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General Notices

GLIN

Please note the Derby Trial Stake at Glin is now oversubscribed and no further entries can be taken for this stake.

FIXTURES

Please note a small number of Fixture changes have been made. See drop-down menu under Coursing on top tool bar (near draws, results etc). In Week 2 the Glin meeting will include the Galway & Oranmore trial stakes and Galway & Oranmore will not be running their meeting in Week 7. New Ross have moved from Week 5 to Week 6 which is back to where they were last season. Rathkeale will now host Limerick City at a joint meeting in Week 9.

KILFLYNN

Please note that both Trial Stakes at Kilflynn are now oversubscribed and no further entries can be taken for these events.

Reserve Trial Stakes

The following is the list of Reserve Trial Stakes for the 2023/24 season. Under the rota system it is Liscannor’s turn to run a Reserve Oaks Trial Stake this season. Also Glanworth, Dundalk & Mooncoin.

OAKS
Ballyheigue
Bandon & Careys X
Borris In Ossory
Dundalk
East Donegal 2
Glanworth
Gorey
Liscannor
Mallow
Mooncoin
Rathcormac


DERBY
Balbriggan
Ballinagar
Cappoquin
Doon
Dungannon
Ennis Clarecastle
Kilflynn
Killimer Kilrush
Macroom
South Clare
Waterford

Coursing Awards 2023

A huge thank you to all 320 guests who attended our Coursing Awards and Dinner Dance last Sunday. You helped to create a lovely atmosphere and we hope you enjoyed yourselves.

These Awards could not happen without the support of our wonderful sponsors: Dominic, Kathleen & Liam of Greyhound & Pet World Abbeyfeale; Jimmy Flaherty & family, Galway; Billy & Marie Roche and family Clonmel Cabins; Bridget Byrne, Surrey & Duagh; The National Meeting Bookmakers; Michael & Maura Horgan, Mitchelstown. Thank you all sincerely.

Congratulations to our Award winners and other prize recipients. Thank you for joining us on Sunday night with family and friends. This week’s Sporting Press has a full report with photos from the Coursing Awards.

Front photo – Bridget Byrne presents the Hall Of Fame Award to Jackie Murphy and his wife Kathleen.

The O’Connor family, Saleen (Express Razor) accepting ICC Greyhound of the Year Awards from Kathleen and Liam of Greyhound & Pet World
Ray Conroy (Laurina) accepting ICC Brood Bitch of the Year Award from Ciara Roche, Clonmel Cabins
Liam Dowling and Tom Nolan (Ballymac Zena) accepting the ICC Bitch of the Year Awards from Carmel & Enda representing The Flaherty Family.
Shari-Anne O’Donnell (Newinn Wonder) accepting the ICC Stud Dog of the Year Award from Berkie Browne representing the National Meeting Bookmakers
Michael Horgan makes a presentation of €1000 to Majella Riordan & Jacko Reidy of Castleisland CC where Ballymac Zena won her Oaks TS
Shane Counihan accepts a cheque for €1000 from Michael Horgan to mark the success of Masonbrook Ger in the Loughrea Derby TS.

Below Anne Marie O’Brien makes a presentation of behalf of the Sporting Press to the connections of Classic winners Excelerate (trainer Kevin Barry), Masonbrook Ger (members of the Griffin Harte syndicate) and Cool Spirit ( Damien Matthews & Seamus Kelly)

Below Michael Sheil (Chairman Classics Club) and John Egan (President ICC) make a presentation of the first prize cheques in the Classics Club Draw to Evan & Conor Comerford (representing their dad Fintan) and to Dermot McCarthy and his mam Martha .


Below Sporting Press Fantasy Coursing winner Sean Doyle accompanied by his daughter Sarah Jane accepts his prize from Anne Marie O’Brien.

Below DJ Histon (CEO Irish Coursing Club) and Damien Matthews (Treasurer ICC) make a special presentation to Imelda Grauer who has been taking photos for the Sporting Press & ICC since 1984.

ICC Award Winners

The votes have been counted and we can now announce the Coursing Greyhounds of the Year for 2022/23. We are also delighted to announce that the Coursing Hall of Fame Award for 2023 goes to Mr Jackie Murphy, Mallow. All our winners will be honoured at the Irish Coursing Clubs award ceremony to be held on April 30th . Huge thanks to our Award Sponsors without whom we would not be able to hold this great night of celebration.

Greyhound & Pet World Abbeyfeale Coursing Dog of the Year

Express Razor

Flaherty Family, Galway Coursing Bitch of the Year

Ballymac Zena

Clonmel Cabins Coursing Brood Bitch of the Year

Laurina

National Meeting Bookmakers Coursing Stud Dog of the Year

Newinn Wonder

Patsy Byrne Memorial Hall Of Fame Award

Mr Jackie Murphy, Mallow

Irish Cup 2023

Irish Cup 3 `Day Footage – €28.00

Click here for 3 day footage

Day 3 at the Irish Cup

A most enjoyable Dublin Coach Irish Cup meeting hosted by Co Limerick CC finished this afternoon with a clean sweep for the pups, 2021 whelps winning all five stakes. In fact eight of the ten finalists were pups with Go Home Ourthat (2019) and Annual Friendly (2020) the exceptions.

The ante post betting got it very right with greyhounds at the top of market contesting the final of the Irish Cup itself and also winning the Purse & Plate. The bookmakers will not remember the 2023 National Meeting & Irish Cup with any great fondness but no doubt they will recoup the losses next season. It is a good sign of both meetings that the cream came to the top and hard luck stories were few & far between.

