Friday April 19th (Final)
***BALLYMAC SYD WITHDRAWN***
The 2019 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Stake………Story So Far
For seven years now, the arrival of spring to the Dock Road
in Limerick sparks preparations for the richest juvenile race on the planet and
how appropriate that the season of new life should also welcome the
commencement of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial as mimicking its blossoming
surroundings, an impressive Limerick Greyhound Stadium fosters the most talented
young stars of racing while privileged patrons witness the flourishing careers
of future greats in the sport amidst a warm welcoming atmosphere.
Now firmly established as the newest classic of greyhound
racing, it is true to say that the “Kirby” stands apart from all counterparts
for aside from the immense prestige that awaits our champion elect, the
inclusivity of this Noreen & JP McManus sponsored event ensures that
fiercely competitive racing action is contested amid an atmosphere which is unique
to this wonderful race.
An €80,000 reward awaits the winner following our final
showdown but added to a total prize fund of €160,000, the McManus initiative
which offers a further €20,000 for GAA Clubs across the Treaty County ensures
an influx of colourful support throughout our five weeks of intense action as
two sporting communities combine in support of their representative greyhounds.
Each year the Kirby showcases greyhound racing to new audiences and while
welcoming young and old, banner competitions, Puc Fada and even human races on
the track all combine to create what is now a Kirby festival!
It would fill far too many pages if we were to detail the
exploits of past Kirby participants for even from our inaugural staging in
2013, it was obvious that those who contest this event will go on to shape
greyhound racing at the very highest level over coming seasons. This is where
future superstars blossom and such is the intense level of competition, form
students will forensically inspect even those eliminated at an early stage
because the Kirby houses stars at every single turn. Named in honour of
Noreen’s late parents, this unrivalled event is a fitting tribute for which
greyhound racing will be ever proud to act as custodian.Six champions but just three winning trainers
That 2013 event was claimed by Roxholme Bully for trainer
Owen McKenna as he repelled Oran Maestro in the final 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 perfection in 2015 when the wonderful Cable Bay produced a
stunning final performance to deny subsequent Irish Derby winner Rural Hawaii,
completing a Matthews double in the process.
 |
| JP, Emma & 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 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 passage. 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. That achievement will rank amongst the
very greatest of the sport when reviewed for generations to come despite a game
bid for four-in-a-row falling short at semi stage this time around.
Tas tops in Dowling treble
Such has been the growth of the Kirby that our advertised
entry of 72 runners was exceeded in 2019 and for the first time, the opening
round heats were contested across two meetings. The first of 16 qualifiers commenced
as the regular Thursday fixture received a boost with three heats kicking off the
action where Pat Buckley got his defence off to a flyer with Tullig Footpad
scoring in 28.63. All three winners on the night were closely matched as Sure
Look Listen took the opener in 28.65 before Worseforwear scored in 28.62.
 |
| Liam & Tas |
With the racing appetite whet, there was still little to
prepare patrons for the astounding displays that swept through Limerick
Greyhound Stadium like a canine tsunami on our first Saturday as the opening
act saw Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Tas go within two spots of the track record
when leading home Winetavern Don in a stupendous 27.97. The Kirby embers had been
well and truly stoked and it was the Kingdom kennels who returned the next best
on the night when comrade Ballymac Syd scorched to 28.07 later on the card, as
he completed a Dowling treble which included the slick early paced victory of
Cuore Di Ferro when accounting for Toolmaker Josie in 28.38.
Matching that treble feat, Michael O’Donovan would take
three of the concluding five heats in the round with Mucky Brae leading the way
on the clock in 28.37 after Deadly Storm led home Spoofer in 28.44, by just a head,
while Skywalker Wonder scored impressively in 28.46.
Most notable amongst the remaining winners on the night was
Toolmaker Me Dad who sparked a strong challenge from the Robert Gleeson kennels
when defeating Herecomesdahoney in 28.27 before Cabra Firmino impressed in his 28.24
success for Pat Guilfoyle. Striking a blow for the fairer sex, Michael Hogan’s
Grangeview West announced herself as huge prospect when returning 28.25 on her
graduation to Open class.
Tas-tastic in Round Two
Confirming herself as fastest of the event, Ballymac Tas was
again superb when registering a blistering 28.23 in second round victory over
Worseforwear and while Dowling’s darling was the only winner on the night for
the kennels, they did manage to guide all three first round winners to
qualification.
 |
| Herecomesdahoney |
A brace of double victories illuminated proceedings when
firstly Graham Holland guided gifted early pacer Riverside Leo to back-to-back heat
wins, posting 28.59 after Herecomesdahoney impressed in his 28.51, one length
verdict over Antigua Rum. Robert Gleeson would match this double achievement
when Toolmaker Me Dad reinforced his claims with a hugely taking 28.36 success
over Killer Bee after Toolmaker Josie gained his first victory of the event,
repelling Ballymac Syd in a bumpy 28.89 thriller.
Among those to remain
unbeaten at this point was Grangeview West who again endeared herself to
patrons, showing pace and guile in her 28.51 defeat of Redzer Ardfert while
Philp Gough’s Spoofer got off the mark when defeating Tullig Footpad in 28.50,
the latter now a sole survivor in Pat Buckley’s bid for four-in-a-row!
Tables turn in topsy-turvy quarters
Come the quarter-finals and with so much talent remaining,
there was literally no margin for error as we were bound to lose plausible
outright champions from each heat, an assertion that was brought into sharp
focus as Deadly Diamond claimed the opener in 28.70. Contesting the halfway
lead with Cuore Di Ferro, that rival would suffer a fall when almost guaranteed
qualification. Toolmaker Me Dad was left to chase the winner home at a one
length deficit as Grangeview West filled third in a dramatic quarter-final.
 |
| Robert & Josie |
Toolmaker Josie would claim the second heat in 28.54,
skipping clear off the second turn as bumping ensured the elimination of big
fancies Riverside Leo and Cabra Firmino while Rattling Conor and Deadly Storm
filled the places. Following game qualifying efforts in earlier rounds, Heat 3
saw Tom O’Neill’s Antigua Rum promote himself to serious outright contention
when bounding clear on the back-straight in 28.39.
He was followed home by
Tullig Footpad and the staying-on Ballymac Syd. The fastest was saved to last
however and Herecomesdahoney could not have impressed more when dictating
throughout his 28.30 verdict over Spoofer where the previously unbeaten
Ballymac Tas was forced to display her battling qualities. She was not found
wanting when flying home in third place!
Tas and Josie take semis
 |
| Tom O'Neill & Antigua Rum |
A return to a more favourable draw in the second semi-final and
Ballymac Tas fully confirmed that she is the fastest of the event when
defending the rails from Trap 1, she would repel fast trapping Herecomesdahoney
at the corner before scorching to 28.27 in yet another stunning display of pace
and power. From a tricky draw, Herecomesdahoney performed with huge credit when
just four lengths back in third while Antigua Rum again stayed strongly to fill
third after early bumping, just a length further back.
In the opener, Toolmaker Josie again displayed exceptional
back-straight pace when a daring run on the inside at the third bend saw him
overhaul early leader Grangeview Ten before skipping clear to a two length
verdict over a fast finishing Ballymac Syd as Deadly Storm again battled
bravely through bumping when third in 28.63.
______________________________________________________________________
Thursday April 11th (Semi-final)
Betting Guide Here S/Final Heat Guide Here Race Card Preview Here
The 2019 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Stake………The Story So Far
From the very outset of the richest juvenile race in the
world just three short weeks ago, an immensely talented cast of young stars had
an entire sport in no doubt that our current renewal of the Con & Annie
Kirby Memorial was indeed the strongest to date but while our opening two
rounds delivered repeated displays of racing excellence, many of our twelve
contenders who negotiated passage to semi-final stage were required to display
less celebrated qualities than just raw speed as the focus firmly switched to
survival over brilliance in a dramatic quarter-final session.
