POWERSTOWN PREVIEW

The Powerstown Preview at Hotel Minella is back by popular demand. It takes place this Friday night commencing 9.00pm. A very knowledgeable panel of Berkie Browne, Peter Reilly and Gerry Rooney will share their thoughts with MC Damien Lonergan (BOYLE Sports). Admission is free and it promises to be the perfect warm-up to the big event on Saturday.

OFFICIAL NON RUNNERS

National Meeting 2026 – Non Runners

BoyleSports Derby

FURLONG (3rd Quarter)

MR TIGER (4th Quarter)

VADER (4th Quarter)

BOYLESPORTSMAJOR (2nd Quarter)

Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks

ELITE COURSING SAPLING SALE

Once again there will be an ‘Elite Coursing Sapling Sale’ at the National Meeting.
This year it will take place on Monday, 2nd February – during the first interval in Lower TA Morris Grandstand.

CLICK HERE FOR NATIONAL MEETING SAPLING SALE 2026 INFO AND VIDEOS

SPORTING PRESS – Your Guide to the 100th NM

For many people the National Meeting gets underway in earnest now as the Sporting Press with it’s special NM supplement becomes available Online or in the shops. Anne Marie O’Brien and her team have surpassed themselves this year with a brilliant publication to mark the 100th National Meeting. Please show your support by picking up your copy over the next few days or read Online. You won’t be sorry.

SOUVENIR MEDALLIONS

Thanks to a number of very generous sponsors, all of this season’s National Meeting runners will receive a very valuable sterling silver medallion commemorating the 100th National Meeting and a top quality greyhound coat with the 100th NM logo embossed on same. Only 200 of these medallions were made so they will become a collectors item. A voucher for the sterling silver Medallion & Coat was included with the complimentary tickets issued for each runner and can be redeemed from Enda in the Secretary’s Office between 9.30am and 2pm on any of the three days. We are delighted to inform all coursing enthusiasts that a lovely souvenir 100th National Meeting medallion has also been made and these will be on sale in the Greyhound & Pet World marquee in the Trade Stand area over the three days, retailing at only €20 each. They come in their own box and are the perfect memento of what we hope will be a fitting celebration of 100 National Meetings.

DRAW FOR 100TH NATIONAL MEETING

The draw for the 100th National Meeting will take place at 7pm this Saturday evening in the Horse & Jockey Hotel. Click on link below from 6.50pm onwards. Our sincere thanks to Lar Sutton.

https://irishsport.tv/liv

HARE SCHOOLING SESSIONS

The fastest clock on Day 2 of the trials was 12.21. This was followed by 12.22 and 12.24.

The fastest clock on Day 1 of the trials was 12.17. Two greyhounds also recorded 12.19.

KERRY BUS TO NATIONAL MEETING

Tickets are now on sale online for the Kerry Bus to the National Meeting with pick-ups in Tralee, Castleisland, Abbeyfeale, Newcastlewest, Rathkeale, Adare, Patrickswell and Boher. Simply click on the ICC website where National Meeting tickets are on sale and you will see the new option for Kerry Bus. You can select the day you wish to travel but remember if you are going two or three days you must purchase a bus ticket for each day separately. There is no ‘Three Day’ ticket. Collection points and times appear on the screen once you select Kerry Bus – Buy Ticket.

NATIONAL MEETING OFFICIALS

The votes have been counted and we can now announce the Officials for the 100th National Coursing Meeting.
JUDGES: Mr Liam Kelly & Mr John O’Connell. Reserve Judge: Ms Grace Vallely.
SLIPPERS: Mr Brian Doyle & Mr David Galvin. Reserve Slipper: Mr Richard Quinn jnr.

ADMISSION TO NATIONAL MEETING 2025

Patrons, please note the following:

OPTION 1: FAST TRACK. Purchase your ticket ON-LINE at www.irishcoursingclub.ie. and avail of discounted three-day ticket. Print your ticket or store it on your phone in your Future Ticketing wallet.  

