Timmy Keane receives his award from Chairman Seanie McMahon.
CLARE’s top owners and trainers were honoured at the annual awards of the Limerick and Clare GOBA.
By Michael Maher
The Limerick & Clare GOBA held their annual awards on last Saturday night at Limerick Greyhound Track. The awards have now become an annual event for the local GOBA and are becoming a very popular night out which honours the top trainers , owners and dogs from the previous year’s races.
Newmarket-on-Fergus’ Myles Cummins claimed the top private trainer award. In 2023, he had a total of 41 winners. Adding to his title of Top Private trainer Myles also picked up the award of having trained the Top Dog of the year with Snuggy Bunty, who over the course of 2023 managed to win a total of nine races and was placed in a further seven races.
April Rain was awarded bitch of the year. This bitch who is trained by Tom Flannagan of Ennistymon also managed to win nine races and went on to be placed in a further eight races.
Shannon’s Timmy Keane was given the Hall of Fame award. Down through the years, he has held many positions on various committees and continues to train and own dogs running in tracks all over the country.
Last week’s Galway action got underway on Thursday night, A winner on her debut over the sprint trip the Tom Flanagan of Ennistymon trained Ballyhealy Star made it two from two with an impressive all the way four and a half lengths success over Run For Mary in the A8 graded fourth contest in 29.19. Smartly away from her trap four berth the daughter of Doratos Wildcat and Blundell Bridie quickly grabbed the rails berth racing towards the opening bend where she led by two lengths. Extending her advantage early in the back straight she led by four lengths at halfway as Fast Fit Duke gave chase and tracking well again exiting the back Ballyhealy Star ran out an impressive winner at the line.
The S8 graded sprint contest boiled down to a match from an early stage as both Nady Des and Crinkhill Bobby raced as one towards the opening bend with Lightfoot Ross just in behind the pair as the opening bend loomed. With the benefit of the inside line the Ulick Naughton owned Nady Des led by half a length rounding the opening bend and this margin was maintained by the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained son of Pestana and Town Clover as he defeated Crinkhill Bobby in 18.25.
The opening contest at the same venue on Friday night’s card was an S9 graded 325 yards contest and from traps Lightfoot Ricky was away well in company with Break The Deal but as they raced towards the opening bend the red jacketed Flyers Tornado owned by the Fitzgeralds of Kilrush slipped through along the inner to lead at the turn. Tacking well the son of Slippery Robert & Hopeful Catch shot clear of his rivals as he eased to a five length success over Lightfoot Ricky in 18.46.
