Southern Harriers Puppy Drag, 28/02/09

Waterfall at 4pm


The opening of the drag season happened today with the puppy hounds and their patient trainers, who anxiously awaited this event for the past few months. These trainers put a lot of hard work, time and patience into trailing their hounds, and today was the day which would determine their efforts at Waterfall where 16 puppy hopefuls were slipped.


So off they went to a tricky course. Tricky because of the first road crossing which was at an angle and these young pups didn't take it very well, and ran the road. Pups being pups they were probably just following each other for this part. However they did correct themselves and continued on their course. They had two road crossings and the pups were very staggered across the whole course. We knew there were 2 dogs away in front on their own, but we didn't know who for sure until the finish.


It was a long field to the call. Two fields out 2 hounds showed, and indeed it was not out of form ........... Pat O Learys 'I Want You' and Troy O Mahonys 'Get Smart' both of Northern United came into view. Pat O Learys 'I Want You' seemed to be driving out in front but Troy O Mahonys 'Get Smart' did just that when he cleared the ditch first into the long finishing field and maintained his position in front to win first place for a delighted Troy O Mahony, with a couple of lengths to spare on his clubmate 'I Want You', who took 2nd place for Pat O Leary.


After a few minutes we seen the next few hounds jump into the finishing field together, but the long call seperated these on the finish line with about 4 lengths between each. Northern United dominated this drag with 4 places and Mayfield taking 4th and 6th place.

Pictured Above; Troy O Mahony and Jennifer with their winning hound 'Get Smart'

RESULTS:

1st; 'Get Smart', Northern United
2nd; 'I Want You', Northern United
3rd; 'Nina', Northern United
4th; 'Barucca', Mayfield
5th; 'Jasper', Northern United
6th; 'Judys Girl', Mayfield
17 Ran, 16 Mins

Re-Run; Tuesday Night at 5pm, same venue

The re-run of Saturdays puppy drag got off to a great start. The pups were a lot more confident this second time round. They crossed the first road in a row with no hesitation, and at the second road, the pack were divided into two groups with a field seperating each.
A group of dogs came into the last field for the finish, where the previous placed hounds were in with a chance of a repeat performance. At least that's what we thought until the call went up and John Ahernes 'Nina' of Northern United stormed away from the pack and finished a very strong 1st on her own leaving a 6-8 length gap on her clubmate followers, 'Get Smart' who finished 2nd place for Troy O Mahony and 'I Want You' finishing 3rd for Pat O Leary, all of Northern United.

Results;

1. 'Nina', Northern United


2. 'Get Smart', Northern United


3. 'I Want You', Northern United


4. 'United Jack', Southern Harriers


5. 'Jasper', Northern United


6. 'Roxanne', Northern United

An Old Flame

A comment was made recently by a 'Barry' who was a member of Fairhill in the sixties before he left for Canada(His comment is under the News and Gossip column). As I had no contact details for this person I left a comment hoping He might see it, for him to contact me and I would post him this years Fairhill calender as it has a picture dating back to the sixties. To make a long story short, He seen my comment and e-mailed me saying that his brother Bill had posted him one(with a comment that the fairhill dogs couldn't pass the No 2 bus going up Cathederal road !!!) and was disappointed to see that his old club Fairhill was not in the running................... So I asked him a little more about his time here with the dogs and why He left etc..............and here's his reply.........

'Hello Nicola, I just got back from my walk, today was a nice day for walking. It has been very cold over here so far this year. Nicola if you look at the 2009 calendar in the extreme left hand corner is johna leary, he was a member and also a bookmaker, next to him is robert healy he used to have a grocery shop up the hill from the old glen hall.I am on his right with the white sports coat, 1st whip on left in front is johnny wrenne the last of the old fair hill boys, still alive must be in his ninetes. Peter cahill is huntsman in the centre, my brother bill is the whipper on the right in front, frankie quinlan is the whipper on his right. If i remember properly that picture was tken up in Mayfield, its the cross going up to rathcooney graveyard i think it was called Harrison Cross.
You asked me if i ever trained dogs for fair hill, my father won the all ireland in blackpool in 1947, the next year stevie quinlans dog joker and my fathers dog challenger tied for 1st place, so my father gave it to joker as my father won it the previous year, they were both fair hill dogs.Stevie Quinlan is in the calendar also, he is the 6th head in the back counting from the right. My brother bill had the first english dog liverpool lou,i had the next one the Don,i would think i was the 1st person to go to cumbria, i think it was 1961. I went for a vacation, it was my first time seeing dogs going over 6bar gates. It was johnny wrenne who was the first person to tell us about the drags in cumbria he was working in england at the time. We would not believe if anyone else had told us, but if you know johnny he never drank or smoked so the fair hill committe agreed to send me over. I remember the slagging we got the first time we brought liverpool lou to his first race you must remember we were running on horse flesh then, the lou as they called him was trained to aniseed oil. my brother bill and i picked him up off the innisfallen on thursday on friday morning and saturday morning we tried him on horseflesh against my own dog who was wicked fast for 2to 3 miles, they dead heated. We ran them from the long bog into the blackstone bridge. The first drag we ran the lou jn if my memory serves me right was in macroom on a monday of a bank holiday, he was second. He was actually running ahead and back to the pack not being used to the horseflesh, my brother bill w;uld remember better than me. Well Nicola i hope i did not bore you with my reminiscencing.Barry kelleher'



Above is the picture on this years Fairhill calender.
In his next reply to me ....................

'You asked me about and why i left Ireland, well my whole life then was draghunting, i worked in sunbeam on sot married in 1968 and left for canadahifts. There was little jobs then and i could not see any future. Josie callaghan got the Don when i left. WE got married in 1968 and left the same day for canada. For the next 12 months i could not wait to go home for vacation just to see my dog,we were going home in june 1969 when my father wrote to say the Don had died. A mystery three and half years old, i loved that dog, i used to talk to him alot when i was walking him. HE was afraid of crowds,in those days there was a lot of blackguarding in draghunting on both sides. In 1969 we moved to new york. Between 1969 and 1974 we had a house built on faggott hill, That bungalow looking out over the long bog -We were the only house there that time. WE had no luck in that house so we came back to New York after 10 months. So we are living in new jersey for the35years. WE are 30 miles from manhattan. I hope you are noy bored with my life story . God Bless Barry'

He told me his brother Bill, who still lives in Mayfield, was the fiirst person to run an English dog here in Ireland, his name was Liverpool Lou. I was very touched by this mans story, and it must be nice for him to see how the dogs now are running in Cork through this site.......I think it obviously brings back fond memories for him and he's able to keep track of old friends also. If any old friends wants to contact Barry let me know and I'll pass on his details. I'd like to thank Barry Kelleher for his time and for sharing his memories as I think other people who'll read this will as well.