We have only just passed the halfway point but this year’s
Kirby truly has already delivered everything that a greyhound race should
harbour to merit classic status and it is almost incomprehensible just how
quickly this wonderful event has become so significant on even a world stage,
in just a short seven year history! All made possible of course by our generous
sponsors, Noreen & JP McManus can be as proud of what they have created
here at Limerick Greyhound Stadium as greyhound racing is grateful for the most
compelling spectacle of the sport.
O’Donovan scores in
Deadly Fashion
Many of the twenty-four survivors to quarter-final stage
fell into the early paced bracket and so similarly talented, something simply had
to give on a tense night here on the Dock Road a week ago. The margins were so
tight that we were guaranteed to lose plausible prospective champions from
every heat and emphasising the competitiveness of the event, all of our semi-finalists
have now tasted defeat.
 |
| Garry Hannon & Deadly Diamond |
Kicking-off the action in the opening quarter-final, trainer
Michael O’Donovan retained the deepest challenge with four runners remaining
and his Deadly Diamond would score a first heat success while sparking a
wonderful night for Bray owner Garry Hannon. The slick early pacer would
crucially lead heat favourite Toolmaker Me Dad to his inside when quick to
stride from Trap 2 and disputing the halfway lead with Liam Dowling’s Cuore Di
Ferro, would convert in dominant fashion when that rival tumbled on the
back-straight.
It was cruel twist of fate for Cuore Di Ferro who was almost
assured qualification at that point and brought sharply into focus the unpredictability
of greyhound racing while emphasising just how high a premium there was on
securing safe passage through treacherous quarter-final heats.
Deadly Diamond would go on to post 28.70 over Robert
Gleeson’s Toolmaker Me Dad who again impressed from the halfway point when just
a length adrift while in behind, the scramble for a precious semi-final place
was well and truly on. Left in third following the fall of Cuore Di Ferro,
Michael Hogan’s Grangeview West had Winetavern Don bearing down on her from the
crown of the closing bends after both recovered from first bend bumping.
Although suffering her first defeat however, Grangeview West would hang on to third
with just a head to spare as the Kirby embers were vigorously stoked in a fiery
opening heat.
Gleeson all Tooled up
 |
| Robert & Dad |
Having guided Toolmaker Me Dad to safe qualification in the
opening heat, trainer Robert Gleeson extended what has been quite a purple
patch of late for owner William Hyslop who ensured double representation in the
semis when Toolmaker Josie found a precious passage on the rails in a
treacherous Heat 2.
Just behind the lead on the approach to the corner, he would
cleverly sneak a run on the rails as the early paced trio of Deadly Storm,
Riverside Leo and Skywalker Wonder all became embroiled in bumping off the
second turn. Josie took command of the race at this point and skipped readily
clear beyond halfway when pursued by Mossie O’Connor’s Rattling Conor. The
latter again displayed a brave battling quality, advancing following first bend
bumping for the third week on the spin when six lengths adrift in 28.54. In
behind,
Garry Hannon saw his second representative advance to the semi-finals
when Deadly Storm battled bravely to overhaul Skywalker Wonder at the closing
bends before repelling Cabra Firmino on the run to the line and the high-class
list of those eliminated here was completed by the previously unbeaten
Riverside Leo.
Rum on the run
 |
| Tom & Antigua Rum |
Having stayed strongly to advance in both of his opening
round heats, Tom O’Neill’s Antigua Rum emphatically promoted himself to
outright contention when claiming Heat 3 in a powerful display of dominance
beyond halfway. Crucially finding clear passage at the first bend, his track
craft saw him switch inward for a run to the back-straight before sweeping wide
to overhaul Tullig Footpad at halfway. Extending clear in impressive fashion,
he registered a six length verdict over that same rival in a slick 28.39.
Having been forced to battle to hit the front when racing in
tight quarters, the runner-up lost little in defeat here and the sole remaining
Pat Buckley representative kept the Cappewhite dream of four-in-a-row alive in
a game performance. Recovering from significant early trouble for the second
week on the spin, Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Syd stayed strongly to claim a
precious third place when denying Jirano Classic by three parts of length.
