Peggy in flying form at Shelbourne Park

A VERY impressive win for the Ennis-owned Peggy in an open 575 at Shelbourne Park, the Newmarket-on-Fergus-owned Nurse Jackie qualifying for the third round of the Red Mills Produce stakes in Clonmel  and the win for that great Ennistymon stalwart, Michael Marrinan, in Limerick last Saturday night were among the weekend highlights in greyhound racing from the Clare point to of view.
Ennis owners, Martin Cronin and Jack Markham as well as Billy Murphy from O’Briensbridge and Colman O’Loughlin from Inagh added to the excitement with their Cragbrien Hondo, Coolready Shaun and Pal Duke winning the feature races over the three nights’ racing in Galway.
Owned in Ennis by Frankie Sheehan and trained by Sixmilebridge man, Stephen Murray, Peggy was again in flying form in Shelbourne Park last Saturday in an 575 race for which Colourful Fox was sent off the warm 4/5 favourite from trap two. However, the favourite was very slow off the mark and in contrast, Peggy in trap three was away to the proverbial flyer. The black son of Black-Shaw-Sheehan’s Cottage won the race to the opening bend, was in control for the remainder of the race and came home a very impressive seven-and-a-half-length winner in a time of 31.75. The runner-up was Tyrur Brian and third spot went to Fleeting Image.
It was a fine triumph for the Sheehan-Murray team who brought off a big win in Tralee a few weeks back with Peggy winning the John and Mary Dowling 570 Memorial final. At the line, he was half a length in front for his 31.28 win. This was a remarkable achievement considering that he ran a 525-yard race in Shelbourne Park just 24 hours earlier and had short notice  to run as a reserve in the Tralee final.

Treble for Kinvara’s McDonagh

Cragbrien Hondo won the top graded A2 525-yard race in Galway on Saturday night when trainer John McDonagh landed a Kinvara treble.
On Thaw Jarug in trap four was best away in the top-graded race of the night and led at the first by one length from a tightly bunched field. He was two lengths clear down the far side from Cragrbrien Hondo who was now more of a threat as they approached the third bend. In turning for home, On Thaw Jarug swung a little but this was good enough for Cragbrien Hondo and the son of Hondo Black-Rachel’s Picture got up close to home to record a one-length win in a time of 29.24. On Thaw Jarug was runner-up and third place went to Steve’s Sentinel owned by Sean Stack, Sixmilebridge.
The Tuam-owned  Dromoher Joe (Boheduff Light-Coldwar Baby) returned to winning ways in the S2 graded race. He won by three lengths from the locally owned There Goes JoJo with Cragbrien Honcho (Martin Cronin and Jack Markham)filling third place.
The bumper race, an A3 graded affair over 525 yards, also produced a Clare winner, Now It’s Bruno beating all for a 29.48 win. The son of Droopy’s Maldini-Dalcash Ciara, owned in Cooraclare by Eimhear Lillis, led the rest of the field by a length after passing the opening bend. Handled by Michael Lillis, he extended his lead down the back but the chasing pack came closer over the final two bends. The John McDonagh-rained Tyrur Paudi flew from the home bend but he just failed to catch the Cooraclare-owned black who won by a neck.
John McDonagh kicked off his treble in the opening race, an S8 garded 350 with the reserve runner, Maureen’s Admiral in trap two. He led all the way from the first bend and won by almost seven lengths in 19.20.
The Kinvara kennels had win number two in the fifth race, which was for A4 graders. The honours in this race went to the Gina McDonagh-owned Killea Rocket ( Razldazl Billy-What’s Mine) who led all the way for his 19.35 and one-and-a-quarter-length win.
The treble was acheived in the ninth race, which was for A4 graders and over 525 yards and won by Clonkelly Point, trained by John McDonagh for the Girls’ Syndicate, Kinvara. The son of Ninas Worldclass-Smooth Point led at the first, opened up a three-length lead reaching the halfway mark but at the end, had to withstand a great run by Bocks First Blue to win by a neck in 29.22. Third home was the Sean Cooke (Kilbeacanty) owned Annagh Larch.
At different stages, there were three leaders in an S7 graded 350-yard race and for a finish, the locally owned Kerwell Billie and the Des Flaherty-trained Rinnwood Ella dead heated for first place in 19.78. One length back for third was John Quinn’s Fast Fit Tyson.
The Davy Lavelle-trained Davris Joy overcame trouble in the run-up to win an A8 graded 525 with a clock of 29.40. She won by six and a quarter lengths from Fergus Run (Jimmy McLaughlin, Shannon) with Yoyojo (Martin J Keane, Kilmihil) taking third place.
All six runners were well placed coming to the opening bend in an A5 graded 525. However, the Eugene McNamara-owned Singland Scholes in the inside trap got a dream passage along the inside rail to just shade it from the wide-running trap-six runner, Knockbrack Yeman, owned by Margaret Nestor, Miltown Malbay. Singland Scholes led by a length just after half way and while Knockbrack Yeman looked a bigger danger as they turned for home, Singland Scholes went clear again to win by five and a quarter lengths in 29.44.

