Gone to the dogs: Great week for Offaly greyhounds

All roads lead to Limerick, on Friday, for the final of the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial AAO final, where six of the best young pups in training were battling to win the coveted trophy and a first prize of €80k. With over €170k up for grabs in total it was certainly a night to remember in the Treaty City. A special thanks must go to Limerick's favourite couple Noreen and J.P. McManus, for their continuing sponsorship of this super event, which is in memory of Noreen’s late parents who were steeped in greyhound tradition.

Around the tracks there were plenty of top class finals also to be sorted with some quality Offaly winners to boot.

Early Week Racing

No Offaly winners in the first four days of the week.

Friday Racing

First Offaly winner of the week was in Galway, in the semi-final an S7 sprint 350 yard stake, Birr owner Bill Pardy brought Cappaneale Rocky along and won the first semi in 19.13 (.05 slow) by a wide margin of eleven lengths at 1/2 fav. The second semi went to Rosshill News for Joe and Brendan Long in 19.08 (.05 slow) by four lengths at 4/6 fav. 

The two best races in Kilkenny were the semi-finals of the Blackstone Kennels A2 stake, only a length separated the two winners, Bogger Dusty won the first Liam Peacock in 29.04 (30 slow) by six lengths at 1/2 fav with the second semi going to Watch The Limo for Michael O’Donovan in 29.11 (30 slow) by three lengths at 4/6 fav.

Newbridge, in the semi-finals of the This Runs Deep A3 stake, Glenlara Blue won the first for Ballinagar owner Liam Kirley with his nephew Thomas Garry in 29.05 by a short head at 5/4 fav. The second heat went to Innfield Turbo for Barry Clancy in 28.94 by two lengths at 6/4.

Two finals of note in Shelbourne both worth €1.75k to the winners.  The first was the Barking Buzz App A2 525,which was won by Kinnitty owner Jeannette Mackenzie as Fear No Judge (Droopys Sydney - Puffawaypatsy) was too good for his rivals in 28.90 by three lengths at 5/1. In the final of A2 dual distance 550/575 stake, All About Magic (Kinloch Brea - Newinn Willow) in 31.40 by two lengths at 3/1 with Owen McKenna training.

In addition to the big stake final in Limerick, there were also a number of quality races and finals up for grabs. Some highlights, in the final of the Sean O’Connor Memorial A1 stake, the €5k first prize went to Una Maachina (Droopys Sydney - Killinan Rosie) in 28.43 by a neck at a decent 10/1 for Jack Kennelly.

In the final of Limerick/Clare GOBA A3 final, Glorious Best (Ballymac Best - Ballymac Peach) won in 28.83 by four lengths at 7/4 fav with €1.5k going to Pat O’Connell.

One Offaly winner on the supporting card, in the Upcoming Epic Hero Limerick Oaks A1 600, Laughil King won for Kilcormac owners Mary and Paul Jennings in 32.33 by six lengths at 13/8 fav with Michael O’Donovan training.

Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Final

The highlight of both this week and the year to date was the running of this top juvenile classic, six of the best young dogs in training went to traps for the tenth annual running of this valuable stake once again sponsored by Limericks favourite patrons.

The final itself turned into a procession as Clonbrien Treaty (Pestana - Clonbrien Millie) flew the lids and was never in bother winning by nine lengths in 28.05 at 5/2. After finishing third and second in the first two rounds, this powerful blue dog has really found his feet winning the next three round by a cumulative total of twenty lengths. For his owners James and Muireann Murphy the €80k first prize is undoubtedly their biggest payday and achievement to date in their racing career. For trainer Graham Holland it’s another brilliant training feat adding this to last years win by Swords Rex, his Derby wins and numerous other Classics he has won. He’s surely writing his name in the history books now besides the legends of our game such as Ger McKenna, Tom Lynch and Matt O’Donnell with no doubt more to come.

Bogger Lucky was second for Laois trainer Liam Peacock and won a cheque for €20k, with Scagletti in third for Pat Guilfoyle receiving €10k. Expect to see all six runners heading to Shelbourne soon in preparation for the Derby in August.  Who's to say that one of them can’t lift the biggest and most valuable trophy in the world of greyhound racing. Special thanks to the McManus family for their ongoing sponsorship of this great race, hopefully next year we’re reading about an Offaly dog lifting this prestigious trophy. Hope springs eternal.

