January 2024
OUR PEOPLE THE GENERATIONS: MEET THE O'CONNELLS FROM CORK
GRI
We took a visit to Cork to visit the O'Connell family, of Gaytime fame, to share their story as part of the Our People, The Generations series.
RICHIE TAKES OVER AT ENNISCORTHY
Ian Fortune
Enniscorthy track has a new racing manager with the news that Richie Lawlor is to take over the reins.
CATCH-UP WITH HUGH CAHILL AND HIS PET, TIGER, AN IRISH RETIRED GREYHOUND
GRI
In late 2023, we joined Hugh Cahill as he took a visit to the new Leinster Care Centre in Co. Kildare. Hugh, who many will know from RTÉ Sports, was in the early stages of his journey to adopt a former racing greyhound as a new family pet.
BRILLIANT NICE ONE HAS DANCED HER FINAL DANCE
Ian Fortune
In a racing career that lasted just under two years, Droopy Nice One never ran in anything other than the very best of company.
CURRAHEEN PARK SUPPORTERS CLUB AGM
Barry Drake
A great crowd turned out at Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium on Monday night for the Curraheen Park Supporters Club AGM.
BALLYMAC DANICA MAINTAINS FLAWLESS RECORD IN RURAL KENNELS SEMI FINALS
Peter Farrell
The three semi finals of the 2024 Rural Kennels Unraced 525 featured on last night’s card at Clonmel and once again it was Ballymac Danica who stole the show with another demolition job on her rivals.
JASMINE UPS THE ANTE AHEAD OF BORN WARRIOR DECIDER
Peter Farrell
The semi finals of the Born Warrior @ Stud A1/A2 525 served as the highlight on last night’s card at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and Glengar Jasmine outlined her intentions ahead of the €3,000 decider next weekend with an exceptional performance for Corona Ryan.
SOME SUPERB SHELBOURNE DISPLAYS
Ian Fortune
Saturday’s card at Shelbourne Park featured some superb performances, including two wonderful finishes to the two finals up for decision.
WENDY DELIVERS IN STYLE FOR TEAM BALLYMAC
Barry Drake
BALLYMAC WENDY delivered another foot perfect display in last night’s final of the €5,000 to the winner Nolan C.V.R.T Test Centre Kerry Oaks.
NO SHOCKS IN DUBLIN CUP
Ian Fortune
Friday’s action at Shelbourne Park was dominated by the semi-finals of the Dublin Cup and while both went the way the market was expecting, both La Barbaro and Headinthewindow did have to work hard to get to the front to justify their lofty position in the market.
CARMAC KING CONTINUES TO CATCH THE EYE
Peter Farrell
It's been busy times at Clonmel in recent weeks with no shortage of quality performance, however, it would be remiss not to mention Carmac King after a string of thoroughly impressive victories.
TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 155: TOM NOLAN
GRI
This week Barry chats to Tom Nolan, sponsor of the CVRT Test Centre Kerry Oaks with the final taking place this Friday at Kingdom Greyhound Stadium.
MCCALMONT CUP WITH NEW SPONSOR AND PRIZEMONEY BOOST
Ian Fortune
Kilkenny track yesterday announced a new sponsor and increased prizemoney for one of the jewels in their crown, the McCalmont Cup.
DANICA DELIVERS IN RURAL SECOND ROUND AT CLONMEL
Peter Farrell
The second round of the Rural Kennels Unraced 525 may have taken place a few days later than originally planned at Clonmel last night, however, it was certainly worth waiting for as there were several top-class performances that have set fire to this stake.
WISHING JOHN MCGRATH ALL THE BEST IN HIS RETIREMENT FROM YOUGHAL GREYHOUND STADIUM
Barry Drake
All involved at Youghal Greyhound Stadium would like to wish John McGrath all the best in his retirement. John was a friend to all and he did Trojan work over his 12 years as Racing Manager at the seaside venue.
JOHN ‘JACKIE’ MOLONEY
Irish greyhound racing lost one of the good guys with the sad news of John Moloney’s passing yesterday.
GARY SILCOCK
Greyhound racing lost a great friend in recent days with the passing of Lurgan based handler Gary Silcock.
