*KIRBY Race Card Previews

ROUND 2

Tas mania in sizzling start to 2019 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial

After six renewals of the richest juvenile race on the planet, an entire sport were in full knowledge that the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial was a special event as the newest classic in greyhound racing brought the cream of young talent together in chase of an €80,000 first prize. 

However, even when ready to be wowed by the next generation of superstars, little could have prepared patrons for the simply astounding performances of Saturday last in what was most certainly the greatest display of racing talent that has ever graced the Dock Road venue.

It is no surprise that our extra entry in 2019 brought a greater depth of talent but it was just how deep that reached in our opening round which was the most astounding aspect of our sixteen heats and most certainly there are some future greats of the sport already eliminated!

We of course began this year’s event with three heats on Thursday last when only a half a length separated the winners on the clock. Paul Kiely kicked things off when Sure Look Listen led throughout, gamely fending off Droopys Danny by three parts of a length in 28.65 with Droopys Sim finishing fast to qualify in behind. 

Sure Look Listen

Heat 2 would then see Pat Buckley ignite his bid for a four-timer, Tullig Footpad impressing with his determined early pace while posting 28.63 in a five and half-length defeat of Garrai Rua before Peter Cronin ended the session as his Worseforwear very much caught the eye when staying stoutly to overhaul Claregalway Lad by three lengths in 28.62.

An important footnote at this juncture and before reviewing the Saturday action is that while it is difficult to adamantly put a figure on, the track was certainly not running as fast on Thursday as it was on Saturday so these Thursday efforts must be afforded the utmost respect before all qualifiers feature on the same card this week.

Dowling's devil sparks a treble

It is quite reassuring when even the most race hardened of greyhound enthusiasts can still be taken aback when confronted with sheer brilliance and while the greatest greyhounds of the sport have entertained throughout extended careers of high achievement, the newest stars delivered a night of racing action on Saturday last that simply could not have been predicted and swept through Limerick Greyhound Stadium like a canine tsunami!

The first wave to sweep across the Limerick sand was that of Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Tas as the May 2017 pup sparked a treble for her prolific kennels in the night’s opening Heat 4. A strong runner over four bends, she would hit the ground running from Trap 4 in the opening heat of the night and when leading to the opening bend, she could already be called the winner. Duly romping to a facile nine and a half-length verdict over Winetavern Don, she would lay down a big Kirby marker when just two spots outside the 525 yard track record of College Maybe while stopping the clock at 27.97. Simply awesome! 

Ballymac Tas

Liam Dowling would claim the second leg of his treble in the following heat 5 as Cuore Di Ferro confirmed the promise shown in Tralee’s Juvenile Classic. Breaking swiftly from Trap 2, he would dominate throughout when two and half lengths in advance of Toolmaker Josie in 28.38. 

The Dowling treble was completed in Heat 11 and the victory of Ballymac Syd confirms the kennels highly plausible designs on the 2019 event as Syd set new sectional figures on his way to 28.07 while eleven and a half lengths in advance of Jaytee General. Stopping the 300 yard split clock at 15.93, he had gone faster than both Clares Rocket and Droopys Davy who had each posted 15.95 in recent renewals.

O’Donovan matches treble achievement

Just as with Liam Dowling, the name of Michael O’Donovan is one we expect to see at the business end of classics and the Tipperary maestro would also claim a treble in the opening round which came late in Saturday night’s action as he scored victory in three of our concluding five heats.

Beginning with Deadly Storm in Heat 12, the Limerick Trial Stake winner confirmed his suitability to the circuit when early pace saw him take a lead to opening turn from Trap 4. He would however be forced to repel the strong challenge of Spoofer who displayed powerful back-straight pace to briefly head the O’Donovan charge at the closing bend. Exchanging a bump on the run to the line, Deadly Storm refused to be denied as he rallied for a most game head verdict in 28.44. 

Mucky Brae

The victory of Skywalker Wonder in the following heat was much more straightforward with early pace again the feature as he would dominate throughout while posting 28.46 in a five and a half-length verdict over the eye-catching Likely Gift who stayed strongly when recovering from last position at the first bend. 

It was more of the same for the O’Donovan kennels in our concluding Heat 16 as Mucky Brae also dominated from the outset when quickly to stride from Trap 4. Taking a lead to the opening turn he would complete victory with the minimum of fuss while posting 28.37 in a four and a half-length defeat of El Favor, who was another to enter the notebooks with attractive back-straight pace.