OPTION 2. Pay by CREDIT/DEBIT CARD or CASH at point of entry on the day at separate kiosk before presenting to admission turnstile. Admission Prices: Saturday €25 (incl programme). Sunday/Monday: €30 (incl programme).j8

Important Notice for entry via Lodge Gate: Your Car Park Pass MUST be displayed on windscreen (preferably) or phone before entry to facilitate efficient access. It is also recommended that you arrive early and that you have your pre-purchased Admission Tickets ready for inspection as cash payment may lead to delayed entry.     

Once again there will be an ‘Elite Coursing Sapling Sale’ at the National Meeting. This year it will take place during the first interval on Monday, 2nd February in the Lower TA Morris Grandstand. Full details of the four saplings and how to bid etc can be found below.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE NATIONAL MEETING SAPLING SALE 2026 PDF

Annual Fergie ex Tree Top Kerry (Bitch – January 25) – Reserve €3,800 (Choice of 2 bitches)

Watchman x Ryco City (Dog – April 25) – Reserve €4,000

Blame the Game x Cloncunny Wonder (Dog – May 25) Reserve €4,750

Foxhollow Adios x Mulcahys Peak (Dog – April 25) – Reserve €5,750

The following are the results of the Classics Club Draw which took place on Thursday night, January 22nd with names of the runners now added. Best of Luck to all those members who drew a runner. Sincere thanks to all of you who supported this year’s Classics Club Draw. It is genuinely much appreciated.

Classics Club Draw on Oaks

Rush Bella	422	Pat, John & Ted Syndicate,	Clonmel
Caitrionas Star	48	John Sheil,	Gorey
So Good	834	Kathleen Murphy	Templeglantine
Shanavulin Belle	143	Pat & Lal Browne,	Athea
Dobbseys Girl	447	Alexandra Matthews	Rostrevor
Tell On Fairy	800	Fermoy & Grange Coursing Club	Kilworth
Lift The Tempo	95	Dungarvan Coursing Club,	Dungarvan
Kilty Callie	702	John Reidy	Cooraclare
Centenary Ann	676	Pat & Lindsey McCarthy	Lixnaw
Rectory Prime	716	Alan Troy	Kilkee
Laurencetown	491	Geraldine Doyle	Woodsgift
Puzzling World	357	Caroline Gould,	Kilrush
Ardera Dina	284	Living Dream Syndicate,	Mitchelstown
Cujo	346	Sean Cronin,	Lixnaw
Parish Meadow	148	Declan Prendiville & Sean Hunt,	Tarbert
Dancing Sean Nos	789	Michael Spillane	Bantry
Mungos Bloom	207	Paddy O’Donovan,	Clonaslee
Knockout Aura	238	Donie Quinn,	Clarina
Falkens Maze	787	Geoff Morgan	Surrey
Honkeytonk Angel	59	Joy Peart,	Oxon
Cree Noelle	453	Hup Syndicate	North Yorkshire
Cuban Bosco	718	Kevin M. Callinan	Kilmihill
Slanestown Molly	91	Ben O’Sullivan,	Moorhill
Princesses Dream	442	John Martin	Dunloy
Boyneside Rosie	655	Cappoquin Clogheen Coursing Club	Dungarvan
Edmonton Blanche	585	Gerard Meehan & Timmy Collins	Kiskeam
Sharlene	112	John Wilson,	Johnstown
Ballinveala Gail	390	Tony O’Mahoney,	Tipperary Town
Moorstown Bebhin	170	Pat Meaney,	Bagenalstown
Farmers Venus	25	Teresa Byrnes,	Clarina
Distraction	384	Gary O’Hagan,	Banbridge
Magical Nina	719	Triplets	Ballina
Abbeyville Lucky	829	Brendan Long	Roscam
Mungos Feather	666	Tom Hannon	Lismore
Marvelous Melody	275	Pat McMahon,	Tralee
Lone Queen	782	Noel & Mick	Carlow
Coombunny Fox	291	Shut The Gate Syndicate 2,	Oldcastle
Windfarm Strand	659	Martin Morrissey	Ballyragget
Blades Of Dreams	304	Liam Dunphy, Ballyverroge,	New Ross
Knockranny Angel	236	Angela & Kay (nee Sheil) Syndicate,	Gorey
Butterfield	843	Eve & Tom Gallery	Ennistymon
Daoimean Dubh	821	Michael Leen	Kilquane
Double Bogey	822	James Coss	Portlaoise
Spider Silk	372	Dear Amy Drennan,	Ballybrophy
Pink Pony Club	746	Cáit Griffin	Killarney
Laser Focus	398	Conor Flynn,	Tarbert
To Little Late	868	Malabar Syndicate	Clarecastle
Wiseguy Pam	294	Gorey Coursing Club,	Gorey
Ballindaggan	527	Lar Sutton	Enniscorthy
Cleanaway Ella	176	San Jose Tree Surgeons,	Ballyduff
Shineon	583	Brendan Farrelly	Raharney
Aghadown Winnie	848	Mc Donagh Syndicate 2	Kinvara
Tullamoy Honey	581	Percy Ryan	Limerick
Granard Gold	839	Frank & Noreen Cleary	Quilty
Priory Tigger	667	Franie McDonagh	Galway City
Dale Lovell	157	Declan Kells & Seamus Mulvaney,	Monkstown
Rushview Rose	126	Patrick J Loughlin,	Gowran
Moorstown Sadhbh	772	The McKenna Family	New Inn
Slanestown Ruby	455	Denis O’Donovan & Bryan Cunningham	Clonmel
Homestead Callie	329	David & Caoimhe Hoey,	Knockbridge
Lovely Substance	555	Lixnaw Coursing Club	Lixnaw
Hair Trigger	586	John Histon	Newcastle West
Tazs Magic	446	Gary Matthews	Rostrevor
Choctaw Queen	472	Daniel Kerr	Banbridge

