Senior All Ireland 2009

The seniors getting ready to go with steward David Lynch making sure all is in order......

The 2009 senior All Ireland drag hunt attracted the biggest crowd of well over 1000 people to Dripsey, Co Cork. This drag first intended to be held at Glenville, Co Cork, but had to be moved to a different venue. The dripsey hunt club put a huge effort and great organisation in such little time to make this day what it was, a huge success.

Cllr Michael O Connell starting the drag with steward David Lynch
Trainers headed to the start where a whopping 80 hounds lined up to be slipped at 4pm. Once slipped, these 80 hounds had 2 long and very wide open fields to let them find their bearings without stampeding each other going out the start. They would run a tough course of nearly 15 miles, in very warm weather.


Above is steward David Lynch practising his walk for the ladies day next Saturday

Various reports from the roads tell us that Tristan Herlihys 'Quiet Lady' was stuck in the drag along with Mick Dineens 'Bluebell' who led most of this course. The large crowd made their way to the finish and were not disappointed with the end result. Fantastic views of the finish, but the sun shone directly where the hounds would show making it difficult for trainers to pick out their dog. After 41 minutes of running 2 hounds showed 3 fields out running downhill toward the finish. It was 'Bluebell' and Michael Freynes 'Bobbys Choice' almost running side by side. They had a few lengths on their followers 'Eurostar' of the ICDA and Noelle McCarthys 'Barney' of Fairhill. There was a big group of hounds showing now as the leaders headed downward into a dip before jumping the final ditch into a blind climbing finishing field. All trainers were on their toes screaming as this was a very tight race between 'Bluebell' and 'Bobbys Choice' to the line. As they neared the tape Tim O Callaghans 'Ted Baker' speeded from 6th to eventually catch up with the first 2 hounds. At the line it was very tight, but Mick Dineens talented 'Bluebell' managed to give herself a full length lead to land the Senior All Ireland title for the 3rd time in her career, setting a new record. The judges went to the camera to distinguish between 2nd & 3rd and 'Ted Baker' took the runner up prize, and 3rd place went to 'Bobbys Choice'. Top 3; Mick Dineen with daughter Rachel and winner 'Bluebell', Tim O Callaghan with runner up 'Ted Baker' and Michael Freyne with 3rd place 'Bobbys Choice'

Cllr Michael O Connell presents the cup to Mick Dineen with his 2009 senior All Ireland winner 'Bluebell'

Results;

1st Bluebell, ICDA

2nd Ted Baker, fairhill

3rd Bobbys Choice, Clogheen

4th Eurostar, ICDA

5th Barney, Fairhill

6th Kilmoy Kate, ICDA

80 Ran, Time; 43mins 25secs

Senior All Ireland finish....

Puppy All Ireland 2009

The long awaited big day arrived for puppy trainers at Reenascreena, Co Cork yesterday, where 32 pups lined up to run the longest open course yet. It really was a long tough course for these young hopefuls, running on a mixed terrain of hard and soft ground. At just under 40 minutes, this years puppy All Ireland course gave no advantage to any favoured hound,as it was a sure test of stamina, determination and the ability to just complete this open course.
Left; Puppy slip


All hounds were slipped at 2:30pm and it was definately one of Timmy McCarthys 'Sheares Park' hounds who led them climbing uphill in the 2nd field, he was lifting it and set a savage fast pace for his followers. At the divide it was 'Mossgrove Quietly' of the county who led this road. They were all moving at a very fast pace
Above; Anxious trainers calling their hounds to cross the finishing line.....