Puppy Entries 2009

Puppy 2009
Name Club Keepers
Barucca Mayfield Bernie Rall
Judys Girl Mayfield Mick O'Brien
Scarty Boy Mayfield Sadie O'Donovan
Donna Mayfield Sadie O'Donovan
Shady Lady Mayfield Richie O'Donovan
Hi Magic Fairhill Pat O'Callaghan
Hi Ya Fairhill Pat O'Callaghan
The Stig Fairhill Cillian Doherty
Rock Star Carrigtwohill Jimmy Cotter
Bogart Carrigtwohill Jimmy Cotter
Decoy Carrigtwohill Jimmy Cotter
Schinazarde Carrigtwohill Charlie Cotter
Jasper N.United John Aherne
Nina N.United John Aherne
I Want You N.United Pat O'Leary
Don’t Quote Me N.United Pat O'Leary
Get Smart N.United Troy O'Mahony
Skylark N.Hunt G & A O'Sullivan
The Buffer Boy Clogheen Damien Wade
Berlin Clogheen J & G Frayne
Max High Clogheen David Lynch
High Maintenance Clogheen Shane Lynch
Tempest Douglas John O'Callaghan
United Jack Southern Harriers G & J Kenneally
Miss Jack Southern Harriers G & J Kenneally
Sheares Park Lad Southern Harriers Timmy McCarthy
Sheares Park Boy Southern Harriers Timmy McCarthy
Towlers Choice Southern Harriers D & R Hickey
Greenmount Warrior Southern Harriers D & R Hickey

Thanks to Marie Keating for supplying the list.

Fixtures & Venues 2009

28/02/09 Southern Harriers; Puppy Drag at Waterfall, 4pm

01/03/09 Southern Harriers; Senior Drag at Waterfall at 4pm
07/03/09 Northern United Puppy Drag at Carrignavar, 4pm

08/03/09 Northern United Senior Drag at Carrignavar, 4pm
15/03/09 Clogheen Harriers
17/03/09 Lets Get Together Suicide Foundation Drag at Bottlehill
22/03/09 Douglas Harriers
29/03/09 Carrigtwohill
05/04/09 Northern Hunt
11/04/09 Fairhill Harriers Senior Drag 4pm, at Duggans Lane

12/04/09 Fairhill Puppy drag at 12 noon, at Haunted House
13/04/09 Blackpool (Bank Holiday)

19/04/09 IHTA Deasy Memorial Senior Drag at Newcestown

22/04/09 Mayfield Puppy Drag at ERI, 7pm
26/04/09 Kerry Pike
02/05/09 Griffin United
04/05/09 Mayfield Harriers
09/05/09 International Drag at Grange, (near Clonakilty) West Cork

17/05/09 Gary O Sullivan Memorial
24/05/09 John O Leary Memorial Senior & Puppy Drag
31/05/09 Cahirciveen
01/06/09 Cahirciveen
07/06/09 ICDA D O Sullivan Memorial
14/06/09 Southern Harriers

20/06/09 English International at Millstone Moor, Cumbria

21/06/09 Northern United
28/06/09 Carrigtwohill
05/07/09 Northern Hunt

11/07/09 Cock How Festival, Cumbria, England
12/07/09 Munster Championship
19/07/09 ICDA / IHTA
26/07/09 Kerry Pike
02/08/09 Kenmare Annual Draghunt
03/08/09 Griffin United
09/08/09 Donal O Mahony Draghunt
16/08/09 ICDA Harrington Memorial Draghunt
23/08/09 Fairhill Harriers
30/08/09 Mayfield Harriers
06/09/09 Clogheen Harriers
11/09/09 Douglas Puppy Drag at 7pm

13/09/09 Douglas Senior Drag at 4pm

16/09/09 M Harrington Memorial
20/09/09 Puppy All Ireland
27/09/09 Senior All Ireland at Glenville

NEWS & GOSSIP

Season for 2008 is over and will start for 2009 in March again. I will be doing a bit on puppy hounds in training for next season come the middle of January, and we might do a little profile on all active clubs and their members as well.

Kieran Lynch is travelling to Cumbria for the Buttermere festival on the 24th of October and wants to let people know that he's driving if anyone is looking to have hounds brought back. You may contacft Kieran Lynch directly on 087 068 0850.

On other news, we had the end of season supper dance last Friday, and here are a few photos of the night..............................

Senior All Ireland 2008

Senior All-Ireland 2008
Sunday, 28th of September o8
Ballinagree, Macroom, Co Cork

Well the moment of truth arrived yesterday at 4pm to determine who is the Senior All-Ireland Champion. It was perfect weather, which attracted a very large crowd to witness the senior event of 2008. Once again people travelled from Cork City, County and Kerry to compete in the biggest trail of the season with a start of 78 hounds, all trying to do their best for their trainers. I reckon every trainer who lined up their hounds yesterday secretly would be thinking the same thoughts................... Imagine if I won the Senior All-Ireland.

It was an absolute credit to all associations involved in the build up and effort put into this drag to make it the day that it was.............. a complete and utter success from start, to roads in between and the finish................

Above; trainers awaiting their hounds to show on the finish....

Reports from the road were slightly varied but never without the mention of championship winner, John O Callaghans' 'Is It It' of Douglas, who led a few roads, along with Gary O Sullivans 'Black and Tan' who led the main divide. 'Kilmoy Boy' , pup, of ICDA was 2nd on the second last road.

So as everyone hurried back from the roads to finish their hounds and view the finish, we waited excitedly to see of all the different reports, which hound would come head first over the finishing line. The wait was over when a few fields out they showed. At three fields out, it was John O Callaghans 'Is It It' of Douglas who jumped over the cobbled wall running on the home stretch with a 2/3 length lead on the following hound 'Black and Tan'. The call went up and I could see them running downhill, where 'Black and Tan' was stretching and surely trying to catch 'Is It It', then at the end of this field 'Black and Tan' caught him, but we weren't too sure because now these two had to battle up a blind dip and we wouldn't see anymore until they would eventually show approx 3 lengths before the line........................................... Oh lads the tension was unbearable.

