The 100th National Meeting finished in a blaze of glory at Powerstown Park today with an 8th Boylesports Derby for trainer Gerry Holian with Seven Barrows (Abbeyfeale qualifier) and a first Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks for trainer Paudie Lyons and daughter Ava with the Agnieszka Czarnowska & Gavin Johns owned Daoimean Dubh (Edenderry qualifier). Derby winning owners Ray Conroy & Ollie Dunne were also responsible for breeding these litter comrades from their brilliant brood Laurina (already dam of 2023 Derby winner Masonbrook Ger) and all present were in agreement that both greyhounds also displayed the ‘never say die’ attitude of their sire Upper Hand. Runners-up Ballymac Awil and Cujo lost nothing in defeat and played their part in giving the huge crowd two finals they will remember for a long time.

It was a day to remember also for the O’Connor & Fitzgerald families as Five O Five proved why he was a leading fancy for the Derby 12 months ago by winning the Callaway Kennels Kevin Smith Champion Stakes in convincing fashion. And trainer Dan Brassil completed the full hand of stake wins at the National Meeting when Aran View upset the odds three times to lift the only stake which had eluded Dan, the Hotel Minella Grace & Matt Bruton Champion Bitch Stakes. Congrats to owner Donal Malone, Liscannor. Incidentally both winners were sired by Watchman.

One of the best cheered home winners of the day was the Whelans On A Sunday Syndicate (Doon) owned Tedtastic which won the Stockproof Fencing Products TA Morris Stakes for trainer Pat Buckley. New NM sponsor Brid O’Sullivan was double jobbing after the success of Falkens Maze in the Canine Physio Care Kitty Butler Stakes. Not only was she presenting the trophy to the Horig Dunford Reid Syndicate but she was also assisting Michael Murphy, Sallins with the training duties.

The three new stakes at the National Meeting for the 100th were also a great success. Macs Dream representing Johnstown & Urlingford CC was a most popular winner of the Bobby Browne National Workers Championship for the Chase Is On Syndicate & trainer Patrick O’Connor. Trainer David Murray, no stranger to track success, made his first appearance on a podium at the National Meeting when Typical Magic won the Powerstown Cup Three Course Championship for Mick Malone, Athy. He had qualified at Loughrea. And finally, Ballymac Loral made up for the defeat of his kennel mate Orianthi in the Champion Bitch Stakes by taking the Cork Containers Virtual Coursing Museum Trophy for the Touch And Go Syndicate, trainer Barry Lynch and nominators AICC.

And so concluded an outstanding National Meeting. Although much planning went into how best to mark the 100th, the main wish of DJ Histon, Pat Loughlin, Team Powerstown and the ICC Executive Committee was that it would be remembered for great coursing and great hares. That wish came to pass and there could be no better tribute to the men and women who started in all in 1925. Long live coursing. .

Ballymac Floral which won the 2021 Oaks at an historic four day 2022 National Meeting could be in the news again on another milestone day for the National Meeting tomorrow. No less than six of her progeny will be in action including the very warm favourite for the BOYLE Sports Derby, Ballymac Awil. Litter comrades Mallory Park (Derby) and Ballindaggan (Oaks) are also through to Day 3 and three of her second season progeny Moyle Magic, Ballymac Mulan & Ballymac Loral will go to slips for the Champion Bitch Stakes & the Virtual Coursing Museum Trophy. However Ballymac Awil is the one which has lit up this 100th National Meeting so far with his 12.18 clock this morning and his dismissal of Abbey Einstein this afternoon. He is now as low as 1/1 with the bookmakers and is starting to stamp his authority on what looked a very competitive renewal. What might progress to meet him in the final is much harder to call with very little between the four quarter-finalists in the bottom half. Seven Barrows reminded many of us this afternoon of his Derby winning sire Upper Hand with the way he fought back to deny Magical Titan in the very last stride in what was the course of the meeting so far. We could be in for another thriller in RD4 when he goes to slips with Unforgivable.