Honey sweet for
Holland
 |
| Herecomesdahoney |
Having lost Riverside Leo earlier on the night, the Graham
Holland hopes for a first Kirby title rested in the paws of Herecomesdahoney
and ideally drawn on the fence, he resoundingly confirmed his Kirby aspirations
when fastest of the round in 28.30. Defending the inside rail with smart early
dash, he crucially repelled Argentina to the back-straight and a narrow halfway
lead would see him convert with the minimum of fuss thereafter as he fully sees
out the 525 yard trip at pace.
Philip Gough’s Spoofer had missed his break in behind but
again displayed powerful pace to lie second at the closing bends. He would
defend that position to the line when three lengths adrift of the winner while
also repelling the late surge of Ballymac Tas who, just like her comrade in the
previous heat, battled bravely following early traffic. This was a first defeat
for Tas who had been the fastest runner of the Kirby in each round to this
point but supporters will have been very pleased as she was arguably as
impressive here as she was in victory previously.
Semi 1: 1) Grangeview West 2) Toolmaker Josie 3) Spoofer 4)
Deadly Storm 5) Rattling Conor 6) Ballymac Syd (w)
As it has done in previous rounds, the draw can prove
crucial here and with the coveted red jacket, Grangeview West gets the vote to return to winning ways. Breaking
well at present, she possesses the early pace to defend a precious rails
position to the back-straight which will offer every opportunity to convert.
Although coming home in front of Deadly
Storm last week, Toolmaker Josie was led in the early stages by that rival
and a repeat may bring better fortune for the latter this time, especially as
Spoofer will now be under pressure to remedy his slower start of last weekend.
The resilience of Rattling Conor must be respected and he can certainly be in
the mix if finding a first clear passage in the event but earning the nod for
the trio is Ballymac Syd. His
opening round 28.07 still lingers as a mark of brilliance, even if he must
prove that he can perform to his best from Trap 6. Verdict: 1-4-6
Semi 2: 1) Ballymac Tas 2) Toolmaker Me Dad 3) Deadly Diamond 4)
Tullig Footpad 5) Herecomesdahoney 6) Antigua Rum (w)
Again the selection here is dictated by the draw and Ballymac Tas appears to have been amply
rewarded for her latest battling qualification effort. The fastest runner of
the event is taken to retain command of the rails throughout and can prove too
strong to contain in such a scenario. Given the vote to chase her home is the
sole wide seed Antigua Rum. The
powerful stayer may again have to negotiate a few bodies on the back-straight
but such is his finishing kick, he can prove extremely difficult to keep out of
the places. The draw is very complicated for all in the middle traps and Tullig
Footpad along with Herecomesdahoney may need to produce smash breaks to avoid
traffic problems as to their inside, Deadly Diamond has been displaying smart
early pace in each round and he is capable of repelling both to the corner.
Still a major outright fancy, Toolmaker
Me Dad has an equally tough assignment but such is his pace along the
back-straight, any semblance of a clear run can likely see him through to the
final. Verdict: 1-6-2
Betting: Ballymac
Tas 3/1, Toolmaker Me Dad 4/1, Ballymac Syd 4/1, Grangeview West 10/1, Tullig
Footpad 10/1, Herecomesdahoney 12/1, Antigua Rum 12/1, Spoofer 12/1, Deadly
Storm 14/1, Toolmaker Josie 16/1, Deadly Diamond 16/1, Rattling Conor 33/1.