Pictured below; Father and Son duo, Gary & Adam O Sullivan with 2008 Senior All-Ireland Winner 'Black and Tan' of Northern Hunt

So I was standing with my 'state of the art camera' on standby waiting to start recording as soon as they appeared. At the finish I was standing left of the crowd, and for me at this angle 'Is It It' of Douglas showed first on the left, but when 'Black and Tan' showed on the right she was closer to the line................... I couldn't believe how she managed to bridge a gap of a length between the pair uphill............. It was an outstanding finish. So this years Senior All Ireland honours went well deservingly to the very consistent and talented 'Black and Tan' which left her owners, Father and Son, Gary & Adam O Sullivan, totally thrilled and bouncing around like they were dancing in a 'cheile'. John and Christine O Callaghans 'Is It It' took the 2nd ticket which was very close. Denise and Leslie Kepples 'Magics Choice' stormed over the line next to take the 3rd ticket for Mayfield, whilst 'Nemo' of the Kerry Association took 4th ticket.

Above: Video Clip of the Finish.............

Well done and congratulations to all !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Still Smiling..... Above John, Christine and sons with Senior Runner Up 'Is It It'

Trying to get through the crowd for the announcement of placed hounds was unreal, above picture of nearest hound left 'Nemo', then 'Bird' both of Kerry, then back 'Westgate Storm' and winner 'Black and Tan'(obviously the name describes her !!!)

RESULTS:

1st: 'Black and Tan', Northern Hunt

2nd: 'Is It It', Douglas

3rd: 'Magics Choice', Mayfield

4th: 'Nemo', Kerry Beagle Association

5th: 'Westgate Storm', Mayfield

6th: 'Bird', Kerry Beagle Association

78 ran, Time: 42 mins

The end of the season supper dance and presentation of the overall winners of the year is on this Friday Night at St Vincents Hurling and Football Club. More photos and gossip on this next Monday........

Hound Trailing History

Hound Trailing In Hound Trailing, an artificial scent is laid out over a course. Hounds are released in divided groups, Senior A, Senior Maidans, Puppy A & Puppy Maidans, and the winner is the first hound to complete the course. There are also place tickets for the first 6, and points accumulated from each drag for first 6 dogs to cross the line. Betting is an integral aspect of the activity. Hound Trailing involves mainly harrier hunt club packs and the season runs from March to September with meets being held at the weekends. Hounds used are either the Kerry Beagle, the Northern Irish Hound (used only for drag hunting) or the English Hound. Main Areas Armagh, Clare, Cork, Kerry Notes: The Northern Irish Hound is used only for drag hunting. Packs who hunt live quarry during the winter months get involved in Hound Trailing as a means of keeping the hounds fit during the summer months. There are a number of county organisations that regulate the activity of hound trailing. Competitions are held by these organisations on a county level. This gives the activity a public profile with sponsorship involvement from the commercial sector. Hound Trailing History Hound trailing started in the remote countryside of Co. Kerry. During the winter, people hunted the hare on foot over mountain and bogs. During the summer they raced their hounds over the countryside following a runner towing a lump of horsemeat. It was a very localised affair and as communications improved it began to spread to neighbouring counties. This lead to new breeds of dogs being used. Up to then the Kerry Beagle was the only dog breed used. The faster breeds like the Northern Irish Hound and the English Trail Hound soon outclassed the Kerry Beagle. From this, two separate hound activities/"sports" emerged: Live hunting with the Kerry Beagle. Trail hunting with the Northern Irish and English hounds. The use of horsemeat to set the trail came to an end when farmers objected to this practice. In its place aniseed was used. Its usage was another reason why two hound sports came into being, as aniseed will affect the hunting ability of a hound who is used to hunting live quarry. Source: History of the Scarteen Hunt Co. Limerick Pages 30/31 (pub: 1989)Irish Drag Hunting Organisations 1998-1999 There is no overall national organisation for Draghunting in Ireland. There are a number of county organisations who regulate and control the activity based around affiliated packs in their own county. In respect of two Northern Ireland based packs hunting with bloodhounds they are affiliated to the Masters of Bloodhounds Association who regulate the sport of draghunting with bloodhounds on the British mainland.TITLE ACTIVITYThe Cork City & County Harriers Association (Cork) Hound Trailing/HuntingThe Irish Trail Hounds Association (Cork) Hound TrailingThe East Cork Harriers Association (Cork) Hound TrailingThe Kerry Beagles Association (Kerry) Hound TrailingThe Clare Harriers Association (Clare) Hound Trailing Northern Counties Drag Hunt Association (Cavan) Hound Trailing

John O Callaghan Memorial

John O Callaghan Memorial Senior Draghunt

Sunday, 21st of September 08

Bartlemy , Watergrasshill, Cork

Above: Senior Line Up

Video Clip of John O Callaghan Memorial Senior Slip

It was an all in drag of seniors and maidens for this event which took place in Bartlemy, the same course, 10mins after the Puppy All Ireland. Almost 40 hounds competed in this open event and was a truely great finish.

Right: Carmel O Brien reporting for this site !!!

Denise Kepples 'Magics Choice' of Mayfield showed 5th jumping over the last ditch, but turned this around dramatically once the call went up. He came at an almighty pace to pass 4 hounds to push him out in front. He battled hard to fight off club mate 'Westgate Storm', also of Mayfield, and did so on the line to win first prize with 2 lengths to spare on 'Westgate Storm', who had to settle for 2nd. John O Callaghans winner of the senior table 'Is It It' finished a close 3rd for Douglas.

Above: Husband and Wife: Leslie and Denise Kepple with 'Magics Choice' and 'Stracken'

Results:

1st: 'Magics Choice', Mayfield

2nd: 'Westgate Storm', Mayfield

3rd: 'Is It It', Douglas

4th: 'Shadow Fax', Douglas

5th: 'Black and Tan'Northern United

6th: Newtown Raven', Griffin United

Time: 32mins

Above Video Clip of Senior Finish

Puppy All-Ireland Drag Hunt 2008

Puppy All Ireland

Sunday, 21st of September 08 @ 4pm

Bartlemy, Watergrasshill, Cork

Below: All Ireland Puppy Line Up

The long awaited puppy event of this season came upon us yesterday at Bartlemy where trainers travelled from Cork City, County and Kerry to line up their hopeful hounds and be in with a chance of winning the most honourable Irish event of the season. I think there's always a fond following of the puppy drags as this is their first season of drag hunting, some of these hounds would still be quite young and others causing their owners to deal with an awful lot of patience, from turning back to being distracted and going off course to following birds and God knows what else they got up to !!!!!!!!!!! yet these gifted flying machines are just only ordinary pups.........

