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Dec 27th update from ICC

On Christmas Eve, the Government decided not to include coursing as an exempted activity without any explanation as to why we are the only activity removed from SI 650 of 2020.There appears to be little appreciation of what resources and organising is involved in preparing for a coursing meeting. The ICC set out clearly the reasons why coursing should continue similar to other comparable activities in terms of Covid-19 but we are unaware of any objective proportionate reasons as to why other comparable activities are permitted and coursing is not.

This is clearly disconcerting for clubs in the first instance and greyhound owners secondly, that have complied fully with all Covid-19 protocols after enduring limited opportunity to run their greyhounds since the commencement of the season. The ICC is self-funding and it appears there is little appreciation of this fact and that we are not in a position to offer a care package similar to other State Bodies. As an interim measure, the Executive Committee decided to waive coursing mating cert fees and coursing litter declaration fees as part of a more comprehensive suite of measures to be announced going forward.

Currently, we are left with the unanswered question as to why coursing was removed from the statutory instrument that is permitting other comparable activities. The much-anticipated St Stephens Day coursing meetings, due in no small part to the herculean effort by club members, are now in abeyance, as are those due to commence over subsequent days. Coursing has been let down in a serious way and this is not to belittle the current rise in Covid-19, it is merely to highlight that the risks associated with the continuance of coursing are no greater than other comparable sports, more particular, when we only have nine weeks remaining until the end of the season.

The Executive Committee is invoking all means possible to remedy the matter on your behalf.

I will update you further on Tuesday.

D.J. Histon

CEO/Secretary

Urgent Coursing Notice

I wish to update coursing club members, owners, trainers, sponsors and supporters, of the amended legislation dealing with exempted sporting activities during Covid-19 Level 5 that is effective from December 24 at 3pm.

On December 2, Coursing was included on SI 560 of 2020 and this legislation is now amended in the form of SI 695 of 2020, resulting in coursing not being permitted as the country enters Level 5 status.

The ICC Executive is seeking clarity in respect of this amendment given the rationale for inclusion on the original SI has not changed.   This query is being addressed to the Department of An Taoiseach and the Department of Agriculture.

With deep regret, this means the Christmas/New Year calendar of events cannot take place as scheduled and no netting of hares will take place in compliance with legislation.

I will update you further when more information is to hand.

In the meantime, I wish you and your families a peaceful and safe Christmas.

D.J. Histon

Covid 19 Protocol

Will Clubs please note that your Gate Stewards must remain in place at the entrance until the end of coursing each day to ensure that only those permitted to attend (see below) have access to the coursing field.     

Covid 19 Protocol  

Club Secretaries have been issued with Covid 19 protocol directives in relation to the running of their meeting. This includes how to deal with Working Members, Officials, Vets etc and how to make things safe for all participants.

The following Covid19 protocol directives relate to greyhound owners, trainers & handlers.

  • Strictly a maximum of TWO entrants per greyhound listed on the coursing programme.
  • No spectators permitted.
  • No catering permitted.
  • A Face Mask or Visor must be worn at all times.
  • The Wrist Band issued to you at point of entry must be worn at all times.
  • Your Name & Contact details must be provided at point of entry (this is strictly for contact tracing purposes only).
  • Please have the exact admission charge of €10 ready at point of entry as no change will be given.
  • Once inside the grounds please follow the instruction of the Parking Steward and comply with all Covid 19 signage on display.
  • Please place your Entry Fee in an envelope which is clearly marked with the name of your greyhound(s) and the competition(s) they are participating in. Again no change will be given. The €10 for Membership Card can also be placed in this envelope if you wish to avail of same.
  • Please follow the instruction of the Control Steward in terms of entering the waiting shelter and the Slippers Hut.
  • Catchers must follow the instructions of the stewards at top of field when entering the coursing stretch to lead up at conclusion of course.
  • No shaking hands or other celebratory gestures that involve contact.
  • Maximum of FOUR people at the presentation. Two located at front, two at the rear and all socially distanced. Mask to be worn for photograph.
  • Make regular use of the Hand sanitisers which will be located at strategic points for public use throughout the grounds.
  • Maintain a social distance of two metres at all times.
  • Most importantly of all if you have any of the common symptoms of coronavirus or feel generally unwell DO NOT ATTEND A COURSING MEETING.  

Renewing website membership

Important Notice for those on Sporting Press / ICC Website ‘special deal’ in 2019/20

As there was no Sporting Press during April,May & June your newspaper subscription is extended into January 2021. Therefore there was no point in us offering the ‘special deal’ for the 2020/21 season.

Your ICC website membership remained live until Monday December 7th.   However you will now have to renew membership, if you wish, in the normal way by paying the €50 online. Click on link on top of Home Page.

We look forward to offering the special Sporting Press / ICC Website deal once again in September 2021.

Thanks a million for your continued support.

