Returning to the scene of his Derby TS success 12 months ago, Lower The Blade (pictured) won this season’s renewal of the Paddy Murray Memorial Ulster Cup at Ballymena (Tubbercurry) today and thereby clinched the final place in the Top 8 for the Kevin Smith Champion Stakes. Joining him in the line-up will be Aghadown Wonder which added the All Age at Clonakilty to the 32 runner All Age he had already won at Regional back in November. Double joy of course for the Collins family as results today mean they will also be travelling to Clonmel on February 7th with Aghadown Berry for the Champion Bitch Stake.

A brilliant third success of the season at Clonakilty for Wiseguy Becky has propelled her into second place on the leaderboard for the Grace & Matt Bruton Champion Bitch Stake. Just one place behind her is Off Piste which won a valuable 4 points by running up the Ulster Cup. Both of these bitches narrowly failed to qualify for the Oaks last season so connections will be delighted to have made amends. Just missing out on a Top 8 position but filling the first reserve position is today’s Sevenhouses All Age Cup winner Zooming. We will now be writing to connections of the Top 12 in both Champion Stakes and asking them to confirm availability by next Friday January 20th.

As expected Sean Doyle & Paula Minogue (Ennis) will be in control of the Sporting Press Fantasy Coursing leaderboard as we head to Clonmel. They occupy the first 12 positions followed by Sally Mounsey on 400 points and Marie Field on 385 points. Busy Man, Express Razor, Aghadown Wonder and Cloncunny Wonder will be the trump cards for Sean & Paula and Paula also has Lower The Blade in one selection. However with the likes of Kyle Honour, Derby Wonder, Sammy Be and Excelerate featuring in the selections of their nearest rivals and 380 points to be won, this could still be very interesting.

Leaderboards To 15/01/23
Kevin Smith Champion Stakes
	Greyhound	Points	Prizemoney
1	Dresden Dingo	17	6,600
2	Busy Man	15	4,500
3	Kyle Honour	15	4,150
4	Express Razor	13	4,000
5	Derby Wonder	12	4,550
Jt 6	Aghadown Wonder	12	4,000
Jt 6	Sammy Be	12	4,000
8	Lower The Blade	12	2,990
9	Rossmore Champ	10	2,415
10	Hermes	9	4,000
11	Ballymac Tudor	9	2,600
12	Quivers Benny	9	2,550
Grace & Matt Bruton Champion Bitch Stakes
	Greyhound	Points	Prizemoney
1	Howdylittlelady	14	4,600
2	Wiseguy Becky	12	3,200
3	Off Piste	10.5	2,450
4	Fate Intervenes	10	3,150
5	Cloncunny Wonder	10	3,120
6	Excelerate	9.5	2,300
7	Aghadown Berry	9	2,950
8	Ocean Kerrie	9	2,750
9	Zooming	9	2,500
10	Arena Rose	8.5	3,000
11	Ballymac Floral	8	2,650
12	Needham Vacation	8	2,200
Sporting Press Fantasy Coursing Competition
	Name	Points
Jt 1	Sean Doyle, Ennis	455
Jt 1	Sean Doyle,Ennis	455
Jt 1	Sean Doyle,Ennis	455
Jt 1	Sean Doyle,Ennis	455
Jt 1	Sean Doyle,Ennis	455

Please note the majority of the voting papers to select the two Slippers for the 2023 National Meeting have been posted to qualifiers this week. The remaining voting papers will be issued following the completion of coursing meetings this weekend and next.

There are seven names on the ballot paper (alphabetical). Brian Doyle, David Galvin, Alan Kelly, Thomas Magee, David O’Connor, Richard Quinn jnr and Padraig Reynolds. Votes must be returned in envelope supplied by close of business on Tuesday 17th January.

As Liam Kelly and John O’Connell were the only names for the position of Judge these two gentlemen will once again team up to officiate at the National Meeting and no vote is necessary.

The Executive Committee at its meeting held on September 21 discussed the recent confirmation of the Fixtures Committee to stage the National Meeting of 2023 on Sunday, Monday & Tuesday, February 5, 6 & 7.

As part of that discussion, the Executive Committee also made the decision to stage the National Meeting of 2024 on Saturday, Sunday & Monday, February 3, 4 & 5.

A complete analysis, comparison, and consultation will be undertaken following the completion of the National Meetings in 2023 and 2024 in order to decide on the National Meeting’s permanent format moving forward for a minimum of at least five years.