The betting would suggest that the 2026 Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks might rest between Cujo and Rushview Rose (pictured) and both bitches have been brilliant so far. Rushview Rose would appear to have the tougher route to the final and any of the quartet in the bottom half would be a worthy finalist. Hopefully Daoimean Dubh, a comrade of the aforementioned Seven Barrows and another Derby quarter-finalist Mr Trendsetter (all progeny of the great Laurina) is ok after her tumble this afternoon. Up in the top half it was hard not to be impressed by the early, middle & late pace of Cujo and we can see why those leaving Johnstown & Urlingford thought they had seen a future Oaks winner.

Butterfield, which came out second in yesterdays RD1 Oaks thriller v Daoimean Dubh looks the one to beat in the Canine Physio Care Kitty Butler Stakes with Coombunny Fox her possible opponent in the final. The Stockproof Fencing Products TA Morris Stakes is much harder to call but Tedtastic and Silent Treaty, on opposite ends of the stake, produced two nice back to back runs today and are likely finalists.

It was another great day of coursing with the hares and the field a credit to Team Powerstown and there is every reason to believe that the concluding day of the 100th National Coursing Meeting will be one to savour. Very best wishes to all involved with a runner in the nine events down for decision tomorrow. It will be very special to be bringing a greyhound to slips on such an historic occasion and there are thousands of coursing supporters out there who would love to swap places with you !!!!

Results, Clocks & Latest Betting now in Quick Results

Footnote: We have been asked to announce that the Duleek Open meeting scheduled for Sunday February 8th will not take place this season due to rainwater on the preserves.

There was a most satisfactory start to the 100th National Meeting at Powerstown Park today. First of all the dry day (the sun even made an appearance in the afternoon) was greatly appreciated by man and beast but the standard of coursing: hares, greyhounds & officials was also of a very high standard for opening day and augurs well for the remainder of the weekend.

For some reason it has often been the case that the first round of the Derby has not matched the first round of the Oaks but if anything it was superior to the Oaks on this occasion and despite the sad defection of leading fancies Boylesportsmajor and Vader during the week it promises to be an intriguing renewal of the BOYLE Sports Derby. Unforgivable (the only progeny of Newinn Wonder in Derby or Oaks) set the standard with his 12.19 clock but he was closely matched by the likes of Ballymac Awil, Magical Titan (pictured) and Seven Barrows. Unforgivable may possibly have a Bye in the morning as his RD2 opponent Mungos Mariner was involved in the only long hunt of the day. Others to catch the eye were Mallory Park, Mr Trendsetter & Callaway Pat (all in the first quarter), Matchstick Man, Tree Top Oisin and Nine Darter.

The eagerly awaited rematch of the Corn Na Feile Oaks final between Butterfield and Daoimean Dubh lived up to its billing and even though there was no turn there was no one arguing with the decision of Liam Kelly to award the flag to the Paudie Lyons trained Daoimean Dubh after she led by the narrowest of margins all the way. Paudie now finds himself with three bitches in that section of 4 and only Pink Pony Club can deny him at least one quarter-finalist. The honour of the fastest clock 12.26 went to Rushview Rose whose trainer Paul Willis is no stranger to the business end of a Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks. One of the buckles of RD2 promises to be Windfarm Strand v Blades Of Dreams with both ladies impressive in their opening courses. Others that could have a serious say in the destination of the €50K first prize are Shanavulin Belle, Lift The Tempo, Cujo, Ballinveala Gail, Ballindaggan & Dale Lovell but it really is a very open looking Oaks this year.

Unfortunately for the Future Syndicate their runner Shineon was slow away in both her courses (Oaks & Kitty Butler) and has bade adieu to Clonmel for this year. However the Future Syndicate marquee will still be in full flow tomorrow (Sunday) so members are encouraged to collect their Beanie hats if they haven’t already done so and avail of the lovely complimentary hot finger food at the interval.

Results, Clocks and Latest Betting can now be found in Quick Results.