O’Briensbridge dog wins Galway feature

SOUTH-East Clare shouts were loudest in Galway on Thursday night when Coolready Shaun, owned in O’ Briensbridge by Billy Murphy, won the featured race of the night, the concluding A3 graded 525.
Running from trap one, Coolready Shaun (Prince Monolulu-Rushaun Spark) was the joint 6/4 favourite and led on the run towards the opening bend from Smooth Deano and Mine Cash. Down the back, the South-East Clare-owned brindled was still out in front with the pack beginning to bunch approaching the third bend. As they turned for home, Coolready Shaun was the one they all to beat and while the John McDonagh-trained Tyrur Paudi came close, there was to be no denying of Coolready Shaun who held out for a three parts of a length win in 29.71.
The card included three first-round heats of an A5 graded stake and in the opening heat, the Ballyneety-owned Chestnut Style was in control most of the way for  his four and a quarter lengths win in 29.48. The runner-up was Wooly Spiral (John Darcy, Ennis). Just outsdide the qualifiers was  Astronomer’s Star (Sean McAllen, Shannon). The winner’s clock was 29.48.
Jules Flyer was the 30.00 winner of heat two, beating Toma by three parts of a length. Third placed and again outside the qualifiers was Nells Fantasy, owned in Miltown Malbay by Helen O’ Brien and Michael Mahony.
Doon, Limerick owner, Finola Richardson, won heat three with Definate Story who made up  ground down the back to win by five and a quarter lengths in 29.60 from the Sean Cooke trained Loughcarn Lass. Third placewent Wiizard Johnny (Billy Murphy, O’Briensbridge).
Fisherman’s Scoby, owned in Kilkee by Barry Harte, was well placed for most of the first race on the card, the final of the Coursing Bred 350 but the Fethard-owned Bee Bee Bee nipped in at the home bend and went on to win by one and a half lengths in 19.47 from Blame the Judge. Fisherman’s Scoby took third place.
The first of two semi-finals of an N2 novice 525 stake was won in 29.69 by Consteack (29.69) from Crown the Odds and Clydagh Cailín.
The 29.81 winner of heat two was Madam Maggie from Oranmore Kate and Sue’s Rocket (Johnny and Emma Burke, Tubber).
Willbrook Dame (Michael Davoren, Ennistymon) was involved in a very tight finish to an S4 graded 350-yard race. She and Dusty Magpie were neck and neck at the opening bend but in the run home, Dusty Magpie prevailed by a neck in a time of 19.51.
There were three Clare qualifiers from two semi-final heats of an A4 graded novice 700.
The early pacemaker in the opening heat was Tiermana Vieri owned by Frank Casey, Stonehall, Newmarket-on-Fergus. Turning into the home straight for the first time, he had five lengths on Val’s On Time with the rest of the field spaced out following early crowding. However, down the back straight, the Ballinalsoe-owned Val’s On Time was making up ground and in the run home took over number-one position to win by one and a quarter lengths in 40.71 from Frank Casey’s black. Third home was the Noel Mullins-trained Ballpont owned by Billy Kilroy and Declan Spelman, Kinvara.
Joskin, owned in Crusheen by Oliver O’Keeffe, was the earlyleader in heat two but at the second-last bend the Salthill-owned Scranton Express. Took over and raced on twin by six and a quarter lengths with a clock of 40.13. The runner-up was Joskin with third place going to Beltra Teeko.

