Weekly Draghunting Results & Reviews

Northern Hunt Re-run

Wednesday 4th of June 08, 7:30pm.

Senior Hounds

The re-run of Mondays drag took place at same venue in same course. Because of all the checking at Mondays drag, there wasn't such a fuss with trainers to run their hounds a second time at this venue. Only 15 senior hounds and 8 Maiden hounds lined up to run again. The hounds managed to complete this course and took 5minutes off the original time. Congratulations to John & Christine O Callaghan who won this for a 2nd time with their brave hound 'Is It It' of Douglas. Bernie Ralls' 'Pats Pick' of Mayfield sprinted closely over the line to take 2nd place just in front of Michael Buckleys' 'Newtown Raven' of Griffin United had to settle for 3rd place.

On a different note, it was very sad to hear that Sean (Poole) & Monica Walshs' dog 'Maximus' went missing on Monday, but unfortunately was badly struck by a car and died.

Senior Results:

1st: 'Is It It', Douglas

2nd: ''Pats Pick', Mayfield

3rd: 'Newtown Raven', Griffin United

4th: 'Denton Laser', Griffin United

5th: Toffee Woman', Griffin United

6th: Magics Choice', Mayfield

Senior Maiden Hounds

The senior maiden hounds were slipped 15mins after the seniors and these 8 dogs completed the course. John O Sullivans' hound 'John T' who's in fine winning form lately, took the glory again when he crossed the finishing line a gallant 1st for Griffin United. On his tail was the ever consistent 'Callums Ryan' of Douglas who took 2nd place again and 'Marybelle' of Northern United took 3rd place.

Maiden Results:

1st: 'John T', Griffin United

2nd: 'Callums Ryan', Douglas

3rd: 'Marybelle', Northern United

4th: 'Dairytune', Kerry Pike

5th: 'Highland', Southern Harriers

6th: 'Bandalero', Northern Hunt

Puppy Results: Tuesday, 3rd of June 08

1st: 'Jackson', Northern United

2nd: 'Crafty Jack', Southern Harriers

3rd: 'Joker', Northern United

4th: Torres', Mayfield

5th: 'Tallyman', Northern United

6th: 'Stracken', Mayfield

Pictured Right: Pat O Leary with his hound 'Jackson'

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Northern Hunt Draghunt
Monday, 2nd of June 08

Senior Hounds;
The senior hounds were scheduled to be slipped at 4pm, and eventually slipped at 4:15pm, at Fairhill. The very fact that the course was run at Fairhill made this a very checky drag as 3 clubs host their drag at this venue, with as little as a few fields to seperate each course from each of the 3 clubs course of hunt, that and the very hot weather didn't do any favours for the 22 hounds which tried to complete this course. However, exhausted as they were crossing the last road, there was no sign of this fatigue coming on the finish. No surprise when 'Is It It' crossed the finishing line a very strong winner for owners John & Christine O Callaghan of Douglas, followed with less than a length by John Buckleys very consistent 'Newtown Raven' of Griffin United who took the 2nd ticket. 'Black Pearl' trained by Denis & Keith O Callaghan of Fairhill sprinted across the line to take a well deserved 3rd ticket.



Pictured Above: John & Christine Callaghan with Senior Winner 'Is It It' of Douglas and sons Robbie & Brion.

SENIOR RESULTS:
1st 'Is It IT', Douglas
2nd: 'Newtown Raven', Griffin United
3rd: 'Black Pearl', Fairhill
4th: 'Quiet Lady, Fairhill
5th: 'Black Sail', Douglas (John & Christine O Callaghan Again !)
6th: 'Belle', Mayfield
Time: 28mins, 48 secs. 22 ran

SENIOR MAIDEN RESULTS:
1st 'John T', Griffin United
2nd: 'Callums Ryan', Douglas
3rd: 'Indian Scout', Southern Harriers
4th: 'Joey', Carrigtwohill
5th: 'Queenie', Carrigtwohill
6th: 'Ranter', Mayfield
Time: 31mins, 11secs. 24 Ran.

Puppy Draghunt, Friday 7:30pm
The hounds were slipped at Fairhill venue to a very tricky course. Tricky because of the previous drags held here and knowlegable hounds trying to steer their own course, which eventually seen some of these hounds go back on the hunt towards the finish at the crossing at the haunted house. Maybe it happened at this crossing because of the (A) very long wide crossing (crossing two boreens at an angle to the left)or (B) puzzling themselves with previous runs here. Either way, about 10 hounds turned back at this stage while the remaining hounds motored on. When they came to the 2nd & last crossing at the red gates, it was Bernie Ralls' 'My Son My Son' of Mayfield, who led this road racing at a savage pace toward the finish. However, this changed as the pups showed on the finish and the call went up. Instead the 1st prize went to Bernies' daughter & son in law, Denise and Leslie Kepples very consistent and talented 'Torres', who is stuck in every single drag so far this season, a well deserved win & congratulations to both trainers, Denise & Leslie. Closely trying to catch 'Torres' came Pat Learys 'Jackson' who was being threatned and pushed to its finishing limits by 'Crafty Jack' of Southern Harriers, who took 3rd place.

PUPPY RESULTS:
1st: 'Torres', Mayfield (Pictured above right with Leslie)
2nd: 'Jackson', Northern United
3rd: 'Crafty Jack', Southern Harriers
4th: 'Midday Lass', Douglas
5th: 'Shane', Griffin United
6th: 'My Son My Son, Mayfield
Time: 19mins, 19secs

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Cahirciveen Annual Draghunt;

Puppy Draghunt:
Saturday, 31st of May 2008, 6:30pm





The Kerry Association held their annual draghunt at Cahirciveen this weekend. The puppy hounds travelled from Cork City and County trying (very hard!!!) to take a piece of the Kerry action. The 36 hounds were slipped at 6:30pm on Saturday evening. They went out without hesitation but after a few minutes running checked and ran a boreen (farmers yard) only to jump back in left and travel on their course. It was a tough course, for those dogs who aren't from Kerry anyway and wouldn't be used to the marsh and heavy ground beneath them. They had two roads to cross. Reports from these suggested that Bobby Burtons 'Atlantis' of Valentia club led the first road and Jerry Murphys 'Randy' of ICDA with 'Ferryboy' of Ferry Club led the second/last road. 'Randy' of ICDA was stuck in all of the drag, but when they came on the finish it settled the outcome. As always in Kerry, there is no 'call' for the hounds coming on the finish, instead the catchers are inside a ditch and the first 6 dogs whose pads touch the ground are the winners. So the first dog showed with a field to go ( ssshhhh quiet lads ), it was Vincent Murphys 'Ferryboy' of Ferry Club, and went into the drain before climbing the ditch and jumped over the drain to be caught for first place, while almost next to him came Joseph Driscolls 'Rainbow Dancer' of Portmagee Club. The 3rd dog was Jerry Murphys 'Randy' of ICDA who took a well deserved 3rd place.

Above Left: Vincent Murphy with his winning hound 'Ferryboy'.

Puppy Results:
1st 'Ferryboy', Ferry Club
2nd 'Rainbow Dancer', Portmagee Club
3rd 'Randy', ICDA
4th 'Ferry Vale, Ferry Club
5th 'Ferry Express', Ferry club
6th 'Atlantis', Valentia Club
Time: 26mins (for Kerry dogs, 34 minutes for our Cork one (!!!!)


Cahirciveen:
Sunday, 1st of June 2008

Senior Results
1st’ Jenny, Vincent Murphy, