It was a busy night at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Thursday last with the launch of the eleventh annual Con & Annie Kirby Memorial, sponsored by JP and Noreen McManus.
By Michael Maher
The Con & Annie Kirby Memorial stands out as a hallmark event in the greyhound racing calendar, known for its innovative format that brings together Limerick GAA clubs and the greyhound racing community.
As with previous years, each participating club is allocated a greyhound, with the final six clubs sharing a generous prize fund of €20,000 for use in the development and support of their club activities. The winning greyhound and connections will take home an impressive €80,000, confirming the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial as one of the richest events in Irish greyhound racing outside of the prestigious Irish Greyhound Derby.
At last Thursdays afternoon meeting at the Limerick venue there was a double for Tulla’s Michael McNamara with Aqua Belt coming up trumps the double was completed by litter comrade starry eyed as she recorded career win number three in 29.90. Gower magic notched her second career success for Cooraclare’s John and Anne Carey in 29.97. Killuran News made it win number 10 for Gary and Donal Cooney from O’Callaghan Mills a daughter of Good News and Anhill clinic her winning time was 29.29. Inislooky Cher justified her favourites tag with a 29.49 victory for Mary Crotty from O’Briensbridge. This was a career win number five for this daughter of Malachy and Fire Cher.
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Saturday night’s Galway card featured both the semi-finals of the W.G.O.B.A Sponsored St Patricks Weekend A2 525 and 325 Dash semi-finals with the concluding A1 graded 525 yards contest the top graded contest on the ten race programme. In the first semi-final Kate’s Princess, Cragmoher Lass and Flyers Tornado all enjoyed a couple of strides at the head of affairs before the Michael Fitzgerald of Kilrush owned Flyers Tornado kicked clear rounding the bend to take control of the contest . Tracking well into the straight Flyers Tornado (Slippery Robert and Hopeful Catch) maintained the tempo all the way to the line to defeat Bumblebee Granny by two and three quarter lengths in 18.30.
The Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained Jaydens Lady never saw another rival in the S5 graded contest as she opened her account at the fifth attempt by five lengths over CrinkIll Noel in 18.04. Away smartly from her trap five berth the daughter of Burgess Bucks and Crokers Wish quickly opened up a three length advantage on her rivals headed by Heathlawn Best at the opening bend. Despite keeping to a wide route turning for home the Little Man Syndicate owned runner was always in control as she opened her account in style.
In race seven the Noel Gavin of Ballyea owned Ballyea Jet landed his third career success in this S3 graded sprint contest as he lasted home by a neck from the fast finishing Summerfield Air in 18.07. From traps Drombeg Star trapped well but it was the Albert Mullins of Gort trained winner that showed the best early pace to lead by two lengths at the opening bend from No Blue Lights. Rounding the home bend the son of Jaytee Jet and Seekers Vision drifted wide and although the runner up flew home the line was always an ally of Ballyea Jet.
Racing towards the opening bend in the A5 graded contest Bumblebee Lottie led by over a length form Hit The Diss in second place but rounding the opening two bends the latter railed superbly to join issue with Bumblebee Lottie heading to halfway. Passing halfway the John Quinn and Shane Counihan of Gort owned Hit The Diss (Pestana & Port West Pop) went to the front and exiting the back straight her lead was over a length and staying on well she increased the advantage to two & three quarter lengths at the line in 29.28.
Last Friday night’s card at the College Road Venue featured the four first round heats of the Time A4 525 Yards Stake which carries a winner’s prize of €5000. In heat two as the raced towards the opening bend Ballyhealy Star showed pace in the centre of the track to lead round the opening bend from Brickhill Faya and Millroad Caesar. With some bunching behind the John Vaughan owned Ballyhelaly Star opened up a three length lead racing down the back as Brickhill Fayla went in pursuit passing halfway. Rounding the home bend the Tommy Flanagan of Ennistymon trained Ballyhealy Star (Doratos Wildcat & Blundel Bridie) still led by a length but she was all out to hold the challenge of Brickhill Fayla by a neck at the line in 29.34.
Having slightly missed his break on debut the Kilmihil native John Collins owned Brickhill Cisco made no mistake in race two this the second time of asking as he powered home four and a half lengths clear of Shanakyle Betsy in 18.20. The son of Ballymac Cashout and Rathmeeehan Holly trapped well this time and led Shanakyle Betsy and Mellon Blast by two lengths approaching the opening bend. Rounding the bend Brickhill Cisco found an extra gear as he settled the outcome with a burst of pace that carried him home all alone.
