In their first year of Irish Cup sponsorship it was possibly written in the stars that the Co Kildare based O’Sullivan family would present the Cup to a Kildare trained greyhound. And so it came to pass at Greenmount Park this afternoon when the pup Berlin Station, trained in Kildare by Mick Murphy gave a brilliant display to win the Dublin Coach Irish Cup.
This victory will be celebrated far beyond Kildare though. His sporting owner is Bahamas based Paul Horig, he was bred in Kilmacow, Co Kilkenny by Paul Reid and he was nominated by Mallow resident Pat Burke, a brother to Co Limerick CC secretary Bill.
Berlin Station, a January 2020 son of Newinn Wonder & Tory Ellie, had won many admirers at Clonmel and was as low as 12/1 in the ante post betting for the Irish Cup. His victory over Tree Top Danno in the third round yesterday afternoon left us all in no doubt that he was worthy of his place on the illustrious roll of honour which dates back to 1905.
Disappointment for the Kilkenny based connections of a gallant runner-up Busy Man, owner Seamus Neary and the Lennon family who bred & train him but he gave them a weekend to remember and this May 2020 pup should make into a top class All Age. In the final his usual blistering early pace was matched by the winner and even though he was definitely rallying after going behind, the all important first turn just came too soon.
Kerry seldom leave a Championship event without a trophy and sure enough the Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stake went to Asdee courtesy of the Sean Carr owned Our Ambition. This second season lady was very impressive in her first two courses this morning and then got the better of the pup Cloncunny Wonder in a thrilling final. The winner is trained in Macroom by Liam O’Callaghan.
Some of the loudest cheers of the day were reserved for the Dick Fitzgerald Irish Purse and Bill Chawke Irish Plate. Popular bookmakers and cousins Ted & Berkie Browne combined to win the Purse with the pup Taxi From Jumbos which came from behind in a few courses to win including the final. He is trained by Declan Byrne and his daughter Annie near Carrick On Suir.
The Crested Ten Syndicate led by Fran Burke from Edenderry CC have had some great times in recent years with their ‘Partys On’ dogs and they will be celebrating tonight after the third season Partys On Willy won the Plate in convincing fashion. Congratulations also to winning trainer Davy Reynolds, Co Meath.
It was a tough season for Millstreet CC but it ended on a high when their representative Lady Arabella won the Kyle Invitational Champion Working Members Stake. Successful owners are the Fitzgibbon brothers, David and Gene from Newmarket, Cork.
The new Greenmount Cup for 8 All Ages gave us another thrilling final when Timeforachat, owned, trained & bred by Seamus Bourke & family, Oola came from well off the pace to deny Ballymac Maxwell.
After a spell of wintry weather which gave the Co Limerick CC committee plenty concern, the three days of the meeting itself were blessed with lovely weather, especially today. Club members & all at the venue are due well deserved congratulations for producing beautiful coursing ground and strong running hares. It was exactly what we were hoping for to say a fond farewell to the 2021/22 season.
Co Limerick CC have arranged a link to the action each evening via https://page.inplayer.com/irishcup2022/