POIGNANTLY NAMED KYNE STILL GOING STRONG APPROACHING SIX
Saturday’s meeting at Galway this week will bring the latest
instalment in the wonderful career of veteran racer Bumblebee Kyne (Head
Bound/Menlo Polly) as Paddy Burke’s kennel favourite will contest the 137th
race of a campaign that has seen him score victory in five calendar years!
An October 2012 whelp, Bumblebee Kyne will turn six years of
age very shortly but is showing absolutely no ill effects for a busy campaign
as he returned the 25th win of his career on Friday last. A renowned
strong stayer, he again got up close home for a thrilling one and half-length
verdict in A5 grade while posting 29.55 (-20) for the 525 yards.
Further emphasising his well-being in his advancing years,
that victory was the third in his last five outings. Always kept busy,
Bumblebee Kyne has in fact just three trials on his card with just one of those
coming during his racing career.
Reaching a high of A0 grade in the summer of 2015 when
registering 30.04 for 550 yards in the heats of the Longford Derby, Paddy
laments that he never won a race over four bends at Longford despite missing
out on victory in the Longford Derby Consolation Final by just a short-head and
a short-head!
Speaking of his canine best friend, Paddy opens with a
simple description; “He’s a brilliant dog. He has been busy but was only ever
injured once really an that was the only time he needed a trial during his
career. He’s as tough as nails and a few bumps never bothered him. We’ve been
very lucky that he has stayed so sound otherwise.
“Yeah he’s a strong stayer and the way he runs, sometimes
you’d think he knew where the line was and sure he probably does at this stage!
He’s a dog that would always want Trap 1, but he has most of his winning done
away from the inside. He’s very consistent and even just looking at his places
in the top three of his races would tell that.”
Not just a favourite in racing terms, Bumblebee Kyne was to
be a special runner before even taking to the track on his debut in July of
2014, for his naming was of a poignant nature.
The Bumblebee prefix is that of the Burke family but the
addition of Kyne was in memory of a young man from Kiltrogue in Galway who was
taken from this life all too soon. With an exciting career as a jockey ahead of
him, Jamie Kyne tragically passed away following a fire at his residence in
Scotland while working away from home, back in 2010.
Paddy explains; “We’d all be very close here at home around
Kiltrogue and as you can imagine, Jamie’s passing was a terrible tragedy for everyone
in the community. I remember around that time, Jamie’s own dad dug my uncle’s
grave and he said to me, “call a good one after Jamie won’t you?”….and so that’s
where Bumblebee Kyne came from.
“And you know, the way he runs, so determined when coming
from behind, there’s times you’d think he knows he’s running for Jamie! I
recall a night at the track actually and two of Jamie’s brothers were coming
racing. They knew we had a runner of course but didn’t know the name of the dog
until they got to the track and knew than that this was the one who was called
after Jamie. So he’s a special dog for a lot of people.”
With brother Paul taking the training plaudits in the Burke
kennels at present, Paddy again sits atop the winning owners table at Galway
for 2018 having won the owners title last year and Bumblebee Kyne was certainly
a major factor in that success.
During his career, Kyne has won at all the standard four bend
distances and even went back to lay his Longford ghost with victory over their
805 yard trip. The bulk of his races and successes have been at Galway however
and facing a small rise as he returns to A4 this week, there are no plans to
retire the wonderful veteran any time soon.
Paddy; “Well the plan is to keep going as long as he’s
happy, he’ll tell us! These days we just keep him fresh. The races keep him fit
and there’s no need to be galloping him too much. Right now he wants to keep
going and when that changes, he’ll live out his days here on the couch.”
WENDY’S SURPRISE FAREWELL AT LIFFORD
Amidst a busy thirteen race programme at Lifford on Saturday, the Trappers Bar S2 350 yard race found a hugely impressive winner but there was much more significance surrounding the event than immediately met the eye while the race doubled as a salute to a recently retired celebrity, of the canine variety!
We all love our greyhounds with the attention to their daily needs the overbearing task of each waking hour and as such, the increasing welfare drive within the sport, while perennially striving for further progression, more and more reveals racing owners like Wendy Robinson of Newry.First introduced to greyhounds by husband Damian some years ago, Wendy’s first greyhound was Saleen Diva and now a proven dam from the comfort of the family sofa, Diva has another rival for the most comfortable seats in the Robinson household following the racing retirement of her most successful son, Wendys Son (Brick Lane/Saleen Diva). Although truth be told, he was always vying for those seats, even while racing!
RACER OR POSER?
