CON & ANNIE KIRBY MEMORIAL REACHES BOILING POINT AS FINAL TWELVE CLASH IN LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

It is a nervous time for connections involved in the semi-finals of the 2026 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial 525, with just twelve greyhounds remaining in the hunt. By the end of tonight, that number will be halved, leaving only six to contest next week’s €80,000-to-the-winner showpiece.

This year’s renewal of the richest juvenile event in the world has proved the gift that keeps on giving, producing a series of outstanding performances underlined by sub-28-second runs in every round so far. The quarter-finals saw the majority of the outright fancies safely progress, with Ballymac Setanta bouncing back in emphatic fashion to lead home the equally impressive Ballymac Duffle in 27.90. Meanwhile, Bouncing Monarch kept UK hopes alive with another polished success, while Cushie Flytplan and Bockos Gold also raised the bar as the competition edges towards its climax. As a result, two exceptional semi-finals lie in store, and all twelve contenders can ill-afford any slip-ups.

SETANTA TO MAKE ALL

The first name drawn from the hat last weekend was outright favourite Ballymac Setanta, and the 5/2 market leader has been handed a plum draw in trap one. Crucially, he holds the inside advantage over Jaykay Fly, who is arguably his main rival in the opening exchanges.

Despite the depth of opposition, the phenomenal early pace of ‘Setanta’ can see him quickly assert control, and it may well become a case of ‘catch me if you can’ in this event. His chief rival on paper is kennel companion Ballymac Duffle, although he will require a similarly sharp break to secure a favourable early position. On their previous meeting, the son of Ballymac Cooper flew from traps but was ultimately outpaced early, leaving him with work to do. A level start this time could leave him vulnerable, although his determination in wearing down his kennelmate last time highlights his obvious claims despite a tricky trap four berth.

EXPECT A BOLD BID FROM BOY

Getup Theboy missed the kick by his standards in the quarter-finals, and that proved costly as he lost his unbeaten record, finishing two lengths adrift of Cushie Flytplan. The Mark Robinson-trained runner has valuable competition experience at this level, however, and is unlikely to trap as poorly as his 1.40 sectional last weekend. With a cleaner break, Daniel Ornstein’s tracker is selected to make the frame.Another greyhound to impress throughout the competition is Michael O’Donovan’s Ballycowen Frank. Jointly owned by Debbie Doyle and Dean Harpur, he will wear the orange jacket tonight but has been somewhat unlucky with the draw. While he has demonstrated his ability to post 28.00, he will likely edge inwards at traprise, meaning an electric start is essential if he is to get competitive early.

LIVELY OUTSIDERS

The remaining two runners in the first semi-final are Jaykay Fly and Waitingforastar. The former could play a pivotal role, particularly in the early exchanges, where he is arguably the biggest threat to Ballymac Setanta. Representing Paul Hennessy and Carol O’Riordan, he has shown the ability to produce blistering sectionals in the 1.26/1.27 range. However, given the calibre of opposition, he is likely to start at big odds and will need to produce a career-best effort in order to make the frame. Waitingforastar, meanwhile, makes plenty of appeal as a dark horse. Despite not yet getting his head in front up to this point, the Pat Guilfoyle-trained runner has been quietly progressive and posted a strong 28.09 in defeat in the quarter-finals. On that occasion, the son of Droopys Jet finished strongly to reduce the deficit on Bockos Gold. Trap six may prove beneficial to his running style and, with just six starts to his name, he remains open to significant improvement. He is one to keep firmly onside.

Verdict – 1/3/6

BOCKOS CAN CONTINUE QUEST FOR GOLD

Graham Holland will be represented by three runners in the second semi-final, but it is Bockos Gold who gets the vote to continue his remarkable run.

Owned by The-Jolly-Good-Company-Syndicate, every superlative has already been used to describe the early speed of the son of Coolavanny Hoffa. He has improved with each round, culminating in a 27.92 success last weekend. Drawn in trap two once again, another sub-1.30 sectional should see him take control. His main threat may come from one of the fastest females in training, Ballydoyle Tina. Jointly owned by Seamus Hagan and Paul Ellis, ‘Tina’ holds the fastest time of the Classic so far (27.82) and did well to recover from early trouble and still qualify last time out. The daughter of Ballymac Kingdom is well housed in trap one and, if within two or three lengths turning for home, will go very close. The third of Holland’s runners, Beanos Yank, has not been as fortunate with the draw. A greyhound with a powerful engine, he has impressed throughout the event but faces a difficult assignment from trap six, with significant early pace drawn inside him. Securing a clear run may prove problematic at this crucial stage of the competition.