Below: Video Clip of Puppy Start:

So how proud were these trainers yesterday setting off their pups to a 30minute fast paced cross country course. Well all 47 pups set off, 3 returning, to a good fast start. We all could see them from start for a few fields and they really were motoring. Various reports from the roads were that 'Randy' of the ICDA led one road, whilst other reports were very varied from them travelling at a very fast pace to 'strolling' around the course. So on to the most important part of any race..... the finish.

Above: Video Clip of puppy finish

Once again a battle of the bravest and talented to the finishing line. A group of hounds showed and the call went up. It was nearly a two in a row this year for Frankie Allen. His hound 'Tallyman' put all his strength trying to finish 1st but ICDA's 'Travel West' just had that bit more on the line to make 'Travel West' the All-Ireland Puppy Winner of 2008. So 'Tallyman' settled for an honourable 2nd whilst the same winning trainer took the 3rd ticket with 'Travel Mist' of ICDA.

RESULTS:

1st: 'Travel West', ICDA

2nd: 'Tallyman', Northern United

3rd: 'Travel Mist' ICDA

4th: 'Mossgrove Star', ICDA

5th: 'Ferry Boy', Vincent Murphy, KBA

6th: 'Randy', ICDA

47Ran, Time: 34mins 25secs

Frankie Allen with Puppy All Ireland Runner up 'Tallyman'

Michael Heffernan Memorial Puppy Drag

Yellow Loch, Ballinahina, Cork
Wednesday, 10/09/08

Puppy Results:
1st: Torres, Mayfield
2nd: 'Tallyman', Northern United
3rd: 'Laddie', Douglas
4th: 'Shane', Griffin United
5th: 'Stracken', Mayfield
6th: 'Joker', Northern United
18 mins

Douglas Drag Hunt 07/09/08

Douglas Drag Hunt
Douglas, Cork

Senior Drag:

The senior hounds were slipped to a fast paced course as 18 hopeful hounds lined up rearing to go...................... and they did at 4pm. It was a great course from start to finish for people who had their binoculars in hand. We could see them climbing up hill after a few minutes and then again we had a great view of the action in full swing from the road opposite the start / finish more than half way around the course. From here we walked just 50 yards to the finish at our ease............... Once inside the the finishing field we had only one field to call once the dogs showed. Bernie Ralls 'Pats Pick' of Mayfield sprinted to the call to finish a comfortable 1st leaving a 10 length gap between himself and Jennifer Kenneallys 'Belrose Jack' of Southern Harriers, whom also finished a very impressive 2nd place as you'll see from the video clip below. Next came John Buckleys 'Newtown Raven' of Griffin United to take 3rd place.

Bernie Rall with his senior pride and joy 'Pats Pick'

Senior Finish above (Johnny Murtagh all the way, was that double bubble Bernie !!!)

Senior Results:

1st 'Pats Pick', Mayfield

2nd: 'Belrose Jack', Southern Harriers

3rd: 'Newtown Raven', Griffin United

4th: 'Black and Tan', Northern Hunt

5th: 'Harold Scott', Northern United

6th: 'Toffee Woman', Griffin United

18 Ran, 30 mins

Senior Maiden Results:

1st Bobbys Choice, Clogheen

2nd: 'Lansdale Dazzler', Southern Harriers

3rd: 'Nemo', Griffin United

4th: 'John T', Griffin United

5th: 'Flintoff', Mayfield

6th: 'McGuigan', Clogheen

18 Ran, Time 29mins, 45secs

Puppy Results:

1st 'Torres' ,Mayfield

2nd: 'Joker', Northern United

3rd: 'Tallyman', Northern United

4th: 'Curaheen Drive', Southern Harriers

5th: 'Shane', Griffin United

6th: 'Hannahs Boy', Mayfield

Mayfield Harriers Drag Hunt

Senior Drag; 4pm Sunday 31/08/08
Whites Cross, Cork

Senior Results:
1st: 'Is It It', Douglas
2nd: 'Newtown Raven', Griffin United
3rd: 'Belrose Jack', Southern Harriers
4th: 'McQuaid', Fairhill Harriers
5th: 'Black Sail', Douglas
6th: 'Just Jack', Southern Harriers
14 ran, Time: 23mins

Senior Maiden Results:
1st: 'Dairy Tune', Kerry Pike
2nd: 'Callums Ryan', Douglas
3rd: 'John T', Griffin United
4th: 'Nemo', Griffin United
5th: 'Lansdale Dazzler', Southern Harriers
6th: 'Tomahawk', Clogheen
14ran, Time 23mins


Puppy Drag; Wednesday, 27/08/08 at 7pm

Pictured Above: Puppy Slip

Mayfield Hosted their 2nd drag of this season starting with the puppy drag last night at ERI, Whites Cross at 7pm. 20 hopefuls lined up to an open course. After approx 10mins it was disappointing to see a few hounds running back in the start. It was a great finish though between the first 3 hounds to the call. Pat O Learys 'Joker' was seen leading these three in the finish but swayed left, only to give way for Jimmy & Nuala Careys 'Lockey' of Carrigtwohill a chance to steal 1st place on the call. 'Lockey' held on to the finishing line and won, followed with less than half a length by 'Joker' who took 2nd place and a length behind him came Pat O Mahonys 'Darkie' who jumped over the finishing line to take a tight 3rd. It was a good battle between the three to the finish.

Pictured Above: Jimmy & Nuala Carey

with Puppy Winner 'Lockey'

Results:

1st: 'Lockey', Carrigtwohill
2nd: 'Joker', Northern United
3rd: 'Darkie', Northern United
4th: Tallyman', Northern United
5th: 'Laddie', Douglas
6th: 'Sunrise', Southern Harriers
20 Ran, Time 18mins

All Ireland Drag Hunt Heats

All Ireland Drag Hunt Heats and Final:
Cahirciveen, Kerry Saturday 23rd of August 08

Last road crossing for the 'All In' drag heat (Lads is it buy one get one free with the yellow rain gear !!!)