Now, following the social media profile of his owner, his naming becomes wholly justified for he has literally been part of the family, even throughout his exploits at the track. That racing career has been cut short with a wrist injury some weeks ago and rather than risk a future comeback, Wendy has decided to impose an early retirement on her pride and joy but excepting spins around the track, there may not be a discerning difference to his day to day lifestyle.
Winning six races, Wendys Son was last successful in November of 2017 in SS0 company over 350 yards at Lifford. Opening his career with a victory at Drumbo Park, all his wins came over sprint trips with the remainder at the Donegal venue, clocking a best time of 18.78 for 350 yards while also posting 28.70 for 525 yards at Shelbourne Park.A nice profile if not all that uncommon. What was uncommon however was photos of Wendys Son throughout his racing career while posing much more as a leisurely house pet than an Open class racing greyhound. He could be seen lying off on his back with legs in the air on the sofa with owner Wendy or sharing that same space with his dam; or in one particular iconic photo when more akin to a seasoned professional model in a diva-like armchair pose!
MEDIA HIT
Of course with all these wonderful photos emerging amidst his racing exploits, Wendys Son became a bit of a hit on Facebook, not only amongst friends of the Robinson family but far beyond and these friends along with Matthew Duffy of Lifford Greyhound Stadium wanted to mark his retirement on Saturday last.Keeping the surprise a secret from Wendy until late last week, the night’s S2 350 Yard race was deemed the most appropriate to honour his own sprint victories, the celebrity status he has achieved and to wish him well in his retirement.
A touch of cunning from husband Damian ensured that Wendy would not realise the surprise until greeted with the race card as he coolly suggested that they take Wendys Son along to the track, just for the spin like because he’s a pet now, and the dupe only became apparent when Wendy spotted the back page of the race card which was dedicated to her pride and joy.That full page tribute bore his wonderful photo, perched in the armchair, and read as follows;
“From everyone in attendance, we would like to wish Wendys Son a Happy Retirement. From race track to sofa, greyhounds make fantastic pets and we fully support the efforts made by the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust along with the many others who help give these wonderful dogs forever homes.”
Following the race, Wendys Son was presented with a racing jacket which read “Beloved Companion/Ex-Professional Athlete” which quite appropriately sums up Wendys Son and all of our rehomed racers.
He was joined for the presentation by the Charles Coyle & Rammond Joseph Hamilton owned Pentagon Lad (Belles Direction/Jolly Milly) who claimed the race honours with an impressive victory in 19.12, a second win in four starts for the promising August 2016 pup.
HAPPY RETIREMENT
Reported to have been in his element at the track, the initial loss felt by Wendy when his racing career was cut short will have dissipated yet further following this wonderful gesture from her extended greyhound family.As the first greyhound that she has whelped, reared, owned and trained herself, her ex-Open racer understandably has a very special place in Wendy’s heart and although she apologises for boring his followers with photos on Facebook………you really shouldn’t Wendy, they are wonderful!
I’m sure all will join Lifford Track in wishing Wendys Son a happy retirement while leaving the last words to Wendy as she describes her star.
“Son is the sweetest, funniest, most loyal and kindest boy I have had by my side. Even though his racing career is over, I look forward to sharing, as I have always done, plenty more photos of us on our journey together, wherever that will take us both. Thank you everyone!”
HAVANA MAY BE HEAVEN SENT AFTER MAGICAL THURLES TRIAL
Readers following the Limerick reports over last weekend will know of a first winner for young sire Tarsna Havana (Skywalker Puma/Tarsna Sal) who saw his son Mystical Merlin return a most game winner of the igb.ie A8 525 yard event on Friday.Trained by Pat Guilfoyle for his cousin Eoin Troy of Moneygall, he got his sire off the mark with his very first runner in Ireland when coming out on top of a three-way thriller in a photo-finish verdict while posting 29.39.
Displaying admirable battling qualities, this trait can be assigned in no small part to his sire as owner and breeder of Tarsna Havana, Geoff Parnaby confirms; “Oh that would be his dad coming through alright. He was so genuine. He had it all, pace, chase, and boy did he chase!”
Tarsna Havana was a member of a brilliant litter for Geoff’s kennels in Borrisoleigh Co.Tipperary, which of course included the 2015 Irish St Leger winner Skywalker Rory who was also trained by Pat Guilfoyle.
Geoff reports that the feedback from Havana’s other early matings is good and believes that the affectionately named Harvey can have a significant impact at stud. Also delighted to see his first winner come from the Guilfoyle kennels he added; “It’s great that it was the Guilfoyle’s who kicked things off with a winner for him because we have had such a wonderful association with them over many years.
