Clare greyhounds were in winning form at Limerick on Monday last.
By Michael Maher
Two winners from the Clare contingent were recorded. Breda Casey from Newmarket-on-Fergus was to the fore once again with her Snuggie Rosie who broke smartly and led from trap to line to record a personal best of 29.40 in an A5 graded contest. Rosie is a daughter of Australian import Paddys Magic and Miles Girl.
Rachel Murray from Sixmilebridge in partnership with her partner Sean Riordan presented their prolific sprinter Derra Misty for a S4 contest. Misty didn’t disappoint and displayed good early pace to cross the line in pole position in 19.23, this was win number 9 for this daughter of Laughil Blake and Playmistyforme who is under the stewardship of Rachel’s dad Stephen.
Last Thursday night proved to an excellent evening at the same venue for the Clare brigade, six of the twelve races on the card coming to the Banner county.
Getting the Banner roar going was Rockalong Mikado for Donnacha McNamara from Tulla who matched his personal best stopping the clock at 29.20 for an A 3 graded contest, this was career win number three for this son of Droopys Cain and Sues Stout.
Fanore publican, Patrick O’Donoghue saw his John Boy Jack record his fourth career success and justified his 9/4 favourite tag to lead from the off to record 29.41- Jack is a son of Skywalker Puma and Ballistic Nina and is trained by O’Callaghan Mills stalwart Donal Cooney.
Upland Glen a son of Good News and Star Princess – a very consistent performer for Cratloe’s Harry Galvin, held on to win a graded A7 contest in 29.63 and in doing so recorded career win number five.
2021 proved to be an excellent year at Limerick Greyhound Stadium for Ennistymon’s Tom Flanagan and 2022 looks at it will be as prolific, Tom recorded a quick-fire double with litter comrades Turn The Page and Dromoher Alice on the night to collect their sixth and third career wins respectively. These siblings are by Droopys Buick and Flandys Hawkeye and are owned by the Clareabbey trio of Paul Keating, John Keane, and Jim McEnery.
Portdrine Kennels for Cratloe’s Liam Carroll were in the winner’s enclosure once again with Portdrine Champ who for the seventh time in his career beat off his competitors in a time of 29.33 in an A4 graded contest. Champ is a homebred son of Droopys Cain and Portdrine Queen.
It was Friday night racing only in Galway last weekend. The Martin Griffin of Lissycasey owned Room To Stop kept the Clare flag flying as he recorded his second career success in this S5 graded contest as he stayed in well in the straight to defeat the rail hugging Non Stop by a length in 19.34.
Clare greyhound owners and trainers feature prominently in the roll of honour at the end of the 2021 season and special mention must go to Finnure Storm owned by the Kelly Family from Mullagh who received the accolade of the top dog at Limerick with 11 race wins in 2021 – Tom Flanagan from Ennistymon was the top private trainer with 22 wins.
And from the Galway report – Kilmihil native John Collins who runs his dogs under the Brickhill prefix was the top owner with a remarkable 35 win in the calendar year and Stephen Murray from Sixmilebridge had the honour of been the top public trainer with 38 trained winners.