Nurse Jackie finishes second in Clonmel

NEWMARKET-on-Fergus owner, John Meehan, continues to have an added interest in the outcome of the Red Mills Produce Stakes in Clonmel. His Nurse Jackie (Westmead Joe-Top Award) did not have the  best of starts from trap two in a second-round heat last Sunday night but she finished well to be runner-up, one and a half lengths behind the  29.02 winner, Archaton.
The Craig Kelly-trained Spearhawk (Droopy’s Vieri-Westmead Joo) was again the fastest winner when racing to a five-and-half-length win over Crossfield Jet in 28.56.
Nurse Jackie is drawn in trap two in heat three next Sunday night with 1. Bit View Micko; 3. Power Charge; 4. FastawayKing; 5. Colourful Bolt; 6. Shelboiurne Geoff (w).

Duke proves to be a real Pal

KAY Lynch, Paddy Troy, Kilkee and Colman O’Loughlin were the Clare winners in Galway on Friday night with Sixmilebridge trainer, Bernard Coffey, also visiting the winners’ arena. This was a benefit night in aid of Coláiste Iognaid (Galway City) Secondary School Building Fund and there was huge support for it.
Colman O’Loughlin from Inagh, another of the sport’s great supporters, had his moment of glory with his Pal Duke, winning the feature race on the card, the Jes Buster 525. The market leader in trap six was the Conor Fahy-trained Combo Lumu. He missed his break slightly but such was not the case with Pal Duke. The son of Droopy’s Scolari-Cathy of Inagh bombed out of trap four and in the run to the opening bend, he led Combo Lomu and the Cratloe-owned Confused Jose. Pal Duke was four lengths in front down the back and while the Jack Mahony-trained Radharc na Padre made inroads between this and the finishing line, Pal Duke stayed out in front to win the big race of the night by a length and three quarters in time of 29.29. Third home was Gerry Manley’s Confused Jose.
Bouncing back from a career threatening injury, the John McDonagh-trained Hatchet (Tyrur Ted-Mulcair Millie) gave one of the big performances of the night to win the A3 graded 525 final from the favourite, Lismadine Jack, owned in West Clare by Paddy Troy and Conor McInerney and Slaheny Music, representing Peg Lenihan, Newmarket-on-Fergus. He led at the opening bend, went five clear down the back and romped home a four-and-a-half-length winner in 28.89 for his 14th win from 48 starts.
Another big winner on Friday night was Sixmilebridge trainer, Bernard Coffey with the Limerick-owned Money Go Easy in an A2 graded 575 final. The Paul Burke-trained Bumblebee Dingo in trap one was first to show but she went wide at the first bend, opening the way for Money Go Easy. Owned by Patrick Noonan, Limerick, the daughter of Droopy’s Maldini-Money Go Lucky, established a six-length lead coming towards the halfway mark. She went further ahead with every stride and wound up a 32.73 winner and by eleven and a quarter lengths from Earth Stap Gone.
Newmarket-on-Fergus owner, Breda Casey, also got her name among the winners after her Snuggie Babe in trap one was winner of the A1 graded bumper race over 550 yards. The Jennie Griffin-trained and owned Dunarus Corker and Tyrur Biggs were the early leaders with the Gort-owned black taking the lead down the back. At this stage, Snuggie Babe was coming more and more into the picture and coming from the back had reduced the lead to two lengths. When leader swung wide, Snuggie Babe availed of the opprtunity to go clear on the inside and run on for an impressive win by six and three quarter of a length in 30.36 fromTyrur Biggs. Third spot went to Bypass Out Way (Paddy Darcy, Ennis).
The A7 graded 525 final was captured by the Birr-owned Clonlelly who beat Pick a Bunny by six lengths with a clock of 29.27. Mary Browne’s Burnpark Royal was third home.
Night Rambler, owned by Martin Keane, Kilmihil, was a long-time leader in the first race of the night, the A8 graded 525. However, the Nenagh-owned Serious Dream, who led at the start, came again to overtake Night Rambler and also hold off the challenge of the Newmarket-on-Fergus-owned Master Rooser (Myles Cummins). Serious Dream won in 29.56 and by three parts of a length from Master Rooster with Night Rambler in third place.
Mary Browne’s Burnpark Maldini was third in an S6 graded 350 won by Caisleán Geata in 19.48.
Moya Mae, trained by Donie Duggan for Kay Lynch, was first home in the Coláiste Iognaid 350 for S6 graders. From traps, Frank Casey’s I Tips Away was the pacemaker from Panther’s Delight and Moya Mae in trap two. The leader went wide at the first and Moya Mae closed in by the rail with Miss the Bronze showing well on the outside. However, Moya Mae (Hoido-Black-Climate Kewell) was fastest on the run home and crossed the line two and a half lengths before the arrival of I Tips Away. Miss the Bronze filled third spot. The winner’s clock was 19.56.
Tyrur Demi was well fancied to beat all in the Coláiste Iognaid 525 for grade A4 performers but things did not go according to plan for the trap three runner. Instead, it was Lismadine Tevez, owned by Paddy Troy from Lisheen near Kilkee, was the one to watch. The son of Kinloch Brae- Getaway Jordan had a great break from trap one and by the time he was  turning down the back, he was three lengths in front. It got a little tighter from the third bend but Lismadine Tevez had enough in the tank to stay in front and win by two lengths in 29.15 from the favourite. Third place went to Runway Patrol, which is owned in Liscannor by the members of the Rineanna Syndicate.