A very large attendance from Cork City, County, Kerry and Cavan turned out to participate in the All Ireland heats which were hosted by the Kerry Beagle Association. The weather was absoloutely dreadful, heavy dense fog, high winds and torrential rain for the entire day, and wouldn't you know it when the heats are over it all clears up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Typical Irish weather..... Beacuse of the volume of hounds in each heat, I've just entered the results. The heats were approx 15 minutes long with an average of 27 hounds running in the senior heats, every 30mins. Each and every drag was a huge success and credit must be given to the Kerry Association who obviously put a fierce amount of hard work and commitment into this day to make it a successful one. To make up for the lack of photographs during the heats, I took most of these at the Ring of Kerry Hotel that evening at the presentation (double click on the photos to make them bigger). I sometimes wonder do we travel for the love of sport or the love of the craic afterwards........................... !!!!!

PLEASE NOTE: MAYFIELD HARRIERS ARE HOSTING THEIR PUPPY DRAG THIS WEDNESDAY, 27/08/08, AT ERI, WHITES CROSS AT 7PM

Just getting started!!! Denise Kepple and Norma O Mahony.........


Heat 1:

1st: 'Jinks', Joe Harty, Ballinskelligs Club
2nd: 'Black & Tan', Gary O Sullivan, Northern Hunt
3rd: 'Black Jack', Niall Lyons, Killoe Club
4th: 'War Dance', Christy & Marie Keating, Kerry Pike
5th: 'It's Hard To Say', Badger, ICDA
6th: 'Jenny', Vincent Murphy, Ferry Club
25ran






Video Clip of the 'All In' heat

Kerry Joke:

Q How do you know when it's summer in Kerry?????????????
A: The rain gets warmer !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Heat 2:
1st: 'Amarillo', Joseph Driscill, Portmagee Club
2nd: 'Merlin', Michael John Buckley, Clogheen
3rd: 'Pats Pick', Bernie Rall, Mayfield
4th: 'Murry', Jerry Driscoll, Portmagee Club
5th: 'Denton Laser', Alan McCarthy, Griffin United
6th: 'Blue Boy Son', ICDA

Pictured Above: Timmy Duggan, Kathleen Driscoll and young Brian Carroll

Heat 3:
1st: 'Midday Express', Joseph Driscoll, Portmagee Club
2nd: 'Joey', Gloria Driscoll, Portmagee Club
3rd: 'Chappy', Kieran Coffee, Killoe Club
4th: 'Bob', Mossie Brennan, Killoe Club
5th: 'Casper', John McGill, Ardcost Club
6th: 'Clint', Peadar Phair, Fermanagh

Our Cork City Chairman 'Pat O Mahony', left, with Troy

Heat 4:
1st: 'Paudge', Mervyn Lindsay, Cavan
2nd: 'Mayday', ICDA
3rd: 'Dairy Tune', Christy & Marie Keating, Kerry Pike
4th: 'Blue Diamond', ICDA
5th: 'The Dominator', Jerry Driscoll, Portmagee Club
6th: 'Dr J', Vincent Murphy, Ferry Club

Pictured Above: Damian Wade with future Mrs to be;


Heat 5:
1st: 'Wendy', Vincent Murphy, Ferry Club
2nd: 'Shadow Fax', John O Callaghan, Douglas
3rd: 'Dellboy', Philip Smith, Cavan
4th: 'Toffee Man', Sean & Monica Walsh, Kerry Pike
5th: 'Maggie', Tony Harty, Ballinskelligs Club
6th: 'Superman', Dan O Connor, Valentia Club

Pictured Above: Marie & Christy Keating with Grand-daughter Leah

Heat 6 - Re Entry of non qualifiers
1st Jordan’s Choice Vincent Murphy, Ferry
2nd Danny Boy Pat Fitzpatrick, Cavan
3rd Twirler Joseph Driscoll, Portmagee
4th Belrose Jack Southern Harriers
5th Ricky Timmy Galvin, Ballinskelligs
6th Doc Falcon Sean Smith, Cavan

Puppy Final
1st Helen’s Choice Bobby Burton, Valentia
2nd Kilmoy Boy Finn Driscoll, ICDA
3rd Ferry Boy Vincent Murphy, Ferry
4th Joker Pat O Leary, Northern United
5th Jackson Joseph Driscoll, Portmagee
6th Rainbow Dancer Joseph Driscoll, Portmagee
78 ran

Senior Final
1st Midday Express Joseph Driscoll, Portmagee
2nd Wendy Vincent Murphy, Ferry
3rd Doc Vincent Murphy, Ferry
4th Merlin Michael John Buckley, Clogheen
5th Amarillo Joseph Driscoll, Portmagee
6th Blue Diamond Eamon Murphy, ICDA

Pictured Left: Bernie Rall sitting patiently waiting for Johnny Murtagh to land on the roof of his van................................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!















Pictured Right: 30mins later and still waiting, Bernies under pressure.............

'I hope that cheque didn't bounce cause if he doesn't show up here today, I'll be bouncing him'
I heard the sound of a 'lawnmower' and you did get 3rd Bernie, so I presume Johnny Murtagh eventually landed !!!!!!!!!!!

HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT..........................

'City V County'



Michael Flatley eat your heart out...........!
Denise Kepple V County Chairman; Mike Dineen....................... Saner people locked up..........!!!!!





Below are some of the winners collecting their prizes....



Noelle McCarthy owner of 'Denton Laser'.

Leah Keating of Kerry Pike

Pat 'The Bookie' O Leary

Joseph Driscoll, I think this was his 6th collection of prizes ........... phew....... it's hard work!!!

Denise collecting on behalf of her Dad Bernie Rall; Bernie I know she's saying she didn't touch the envelope....... Trust me I definately seen a €50 in there......... She drank the money !!!!!!!

********************************************************************

Donal O Mahony Memorial Draghunt 10/08/08

Newcastle, Blarney, Cork

Sunday, 10th of August 08.