“And, you have to commend them for taking a chance on Harvey with a bitch who was so well proven as Sizzling Sarah was.”
Standing at the home kennels, for now at least, Tarsna Havana is available for natural matings along with his classic winning brother. “Yes he’s here at home and has a total of nine bitches mated at this stage. Skywalker Rory is here too and he is really well in himself, he’s like a pup out there at the moment. He has two bitches mated at present and has a full sister of Vimmerby, Running Sweet, booked in next.”
When asked about his sire’s wonderful dam Tarsna Sal, Geoff reports; “She’s in good form but finished breeding now. She’s ten years old and will just enjoy her retirement here at home. But, we do have a replacement hopefully with another of that same litter. Tarsna Danceaway, who was a finalist in the Newbridge Unraced Bitch Stake, has a litter of five pups to Tyrur Big Mike!”
ARE YOU HAVANA LAUGH IN THURLES QUALIFYING TRIAL?
So, that Friday win for Mystical Merlin at Limerick gave much to celebrate in this breeding story but, then came Saturday at Thurles when Pat Guilfoyle would qualify another of the litter over 525 yards.Myself, I got wind of a flying trial by Emer Guilfoyle’s Magical Logan while attending racing at Limerick and did briefly think that maybe it might have been a mistake for regular patrons at Thurles will know that even the very elite of the sport would have a job on to post 28.62 (-20), let alone an unraced pup.
It was just a qualifying trial of course and Magical Logan will have plenty left to prove once going racing but only a very rare few would be capable of such an effort at the notoriously difficult circuit to record fast time and he just might be another very special talent for the Moneygall kennels.
Commenting on Magical Logan who is owned by Emer Guilfoyle, trainer Pat confirmed; “Yes, he’s a nice dog. He looks a real special one!
“He showed promise from the word go and we might be very lucky to have found one like him coming so soon after Good News but he does look to be in that category. It was a brilliant trial run and he will attract attention but whether sold or not, it’s unlikely that he would leave the kennel.
“We had the Kasko at Thurles in mind for him but believe it or not, I don’t think I have enough gone into him and it might come a bit soon so he’ll just be kept in preparation for another while until he’s fully ready.
“He’s a lovely looking dog with a beautiful temperament and he’ll be well minded for now and hopefully well placed when he gets going.”
Asked about his decision to mate brilliant dam Sizzling Sarah with the young sire Tarsna Havana, Pat explained; “Well it might have surprised a lot of people but he was an easy dog to admire and very lightly raced which is never a hindrance.
“But remember of course we had his brother here, Skywalker Rory, who won the St Leger for us so it’s a line we know very well and obviously respect. Havana was a very fast dog and I do think he could make a real stud dog. Honestly, it was an easy decision to use him.
“But on personal level also it felt right as we have had a great association with Geoff. We have had four coursing pups from his kennels and all won Trial Stakes even aside from Skywalker Rory leaving Geoff’s kennels to come to us so it’s great to see that association extended with this litter, and hopefully with another top class dog.”
Tarsna Havana ran just fifteen races but they included a Night Of Stars Open 525 Yard victory while he posted career best for 525 yards at Shelbourne Park of 28.17 in January going!!
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| TARSNA HAVANA |
Wishing continued success to the UL Greyhound Society
A concept that was sparked in the young mind of Joe Sheahan
when enjoying the benefits of his college horse racing society, the University
Of Limerick Greyhound Racing Society seeks to bring greyhound racing closer
to a younger generation and an enthusiastic group of members have made a
significant impact on the Limerick Greyhound Racing scene since their official
inception in March of this year.
A regular patron here on the Dock Road, Joe describes the
initial formation of the syndicate and their vision for the future as the first
society of it’s kind in Ireland.
Joe: “The idea originally came about around this time last
year when I met Julie-Anne O’Keefe through mutual friends and both being
involved in greyhounds we discussed the possibility. Having had the experience
of the horse racing society in UL, we had a model to work with and began to
gather some interest in a similar society for greyhounds.
“Really, we wanted to promote the sport to a younger
audience and tackle some of the misconceptions that the general public seem to
harbour about the sport. Also the welfare of greyhounds is very important to us
and we wanted to help the Retired Greyhound Trust with their efforts to promote
greyhound as pets. We all believe in the ethos of caring for greyhounds from a
pup, through to the couch upon retirement and want to promote the welfare drive
at every turn.
