Memory of late Offaly man celebrated in big Shelbourne Park greyhound final

This week the final of the Donal Beatty Memorial Corn Cuchalainn honouring one of Offaly Greyhound characters dominated racing from a Faithful County point of view – his wife Arlene and family members were present at Shelbourne Park to present the trophy and prize money to the winner of the race, which now commemorates the hugely popular late Tullamore native and Killeigh resident.

There was an abundance of sweepstake action around the tracks with plenty of money being dished out along with plenty of bragging rights.

Numerous home winners in the mix once again with some eye catching performances.

Early Week Racing

First Offaly winner of the week was in Mullingar on Monday in a deferred afternoon  meeting from the previous Friday. Bailie Boy won an A2 race for Paddy McCormack in 29.55 (50 slow) by four lengths at 4/1.

Enniscorthy, also Monday, in the quarterfinals of the WGOBA Open Unraced Stake, Curly Sallagh was easily the fastest winner of the quartet for Croghan owner Mick Lynch in a magnificent 28.47 by five lengths at 5/4 with Pat Buckley training. Fine performance by this North Offaly young dog.
Thursday, Shelbourne, two finals were decided. In an A5 stake Deelish Obby (Ballyhimikin Jet-Abbeyside Megzy) won the €1.5k prize for Ginger McGee 29.32 by one length at 1/1 fav.

In the conclusion of the Shelbourne Regulars A4 Stake Ballyroe Ben (Malachi-Laughil Irene) also won €1.5k for Clonard trainer Kevin Losty in 28.68 by twelve lengths at 4/7 fav. Three Offaly winners on the supporting card, in the semifinal on an ON3 unraced stake Highview Joey won heat one for Gerry Merriman in 29.00 by three lengths at 6/4.
In the semifinals of the Tuono Charlie @ Stud ON2 unraced stake Highview Marcus was another winner for Merriman when stopping the clock in 29.40 by three lengths at 6/4.
In an A5 grade Aussie Promise won his first race in four starts in 29.29 by two lengths at 3/1 for Kinnitty owner Jeannette Mackenzie.

Friday Racing

First Offaly winner of the weekend was also at the afternoon SIS meeting in Mullingar. Lahinch Murphy won an A3 race for Clara owner P.J. Cleary in 29.75 (50 slow) by two lengths at 5/2.

One Offaly winner in Newbridge as Early Storm won an A5 contest for Edenderry owner Sean McNamara, in 29.88 by a neck at 6/4, with David Murray training.
In the final of the Moorstown Kennels A3 500 yard stakes in Tralee the cream came to the top here as Magical Luka (King Sheeran-Magical Mary) made it seven wins from seven starts. The Pat Guilfoyle trained black won all four rounds while breaking the track record in the last three outings including the final in a sensational 26.55 (10 fast) by twelve lengths at 1/4 fav with a cheque of €2.2k heading their way.
The three semi-finals of the Celtic Cooling Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Open Unraced stakes were the three best races, on a decent card in Headquarters, where two qualified from each heat for Saturday’s final. Coloursaregreen won the first for Paul Hennessy in 28.36 by smart 28.36 by seven lengths at 4/1. Gerry Merriman was back on the winners rostrum with Highview Paul in heat two in 28.68 by one length at 6/1. Ballymac Stud won the remaining heat for Liam Dowling in 28.39 by thirteen lengths at 1/1 fav.
One final on the night, in the Go Greyhound Racing A3 Stakes Old Alaska (Droopys Flytline- Speedels About) won the €1.75k for Rathangan trainer Reggie Roberts in 28.92 by a short head at 3/1.


Saturday Racing

Curraheen Park, Cork, three heats in the first round of the Shelly Fennelly Memorial AAO Open Bitch stake won last year by Ballymac Run for Liam Dowling. Fastest of the three was Magical On Fire for Pat Guilfoyle in 28.31 (10 fast) by five lengths at 4/6 fav. 

