Carrigtwohill Puppy Drag, 28/03/09

Araglen, Fermoy, Co Cork

This annual venue must be the coldest part of Cork County. Although it was very windy and very cold, 17 pups ran a great race. This was a good decent drag, probably because of the un-disturbed countryside. The only disappointment was the bitter weather!!!

Above; Puppy slip at 4pm

We met the hounds racing at the first/only crossing after 7mins. John Ahernes' 'Jasper' of Northern United led the bunch with Mickey Briens 'Judys Girl' of Mayfield crossing 2nd. When they showed on the finish, Pat O Learys 'Don't Quote Me' seemed to lead them in from a good 5 fields out. She battled hard and maintained this pace in front to finish with a few lengths to spare on her clubmate 'Jasper' who took 2nd place for John Aherne. Timmy McCarthy took the 3rd & 4th places with 'Sheares Park Boy' and 'Sheares Park Lad' of Southern Harriers.

Above; Crossing at the main divide

Results:

1st 'Don't Quote Me', Northern United

2nd 'Jasper', Northern United

3rd 'Sheares Park Boy', Southern Harriers

4th Sheares Park Lad', Southern Harriers

5th 'Judys Girl', Mayfield

6th 'United Jack', Southern Harriers

17 ran, Time; 16 mins 16 secs

Pictured Right: Paul Kenneally & Pat O Leary with 'Don't Quote Me' and 'I Want You'

Douglas Drag 22/03/09

Senior Results
1st Quiet Lady, Fairhill
2nd Newtown Raven, Griffin United
3rd Duggans Lad, Southern Harriers
4th Ryans Girl, Southern Harriers
5th Not Now Nora, Southern Harriers
6th Black and Tan, Northern Hunt

Senior Maiden Results;
1st McGuigan, Clogheen
2nd Ranter, Mayfield
3rd McQuade, Fairhill
4th Pavarotti, Mayfield
5th Barney, Northern United
6th Belle, Mayfield

Puppy Results
1st Nina, Northern United
2nd Don't Quote Me, Northern United
3rd Sheares Park Lad, Southern Harriers
4th United Jack, Southern Harriers
5th Hi Magic, Fairhill
6th I Want You, Northern United

Puppy Re-run
1st Don't Quote Me, Northern United
2nd I Want You, Northern United
3rd Jasper, Northern United
4th Nina, Northern United
5th Hiya, Fairhill
6th Judys Girl, Mayfield

Lets Get Together Suicide Foundation Charity Drag

Bottlehill, 17/03/09 at 4pm
Senior Drag,
A charity drag was organised by the Cork Association trying to raise funds for the 'Lets Get Together' suicide foundation, where members of Cork City, Cork County and Kerry were invited to participate their senior and senior maiden hounds for this noble cause.
It was a sunny St Patricks Day which attracted a large number of both supporters and trainers. The view from the start and finish enabled the majority of us to just use binoculars instead of driving out the roads, it was that good. The seniors struggled to get over the first ditch though and this immediately let a few hounds creep into the lead with a field to spare.
The finish was an anxious one as two top class finishing hounds 'Magics Choice' and 'Merlin' were battling shoulder to shoulder a couple of fields from the finish. The hounds should have come straight to the finishing line from our left, but ran a tractors path before coming over the final ditch to the line. Michael John Buckleys 'Merlin' came out first speeding to the line, being chased hard by Denise and Leslie Kepples 'Magics Choice'. 'Merlin' crossed the line first in front of his follower 'Magics Choice' who took 2nd and Gary O Sullivans talented 'Black and Tan' took 3rd place.
Below is the senior finish..........
Senior Results;
1st Merlin, Clogheen
2nd Magics Choice, Mayfield
3rd Black and Tan, Northern Hunt
4th Westgate Storm, Mayfield
5th Newtown Raven, Griffin United
6th Blue Diamond, ICDA
25 ran, 27 Mins

Senior Maidens;
Another great race, but I don't think we'll get to witness a finish like this one in the near future. Pat & Marion Harringtons consistent 'McQuade' of Fairhill showed to be leading the pack to the finishing line comfortably, and maintained his position until the line........where almost out of nowhere came Badgers 'It's Hard To Say' of ICDA to meet 'McQuade' for first place on the line................
It was an anxious time for both traineres as the judges and catchers couldn't decide who should get the winning ribbon. So after an anxious age of debating the judges viewed the camera but still couldn't distinguish between 1st and 2nd, it was that close. So the judges announced a dead heat between 'Its Hard to say' and 'McQuade' both finishing a deserving 1st place each. Jennifer Kenneallys 'Crafty Jack' finished a close 3rd.