“When we first set up, we didn’t know how many numbers we
could attract but there was enough interest to get it off the ground and the
new college year now has brought first year students as members, so it looks
like we are set to keep growing.”
Gathering for launch nights here at Limerick Greyhound
Stadium and at Tralee back in March, the society has quickly grown and are
already achieving many of the goals set out from the start. In the past weeks
they have hosted their first Student Race Night here at Limerick and hope to
build on that debut event as an annual highlight for the society.
Committing to their welfare push, they very recently
organised a Retired Greyhound Stroll around the university campus which Joe
describes as a huge success. “We were delighted with the response to the Stroll
and so many students who knew nothing about greyhounds were amazed at how
placid and friendly an animal they are. Everyone was stopping to pet them down
and if they left with a different impression than they had beforehand, then it
was a success.
“We got great support from Patricia Tobin and Mary Crotty
who are just brilliant with the retired racers and also from Gain Feeds who
sponsored bags of nuts for those with dogs on the day.”
The society are also getting involved on the racing front
and currently have part shares in two runners, Mohane Odie at Tralee and
Rastaboombasta here at Limerick but the first greyhound to bear the society
name as full owners will hit the track in the near future. With training
sponsored by the IGB, a 17-month old bitch pup by Paradise Madison out of
Madame Emily has just entered full training and a competition is currently live
on the society’s Facebook page to name their pride and joy!
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| Members of the UL Greyhound Society at their recent Retired Greyhound Stroll |
Calling Limerick Greyhound Stadium the society’s home base Joe continues, “we are very grateful for all the help and guidance that we have received at Limerick. It’s our home track and we have one of our founder members on the Tote staff here, Susan Hayes along with Paul Maher who was a great help with the student night and he actually goes to Mary Immaculate so we have stretched beyond UL even. Following the student race night, Limerick offered free entry throughout the month of October to all third level students which was a brilliant gesture.
“In the coming weeks we also have a kennel visit to John
Linehan’s in Blarney coming up which has been organised by society member Mark
Linehan, his nephew and we are organising a trip to the Night Of Stars which
has attracted some students who have never been racing before so that will be another
opportunity to sell the sport.
“Ideally we are just hoping that we can continue to grow and
as the first greyhound society of it’s kind in Ireland, create a model that can
be followed by other colleges. Those of us in the society who have been
involved in greyhounds know what a brilliant sport it is and how rewarding it
can be to have greyhounds as both sporting and loving friends.”
A wonderful concept twelve months ago, the University Of
Limerick Greyhound Racing Society have a been a breath of fresh air within the
industry as they have quickly and passionately developed their concept into a
successful promotional movement within the sport. Striving to educate the
uninitiated while fostering existing greyhound racing links, they have made
giant strides in a short period of time and all at Limerick Greyhound Stadium
wish them continued success while awaiting the debut as their yet unnamed racer
who is certain to enjoy a huge swell of support from her adoring owners.
GOOD NEWS
IRISH DERBY CHAMPION 2017
Or here:- vimeo.com/235870326
DUTCH SANDILLS
Like most coursing enthusiasts, I have always enjoyed hearing stories or learning about the exploits of the wonderful people and greyhounds who leave every generation that come behind them a proud legacy from which to carve a path through coursing in modern times.
Being in my early forty’s, many of the older generation who shaped my own participation in the sport, the fellow members in our local coursing club during my grandparents tenure being chief among them, are now passed and have sadly taken too many old stories with them. I only wish I could readily recall every wonderfully entertaining anecdote or detailed recollection of a brilliant victory by historically famous, and not so renowned, canine legends.
However, I did recently learn much more about the 1937 Irish Cup winner Dutch Sandills when Noel Delaney of Roscrea, knowing he would spark my interest, entrusted me with photos and old Sporting Press newspaper articles about a runner who surely deserves to be remembered in those legendary terms.
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| DUTCH SANDILLS |
The opening paragraph explains that the Irish Coursing Club had only just taken control of the coursing grounds at Clounanna the previous year and this was the first renewal of the Irish Cup under a covered stand. Of course the sport was far removed from what our park coursing offers today and the article describes the game hunting prowess of Dutch Sandills as the outstanding feature in the entire event.
Made to work harder than any runner in the event, Dutch Sandills overcame a heavy fall in his semi-final and would prevail in a hard fought final showdown thereafter but with the victory coming just eight weeks after winning the National Open title at Newbridge, the article gives due praise to what must be one of the finest coursing performances of all time.
