Gone to the dogs: Offaly greyhound enthusiast celebrates 80th birthday
Heat plays havoc with racing calendar
THERE was a very special celebration for one of Offaly's most passionate greyhound enthusiasts when he celebrated his 80th birthday last weekend.
Liam Kirley, a hugely popular personality in his native Ballinagar, was joined by 75 family members and friends for a great surprise celebration in one of his favourite places, Mullingar Greyhound Stadium – unfortunately, the high temperatures resulted in the race meeting being cancelled but that was only a minor disappointment on an evening of great celebration and good fun.
A farmer, Liam has had a lifelong interest in greyhounds, breeding and training several very successful dogs. He still has dogs and is eagerly looking forward to seeing how one very promising one fares in the coming months.
His dogs have generally raced under the prefix of Glen or lately, Glenlara. Glenivy was probably his best ever dog, dominating distances races all over Ireland and almost unbeatable over 750 yards. Her daughter Glenmoira won the prestigious Produce Stakes in Clonmel while he also won the Tipperary Cup in Thurles. Liam's dogs were much feared in all the tracks and he had no problem taking on the big trainers and beating them in Shelbourne Park.
There is a great tradition of greyhounds in Ballinagar. Liam is the leading light and he is great friends with other great greyhound men in the locality, Iggy Daly, Damien and Donal Cunningham – sons of the late Michael Cunningham, principal in Ballinagar National School for years and a man who instilled an infectious passion in greyhounds in many - and others and they were all present at Saturday's party.
Liam is also a great Offaly GAA supporter and has been a regular at Ballinagar's games during their current golden era as they won the Offaly Junior and Intermediate Football Championships and the Leinster Club Junior Football Championship. He was a very proud man in Navan as Ballinagar had a great win in the Leinster junior football final in 2024 – sadly two great locals who were in his company that day have passed away prematurely, Pat Geoghegan who worked with Liam for decades on his farm, and Martin Brophy. His late sister Margaret was married to the late Offaly hurling folk hero, Johnny Flaherty.
They were all fondly remembered at Saturday's party where a very enjoyable and memorable evening emerged.
Once again the heatwave played havoc with the racing calendar losing meetings most days. The Greyhound Board moved some starting times so racing could go ahead with the matinee meetings starting earlier and some evening meetings later in the cooler part of the day.
Dog welfare certainly was of the utmost importance in making these decisions. The final of the Boylesports Champion Stakes and the Dundalk International took centre stage last week with both worth €20k to the winners. The first and second round of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Puppy Derby in Shelbourne produced quality racing with some serious clocks being recorded.
Despite the reduced racing schedule we still managed a few Offaly winners in four different tracks.
Early Week Racing
Tuesday, Shelbourne, eight heats in the first round of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Puppy Derby won in 2025 by Getup The Boy for Mark Robinson. Graham Holland won two of the heats. There were three standout performances in the first round. Wi Can James was fastest of the eight heats when winning for Pat Guilfoyle in 27.88 by seven lengths. Slippery Felix also went under the 28.00 barrier for Holland when winning in 27.99. Winner of the Champion Unraced and Offaly dog Carrick Becks wasn’t to be outshone as he stopped the clock in 28.01 winning by five lengths at 2/5 fav for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn with Robert Gleeson training.
Also in Shelbourne, semifinals of the June Monthly Novice ON2 with last weeks winner of One For The Notebook Highview Levi back in the winners enclosure as he won for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman in 29.02 by one length at 6/4 fav and was Offaly first winner of the week.At the SIS meeting in Limerick on Thursday we had our second. In an A3 grade Lemon Arnold won for Moneygall owner Liam Jones in 28.97 by three lengths at 7/2.
Friday Racing
At the earlier start of 9.45AM for the weekly matinee meeting in Mullingar, Killeshill Ranger won an A2 contest and brought his winning tally to twenty one wins for Croghan owner Vincent Lynch in 30.08 (70 slow) by two lengths at 8/11 fav. In the final race on the card in Galway Breaghmore Katie won for Kinnitty owner M.J. Corrigan in an A5 race in 29.45 (20 slow) by one length at 5/2. Also in the last race but this time in Shelbourne, Highview Found won an A2 550 for Merriman in a career best run of 29.84 by six lengths at a big price of 8/1.