Buckley amongst the double scorers

Having guided Tullig Footpad to victory on Thursday, trainer Pat Buckley kept his drive for four on track in the opening rounds and while he may lament the loss of Burgess Bucks from the event, he will have been buoyed by the Saturday performance of Glengar Mac in Heat 10. 

Glengar Mac

Making a swift exit from Trap 2, he would lead throughout a five length defeat of the strong staying Antigua Rum while posting 28.30 and will be a feared early paced opponent going forward, just as kennelmate Tullig Footpad will. The Buckley hopes of winning four-in-a-row are very much alive!

Trainer Peter Comerford and joint owner Tony Moore arrived to Limerick with a high class trio of entries for this year’s event and returned a highly laudable double which began in Heat 9 with Manuka Man who displayed determined early pace from Trap 5 when drifting across the track to claim the opening bend with control of the rails position before stretching readily clear for an eight length verdict over Ardmulchan in 28.37. 

A leading outright fancy ahead of commencement, Killer Bee would then complete the kennel double in Heat 14. Led in the opening exchanges, he gamely forced his way to the front off the second bend before repelling the challenge of Vigorous Luke in 28.52.

Leo lowers sectional record

Grangeview West

Fervently followed by regular patrons at Limerick, the sectional times can prove highly informative to accurately gauge where each runner is strongest during races and having seen Ballymac Syd set new figures at the 300 yard mark earlier on Saturday night, Graham Holland’s Riverside Leo would confirm his blistering early prowess when scorching to 15.88 on his way to a four length defeat of Great Eastern in Heat 15. Posting 28.37, he appears to be the most proficient early pacer of the Kirby at this early stage and can prove very tough to contain going forward. 

The remaining heats on Saturday saw Pat Guilfoyle off the mark when Cabra Firmino confirmed the promise shown in his debut victory at Limerick, dominating Heat 7 while posting a slick 28.24 in defeat of Rattling Conor before Michael Hogan’s rapidly improving young bitch Grangeview West was equally impressive when also leading throughout Heat 8, posting 28.25 when four and a half lengths in advance of Boherna King. 

Take Tas for a repeat

Having gone so close to the track record last week, it seems fair to label Ballymac Tas as the star attraction ahead of Saturday’s second round and she is taken to remain unbeaten in Heat 3. Facing a brace of fellow Round One scorers, she may have most to fear from Peter Cronin’s Worseforwear.

Trainer Liam Dowling appears to hold the strongest hand at this early stage and his Ballymac Syd gets the vote to keep the Kerry campaign on track in Heat 7. The sole wide seed faces viable opposition in the form of Manuka Man and Deadly Storm but clear passage on the outer can suffice.

The kennel could well be chasing a treble for successive weeks come the concluding heat but a same Trap 6 draw complicates matters for Cuore Di Ferro and Robert Glesson’s Toolmaker Me Dad can take advantage of his plumb draw on the fence. 

Pat Buckley’s hopes of training the Kirby winner for a fourth year in succession remain highly plausible and his Tullig Footpad can extend the Kirby dream with victory in the opener where his Trap 1 draw swings the vote in his favour. He will however have to be sharp at trap rise to contain Philip Gough’s impressive Spoofer.

Selections: Ht 1 Tullig Footpad Ht 2 Mucky Brae Ht 3 Ballymac Tas Ht 4 Cabra Firmino Ht 5 Glengar Mac Ht 6 Riverside Leo Ht 7 Ballymac Syd Ht 8 Toolmaker Me Dad

** Sectional analysis of Round One heats now Here




ROUND 1

Much anticipated Kirby continues to grow bigger and better

The wait is finally over! We have watched the brilliant young greyhounds who competed in the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial last season go on to entertain the sport over the past eleven months but for patrons of Limerick Greyhound Stadium the return of this newest classic in racing simply can’t come around again quickly enough and intense anticipation will end sooner than had been planned for the 2019 renewal of one of the richest juvenile races in the world has attracted the largest entry in a seven year history.

It is no wonder that the “Kirby” should continue to grow for this unique event has brought a fresh, vibrant and uplifting cultural experience since Roxholme Bully claimed the inaugural event in 2013. Previously in existence on the Dock Road as an Open 550 yard stake, the sponsorship investment from Noreen & JP McManus to create the classic that we now know has catapulted the Kirby to worldwide renown.