Please do read the article below as it genuinely conveys the merits of Dutch Sandills’s victory and you will appreciate why the the trainer’s grandson, Noel Delaney, and his family do proudly retain all the information that they can garner from this brilliant win.
Dutch Sandills was owned by Fr. John Cleary & William Carroll and was trained for them by Jack Moloney in Roscrea. Jack passed away in 1991 when in his early 90’s so would just about still have been telling old doggy yarns when the Sporting Press covered the 50th anniversay of the victory in 1987. In the article there is reference to Dutch Sandills being visibly marked from barbed wire and Noel confirms that he had in fact gotten off the lead on Jack when preparing for the Irish Cup having spotted a cat while out walking!
Following on from Jack’s coursing exploits, Noel Delaney’s family had little involvement in greyhound ownership for many years despite both the Delaney and Moloney clan’s being ever present in Roscrea Coursing Club for generations afterwards. Noel explains that his uncle Liam did have an interest in an odd one here and there but it was he himself who revived the family coursing interest with the purchase of his very first dog, Legion Express.
Without a victory as a pup, Legion Express (Murtys Gang/Walk Away) won the Junction All-Age Cup at Tipperary & District in 2014 and in doing so would take Noel to the Irish Cup in Greenmount. Raising a flag in the first round of that event was clearly a proud sporting moment for the grandson of a former winning trainer with his very first dog and although defeated in Round Two, he would go on to reach the semi-final of the Irish Plate when defeating a Champion Stakes winner. Not bad for a first attempt!
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| LEGION EXPRESS |
Some time after the victory of Dutch Sandills in 1937, Bill Chawke had written a letter of congratulations to Jack Moloney on the Irish Cup victory when full of praise for the game hound. In possession of that letter at the 2014 meeting as her family returned with a contender for the first time since the famous win, Tess presented the letter to Gerry Chawke, almost eighty years on.
We all have our own individual stories in coursing and raising a flag in the local Duffer might be as significant for one kennel as winning a classic would be for another. At whatever level they compete, our coursing pride and joys carry our dreams whatever our own aspirations may be. They invariably give us memories and stories to cherish……..even if they can’t all be Dutch Sandills!
1937 Irish Cup Report
I wonder what did Excuse Me Sir do to merit an "inglorious display" in his semi-final defeat?....anyone know??
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| 1937 Irish Cup Winner DUTCH SANDILLS |
CÚ ABÚ
The excited pupils and staff of Gaelscoil Chill Dara were introduced to the school’s new canine friend, a greyhound named Cú Abú, this week. Legendary Irish broadcaster Micheál O’Muircheartaigh also attended, explaining the project to the pupils and sharing his experience of greyhound ownership. One of the aims of the project is to communicate through Irish where possible, and Micheál spoke in his native tongue to the pupils throughout.
Dublin Coach are sponsoring the greyhound for The Gaelscoil, located on the Curragh, and will work in partnership with GAIN, Newbridge Veterinary Clinic and Newbridge Greyhound Stadium over the coming year. Cú Abú will become a mascot for the school, providing an opportunity for learning about animal ownership and rearing, and helping the school’s fundraising efforts through prize money and a fundraising night at Newbridge Greyhound Stadium.
The greyhound is in training with Michael Murphy in Kildare and with the help of Dublin Coach all of the pupils were transported to his home for their first meeting with Cú Abú. The female greyhound is expected to kick-start her racing career in June 2016.
Phil Meaney, Chairman of the Irish Greyhound Board added “It was such a pleasure to join the pupils of Gaelscoil Chill Dara on their first meeting with Cú Abú, and be part of the excitement at meeting her. For many of the children, this was their first interaction with a greyhound and it was a fantastic introduction to what gentle creatures they are. I hope the school have great success with their venture into greyhound racing and I wish them the very best of luck. A special word of thanks to John O’Sullivan (CEO of Dublin Coach) and the Dublin Coach Team for bringing this project to life”Michael Murphy will work closely with the students of Gaelscoil Chill Dara to ensure the children have a hands-on experience on what is involved in owning and training a greyhound. Newbridge Veterinary Clinic will be providing free vet care for Cú Abú, and GAIN Greyhound Feeds are donating their feeds to satisfy her nutritional needs.
The Parents Association at Gaelscoil Chill Dara are heavily involved in the project and are busily preparing for a fundraising night at Newbridge Greyhound Stadium this summer. Details are yet to be announced but it is hoped that all pupils and their families will support the night, which promises something for all the family.
PAT GUILFOYLE
Master has decreed to take a break!
