789 from Derrymoyle Jack.
Rogers Codger (Kyle James-Cillowen Gra) running in the name of Donough Frawley and Tony Coote, Ennis made it win number three in another close finish to an S7-graded sprint.
The winner in trap six was installed as the money on favourite but the early advantage was with Pyehill Dubh in trap two who just led the Ennis dog. However, Rogers Codger railed well to get in front in the run in and managed to hold off PyehillDuby to win by a head in 19.61.
Kilmihil owner, Martin J Keane and Peter O’Loughlin kept the Clare flag flying with their Lost Heritage putting in a strong finish to take the honours in an A8/A9-graded 525. After an even break, another Kilmihil-owned dog Glynnscrossmajor (Tom Keane) was two lengths in front going down the back followed by the eventual winner, with the rest of the field way back.
Lost Heritage started to get closer to the leader over the final two bends and close to home the son of Kinloch Brae-Great Delight powered in front to win by two and three parts of a length in 29.51 from Glynnescrossmajor. It was over 13 lengths back to the third-placed dog.
Sixmilebridge trainer Stephen Murray was on the ball in the next race, an S5-graded sprint with Not Done Yet (Head Bound-Mariah Dubh) owned by Michael and Jerry Brennan from the Hurler’s Cross. Just shading the issue at the opening bend to avoid bunching involving all behind him, Not Done Yet was all alone as he rounded the home bend and went on to win the race by seven-and-a-half lengths in 19.37.
There was an all Clare finish to the eight race,an A5-graded 525 with the odds favouring the Pat Hogan owned Aulton Bluestone in trap two. The favourite was best away to head into a two lengths lead at the opening bend. At the halfway stage the favourite was still two lengths clear with Knockdine Holly (trap four) his nearest challenger.
Gradually moving closer and closer, Knockdine Holly (Westmead Hawk-Knockdine Lady) was within a length of the leader off the home bend and got up with the last stride to win by a short head for Ennistymon owner, Helen O’ Brien.
Going in front down the far side, Velvet Spencer (Tullymurry Act-Gorteen Fantasy) was a 29.23 winnner of the featured race of the night, an A2-graded 525. He won by four and three parts of a length from Knockdine Zac owned by Helen O’Brien, Miltown Malbay.
Moving well at the opening bend, the Athenry owned Jumeirah Special (Top Hondo-Jumeirah Fantasy) opened up a three lengths lead down the back to win the concluding A4-graded 525 in 29.14 and by four lengths from Buddhas Boy owned in Newmarket-on-Fergus by Master Rian Cummins and Master Christian Cummins. Seven lengths back for third spot was the Maurice Mullaney (Gort)-trained Spioraid Erin.
Feature Glory for Bunnow dog
As well as clinching a fine double, Ennis owner Sean Heeney won the feature race in Galway on Friday night with Bunnow Glory that he co-owns with Patrick Cronin, also from Ennis.
In the A2-graded trip over 550 yards the pace was set by Bogberry Molly in trap five and Dicks Worldbound, the even money favourite in trap three.
As they battled for the lead, Bunnow Glory in trap one was well placed along the rail. He was able to force his way through at the opening bend and after that the son of Loyal Honcho Sullys Glory set sail to go two lengths clear down the back.
As they came to the third Dicks Worldbound was making up some ground but found his way cut off by Bunnow Glory who retained his lead and win by three parts of a length in 30.46 from Dicks Worldbound, trained by Michael Downes for his wife, Janet Downes, Killaloe. Third home was Bogberry Molly owned in Ennistytmon by Tom Reynolds, a length-and-a-quarter back.
Though not as prominent as the night before, Clare owners still managed to pull off five races.
Sean Heeney secured the first part of his double in race three, an S3-graded 350, with Cahercalla Risk that he owns with Tony Quinn, also from Ennis.
The 7/4 favourite, Cabriol Prancer in trap one broke best to lead by two lengths from Cahercalla Risk. The favourite was still in front by a length as they turned for home but, half-way up the run-in, Cahercalal Risk got on terms with Harbour Lark also doing well.
In a pulsating finish Cahercalla Risk (Scarty Lad-Risk Everything) got there by a short head in 19.37 from Harbour Lark. Beaten a short head into third place was Cabriol Prancer.
The first winner of the night was Liam Carroll, Cratloe whose Portdrine Bobby (Hades Rocket-Jumeirah Jess) was first to cross the line in the A4-graded 525. Prominent from the start was the Gort-owned Forest Sam in trap three, leading at the first bend from Portdrine Bobby who switched inside to become the new pace-setter – down the back. While Aghaburren Park and Unknown Ava were a danger as they came off the home bend Portdrine Bobby held both of them at bay to win by three parts of a lengths in 29.55. The Cork-owned Unknown Ava was runner and third home was Aghaburren Park, representing Michael Downes, trainer and Janet Downes, Killaloe, owner.
Mine Lark, owned in Quin by Frank Browne, trailed Electro Shyboy (College Causeway-Electro Trump) into the opening bend and this was the way they finished, despite a great late effort by the Quin-owned black. The winning distance was a neck and the clock stopped at 19.56.
There was a Clare winner in the fourth race, an A6/A7-graded 525 won by Windword Pudsy (Hondo Black-Youllbesolucky) owned by Michelle Greene, Inagh.