Our 2023 Dublin Coach Irish Cup champion is Cool Spirit, owned by a syndicate of Newcastlewest & Newry based members and trained in Newry by the maestro himself Brendan Matthews, winning his 9th Irish Cup. Cool Spirit met some formidable opponents along the way, not least Go Home Ourthat, and for a pup he really impressed and is a worthy winner. He is a son of Irish Cup winner Newinn Wonder and Oaks winner Foxhollow Queen.

Montpelier Hulk, owned by the Jimmy Buckley led Top Class Syndicate (Athenry) and trained by Gerry Holian proved why he was so short in price for both the Derby & Irish Cup by running out a very good winner of the Bill Chawke Irish Plate. He is a first big stake success for his Derby winning sire Upper Hand and a son of Jumeirah Glory.

Although coming into the Irish Cup without a success to his name Drive On Lesley was the subject of a big gamble on Friday. Unfortunately he lost sight temporarily in RD1 but it was all plain sailing in the Dick Fitzgerald Irish Purse. The son of Boylesportsmagic and Kilty Candy is an exciting All Age prospect next season for his connections incl trainer Denis O’Driscoll.

Greenmount is proving to be a lucky venue for Paul Horig (Bahamas) and 12 months after his Irish Cup success with Berlin Station he was back in the winner’s enclosure following the success of the Kevin Barry trained Coffee Queen in the Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stakes. This daughter of Newinn Wonder and Tree Top Kerry is a litter sister to Tree Top Tyson which put Cool Spirit out of the Derby in the third round.

What a few weeks it has been for Michael Sweeney, receiver of entries for Glin. His Doomore Diva today added the Kyle Invitational Champion Working Members to a similar stake she won at Sevenhouses. The daughter of Newinn Wonder & Silent Belle is a litter sister to Silent Seanie Se and Silent Fraya which ran in Clonmel.

And so we bid farewell to the 2022/23 coursing season. We enjoyed some fantastic coursing and great hares throughout the season and we were blessed with spring-like conditions particularly at Clonmel and Limerick. The voluntary work that goes on behind the scenes at every club meeting especially in the areas of hare husbandry and field preparation has to be seen to be believed. We will conclude our piece with a heartfelt thank you to all those Working Members and also a special word of thanks to our most generous sponsors at Club and National level. Have a great summer. See you in September PG.

Day 3 Video Footage – Click on Link

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Day 2 at the Irish Cup

A most enjoyable second day at the Dublin Coach Irish Cup meeting hosted by Co Limerick CC sets everything up nicely for a great finale tomorrow and also the conclusion of the 2022/23 season. The ante post favourite Go Home Ourthat may be still the one they have to pass but there was much to like about some of the other performances this afternoon also. Once again the clock of Go Home Ourthat in the very first course of the day set the standard and was not beaten.

We are left with three All Ages, two of whom contested the final of the Kevin Smith Champion Stakes earlier this month, Express Razor & Aghadown Wonder. Go Home Ourthat is the third and possibly the freshest as he was last seen winning the Munster Cup at Newcastlewest in mid December.

The five pups which remain include two recent Derby quarter-finalists (Ballymac General & Boylesports Team), Cool Spirit which departed from the Derby in the third round, Fireproof which won one round of the Derby and the Cuine Gambler which made an early exit in Clonmel.

Clocks & betting would suggest that Go Home Ourthat, Express Razor, Cool Spirit and Ballymac General will make it to the semi-finals although Fireproof will push Cool Spirit all the way. With four of the last eight carrying the hopes of Limerick connections (1 x Cork, 2 x Kerry, 1 x Down) there will be plenty of cheering from the stands.

Arena Rose can maintain her remarkable unbeaten record in the Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stakes with Aghadown Berry her likely opponent in the final. All eyes will be on Drive On Lesley in the Dick Fitzgerald Irish Purse and he has a great chance of reaching the final where he should come up against another pup, Blue Knight or Jeru Hope. The Bill Chawke Irish Plate could be at the mercy of Montpelier Hulk. See Quick Results for Clocks & Latest Betting.

Day 2 Video Footage – Click on Link

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Day 1 at the Irish Cup

Ante-post favourite Go Home Ourthat got the 2023 Dublin Coach Irish Cup off to the best possible start at Limerick Racecourse this morning. Connections could not have asked for a more straight-forward course and his clock of 11.41 would not be bettered for the rest of the day. He has now shortened to 3/1 and is the one they all have to beat.

The two big talking points came in quick succession. First the heavily gambled Drive On Lesley (started joint favourite with Go Home Ourthat) appeared to lose sight when well in command. Then the eagerly awaited buckle between the two Champion Stakes winners at Clonmel resulted in a thriller with Express Razor wiping out early arrears (possibly two lengths behind early) to go past Excelerate in the last 50 yards. Excelerate later appeared in the Irish Purse and won her course handsomely.

Rossmore Dazzler which ran up the Irish Purse 12 months ago got the second half of the stake off to a great start also, romping away from his litter brother in 11.46. As in many courses today, the pup Cool Spirit raced wide apart from his opponent and it was hard to judge how much he had in hand but his clock 11.50 was very decent and bookmakers have installed him as their new second favourite. Boylesports Team and Kyle Honour look destined for a very interesting third round encounter and the meeting of Montpelier Hulk & Ballymac General could be the highlight of RD2. The buckle between Express Razor & Catunda Zeus is another one to look forward to.