It is a continual insistence of
mine that those in the greyhound world view the dogs as the real superstars of
the sport but when a personality arrives and creates the impression that a
young trainer like Pat Guilfoyle has managed since first having his public
training licence endorsed in 2003, it is difficult not to view them in iconic
fashion.
Striving for excellence at every
turn, he and his family have raised the bar regarding the standards required to
compete at the highest level. Held in the highest esteem among his peers, his
kennels has attracted some of the most valuable and consequently talented
racers of the modern era with owners in full knowledge that their aspiring
champions would receive the most meticulous of preparation to fulfill all of their
racing potential.
It may be argued by some that the
Guilfoyle kennels have equals in the sport but any contention that they have
superiors would border on insanity. However, having spent his youth with barely
a minute to call his own, Pat Guilfoyle has come to a difficult but necessary
decision as he turns 30 years of age and in an exclusive to the Nenagh
Guardian, to whom he is continually grateful for coverage of his racing
exploits and his recent receipt of the December Sports Award, he explains his decision
to take a break from the sport.
Pat Guilfoyle; After much deliberation amongst my family I have decided
in recent weeks to take a break from publicly training greyhounds for a few
years. I have held a license for twelve years, since I was 18 years old and I
have been lucky to handle some amazing dogs in that time such as Magical
Captain, Ms Firecracker, Definate Opinion, Shoemakers Lad, Laughil Billy, Bolt
and Duke, Newlawn Impact, Skywalker Rory, Belles Direction.
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| Pat Guilfoyle with Irish Derby Plate winner & SPK 600 Yard track record holder Laughil Duke |
I never had the ambition to become a leading professional
trainer but rather to train as a hobby. That hobby grew into a dedication not
just from me but my whole family. Together we won an Irish Oaks, two Irish
Cesarewitches, two Dundalk Internationals, an Irish St Leger, two Derby Plates,
Southern Sprint and Southern Oaks at Youghal, Kudos Sprint and Oliver Chawkes
at Cork, Champion Bitch Stake at Galway, Kennedy Cup, Con Kirby Memorial 550 at
Limerick with Laughil Billy and numerous track records etc.
The personal sacrifices have been huge but far from
regrettable because the memories and friends we made as a family along the way
are priceless. All our owners eventually became valued friends. But as everyone
knows, I’m a teacher by profession. I’d like to advance in my career and have plans
to begin a Masters of Education this year and also to travel a little. Of
course it was heartbreaking to see the dogs leave the kennels, especially
Laughil Duke and Skywalker Rory. But this is a positive change and one we as a
family are looking forward to.
Greyhound racing is a wonderful sport, the best of them all
and I’ll still be involved in it. I would like to thank the owners who
supported our kennel. And like I said, this is just a break. I’ll be back!
The Guilfoyle kennels, for the foreseeable future, will
continue with family owned greyhounds and all at the Nenagh Guardian wish Pat
the very best with his Masters Degree along with whatever else his new found
personal time may bring. We will miss his presence in the major classic events
of the sport that brought us such enthralling entertainment throughout his
training career thus far and look forward to his return as one of the most
influential figures in the entire greyhound racing world.
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| The brilliant victory of Skywalker Rory for Pat & all the Guilfoyle Family in the 2016 Irish St Leger at Limerick. |
Julie O'Connell, Knocklong, Co.Limerick
Best of luck……
In any walk of life, especially a sports leisure industry
such as greyhound racing which contests within a highly competitive market
place, it is essential for future growth that young people can be attracted to our
sport along with fostering those who have been born into racing families.
Falling into the latter category is 19 year old Julie O’Connell of Knocklong
whose name, like a breath of fresh air, brought a sense of reassurance when
appearing on a recent race card at Limerick Greyhound Stadium as trainer,
having recently taken out her private licence.
A vibrant and lively personality, Julie will be known to all
the greyhound community in Limerick and the surrounding areas in both codes of
the sport and is a member of Ardpatrick & Kilfinane Coursing Club. She
begins her career as a fully fledged greyhound trainer with 3 track runners for
now and is grateful to her two owners Jack Gallagher and Fr Dan Greene. She
does however have a busy season ahead on the coursing field also with a total of
10 runners but graciously will allow her Dad and well known trainer Pat
O’Connell to retain these under his name for now!
“We are going to be very busy. We have 7 pups and 3 for
all-age. They won’t be under my name though, I’ll let Dad take credit for them!
