Above: Senior International slip
Below: Senior Pups on their way....
The 2010 International attracted hundreds of trainers to compete their hounds at Grange, West Cork yesterday. Whilst we all can't be winners, no one went away disappointed. The views of this part of the country were just breath taking, and the organisers of this momentous drag must be acknowledged as it was just a complete success. The Cork City & County orgainsers had planned thoroughly and thought of everything for both competors & spectators of this sport.
Above; Senior Puppy Hounds getting ready to go.
Below: Maiden Pups before the slip
We'll start at the beginning, the Senior Pups which were slipped at 3pm. As we watched them go out of sight at the start, all trainers headed to the finish across the boreen where we had a great view of the hounds circling their course below us. At the finish all anxious trainers were on the look out to see if their hound were in contention of landing the spoils today. Two fields out before they crossed the last road, the trainers could identify the hounds which made for a fantastic view of the finish. The call went up and the group of young hopefuls crossed their final road before a very steep climb to the finish. As the pack of pups tried to up their gear to cross the tape there was only ever going to be one winner. On this International day, Eamonn Murphys 'Blue Lightening' of the ICDA kept on the straight & narrow to cross 1st ahead of her fast finishingclub mate 'Owenabue Girl' who took the 2nd ticket. Jason McCarthys' talented hound 'Lady Rose' of Clogheen snatched the 3rd ticket before John & Brion O Callaghans consistent pups took the remaining 3 places for Southern Harriers.
The senior maiden pups followed with a very tight battle between the first 6 placed hounds. Climbing the steep hill ton the finish it was a great race between Ian Freynes 'Merlins Son' and Thomas Murrays 'Fair Deal'. As they edged together for the line ICDA's 'Fair Deal' just had that bit more to steal 1st place for her delighted owner Thomas Murray of the ICDA. 'Merlins Son' took the 2nd ticket before Southern Harriers took 3rd & 4th with 'Magic Jack' & 'Take Me On'. 'Son of Randy' of the ICDA crossed 5th followed by 'Timbukto' of Clogheen.
Above; Snr Maiden Hounds
Above: Senior Slip
The most anxiously awaited slip of the day................ the seniors. Who would be crowned International winner this year........... with over 40 hounds competing in fast paced open country, these meetings always surprise us but never dissappoint.
The betting favourites were definately swaying to Mayfields 'Magics Choice', Thomas Murrays 'It's Hard to Say' as well as many others.
Below: Gary Freyne with Senior International 2010 winner 'Not Now Man' and video of finish 
Senior Maidens setting off......
This was a very challenging race in very warm conditions for all competitors. Even more challenging was the long call leading the hounds from a field before their final crossing and race two fields before climbing up a tiring hill which would make or break any hound.
As the hounds came into view it was hard to determine which could land the International title today. The steep climb was a sheer test of finishing ability & stamina. The hound in front had a few lengths on it's follower and when the leading dog showed before the tape it was confirmed to be Gary & Joe Freynes' 'Not Now Man' of Clogheen. He put on a powerful performance to cross the finishing line 1st to take the glory from Thomas Murrays well fancied 'It's hard to Say' of the ICDA. From the same association came 'Morrgrove Quietly' to snatch the 3rd ticket ahead of Marie & Christy Keatings consistent 'Dairy Tune' of Kerry Pike. ICDA came 5th with 'Trebor' and 6th wet to Griffin Uniteds' 'Newtown Raven'. 
As the senior maidens followed minutes later, the trainers were fresh & ready again to try and steal the title of the last drag of the day. At the divide Pat & Marion Harringtons 'McQuade' of Fairhill was leading and stuck in the drag till the finish. Before crossing the final road Gary & adam O Sullivans 'Shadow' led them across and onto the finish. As they braced themselves for the final climb of the course, 'McQuade' showed his true talent & experience as he pulled himself lengths away from his followers to finish this drag in style. As they showed before the finishing line, McQuade had 10 a length lead and finsihed a comfortable 1st for his elated owners 'Pat & Marion Harrington, making this atitle a two in a row for this consistent hound. After a strong battle Southern Harriers 'Speedy' had to be content with runner up and Damien wades' 'The Buffer Boy' took 3rd place. ICDAs' 'Blue Machine' took 4th followed closely by Northern Hunts 'Shadow' and 6th went to 'The Gremlin' of ICDA.
Senior Maiden Finish ...
International Results:Senior;
1st Not Now Man, Clogheen
2nd It's Hard to Say, ICDA
3rd Mossgrove Quietly, ICDA
4th Dairy Tune, kerry Pike
5th Trebor, ICDA
6th Newtown Raven, G United
Snr Maiden;
1st McQuade, fairhill
2nd Speedy, S Harriers
3rd The Buffer Boy, Clogheen
4th Blue Machine, ICDA
5th Shadow, Northern hunt
6th The Gremlin, ICDA
Senior Pups;
1st Blue Lightening, ICDA
2nd Owenabue Girl, ICDA
3rd Lady Rose, Kerry pike
4th Justice, Southern Harriers
5th Miss World, S Harriers
6th Miss Perfect, S Harriers
Maiden Pups;
1st fair Deal, ICDA
2nd Merlins Son, Clogheen
3rd Magic Jack, S Harriers
4th Take Me On, S Harriers
5th Son Of Randy, ICDA
6th Timbukto, Clogheen
