Tuesday, 25 July 2017

IGB Appoints new CEO


Irish Greyhound Board Appoints New Chief Executive Officer

The Irish Greyhound Board has appointed Mr. Gerard Dollard, the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Economic Development of Clare County Council, as its new CEO.

Mr. Dollard, a native of Limerick City , has responsibility for the promotion of economic development and tourism in County Clare and  brings a significant record of long term strategic planning,  financial, human resource  and community development  expertise to the CEO  role.

In recent years, he played a key role in the promotion and development of internationally  known  tourism projects such as  the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience and the UNESCO Burren Geopark. He has held the position of Finance Officer, Director of Service Environment and Emergency Services and Director of Service, Community and Enterprise with Clare County Council.

Mr. Dollard will now lead the organisation with overall responsibility for sixteen racing tracks, IGB and private, in Ireland and for an industry that provides direct and indirect employment to several thousand people. The Irish Greyhound Board itself employs almost 800 full and part time staff. The industry supplies the raw materials in the form of greyhounds to greyhound racing internationally, with over 83% of greyhounds racing in the U.K. being bred in Ireland.

The Chairman of the Irish Greyhound Board, Mr. Phil Meaney, warmly welcomed the appointment of the new CEO.

  “ The Irish greyhound industry is undergoing rapid change and is moving into a more positive space after a number of difficult years. Gerard Dollard has a proven, relevant  skills set as the Irish Greyhound Board  looks to the future of the industry. Our ambition is to deliver a commercial, well regulated Greyhound Racing and Breeding Industry and a customer centred, exciting and value led entertainment experience. The Board and I look forward  to working with Gerard to realise these objectives.”

Gerard Dollard

Wednesday, 19 July 2017

Consultative Forum

IGB Release:

National Greyhound Consultative Forum held by IGB in Limerick

The National Greyhound Consultative Forum was held by the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) on Tuesday (18 July) at Limerick Stadium. The forum was arranged to seek feedback and engagement as to how the industry can best develop in the years ahead. Invitations were sent to a wide range of industry stakeholders including greyhound owners and breeders groups, private stadia, bookmakers and other trade groups. Eighteen people from a cross-section of greyhound stakeholders attended the meeting.

Interim CEO of IGB, Dr Sean Brady commented “This forum is the start of our industry coming together to focus on our renewal and future development. The IGB’s efforts will be undermined unless we have buy in from all stakeholders. Our industry faces enormous challenges such as new wagering technologies and the public concern over welfare. These issues are far too serious for some who may prefer to wait in the long grass and not participate. A debt free future now presents a unique opportunity for our sector to come together to address these challenges.”

The forum was opened and chaired by IGB Chairman Phil Meaney who acknowledged the industry had come through a very challenging period but would soon be in a position to re-invest. This was followed by a business update with presentations by the IGB executive team; on welfare and exports, marketing, regulation and integrity measures, including wagering and the fall in on-course revenues across Tote operators. The final presentation was delivered by Dr Sean Brady who stressed the need for the sector to work together constructively in addressing these challenges.

The agenda then allowed for a discussion by all stakeholders as to the future direction of the industry. The discussion covered a number of issues which included the grading system, regulation, recent legislation, improving communications and addressing the public concern about greyhound welfare. Another forum meeting is to be held before year end, with Dr Brady inviting all stakeholders to work with the IGB over the coming months to address the common objective to improve the performance of greyhound racing and entertainment in Ireland.




Friday, 7 July 2017

Laurels Best Dressed Lady




Wilton Shopping Centre employee, Karen, launching the search for Best Dressed Lady at this year’s Irish Independent Irish Laurels Final in Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium on Saturday 22nd July. The Best Dressed competition, which can be entered on the night, offers €1,500 worth of prizes and will be judged by Wilton Shopping Centre Manager, Susanne Irwin, and Bairbre Power, Fashion Editor of the Irish Independent. Visit www.CurraheenParkGreyhoundStadium.ie for more info.


Tuesday, 4 July 2017

GAIN Corn Cuchulainn


GAIN Corn Cuchulainn returns to Shelbourne Park with prize fund of €22,500

Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium have today (Tuesday 4 July) announced the return of the GAIN Greyhound Nutrition Corn Cuchulainn six bend classic to be held throughout July 2017. This year’s renewal has a prize fund of €22,500, with a winner’s prize of €12,500. The event is designed for 36 greyhounds over four consecutive Friday nights starting on 7 July. The second round heats will be held on 14 July, semi-finals on 21 July with the grand final on Friday 28 July.

Patrick Flynn Sales, Operations and Commercial Manager Shelbourne Park commented

“The GAIN Corn Cuchulainn is now firmly established as one of the Classic events on the racing calendar and we are delighted to be hosting this years renewal which has a fantastic prize fund in excess of €22,500. We look forward to working again with GAIN, a great supporter of Irish Greyhound racing on this prestigious event guaranteed to produce some superb racing action throughout the month of July.”

The Corn Cuchulainn 750 yards event was first held in 1961 and has now become firmly established as one of the top six bend events in the world, having first carried classic status when won by De Eight Wonder in 2005. Having started in 2010, this is the eighth year in a row that GAIN Greyhound Nutrition has sponsored the event.


Pictured at the launch of the GAIN Greyhound Nutrition Corn Cuchulainn at Shelbourne Park on Tuesday 4 July are L-R Daniel Creech (Racing Manager), Willie Rigney (GAIN) and Patrick Flynn (General Manager). Starting on Friday 7 July with final on Friday 28 July, a prize fund of €22,500 is available.