*Tommy Considine with Joe and Donal Carey.
FORMER Clare TD, Joe Carey (FG) was elected as the new Chairman of the Ennis/Clarecastle coursing club.
In what is viewed as a big boost for the club, Carey was elected to the post as the club’s AGM held in Clarecastle Community Hall. He retired from public life in August 2024 due to health reasons.
In his address he said he was honoured to be elected as Chairman of a proud club with a great reputation. He said focus turns to the annual meeting which place on October 3rd and 4th.
The Carey family have a long tradition of support for Ennis/Clarecastle Club with Joe’s late father Donal serving as an officer of the club over the years.
With Galway race week just over a week away, last Friday night’s card was dominated by sponsored competitions. The opening round heats of both the On Faya Galway Oaks generously sponsored by Peter Mulrooney of the On Faya Kennels and the Jimmy Flaherty Memorial A2 525 Stake generously sponsored by the Flaherty Family. Both stakes produced some excellent racing with the Brian Robinson owned and trained Avenue Queenwho taking the honours in the Merlin Bar A2 Bitch Stake in March this year now staking a claim to be the Canine ‘Galway Girl’ by setting the standard in the On Faya Galway Oaks scoring in 28.89.
In heat five of the Jimmy Flaherty Memorial A2 525, Heathlawn Ruby was away well heat with Salsa Firs also prominent as they races towards the opening bend. Rounding the bend, Heathlawn Ruby led narrowly from Salsa Fire with Breaghmore Dice in third place as they entered the back straight. Racing past the halfway mark the Johnny Burke of Tubber owned Salsa Fire moved to the head of affairs on the outside as Jasmine Coco began to creep closer also. Exiting the back straight Salsa Fire (Grangeview Ten & Sporting Charity) began to ease away as Jasmine Coco continued to stay on well but Salsa Fire had four lengths to spare at the line in 29.32.
Saturday night’s Galway card featured more stakes action with the opening round heats of both the Martin Fahy Memorial A4 525 generously sponsored by the Fahy Family and the Horan Family Syndicate A6 525 Yards Stake generously sponsored by the Horan Family dominating the card.
In the opening heat of the Horan Family A6 525 Sweepstake Kiltartan Chosen came away well in the centre of the track and showing good pace led from Poppy’s Oreo and Rockmount Kismet raising towards the opening bend.
Tracking well around the opening two bends, Kiltartan Chosen extended his advantage to over five lengths as he passed halfway where Rockmount Kismet took over in pursuit with Poppy’s Oreo dropping to third place. Approaching the home bend the leader began to paddle as the Shane Flanagan of Ennis owned Rockmount Kismet (Dromana Bucko & Coronation) began to close on the inner with every stride before lading right on the line for a short head success in 29.41.
