The 95th National Coursing Meeting concluded in Clonmel today with some of the best finals seen at the venue for a long time and six outstanding winners. Afterwards there were some very familiar faces back on the presentation podium but plenty of new ones too. All coursing supporters everywhere will be thrilled that loyal Derby sponsor John Boyle took the Kevin Smith Champion Stakes with his own Boylesportsmagic.   

The 2020 Boylesports Derby winner is the Ardpatrick & Kilfinane qualifier Upper Hand. Owned by the Teresa Cahill (Kent) led ‘Part Of A Dream Syndicate’, trained by multiple Classic winning trainer Gerry Holian and bred by Liam Farrell. He was the morning favourite having ousted Callaway Rambler in the third round. He came from behind Soul Man, held off the late challenge of Snap Streak and then in a brilliant final where the lead changed twice he powered up the Powerstown Hill to defeat a gallant Gingerbread Bud. He is a son of Newinn Wonder – Nomore Lily.

The 2020 Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks winner is the Regional qualifier Foxhollow Queen. A half-sister to 2018 Oaks heroine Foxhollow Lady and running for the same connections, joint owners Brendan Matthews (Newry) & Nora Raleigh (Adare), trained by Brendan and bred by John Flynn from his own 2014 Oaks winner Somelittlething with Adios Alonso the sire the successful sire on this occasion. Brendan & Nora may have come to Clonmel with high hopes of her brother Foxhollow Adios winning the Derby (withdrawn injured from third round) but this lady didn’t put a paw wrong all weekend. Having enjoyed comfortable successes over Tobarmartin Mags and Lets Get Started she was put to the test in the final by the early pace of Please Abbie. The runner-up lost nothing in defeat but the ‘Queen’ showed devastating foot from halfway.

Boylesportsmagic (Mafi Magic – Ballymac Adelpha) was magic today and lit up the packed stands with his ‘come from behind’ performances in the semi-finals and final of the Kevin Smith Champion Stakes. As already stated it was a most popular success for John and Liam Boyle but it also ensured trainer Liam Dowling and his family were back on the podium 12 months after their Oaks success. It was heartbreak of course for Shane Flanagan & the Hey You Sir Syndicate as their triple Cup winner Netflixandchill looked to be on his way to success for most of the final.

30 years exactly after winning the Champion Stakes with Crafty Roberto, Brian Divilly was in the winners’ enclosure this afternoon, with his family Noelle, Shane & Peter, to celebrate the success of Crafty Perfecto in the Grace & Matt Bruton Champion Bitch Stake. Runner-up in the 2019 Oaks, this daughter of Crafty Gonzalo and Drumcrow Adele once again showed her liking for the venue. She was brilliant in the first course and then battled really well to hold off the challenge of Ballymac Marge in the semi-final. In the final she was paired against Seaside Lucy which had caused a huge shock by eliminating the warm favourite Share The Dream in the semi-final. For a short time in the final Lucy looked to be about to cause another upset but the winner started to motor from half-way.

It was a few days to remember for Nenagh coursing club stalwarts Stephen Noonan and trainer John Kelly who combined to win the Dublin Coach Kitty Butler Stakes with Buggies Rose. She was only first reserve on Friday but ran instead of Breska Wild. In that first round she never left the much fancied Ballymac Amber get away from her so it came as no surprise to see her run so well in this consolation event. The daughter of Newinn Wonder and Bucks Honey qualified at Borris In Ossory and defeated Rockanes Beauty in another super final this afternoon.

At the same meeting at Borris In Ossory it was Blueview Lucky which won the Rathdowney Derby Trial Stake and today he added the Stockproof Fencing TA Morris Stakes for James Maxi Collins, Drogheda and his family. He went out to Highbury in the first round of the Derby but did nothing wrong throughout the TA Morris Stakes and he was joined on the podium by his kennelmate and Derby runner-up Gingerbread Bud. The runner-up here was Boherlode Paddy which had up to then also given his syndicate owners a great few days.