Saturday Racing
Only four meetings managed to go ahead nationwide. Galway, final of the sean Scully Memorial A5 stake. The €1.8k first prize pot was won by Hollyhill Spider (Ballymac Bolger-Hollyhill Samba) in 29.48 (20 slow) by four lengths at 4/1 with Alison Coxon training.The best final of the week in Shelbourne was the conclusion of the Boylesports Champion Stakes AAO 550. The €20k first prize went to Kerry as Ballymac Kamala (Droopys Sydney-Ballymac Pete) was an emphatic five length winner in a super time of 29.15 for Liam Dowling at 7/4. No doubt that a tackle at the Derby next for this fellow.
Last year's winner of the Puppy Derby Getup The Boy was second for Mark Robinson and went home with a cheque for €5k.Dowling also won the Boylesports Champion Plate as Ballymac Gwennie (Ballymac Finn-Ballymac Arminta) also won by five lengths in another sparkling 29.23 at 7/4 fav with €4K also going to South Kerry.The dogs from the first round of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Puppy Derby on Tuesday were quickly back in action with the quarter-finals also taking place on Saturday. Fastest of the four was Grouchos Chief for Pat Buckley in 28.17. Wi Can James won for Guilfoyle in 28.31. Kapuka Coley was first across the line for Karol Ramsbottom in 28.47 with the final heat going to Kilwest Major for Gerry Holian in 28.60. Carrick Becks was second in this heat only beaten two lengths and is undoubtedly a major player in this stake for Thomas Glynn as we approach Saturdays semi-finals.
Sunday Racing
Annually on July 12th there is a one off race at Dundalk meeting worth €20k to the winner. The Dundalk International was first run in 1968 and was set up as a contest between the best dogs in Ireland versus the best in Britain. It’s been a while since a raider has come over to take the spoils with the last being in 2018 as Droopys Verve won for Angela Harrison. Some of the fastest Irish dogs ever to race have graced this event since its inauguration including the likes of in 1983 Quick Suzy, ‘91 and ‘92 Farloe Melody, ‘05 Droopys Maldini, ‘17 Jaytee Jet and last year our Derby winner Cheap Sandwiches for Graham Holland. This year Time Greyhound Nutrition sponsored this race.
The winner this time was probably the most convincing in years as Ballycowen Frank (Ballymac Cashout-Peckies Flyer) bolted from traps and was never in any danger, winning by five lengths, in a new track record time of 29.26. The Michael O’Donovan trained dog has now amassed over €57K in winning prize money having already won the Kennedy Cup in Limerick last October and the Callaway Pro Am @ Stud Race Of Champions in Tralee in June where he also broke the track record. Brilliant performance. Another heading to the Derby full of confidence. Ballymac Ralf was second for Garry Dempsey and received a cheque for €6k. Another magnificent night in Dundalk on the 12th.
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, final of the June Monthly Novice ON2 Unraced in Headquarters. Saturday, Cork, semi-finals of the Shelley Fennelly Memorial Open Bitch Stake and semifinals of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Puppy Derby in Shelbourne. Most other meetings will be re scheduled runs of the cards cancelled last week during the heatwave.
Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week
Carrick Becks is proving to be one of the fastest dogs in Offaly and possibly the Country. His winning time of 28.01 in the first round of the Puppy Derby on Tuesday in Shelbourne was a sensational run. He had a very creditable second in the second round despite getting badly hampered in running. Would expect him to make the final of this for Thomas Glynn and definitely has the speed to add the Puppy Derby to the Champion Unraced in Kilkenny which he already has the trophy for. Super hound.
One For The Notebook
For the second week in a row Highview Levi get the nod for winning his semifinal in the Time Monthly Novice ON2 unraced in Shelbourne on Tuesday. Certainly a progressive type and worth keeping an eye on to see how far he can go. A prospect.
Offaly Winners
Six Faithful County winners last week. Congrats to all connections.