Senior Maiden Results;
1st McQuade, fairhill
1st 'It's Hard to Say, Badger,ICDA
3rd 'Crafty Jack, Southern Harriers
4th Callums Ryan, Douglas
5th McGuigan, Clogheen
6th Quiet Nook, Badger, ICDA
31 Maidens, 26mins 27 secs

Clogheen Senior Drag, 15/03/09

Hollyhill at 4pm
The seniors were slipped from Nashs Boreen heading toward the bog. Running along the bog heading for the first crossing at the haunted house, seen the obvious hounds 'Black and Tan', 'Magics Choice' and 'Newtown Raven', to name but a few of the pack, lead them across this road. From here they headed to the crossing at the sweet shops, vearing out toward Clogheen / Kerry Pike where we met them at the main Blarney Road crossing. Here the same hounds were leading, but the pack was slightly broken, probably because of fatigue.
From here the next road was the last road at the red gates. Michael Buckleys 'Newtown Raven' of Griffin United leaded them downhill and crossed this road first with 'Black and Tan', 'Duggans Lad', 'Magics Choice' in 4th and 'Quiet Lady' in 7th position. As they jumped the stream and climbed uphill through the rough before vearing right for the finish, this changed dramatically.

Crossing at the red gates above
At the finish, it was a short call and 'Magics Choice' of Mayfield and 'Quiet Lady' of Fairhill battled it to the line. This was 'Quiet Lady' first run in the senior ranks after being promoted from her consistent wins the previous 3 weeks. Unfortunately, she couldn't make it 4 in a row, as Leslie Kepples 'Magics Choice' of Mayfield always has that bit more speed when the call goes up. So the honours went to Denise and Leslies' talented 'Magics Choice' of Mayfield who finished 1st, followed by Tristan O Herlihys 'Quiet Lady' of Fairhill.

Senior Results:
1st Magics Choice, Mayfield
2nd Quiet Lady, Fairhill
3rd Newtown Raven, Griffin United
4th Black and Tan, Northern Hunt
5th Duggans Lad
6th Pats Pick, Mayfield

Senior Maiden Results;
1st Crafty Jack, Southern Harriers
2nd Callums Ryan, Douglas
3rd McQuade, Fairhill
4th Pavarotti, Mayfield
5th Curaheen Drive, Southern Harriers
6th Sunrise Jack, Southern Harriers

Clogheen Puppy Drag, 14/03/09

Hollyhill at 4pm

Puppy Results;
1st Baruca, Mayfield
2nd Get Smart, Northern United
3rd Jasper, Northern Umited
4th Judys Girl, Mayfield
5th Nina, Northern United
6th Hiya, Fairhill

Northern United Senior Drag 08/03/09

Senior Results;


1st 'Merlin', Clogheen


2nd 'Is It It', Douglas


3rd 'Black and Tan', Northern Hunt


4th 'Magics Choice, Mayfield


5th 'Westgate Storm', Mayfield


6th ;Newtown Raven', Griffin United

Re-Run;

1st Magics Choice, Mayfield

2nd Busy Future, Douglas

3rd Newtown Raven, Griffin United

4th Duggans Lad, Southern Harriers

5th: John T, Griffin United

6th Is It It, Douglas

Tristan O Herlihy with senior maiden winner 'Quiet Lady' of Fairhill

Senior Maiden Results


1st 'Quiet Lady', Fairhill


2nd 'Callums Ryan', Douglas


3rd 'Bellman', Mayfield


4th 'Pavorotti', Mayfield


5th 'McQuade', Fairhill


6th 'McGuigan', Clogheen

Re-Run;
1st Quiet Lady, Fairhill
2nd McQuade, Fairhill
3rd Crafty Jack, Southern Harriers
4th Sunrise Jack, Southern Harriers
5th Pavarotti, Mayfield
6th Midday Lass, Douglas

Northern United Puppy Drag, 07/03/09

Carrignavar at 4pm

It was a cold damp day and the 20 pups set off to a good fast paced drag. We had a good view of this drag from the starting field, which was just as well as there was no roads. They went straight out the first few fields vearing left climbing up hill, where the pack was in a line. They then veared left again running beneath a forest where Mickey Briens 'Judys Girl' of Mayfield led this pack setting a fast pace. From here they veared left again down into a bog before heading home. When they showed 3 fields out from the finish, it was the same driving hound, 'Judys Girl', leading them to the line. Pat O Callaghans 'Hi Ya' of Fairhill showed 2nd and tried his best to catch 'Judys Girl' but to no avail and 'Judys Girl' of Mayfield won an honourable 1st place as she ran a cracking race, and 'Hi Ya' of Fairhill settled for a close 2nd, followed tightly by Gerry & Jennifer Kenneallys 'United Jack' of Southern Harriers.