A fitting tribute while named in honour of Noreen’s late parents, the McManus family’s love of both greyhounds and GAA has seen these most generous of sponsors bring two sports together for one of the greatest sporting events on the Treaty county calendar. In addition to a €160,000 prize fund for competing greyhounds, Limerick GAA clubs from all codes will enjoy following a representative greyhound who will race for a share of €20,000 on their behalf. Expect to see an influx of club colours on our Kirby nights as we will again welcome young and old along with new and seasoned race goers amidst the unique atmosphere that only the McManus sponsored Con & Annie Kirby Memorial can deliver. 

Buckley chasing fantastical four

We have now had six renewals of the Kirby but in that time we have had just three winning trainers. Owen McKenna trained our first champion when Roxholme Bully repelled Oran Maestro in 2013 before the legendary Brendan Matthews threatened to make this event his own by going back-to-back in subsequent renewals. Boylesports Hero was sensational in 2014 victory before going on to add the Produce Stakes soon after while the Newry trainer timed his challenge to a tee in 2015 when the wonderful Cable Bay produced a stunning final performance to deny subsequent Irish Derby winner Rural Hawaii, completing the Matthews double in the process.

JP, Emma & Droopys Davy

While we couldn’t know it at the time, the 2016 victory of racing superstar Droopys Roddick when scorching to 28.09 for the 525 yards while completing an unbeaten campaign, was to begin a Kirby love affair for trainer Pat Buckley. The Cappawhite kennels would match the Matthews double achievement in 2017 when the early paced Benetekes Bocko displayed immense resolve to repel Native Chimes on final night, but, the Buckley Kirby exploits did not stop there!

Twelve months ago we witnessed the completion of an astounding hat-trick when Pat Buckley guided Droopys Davy to victory in a near flawless campaign. It was an accomplishment that bordered on the ludicrous when considering the talent that these three Buckley champions had to face over the course of their respective campaigns. The achievement will rank amongst the very greatest of the sport when reviewed for generations to come and surely now that is that, four-in-a-row can only be a figment of a Cappawhite fantasy?!.....we’re about to find out!

More Popular than ever

Advertised for and accommodating 72 runners in the opening round for each of our previous six events, 2019 has affirmed the growing popularity of the Kirby and with entries totaling over the 100 mark, we will begin this year with 96 going to traps for the first round heats. This will, for the first time, see the opening round contested over two meetings and the usual Thursday SIS card will this week receive a major boost as Heats 1 to 3 of the Con & Annie Kirby feature at the backend of a thirteen race programme.

It is of little surprise to see this level of interest from owners or trainers with many citing the addition of the Sean O’Connor Cup as an appealing attraction for runners eliminated from the first two rounds as these youngsters will have another opportunity to compete against counterparts in that consolation event before fully fledged all-age competitors upon completion of the Kirby racing festival.

Thursday trio

In past renewals, the opening round would afford the Kirby youngsters generous qualifying conditions with four advancing but our increased starting field will have the pressure on from the outset this time around and from the very first heat, that pressure will ensure that some very talented runners face early elimination.

Amidst a seven strong challenge, it is wholly appropriate to see a Pat Buckley runner as the very first name on the starting list and the Cappawhite four-timer bid will begin with Droopys Danny. Likely to appreciate his draw on the fence, the strong runner holds claims to get the Buckley defence off to a flyer but there is daunting opposition in the shape of Paul Kiely’s Sure Look Listen. The latter was a warm favourite before third in his Waterford unraced stake just three weeks ago and looks a huge prospect on the back of his 28.44 there. The first of our UK raiders is housed in Trap 4 and Paul Young’s Droopys Mac can hold claims if progressing from a pleasing Limerick trial on Saturday last while any of the remainder could conceivably claim victory here with some big kennels commencing their campaigns in what appears a treacherous heat for a promising cast.

The Buckley and Young kennels will also feature in the second heat and the latter’s Camps Star can certainly be a contender on his impressive career start at Monmore. A strong runner, he can be suited to the exacting Limerick circuit if progressing from his latest trial. However, preference here if for Buckley’s Tullig Footpad who has acquitted himself well in all-aged company of late and should hold an experience edge. Could it be an omen that he has a recent defeat of 2018 champion Droopys Davy on his CV? Certainly there was no disgrace in his latest Shelbourne defeat and he earns the vote where Tiger Jack and Ballymac Devon must merit much respect.