Classics Club Draw on Derby

Mallory Park	629	Michael Malone Jnr	Kilcock
Roadtotherock	456	Bryan Cunningham & Denis O’Donovan	Dunhill
Union Station	812	Denis Holly	London
My Recipe	235	Marie Field,	Adare
Galevalley Zebo	429	Emily,Annie,Lilly,Paudie McCarthy,	Gort
Levi Lad	747	Eoin & Michelle Fitzpatrick	Boher
Tune The Fiddle	503	Eric O’Connor	Mountcollins
Glenhouse Craic	259	Carr / Healy Syndicate,	Killucan
Mr Trendsetter	743	Seán Shiner/Conor Devitt	Ardmayle
Trusty Liutenant	98	Joseph Egan,	Thurles
Coomebowen Chase	169	Westmeath Utd Coursing Club,	Killucan
Frank	45	Joan & Paddy Molloy,	Windgap
Chubbys Max	647	Noel Holland	Blarney
Ashmore Brook	462	Quinn Family Syndicate	Mungret
Callaway Pat	60	Kevin & Dolores Carr,	Killucan
Nolilo	407	Michael Delahunty,	Kilmacow
Machiavelli	214	Jim Morrissey & Liam Kelly,	Borris In Ossory
Ballymac Awil	205	Danny Kane,	Fethard
Awaiting Trial	767	Sean & John Hayes	Clarina
Hunters Dream	722	Donal O’Mahony	Millstreet
Wartime	525	P.J. & Sean Cocoman	Rhode
Luckathimgo	286	Carricktobin Lad,	Enniscorthy
Dobbseys Boy	189	Nine Mile House Syndicate,	Nine Mile House
Abbey Einstein	706	Marian Counihan	Tralee
Boylesportsmajor	536	N,A,N,R,S Kennedy	Beaufort
Jigsaw Magic	383	Jim McEnery & Paul Keating,	Ennis
Your Spot On	816	DJ O’Connell	Emly
Matchstick Man	263	John Ryan Gilly,	Cashel
Lisahally	296	3 Sisters Syndicate,	Ballincollig
Sir Beaufort	337	Presidents Syndicate,	Rathdowney
Wonder Man	432	Kildonogue Syndicate 2,	Ardfinnan
Killaspuglone	375	Dromina Open Coursing Club,	Dromina
Jiving Intherain	43	Eugene McCabe,	Wexford Town
Flagfield Magic	759	Kieran McCarthy	Killarney
Salzburg	1	Declan Clinton,	Tubbercurry
Tree Top Oisin	602	Patrick Whelan & Mick Morrissey	Doon
Shalefield Kobe	305	The Princesses Syndicate,	Foulksmills
Ashmore Mac	836	John Bennett	Limerick City
Longtime Friends	293	Jim & Babs Kiely,	Dungarvan
Data Bank	20	Brendan Matthews,	Newry
Ravin Hill	10	Kieran McGrath,	Kilkee
Nine Darter	864	Stephen O Carroll Jr	Lisselton
Denham Fergie	768	Breda Mann	Patrickswell
Furlong	550	Dermot & Brid Lehane	Grenagh
Lima Station	374	June Cooney,	Clonmel
Fun Inthe Field	9	Denis & Frances Fielding,	Mooncoin
