Snuggie is the Boy for Breda at Cratloe fundraiser

NEWMARKET’S Breda Casey was the sole Clare winner at the benefit meeting promoted by Cratloe GAA Club at Limerick Racing Stadium on Friday night when Snuggie Boy obliged in the Woodcross Bar A4 525.
Running from trap four, Snuggie Boy (Group Rooster–Christians Lady) encountered traffic problems at the opening bend but heading down the back straight had made up ground on the early leader, Ryan’s Fantasy.
The Darryl Hopper-trained Nine Minus Two, owned by a Clarecastle-based syndicate, also joined the thick of the action but off the final bend, Snuggie Boy found that bit extra to have a length and a half at the line on Nine Minus Two. The winning time was 29.49.
Breda’s fellow parishioner, John Meehan, was denied victory in the Setright’s Tavern A 2 575 with Nurse Jackie (Westmead Joe–Top Award).
The Gerry Griffin-trained Stuck in Reverse hit top gear from the lift of traps and the son of Big Daddy Cool–Plutos Tip was never headed. He raced to victory in 31.76 and had a little over a length in hand on the staying-on Nurse Jackie.
In the opening race on the card, an A5-graded 525, the spoils went to the Kilmallock-owned Raindodger in 29.30.
The son of Mallymac Maeve–Call Midge broke smartly from traps to poach an early advantage to the opening bend. Always at the head of affairs, Raindodger prevailed by a length from Tullabrack Mist (Crash–Frosty Mist), owned in Cooraclare by Jimmy O’Dea.
Cratloe owner and trainer, Ger Manley collected second-placed prize money in the Olde House A3-graded 525 with Confused Jose (Roanokee–Confused Shasa).
Amazing Run, owned by Kevin O’Toole of Charleville, bolted from traps and took up the running to the opening bend. Down the back straight the advantage was stretched to four lengths but on the run to the line, Confused Spice came from the pack to throw down a challenge. However, Amazing Run was never in danger of losing the race and crossed the line in front in 28.77.
One of the men behind the benefit night, Liam Carroll from Portdrine, Cratloe, saw his dog, Portdrine Bobby (Hades Rocket–Jumeriah Jess) finish third in the Flanagan Contracts Ltd and Complete Insulation Services race.
The race was won in impressive fashion by Rockanes Girl (Westmead Hawk–Moody Julia), trained by Denis O’Malley for Patrick Wilmott from Rathkeale. Five lengths separated first and third and the winning time was 28.67.
Wellstone Two (Yeah Man–Droopys Jazz), owned by Leo McNulty, Drumline, Newmarket and Patsy Riordan from Shannon was third in the Ciaran’s Bar, Ennis A2 525. The three-length winner in a time of 29.15 was Ryves Rock, owned by Michael McCarthy from Knocklong.
The final race on the card, the Abbey Tavern Quin A1 550, was won in impressive style by the Graham Holland-trained Lass Cause (College Causeway–Borna Lass) in 30.18.
Second, two-and-a-half lengths adrift, was the strong-finishing Scariff Hawk (Westmead Hawk–Patterdale Luna), trained in Shanakyle, Parteen, by Joe Collins and owned by his wife, Kitty, son, Peter and daughter, Claire.
At Limerick on Saturday night Badgerfort Max obliged for Ennis owner Mary Murphy in an A3-graded 525.
The son of Vite Max–Nos na Gaoithe led at the second and galloped on relentlessly to win in 19.19 from the fast-finishing Crash Flash (Crash–Jessie Be Strong), trained by John Rainsford.
Sixmilebridge trainer, Bernard Coffey made it to the winners’ enclosure with O’Garney Patch (Mallymac Maeve–O’Garney Mist), which he trains at Oatfield for his wife, Helen.
Taking up the running after the opening bend, O’Garney Patch stuck to his task and came home in 31.31 for the A4-graded 575, two lengths clear of the Thomas O’Donovan-trained Captain Causeway.
In an A3 525 race, Patrick Hogan, Ballyalla, Ennis won with Aulton Leo, trained by Michael Enright.
The son of Westmead Hawk–Newbridge Jewel took up the running, rounding the final bend to defeat the long-time leader, Magical Rover. An official verdict of a short head separated the first two and the winning time was 28.69.
Other dogs placed on the night were Kilcorcoran Manu (Ace Hi Rumble–Ballard Nikita), who was second in an A2 525 for Conor Cleary of Miltown Malbay; Hawks Hill Lily (Head Bound–Mitzie), who placed third in an unraced 525 for Liscannor trainer Darryl Hopper; Coolready Shaun (Prince Monalulu–Rushaun Spark), who came third in an A2 525 for Mill Murphy, O’Briensbridge and Cragaknock Rain (Droopy’s Scolari–Ciaras Rainbow), who crossed the line in second place in an A6 525 for John O’Kelly, Mullagh.