DOUBLE HOPE FOR MICHAEL O’DONOVAN

Michael O’Donovan arrived at the Kirby with a strong hand and still has three of the final twelve remaining, including Bouncing Monarch and Cushie Flytplan in this semi-final.

Bouncing Monarch is one of just two unbeaten runners left in the Classic, alongside Bockos Gold, and Dave Fradgley must be delighted with how his UK recruit has performed. After two sub-28-second victories, he followed up with a 28.29 success in a red-hot quarter-final last Saturday night. On that occasion, the son of Deerjet Sydney – Lemon Elsa, a full-brother of Beanos Yank, did not break as fluently but showed exceptional early speed to recover and take control. However, trap four poses a clear challenge. In a contest of this depth, any hesitation at traprise could result in traffic issues, making a fast start essential. Cushie Flytplan, meanwhile, appears to be peaking at exactly the right time for John Codd and Diana Brodie. A hugely fast tracker, he has taken well to Limerick in recent weeks, winning in 28.22 in the second round before improving again last weekend when accounting for the well-fancied Getup Theboy. Like ‘Monarch’, however, he faces a stern task with Bockos Gold drawn on his immediate inner. Having a greyhound of Bockos Gold’s stature alongside him presents a challenge, but his upward trajectory suggests he has strong claims.

RAPIDO NEEDS A REPEAT

Rapido Ivy is the remaining runner in the second semi-final and the sole representative of leading Waterford trainer Peter Cronin. Notably, the daughter of Grangeview Ten matched Bockos Gold’s 1.24 sectional in the early exchanges last weekend, underlining her ability from boxes. Owned by Michael Cronin, she is one of just two females remaining in the Classic and, although likely to start at double-figure odds once again, her 28.23 run indicates she is capable of making an impact. That said, trap five is far from ideal in this company, and others may hold stronger claims in what is a high-quality line-up.

Verdict – 2/1/3

*****

SEAN O’CONNOR MEMORIAL SEMIS

The semi finals of the Sean O’Connor Memorial A1 525 serve as the perfect supporting act on the night and all eyes will be on the second semi, which features three first round heat winners.

Youandme Babe justified strong favouritism in the opening round as she romped to a five-length win for the Paul Hynes and Paul Hennessy partnership. The strong-running daughter of Ballymac Cashout posted 28.53 on that occasion and while this is tougher, she has a good draw in two to nestle into a favourable position early on. Down Tothe Wire doubled his career tally last weekend for Brendan Matthews and he done so in very encouraging fashion, powering home to score in 28.77. Indeed, that could prove the catalyst for more to come. Also involved here are Jims Gem, Radical Dreamer, Kilcolgan Eddie and Gaytime Teco, who are all capable of winning this should they bring their A-game to the table.

In the opening semi final, Tinahue Pappone is the selection to go one better than his second-place finish last weekend.John Fox’s charge won this competition last year and he retains most of his ability as he bids to double up. He will again don the red jacket in this contest and while he was pegged back by Down Tothe Wire last weekend, he would have appreciated that return run at Limerick and seal a seventeenth career win. His rivals include Burgess Bonnie, who ran brilliantly in round one to win in 28.77, however, must overcome a tricky draw in five, while the performance of Kilcolgan John in round one shouldn’t be ignored.

LIMERICK & CLARE GOBA SEMIS

The semi finals of the Limerick & Clare GOBA A2 525 are hugely competitive and the opening semi will see Sheezatwister and Fleeting Moment pitted together.

Both were very impressive in winning their opening round assignments and whoever can edge the break will likely prevail. In that respect, the Corona Ryan-trained Sheezatwister is very consistent at traps and has the benefit of the fence to aid her chances. A winner in 28.72 last time out, the daughter of Magical Bale will bid to make every yard, however, can ill-afford to miss a beat early doors. Fleeting Moment was flawless in scoring in 28.66 last weekend for Gerry Holian and he is the likely favourite. That said, he has a potentially tricky draw in two and will need to be at his sharpest to prevail.

In the second semi, the narrow selection is Tally Ho Rose. This lady, owned by the Walls-of-Tally-Ho-Syndicate, possesses big early speed and given the track is likely to be pristine, she can just fend off her rivals. Two Chimneys ran a terrific race for Paul Hynes and Paul Hennessy last weekend and will be flying home from a good draw in one, while the experienced Tyrap Malachi rarely runs a bad race for David Carroll, who is doubly represented in this contest.