Killucan Dynamo	395	Tom Mulcahy,	Ballyhea
Pest Control	835	Dominic Magnone	Templeglantine
Tedtastic	805	Shane Hourihane	Skibbereen
Unforgivable	279	Lawler Family,	Carlow
Gentle Jack	678	Chippy & The Barman	Kilnamanagh
Mungos Mariner	335	Eyre Field Gang Syndicate,	Ballacolla
Granard Grit	540	Finbarr & Con O’Connor	Millstreet
Estocada	727	Fir As Clár 1	Ennis
Dawholeshebang	517	Yvonne Barry	Dunboyne
Mr Tiger	233	Pat & Breda Cunningham,	Castlemartyr
Silent Treaty	696	Erin Cullen	Edenderry
Magical Titan	699	John Field	Castletroy
Good Energy	506	Anne O’Connor & Áine Hegarty	Ballyheigue
Loughard Rush	523	Grimes Family	Johnstownbridge
Seven Barrows	397	John Flynn,	Tarbert
Hyde The Chips	815	Joe Adams	Mountnugent
Vader	86	Sean O’Sullivan,	Moorhill
Medvadev	623	John & Ray Ronan	Ballyhea

Classics Club Draw on Champion Bitch Stakes

Ballymac Mulan	370	John McCarthy & Paddy Flaherty	Lixnaw
Eulogy	512	Denis Kirby	Kilmallock
Aran Vew	687	Thomas Spillane & John Commins	Ballycahill
Figjam	255	John and Alan Troy	Curragh
Coshair Ryco	697	Peter Edwards	Belfast
Orianthi	680	Con Curtin	Tournafulla
Nottonight	744	Jimmy Tobin	Johnstown & Urlingford
Moyle Magic	626	Owen Sheehan	Blarney

Classics Club Draw on Champion Dog Stakes

Sparkplug Kerry	351	Paul Keating and Jim McEnery	Ennis
Moyle Alonzo	392	Dundalk & D’Hill CC	Dundalk
Banoffee Pie	520	Joe and Seamus Murray	Duleek
Five O Five	129	Cheese & Chips Syndicate	Killucan
Stickmein	71	Donal Smith	Clonskeigh
Marvelous Hero	243	Bernard Goold	Cashel
Return To Racing	156	Kenny Connell and Fraser Black	Clonbullogue
Kerry Watch	516	Michael Malone	Kilcock

Congratulations to the eight greyhounds below which qualified at Clonakilty and Sevenhouses last weekend to compete in the quarter-finals of the Bobby Browne National Workers Championship at the National Coursing Meeting. Four dogs and four bitches will now go into the draw for the quarter-finals and this takes place at the National Meeting draw on Saturday 24th January. Kindly sponsored by Jimmy Browne in memory of his nephew Bobby, the winner will receive €7,500 with €1,000 also going to the local Club.