 

Relive the Finals from Clonmel 2020

NM 2020 – Kitty Butler Final

 

NM 2020 – Champion Bitch Stake Final

 

NM 2020 – Champion Stakes Final

 

NM 2020 – Oaks Final

 

NM 2020 – Derby Final

 

Coursing Update 2 – Covid 19

Following on from the announcement that coursing will not take place currently, please be advised of the following in relation to clubs that had commenced but did not complete their fixture:

(i) Any stakes that had commenced can be completed on the re-commencement of coursing. The club have the option of completing at an alternative venue if that is convenient or more appropriate in all the circumstances.

(ii) Stakes that had not commenced will either be abandoned or a re-draw is necessary and that is a matter for the host club to decide.

We will update you further when we approach the re-commencement of coursing.

Coursing update – Covid 19

Following a meeting of the Executive Committee of the ICC today and after consideration of the impact of the country going into Level 5 of the Government plan in dealing with Covid-19, and the associated difficulties that would ensue as well as professional advice received, it is decided to suspend all park coursing events and open coursing events from midnight tonight, October 21st. 

The suspension will exist until it is appropriate to resume coursing events under the ICC Covid-19 Plan. The Executive are acutely aware of what this decision means to clubs, in particular the clubs that were mid-way through their events and we will work with them in bringing those meetings to a conclusion at a future date. We also acknowledge the impact this decision has on club members, owners, trainers, breeders, stud keepers, sponsors, coursing supporters, staff of the ICC and all related businesses that rely on coursing.

This is a time to focus on the Government’s actions to reduce the level of the virus in our community to ensure a positive outcome for us all. We acknowledge coursing people will play their part in protecting each other from the indiscriminate nature of Covid-19.

We look forward to re-commencing the season when the country is released from level 5 and we wish all our members and supporters well during this difficult time for the country.

Stay safe. 

ICC Awards 2019 – 20

They had to wait a while and unfortunately we won’t be able to hold an Awards Ceremony to celebrate their success but we would like to extend our congratulations to the Coursing Greyhounds of the Year for the season 2019/20. Many thanks to all of you who voted in the four categories last March.  We would also like to associate our very loyal Award Sponsors with this announcement today. Full details of our winners and their achievements will appear on next week’s Sporting Press and we will be arranging a memento for them.

Greyhound & Pet World Abbeyfeale Coursing Dog of the Year

Winner: BOYLESPORTSMAGIC (in photo)

Jimmy O’Flaherty Galway Coursing Bitch of the Year

Winner: CRAFTY PERFECTO

O’Murchú Financial Services Coursing Brood Bitch of the Year

Winner: BALLYMAC ADELPHA

National Meeting Bookmakers Coursing Stud Dog of the Year

Winner: NEWINN WONDER

 

 

Executive Committee

THE period of time for nominations to the Executive Committee of the Irish Coursing Club ended on August 31 and as the number of nominees was the same as the number of vacancies, there were no elections.

The following are the new members:

Munster

Aidan Supple (outgoing). Proposed by Rathkeale, seconded by Glin

Conor Foley. Proposed by Ballyduff, seconded by Templetuohy

Eileen Lynch. Proposed by Macroom, seconded by Fermoy & Grange

(Joan Herbert and Gerry Meehan did not seek re-election)

Leinster

John Troy. Proposed by Old Kilcullen, seconded by New Ross

Tom Beckett (outgoing). Proposed by Freshford, seconded by Sevenhouses.

(Eddie Quilty did not seek re-election).

Ulster 

Des Tighe (outgoing). Proposed by East Donegal. Seconded by Co. Cavan.

The full Executive Committee for 2020/21 is:

Mr Gerry Meehan, Millstreet, President

Mr John Egan, Templetuohy, Treasurer

Mr DJ Histon, Secretary / CEO 

Mr Tom Beckett, Freshford, Executive Member

Mr Berkie Browne, Listowel, Executive Member

Mr James Coss, Rathdowney, Executive Member

Mr Conor Foley, Ballyduff, Executive Member

Mr Glen Healy, Roseberry, Open Executive Member

Mr Pat Loughlin, Sevenhouses, Executive Member

Ms. Eileen Lynch, Macroom, Executive Member

Mr Jack Mahony, Loughrea, Executive Member

Mr Fran Mangan, Cappoquin & Clogheen, Executive Member

Mr Damian Matthews, Ballymena, Executive Member

Mr Tom Mulcahy, Charleville, Executive Member

Mr Paddy Mullen, Roscommon, Executive Member

Mr Tim O’Donovan, Tipperary & District, Executive Member

Mr James O’Regan, Clonakilty, Executive Member

Mr Sean Ryan, Fedamore Open, Executive Member

Mr Aidan Supple, Rathkeale, Executive Member

Mr Desmond Tighe, East Donegal, Executive Member

Mr John Troy, Old Kilcullen, Executive Member

National Meeting 2021

The Executive Committee of the Irish Coursing Club have announced that the 2021 National Coursing Meeting will take place at Powerstown Park, Clonmel on Saturday 6th, Sunday 7th and Monday 8th February 2021.