The unbeaten Arena Rose certainly caught the eye in the opening round of the Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stake and Oaks r-up Ballymac Pippin will have to improve on today’s run if she is to get the better of her tomorrow morning. Likewise down in the bottom half Ballymac Wonder has a battle on her paws against Aghadown Berry in RD2 but the winner could then go a long way in this competition. Shutdafrontdoor, Coffee Queen, Central Dolly and South Carolina were the others that stood out but the last named gave the escape a good rattle.

The action gets underway on Day 2 with the second round of Dublin Coach Irish Cup and what could be a tough enough course for our favourite against Kilkeale Gold. Don’t be late !!!. See Quick Results for clocks and latest betting.

Day 1 Video Footage – Click on Link

Click here

Official Non Runners


Dublin Coach Irish Cup
Dresden Dingo (first quarter)

Irish Cup Sporting Press

For all the previews and predictions ahead of the Dublin Coach Irish Cup make sure to read the Sporting Press this week. Available online from 8pm on Tuesday evening and in most shops on Wednesday morning.

Irish Cup Feb 24 to 26

The 2023 renewal of the Dublin Coach Irish Cup (winner €35,000) will take place at Limerick Racecourse from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th February. The meeting will also feature the Patsy Byrne Select All Age Bitch Stake, the Bill Chawke Irish Plate, the Dick Fitzgerald Memorial Irish Purse and the Kyle Invitational Champion Working Members Stake.

National Meeting 2023

National Coursing Meeting 2023 – Important Notices 

Finals Day at Clonmel

The Fields Of Athenry rang around Powerstown Park this afternoon as friends and supporters of Tom Griffin, his daughter Jenny & her husband Matt Harte from Gort and trainer Gerry Holian celebrated the Boylesports Derby success of Masonbrook Ger. The son of Newinn Wonder & Laurina (representing Loughrea CC) had impressed from the opening round and was a truly worthy winner. His toughest call came in the semi-final against Tree Top Tyson which was one of many exciting courses today. Credit also to the runner-up Ballymac Major who came from behind in the quarter-final & semi-final but just couldn’t bridge the gap in the final.

They may have lost the Derby but it was another memorable National Meeting for Liam Dowling & family. As expected ante post favourite Ballymac Zena and her kennelmate Ballymac Pippin reached the final of the Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks but not without a few worries. In her first course this morning Zena clipped the escape hard as she drove in and then three courses later Pippin got plenty of work. Zena’s semi-final against Catunda Lauren was without doubt the most exciting course of the entire three days and the stands erupted as the lead changed a number of times. However marking her out as an outstanding greyhound she shouldered her opponent at a vital time to take the opening turn. Pippin did recover from her exertions to win her semi-final against Silent Angel but following veterinary advice she was then withdrawn and Zena (representing Castleisland CC) was declared the winner. The daughter of Boylesports Magic – Silent Wonder joins Ballymac Enya (2019) and Ballymac Floral (2021) on the Oaks Roll of Honour.

The O’Connor family from Tarbert were back on the podium at a National Meeting when Express Razor (a Cup winner at Ballyduff and East Donegal) won the Kevin Smith Champion Stakes, coming from behind a gallant Aghadown Wonder in the final. The son of Drive On Smokey – Following Lights is trained by Patrick for his mam Christina. Excelerate (a Cup winner at Johnstown & Urlingford) gave one of the performances of the day throughout the Grace & Matt Bruton Champion Bitch Stakes. A late withdrawal before last season’s Oaks got underway, the daughter of Needham Danger – Annual Time made up for lost time much to the delight of Fintan & John Comerford, Kildare Town and trainer Kevin Barry. (Incidentally Fintan also drew Ballymac Zena in the Classics Club Draw so a great day all around for him). Ocean Kerrie ran exceptionally well to reach the final and gave the winner the most to do.

When Amarite was drawn to meet Ballymac Zena in the first round of the Oaks her owners Ray Conroy and Ollie Dunne (Portlaoise) were despondent. However she lost nothing in defeat and it was no surprise to see this litter sister of our Derby winner (Newinn Wonder – Laurina) win the Dublin Coach Kitty Butler Stakes four years after her dam won the same event. Sore Loser (Drive On Smokey – Sullane Erin) was also handed a tough opening draw in the Derby against Tiktok Tony and was one of the big outsiders. Owners David Manning & Katie Kelleher will be over the moon heading back to Macroom this evening with the trophy for the Stockproof Fencing Products TA Morris Stakes.

And so concluded the 97th National Coursing Meeting which was blessed with probably the best weather ever for the full duration of the event. We were also blessed with some fantastic coursing and behalf of all coursing supporters we extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to Team Powerstown. After all the anticipation it is hard to believe that it is all over but wonderful memories were made and no doubt the celebrations in Gort, Tralee, Tarbert, Kildare Town, Portlaoise and Macroom will continue for many days and weeks to come. Long Live Coursing.

Day 2 at Clonmel

Liam Dowling’s eight qualifiers graced the front page of last week’s Sporting Press and remarkably six of them are still in Derby & Oaks contention after three rounds and two days of great coursing at the 97th National Coursing Meeting. The betting this evening would suggest that Ballymac Zena and Ballymac Pippin will divide the Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks which would give the Dowlings a remarkable third success in this Classic in five years. A Derby success would be the first up the field for the Ballymac kennels but it will be harder to achieve despite having half of the remaining runners.

