LISCANNOR’s Declan McDonagh recorded his one hundredth career winner to round out the year on a high.
By Michael Maher
The final night’s racing of the year at Galway Greyhound Stadium proved to be a historic one for trainer Declan McDonagh of Liscannor as he reached his one hundred winner as a licenced trainer.
This came in the A3 graded seventh contest Hanover Luna, Bayview Wild, Norfoldandchance and Charming Ciara were all away well and they were linked across the track racing towards the opening bend rounding which Norfolkandchance took a definite advantage over Hanover Luna with Fantasy Penny in third place as they entered the back straight. Racing down the back the front pair opened up a three length advantage on their rivals but along the inner the Norfolk And Chance Syndicate owned Norfolkandchance (Ballyhimikin Jet-Raha Gogo) was setting his sights in career win number three and he stayed on all to defeat Hanover Luna by half a length in 29.50.
Having shown some promise in his initial two career outings and encountering early trouble last time the Denis Torpey of Clarecastle owned Lissane Bear made it third time lucky in the A6 graded 525 as he defeated Springwell Sugar by three lengths in 29.27. Springwell Sugar was just about best away but it was Lissane Bear that displayed the better early pace to lead by two lengths rounding the opening bend. Turning down the back the son of Dromana Bucko & Tinks Sarah extended his advantage to over four lengths from Springwell Sugar and Bumblebee Nova. Exiting the back straight the winner continued to rail well and was full value for his margin of victory at the line.
The Donie Duggan of Tulla trained Cloneyogan Sydny has been a tremendous servant to owner Siobhan Garraghy of Moy and the son of Droopys Sydney and Tiermana Rum made it career win number seventeen in the A5 graded contest as he made all the running to defeat Cloondarome Luna by two and a half lengths in 29.40. The winner was away well from his trap one berth and led Hit The Diss and Bumblebee Milan rounding the opening two bends. Racing down the back Cloneyogan Sydny extended his advantage to over three lengths as Cloondarone Lyna made ground in the wide outside. Exiting the back straight though the winner continued to rail well as he stayed on strongly all the way to the line .
Race 6 looked a very competitive A4 contest and so it proved as from traps Guideys Bullet, Mirabel and Burnpark Cashout were all away well with the four timer seeking Notsobadnow just behind them along the rails racing towards the opening bend. At the turn Burnpark Cashout led by over a length as Notsobadnow tracked well to turn in second place entering the back straight. Racing down the back Burnpark Cashout led Notsobadnow by over two lengths as the pair began to draw clear of their rivals. Exiting the back straight the Mrs Maria Browne of Cree owned Burnark Cashout (Ballymac Cashout-Burnpark Blossom) kicked again and this proved crucial as she stayed on well to defeat Guideys Bullet by two lengths at the line in 29.26.
In the early strides of the A9 graded 525 yards contest on Friday nights at the same venue Orbsen Daisy showed pace from her trap two berth with the red jacketed Barntick Swift close up along the rails as their aced to the opening bend with Five Alley Luna in third place. Rounding the bend Barntick Swift slipped through on the leaders inside and railing superbly the daughter of Dromana Bucko and Barntick Smokey took command entering the back straight. Racing along the back straight the Eimear Reidy owned of Manus Clarecastle leader extended her advantage to over five lengths and maintaining the tempo throughout she eased home six and a half lengths clear of Orbsen Daisy in 29.34.
It was a case of third time lucky for the George and Jake Gallery of Rockmount, Ennis owned Cillowen Vortex in this A7 graded contest as having met some trouble in his previous two outings the son of Grangeview Ten and Droopys Lullaby eased home four lengths clear of Ballyhale Evan in 29.36. Bumblebee Diva was away partly and led the charge towards the opening bend where she was joined on her inner by the eventual winner. Tracking well into the back straight Cillowen Vortex took command of the contest and quickly established a commanding advantage racing down the back. Clear off the home bend Cillowen Vortex was home and hosed racing up the home straight.
Racing towards the opening blend in the A5 graded affair Winnie Be Slick, Five Alley Mike and Killaruss Jet were all prominent with Five Alley Mike showing in front as they rounded the opening bend. Turning down the back Five Alley Mike led by almost three lengths as Killaruss Jet and Winnie Be Slick raced stride for stride as they chased hard. Between the final two bends the Peter Russell of Shannon owned Killaruss Jet began to close on the leader and striking the front off the home bend the Donie Duggan of Tulla trained son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Kishlawn Amelia stayed on in determined fashion holding the late thrust of Banter Bonnie by three parts of a length in 29.57.
All six runners were away pretty much on terms for the S5 graded sprint contest with Small Few Quid first to break ran in the centre of the track and he was chased by Fortune Seven along the rails racing towards the opening bend. At the bend Fortune Seven went to the front and he led by a length on the crown of the home turn. Off the home bend Ballyea Jet and Glasheen Eagle arrived on the scene and racing on the long run in it was the Brendan Browne of Kilkee owned Glasheen Eagle (Dromana Bucko-Glasheen Covid) who came through to take command and defeat Ballyea Jet by three parts of a length in 19.48.
In the concluding A4 graded 525 yards affair Slipalong Dew was best away and headed straight for the rails as Brickhill Como showed pace towards the outer to lead approaching the opening bend rounding which the Declan McDonagh of Liscannor trained Alva Chase became the third leader of the contest. Turning down the far side Alva Chase led by a length to Brickhill Como who was in turn clear of Bouncing Barron and Lissatouk Pearl. Racing past halfway Alva Chase led Brickhill Como by almost two lengths but the alter began to close between the final two bends. Off the home turn though the Declan and Gerard Lillis of Cooraclare owned Alva Chase was in control as he stayed on gamely to defeat Brickhill Como by a length in 29.63.