In traps for birthday bash

THE traps are ready, the greyhounds are primed, the atmosphere is guaranteed to be electric and the countdown has begun to Limerick Greyhound Stadium’s first birthday, which takes place on Friday, October 7.
The celebrations will feature a host of surprises for race goers, including live music, fabulous food, a chance to walk away with prizes and 12 thrilling races.
Doors open at 6.30pm and the first race will commence at 7.45pm.
Sharing his first birthday with Limerick Greyhound Stadium is baby Eoin Keane. Eoin, who turns one on the same day as the stadium, will be coming along with his family and a number of other special guests who also share their birthday with Limerick Greyhound Stadium.
Under the direction of Ogonnelloe woman, Imelda Cahalan, sales, commercial and operations manager at Limerick Greyhound Stadium, the first year at the state-of-the-art venue has been a monumental success and a great asset to Limerick city and county and the Mid-West.
Imelda said, “The stadium has provided the people of Limerick and surrounding areas with a venue that guarantees a night out with a difference. We’ve hosted over 1,200 races, 100 race meetings and seen a huge footfall in the last year, many of which had never been greyhound racing before.
“In the past year, Limerick Greyhound Stadium has given a massive boost to the Limerick economy with the creation of 100 full and part-time positions at our world-class facility. The boost came not just from the jobs but also from the variety of associated businesses that benefited as a direct result of the venue, which attracted up to 2,000 people every Friday and Saturday evening.”
The stadium is easily accessible with 750 secure parking spaces. The track, which is among the finest greyhound stadiums in the world, has a spacious viewing area, private and exclusive hospitality suites and an impressive bar and 190-seater restaurant.

Syndicate celebrates Galway Blitz

Ebony Blitz, trained by Frank Browne for the Murphy Agri syndicate from Kinvara, came out on top in the A3 graded final over 525 yards at the Galway Greyhound Racing Stadium last Saturday night.
The Gerry Holian-trained Captain Scolari in trap one was sent off the even-money favorite but his chances ended after meeting trouble at the second bend. It was at this stage of the race that  Ebony Blitz hit the front and the daughter of Droopys Kewell-Rathorpe Baby remained the front runner for the remainder of the trip to win by three and a quarter lengths in a time of 20.07. The runner-up was the John McDonagh-trained Hatchet and half a length back for third place was Davris Jim.
The card also inlcuded two semi-finals of the Galwegians A2 event over 525 yards. There were two Clare-owned qualifiers from the opening semi-final, which was won in 29.09 by Denis Hannon’s Springwell Miley (Premier Fantasy-Springwell Sukey), who beat reserve runner, Blaze Ken, owned in Ennis by Anthony Brigdale and Margaret Byrne, by two lengths. Burnpark Leonard, owned by the Browne family from Leitrim, Kilmihil, took third spot.
Denis Hannon also won the second semi-final with Springwell Soda (Top Savings-Springwell Bessy), who had a time of 29.17 when beating Winonesoon by a length and a quarter.
The Browne family also won the first race of the night, an S9 graded sprint, with Burnpark Alfie (Burnpark Champ-Burnpark Cuckoo). Leading from the second corner, the black raced on for a three-and-a-quarter-length win with a clock of 19.45 from Quick Brae.
The John McDonagh-trained Tyrur Feeney (Hades Rocket-Tyrur Nuala) was a trap-to-line winner of an A4 graded 525, beating Hilltop Tomboy (Brendan McDermott, Kilrush) by three parts of a length in 29.32.