CLUB
FERMOY / GLANWORTH	Railway Rascal
WATERFORD/CAPPOQUIN	Honey Paddy
ARDPATRICK	Glorious Rock
REGIONAL	Dayinalife
CAVAN / DUNGANNON	End Of Approach (B)
NENAGH	More Gin Please (B)
RATHDOWNEY	Lady Lil (B)
JOHNSTOWN & URLINGFORD	Macs Dream (B)

Please read Conditions carefully especially the ones which relates to Ownership. These conditions apply to Qualifier winners wishing to run in the Grand Final and will be strictly enforced. However Clubs may have their own local club rules relating to entry into the Working Members Stake and these may continue to be applied also.     

NATIONAL WORKERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Event Conditions

• Working Members only: Event confined to your club’s working members (host clubs to set their own membership requirement(s) to qualify as a working member).
• Minimum entry: A minimum of 8 entries per Qualifier.
• Eligibility: No age restriction;
• Dogs & bitches eligible, with bitches guarded in Qualifiers and the Grand Final as far as possible.
• Entrants must not have won more than two courses in any stake.
• In the event of the same owner dividing a qualifier, the owner must declare the greyhound to advance to Grand Final at the time the divide arises.

• Track-bred rule: If a track-bred greyhound wins a qualifier, it cannot progress to the next stage and forfeits its right to do so (ICC will decide what determines a coursing greyhound and its decision is final).
• The format for replacing unavailable or ineligible Qualifier winners will be decided when the final number of Qualifiers is known later in the season and will be done so by the Executive Committee of the ICC. Runners-Up to replace unavailable / ineligible Qualifier winners.
• Ownership: Qualifiers for Grand Final must be in the name of the Working Member by September 26^th, 2025, or be a first-time naming after September 26^th (no transfers permitted after September 26^th.).
• Syndicates: Responsible person for Syndicate must be a working member of the club hosting the qualifier.
• Ownership continued: Qualifier must remain in same owner’s name at time of qualification to compete in the Grand Final (preliminary rounds and at the National Meeting 2026).
• Entries & Grants: Entry fee and prizemoney set by host club for qualifier event; with normal ICC grants to apply.
• Prizemoney not to be paid to greyhounds tested until otherwise notified by ICC

Championship Format & Dates

• Preliminary rounds of Grand Final: Qualifiers progress to preliminary round(s) at Clonakilty and Sevenhouses on on Week 16.
• National Meeting 2026:
  • Final 8 from the preliminary round(s) compete on the final day of the National Meeting 2026.
• Testing: Winners of qualifiers will be included in the drug testing draw under Rule 88 and will form part of the drug testing selection at the National Meeting also.

Prizemoney (Grand Final)

• Winner: €7,500; Runner-up: €2,250.
• Beaten semi-finalists: €750 each.
• Winning club bonus: Club providing the overall championship winner to receive €1,000.
• Entry fee of €50 to preliminary round of Grand Final.
• ICC to cover all prizemoney for main event and club bonus.

Runner Status & Other Events

• Qualifier winners may also run in trial stakes, reserve trial stakes and all age events.
• If a qualifier later qualifies for any National Meeting classic, it automatically forfeits its National Workers Championship qualifier position, and it must take its place in the alternative National Meeting event it has qualified for.

Note: The Executive Committee reserves the right to vary selection processes if oversubscribed and to amend conditions when and where appropriate, with a view to continuing this new initiative as an annual event.