Congratulations to all the winners including Jack Foley (Abbeyfeale) and Bob Shanahan (Limerick) who won the Classics Club 600 Draws, Darren & Danny Quinn from Regional CC and Lee Reale from Ardpatrick & Kilfinane CC who are our winning Patsy Byrne Junior Nominators for this season and finally to those two clubs Regional and Ardpatrick & Kilfinane who will be receiving €1,000 each from Michael Horgan for providing us with this year’s Oaks and Derby winners.

All focus will now be on the Dublin Coach Irish Cup with the draw due to be held tonight (Monday) and the first round starting on Friday at Limerick racecourse. We wish Co Limerick CC every success with same. However it would be remiss of us not to conclude by saying a massive well done to all involved with the running of our 2020 National Meeting and in particular to the hare husbandry team at Powerstown Park. Yes it is our flagship meeting and you did yourselves and our sport proud.

For different reasons the ‘Last 8’ for the 2020 BoyleSports Irish Coursing Derby and the Horse & Jockey Hotel Irish Coursing Oaks are missing some of the names which may have been expected to feature. However there is no doubt but the 16 greyhounds remaining have run their hearts out to make it into Day 3 and give their connections a National Meeting to remember.

Today’s third round of the BoyleSports Derby saw Foxhollow Adios withdrawn injured and Callaway Rambler defeated after being nicely in front to half way. His conqueror, the Gerry Holian trained Upper Hand and the Kevin Barry trained Mad Mans Game now deservedly head the betting market. Both are syndicate owned as indeed are three other quarter-finalists Catalpa Voyage, Bank Defect & Soul Man.
Mad Mans Game & Soul Man run for two local Clonmel/Kilsheelan/Carrick-0n-Suir syndicates namely the Flannery-Quinn-Walsh Synd and the Seven Drops Synd, the Part of a Dream Synd who own Upper Hand are Kent based but with Tipperary connections, Catalpa Voyage belongs to the Heeney family Synd from Ennis and the Royal Rebel Synd (Bank Defect) as the name implies has a mixture of Meath & Cork natives to the fore of its membership.
The three remaining greyhounds may not be syndicate owned but they are not short of support judging by the cheering from the stands. Longway Rio runs in the joint ownership of Cavan man Keith Reilly and his dad Harry who sadly passed away a few weeks ago. Gingerbread Bud (a full younger brother to 2017 Oaks winner Knockout Glory) is owned by Fiachra O’Callaghan, son of Ger from Kilkenny who has a long association with the Maxi Collins kennels and finally Snap Streak is jointly owned by Cillian Brosnan & James Enright who hail from that hotbed of coursing in Tarbert. The aforementioned Gerry Holian, Kevin Barry & Maxi Collins are joined by trainers Dessie Kerrigan, Sean Heeney, Davy Reynolds, Patrick O’Connor and Declan Byrne in the quarter-finals.

Following a delay to this season following the RHD2 outbreak, Lets Get Started was a very appropriately named winner of the Oaks trial stake at Kilflynn. She started but certainly hasn’t finished and gives Donal & Kathleen Casey O’Connell, Abbeydorney an outstanding chance in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks. Tomorrow morning she meets the Mossie Ó Connor trained Gooleen Wonder (a full younger sister to 2018 Derby winner Silent Whisper) which runs for Kilrush owner Eilish O’Sullivan & her son Dermot. Irish Cup & Kitty Butler Stake sponsor John O’Sullivan (Dublin Coach) would be another son of Eilish. Brendan Matthews (Newry) & Nora Raleigh (Adare) teamed up in 2018 to win the Oaks with Foxhollow Lady and will be fancied by many to repeat the feat with her younger half-sister Foxhollow Queen. Ante post Derby fav Glorious Glin never made it to Clonmel but his sister Tobarmartin Mags is doing him proud and gives trainer John Mulcahy from Ballyclerihan, outside Clonmel, a runner in both halves of the Oaks tomorrow. Mags was a wedding present to Davina Doyle, Greystones last year from Sean Egan, Tarbert who retained a half share. 
Safe Date caught many an eye when she won the Cappoquin Oaks TS at the Doon meeting and has won even more admirers at Powerstown Park this weekend. She would be a popular winner for owner/trainer Willie O’Shea, Killarney. The Paradise prefix has enjoyed many a success on the tracks but the Meade family, Miltown Malbay always loved to course a few also and Sean now finds himself in an Oaks quarter-final with Paradise Georgia. 
Scientific, a sister of Gooleen Wonder, went on all the short lists after qualifying at Ballyduff and Cllr Bobby O’Connell, Castleisland will temporarily forget about general election results if this second Mossie O’Connor trained quarter finalist does the business. Finally but certainly not least we have the second of the John Mulcahy trained runners Please Abbie (a sister to Snap Streak) which John himself owns jointly with Dermot McCarthy, Kilmallock.