We will finish on a sad note by extending our sincere sympathy to the Bergin family, Errill, Co Laois on the sad passing of Mena, beloved wife of Rathdowney CC President Peter. Our thoughts and prayers are with Peter, their children Geraldine, Tony, Dolores & Marie, grandchildren, Mena’s brothers & sisters, nieces, nephews and extended members of the Bergin and Duff families. Reposing at O’Sullivan’s funeral home, Rathdowney on Sunday, February 1st from 4pm with prayers at 7pm. Requiem Mass on Monday at 11am in Our Lady Queen of the Universe Church, Errill followed by burial in St Kieran’s Cemetery, Errill. May she Rest In Peace.

SEVENHOUSES

Please note that Sevenhouses is now a three day meeting commencing on Friday 9th January. The Oaks TS will be for 32 runners and the Derby TS for 24 runners.

NEWBRIDGE OPEN

Please note that all stakes at Newbridge Open are now oversubscribed and no further entries can be taken. The draw is on Sunday night, January 11th.

TUBBERCURRY / KILCREEVIN

Please note that all stakes at Tubbercurry / Kilcreevin Ballymote are now oversubscribed and no further entries can be taken. The draw is on Sunday night, January 4th.

BALLYMENA

Please note that the Paddy Murray Memorial Ulster Cup is now be for 24 All Age Greyhounds (dogs & bitches). The draw takes place on Monday 5th January.

There is plenty of dual representation in the last eight of the 2024 Una O’Sullivan Memorial Irish Cup. Owners Paul Horig and Gavin Johns have two runners each as does trainer Liam Dowling (owns/trains Ballymac Zena & trains Boylesports Team for Derby sponsor John Boyle). The field is completed by owner/trainer Brendan Matthews (Glencarwaterfall) & Con Guiney (Ballymac General). Maurice McCarthy & Michael Murphy are the men in charge of training Paul Horig’s two, Happenstance & Gigantor, whilst Paudie Lyons and Thomas O’Donovan have charge of Aristotle & Capablanca respectively for Gavin Johns. Bridget Byrne is joint owner with Paul in Gigantor and Brian Duffy is joint owner with Gavin in Capablanca.

It wasn’t looking too good for the pups but they bounced back today and now make up 3/8 of the field as we head into Finals Day. Indeed Aristotle is almost certain to be the new favourite and like the last two Irish Cup winners Berlin Station & Cool Spirit he too reached the third round of the Derby before heading to Patrickswell. Aristotle had a third round bye as he was due to meet another of Gavin’s runners and it is very possible that he will meet Gavin’s other runner Capablanca (pup) in the semi-final because both Ballymac General & Ballymac Zena got more than enough to do today and looked tired coming off this afternoon. It was a pity to see Zena so hard worked because the 2023 Oaks winner was thrilling all present with her early pace.

In the top half of the draw Boylesports Team is back where he was 12 months ago and running better than ever but needs to beat his quarter-final hoodoo (bowed out in Derby & Irish Cup at this stage last season). Back in December the All Age Cup at Old Kilcullen’s lovely new field at Moorhill was run in memory of the late Una O’Sullivan and was won by none other than Gigantor. It could be written in the stars that his third silverware of the season (also won at Balbriggan) will be the Una O’Sullivan Memorial Irish Cup.

One of the stories so far has been the performance of the bitch Happenstance which is chasing a first career win. She came in from the reserves yesterday and has outrun her fancy odds every time. She did get a nice few turns this afternoon but so too did the Matthews pup Glencarwaterfall so it will be a case of which comes off the bench the best in the morning. Indeed it will be difficult for the bookmakers to price up the Irish Cup until they actually know if all eight runners are going to slips.

