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Bereavement Notices

It is with deep regret and great sadness that Rathdowney & District CC announce the passing of our great friend, stalwart working member and vice president, James “Jimmy” Burke, Granstown, Ballacolla, Co Laois. Jimmy’s unrivalled knowledge of greyhounds and the sport of coursing, combined with his expertise in hare husbandry and the preparations for the smooth running of our annual meeting are irreplaceable. It was a pleasure for all who ever heard him recount tales about the greyhounds and their owners/trainers who supported our meeting over the years. A man with a cool head and a keen attention to detail, he was always the ‘go-to’ man when a problem arose or an improvement was required. Even though our meeting is in December (at which Jimmy always manned the escape), his work preparing the field and organising the capture & husbandry of hares would have commenced many months earlier. He was a diligent worker and the club and coursing were always foremost in his thoughts. He loved attending the National Meeting but had many other favourite meetings, Loughrea to name but one. Jimmy also reared many coursing dogs such as Granstown Pride, a Derby TS winner at Sevenhouses in 1988 for his brother Ger and the 1989 Derby winner, Donovans Ranger, for his friend Jackie Cahill. A beloved icon of the club, a loyal and dedicated servant to coursing and a true sporting person, Jimmy will be deeply missed by us all.

Our sincere sympathy to his wife Alice, children Noreen, Jim, Michael & John, brothers Gerard, John & Fr Fintan, sisters Maureen & Geraldine, grandchildren and extended family members.

Funeral Mass on Thursday, April 15th at 12 noon in St Canice’s Church, Clough followed by burial in Knockaroo Cemetery. See RIP.ie for link to live stream of Mass.

Rathdowney CC would also like to express our sincere sympathy to the Doherty family, Kilbreedy, Rathdowney on the recent passing of Tim following a brief illness. Tim was a lifelong active member of our club and will be sadly missed by us all. His wife Mary, children Paula, Carol & Brendan and sister Breda are in our thoughts and prayers. Tim’s Requiem Mass took place last Saturday, April 10th followed by burial in Bealady Cemetery.

May Jimmy & Tim both Rest In Peace.   

Rathdowney CC.     

Bereavement Notices

There was great sadness in Dundalk & Dowdallshill CC yesterday (Monday April 12th) as their great friend, club worker and long-serving treasurer, Michael (Mick) Tiernan, was laid to rest. Thankfully the easing of covid restrictions allowed members to travel and provide a very much-merited guard of honour for him. A big man in so many ways, big in stature, big hearted in nature, he was very much loved by all in Dundalk and Dowdallshill C.C. and indeed in the wider coursing and tracking circles. A hare catcher, worker on the field and extremely prudent manager of the club’s finances, Mick was also a true friend to all he encountered. Mick’s greatest pleasure on an annual basis was seeing the club’s Christmas meeting pass off successfully. He was one of the first people that owners and trainers met when they arrived in the field, as he collected their entry fees with a smile and a kind word of encouragement. Our condolences are offered to his sister Siobhán and the extended Tiernan family, also to his joint owner in greyhounds and long-time friend, Pat Loftus. Michael’s funeral mass took place in the Holy Family Church, Ballsgrove, Drogheda followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. May he Rest In Peace.

THERE is deep sadness in greyhound circles at the passing away last weekend of Raymond Mooney of Garlow Cross, Navan, at the early age of 55. Raymond, popularly known as ‘Rambo’, passed away peacefully on April 10. ‘Rambo’ was part of the BoyleSports team for over 30 years and regularly travelled across the country where he always had good stories to tell and friendly banter with the BoyleSports staff. He made the annual trip to Clonmel for the National Meeting where he met up with all his friends. He also loved his nights out at Shelboune Park, especially the big events. He will be sadly missed by his family, his friends from the greyhound community and his friends and colleagues at BoyleSports. Our sincere sympathy to his brothers, sisters and extended family members. Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday (April 15th) in The Church of St Colmcille, Skyrne followed by burial in Hill of Tara Cemetery. May he Rest in Peace.

Illegal Hunting

ICC Launch Illegal Hunting Reporting Tool – REPORT ILLEGAL HUNTING IN YOUR AREA

To further enhance the protection of the Irish hare from illegal hunting, the ICC is asking coursing clubs and the coursing public to report such incidences via the new ICC reporting tool on the ICC website (under Coursing drop-down menu). The native Irish hare is a protected species under the Wildlife Act 1976-2018, the Opens Seasons Order 2005 and the Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013. The act of illegal hunting is unlawful and should be reported to the Gardaí and the NPWS, as they possess the powers of prosecution for such acts. As part of all coursing clubs’ role as guardian of the native Irish Hare, it is important to log all incidents of illegal hunting. It is important that if you witness illegal hunting that you do not engage with the transgressors and that immediate contact is made with the Gardaí and NPWS rangers in your area. Familiarise yourself with the type of necessary information that will assist with a prosecution by visiting the reporting tool link on the ICC website. Your personal details will not be shared with any third party without your express permission. The ICC may contact you to follow up on the incident and related matters.
The ICC Reporting Tool has been designed to gather the facts on each incident of illegal hunting and it is possible to upload images if available also.

How to complete the Reporting Tool: Simply click on the tab: REPORT ILLEGAL HUNTING and proceed as instructed to complete all details.
Once completed please click the SUBMIT link to upload your incident report and you will receive a receipt email to let you know it is lodged with the ICC.