The Boherlode Syndicate (Limerick) owned Boherlode Zoey which only came in as a runner-up last week has run brilliantly to reach the last eight of the Oaks. The Curtin family, Tournafulla, Limerick have brought many a fast qualifier to Clonmel over the years but perhaps without the success they deserved. With Barrack Bubbles (Oaks) and Barrack Boru (Derby) they now have two live chances, the latter in particular. Some of the loudest cheers were heard today from the Kilmardinny Syndicate (Imelda Byrne & family, Dublin) when Catunda Lauren won her two courses impressively. Gooleen Magic & Silent Angel make it three from the Boylesportsmagic – Silent Wonder litter into the last eight of the Oaks joining their sister Ballymac Zena. Gooleen Magic is owned by Eilish O’Sullivan & her son Dermot, from Labasheeda, Co Clare, mam and brother to Irish Cup and Kitty Butler sponsor John O’Sullivan. Father & son Tom & Jack Nolan, Abbeyfeale of the Silent prefix need no introduction and will be thrilled to see the great Silent Wonder produce such a litter. Twelve months after losing an Oaks final by the narrowest of margins Tom Lawler & his family, Carlow are back in an Oaks on Finals Day. Their Mungos Blossom has won many admirers and won’t make things easy for Ballymac Pippin.

The third round of the Boylesports Derby was bookended by two courses which were expected to be very close. The manner of the victory of both Ballymac Major and Tree Top Tyson (David Lonergan, Cahir & Kevin Barry, Rosegreen) over Iron Born and Cool Spirit respectively makes them serious contenders but such is the quality of this season’s Derby that they might not even reach the final. Major was actually nine spots slower than his brother Ballymac General who he now takes on in the quarter-final. The honour of fastest clock in the third round went to the aforementioned Barrack Boru and he meets Simply Glorious running for Ray Conroy & Ollie Dunne, Portlaoise who won a Kitty Butler with his dam in 2019 and also the Champion Bitch Stakes last season (Shes Invincible). Jenny Griffin and Matt Harte (Gort) got a brilliant run in the older Oaks 12 months ago and now their Masonbrook Ger (litter brother to Simply Glorious) is the fancy of many to go one better in the Derby. His next opponent is possibly the least fancied of the Liam Dowling runners but Ballymac Devito appears to have plenty luck on his side and we all know how important that is in coursing. He also happens to be a son of Ballymac Enya which gave Liam his first Clonmel success. Finally we come to Boylesports Team, the Corn Na Feile winner and running in the name of one of our sports most generous ever sponsors, John Boyle (Rostrevor) and trained in the Ballymac kennels. It would be another wonderful story but it won’t be easy, especially taking on Tree Top Tyson.

We began by mentioning the eight ‘Ballymac’ stars on Page 1 of the most recent Sporting Press. Will we see two or three or even possibly four of them on this week’s front cover once again ?. The bookmakers think we will and no doubt they will have some hefty doubles to pay out if it comes to pass. However the Clonmel dream is still alive for many other coursing families tonight and we wish them all the very best as we look forward to the third and final day of Clonmel 2023.

Day 1 at Clonmel

After a 30 minute delay due to overnight frost, Ballymac Wonder got the 97th National Meeting off to a great start with a 12.50 run in the opening course of the Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks. However it wasn’t long before her kennelmate and long odds favourite Ballymac Zena bettered it by 12 spots (12.38). This would remain the best time of the day until Tree Top Tyson stopped the clock at 12.36 in the very last course of the Boylesports Derby.

Others to catch the eye in the Oaks were Gooleen Magic & Silent Angel (both litter sisters of Zena), Frenchfort (litter sister of Ballymac Wonder), Marvelous Model (daughter of 2020 Oaks winner), and the very well drawn Ballymac Pippin (same dam as 2019 and 2021 Oaks winners). The only big upset was the elimination of All Glamour which went temporarily offline and handed the advantage to Cloncunny Flare.

The Ballymacs were also very much to the fore in the Boylesports Derby with Ballymac Ida the only one of eight runners from the Dowling kennels to taste defeat today after a sluggish start. Ballymac Major was probably the most impressive although sponsor John Boyle will have been delighted with the all the way success of Boylesports Team (trained by Liam Dowling). The aforementioned Tree Top Tyson finished the first round in style and others to show Derby winning potential were Iron Born, Masonbrook Ger, Cool Spirit and both of the Barrack dogs Boru & Ice. However no less than 15 dogs came in under 12.60 so it really is wide open still.

It was a glorious day weather wise and the atmosphere and excitement was the best seen at an opening day in Clonmel for a long time. Please God it augurs well for the next two days. The action resumes tomorrow morning at 11am with the first round of the Stockproof Fencing TA Morris Stakes. (see Quick Results for clocks and betting).

The Waiting Is Over

In less than 24 hours the 97th National Coursing Meeting will get underway at Powerstown Park, Clonmel. It is very doubtful if we will have anyone attending who was present at that first National Meeting back in 1925 but for sure there will be someone proudly celebrating their 50th, 60th or even 70th Clonmel. We all remember our first Clonmel and we hope that for those making their maiden trip this year it is the first of many.

Safe travelling to all over the next three days. Best wishes to everyone connected to a runner and we hope your dream comes true. A huge thank you to all involved with hare husbandry at Powerstown Park and we hope your dream of a clean sheet comes true also. We know you can do no more. Sincere thanks to our sponsors, Boylesports, The Horse & Jockey Hotel, Dublin Coach, Stockproof Fencing Products, The 802 Classics Club Members and the families of the late Kevin Smith and Grace & Matt Bruton. This event could not happen without your support.