In the Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stakes Zauberflute gives Gavin Johns & Paudie Lyons a big chance of a double here tomorrow. It is all pups in the top half and the draw has paired the two John Flynn runners Up Tempo & Marvelous Mover in the first quarter-final. Both of them were at the business end of the Oaks a few weeks ago. The half is completed by Crafty Magello which also reached the Oaks quarter final. Honest Attempt and Mon Petit make it six pups in total and they are joined in the bottom half by Boherlode Zoey (an Oaks quarter finalist last season) and Ill Do It which won the All Age at East Donegal on New Year’s Day. Mon Petit is the only one of the eight that has no stake success to her name but connections have a great record at this meeting.

The first day of the 2024 Co Limerick CC meeting featuring the Una O’Sullivan Memorial Irish Cup saw one previous winner nicely through to the second round and another heading home. There were wins also for last season’s Oaks, Irish Purse & Irish Plate winners and it certainly looks at this early stage as though the older brigade may have the edge in this year’s renewal.

Making his first public appearance since November 2022, Berlin Station showed all the signs that he retains the class which saw him win the Irish Cup as a pup in Feb 2022. Rumours that reigning champ Cool Spirit had a setback in training prior to the event meant his just-up defeat at the paws of the unfancied pup Ashmore Range was not as big a shock as it might have been.

The honour of fastest clock of the day goes to Boylesports Team which reached the quarter-final of both the Derby and Irish Cup last season but surprisingly picked up no silverware in his second season (yet). Just one spot behind him was the 2023 Oaks winner Ballymac Zena. Both should have a big say in their respective quarters as should their former kennelmate Ballymac General, now with Con Guiney, in the third quarter. He is of course an Irish Cup semi-finalist himself from 12 months ago.

The first quarter could come down to a buckle between the Irish Plate & Purse winners from last season (Montpelier Hulk & Drive On Lesley). Others to catch the eye today were the litter brothers Mr President & Mr Chairman and Vlad The Lad. There was also a remarkable run from the bitch Happenstance which came in as a reserve in the very first course and ousted one of the better fancied pups.

Of the 30 pups which ran in Rd1 only 13 remain and you can make that 12 as Donaghmore Jack will unfortunately be a non-runner tomorrow in the second quarter. As to whether any of the younger brigade will still be involved in the business end of things on Sunday is difficult to say but much will depend on how any of the runners handle the soft ground conditions over the next few rounds.

The Patsy Byrne Select Bitch Stakes looks like a very competitive affair with some good runs today from pups which ran well in the Oaks earlier this month but also from All Aged bitches such as Donaghmore Leia, Windfarm Madam, Doomore Diva and Central Dolly. The betting on this stake before coursing tomorrow should be very interesting.

The opening day of the Corn na Feile meeting at Abbeyfeale lived up to expectation, with some top class performances throughout each stake. Navalny set the standard in the Corn Na Feile Derby, however Castleisland qualifier Ballymac Sports remains at the head of the betting following his two length opening round success over Capablanca. Cuban Bruce didn’t live up to expectations as he raced offline throughout against Montpelier Merlo. Ballymac Cuinas and Banba Be Wilder both progressed; however Glin qualifier Navalny was without doubt the most eye catching performer of the day in the colours of Brendan Matthews and his next course with A Noble Friend is a rematch of their Glin Derby TS final.

Ballymac Tag produced a flawless display in the opening round in the Corn na Feile Oaks and has hardened into 4/6 for outright honours. She meets Kilflynn qualifier Linden Panache in the morning. Kennel companion Ballymac Nano upset the odds in the opening course when defeating Artic Heiguer and sets up a date with Montpelier Aya in round two.  Annual Hope and Marvellous Model will contest the second quarter while the contest between Boherlode Hope and Zauberflute has the potential to be the buckle of the day.

Derby winner Masonbrook Ger heads the market in the All Age event following his four length victory over Floating Hego.  The second half of the draw looks hard to predict, however the buckle between Tree Top Tyson and Drive On Lesley may well decide who sports the white collar in the final. Ballymac Major appeared to have put his recent dip in form behind him and should not be dismissed.

The final day of action gets underway at 11am. See Quick Results for betting after Day 1.