Success for Inagh owners

THURSDAY night’s Galway programme was an all-graded card with the A2-graded eighth contest the top fare on offer and victory went to Kylea Dreamer, the property of Inagh owners, Irene Barry and Seán Arthur.
The three semi-finals of the Galwegians RFC A5 525 were the chief supporting contests on the card and three Clare runners will go to traps for the final.
In the A2-graded contest, all six runners were away on terms but with Manus Chestnut, trained by Donie Duggan for Pat McInerney from Clarecastle, heading straight for inside rails both Kylea Dreamer and Phil’s Boy enjoyed a clear passage down the wide outside.
Rounding the bend, Kylea Dreamer (Droopys Scolari-Cathy of Inagh) went on by a couple of lengths from Phil’s Boy, with a four-length gap back to the remainder. Between the final two bends, Phil’s Boy began to gradually bridge the gap but despite running wide off the home bend, Kylea Dreamer just lasted it out to score by the minimum margin in 29.72.
In the first semi-final of the Galwegians A5 525 Stake, Bumblebee Cora was best away and she led round the opening bend from County Hurlers, trained in Gort by Noel Mullins for Sean and Mike Mullins and Carriglad Ceaser.
Turning down the far side, Bumblebee Cora led by two lengths from County Hurlers as Beezy Daisy, owned by Maura McDonagh from Ennis, began to make ground on the wide outside.
Rounding the third bend, County Hurlers (Brett Lee-Ella’s Pride) struck the front and although Beezy Daisy (Astronomic–Rushaun) came with a late thrust, she failed by three-quarters of a length in 29.70.
In the second semi-final, Loyal Sue led the field on the run towards the opening bend where O’Garney Flo, owned and trained in Oatfield, Sixmilebridge by Bernard Coffey, slipped inside her to lead turning down the back straight.
Approaching the third bend, O’Garney Flo (Droopys Woods-O’Garney Mist) led by two lengths from Clonfeigh Dream, trained by Johnny Maher in Kilmaley, as she stayed on in determined fashion to win in 29.63.
Clonfeigh Dream (Catunda Harry–Clonfeigh Nikita) came home in second place, a length ahead of Milesian Smurf (Climate Control–Milesian Magic), owned by Patrick Conlon, Kilrush.
In the third semi-final, Bernard Coffey failed to qualify a second runner, O’Garney Mavis (Ballymac Maeve–O’Garney Pearl).
Victory went to the Tony Walsh-owned Clarecaste Dub (Killahan Phanter-Express Smasher) with Kevin Marmion, Loughrea, second with Kickback Larry.
In the remainder of the card, the opening contest of the night was an A9-graded 525, in which the trap-six runner, Derrybrine Mick, owned by Daniel Collins of Monivea, led from traps and rounding the opening bend was two lengths clear of his rivals, who all seemed to get in each others’ way on the run to the bend.
Racing down the back, Clonreddan Jet, owned in Cooraclare by Thomas Keane, moved through to lead on the inside and the son of Tullow Rumble and Tullow Lady quickly went clear to score by just under five lengths in 30.07.
In the A7-graded 525 yard contest, the trap-one runner Barntick Panther, owned by Mary Reidy of Barntick, Clarecastle, was away well and despite moving slightly outwards, led his rivals by over a length approaching the opening bend. With trouble among the chasers rounding the opening bend, the son of Head Bound and Barntick Live led by five lengths passing halfway and although tiring on the run-in, he still led Ballyhale Bertie home by less than three lengths in 29.66.
Third spot went to Hold It Habana (Premier Fantasy–Glenfort Rumble), owned by Mark Shannon in North Clare.
It was back to sprinting action in the S5 350-graded affair and from traps both Killerk Sammy, owned by Kieran and Aaron Nugent from Ennis and Tobair Mna were away well enough towards the inside, with Sue’s Rocket also showing up well towards the outer approaching the opening bend.
Rounding the bend, Killerk Sammy (Droopys Scolari-Ballaghboy Cool) went on by a length, a lead he maintained all the way to the line. Third place went to Gerry Moloney, Ennis, with Sue’s Rocket (Droopys Scolari–Ballaghboy Cool).
The sixth race was an A4-graded 550 yard contest and as the runners began the long run towards the opening bend, the Jennifer Carpenter and Anthony Huckfie-owned Tintreach Wolf strode out well to lead round by two lengths from the Donie Duggan-trained Petshaname.
Exiting the back straight, the leader was still clear of his rivals as he stayed on well to score by over a length in 30.83 from Petshaname, owned by Peter Russell.
In the A7-graded 525 Knockdine Dream and Covies Queen matched strides at the head of affairs just over a length clear of Corker Fergal. Racing down the back, Corker Fergal took over in front but, although two lengths clear leaving the back straight, could never shake off his two rivals.
Turning for home, the three were back in a line with the Thomas Higgins-owned Covies Queen (Westmead Hawk-Ougham Biddy) just the stronger close to home to score by three-quarters of a length in 29.89 from Eoin O’Brien’s Knockdine Dream.

Benefit night for Rape Crisis Mid-West

RAPE Crisis Mid-West will boost its coffers from a benefit race night at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Friday, October 7. Promoting a 12-race card, the first race is off at 7.45pm.
Based at Punch’s Close, Rosbrien Road in Limerick, the centre provides telephone and one-to-one counselling for both male and female survivors of rape, sexual abuse and incest. In addition, staff carry out training and educational programmes for volunteer counsellors and support worker training for the sexual assault treatment unit at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick. Their freephone number is 1800 311511.
Patrons are advised that tickets must be purchased prior to the event and can be obtained by contacting 1800 311511, texting 086 6114481 or emailing fundraising@rapecrisis.ie or www.igb.ie and click on Limerick Racing Stadium.