AIDAN WALSH
It’s with great sadness we must report the passing of Aidan Walsh, one of the true gentlemen of greyhound racing.
DEVIL DELIGHTS AT SHELBOURNE
Ian Fortune
Shelbourne Park’s Saturday action was lit up by the display of De Foxy Devil as he took one of the two finals up for decision.
SUPREME FROM CRAFTY IN BORN WARRIOR HEATS AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
The second round heats of the Born Warrior @ Stud A1/A2 525 took place at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday and it was the aptly named Crafty Supremo (Skywalker Canny - Paradise Summer) who bounced back brilliantly from his opening round defeat.
DUBLIN CUP DELIGHTS AGAIN
Ian Fortune
The quarter finals of the Dublin Cup provided some wonderful action at a cold Shelbourne Park on Friday night and, not or the first time, La Barbaro played a starring role, showing tremendous early speed and a wiling attitude to set the standard in the final heat.
BALLYMAC WENDY GOES QUICKEST IN THE KERRY OAKS
Barry Drake
The semi finals of the Nolan C.V.R.T Test Centre Kerry Oaks produced some fantastic racing in the Kingdom on Friday night.
WILLOW IS IRELAND’S SOLE NOD IN UK AWARDS
Ian Fortune
Despite a wonderful year for Irish trained greyhounds in the UK, Flashing Willow is the only Irish nominee for the British Greyhound of the Year Awards which are to be held at Hove on Sunday, March 3rd.
TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 154: LIAM DOWLING & BARRY MCSWEENEY
GRI
Barry has two guests this week so get comfortable and enjoy the next 20 minutes! Our guests this week are greyhound trainer Liam Dowling & Barry McSweeney, chairman of the Curraheen Park Supporters Club.
ROBBIE SHOOTS THE LIGHTS OUT IN CROKER
Ian Fortune
Rumour has it Kilkenny and their clubs are pretty handy at hurling.
NELLY A DESERVING WINNER OF NEWBRIDGE GOTY
Ian Fortune
It’s that time of the year when various tracks are recognizing their stars of the previous twelve months.
KIWI TAKES MULLINGAR’S GOTY AWARD
Ian Fortune
Mumbai Kiwi recorded a wonderful eleven wins around Mullingar in 2023 and as a result was a most deserving winner of the Greyhound of the Year award for the track.
TRAINER JAKE FAUL PICKS UP DECEMBER SPORTS PERSON OF THE MONTH AWARD IN YOUGHAL
Barry Drake
Youghal trainer Jake Faul recently picked up his December Hennessy's Bar Sports Person of the Month award. Congratulations to Jake and all the Faul family.
NO GOLD FOR MAVERICK BUT WRF A POSSIBLE
Ian Fortune
It was reported last week that connections of leading UK tracker Links Maverick were eyeing up a possible tilt at the Gold Cup at Shelbourne Park next month.
BLAZE MAKES QUITE A START TO HIS UK CAREER
Ian Fortune
After changing hands at the back end of the year and joining the Mark Wallis operation, the brilliant Garfiney Blaze has certainly hit the ground running since landing in the UK.
GOT THIS AND PIPER SHINE AT SHELBOURNE
Ian Fortune
It may not have been a high-profile night at Shelbourne Park on Saturday but the action was hugely competitive and somewhat enthralling from start to finish.
JASMINE SPARKLES IN BORN WARRIOR OPENER AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
The opening round heats of the Born Warrior @ Stud A1/A2 525 were on offer at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and, not for the first time, it was Glengar Jasmine who caught the eye with another polished performance.
PRINCE FASTEST AND DUBLIN CUP DELIGHTS
Ian Fortune
Friday’s racing at Shelbourne Park offered up some tremendous fare with the second round of the Dublin Cup making up much of the card.
BALLYMAC OPERA SETS THE STANDARD IN THE KERRY OAKS
Barry Drake
The second round of the Nolan C.V.R.T Test Centre Kerry Oaks delivered some fantastic racing in the Kingdom on Friday night.
2024 RURAL OPENER DELIVERS TOP-CLASS RACING AT CLONMEL
Peter Farrell
The opening round of the 2024 Rural Kennels Unraced 525 got underway at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and despite the testing conditions, the action was first class.
TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 153: BRIAN COLLINS RELFECTS ON 2023 AT CURRAHEEN PARK
GRI
Barry chats to Brian Collins, Munster Regional Racing Manager as he looks back on a wonderful 2023 at Curraheen Park.
UNLOCK UNLOCK A MUM AGAIN
Ian Fortune
While coasting through X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, yesterday evening I came across the news that leading brood Unlock Unlock has just had another litter.
TIME FOR GREYHOUND OF THE MONTH
Ian Fortune
The headline says plenty but it also has a double meaning.
PAT O'DRISCOLL.
The Cork greyhound community lost another great friend and supporter with the sad passing of Pat O'Driscoll.
HOME TEAM LOOKING STRONG FOR ENGLISH DERBY
Ian Fortune
With this year’s Irish Derby pushed back to November due to the promise of works getting underway at Shelbourne Park, there will understandably be extra focus on the Star Sports/ TRC English Derby at Towcester with the Irish expected to mount a big challenge.
SATURDAY RACING RETURNS TO DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
Saturday night action returned to Dublin on Saturday night and a good crowd witnessed some quality racing at Shelbourne Park.
ACE TRUMPS RIVALS IN MICKEY O’SULLIVAN MEMORIAL AT THURLES
Peter Farrell
It proved another memorable night for the kennel of Liam Peacock at Thurles on Saturday as the in-form owner claimed a one-two in the final of the Mickey O’Sullivan Memorial A2 525.
MARTHA STARS ON 2024 SATURDAY OPENER AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
Despite the bitterly cold conditions, there were some excellent performances at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and the star of the show was Glengar Martha, who landed a top-class Open 550-yard contest.
FORTUNE FASTEST IN DUBLIN CUP
Ian Fortune
The 2024 Dublin Cup got underway on Friday night and a good crowd was on hand to witness some fine performances.
DOWLING DELIVERS TREBLE IN THE OPENING ROUND OF THE NOLAN C.V.R.T TEST CENTRE KERRY OAKS
Barry Drake
The opening round of the €5,000 to the winner Nolan C.V.R.T Test Centre Kerry Oaks got off to a flying start in the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium last night.
TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 152: DES GILBERT & JAKE FAUL
GRI
Barry chats to 2 guests this week - Des Gilbert and Jake Faul. Have a listen now!
THE TWO BARRYS CHASING GLORY
Ian Fortune
Barry Clancy has been keeping good company in recent years, but 2023 was a tremendous year for the owner/handler/breeder.
NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM TIM LUCEY, CEO OF RCÉ / GRI
GRI
New Year's message from GRI/RCÉ CEO Tim Lucey, as published in this week's Sporting Press.
TALKING DOGS 2023 HIGHLIGHTS PART THREE
GRI
2023 was another fantastic year of Irish Greyhound Racing and we've been sharing the classic highlights for you to recap. Ian Fortune and Rob Catterson wrap up on the lookback ofnthe Classic highlights of the year in Ireland.
YOUNG JAKE MAKING A SPLASH
Ian Fortune
With an impressive 55 winners from 274 runners, young trainer Jake Faul made a real splash in 2023 to top the private trainers list.
DEREK MAKES IT NINE IN A ROW ON OWNERS LIST
Ian Fortune
Derek Kehoe was again the most prolific owner for the ninth year running, recording a mighty impressive 197 winners from 1096 runners.
MOLLY AND DUSTY END 2023 ON 15 WINS
Ian Fortune
The old expression suggests that “early pace wins the races” and a glance at the rankings for greyhounds with the most wins in 2023 certainly doesn’t do anything to suggest otherwise with two real speedsters Rathdown Molly and Bogger Dusty topping the list with a wonderful 15 wins to their names.
GRAHAM MAKES IT TWELVE YEARS AT THE TOP
Ian Fortune
12 years! That is how long Graham Holland has been top of the rankings as the most prolific trainer on these shores.
HARRY AND ROCKET CLAIM GOBA FINALS AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
Limerick Greyhound Stadium were forced to contend with some tough conditions on Saturday night but two sweepstakes were decided nonetheless in fine style.