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| Julie O'Connell with Prodigal Ted. Her first winner as a licensed trainer! |
He was kind of responsible for me taking out the license. He
was hinting at it all the time and it was a lot easier to make the decision
with that kind of encouragement. It’s not easy being up every morning for
walking at 6am but when it has to be done, it has to be done!”
On completion of her Leaving Cert exam, Julie subsequently
undertook a Horsemanship Course and,
passing with flying colours has entertained the idea of becoming a
Coursing judge. That is on hold for the moment but she admits that it may still
be an option down the line.
Adding to the growing number of female trainers in the sport,
this commitment to a career in greyhounds at her tender age is both essential
and refreshing for the game. All the greyhound community will wish her well
along with the many young people across the country who will task themselves
with ensuring a healthy future for our chosen vocation.
Olive Murphy, Patrickswell, Co.Limerick
Best of luck to Cuchulainn’s Olive
Synonymous with Coursing in Co.Limerick, the Murphy Family
of Patrickswell perennially host those seeking refreshment following Irish Cup
action at their Cuchulainn Bar but there was more than just coursing to the
forefront of their attentions over the past weeks as Olive Murphy prepares for
a big date with the Cheltenham Racing Festival where she will ride Churchfield
in the 12 runner St Patricks Derby Charity Flat Race on Thursday March 12th.
The event was open to any amateur rider who felt they could
raise the required amount of at least £5,000 in sponsorship but the powers that
be will delighted with their decision to select Olive for one of the coveted
places as she explains, “we held a fundraising auction at the pub on Friday
night of the Irish Cup which was a great success. We raised €5000 with Conor
Murray’s signed jersey from the recent France game topping the auction at €800.
This brings our running total to €25,500, so I’m absolutely delighted and it
will be donated to the Injured Jockey’s Fund”.
Olive’s interest in greyhounds and coursing came through
husband John Murphy, whose flagship brood bitch Maureen Rua was recently mated
to Kilkeale Hero but there is also a coursing connection to her mount at the
festival as she will don the famous green and gold colours of former Irish Cup
sponsor JP McManus who owns Churchfield. Trained by Jonjo O’Neill, this ride
will be always be remembered fondly by Olive whatever the outcome as her mount
bears the same name as her own Mam’s homeland where she herself grew up.
Tadgh Feehan, Roscrea Co.Tippereay
They start them young in Roscrea!
Tadgh Feehan aged just six months keeps up to date with the coursing news in the Sporting Press.
Far from a set up, Tadgh actively demands the paper from his dad John Feehan in Roscrea every week, "well I can`t claim that he is actually reading it but he loves looking at the pictures of the dogs".
Tadgh will hoping to see some Roscrea qualifiers in the Sporting Press before Clonmel 2015, particularly from the kennels of Noel Delaney who went close in Nenagh with his Legion Spirit only narrowly denied in the Oaks TS semi-final when dad John was on catching duty.
Jimmy Quinn, Clarina Co.Limerick
Commissioned by Limerick Greyhound Stadium for hare driver Jimmy Quinn's 40th anniversary of Irish St Leger work at the track.
Drive on
Jimmy...... Mighty Quinn still driving after 40 years!
Limerick`s Irish Greyhound St Leger has enjoyed Classic
status since it`s inception in 1944 but to remain as such and consistently
deliver the level of excellence that lofty mantle demands takes a monumental
effort from those people tasked with implementing all the elements needed to
continually produce successful events. One of these figures to perpetually
strive for the good of racing in Limerick and for the Irish St Leger is our
hare driver tonight, Jimmy Quinn of Clarina Co.Limerick who this year
celebrates his 40th year working for his favourite competition.
Jimmy hails from a family with a deep greyhound pedigree on
both track and field with his three sisters and seven brothers being working members
of Regional Coursing Club since first able to walk. They hadn’t much choice as
for the past fifty years the meeting has been held on his dad, Ned’s, land and
is continued today on the same grounds managed by Jimmy’s brother Donie. It was
through the coursing that a fifteen year old Jimmy got his first work at the
famous Markets Field venue in the city.
“Brendan O’Connell was the manager of the track at the time
and sure he was a Clarina man, involved in the coursing at home. There was Pat
Fitzgerald too the control steward so they got me work on my holidays to start
with.”
“I`d just be covering the hare and stuff in the beginning
and then i`d start taking the cards up to the judges box and things like that
but coming from the farm they knew i`d be able for anything so the jobs got
bigger. I learned plenty then helping Mike Moynihan doing maintenance on the
track but I got another job when poor Frankie Holman fell down the stairs while
writing up the results”!