Congratulations to the eight greyhounds listed below which won the Preliminary Round of the Powerstown Cup – Three Course Championship at Templetuohy on Friday. These eight greyhounds are now through to the final stages of the competition which will be held on the third and final day of the National Meeting. A new draw for the Quarter Finals will be made at the same time as the National Meeting Draw on Saturday 24th January. Stake very kindly sponsored by a longstanding coursing family.

CO KERRY	Legendary Lily (B)
OLD KILCULLEN	Dynamic Power
CORK	Ancient Wisdom
LOUGHREA	Typical Magic
KILFLYNN	Ardera Lyles
NENAGH	Bristol Sparks
ABBEYDORNEY	Dens Legacy
DUNGARVAN	Tilt Do Feileadh

Three Course Championship for dogs and bitches (excluding pups and track bred greyhounds)

• Qualifier Events to be hosted by provincial clubs to generate 16 qualifiers with Templetuohy hosting the preliminary round of final in January.
• Last 8 to compete on Day 3 of the 2026 National Meeting. New Draw.
• Qualifiers are eligible to compete in and win All Age events. However, if a qualifier subsequently qualifies for the Champion Stakes it will forfeit its qualifier status in the Three Course Duffer Championship.  
• Runner-up of a qualifier is eligible in the event of the withdrawal or ineligibility of the original Qualifier.
• Reserves filled from a draw of remaining runner-up greyhounds (maximum of 4).
• Dogs and bitches guarded as far as possible.
• Winner of Grand Final to receive €7,500 & Perpetual Cup. Pro-rata for runner-up and beaten semi-finalists.
• Club that provide winner of Grand Final to receive €1000.
• If Qualifier is run as an 8 the winner to receive €750 and runner-up €225.
• If Qualifier is run as a 16 the winner to receive €1000 and the runner-up €300.
• €50 entry fee to both Qualifying Events and Grand Final.
• Thanks to a benevolent sponsor the Irish Coursing Club will cover the prizemoney for the Qualifying Events & Grand Final (net of Entry Fees).
• Rule 88 applies for Qualifying Events & Grand Final.
• Executive may vary conditions based on the take-up from Clubs and any other considerations which may arise.  
• Now seeking expressions of interest from Clubs who may be interested in running a Qualifying Event (proviso that it cannot be run as a replacement for a reserve trial stake). To go on a Waiting List please email eugene@sportingpress.ie as soon as possible.

No coursing greyhound this season will have a greater number of supporters than ‘Shineon’ when she goes to slips in the Oaks Trial Stake at Glanworth this Saturday. She is the first runner for the newly formed 200 members strong Club Youth Syndicate which will now go by the name of ‘The Future Syndicate’.

Following a competition the name ‘Shineon’ was chosen for this black daughter of Cool Spirit and Knockout Shine and that name was suggested by young Conor O’Gorman from the Crohane & Killenaule coursing club. The ‘Future Syndicate’ was suggested by the even younger Aine Healy from the North Kilkenny coursing club. ‘Shineon’ is trained in Newry by the maestro Brendan Matthews so could not be in better hands and we wish her and Brendan and all the members of The Future Syndicate the very best of luck next weekend.

The online application form to apply for a Coursing Trainer Licence (season 26/27) can now be found under ‘ICC Forms’ .

https://irishcoursingclub.ie/coursingtrainer.php

Under the rules of the Irish Coursing Club you must register for a Coursing Trainer Licence if you train one coursing greyhound or more during the 2026/27 season which is not owned :

1. By Yourself
2. By a family member (Spouse, Partner, Child, Grandchild, Parent, Sibling, Guardian)
3. By a Syndicate of which you are the official authorised person to act on the syndicate’s behalf.   

All those currently training one coursing greyhound or more which does not fit into one of the three categories above must apply for their Coursing Trainer Licence no later than Wednesday 23rd September 2026 if you have not already done so. Any new trainer after that date must apply for their Coursing Trainer Licence within 7 days of accepting the coursing greyhound(s) into their kennel.

The Annual Licence Fee is €25.