Full reports from the recent Provincial meetings of the Irish Coursing Club can be found on this week’s issue of the Sporting Press (Online from Tuesday 28^th and in shops from Thursday 30^th). Provisional fixture dates for the upcoming season are now available to view on ICC website under Fixtures. Our photo shows Naomhan Farrell and James Coss who were the successful candidates in the Executive committee election in Leinster.

Elected to Executive Committee (Triennial period 2022 – 2025)

Ulster – 1 Seat

Mr. Charles Adams (Co. Cavan Coursing Club)

Connacht – 1 Seat

Mr. Michael Menton (Roscommon Utd)

Leinster – 2 Seats

Mr. James Coss (Rathdowney Coursing Club)

Mr. Naomhan Farrell (Edenderry Coursing Club)

Munster – 2 Seats

Mr. Jack Foley (Abbeyfeale )

Mr. Jim Kiely (Dungarvan

A huge thank you to all who attended the 2022 Irish Coursing Club Awards at Hotel Minella, Clonmel last Sunday evening. We hope everyone had a great time. Special thanks to our wonderful Award sponsors: Greyhound & Pet World Abbeyfeale, The Flaherty Family Galway, Clonmel Cabins Clonmel, The National Meeting Bookmakers, Hotel Minella Clonmel, The Sporting Press and Michael Horgan Mitchelstown. Your generosity allowed us to host such a joyous occasion to celebrate the coursing stars of last season and to welcome an outstanding coursing supporter into the ICC Hall of Fame.

In their first year of Irish Cup sponsorship it was possibly written in the stars that the Co Kildare based O’Sullivan family would present the Cup to a Kildare trained greyhound. And so it came to pass at Greenmount Park this afternoon when the pup Berlin Station, trained in Kildare by Mick Murphy gave a brilliant display to win the Dublin Coach Irish Cup.

This victory will be celebrated far beyond Kildare though. His sporting owner is Bahamas based Paul Horig, he was bred in Kilmacow, Co Kilkenny by Paul Reid and he was nominated by Mallow resident Pat Burke, a brother to Co Limerick CC secretary Bill.

Berlin Station, a January 2020 son of Newinn Wonder & Tory Ellie, had won many admirers at Clonmel and was as low as 12/1 in the ante post betting for the Irish Cup. His victory over Tree Top Danno in the third round yesterday afternoon left us all in no doubt that he was worthy of his place on the illustrious roll of honour which dates back to 1905.

Disappointment for the Kilkenny based connections of a gallant runner-up Busy Man, owner Seamus Neary and the Lennon family who bred & train him but he gave them a weekend to remember and this May 2020 pup should make into a top class All Age. In the final his usual blistering early pace was matched by the winner and even though he was definitely rallying after going behind, the all important first turn just came too soon.

Kerry seldom leave a Championship event without a trophy and sure enough the Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stake went to Asdee courtesy of the Sean Carr owned Our Ambition. This second season lady was very impressive in her first two courses this morning and then got the better of the pup Cloncunny Wonder in a thrilling final. The winner is trained in Macroom by Liam O’Callaghan.

Some of the loudest cheers of the day were reserved for the Dick Fitzgerald Irish Purse and Bill Chawke Irish Plate. Popular bookmakers and cousins Ted & Berkie Browne combined to win the Purse with the pup Taxi From Jumbos which came from behind in a few courses to win including the final. He is trained by Declan Byrne and his daughter Annie near Carrick On Suir.

The Crested Ten Syndicate led by Fran Burke from Edenderry CC have had some great times in recent years with their ‘Partys On’ dogs and they will be celebrating tonight after the third season Partys On Willy won the Plate in convincing fashion. Congratulations also to winning trainer Davy Reynolds, Co Meath.

It was a tough season for Millstreet CC but it ended on a high when their representative Lady Arabella won the Kyle Invitational Champion Working Members Stake. Successful owners are the Fitzgibbon brothers, David and Gene from Newmarket, Cork.

The new Greenmount Cup for 8 All Ages gave us another thrilling final when Timeforachat, owned, trained & bred by Seamus Bourke & family, Oola came from well off the pace to deny Ballymac Maxwell.

After a spell of wintry weather which gave the Co Limerick CC committee plenty concern, the three days of the meeting itself were blessed with lovely weather, especially today. Club members & all at the venue are due well deserved congratulations for producing beautiful coursing ground and strong running hares. It was exactly what we were hoping for to say a fond farewell to the 2021/22 season.

