Hundreds of people attended this major event and were not disappointed. The senior puppy race was first at 3pm, where they had an open course of 27 minutes. They had a good run until the last road where they checked. Coming on the finish it looked to be anyones drag, until the call went up. The honours went to John and Francis Carroll of the ICDA with their hound 'JCB' who kept his pace to take 1st place from club mate 'Blue Rose' trained by Mike Dineen. Timmy McCarthys 'Sheares Park Boy' snatched the 3rd ticket from the betting favourite 'I Want You' trained by Pat Leary.
The puppy maiden finish had a great race to the line where this time Timmy McCarthy did one better when his hound 'Sheares Park Lad' just edged over the line to take 1st place from club mates 'Toffee Boy' who got 2nd and 'Speedy' took 3rd place. Badgers 'Rob The Drag' of the ICDA took the 4th ticket.
Above; Timmy McCarthy & Cathy of Cumbria celebrating with the winning cupThe next event was the puppy show and this year credit has to be given to the organisers. They really made this for the kids and they were all presented with medals and sweets to keep them quiet ! For the past 9 years Tom Newall of Cumbria judges this event and the honours went to Deirdre Kenneallys 'Millie' of Southern Harriers won the bitch show and Lauren McCarthys 'Mike' of Mayfield won the dog show.
From here we went across the road for the main event of any drag, the seniors. A 36 minute course lay ahead of these talented group of hounds. I think all eyes were on the usual favourites; Magics Choice, Is It It and Bluebell. Reports from the roads confirm this as at the Waterloo crossing Mike Dineens 'Bluebell' led the way for 'It's hard to say', 'Magics Choice', 'Blue Diamond' and 'Quiet Lady'. The last road showed Tristan O Herlihys 'Quiet Lady' leading at a comfortable pace. On to the finish, where we all stood in shock at what was to come. 'Quiet Lady' battled hard to stay in front and maintained her position, with about 3 lengths from the hard chasing 'Euro Star' in 2nd position. At 4 lengths to the line, after running 37 minutes and leading the last 15 minutes of it, for whatever reason 'Quiet Lady' veared toward the catchers and stopped .......... 3 inches before the finishing line. Tristan screaming his lungs out all the way, but she gave away the drag to Ger McCarthys 'Euro Star', who came straight through and crossed the line 1st. Badgers 'It's Hard to Say' came in 2nd followed closely by 'Ballinard Kizzy' of the ICDA and 'Quiet Lady' had to settle for 4th place.
The senior maiden race got the biggest cheer as Triona Longs 'Foxy Jack' fought all the way to snatch a well deserved 1st place for his determination to win, and just got his head in front of William Freynes 'Not Now Ryan' of Clogheen. 'Mossgrove Harvey' finished 3rd with club mate 'Specky' taking the 4th ticket for the ICDA. Keith O Callaghans 'Valdor' finished a close 5th in front of Mayfields 'Westgate Tally'.Above; Ken, Paddy & Triona celebrating with the senior maiden cup
As with all good drags there's alway a better social night afterwards. Southern Harriers were still celebrating the next night at Annie Macs and here's a few photos below.
Above; Southern Harreirs social party !!!
Right; Ken, triona, Jack, Jennifer, Timmy & Declan of Southern Harriers
Senior Results;
1st Euro Star, ICDA
2nd It's Hard To Say, ICDA
3rd Ballinard Kizzy, ICDA
4th Quiet Lady, Fairhill
5th Coppeen Lady, ICDA
6th Blue Diamond, ICDA
Senior Maiden Results;
1st Foxy Jack, Southern Harriers
2nd Not Now Ryan, Clogheen
3rd Mossgrove Harvey, ICDA
4th Specky, ICDA
5th Valdor, Fairhill
6th Westgate Tally, Mayfield
Right; 'Most Wanted' Stephanie & Gary O Sullivan owner of 'Black & Tan' (I'm 1st on the list when she has pups !!!)
Senior Puppy Results;
1st JCB, ICDA
2nd Blue Rose, ICDA
3rd Sheares Park Boy, Southern Harriers
4th I Want You, Northern United
5th Ballintemple Lad, ICDA
6th Skylark, Northern Hunt
Puppy Maiden Results;
1st Sheares Park Lad, Southern Harriers
2nd Toffee Boy, Southern Harriers
3rd Speedy, Southern Harriers
4th Rob The Drag, ICDA
5th Hi Ya, Fairhill
6th Toffee Biscuit, Southern Harriers
2 comments:
I feel its time to voice my comments on this dying sport under its curret leadership. Not for the first time this year and once again at a major weekend in the Hound Trailing year the time keeper fell asleep or at least thats how it looks to us mere mortals. What must the English vistors be thinking ??? we are fast becoming a laughing stock within the sport. What is the point in having any time limits if the powers that be dont inforce them its like the defender in soccer match handling the ball on his own goal line(PENALTY UNDER THE RULES)and the referee on the day gives a free out because he feels like it and no one in power will stand up and say thats wrong. The trail should have being void and the sport would be stronger for that. The rules are the rules and untill there changed lets get it right and inforce them.
I agree with the comments of the rule book!!! Time limits must be strictly adhered to, otherwise why have them at all??
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