So the scene is set for what should be a great Finals Day which will also feature the Kevin Smith Champion Stakes, the Grace & Matt Bruton Champion Bitch Stake, the Dublin Coach Kitty Butler Stakes and the Stockproof Fencing TA Morris Stakes. Four months ago a 2020 National Meeting was in the balance so show your support for all those who worked so hard to make it happen by coming along tomorrow.  After today’s results there will be great value on offer for Singles, Doubles & Trebles on the bookmakers boards so the message is to get there early and enjoy !!.

The 95th National Coursing Meeting got underway at Powerstown Park today and a typical first day at Clonmel had the usual gambles (some looking well founded & some going astray), hard luck stories and unexpected eye catchers. There were also some noble runs from greyhounds at the head of the market and indeed the Boylesports Derby fav, Callaway Rambler, saved the best wine for almost last, clocking the fastest of the day 12.56 in the penultimate course. Locally owned Mad Mans Game, also trained by Kevin Barry, recorded the second best clock 12.57, his travelling companion Tree Top Danno was fourth best but their kennelmate and Corn Na Feile runner-up Doonard Abel made an early exit.

In the Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks, Floating Skye was involved in one of the most exciting buckles of the day but still managed to clock the fastest, 12.70, in the bitch Classic Rd1. Her reward is a second round against Corn Na Feile Oaks winner Ballymac Amber who was only two spots slower 12.72. The hottest place to be though is the top of the fourth quarter where Joyandjubilation, Scientific and Magical Misty will have an almighty battle to claim that coveted place in the Last 8.

Runners from the Brendan Matthews kennel were the subject of two of the bigger gambles before coursing. Unfortunately Icon Queen lost sight temporarily and paid the price. However Foxhollow Adios, the Glin qualifier & son of an Oaks winner, looked very decent and may only have his kennelmate Bexhill Flare to fear in the top quarter of the BoyleSports Derby. The aforementioned Tree Top Danno & Mad Mans Game should have a big say in the second quarter but Quarrymount King was mentioned as a lively outsider in a few of the Clonmel Preview Nights and has a style of running that will suit the expected testing conditions. The third quarter is wide open with Boglane Swift which came in as a Reserve and the locally owned Highbury the fastest today. However this one is impossible to call and all eight remaining have a chance. Another local runner Soul Man gave connections plenty to cheer about when stopping the clock at 12.68 and is capable of making it to Day 3 where he should face either the favourite Callaway Rambler or today’s big eyecatcher Upper Hand who many will remember only lost to original Derby favourite Glorious Glin by a narrow margin at Abbeyfeale.

The 2020 Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks commenced with a victory for Kingsmill Chanel (in photo with On The Hill) and this Wexford lady could go a nice bit further in the competition. Kates Blossom & Gooleen Wonder will have a great course tomorrow morning in the lower half of that quarter. The two real hard luck stories of the day came straight after each other in the second quarter and connections of Mulcahys Peak and Shock Electric will be desperately disappointed that they went unsighted when leading comfortably & clocking fast. Their exit completely opens up this section even though somewhat surprisingly the bookmakers have Ballymac Fame, which was being led easily by Mulcahys Peak, very close to the top of the outright betting. We already mentioned the eagerly awaited RD2 pairing of Floating Skye & Ballymac Amber and that could possibly decide the third quarter, but we stress ‘possibly’ because either Safe Date & Jeru Jo above them could cause a mild surprise. When the draw was made for the Oaks the royally bred Joyandjubilation & Scientific were expected to have a showdown in the third round. Whether Magical Misty upsets things remains to be seen but there should be some terrific buckles in the fourth quarter which also contains Ashmore Rosie, a comrade of Foxhollow Adios and running for Derby sponsor John Boyle.