Breeders Covid Scheme 2021

Breeders of coursing litters for the 2022/23 coursing season will receive a Covid-19 financial support package in the sum of €350 per litter earmarked at puppy stage subject to meeting eligibility criteria (see below).

The scheme is open to breeders that complete an application form (available now to download from ICC website – Go to ICC Forms on bottom left of Home page) and forward same with the litter declaration form within 14 days of whelping. (Please note the previous scheme which waived the litter declaration fee and mating cert fee is now expired).

Breeders of litters already whelped and registered since January 1st 2021 will also receive the Covid-19 breeder support payment, subject to meeting eligibility criteria (see below) and on completion of the application form (available now to download from ICC website – Go to ICC Forms on bottom left of Home page) 

Eligibility criteria includes the mating of a recognised coursing bred bitch to a recognised coursing bred stud dog, the mating of a recognised coursing bred bitch to a recognised track bred stud dog and the mating of a recognised track bred bitch to a recognised coursing bred stud dog. Pups must be whelped no later than September 30th 2021.

In the event of clarification being sought on a particular mating in terms of eligibility for the support, a decision once provided is full and final with no right of appeal.

In the event that you are unable to download & print an application form from the ICC website please email eugene@sportingpress.ie with your name & address to have a form posted out to you).  

Derby / Oaks 2019 whelps

In addition to a 64 Derby and 64 Oaks for 2020 whelps, as previously announced a 64 Derby and 64 Oaks for 2019 whelps is also planned for Powerstown Park at the National Meeting of 2022. Greyhounds that have won trial stakes during the 2020/21 coursing season stand qualified.  All 2019 whelps that have not qualified during the 2020/21 season will have a further opportunity during the 2021/22 coursing season to qualify to ensure a full complement of runners.

In the event of a 2019 whelped greyhound qualifying for the National Meeting in 2022, and subsequently competes successfully in all age events during the 2021/22 coursing season, that qualifier is only eligible to compete in the Derby and Oaks for 2019 whelps and not in the Champion Dog or Bitch events to be held at the 2022 National Meeting.

The details of qualifier events will be settled and agreed with host clubs in advance of the commencement of the 2021/22 coursing season.

Our photo shows Pakie & David Hogan with Tromora Danny, first Derby qualifier of the 2020/21 season at Liscannor and which will hopefully have the opportunity to participate in the Derby for 2019 whelps at the 2022 National Meeting.    

Extension to Membership

Due to the brevity of the 2020/21 coursing season it has been agreed to extend the membership period for all those who paid the €50 fee between 1st April 2020 and 31st January 2021 to become members of the ICC website. The new renewal date for all those members will be 31st March 2022 which means you will be able to access the draws, results etc for the 2021/22 season at no extra cost. We would advise you to make a note of your log-in details (Username & Password) as it can be very easy to forget same during a period of inactivity. We will remind you of all this again anyhow in early September. Thank you for your support.

ICC Statement January 24th

Following the High Court decision of Ms Justice Hyland today, the ICC has announced that the balance of the 2020/21 coursing season is concluded. The Judge, in her decision, referred to the strong arguable case in terms of lack of consultation and that the ICC has met the requisite standard in terms of obligations to give reasons as part of a Judicial Review hearing yet to be heard.
The Executive Committee of the ICC acknowledge the support and hard work of its constituent clubs, its greyhound owners, breeders, trainers and sponsors during this season. The Executive is cognisant of the lack of opportunity afforded coursing greyhounds, in what has been a very truncated season within a limited season. As a consequence of such lost opportunity, the Executive decided that it will hold a Derby and Oaks next season for 2019 whelps that have won a trial stake this season with additional qualifiers to reach the required number of entries to stage the event at the National Meeting in 2022.

The Licensing Committee is appointed by the Executive Committee to deal with all licensing issues for the forthcoming season and it has commenced that process.

While we all deal with the current situation, I can assure everyone that every effort is being made in preparing for a successful commencement of the 2021/22 coursing season and this is the focus of the Executive and its Sub-Committees over the coming weeks and months ahead.      

DJ Histon

Jan 14th update from ICC

At call over this morning (14/01/21), Mr Justice Meenan has set Tuesday January 19 for hearing of ICC injunction.

D.J. Histon

 

ICC Registrations Office

Due to current Covid 19 restrictions the ICC offices at Davis Road, Clonmel are closed to the public.  Registrations documents received by post or dropped in the letterbox will be dealt with as normal.  

Telephone calls (Ring 052 6188503) will only be answered between 9am and 12.30pm every day, Monday to Friday incl.

Due to staff rotation there may be some delay in responding to emails (carmel@sportingpress.ie)

Matter will be reviewed after 29th January, 2021

Please note the list of Registration Fees is available to view by clicking on this link https://irishcoursingclub.ie/fees/

Jan 8th update from ICC

Last Monday, the ICC was granted leave to take judicial review proceedings concerning the delisting of coursing from SI 695/2020 on Christmas Eve 2020. The matter was before the High Court today, Friday 8th, to set a schedule for the hearing of the injunction, whereby the ICC’s Senior Counsel reiterated the urgency of the matter given the time remaining in the current season. Mr Justice Sanfey has put the matter in for mention next Tuesday (January 12) and a hearing date will be set at this time.

D.J. Histon