At 11am this Sunday morning Breska Code and Ballymac Wonder will be placed in the capable hands of Brian Doyle or Richard Quinn. 202 courses later Liam Kelly or John O’Connell will pull the final flag for this season’s National Meeting and the Clonmel Roll Of Honour will have six new names or possibly even more in the event of a divide !!. It’s our All Ireland, Superbowl, Cheltenham, all rolled into one and whether it’s our 50th or our 1st the excitement never diminishes.

OFFICIAL NON RUNNERS

National Meeting 2023 – Non Runners

Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks
Hiho Lets Go (First Quarter)
Lucarelli (First Quarter)
Ta Ellen (Fourth Quarter)

BoyleSports Derby
Tullig Seal (First Quarter)
Sminky Sharp (Reserve)

Grace & Matt Bruton Champion Bitch
Cloncunny Wonder

Kevin Smith Champion Stakes
Dresden Dingo
Rossmore Champ (reserve)

TRAFFIC WARNING

For anyone travelling to Clonmel from the Waterford or Wexford direction on Tuesday (Sunday & Monday should be ok) please note there are long delays in Carrick On Suir due to roadworks. The full details are below.

ROAD TO BE CLOSED:
N24 Eastbound Lane, Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary. From O’Mahony Avenue to Ash Park Junction with N24. PERIOD OF CLOSURE: 00:00hrs on Monday 30 January 2023 to 23:39hrs on Friday 01 September 2023. ALTERNATIVE ROUTES: R696 New Road, L-2701-1 Ard Mhuire, L-2702-1 Greenside North, R697 Park View, L-2703-1 Ash Park. (L-27032-1 Townparks will also to be used when required).

NM SPORTING PRESS SPECIAL

Congratulations to Anne Marie O’Brien and her team on another great National Meeting special. A must read before you head to Clonmel this weekend. Available to view online Tuesday evening and should be in most shops on Wednesday.

Consolation Stakes at National Meeting

At the 2023 National Coursing Meeting there will be two Consolation Stakes. The Dublin Coach Kitty Butler Stakes for 32 bitches eliminated in the first round of the Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks. Winner: €7,000. Runner Up: €2,000. The Stockproof Fencing Products T. A. Morris Stakes for 32 dogs eliminated in the first round of the BoylesSports Derby. Winner: €7,000. Runner Up: €2,000.

In the event of these stakes not being filled by those eliminated from the first round of the Oaks/Derby the remaining places will be allocated to reserves in the Oaks/Derby which did not get called to run in those stakes. These reserves must have run a non-competitive course at the end of the first round of the Oaks/Derby.

A new draw will be made to determine which reserves are to receive the remaining places in the Consolation Stakes and which reserves are to be listed as Reserves A,B,C and D for the Consolation Stakes. The draw for the Consolation Stakes will then take place.

The first round of the Dublin Coach Kitty Butler Stakes will take place at the end of coursing on the first day of the National Meeting and the second round will take place immediately after the interval on the second day of the National Meeting. The first round of the Stockproof Fencing Products TA Morris Stakes will take place at the start of coursing on the second day of the National Meeting and the second round will take place at the end of coursing on the second day of the National Meeting. Both stakes will then be completed on the third day of the National Meeting.

NATIONAL MEETING TRIALS

The second hare schooling session for the National Meeting took place on Saturday and the quickest clocks were 12.67 and 12.72. The first hare schooling session for the National Meeting took place on Friday and the quickest clocks were 12.62 and 12.64

THE DUBLIN COACH COURSING BUS

We are delighted that John O’Sullivan is once again providing this wonderful service on three different routes. The coaches will leave each morning from Galway, Dundalk and Tralee with strategic pick-ups along the way. All who travelled this way in recent years have had nothing but the highest of praise for the service so early booking is advisable.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW COACH TIMETABLE

IRISH CUP DRAW

The following is the draw for the Irish Cup meeting to be hosted by Co Limerick CC next weekend. Ballymac Zena and Busy Man were two late withdrawals but the pairing of the two recent Champion Stakes winners Express Razor and Excelerate in the first round will justify the entrance fee alone on Day 1. Drive On Lesley is another very interesting runner in that second quarter.

Leading fancy Go Home Ourthat was first out of the hat and will wear the red collar six times if he claims this time-honoured classic. 2021 Derby runner up Carrowkeal Shane, recent Champion Stakes runner-up Aghadown Wonder and triple Cup winner Dresden Dingo will make life difficult though for him in that opening quarter.

Clocks from Clonmel would suggest that the pups Cool Spirit and Jeru Hope will have a great buckle in the third quarter where Benny Treanor was unlucky to have his two ‘Rossmore‘ dogs drawn against each other and where Champion Stakes runners Hermes and Derby Wonder should have a big say.

Liam Dowling’s two runners Boylesports Team & Ballymac General and Kyle Honour look the ones to beat in the fourth quarter although Charlie Chip could be a dangerous opponent early and Montpelier Hulk is another pup to be seriously considered if back to himself.