Conditions may not be as nice tomorrow as they were today but if the coursing is as good it will help us all forget about the weather. And expect loads of emotion in the first course of the Boylesports Derby. On the red collar Longway Rio, running for the family of the late Harry Reilly, an outstanding member of Cavan CC who passed away just two weeks ago. On the white collar, Gus The Bus, running for the 16 strong Lads Down Under Syndicate, who arrived in Clonmel from Australia yesterday. Tough one to call.

Today’s clocks & latest betting in Quick Results 

On Sunday, Finals Day at Clonmel, a bucket collection will be taken up for Retired Coursing Greyhounds. All attending are asked to give as generously as possible. In advance of the collection Paul Cooney has written this lovely piece.

Supporting your retired coursing dogs at the National Meeting

When penning articles for the Sporting Press or any other outlet, it is a conscious imposition of mine that my respect for your, and all, greyhounds comes through in my writing. They are the stars of my kennel at whatever level they compete and falling in love with them as I do, I know that you as owners want them accurately represented and respected as much here as they are at home with you.

I have yet to meet a greyhound I didn’t like and yet to care for one I didn’t love. Of course, many have left our kennels over the years following a sale as a pup or raced dog but that in itself is exciting when following their career thereafter. However, my coursing bitch pup for this year sustained an injury that curtailed her career to a single outing but amidst the increasing numbers of greyhounds now being retired as pets, she is currently in her foster home awaiting her new life as a fully-fledged pet where I have no doubt that she will be adored as much as she was here at home.

I have a three-year-old coursing dog also who didn’t course this year and I have no inhibition in telling all that he is without question, my best friend in the world. I pledged long ago that he would live his entire life with me but this complicated season we have endured looks likely to leave the home kennels short on space when looking ahead to next season and a gut-wrenching decision to re-home my Paddy is becoming a question that must be asked.

The saving grace for me and Paddy however, is that if I must surrender custodianship of his existence, all the channels are in place to ensure a full and happy life as a pet, for the opportunity, infrastructure and personnel to re-home our coursing dogs is growing year on year.

It would require digests to in any way detail the brilliant people and wonderful efforts being made all over Ireland to both market for and physically secure new homes for our heroes when finished their racing careers.

However, this weekend at the National Meeting one of our greatest champions for retired greyhounds, the 2009 Oaks winning owner of the brilliant Fortuna, Bridget Frank, will head a team of fundraisers, in association with the ICC, while enlisting your support to continue their rehoming of our retired coursing greyhounds.

This coming Sunday, Bridget and her team will be visible throughout Powerstown Park, shaking buckets as part of their continuous fundraising drive to facilitate the rehoming of coursing dogs, support that is increasingly essential.

Bridget explains; “The fact that so many people want to re-home their coursing dogs is a wonderful thing but of course it does put our infrastructure and facilities under pressure.

“However, there is a huge appetite for coursing dogs as pets from all around the world. Canadians, Germans and Italians especially want them because they are such a pleasant and easy dog to make the transition from racing.

“They are aware of their more placid temperament which of course is testament to the ways in which they are cared for by the coursing community and prospective new owners are literally begging for them.

“However, there are costs involved and the logistics can be very different from one country to the next with some much more difficult or costly than others. So, we do need to continue fundraising if we are to match the demand.”

One of Bridget’s team on Sunday will be Karen Geoghegan who she describes as “fanatical about greyhounds” and as well as rehoming to Boston, Karen has accompanied Bridget on rehoming trips to Canada, along with fundraising at many venues in Ireland from Galway to Dublin.

