The final of the 2026 West Limerick Treaty Cup Open 350 took centre stage at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and, fittingly it was Tiermana Dream who capped a flawless campaign with a dominant all-the-way success for trainer Colm Fitzgerald of Kilrush and owned by the Zero-Zero Syndicate.
By Michael Maher
Having set the standard in both the opening round and semi-finals, posting sensational times of 18.55 and 18.31 respectively, the son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Tiermana Jetty was a deserved even money favourite to land the €5,000 first prize and he duly delivered in emphatic fashion.
Drawn in trap five, Tiermana Dream asserted from traprise, displaying the electric early pace that has become his trademark throughout the competition. In contrast, defending champion Stonepark Browne once again missed the break by his usual high standards before encountering traffic on the run to the opening bend, effectively ending his hopes of retaining the title. With his chief rival out of contention, Tiermana Dream soon opened a decisive advantage and, from there, was always in complete command. Travelling with terrific fluency throughout, Fitzgerald’s star maintained a relentless gallop to the line, stopping the clock in a blistering 18.44 to complete an impressive clean sweep in the competition and further cementing his reputation as one of Ireland’s premier sprinters.
There was further cause for celebration for Colm Fitzgerald as Tiermana Hunter, owned by the Supping-Away Syndicate, filled the runner-up position. Better known as a four-bend performer, the litter brother to the winner displayed huge versatility by adapting seamlessly to the sprint trip, staying on strongly to complete a one-two for the kennel. The podium was completed by Tally Ho Rose, who was a further two lengths back in third.
Saturday night’s Galway card featured the opening round heats of Sean Scully Memorial A5 525 Yards Stake generously sponsored by the Scully family which commemorates one of the great gentlemen of our sport and one of the shrewdest judges of a greyhounds ability who sadly passed away in 2005. With the card also having the final of the Western Owners & Breeders Association A1 525 Stake Final.
In the A4 graded fifth contest Island Ivy and Substance were both away well on the wide outside with Island Ivy holding a narrow advantage approaching the opening bend with Portumna Amber in third place as the met the turn. Rounding the bend the striped jacketed Substance ran right round her rivals and as they entered the back straight the daughter of Slippery Robert and Be Slow Teresa led Portumna Amber by three lengths with Island Ivy a half length adrift in third place. Exiting the back straight Substance still led by three lengths but Portumna amber began to close approaching the home turn and close home the Michael J. Malone of Liscannor owned Substance was searching for the line at which she was half a length to the good crossing in a time of 29.27.