Dublin Coach Irish Cup
        Go Home Ourthat         v   Clash Fury
        Carrowkeal Shane        v   Kilkeale Gold
        Station Chief           v   Uptown Laser
        Great Padanzo           v   Ballinveala Zion
        Tree Top Zack           v   Dresden Dingo
        The Other Ollie         v   Silent Seanie Se
        Malbay Shelby           v   Aghadown Wonder
        Down Town Kid           v   Central Focus
        Call The Guards         v   Central Driver
        Barrack Ice             v   Norse God
        Simply Glorious         v   Boherue Moon
        Cuine Gambler           v   Drive On Lesley
        Express Razor           v   Excelerate
        Sammy Be                v   Catunda Zeus
        Tactical Edge           v   Cavalli
        Floating Hego           v   Do It Martin
        Rossmore Champ          v   Rossmore Dazzler
        Glinpier                v   Calipso Jim
        Barrack Cruz            v   Fireproof
        Ardera Ricky            v   Hermes
        Abbey Gonzalo           v   Steel Mill
        Mungos Ritual           v   Bolsoi Ballet
        Cool Spirit             v   Jeru Hope
        Glorious Hunter         v   Derby Wonder
        Boylesports Team        v   Charlie Chip
        Blueway Wonder          v   Woodpark John
        Blue Knight             v   Timeforachat
        Career Break            v   Kyle Honour
        Oneinthebarrell         v   Ballymac General
        Bussleton               v   Montpelier Hulk
        Quivers Benny           v   Lisahane Tom
        Charlemont Fun          v   Man Is King
        Reserves
        Mr Chairman                
        Ashmore Sam                 
        Atypical Bell              
        Crescent Hope             
        Matterhorn
        One Eleven
        Coole Yeats
        Blades Of Fury
        Tailteann Best
        Sheeraghs Dream

        Kyle Invitational Champion Working Members
        Vienna Station          v   Filthemagainphil
        Raparee Away            v   Saynaut
        Rith Breandan           v   Inch Hailey
        Doomore Diva            v   Spartan Princess
        Intrinsic Magic         v   Claremount Aoibh
        My Gold                 v   Annabels Tree
        Annual Friendly         v   Boston Rocket
        A Dogs Journey          v   Talbots Hill

        Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stake
        Marvelous Model         v   Atlantic Galore
        Crafty Petro            v   Shutdafrontdoor
        Smitten                 v   Arena Rose
        Kingcormac Nurse        v   Ballymac Pippin
        Cloncunny Flare         v   Our Ambition
        Coffee Queen            v   Tiktok Tilly
        Knockrour Fiadh         v   Central Dolly
        Domain Kerry            v   Inch Heidi
        South Carolina          v   Lady Arabella
        New York City           v   All Glamour
        Rusalka Moon            v   Marbella
        Donaghmore Leia         v   Romantic Queen
        Jeffys Hope             v   Needham Vacation
        Ballinabola Rose        v   Mystery Fire
        Ballymac Wonder         v   Faha Wild
        Aghadown Berry          v   Fionntra Georgie
        Reserves
        Shines Day
        Thatsthestorynow
        Newmarket Heath
        Part Fine

Irish Cup Nominators

NoNominatorDogNoNominatorDog
First Quarter




1Tomas CoolahanGo Home Ourthat2John Roche & Michael FitzpatrickClash Fury (p)
3Susan GarrahyCarrowkeal Shane4Noreen McManusKilkeale Gold (p)
5Paul HorigStation Chief (p)6Charlie & Gerry ChawkeUptown Laser (p)
7Liam & William Riordan Great Padanzo8Vincent PurtillBallinveala Zion (p)
9Michael Spillane BantryTree Top Zack (p)10John and Alan TroyDresden Dingo
11Michael Spillane KillarneyThe Other Ollie12Ned and Tommy RelihanSilent Seanie Se (p)
13Dermot O’Shea Malbay Shelby14Catherine and John MurphyAghadown Wonder
15Murty McMahonDown Town Kid16Brendan DuffyCentral Focus (p)
Second Quarter




17Leo WalshCall The Guards18Una O’SullivanCentral Driver
19Noel CollinsBarrack Ice (p)20Fiona and John GoffNorse God (p)
21Delma ScallonSimply Glorious (p)22Liam and Patrick MannBoherue Moon (p)
23Tony QuinnCuine Gambler (p)24M. O’Donovan TipperaryDrive on Lesley (p)
25Fr. John FitzgibbonExpress Razor26Matt FeheneyExcelerate (b)
27Eamonn KielySammy Be28Liam and Noreen LiddyCatunda Zeus (p)
29Bridget ByrneTactical Edge (p)30Pat SavageCavalli
31Colin and Mairead WallaceFloating Hego32Tadg SullivanDo It Martin
Third Quarter




33Tim O’DriscollRossmore Champ34Brendan FarrellyRossmore Dazzler
35Kathleen Murphy and Dominic MagnoneGlinpier36Luke KilcoyneCalipso Jim (p)
37Gerry HughesBarrack Cruz38Mark and Ailish DilgerFireproof (p)
39Tony ReddanArdera Ricky40Brian MurphyHermes
41Raymond SmithAbbey Gonzalo42Countess Dunraven & Lady Ana JohnstonSteel Mill (p)
43James Cunningham & Maurice JacksonMungos Ritual44John WilsonBolsoi Ballet
45Brendan MatthewsCool Spirit (p)46John and Niall DoolanJeru Hope (p)
47M. O’Donovan KillaloeGlorious Hunter (p)48Michael HorganDerby Wonder
Fourth Quarter




49John BoyleBoylesports Team (p)50Mary FitzgeraldCharlie Chip (p)
51John FlynnBlueway Wonder52Pat Pyne and Patsy MyersWoodpark John
53Basil HolianBlue Knight (p)54John EganTimeforachat
55Brian & Laurence JonesCareer Break (p)56Marie FieldKyle Honour
57Pat BurkeOneinthebarrel (p)58Liam DowlingBallymac General (p)
59Sir Mark PrescottBussleton60Nora RaleighMontpelier Hulk (p)
61Berkie and Patsy BrowneQuivers Benny62Peter O LoghlenLisahane Tom (p)
63Mike MannCharlemont Fun64Pat HorganMan Is King

Order of Running

CO LIMERICK       

Featuring the Dublin Coach Irish Cup

At Limerick Racecourse, Patrickswell

Friday, Saturday, Sunday 24th, 25th & 26th February

Judge: Paul Horan  

Slipper: Richard Quinn Jnr

Start 11.30am all three days.