Above Left; Mickey Brien with winner 'Judys Girl'

Above Right; Magics Helpers Tim O Callaghan & Tristan O Herlihy with runner-up 'Hi Ya'

Results;
1st 'Judys Girl', Mayfield
2nd 'Hiya', Fairhill
3rd 'United Jack', Southern Harriers
4th 'High Maintenance', Clogheen
5th 'Schinazarde', Carrigtwohill
6th: Max High', Clogheen
20 Ran, 13 Mins



Puppy Re-Run, 10/03/09
The Northern United Puppy Re-run took place at 5:30pm at same location. 24 Puppy hounds competed in this race and seen as Northern United were able to participate in the re-run, they were sure to dominate this drag, as they have been with every drag. The only question was which one of the Northern United pups would take first place. Well this was a truely class finish. The dogs showed 3 fields and the call went up to race them home. John Ahernes 'Nina' took the lead and she really seperated herself from the following pack. She crossed the finishing line 1st, leaving a scorching 15 - 20 length gap between herself and following clubmate 'Don't Quote Me' who finished 2nd for Pat Leary. 'Nina' has shown a lot of qualities in recent drags but to finish like she did, was a definate statement that this hound should not be reckoned with on the finish.

Results;
1st, 'Nina', Northern United
2nd 'Don't Quote Me', Northern United
3rd 'Get Smart', Northern United
4th 'United Jack', Southern Harriers
5th 'Jasper', Northern United
6th 'Rockstar',
Time 11 mins, 24 ran



Above, John Aherne with 'Nina' of Northern United

Southern Harriers Senior Drag, 01/03/09

Waterfall, 4pm

Senior Drag

The long awaited opening of the senior season got off to a great start where 13 senior hounds were slipped to an open fast course. The first road crossing, 2/3 fields from the start, saw these hounds moving at a very fast pace. The majority of hounds seemed to tire at the 2nd last road, but got their second wind for the finish. The view from the last road, showed 'Magics Choice' of Mayfield and 'Black and Tan' of Northern Hunt running closely together, until the call went up. It was between Gary O Sullivans 'Black And Tan' and Denise Kepples 'Magics Choice'. They battled hard from the last road, but when they cleared the gap into the finishing field, 'Magics Choice' speeded up his gears to the call to win first place and 'Black and Tan' followed for 2nd.

Senior Results:
1st; 'Magics Choice', Mayfield
2nd; 'Black and Tan', Northern Hunt
3rd; 'Westgate Storm', Mayfield
4th; 'Tallyman', Northern United
5th; 'Newtown Raven', Griffin United
6th; 'Pats Pick', Mayfield
13 Ran, Time; 29mins 30secs

Senior Maiden;

Following the senior course after 10 minutes, 28 maidens raced the roads and even completed this course a minute and a half faster than the seniors. They really were setting the pace for each other as they tongued all the way around the course. The placed hounds gave the results a lot of justice as the winning hounds were not out of the drag at any stage. Pat Harringtons 'McQuaid' of Fairhill was stuck in the drag at every road, as was 'Callums Ryan' of Douglas. From the last road it was 'McQuad' who led them home with Tim Herlihys 'Shane' of Griffin United and 'Callums Ryan' of Douglas. The call went up and these three were shoulder to shoulder until they had to climb the final ditch upward for the finishing line. 'McQuaid' jumped this first which gave him the advantage over the following two who cleared the gap together, and 'McQuaid' maintained his driving speed over the line to win first place for a delighted Pat Harrington. 'Callums Ryan' took 2nd and very close to him finished 'Shane' to take 3rd.

Above; Pat Harrinton with senior maiden winner 'McQuad' of Fairhill

Senior Maiden Results:
1st; 'McQuaid', Fairhill
2nd; 'Callums Ryan', Douglas
3rd; 'Shane', Griffin United
4th; 'Tomahawk', Clogheen
5th: 'Barney', Northern United
6th; 'Valdor', Fairhill
28 Ran, Time; 28mins

Re-Run; Wednesday Evening at 5pm, Same Venue
Senior
1st 'Magics Choice', Mayfield
2nd 'John T', Griffin United
3rd: 'Is It It', Douglas
4th: 'Ryans Girl', Southern Harriers
5th: 'Newtown Raven', Griffin United
6th: 'Busy Future', Douglas

Senior Maidens;
1st 'Quiet Lady', Fairhill
2nd 'Bellman', Mayfield
3rd 'McQuade', Fairhill
4th 'Stracken', Mayfield
5th: 'Shane', Griffin United
6th: 'Midday Lass', Douglas

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