Senior Pups:
The weather was very mixed from sunshine to heavy rain and very windy for the puppy and senior drag. The senior pups were slipped at 2pm to an open course. Although 2 pups refused to go out the first field, the other 23 pups didn't hesitate to run at a savage pace around this course. There was a great view of the finish and an even better call. The call was very long, so this suited the eventual winner. It was hard to say who was in front as the leading hounds were chopping and changing between 1st to 2nd and 3rd two long fields out from crossing the finishing line. It was always between Frankie Allens 'Tallyman' and Pat O Learys 'Joker', both of whom are very talented hounds and very fast to the call. So they sprinted down a long field before c rossing the last ditch into a drain and climb up a steep dip to show just a few yards before crossing the line. No surprise when Frankie Allens 'Tallyman' crossed the line a gallant 1st just in front of club mate Pat O Learys 'Joker' who just couldn't get in front of 'Tallyman' and had to settle for 2nd, of Northern United. ICDA took the 3rd & 4th tickets with their hounds 'Kilmoy Boy' and 'Jessie'.

RESULTS:
1st: 'Tallyman', Northern United
2nd: 'Joker', Northern United
3rd: 'Kilmoy Boy', ICDA
4th: 'Jessie', ICDA
5th: 'Busy Future', Douglas
6th: 'Midday Lass', Douglas
25 ran, Time: 17mins

Puppy Maidens:
The puppy maidens were slipped 8mins after the senior pups to run the same course. It seemed to have been a lot trickier though for the maidens. Whilst we had the same great view of the finish and they had the same great call, this bunch finished in a large pack all together. The winds were very strong for this finish and the more trainers whistled, the more right-handed the hounds seemed to float, even though they were still heading in the right direction. It was nail biting to watch as even the first didn't seem to have crossed the line immediately, but ran along it instead and at some stage hopped over it to make this a ligit 1st, before the 2nd hound showed. This of course went to 'Firefly Lady' of the ICDA who pulled herself away from the pack when it mattered to win a few lengths in front of 2nd place, 'Not A Bother', alongside of 'Bellstar' who took the 3rd ticket, followed by 'Not Now Ryan'(4th), 'Sandiman'(5th) and 'Nine Lives' (6th), the judges had to go to the camera to confirm the results for the puppy maidens. An anxious moment for both trainers and bookies !!!!!!!!

Results:
1st: Firefly Lady'
2nd: 'Not A Bother'
3rd: 'Bellstar'
4th: 'Not Now Ryan'
5th: 'Sandiman'
6th: 'Nine Lives'
24 ran, 17mins, 10 secs

Cheers !!!!!!!! Some of our Cumbrian buddies enjoying

the irish brew....'Little Joe', Tony & Catherine Jackson

who travelled from Cumbria on Friday for this event...

Senior Hounds:

The long awaited main event of the day came at 3pm. All trainers had their hounds well prepared to hopefully take a slice of this drag. The senior drag is always an eventful one but this day it was extra special because of the finish. As usual, all the top hounds lined up from the City, County & Kerry associations, so it was a battle of the best.

When the hounds came on the finish it was a very competitive race in the last 2 fields. Michael John Buckleys 'Merlin' was battling hard to stay in front because of the pressure he was under from Denise Kepples 'Magics Choice' of Mayfield. Even though 'Merlin' pulled away from the pack for the call to take 1st prize, it can't be taken from 'Magics Choice', who finished 2nd, neck in neck with 'Merlin', how this drag wasn't dead heated is beyond me........... they were neck in neck crossing the tape. I've yet to see a hound get anywhere close to 'Merlin' on the finish, but for 'Magics Choice' to finish a fraction behind him is priceless. A few lengths behind 'Magics Choice' came Gary Sullivans 'Black and Tan' who took the third ticket.

Pictured Above; Senior hound winners from left to right.

Senior Results:
1st: 'Merlin', Griffin United
2nd: 'Magics Choice', Mayfield
3rd: 'Black and Tan', Northern United
4th: 'Toffee Woman', Griffin United
5th: 'Westgate Storm', Mayfield
6th: 'Blue Diamond', ICDA

Senior Maiden Results:
1st: 'Callums Ryan', Douglas
2nd: 'Tomahawk', Clogheen
3rd: 'McGuigan', Clogheen
4th:
5th: 'Futura Lass', ICDA
6th: 'Brandy Lass', ICDA

Weekly Draghunting Results & Reviews

Annual Kenmare Drag Hunt

Sunday, 3 August

Puppy Results:

1st;Jackson, Pat o Leary, Northern United Cork;

2nd’ Atlantis, Bobby Burton, Valentia Club;

3rd’ Fire Blend, Bobby Burton, Valentia Club;

4th’ Joker, Pat o Leary, Northern United Cork;

5th’ Curaheen Drive, Timmie Duggan, Southern Harriers Cork;

6th’ Kilmoyle Boy, Fin Driscoll, ICDA Cork;

Timed at 22 Mins, 42 Pups Ran

Senior Results

1st’ Charlie, Noreen McGill, Ardcost Club

2nd’ Newtown Flame, Johnie Cronin, Ballinskelligs Club;

3rd’ Midday Supreme, Johnie Cronin, Ballinskelligs Club;

4th’ Nemo, Ciaran Smith, Glen Club;

5th’ Blue Rocket, Eamonn Murphy, ICDA Cork;

6th’ Murry, Gerry Driscoll, Portmagee Club;

Timed at 46 Mins, 68 Hounds Ran;

Maiden Results

1st’ Jobs, Christopher Driscoll, Valentia Club;

2nd’ Highland, David Connor, Valentia Club;

3rd’ Joey, Gloria Driscoll, Portmagee Club;

4th’ Bobby, Esther keeffe, ICDA Cork;

5th’ Rifel Man, Gerry Driscoll, Portmagee Club;

6th’ Dominator, Gerry Driscoll, Portmagee Club;

Timed at 44 Mins, 48 Hounds Ran;

*****************************************************

Carrigtwohill Draghunt

Araglin, Fermoy, North Cork, Monday 4th of August 08

The pups set off last Wednesday at 7:30 pm. There were 9 dogs clear when crossing the one and only road after 10 minutes, with Pat O Learys 'Joker' of Northern United leading this pack. He held on to his stride when he crossed the winning line a well deserved 1st, promoting him to top of the puppy championship table. Bernie Ralls 'Stracken' of Mayfield ran another cracking race and followed just behind 'Joker' to take 2nd place, and 'Tallyman' of Northern United took the 3rd ticket.