You can click into the full ‘ICC Coursing Trainer Regulations 2023 (Anended 2025)’ when you go to the application form.

For any queries please email eugene@sportingpress.ie or ring 052 6188508

Some photos from a great night at the ICC Awards and Dinner Dance on Sunday last. Huge thanks to our sponsors Greyhound & Pet World Abbeyfeale, Flaherty Family Galway, Clonmel Cabins (Billy & Marie Roche), National Meeting Bookmakers, James & Sharon Coss Portlaoise, Bridget Byrne, Surrey/Duagh and Michael Horgan, Mitchelstown. We couldn’t have done it without them. Our cover photo shows connections of Bobby Browne, Coursing Greyhound of the Year, receive their prizes from Award sponsors, Liam and Helen Murphy, Greyhound and Pet World.

Forty two years after winning an Irish Cup with Ballyduff Bobby, Jimmy Browne was back on the podium today to accept the Una O’Sullivan Memorial Irish Cup from John O’Sullivan & family following the brilliant success of his pup Bobby Browne. The Bobby in question, Jimmy’s nephew, was only a young lad back in 1983 but sadly is no longer with us which made it a very emotional victory for family & friends.

Bobby Browne, trained by Patrick & Tom ‘Saleen’ O’Connor continued the great success in the Irish Cup of pups beaten in the third round of the Derby. He was second favourite for this Classic behind Navalny before coursing got underway on Friday and their meeting in the quarter-final was eagerly awaited. The manner of Bobby Brownes success in that course this morning and his clock of 11.36 marks him out as a very worthy winner. Our congratulations too to his breeder Ian Bourke who was last week busy running a super meeting at Tipperary.

For the second successive year the Irish Cup runner-up was a bitch trained by Liam Dowling. Although quietly fancied for the Oaks earlier this month (beaten Rd2) Moyle Magic did not come with the same expectations as Ballymac Zena 12 months ago. However she made the top half her own and matched Bobby Browne stride for stride to more than half way.

The very top of the third quarter of the Irish Cup was red hot when you consider it contained Bobby Browne, Escalation & Coverbridge. Escalation would go on to win the Dick Fitzgerald Irish Purse in emphatic style for John & Alan Troy and Pat Sutton. Remember he had put out subsequent TA Morris Stakes winner Central Clever in Clonmel so he is an exciting All Age prospect. Coverbridge should also give Murty McMahon & friends some great fun next season but for today he had to give best in the Bill Chawke Irish Plate final to the evergreen Cool Spirit. The 2023 Irish Cup winner possibly made history by adding a Plate to a Cup (we will have to ask Gerry McCarthy) and he gave his Newry-Limerick Syndicate more reasons to celebrate after their recent Derby success.

Remarkably both of the bitch events today were won by Oaks semi-finalists albeit from different seasons. Ballymac Mulan (beaten by Revello Del Toro in recent Oaks SF) was a top class winner of the Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stakes for the Dowlings. The runner-up Ballymore Lady gave our Irish Cup sponsors a great run and they can look forward to her second season. Marvelous Mover lost an Oaks semi-final in 2024 to Ballymaccallaway but kept the best for last this season by taking the new Greenmount Bitch Stake for John Flynn & family. The best final of the day came in the Kyle Invitational Champion Working Members Stake when Sydney Mozart, running for the McKiernan family and representing Co Cavan came back in the last stride to earn a just up decision over Tree Top Elvis representing Cashel. That wasn’t an easy one for Judge Bernard Goold who double jobs as Club Secretary for Cashel but he had a great meeting as did slipper Richard Quinn jnr.

It was in 2004 that the Irish Cup moved back to Limerick racecourse having spent four years in Tralee after the closure of Clounanna. The move to Limerick racecourse didn’t always meet with full approval from coursing purists and like any other coursing club, Co Limerick CC had many tweaks to make over the years. However it was an absolute pleasure to witness the coursing and the hares at Patrickswell this weekend. We send them our heartiest congratulations & thanks.