The heats don’t get any easier on Thursday and the concluding event brings together a host of runners who could hold outright claims. Pat Curtin’s Hero To Zero put himself firmly in the Kirby picture when posting a brilliant 28.38, the fastest of Limerick’s Trial Stake qualifiers and if the strong runner can produce the smart start he found then, he will prove extremely tough to contain.

However, this heat should be a compelling watch with Peter Cronin’s Worseforwear appearing ideally drawn on the fence following his victory in a hot novice stake at Waterford but he will likely have a battle for early supremacy with unbeaten Galway Trial Stake winner Claregalway Lad who begins the Pat Guilfoyle challenge from Trap 2.  Out wide, Martin Lanney’s Argentina has proven to be quite prolific since leaving for the UK following debut victory at Galway and returns for a Kirby tilt with experience on his side.

Stars can sizzle on super Saturday

Even from the Thursday Kirby taster it is immediately evident that the 2019 renewal houses an immense strength in depth and those opening three heats could certainly grace a much later stage of the event. With just three to qualify, the Kirby is certain to lose runners from the first round that could so easily have been fancied for deep runs and this assertion is sharply polarised in more than the odd heat on the thirteen race Saturday programme.

Immediately jumping off the card is a stacked Heat 12 which houses the fast Limerick Trial Stake winner Deadly Robin for Michael O’Donovan. A smart trapper, should he repeat his latest 28.59 effort, he can take all the beating here but he faces viable opposition for early supremacy from a host of pacey rivals. Waterford unraced stake winner Grangeview Ten has been adapting well to Limerick in his last two outings and further progress from the Michael Hogan charge would come as little surprise while Pat Buckley’s Burgess Bucks looked a real prospect in his Tralee Juvenile campaign and if none the worse for a fall in the final there, could well be at the head of Buckley’s drive for four.

A chance however is taken on Philip Gough’s Waterford Trial Stake winner Spoofer. A scorching winner of his unraced stake at the same venue last October, the powerful early pacer has been on all Kirby shortlists since and may get off to a winning start from his ideal Trap 6 berth.

Heat 14 also falls into the “treacherous” category with Peter Comerford & Tony Moore’s Killer Bee, another major outright fancy, opening his campaign. A winner of Enniscorthy’s Future Champion Unraced before going on to claim the Comerford Cakes at Shelbourne, he has already proven capable of getting the job done in competition action and Limerick looks tailor-made for his strong running abilities.

He remains the fancy in the heat but may be very grateful for his Trap 1 berth for there are many dangers lurking with a brace of Paul Hennesy runners to his immediate outside. Lebudgiesmuggler has been steadily progressive in his short career start while new John Turner recruit Jaytee Churchill was a very smart heat winner in the Tralee Juvenile and would shock few if building on that here. With plenty open to improvement, the Limerick experience of Johnny O’Sullivan’s Jurano Classic could further complicate qualification if he can handle his Trap 6 berth.

Tralee’s Juvenile Classic will be referred to many times throughout any analysis of the early Kirby action and getting Saturday’s session off to a flyer could well be the winner of that prestigious event. Robert Gleeson’s Toolmaker Daddy improved throughout his Tralee campaign before completing victory in a slick 28.40 (-10) final performance and the strong runner can relish his surroundings on the Dock Road.

He will however be tested from the outset and will need to be sharp at trap rise to keep tabs on Graham Holland’s Riverside Larry, if the latter can return in the same form that brought sizzling displays at both Clonmel & Shelbourne before the turn of the year. With the powerful Ballymac Tas, Winetavern Don and Limerick unraced stake winner Alien Sea in the outside boxes, qualification here will be at a premium.

Of course Riverside Larry forms part of another strong team from the Graham Holland kennels as they search for a first victory in the event and the challenge this year is likely headed by Riverside Leo. Out of luck in the final of the Rural Hawaii unraced at Clonmel, he resoundingly confirmed all promise when posting 28.18 and 28.25 at Shelbourne Park in recent outings and all eyes will be on the clock if he leads to the opening turn in Heat 15.

These are just some of the likely highlights ahead of our sixteen heats in the 2019 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial but as we have learned over the past six years, pay very close attention to even the most minor details at Limerick Greyhound Stadium over the coming five weeks of Kirby action. For, we know with certainty that the young stars amongst our starting line-up will go on to shape greyhound racing for seasons to come and many will be future top stud dogs, classic broods or champions across Ireland and beyond….Thank heavens, and the McManus’s, it’s back!