Puppy Results:

1st 'Joker', Northern United

2nd: 'Stracken', Mayfield

3rd: 'Tallyman', Northern United

4th: 'Crafty Jack', Southern Harriers

5th: 'Hannahs Boy', Mayfield

6th: 'Shane', Griffin United

Time: 18 mins, 24 ran

Senior Results:

1st: Denton Laser, Griffin United

2nd: Not Now Man, Clogheen

3rd: Pats Pick, Mayfield

4th: Mary Port Lad, Mayfield

5th: Barney, Northern United

6th: just Jack, Southern Harriers

Senior Maiden Results:

1st: Lincoln, Mayfield

2nd: Marybelle, Northern United

3rd: Callums Ryan, Douglas

4th: Dairy Tune, Kerry Pike

5th: Flintoff, Mayfield

6th: Bobbys Choice, Clogheen

********************************************************

Southern Harriers Draghunt

Sunday, 27/07/08 at Waterfall

Senior Hounds:

The 16 senior hounds were slipped at 12 noon to a long open country course. The weather was warm and humid which didn't help some hounds for this 36minute course. The road at the divide after 20mins or so seen 'Black and Tan' leading the pack approx 5/6 fields out. But as they neared the road this changed dramatically. 'Black and Tan' (I thought I seen blood on her front paw and maybe that's what threw her out of the race, or maybe it was just my eyes)crossed about 5th or 6th and the leaders now were Gary Freynes 'Not Now Man' of Clogheen, Denise Kepples 'Magics Choice' of Mayfield and Gary O Callaghans 'Midday Surprise' of Douglas. They still had a fair run before coming to the next road where fatigue obviously took it's toll. With the same leading hounds, these were well spread out crossing this wide road, heading toward the finish. At the finish 'Not Now Man' took the winning honours very comfortably leaving approx a 10 length gap between himself and Denise Kepples 'Magics Choice' of Mayfield who stormed over the finishing line a well deserved 2nd place followed by club mate 'Westgate Storm' who took the 3rd ticket.

Results:

1st: 'Not Now Man', Clogheen

2nd: 'Magics Choice', Mayfield

3rd: 'Westgate Storm', Mayfield

4th: 'Denton Laser', Griffin United

5th: 'Midday Surprise', Douglas

6th: 'Black Sail', Douglas

16 ran, Time: 38mins

Senior Maidens:

Slipped at 12:10pm in same humid conditions, these hounds were even more spread out for this course. At the last road before the finish, there was minutes between these hounds, a sure sign of a good drag. Tired as they were, all hounds completed the course with a thrilling finish. The leaders of the final road crossing, Damian Wades 'Tomahawk' and clubmate 'McGuigan' crossed together racing toward the finish. These hounds maintained their stride and Damian Wades 'Tomahawk' battled hard to cross the line 1st just ahead of Ian Freynes Munster Championship senior maiden winner 'McGuigan' also of Clogheen. John Sullivans 'John T' of Griffin United came next to cross 3rd in front of 'Callums Ryan' of Douglas.

Senior Maidens Results:

1st: 'Tomahawk', Clogheen

2nd: 'McGuigan', Clogheen

3rd: 'John T', Griffin United

4th: 'Callums Ryan', Douglas

5th: 'Lincoln', Mayfield

6th: Joey', Carrigtwohill

10 ran, Time: 37mins 45 secs

Puppy Results: 25/07/08 Friday at Waterfall

1st: 'Joker', Northern United

2nd: 'Torres', Mayfield

3rd: 'Stracken', Mayfield

4th: 'Midday Lad', Douglas

5th: 'Nine Lives', Northern United

6th: 'Sandiman', Mayfield

18 ran, Time: 17mins 40secs

******************************************************

ICDA Draghunt

Castletownkeneigh, 20/07/08

Senior Results:

1st: 'Is It It', Douglas

2nd: Toffee Woman', Griffin United

3rd: 'Black Sail', Douglas

4th: 'Blue Diamond', ICDA

5th: 'Blue Rocket', ICDA

6th: 'Not Now Man', Clogheen

Senior Maiden Results:

1st: 'Rocky', ICDA

2nd: 'Bobby', ICDA

3rd: 'Callums Ryan', Douglas

4th: 'Nemo', Griffin United

5th: 'katie', ICDA

6th: 'Lincoln', Mayfield

Puppy Results:

1st: Kilmoy Boy', ICDA

2nd: 'Joker', Northern United

3rd: 'Blue Lagoon', ICDA

4th: 'Randy', ICDA

5th: 'Ben', ICDA

6th: 'Becky', ICDA

*****************************************************************

Clogheen Puppy Drag

Clogheen: Friday, 11/07/08 at 8pm

The puppy drag was held at Faggot Hill where 24 pups were slipped to a very confusing course, not because of the Clogheen Club who hosted this drag, but because of previous runs here. The hounds were coming out of gaps with no hunt beneath them, because of habit and knowledge as you'll see from the video clip of the first crossing at the 'haunted house'. Here they came out a wrong gap before correcting themselves and ran for approx 8mins toward the next crossing at the red gates. Reports from 2nd/last crossing of the red gates say that there was 4 hounds minutes clear of the following pack. I think when the 4 hounds were coming to the crossing they had to cross through a field of cattle, so as soon as these hounds left, the cattle blocked the gap for the remaining 20 hounds. The first 4 hounds crossed the 2nd road and entered the bog where they should have gone left, heading for Na Piarsiagh, along the top heading for the finish at Faggot Hill. These 4 checked though, and Tim Herlihys 'Shane' of Griffin United corrected himself on the hunt and the other 3 followed suit. 'Shane' led them with about 20 lengths along the top but checked, giving way for the following 3, and was put into 2nd. When the call went up it was very close between Pat O Learys 'Joker' and Jennifer Keneallys 'Crafty Jack' of Southern Harriers. 'Crafty Jack' finished extremely strong on the line to take first away from 'Joker' who settled for 2nd, and the driving hound for this drag 'Shane' had to settle for 3rd.