At the finish, they seemed to take minutes to show before they would cross the last road 2 fields out from the finish. I don't know what happened but there had to have been a check between the 2nd last road and the last as only 9 pups showed in a line running toward the last road. They had a few lengths between each other and the leader was identified as Timmy McCarthys 'Sheares Park Boy'. Once they crossed the last road the call went up. Fast Finishing 'Sheares Park Boy' upped his speed but was under pressure from Eamonn Murphys 'Blue Machine' of the County. Trainers screaming for their hound just to give that bit more as now they were running together. 20 lengths from the line and Eamonn Murphys 'Blue Machine' got a burst of speed and pulled away from 'Sheares Park Boy' to cross the line 1st snatching this years Puppy All Ireland title. 'Sheares Park Boy' still held on to take runner up prize for an elated Timmy McCarthy of Southern Harriers. ICDA also took the 3rd ticket with 'Mossgrove Quietly', with 4th place going to Gary O Sullivans 'Skylark' of Northern Hunt.


Above; All Ireland Puppy finish (especially for Eamonn Murphy who was at the Cork/Kerry game)


Above; Sarah O Keefe of ICDA with 2009 Puppy All Ireland Winner 'Blue Machine'




Above; L-R 2009 Puppy All Ireland placed hounds....

Puppy All Ireland Results;
1st Blue Machine, ICDA
2nd Sheares Park Boy, Southern Harriers
3rd Mossgrove Quitely, ICDA
4th Skylark, Northern Hunt
5th Speedy, Southern Harriers
6th I Want You, Northern United
32 Ran, 39mins 35 secs

John O Callaghan Memorial Drag

Above; L-R First 6 placed hounds

The John O Callaghan Memorial drag was run 15 mins after the Puppy All Ireland at Reenascreena. It was an all in drag with 42 competing. These experienced hounds did it over 3 minutes faster than the pups. And on the finish it was a battle between Gary Sullivans 'Black & Tan' and Mick Dineens 'Bluebell'. I'd say these two are probably the eldest competing hounds in this country! Two fields out it showed 'Bluebell' was being hardly chased with 'Black & Tan' at her heels. In the finishing field I think 'Black & Tan' veered slightly right, before straightening up toward the line. Getting closer to the call 'Bluebell' just had that bit more to snatch first place as she came straight to the finishing line.

So the honours went to Mick Dineens 'Bluebell' and Gary Sullivans 'Black & Tan' snatched the 2nd ticket. ICDA took the 3rd ticket with 'Blue Diamond' and 4th place went to Clogheens 'Bobbys Choice'.

Left Mick Dineen with winner 'Bluebell' and above is the finish.

Results;

1st Bluebell, ICDA

2nd Black & Tan, Northern Hunt

3rd Blue Diamond, ICDA

4th Bobbys Choice, Clogheen

5th Blue Boys Son, ICDA

6th Echo, IHT

42 Ran, 36mins.

All Ireland Pre Presentation of Prizes

The build up to the All Ireland got under way last night at the Glenryan Tavern, off Blarney Street in Cork. Members from both the City and County attended this event and what a night it was. I think the best part of hound trailing is the social gatherings. Like all sports, there's always going to be bickering and competiveness between each club, but when we're all out together, no matter what club, or what part of the country you're from, everyone treats each other as equal with an atmosphere and attitude of celebration and enjoyment. It's like one happy family !!! (either that or we don't get out often enough !!!)

Cork City Chairman Pat Mahony got the ball rolling with his speech of gratitude and praise toward Cllr Michael O Connell (Chairman) & Maureen Rabone (Director) of the Gurranabraher Credit Union for their sponsorship again this year for both the Puppy & Senior All Ireland 2009. Mick Dineen, chairman of the County, also said his piece and paid tribute to the Gurranabraher Credit Union for sponsoring the All Irelands Drag Hunts this year again, and then started talking about how eventually both the City & County will join forces................. And he talked about this for a long time ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz !!! (We get the hint Mick, you want us to pull all the drags for ye !)

Cllr Michael O Connell then took the stage and thanked both sides for their huge efforts in keeping this sport alive and part of our culture. He himself is not a stranger to the drag hunting scene as he spoke of his memories up in Mayfield 31 years ago.