Co Limerick CC have arranged a link to the action each evening via https://page.inplayer.com/irishcup2022/

A much more blustery day at Greenmount Park for Day 2 of the Dublin Coach Irish Cup meeting but thankfully the rain kept away for the most part. We now have our Final Eight for the Irish Cup and whilst many of the pre-event fancies are gone it would be very true to say that there were no hard luck stories today and all our quarter finalists are there on merit.

BANBA THE BOSS: Third season greyhound, bred, owned, trained and nominated by various members of the well known Mangan & Goff families, from nearby Crecora, Co Limerick & also Waterford. A first ever nomination for Fiona Goff (nee Mangan). A dual Cup winner already this season at Clonakilty and Enniscorthy. His third round success this afternoon over Foxhunter in joint best time of the round suggests he has plenty more to give.

BARRACK CRUZ: Second season greyhound bred, owned and trained by various members of the Curtin family from Tournafulla and of course hugely involved with Abbeyfeale CC. A first Irish Cup nomination for Liam & Noreen Liddy. The ‘Barrack’ greyhounds had a brilliant season up to Clonmel where this fellow lost a just up decision in RD2 of Derby. Has blistering early and could be hard to peg back.

BERLIN STATION: This pup is owned by Bahamas based Paul Horig, trained by Michael Murphy in Sallins, Kildare and bred by Paul Reid, Kilmacow. Nominated by Pat Burke. Lost nothing in defeat to Terminator in third round of Derby at Clonmel. After taking the scalp of Tree Top Danno this afternoon he is the new Irish Cup favourite (hopefully not a poisoned chalice) and a worthy one.

THE OTHER OLLIE: This pup is owned, trained & bred by Jennifer O’Donnell, Killenaule, Tipperary. Nominated by Mary Scallon who took over the nomination of her late husband Oliver, a great supporter of the Irish Cup meeting. Interestingly he bowed out to Terminator in the second round at Clonmel. A big outsider at 50/1 coming into this competition but from the very first round he has shown a liking for the venue. Huge early pace and don’t forget he added the Walsh Cup at North Kilkenny to his trial stake before Powerstown.

CATUNDA NIALL: Second season dog. Owned by the Kilmardinny Syndicate led by Imelda Byrne and her family from Beaumont, Dublin. Trained by Owen McKenna and bred by the Maher-Holian-O’Sullivan syndicate. Nominated by Luke Kilcoyne who has a long association with the McKenna family. Won two rounds of the Derby earlier this month but defeated the Derby runner-up in a thrilling buckle this afternoon when he came from well behind. Most likely will have to do the same again in quarter-final.

BUSY MAN: A pup, owned by Seamus Neary, Troyswood, Kilkenny. Also bred & trained in Kilkenny by Denis Lennon & family. Nominated by Eamonn Kiely. Just touched off by Black As Gold in the Derby RD2. Before that he ran exceptionally well in the Walsh Cup before losing to The Other Ollie in the final. His blistering early left both his opponents languishing in his wake today and his clock this afternoon gives him a real shout at outright success.

WALLACE BEST: This second season dog is owned & trained by Brendan Matthews in Newry. Bred from a bitch that Marie Roche, Clonmel leased from Brendan and nominated by Mike O’Donovan (Curly). More North Kilkenny form here because he won his trial stake there before a very decent showing at Clonmel, losing to Carrowkeal Shane in the quarter final. A handful for any slipper but so far it hasn’t come against him at Greenmount Park and he has put in three polished runs. Would be no surprise to see him win another Classic for the maestro.

UPPER HAND: Third season dog. Owned by the Part Of A Dream Syndicate led by Teresa Cahill in Kent UK. Trained by Matt Harte, bred by Liam Farrell and nominated by Waterford based James Cunningham & Maurice Jackson. Needs no introduction as he won the 2020 Boylesports Derby. Unfortunately we got to see very little of him during the curtailed 2020/21 season and it looked as though a heavy hunt at Kilmallock in November last had taken its toll. However we were very wrong as he is showing all his old spark this weekend. Hopefully his tumble and argument with the escape this afternoon won’t stop his journey towards a remarkable Derby/Irish Cup double

In the Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stakes the defeat of Shes Invincible was one of the shocks of the day but it was great to see Touch Of Rosie show no effects of her extra work in RD1. Aldanite is still the one to beat and surely deserves a purse like this. Dangers lurk everywhere though and she will need to be at her best in every course.

Sir Mark Prescott has a great record at the Irish Cup meeting and his Missing Pounds could have a big say in the Dick Fitzgerald Memorial Irish Purse. Dresden Dingo could be the one he meets in the final.