Results:

1st: 'Crafty Jack', Southern Harriers

2nd: 'Joker', Northern United

3rd: 'Shane, Griffin United

4th: 'Nine Lives', Mayfield

5th: 'Torres', Mayfield

6th: 'Foxy Jack', Southern Harriers

24 Ran, 15mins

Senior Hounds, Sunday 13/07/08, 4pm at Donoughmore

The senior hounds were slipped at 4pm to approx. a 30minute open course. There was a great view of the finish at this drag and it was a great race to the finish between the first 3 hounds. The tipped favourite 'Black and Tan', with 'Is it it' who's 2nd on the senior table and Paddy Keneallys 'Just Jack' had a hard battle up hill trying to get over the finishing line first. Paddy Keneallys 'Just Jack' of Southern Harriers held on just enough to get over the line 1st, making this a great weekends racing for the Keneally family, after winning the puppy drag on Friday. John O Callaghans 'Is It It' of Douglas took 2nd place leaving Gary O Sullivans 'Black and Tan' in 3rd place. If there was a length between the 3 crossing the line, it was a lot.

Pictured below:Triona Long with Senior Winner 'Just Jack', Mother and her son

Results:

1st: 'Just Jack', Southern Harriers

2nd: 'Is It It', Douglas

3rd: 'Black and Tan', Northern United

4th: 'Toffee Woman', Griffin United

5th: 'Westgate Storm', Mayfield

6th: 'Barney', Northern United

21 ran, Time: 26mins 30secs

Senior Maiden Draghunt:

Slipped 10mins after the seniors, these hounds were well spread out over the course, but it was definately Mayfields day as they dominated this drag from start to a very good finish. Mayfields 'Ranter' finished a comfortable 1st over the finishing line away from Ken Busteeds 'Lincoln' of Mayfield also, both hounds who are running very well lately, who finished a tight 2nd next to the very consistent 'Callums Ryan' of Douglas who took the 3rd ticket.

Results:

1st: 'Ranter', Mayfield

2nd: 'Lincoln', Mayfield

3rd: 'Callums Ryan', Douglas

4th: 'Flintop', Mayfield

5th: 'Queenie', Carrigtwohill

6th: 'Highlander', Southern Harriers

15 Ran, 26mins 10secs

*******************************************************************

Munster Championship 2008

Munster Championship

Reenascreena, Roscarbery, Co Cork

Sunday, 6th of July 08.


Well, well, well................. what a day! For this meeting the drags were divided into 4 categories:

Senior Pups, Maiden Pups, Senior Hounds & Senior Maiden Hounds. This was a nuetral course where the City & County combined their organisational skills to ensure a fair drag to be had by all. CB Tool Hire were the main sponsors of this drag.


Senior Pups

The Senior pups were the first slip of the day at 3pm. A total of 22 lined up and had a tough course ahead of them from heavy marsh ground, high grass and a lot of cattle spread out over its entirety. They got off to a rocky start and an even rockier finish................ The ICDA dominated both puppy drags. There was a great view of the finish where the first 3 dogs were racing head to head with each other in the last few fields. 'Sparky' of ICDA stepped up his pace to finish 1st, a length in front of ICDA's 'Randy'. Bernie Ralls 'Stracken' of Mayfield finished 3rd, just a length and a half away from the winning dog.

If ye're wondering where 'Johnny Murtagh' was, he landed his helicopter on the last road before the finish, but was a bit late because of weather conditions, hence the reason why Bernies 'Stracken' had to settle for 3rd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pictured Above: Senior puppy start



SENIOR PUPPY RESULTS:

1st 'Sparky', ICDA
2nd 'Randy', ICDA
3rd 'Stracken', Mayfield
4th 'Princess', ICDA
5th 'Ferryboy' KBA(Kerry beagle Assoc)
6th 'Ben', ICDA
22 ran, Time 21mins 40secs



Maiden Pups:

The 28 maiden pups were slipped 10mins after the senior puppy hounds and had the same course ahead of them, except the rain got heavier for these hounds. Reports from the roads were very varied and I only know whats true about the last road. The ICDA's 'Drifter' and Cillian Dohertys 'Montana' of Fairhill jumped the ditch over the last road together, but our 'Montana' got an awful fall to the ground, of which he stopped before going on again with 3 fields to go. These two were well clear of the following pack and raced hard to get over the finishing line. The winning honours went to the ICDA's 'Drifter' followed very closely by 'Montana' who took 2nd place with just a length between them. A good race to the finish though. ICDA also took the 3rd ticket with'Firefly Lady'.





Puppy Maiden Results:
1st 'Drifter', ICDA
2nd 'Montana', Fairhill
3rd: Firefly Lady', ICDA
4th 'Hit & Run', ICDA
5th 'Shane', Griffin United
6th 'Mossgrove Lad', ICDA
28ran, Time: 21mins 15 secs

Pictured Above right: Puppy Maiden Slip and first 4 placed hounds from left to right.

Senior Hounds:

The meeting of the day where 32 senior hounds lined up at 4:15pm in the worst weather conditions Mother Nature could have thrown at us. Torrential rain, freezing cold and there's us standing in a field of sh*t........................ Lads there's saner people locked up........

Video Clip above of the senior finish above .......
Anyway, a lot of experienced and very good hounds battled hard in this course. To name a few, 'Merlin', 'Black and Tan', 'Bluebell', 'Blue Boys Son', 'Denton Laser'......... The list is endless but there can only be one Senior Munster Champion. Of course the winning honours went once again to Michael John Buckleys 'Merlin' of Clogheen. Once this dog puts his mind to it and is anywhere within the pack for the call, this hound cannot be caught. He raced over the finishing line to the call like a scalded cat to finish a very comfortable 1st, followed by the very consistent 'Black & Tan' who had to settle for 2nd again, even though she had herself paced a few lengths from the pack that followed her, still could not get close to 'Merlin'.

Pictured Left: Father(on right) & Son(on left) Adam & Gary O Sullivan with their hound 'Black & Tan'

Senior Results:

1st 'Merlin', Clogheen

2nd 'Black & Tan' Northern Hunt

3rd: 'Coppeen Lady', ICDA

4th: 'Toffee Woman', Griffin United

5th: 'Blue Rocket', ICDA

6th: 'It's Hard To Say', ICDA

32 ran, Time: 29mins 14 secs

Senior Maiden Results:
1st: 'McGuigan', Clogheen
2nd: 'Ranter', Mayfield
3rd: 'Brandy Star', ICDA
4th: 'John T', Griffin United
5th: 'Black & White', ICDA
6th: 'Mayday', ICDA
30 ran, Time: 29mins, 5 secs

Pictured above: Ian Freyne with his Senior Maiden Munster Chamionship winner'McGuigan'