Celebration time in Ennistymon

CELEBRATIONS in Ennistymon must have gone on until the early hours of the morning after Michael Marrinan, the publican and great doggie man, won the A6 graded Tri Distance 600 final in Limerick last Friday night with his Tom Flanagan-trained Middle Park (Droopy’s Maldini-Scattery Maid).
Unbeaten in this event, he was the 6/4 favourite in the final. He broke well from trap two, got in front by the second bend and raced on for a great three-length win in 32.72 from Petite Suzy in trap three. It was a popular win for one of the great icons of coursing and greyhound racing.
Parteen-based trainer, Joe Collins, also had winner in Limerick on Friday night. Grinan Legend (Razldazl Billy-Olly’s Birdy), which he handles for Fedamore owner, David Ryan, won the opening race of the night in style. He was smartly away from trap five and led the way for a length-and-a-half win over the favourite, Peony Flash. His time was 29.21.
Cratloe owner, Harry Galvin, was represented by Upland Lake in an A6 graded 525 and he ran on to be third. The race went to Give the Nod (29.57).
There were two more Clarewinners on the card. Shyladee Lass won an A3 graded 525 for O’Briensbridge owner, Bridget Casey. The daughter of College Causeway-Lass Kewell, was the joint 5/2 favourite and after taking up the running from the second bend, she went on to win by two lengths in 29.34.
North Clare owner, Martin Kelly from Tubber, also came away with a good win, his Rathorpe Blanco again notching up a Limerick win. For her latest triumph, the daughter of Droopy’s Kewell-Rathorpe Baby was the front runner from the third bend and at the line, she was two and a half lengths better than the other 6/4 joint favourite, Dooey South. This was an A1 graded 525 and the winner’s clock was a good 28.70, the best of the night.
In other races, the Glin-owned Killacolla Deco was an easy winner of an A6 graded 525 in a time of 28.90. The runner-up was Starlight Hero (Thomas and Niall O’Sullivan, Shannon) and third place went to Barntick Joker (Mary Reidy, Clarecastle).
Another big winner was the Oola-owned Cruising Gino (29.18) who beat Wellstone Two (Leo McNulty sand Patsy Riordan, Shannon) into second place.