“I was young and bold, I took my chance”
Although not responsible for any misfortune that befell his
colleagues at this time, his first chance to drive the hare came in similar
fashion as Jimmy explains, “shortly after that, the hare driver Pat Sweeney had
a car accident and they had no-one to drive it but sure I was young and bold, I
took my chance and i`m at the job since. So I’m working now for my 40th
Leger and driving the hare for thirty nine of them”.
He has worked at most tracks around the country in his time,
as relief hare driver or to guide new recruits on how best to maintain tracks
and speaking with Jimmy, his love for the sport as a whole is clearly evident
in every passage of conversation. He takes his responsibilities very seriously
but reserves his greatest affection for Limerick and in particular the Leger!
“Ah the Leger has been fantastic down the years” he exclaims.
“They used to come in their droves but sure that time they could drink n` drive
and there was no matches on a Saturday night or anything like that, the place
would be packed”.
“I remember one time Southampton were over to play Limerick
in the Markets field on a Wednesday night but it was during the Leger and they
had to put fencing and wire up to keep the football crowd ground off the track
but long story short, there was steel nails sticking out of the walls after it
was taken down. The following Saturday night was the biggest crowd I remember
at the track and a right character at the time, Tom Coughlan, stumbled across
one of these nails after a few lemonades and made a cut off his ear so with no
doctor, the track vet, Ned Hodgins, another right character, said he`d have a
look. There was so much whiskey going between the pair I don’t know how they
did it but he got stitched up anyway”.
“it’s the people
that keep you going”
“I could go on with stories, there was some funny ones down
the years but sure don’t you know, plenty of sad ones too when you’re here as
long as I am. I lost a great friend about ten years ago when young Shane
O`Brien and his girlfriend Barbara Reeves lost their lives in an accident on
holidays, he was only twenty eight years old. He used to drive the hare when I
wasn’t around, we have a stake in their name every year now, that was tragic”.
“I`ve had enough of it myself too but you know, it’s the
people that keep you going. You won’t meet a better crowd than the doggy
people. Ninety nine percent of them are pure class and you can still get on
with the contrary ones. Sure win, lose or draw i`d go and have a drink with
them all. Just talk to people, it’s a great game”!
Apart from his work at Limerick, Jimmy says “the dogs keep
me going” and still walks the family coursing dogs every day aswel as being a
working member for Regional Coursing Club where he is now chairman. Even at the
time of this interview he was on hand helping brother, Eamon, whelp down a
litter of pups out of Mind The Net’s sister Mega Pearl by 2009 Puppy Derby
winner Tullymurry Act.
“once it’s good close
racing, I’ll be happy”
Favourite Leger winner? “I’d have to say Oran Jack.
There was a great buzz around for him that year and the crowds just flocked to
see him. He broke the track record twice and that was the same year that Tom
Coughlan cut his ear”!
“I always enjoyed the local winners aswel though like Randy
for Christy Daly and Firefly for Jimmy Kelly. Never Give Up was a brilliant win
too for the Heffernan’s in Adare”.
Best Leger winner? “Probably The Stranger belonged to
Christy & Liam O’Callaghan in `83. He was a big powerful dog, he wouldn’t
care about bumps at the bend, he’d just plough through them and drive on, some
dog”!
“Back in those times though the crowds were unreal, people just wanted to see dogs. You had great characters like Ger McKenna and all his great dogs, people used to follow him droves. The same with Matt O’Donnell and all his brilliant dogs, another great character to this day”.
Best dog you have seen in the new track? “I’d
probably go for Boylesports Hero, not just for his pace but he also had a great
track sense, even if he didn’t lead, he knew how to get a run but you would
have to mention Locnamon Bridie too, she was a special bitch”.
Prediction for this year’s Leger? (at semi-final
stage) “Once it`s good close racing I’ll be happy, you want a bit of a buzz but
if I have to pick, i`ll go for Emers Superstar. He`s breaking well at Limerick
and I liked him in the Con & Annie Kirby. I had a look back at his form
when I saw he got trap 1 and he has 28.33 done from the inside at Limerick so
that looks good for this week anyway”!
Patrons, please join us tonight as we extend our sincerest
thanks to Jimmy for his continued endeavours within the Greyhound Industry.
From all your colleagues past and present, your many
friends, all owners and trainers who have benefited from your hard work
throughout a wonderful association with Limerick racing and the Irish St Leger,
we wish you a happy 40th this year and look forward to many more in
your safe hands.
Thank you Jimmy!
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