Saturday Racing

Galway, two finals were decided, firstly the Ann Cheevers Memorial A5 stake, Caislean Bleu (Magical Bale - Notimetotalk) won the €1.9k first prize for trainer Mathew Harte in 29.27 (10 slow) by a neck at 2/1. The other final was the conclusion of the Great Blue Shark/WGOBA tri-  distance A2 stake over the 575 trip with the €2k purse going to Canya Dream (Droopys Sydney - Lear Avajo) and his trainer David Flanagan in 31.63 (10 slow) at 2/1 by three lengths. 

One Offaly winner in Dundalk, in an SSO open 400 sprint, Verratti won for Edenderry owner Keith Duffy in 21.34 by a head with Rathangan trainer Robert Gleeson guiding.

Two great races in Kilcohan Park in Waterford with the semifinals of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Select Stakes, Clona Duke won the first for Holland in 28.51 by four lengths at 4/6 fav with the second going to Callaway Pro Am for Owen McKenna in 28.36 by one length at even money fav.
Shelbourne provided a top class card once again, in the final of the Suncroft Festival Puppy Oaks Lets Go Bubbles (Droopys Sydney - Jetstream Lynx) made it five wins from eight starts in 28.47 by three lengths at 6/4 with the €5k pot going to trainer McKenna and Newbridge owner Peter Comerford.

In the first round of the RPGTV Open 600, won last year by Fast Fit Paddy and Declan McDonagh. Four heats with Pat Buckley winning two with Glengar Bridie in 32.84 and Fastest winner of the four Ballinabola Ed in 32.35 by three lengths at 1/3 fav. Heat one went to Allforthebest for the H.D.J Syndicate in 32.48 with the final heat going to Ballyhooly Hi for Tom O’Neill in 32.93 by one length at 6/1.  One Offaly winner again on the night, in an A1 bitch race, Highview Mags was first over the whitewash for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman in 28.52 by one length at 6/4. 

Four Offaly winners in Mullingar, in the first race on the card, an ON3 unraced, Camera News won for Clara owner Bernard (Sonny) Walsh in 30.60 by two lengths at 5/1. Another Clara owner in the second as Lahinch Blaze for P.J. Cleary in 30.65 by six lengths at 2/1. In an A6 contest, Lingrawn Niamh was first back in kennels for Moneygall owner Liam Jones in 30.59 by four lengths at 3/1. The best race on the card was the final of This Runs Deep ON2 unraced stake,  Uncle Baldy (Droopys Sydney - Glenlara Rosa) took the right night to win his first race from four starts in this competition in splendid fashion when getting up on the line to win by a head in 30.22 at 5/2 with €1.25k going to Charlie and Justin Colgan and the Glafo Syndicate. The Cappincur owners look to have a bright prospect on their hands with this pup and Shelbourne looks the obvious place for this fellow now. All races in Mullingar were rated  .80 slow. 

Sunday Racing

Four more Offaly winners at the matinee meeting in Mullingar, first two for Sean McGuinness, in an A7 race Horseleap Zoe won in 30.30 by three lengths at 3/1 while Horseleap Pippy won in an A5 grade in 30.45 by one length also at 3/1. In an A6 race, Lingrawn Mona recorded her tenth career victory for Liam Jones in 30.13 by three lengths at 2/1. Our final winner of the week was Lahinch Lilly for P.J.Cleary again in 29.58 by two lengths at 7/2. All races in Mullingar were rated  .60 slow.

At the evening meeting in Clonmel, in the semi-finals of the Sorley O’Dornan and Guys and Dolls A4 stake, Rinestone Cowboy won the first for the Time-Will-Tell Syndicate in 28.83 by three lengths . The  second heat went  to Flaminhasntabob who remained unbeaten in this stake after three rounds in 28.81 by four lengths for the Two-Laois-Four-Kilkenny Syndicate. 

Upcoming Events
Friday, final of the Galway S7 sprint at the Showgrounds, final of the Blackstone Kennels A2 stake in Kilkenny and final of the This Runs Deep A3 stake in Newbridge.
Saturday, semifinals of the RPGTV Open 600 in Shelbourne and final of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Select Stakes in Waterford.

Sunday, final of the Sorley O’Dornan and Guys and Dolls A4 stake in Clonmel. 

Tribune Offaly dog of the week

The standard was very high this week with Offaly winners in Newbridge, Limerick, Dundalk, Mullingar, Galway and Shelbourne.
Uncle Baldy gets the nod after coming through a very tough four rounds of an ON2 unraced stake in Mullingar on Saturday and winning the final by a head in 30.22 (80 slow) for Cappincur owners the Glafo Syndicate. Well deserved. 

Offaly Winners

A great total of fourteen Offaly winners this week. Congrats to all involved in any big or small part  to all winning connections.