One Ennistymon priest was among the winning greyhound owners in Galway following the weekend’s racing action.
Three semi-finals of the Seachtain na Gaeilege novice 350 yards stake featured in Friday’s Galway ten race card. The A3 graded ninth contest over 525 yards was the top graded contest of the night, the incessant rain led to the track being rated as -.15 and -.30 slow for the two and four bend trips.
Maroon Moher was the winner in the A5 graded contest which was the seventh race on the card. Owned by Fr Willie Cummins of Ennistymon and trained by Liscannor’s Declan McDonagh, he wore down the gallant pace setter Heathlawn O’Hara to register his maiden success at the fourth attempt by two lengths in 29.69. From the third bend, Maroon Moher bridged the gap with every stride and the writing was on the wall as they rounded the home bend.
Little doubt surrounded the outcome of the third semi-final as from the opening bend, Buttys Bengal was on top. From the Shannon syndicate, Buttys-Buckos, he was only fifth best away as the traps rose as Clydagh Ruby emerged in front on the wide. Buttys Bengal went through the gears and rounding the opening bend led Clydagh Ruby by over three lengths. The Ger Holian trained runner powered to a superb ten and a quarter length success in 19.10.
All six runners in the A7 graded contest in race four were chasing their maiden career victory. From the traps the Leo McNulty of Newmarket on Fergus and Donal Cooney of Broadford owned Killuran Tiny was very smartly into his stride and approaching the opening bend he led Aspen by over two lengths with four further lengths back to Kitmins Benjamin in third place as they entered the back straight.
Racing along the back Killuran Tiny was making the best of his way home out front but from the crown of the home bend Aspen began to gradually bridge the deficit. Railing well though Killuran Tiny began to tread water off the final bend but the line just arrived in time to claim a short head verdict over Aspen in 29.71.
Inagh owner trainer Noel Hehir made the long trip to Tralee worthwhile on Friday night last when his Coolavanny Kyser was a ten and a half length winner of race eleven in a very good time of 28.58 for the 525 yards trip.