Based at her home in Kilcolgan Castle from where she manages her Air B&B, guests are greeted by retired greyhounds at every turn and an attraction for many visitors, the dogs in Karen’s home are literally part of the family, with one in particular being a celebrity in his own right.

Karen explains; “I have seven in the house at the moment but at times there could be more. The guests love them and they can take them off for walks or play outside. For some, the fact that I have the dogs is the main attraction when booking.

“I would even take guests to the track if I had a runner and many have gone home and decided that they want a greyhound as a pet having stayed here.

“I would have had people maybe from cities that didn’t have pets and the kids could be a bit afraid of the dogs, being so big but that’s where the greyhounds are so brilliant because their nature is so soft, they are perfect with kids.

“I have a special needs daughter, Linda, who doesn’t talk or speak and they are so good with her, especially Rocket. He was Razldazl Rocket and a very talented race dog who was third in an Irish Grand National but Delores Ruth actually picked him from the litter for me, knowing that I would love his gentle nature.

“When Linda lays down on the floor with the dogs, he will get between her and the fireplace to protect her or if she is on her swing outside, he will sit under the swing. I trust him to mind Linda, probably more than any person.

“She goes to a special needs school in Galway, Rosedale. I bring the dogs in once a week to meet the kids. They are all in wheelchairs of course but it is amazing how well they take to the dogs. There is one girl who grabs him by the head for a hug and really squeezes but Rocket never flinches.

“I take the dogs into Galway track as often as I can and while we get donations from the casual race goer, it is mostly from the trainers and owners. They know the funding is essential for us and that the work we do is essential for them.

“But you would have people with the wrong perception and you have to educate them that much of what they see in the media is simply not true and that the vast majority have a great life, especially the ones of mine that they are actually petting at the time!

“Still, the word is getting out there. We have to continue to raise awareness and raising funds. It’s hard work flying over to these countries with all the logistics involved, it’s not a holiday! It is very rewarding though and you meet a lot of nice people through dogs.”

I could fill the paper with stories from Karen about some of her rehomed dogs, including one in South Carolina whose owners actually bought a boat, specially to take the dog out on the water! From her beautiful castle and grounds in Kilcolgan, Karen is one of many tireless workers for our hounds and a shining example of how well our donations are put to use.

Striving to further enhance opportunities for rehoming around the world, all donations will be gratefully received but more importantly will be used to find your greyhound an ideal home following a coursing career by people who are already, and will continue, to display the respect for all dogs under their care, that same respect that you want to see shown to them every day. So please, find a bucket and dig deep on Sunday.

CLONMEL ROADWORKS  – Give yourself extra time to arrive   
We wish to advise motorists, especially owners & trainers, to allow extra time to arrive at Powerstown Park.  
Road works are currently being carried out on the N24 Clonmel Bypass (Frank Drohan Road). All works are being carried out during night time between 19:00 and 07:00, and the road is open to traffic.  However an enforced temporary speed limit of 60kph  is being applied from west of the Cahir Road Roundabout to the existing permanent 60kph zone at Haywood Road. A temporary surface is on all of the roundabouts at Cashel Road, Fethard Road, Tesco, Carrigeen and Moangarriff. There are no road markings on these roundabouts during the works, however cones and signage are in place on all roundabouts reducing traffic to a single lane. We advise drivers to note the signage and drive with caution and reduce speeds. We also understand that there are roadworks on the Dungarvan road entering Clonmel with a Stop/Go procedure in place.

OFFICIAL NON-RUNNERS   
BRESKA WILD will be a non-runner in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks. She was due to meet Ballymac Amber in the third quarter. A reserve will now take her place.
SPECIAL MEMORIES will be a non-runner in the BoyleSports Derby. He was due to meet Jeru Dan in the third quarter. A reserve will now take his place.
FINGAL PATRICK will be a non-runner in the BoyleSports Derby. He was due to meet Cuban Boris in the third quarter. A reserve will now take his place.