He disputed the early lead with Liffseyside Sue (trap four) and had the benefit of the inside lane to move in front and open up a four lengths gap by halfways. However, Windword Pudsy was absolutely flying over the final two bends and got on top as they came nearer the finishing to win by two lengths in 29.66.Liffeyside Sue, owned in Mountshannon by Mrs.Kim Knell, was runner-up.
The Mountshannon owner had better luck two races later with Feed Me Oysters (Collision-Fabulous Airport) in an A4-graded 525. Leading the way from traps was Unknown Wonder in trap six but the Newmarket-on-Fertgus-owned Snuggie Jack, in trap one, railed well to take command as they made their way to the back.
Leading by two lengths, SnuggieJack was still the one to beat with a one length advantage as they turned for home. However, Feed Me Oysters was not finished yet and, with a great surge down the middle of the track, he got in front to win going away by a length and a quater in 29.63 from Snuggie Jack, owned by Myles Cummins.
Placed in other races were Malbay Keane (Gerry Burke, Miltown Malbay) and Alice Rumble (Janet Downers).
New date for Ennis-Clarecastle coursing
Ennis-Clarecastle Coursing Club has been granted an earlier date for their 2013 fixture.
Usually held in early December, the meeting has been scheduled this year for the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, October 5 and 6. It clashes with the Glin fixture and comes just a week after the opening fixture of the season in Liscannor.
At the Munster Provincial Committee meeting held in Charleville last May, the Ennis-Clarecastle Club told delegates that they were having a problem with their field and had sourced a paddock to hold their hares. However, they only had use of the paddock up to the second week in October.
The club had no option but to course in October. In the past Ennis-Clarecastle clashed with the NewcastleWest and Doon fixtures and that created no problem.
The new date for Ennis-Clarecastle was confirmed this week by ICC secretary, DJ Histon.
Dominant run puts Midland Tip into Memorial final
There were three Clare interests, Feed Me Bubbly, Wilbrook Madness and Glynnscrossmaeve, in the feature race, the Liam Brussels Memorial A5 final in Galway on Saturday night. However, only the Kilmihil-owned Glynnescrossmaeve was among the first three home.
Best away were Wilbrook Madness (trap two), Midland Tip in three and Move On Tiny in four. As they reached the opening bend, Midland Tip was the front runner from Feed Me Bubbly and Kebab Claire (trap six). With crowding behind them at the second bend, Midland Tip (Westmead Hawk-Tracy Beaker) went further ahead to lead by six lengths as they made their way to the third bend.
Midland Tip made no mistake from this to the rail where he had a seven-and-a-half-length lead on his nearest challenger, Kebab Claire. A length-and-a-half back for third spot was Glynnscrossmaeve owned by Tom Keane, Kilmihil.
In the other big race on the card, a mini-open 550, the 30.64 winner by a short head was Winter Dream (Collision-Glencoe Lizzie) from Gurrane Princess. Third spot went to Smithstown Paddy, trained by Donie Duggan for Sean McAllen, Shannon.
Leading by three lengths at the first bend, extending it to five after bunching behind him, the Barry Connolly-trained and Tuam-owned Combo Taylor (Hades Rocket-Tyrur Hayley) was first to cross the line in an A1-graded 525 with a time of 29.01. He won by four-and-a-half lengths from White Gal, trained by Donie Duggan for members of the Five Chancers syndicate from Shannon. Third home was Ballymac Juice, trained by Stephen Murray for the X In Bed syndicate, Feakle.
In the opening race for A5-graded runners the Paddy Burke-owned Bumblebee Rosie (Hades Rocket-Caraghmore Flyer) led by two lengths at the first bend, was four in front down the back and, while put under pressure, she railed well at the home bend to hold off the challenges of the second placed Sensivity, trained by Stephen Murray for the MADJ syndicate from Cree, and Feed Me Peaches (Kim Knell, Mountshannon) who was third.
The distances were a length-and-three-quarters-and-a-neck and the time was 29.86.
The second race, an S6-graded, saw Rathmeehan Maeve (Ballymac Maeve-Loughanboy Molly) chalk up another win for owner-trainer, John Browne, Ballyea. There was less than a length between all six runners as they raced to the first bend where Tomars Jamie in trap two took over number one spot. However, there was a lot of trouble rounding the bend and Rathmeehan Maeve in trap four shot cleart on the crown of the bend. Even though moving wide off the home bend, Rathmeehan Maeve had ample in reserve to win by three-and-a-quarter lengths in 19.64.
The runner-up was Canvas Torres owned in Mountshannon by Kim Knell.
Newmarket-on-Fergus owner, Frank Casey, Stonehall, visited the winner’s parade ring after his Boherash Torpedo (Hades Rocket-Boherash Charity) won the next race, an S5-graded sprint.
Showing the way from trap two was Mine Velvet followed by Feed Me Scampi in trap six and Boherash Torpedo in trap one. There was bunching among the backmarkers and when they turned the final corner Mine Velvet was two lengths to the good. However, Boherash Torpedo lived up to his name to snatch the lead and win by three parts of a length in 19.57 fromn the Frank Browne (Quin) owned Mine Velvet. Third placed, a half-length back, was Feed Me Scampi owned by Kim Knell, Mountshannon.