Above; Maureen Rabone & Cllr Michael O Connell of the Gurranabraher Credit Union & Brenie Rall & Marie Keating of the Cork City Harriers Association
To be fair, I think when the sponsors are invited to these nights, they normally have a glass of water and have the getaway car running outside for their swift exit...... not this man. He really made a good impression on everyone, and sat with the rest of us joe soaps with his wife Catherine and co worker Maureen and just blended right in, as if we meet up like this every other week. They really let their hair down, and enjoyed the night as much as the rest of us. Above; Michael O Connell with wife Catherine and Maureen Rabone of GCU
Corney Mahony, Dan Cunningham and Paul Devereaux of The Glenryan put on a great night for us. Plenty of hot food and a dj with karakoe who would have left the hounds up to sing if they were there !!! I mean he let Pat Mahony up !!! Then came the 3 divas Denise, Triona and myself. I reckon the dj should have kept our voices for last call, we'd empty the pub in minutes !!
A great night enjoyed by all and best of luck to everyone tomorrow at the Puppy All Ireland at Reenascreena, Co Cork at 2:30pm.

Douglas Drag 13/09/09

Glorious sunshine and clear blue skies with temperatures reaching the early 20s awaited us at Douglas for a change. It was tough on the hounds as we haven't had hot weather in months. However the usual senior suspects still ran this course like any other day and dominated every road. Gary Freynes 'Not Now Man' led almost every road and was well stuck in this drag. 2 roads from the finish seen the same leader with 'Pats Pick' 2nd, 'Foxy Jack' 3rd and 'Magics Choice' 4th just 12 minutes to the finish. At the finish 'Not Now Man' put on a show finish. Two fields out and when the call went up 'Not Now Man' led and managed to hold off the fast finishing 'Magics Choice' to the line. 'Not Now Man' took first place 2 lengths ahead of 'Magics Choice' and 3rd place went to 'Foxy Jack' followed by 'Pats Pick' in 4th.
Above; Bernie Rall with senior maiden winner 'Stracken'

Senior maidens followed and another finishing performance put on by Bernie Ralls 'Stracken' where he crossed the line 1st place fields clear of Damian Wades 'Tomahawk' and Tim Herlihys 'Shane' who took the 3rd ticket just half a length in front of 'Westgate Tally' of Mayfield. Bernie Rall has secured the championship senior maiden title now with 'Stracken' hopefully making this a double for his family as his daughter Denise has currently a 12 point lead over John Callaghans 'Is It It' of Douglas in the senior championship table with 'Magics Choice'. With two senior drags to go, it could go either way. Best of luck to both.....


Above; Jan from Slovakia with Norma Mahony enjoying the drag ............

Senior Results;
1st Not Now Man, Clogheen
2nd Magics Choice, Mayfield
3rd Foxy Jack, Southern Harriers
4th Pats Pick, Mayfield
5th Harold Scott, Northern United
6th Newtown Raven, Griffin United

Senior Maiden Results;

1st Stracken, Mayfield

2nd Tomahawk, Clogheen

3rd Shane, Griffin United

4th Westgate Tally, Mayfield

5th My Son My Son, Mayfield

6th Barney Fairhill

Puppy Results;

1st I Want You, Northern United

2nd Judys Girl, Mayfield

3rd Sheares Park Boy, Southern Harriers

4th Sheares Park Lad, Southern Harriers

5th The Buffer Boy, Clogheen

6th Blue Breeze, Southern Harriers

Clogheen Drag 06/09/09

Another week, another drag bringing us closer to the end of the 2009 season. Tremendous improvement in the weather. Instead of it lashing rain with westerly gale force winds , it seemed to change every 5 minutes, from easterly to southerly winds, giving us a different view of the black clouded scenery every time we turned to avoid it !!!!!