NATIONAL MEETING ORDER OF RUNNING
The 95^th NATIONAL COURSING MEETING 
Powerstown Park, Clonmel
Friday 14^th, Saturday 15^th & Sunday 16^th February
Judges: Liam Kelly & John O’Connell
Slippers: David Galvin & Richard Quinn jnr
Start 11.00am all three days
FRIDAY: Once through Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks and once through BoyleSports Derby.
SATURDAY: Twice through Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks and BoyleSports Derby. Once through Dublin Coach Kitty Butler Stakes (immediately after interval) and once through Stockproof Fencing Products TA Morris Stakes (after 3^rd round of Derby).
SUNDAY: Quarter-finals Dublin Coach Kitty Butler Stakes, Stockproof Fencing Products TA Morris Stakes, Grace & Matt Bruton Champion Bitch Stakes, Kevin Smith Champion Stakes, Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks and BoyleSports Derby. Complete Card.

HARE SCHOOLING SESSIONS  
The fastest clocks recorded at the second day of Hare Schooling at Powerstown Park (Friday) were 12.37 and 12.45.  The fastest clocks recorded at the first day of Hare Schooling at Powerstown Park on Thursday were 12.24 and 12.32.

NAME CHANGE  
The Abbeydorney qualifier Special Rambler has had a change of name and will run as Callaway Rambler in the BoyleSports Derby. On many shortlists for outright glory after winning the eight runner Puppy Stake at Abbeyfeale, he is now jointly owned by Denis Murphy and Denis C Holly who retains a half share.

NATIONAL MEETING WITHDRAWALS / REPLACEMENTS (Before Draw) 

CONSOLATION STAKES 
At the 2020 National Coursing Meeting there will be two Consolation Stakes.
The Dublin Coach Kitty Butler Stakes for 16 bitches (plus 4 Reserves) eliminated in the first round of the Oaks.
The Stockproof Fencing Products T.A. Morris Stakes for 16 dogs (plus 4 Reserves) eliminated in the first round of the Derby.
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 both stakes will now take place on Day 2 after the interval. 

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. The booking office will be open from 9am this Thursday, January 23rd. Click Here for details on how to book.

PATSY BYRNE JUNIOR NOMINATOR
Thanks to the generosity of the Byrne family we have €2,000 in prizemoney for this competition. It is very exciting for the two first prize winners as they get invited to the Coursing Awards Dinner Dance on April 4th to receive their cheque for €500. 

MICHAEL HORGAN CLUB AWARDS
We are delighted to announce that Michael Horgan, Mitchelstown will once again sponsor a prize of €1,000 each to the two Clubs from where this season’s Derby and Oaks winners qualified. It is a great honour for any club to produce a Classic winner from their meeting but the generous prize from Michael also makes it very worthwhile  .

The following are the results of the Classics Club 600 Draws held on Friday night in The Valley Inn, Woodsgift. Thanks to everyone who came along with special thanks to Liam Comerford for being a wonderful host and Sean Doherty for superb sound as always. The short Powerstown Preview which followed was also very entertaining & informative with Damien Lonergan in the chair and Ted Browne, Sean Doyle & Brian Kennedy on the panel.

Congratulations to all who drew a runner and Best of Luck.

The following promotions result from the disentitlement of Mulboy Bhuna in the Glin All Age Cup held on December 15^th 2019. Glin Syn Bond is promoted to Round 2, Guts And Glory is promoted to Semi-Finalist, Crafty Perfecto is promoted to Runner-Up and Huntingtown is promoted to Winner.  Full official notice on this week’s Sporting Press.

Following the toss of a coin on Monday (Jan 27^th) between Barbican Blitz & Jeffys Gold who were level on points and prizemoney, Jeffys Gold is now in 9^th position and first reserve for the Kevin Smith Champion Stakes and Barbican Blitz is in 10^th position and second reserve. The owners of the Top 12 on both Championship leaderboards will receive a letter in the next few days asking them to confirm the availability of their greyhound.

The leaderboards below now reflect the current position following all of the above.

Champion Stakes Points System