______________________________________________________________________
Friday April 5th (Quarter-Final)
Dowling’s devil creates Tas mania in
Kirby 2019
It really does feel as though the opening exchanges in the
2019 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial have passed all too quickly and following
an astounding session of first round heats, the action at Limerick Greyhound
Stadium on Saturday last saw the emphasis change somewhat as rather than
seeking to lay down big markers in a serious outright bid, the focus for all
connections in Round Two was on survival to the last twenty-four in the richest
juvenile race in the world!
|
| TAS |
The prize for all our aspiring champions was the same
whether leading home or scrambling for a precious third place finish and we saw
equally laudable performances from narrow qualifiers as we did from our eight
heat winners. However, one young superstar has peered her head above the Kirby
parapet in both the opening rounds and whatever Kirby fate awaits Ballymac Tas, she has left an entire
sport in no doubt that she is a stand-out racing talent of her generation.
Having given the track record a real scare in her 27.97
first round success, this commentator would assert that Liam Dowling’s leading
lady did in fact repeat that level of performance when claiming a high class
Heat 3 while again fastest of the session in 28.23. On what were more usual
track conditions, the form students on the Dock Road were in agreement that the
circuit was running approximately .20 to .25sec slower than the previous
Saturday as Tas produced another rare display of racing excellence, leading throughout
to defeat the impressive Worseforwear by three and a half lengths with
Argentina back in third.
Dad had all the Tools in Gleeson double
 |
| Toolmaker Me Dad |
Trainer Liam Dowling was made to settle for that single
winner on the night but retains a very strong hand in the event as his trio of
winners from the first round all advanced, however, his brace of runners in the
concluding heats were made to chase home two impressive winners for Robert
Gleeson.
In all, the eight second round heats produced five repeat
winners and the manner of Toolmaker Me
Dad’s victory in the concluding Heat 8 left all in little doubt that his
designs on the Kirby harbour realistic intent. Leading throughout following an
adept break from Trap 1, he posted a brilliant 28.36 in a three and a
half-length verdict over Killer Bee. Trainer Peter Comerford will have been
delighted with the performance of Killer Bee here however as he displayed exceptional
back-straight pace before staying strongly and the Comerford Cakes winner must
retain realistic outright claims having pulled clear of Dowling’s Cuore Di
Ferro who filled third.
Sparking the Gleeson double in the previous heat, Toolmaker Josie was made to pull out
all the stops for a thrilling short-head verdict over fast opening round winner
Ballymac Syd. Racing in extremely close quarters with Deadly Storm all the way
to the final turn, the clock was surely affected in the slowest of the night
28.89 but Josie displayed great resolve as Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Syd
recovered from a tardy start and bumping. Syd’s supporters could however
contest that he was equally impressive here as he was in Round One victory as
he powered from the second bend to home, recovering many lengths to force the
photo.
Leo goes back-to-back in Holland brace
 |
| Herecomesdahoney |
Thrilling patrons with his astounding early pace in the
opening round, Graham Holland’s Riverside
Leo reinforced his claims on the Kirby in Heat 6 when not so quickly to
stride from Trap 4, he battled admirably on the run to the bend to round fast
trapping Wintavern Don for command of the race. He would complete in dominant
fashion while posting 28.59 thereafter but trainer Francie Murray will have
been delighted with the performance of Winetavern Don despite a three and
three-quarter length defeat as he displayed powerful pace at all points of the
circuit having been markedly checked by the winner at the opening turn. He
along with close-up third Jurano Classic left pleasing impressions.
The Holland double was sparked in the previous Heat 5 when Herecomesdahoney used his Trap 1 berth
to good effect. Defending the inside while repelling the persistent challenge
of Deadly Diamond to the closing bends, he would complete victory by one length
over the eye-catching Antigua Rum, for Tom O’Neill, who again stayed very
strongly to claim second from Deadly Diamond when only a length adrift in
28.51.
The West’s awake!
 |
| Grangeview West |
One of our five remaining unbeaten quarter-finalists,
Michael Hogan’s Grangeview West is
quite the endearing lady for while she has displayed smart early dash in both
heats, she has also shown an almost dismissive attitude when challenged at the
closing bends, a trait that was again in evidence on Saturday. Leading throughout,
she was just about joined by Mucky Brae approaching the final turn but as she
had done in her opening 28.25 success, drew clear in the home-straight for a two
and a quarter length verdict over Redzer Ardfert in 28.56. It must be noted
that the latter Brendan Maunsell charge was absolutely flying from halfway here
when again recovering many lengths!