FRIDAY: Once through Dublin Coach Irish Cup. Interval. Once through Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stake and Dick Fitzgerald Memorial Irish Purse.

SATURDAY: Twice through Dublin Coach Irish Cup. Once through Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stake and once through Dick Fitzgerald Memorial Irish Purse (before interval). Once through Bill Chawke Irish Plate and once through Kyle Invitational Working Members Stake (after interval).

SUNDAY: Start with Kyle Invitational Working Members Stake, Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stake, Dick Fitzgerald Memorial Irish Purse, Bill Chawke Irish Plate, Dublin Coach Irish Cup and complete card.    

Classics Club Draw

We have now added the runner beside each Member who was lucky to be drawn from the drum for the Classics Club. Best of luck to all and a huge thank you to everyone who supported the Classics Club this season.

The prize fund for draw on the Boylesports Derby and the Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks will be as follows: Winner: €10,000 Runner-Up: €3,000 Semi-Finalists: €1,000 each. Quarter-Finalists: €500 each. Due to the great response we received we are also giving out the following extra prizes: If the greyhound you draw in the Derby or Oaks wins the Stockproof Fencing TA Morris Stakes or Dublin Coach Kitty Butler Stakes you will receive €1500 and the runner-up receives €500. In the new draws on the Kevin Smith Champion Stakes and Grace & Matt Bruton Champion Bitch Stakes the winner of both will receive €2,000 and runner-up €500. This gives a Total Prize-fund of €43,000.    

DERBY
CRESCENT HOPE473Diarmuid CoffeyYoughal
STATION CHIEF706Sean FlahertyAbbeydorney
BALLYMAC MAJOR237Friends Of Miltown CC 12Cree
GIGANTOR39John Keating & Fergus Flynn Clonmel
BADMINTON KARNTON455Gina O’BrienCappoquin
PARTY TOM304Vincent & Donal SeeryEdenderry
TULLIG SEAL712Amy MoloneyRoscrea
IRON BORN84Niamh DolanBellewstown
BLUE DALE744Matt MoloneyCastlegregory
CHARLIE CHIP202Tony & Mary HarneyClonmel
BADMINTON BIGMAN597Bernadette Diskin HolianKilcolgan
CENTRAL FOCUS664Ann Taylor Cashel
BALLYMAC GENERAL316Neilie Nolan Brosna
HANDSOME TIM732Michael Lyng Kilnaleck
GALLOWS HILL488Thomas P Fox Oldcastle
TACTICAL EDGE423Templetuohy CC Templetuohy
KILKEALE GOLD23Kevin Marmion Oranmore
PRESS UP661Paul Horig Bahamas
SIMPLY GLORIOUS221Fir As Clar No 4 Ennis
BANK INTEREST775Paddy Mullen Roscommon
TREE TOP ZACK403Michael Moloney Roscrea
LATE CHANCE217Fir As Clar No 1 Ennis
LISAHANE TOM426Terry McCann Sligo
BALLINVEALA ZION 140Toy Syndicate Dunboyne
BALLYMORRIS GOLD503Paddy Herlihy Ballymacelligott
LISTRIM JERRY401Brian Wilmott Rathkeale
HOLLYHILL ROBERT704Bridget & Lorraine Kelly Longorchard
JERU HOPE135Breda MannPatrickswell
GIVEALITTLEBACK599Dermot TroyBlueball
REWIND RAFAEL334Noel SextonKnocknaderry
BARRACK BORU658Paul HorigBahamas
CLASH FURY41Sir Mark PrescottNewmarket
BALLINVEALA THEO412The Never Drawn Out SyndicateClonmel
CATUNDA ZEUS230Friends Of Miltown Malbay CC 7Cree
SORE LOSER118Sean & John HayesClarina
TIKTOK TONY567Nenagh Coursing ClubNenagh
BALLYMAC DEVITO550Clonmel & Dist Coursing ClubClonmel
POSITIVE THINKER527Donal O’ConnorKilsheelan
BALLYLINAN328Dominic MagnoneAbbeyfeale
FIREPROOF123Gerard MorrisseyAbbeyfeale
MONTPELIER HULK253Peter FlemingTimoleague
MASONBROOK GER305Dermot, Abbie, Ella, Shay MccarthyKilmallock
NORSE GOD761Martin & Frank BrowneDrogheda
DING DONG DERRY415Charlie FaulTubbercurry
BARRACK ICE97Daniel McCarthyDerbyshire
MATTERHORN530Eugene MurphyJanesboro
BALLYMAC IDA723Ben MatthewsNewry
CENTRAL INVITE186Brian MurphyNewry
ONEINTHEBARRELL116John ScalesLiscannor
KILTY HARVEY178DWG SyndicateNenagh
CUINE GAMBLER163PJ & Sean CocomanRhode
UPTOWN LASER68White Hare SyndicateMountcollins
SILENT SEANIE SE606Shay ByrneGorey
BOYLESPORTS TEAM758Glin Coursing ClubGlin
PICK YOUR STRIDE380Kevin & Dolores CarrKillucan
CALIPSO JIM66Donal O’RiordanUpton
CAREER BREAK81Finn O’DohertyCooraclare
COOL SPIRIT502John Joe BarronDarbystown
LISTRIM TOM736Conor FlynnTarbert
BATTLING TREND564Brian Sheehan & Donie KeatingGalbally
BRASSIC131Sabine ScullyKilmessan
BOHERLODE MOZART673John Keane & Jim McEneryEnnis
TREE TOP TYSON260Patsy & Aoife CoffeyDoon
GLORIOUS HUNTER623Liam KirleyGeashill