Big night’s racing at the Dock Road track in Limerick with the feature event being the conclusion of the Time Club A4 Graders Derby. The €20k first prize went to Maid Offaly Iron (Lenson Bocko-Shes Ordinary) for Neily Jones in 28.67 (10 fast) by four lengths at a big price of 6/1. Skippy Fantasy was second for David Flanagan and received a cheque for €7.5k. 

Also in Limerick the semi-finals of the Faypoint Sean @ Stud Treaty Cup Open 350 Sprint took place. Highview Ben won the first for in 18.52 (.05 fast) by two lengths at 5/1. The second semi was won by veteran sprinter Road Exile who was winning his thirty fourth race for Pat Buckley in 18.58 (.05 fast) by two lengths at 5/2. 

Mullingar, semi-finals of the Pat Curtin Memorial A4 stakes.Home Darragh won the first for Mountmellick trainer Marcella Campbell in 29.78 (50 slow) by one length at 6/4 joint fav. Skilled Sean was first over the line in the second semi for Joe McKenna in 29.61 (50 slow) by four lengths at 4/1 co fav. One Offaly winner on the supporting card as Finfin won an A3 contest in a fast 29.27 (50 fast) by nine lengths at 4/5 fav for Edenderry trainer David Hanlon. 

Thurles, quarter-finals of the Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup Open 525 won last year by Tribal Syd for Murt Leahy. Tarsna Maasai set the standard as he crossed the whitewash in 28.72 by five lengths at 4/7 fav with Geoff Parnaby training. 

The feature event in Shelbourne was the final of the Donal Beatty Memorial Open 750 Corn Cuchalainn honouring one of Killeigh and Tullamore’s favourite sons. The Beatty family kindly sponsored one of the country’s oldest stakes with other local business men sponsoring other races in Shelbourne it was a great night for Tullamore and Offaly greyhound fraternity. The final itself had a super winners prize of €10.5k which was won by Braveheart Bambi (Deerjet Sydney-Ambey Bamby) in 41.44 by three lengths at 7/4 who went through this toughest of stakes unbeaten for Pat Buckley. Buckley also trained the runner up as Clona Ice was an unlucky second but received a cheque for €4K. 

Also in Shelbourne the semi-finals of the Boylesports Champion Stakes 550 took place won last year by Daleroad Duke for Pat Guilfoyle. Three heats again with Lennies Desire winning the first for Paul Hennessy in 29.74, Ballyhooly Bruno the second for Tom O’Neill in 29.85 and Ballymac Dancia the final heat for Dowling in 29.56. 

Sunday Racing

One Offaly winner at the matinee meeting in Mullingar, in the first race on the card an A3 grade Foulkscourt Best won for Moneygall owner Liam Jones in 29.59 (40 slow) by one length at 3/1.

Upcoming Events

Monday, Enniscorthy, semi-finals of the WGOBA Open Unraced. Thursday, Shelbourne, finals of the ON2 and ON3 Unraced Stakes where we have a big Offaly interest.

Friday, final of the Celtic Cooling Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Open Unraced in Shelbourne. Saturday, semifinals of the Shelley Fennelly Open Bitch Stakes in Cork, final of the Faypoint Sean @ Stud Treaty Cup in Limerick, final of the Pat Curtin Memorial A4 Stakes in Mullingar, semifinals of the Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup in Thurles and final of the Boylesports Champion Stakes in Shelbourne. 


One For The Notebook

Sallagh Curly is certainly one to look out for after winning in the quarter-finals of the WGOBA in a sensational 28.47 for Mick Lynch. The sky could be the limit for this fellow.

Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week

Last week's winner of One For The Notebook Highview Paul gets the nod this week for winning his semifinal in the toughest of open unraced stakes in Shelbourne on Friday in a smart 28.68 for Gerry Merriman. Fine performance.

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Offaly Winners

Ten Offaly winners this week, well done to all involved.