Trainer Michael O’Donovan enjoyed a treble in the opening
round and although that was reduced to a single winner this time, the Tipperary
trainer guided a total of four runners to the quarter-finals and all possessing
slick early dash, Curly Mike retains a big say in the event. Arguably
spearheading the team is Skywalker
Wonder and he would remain unbeaten when dominating Heat 4 in 28.57.
Leading home Cabra Firmino by a length and a half, the latter lost little in
defeat while Rattling Conor kept strong local hopes alive back in third.
Last in this report, Philp Gough’s Spoofer was anything but last on Saturday as he bagged his first
heat win, kicking-off the action with a dominant display in 28.50. Six lengths
in advance of Tullig Footpad, the latter is now the sole hope of Pat Buckley’s
kennel in his bid to claim a fourth Kirby success on the spin. But, those hopes
are not forlorn as Footpad battled bravely following a bump when just a neck
separated him and Great Eastern who filled third.
Dad is all Tooled up!
Having used his rails pitch to good effect last week, a
repeat draw in Trap 1 for the opening quarter-final looks ideal for Toolmaker Me Dad to keep his unbeaten
record intact. It could be said about all four heats given the quality that
remains in the Kirby but this looks a treacherous draw for a host of outright
fancies and as is the case throughout, qualification will be at a premium.
He of course faces fellow unbeaten survivor Grangeview West
and the Hogan bitch will need to be sharp at trap rise for Cuore Di Ferro
appears highly likely to move inwards from Trap 6 in a heat with all inside
runners. Things could get extremely tight in the early stages and as such,
strength beyond halfway may prove vital and Winetavern Don is taken to advance
along with Grangeview West on those grounds.
Our second quarter-final is heavily laden with early pace
and a desperate scramble for first bend supremacy can most likely decide the
qualifying places. Believing that Riverside
Leo is the most adept early pacer in the event, he is taken to lead once
again and on the evidence of last week’s high class victory, Skywalker Wonder
can be the one to challenge him to the back-straight. In a complicated
conundrum for qualifying places, Cabra Firmino may do best of those drawn on
the inside to secure a precious semi-final place.
Mac to bounce back!
The assertion that Ballymac
Syd’s progress in the Kirby was not dependent on leading was endorsed in
his battling Round Two performance and he appears to have an ideal opportunity
to get back on the winning trail in Heat 3. On the outside of two strong
stayers, he can break better than he did a week ago and earns a Nap selection.
There could possibly be just one qualifying place for the three inside seeds
here and Tullig Footpad gets the nod to advance while keeping the Buckley
dreams of four-in-a-row alive while Redzer Ardfert may be the one to fill the
qualifying trio.Treble seeking Tas
Certain to lose at least two serious outright players from
the closing heat, Ballymac Tas faces
her toughest assignment in a bid to register a Kirby treble of heat wins. Her
Trap 5 berth looks tricky but breaking well at present, the competition’s
fastest runner can’t be opposed just yet. Selected to join her in the semis,
Killer Bee’s strength beyond halfway can earn him a place while the rails pitch
can be crucial for Herecomedahoney in a treacherous outing for all.
Betting:
Riverside Leo 11/2, Toolmaker Me Dad 6/1, Ballymac Tas 7/1, Ballymac Syd 8/1,
Killer Bee 12/1, Mucky Brae 12/1, Cabra Firmino 14/1, Spoofer 14/1, Grangeview
West 16/1, Herecomesdahoney 16/1, Cuore Di Ferro 16/1, Tullig Footpad 16/1,
Worseforwear 16/1, Deadly Diamond 16/1, Skywalker Wonder 16/1, Deadly Storm
16/1, Winetavern Don 20/1, Antigua Rum 20/1, Toolmaker Josie 25/1, Argentina
25/1, Redzer Ardfert 25/1, Jirano Classic 33/1, Rattling Conor 33/1, all
quoted.
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