OAKS
HIHO LETS GO165Mike O’Connor & JP AhernAbbeyfeale
BALLYMAC WONDER505Liam MolloySwords
BALLINBOLA ROSE58Lenka VizslaCadiz
ROMANTIC QUEEN626Eoin WalsheKerry Pike
LUCARELLI639Gorey Coursing ClubGorey
GLENBEHA GIRL691John MulcahyBallyclerihan
BOHERLODE ZOEY523Clonard SyndicateBalbriggan
SOUL SEARCHERS454Lester PowerTramore
BALLYMAC ZENA614Fintan ComerfordKildare
AMIRITE546Kevin DrinanNewtownshandrum
SHOW THE PAW82Rua O’DohertyCooraclare
RUSALKA MOON681Jim LangtonLavistown
COSHAIR NELLY520Emma Mai RocheLisronagh
LOL DOLL449Marian BeckettWilton
TROMORA SWAT729Dundalk Coursing ClubDundalk
YELLOWSTONE AIR 43Kevin Kells & Seamus MulvaneyDublin
BARRACK BUBBLES646Micky MatthewsNewry
STEAM PRINCESS596Sean & Mary O’DonnellNew Inn
NEWMARKET HEATH74Walsh Family Syndicate 1Donabate
WINDFARM MADAM459Denis Keane & Battie O’ConnorRathmore
LISTRY LADY234Friends Of Miltown Malbay CC 11Cree
NEW YORK CITY151Liam DonnellyAughamullan
SKIPPING SADIE769Doyle Family (Woodsgift)Woodsgfit
GRANARD HAIL751Donnacha WhelanPortlaoise
MARVELOUS MODEL498The Back Line SyndicateClonmel
DONEGAL LIZ197Conor & Niall HeeneySydney
CATUNDA LAUREN213Brian & Eoin MahonyLoughrea
TIKTOK TILLY721Ambrose WylieBessbrook
LER LE VELLE654Paul HorigBahamas
COFFEE QUEEN185Gerard BarryLisnagry
FRENCHFORT425Knockgraffon Coursing ClubKnockgraffon
CLERIHAN JANGLES388Eimear & Sinead GuineyDuarigle
GOOLEEN MAGIC649Donal Wilson & Olivia McCarthy RocheFoulkscourt
SAYITWITHLOVE657Paul HorigBahamas
LOWSIDE JOY99John Rock MurphyNew York
FIADHS FUTURE76Sean MurphySchull
CLONCUNNY FLARE611John ComerfordKildare Town
ALL GLAMOUR372Thomas ChambersEnnis
SMITTEN699James McGheeLifford
DRUMCROW CARLINE218Fir As Clar 2Ennis
A HAPPY COMET779Paul GallagherDerry
MY LITTLECOCONUT50Conor FoleyLisselton
SILENT ANGEL385Tadg O’SullivanBallyduff
YOUNG AND GAME148Shane ScullyNew York
SOUTH CAROLINA659Paul HorigBahamas
BARRACK ALICE735John FlynnTarbert
BLUEHILL ERICA517Michael McAliskey & Patrick DalyDerrylaughan
NURSE RATCHED763Michael FlanneryClonmel
MUNGOS BLOSSOM490Tom Queally Newmarket UK
FOXHOLLOW SPIRIT282Frank Kieran & Gerard MartinMountrath
SILENT FRAYA392Pa WilmottRathkeale
PART FINE287John Quinn & Ella CantwellGort
SPITAL LADY124Ailbhe CullenBray
OCTANE MURA72Terry Donnelly & Michael O DriscollSkibbereen
DOMAIN KERRY354Eamonn A KielyCork
PICKEDYOURPOCKET602Carr Healy SyndicateKillucan
FAHA WILD136Killimer Kilrush Coursing ClubKillimer Kilrush
BALLYMAC PIPPIN674Nora EganTempletuohy
IMPERIAL FABERGE430Alan TroyCurragh
CHOCTAW CHICK598Ulick NaughtonInverin
TA ELLEN85Joe DolanBellewstown
PUC SOCKS709Eddie & June CooneyClonmel
CREATE THE DREAM702Theo LloydTempletuohy
DONAGHMORE LEIA209Dermot O’DonovanKillaloe
CHAMPION DOG
SAMMY BE195David Ward Abbeyfeale
AGHADOWN WONDER576Pat & Breda CunninghamCastlemartyr
DERBY WONDER36Aoife MaloneArdee
LOWER THE BLADE543Danny KaneFethard
BUSY MAN467James LaveryTarbert
KYLE HONOUR24Geraldine MarmionOranmore
DRESDEN DINGO333Noel Crowley & TJ Lyons Macroom
EXPRESS RAZOR 227Friends of Miltown Malbay CC 4Cree




CHAMPION BITCH
CLONCUNNY WONDER485Declan Kells & Seamus MulvaneyDublin
OFF PISTE34Jeff BaileyBatterstown
OCEAN KERRIE419James EganKnockavilla
WISEGUY BECKY472Billy LaneMountcollins
FATE INTERVENES14Seamus CahillKent
HOWDYLITTLELADY683Jill & Shane GrimesGorteen
AGHADOWN BERRY56Sean BrowneBalbriggan
EXCELERATE 188Carricktobin LadEnniscorthy