None the less 22 senior hounds were set off heading for the red gates, up ovams, sweet shops and vearing home toward Duggans Lane via Faggot Hill. Pat Mahony was 2nd & 3rd at the red gates with 'Ruby' and 'Harold Scott'. 'Harold Scott' has definately found his form lately whilst Triona Longs 'Foxy Jack' was also in the drag all the way round. At the finish it was Pat Mahonys 'Harold Scott' leading them strongly in to the line followed by 'Foxy Jack' and it seemed this would not change. 3 lengths from the line and Tristan O Herlihys 'Quiet Lady' came from 3rd to cross the line first with a full length lead on 'Harold Scott'. To be fair, I think 'Harold Scott', whilst still running strongly, seemed to steer very slightly right(looking down from the line) and 'Foxy Jack' followed. 'Quiet Lady' came straight in her position (up left) and crossed with just over a length to win a great battle on the finish. 'Magics Choice' snatched the 4th ticket for Mayfield.

Pictured above; Tristan O Herlihy with senior winner 'Quiet Lady' and Pat O Mahony with
senior runner up 'Harold Scott'. (Pat it's not for me to say but your hound is giving her some looks, he looks in the gores !)

The senior maidens were more strung out I think. 16 lined up to follow same course. I'm not sure who led what roads, but the finish was a solo performance. Because of the mist and fog, it was hard to make out what hound was coming on it's own to take 1st. It was Bernie Ralls 'Stracken' of Mayfield. He crossed the line at his ease with at least 20 lengths to spare on his follower. Charging for 2nd place came Michael & Leanne Harringtons 'A Lot Of Spots' who had also distanced himself a good few lengths from the chasing pack behind him. Although the first 2 places came independantly, they were running to the line like scalded cats and finished very strong. Michael Heffernans 'Bellman' made up a lot of ground on the call and finished 3rd just a head in front of Noelle McCarthys 'Barney' who took 4th.

Senior Results;
1st Quiet Lady, Fairhill
2nd Harold Scott, Northern United
3rd Foxy Jack, Southern Harriers
4th Magics Choice, Mayfield
5th Tallyman, Northern United
6th Dairy Tune, Kerry Pike

Senior maiden Results;
1st Stracken, Mayfield
2nd A Lot Of Spots, Fairhill
3rd Bellman, Mayfield
4th Barney, Fairhill
5th Westgate Tally, Mayfield
6th Busy Lad, Griffin United

Puppy Results:
1st Sheares Park Boy, Southern Harreirs
2nd Hi Ya, Fairhill
3rd Sheares Park Lad, Southern Harriers
4th Alyson, Douglas
5th Jasper, Northern United
6th Judys Girl, Mayfield

'Ladies Day'

We are hosting a 'Ladies Day' at the Non Winners Drag on the 3rd of October 09. Stephanie of Paradise Beauty & Tanning Studio, Churchfield has kindly offered to sponsor a beauty treatment for 1st prize, and there will also be runner up prizes on the day.
Remember this is just for fun, you'll be at a drag (not Cheltenham !) and the winners will be judged on the most creative hat and /or wellies !!! No point in turning up in hot pants stepping into cows sh** in heels and unable to start your own dog ! So, to give you an idea of what the judges will be looking for, Neil Webster of Cumbria has kindly e-mailed me a photo of their 'Ladies Day' winner Jackie Gill below.....
Good Luck to everyone..........

Tables 2009

Un-official tables 2009

Up dated 14th of September 09

Senior Hounds:
Magic Choice 121
Is It It 109
Quiet Lady 56
Harold Scott 48
Merlin 45
Black & Tan 43
Newtwon Raven 43
Duggans Lad 34
Tallyman 33
Not Now Man 38
Toffee Woman 27
Dairy Tune 27
Busy Future 24
Ryans Girl 20
BobbysChoice 19
John T 16
McGuigan 15
Westgate Storm 13
Ted Baker 13
Not Now Dora 12
Callums Ryan 10
Ruby 10
Midday Lass 9
War Dance 8
Foxy Jack 11
McQuade 6
Pats Pick 8
Midday Surprise 3
Aira Force 1