The Ryco prefix had a great season and could round it off with a win for Ryco Town in the Bill Chawke Irish Plate. Partys On Willy might prove best of those remaining in the top half. .

Finals Day will get underway at 11.30am tomorrow morning with the second round of the Kyle Invitational Champion Working Members Stake. Our photo shows Josephine Denihan, Fiona O’Flaherty and Laura Scanlon enjoying the Irish Cup meeting.

Finally on a sad note we extend our sincerest sympathy to the Gallery family, Ennis on the death of Fiona Howard (nee Gallery). Our thoughts are with her sons Tommy & Adam, brothers George & David, sisters Bernadette & Patricia and extended members of the Gallery family. Funeral arrangements on www.rip.ie . May she Rest In Peace.

The weather was idyllic at Greenmount, Patrickswell today for the opening round of the 111th Irish Cup, this year very kindly sponsored by Dublin Coach. It was a very satisfactory first day and it is a top class renewal of Ireland’s oldest coursing Classic, first staged in 1905. It is hard to believe that it is three years since we were last in Greenmount and it is good to be back.

There were not too many surprises today but the six runs up Powerstown when winning the Derby (2019 whelps) certainly took their toll on On My Terms and dual Cup winner Get Lost Now did not run up to expectations. Age also caught up on Wi Can There and Mad Mans Game. The hard luck story was Senior Service who looked to be heading for victory only to lose sight when the hare moved right. This afternoon in the Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stakes it was a pity to see Touch Of Rosie getting a bit too much work as it looked as though she would have a big say in that stake.

Both Champion Stakes winners from Clonmel 2022, Tree Top Danno and Shes Invincible looked very good and it will take something special or hard luck to stop them from achieving unique doubles in their respective stakes. However we have a long long way to go yet.

In the first quarter Noted Rambler showed once again that he is returning to top form and of course connections won the Irish Cup six years ago with Foot Solution. Barrack Cruz and Banba The Boss might pose the biggest dangers.

The second quarter should be all about Tree Top Danno although Berlin Station could give him a battle in RD3. Derby semi-finalist Badminton Wonder has a great chance of making it to Sunday if the bump off the escape today does not come against him.

The top of the third quarter is very difficult to call and includes two runners-up from Clonmel in Carrowkeal Shane & Faha Wonder. Black As Gold made it to the last day in Clonmel and Catunda Niall recorded the joint fastest clock today. It might go the way of local hope Faha Wonder. With a bye tomorrow morning (Crafty Expo withdrawn) Coalition Wonder, subject of plenty interest in the betting before coursing, is very likely to progress from this quarter also to the final day.

Plenty in with chances in the fourth quarter and although Terminator has replaced Tree Top Danno as the new favourite he is going to have to do it the hard way. His next opponent is 2020 Derby winner Upper Hand who showed a lot of his old spark today and the winner of the Sammy Be / Partys On Willy course will be no pushover. Wallace Best caught the eye in RD1 and may have an easier passage in the top half of that quarter.

All the big names made it through from the opening round of the Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stakes although the handicap will be against Touch Of Rosie after those extra turns. Shes Invincible, Poetic Justice, Aldanite and Gortmelia Sophie will be fancied to progress from their respective quarters but ante post favourite Aldanite may be the most vulnerable with Lark Lane Me and Cloncunny Wonder in her section both impressing today too.

The action begins again on Day 2 at 11.30am with the second round of the Dublin Coach Irish Cup. Our photo shows members of the Comerford family, Harry, Conor, John, Charlie, Fintan and Evan who will all be cheering on their runner and the new Irish Cup favourite, Terminator.

Co Limerick CC have arranged a link to the action each evening via https://page.inplayer.com/irishcup2022/

Congratulations to Margaret Barrett (Flanagan) who is not only joint breeder of our 2020 whelp Boylesports Derby winner Annual Fergie but is also the winner of our online Clonmel Tipster competition.

Margaret (pictured right) naturally selected ‘Fergie’ but she also selected Tactical to win the 2020 whelp Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks. This 33/1 ante post runner only just failed to win her maximum points but her final total of 35 points is enough to win her the prize.

Margaret and three friends will now enjoy a night out at Shelbourne Park on Saturday 18th June for the final of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks including admission, race programme, four course dinner and a bottle of Prosecco.

Annual Fergie was a popular choice and two selected Oaks heroine Rushview Raven (Vincent Fahy, Glanworth and Eamonn Kiely, Cork). However no one selected the winner or runner-up in either the Derby or Oaks for 2019 whelps so one suspects it was a great National Meeting for the bookmakers !!!