Senior Maiden Hounds
Stracken 65
McQuade 56.5
Foxy Jack 52
Callums Ryan 51
Westgate Tally 53
Crafty Jack 49
Shane 53
Sunrise Jack 34
Pavoritti 33
Joey 27
Not Now Ryan 25
Quiet Lady 24
Tomahawk 27
Barney 23
Bellman 21
Valdor 20
Busy Lad 19
Bobbys Choice 16
Superman 16
Rainbow Dancer 14
Ranter 13
McGuigan 11
Santa Ponsa Julie 11
Echo 11
Curraheen Drive 10
Langdale Dazzler 10
Untouchable 9
A Lot of Spots 9
Lucy Lou 7
Fresh Blood 5
Saturday Surprise 5
Belle 4
Wayward Lad 4
Midday Lass 3
Weekend Wino 3
Not Now Son 3

My Son My Son 2
Sandyman 1
Sophies Choice 1
Lockie 1

Puppy Hounds:
I Want You 172.5
Nina 107
Shears Park Boy 93
Jasper 69
Judys Girl 65
Skylark 56
The Buffer Boy 52
Shears Park Lad 51
Get Smart 48
Don’t Quote Me 46
Speedy 35
High Maintenance 29
Berlin 24
Scarty Boy 21
Baracca 17
HiYa 17
United Jack 14
Bogart 12
Alyson 9
Inmeway 6
Hi Magic 5
Toffee Boy 5
Rock Star 4
The Stig 4
Hi Quest 4
Roxanne 3
Blue Breeze 3
Shinazarde 2
Max High 1
Towlers Choice 1

Thanks to Marie Keating for supplying the list

More Old Memories ........

Boys of Fairhill 1975
Click on the link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX8cX8d1hjk

The Armoured Car

Click on the link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6W-7TSfkaw

Michael Forde Memorial Drag 30/08/09

Seniors crossing at the boothouse

Mayfield hosted the Michael Forde Memorial drag at Whites Cross. The crossing at the boothouse bar seen Clogheens 'Not Now Man' driving at a very fast pace, leading this road a full field clear of his followers. Frankie Allens 'Tallyman' came 2nd with a bit of law on the group of hounds behind him. At the last road, they would cross this and enter into the finishing field. It was very tense as now it was John Callaghans 'Is It It' of Southern Harriers and Tim O Callaghans 'Ted Baker' of Fairhill kneck in kneck to the tape. It was a tough decision for 1st place and the judges, after studying the camera, decided on a dead heat. However, Fairhill objected to this decision and the judges drove off to double check this on a tv. After an anxious age of waiting they returned with 1st place going to Tim Callaghans 'Ted Baker' of Fairhill just getting half a head in front of John Callaghans 'Is It It' of Southern Harriers.

pictured above; Tim Callaghan & family with senior winner Ted Baker and left is Frankie Allen with his senior maiden winner 'Superman'

Senior Results;

1st Ted Baker, Fairhill

2nd Is It It, Southern Harriers

3rd Tallyman, Northern United

4th Foxy Jack, Southern Harriers

5th Harold Scott, Northern United

6th Ruby, Northern United

Senior Maiden Results;

1st Superman, Northern United

2nd Shane, Griffin United

3rd A Lot of Spots, Fairhill

4th Tomahawk, Clogheen

5th Not Now Ryan, Clogheen

6th Lucey Lou, Clogheen

Puppy Results;

1st I Want You, Northern United

2nd Sheares Park Boy, Southern Harriers

3rd Speedy, Southern Harriers

4th Sheares Park Lad, Southern Harriers

5th Nina, Northern United

6th Blue Breeze, Southern Harriers

And once again a great social night afterwards at the Anglers Sports Bar.......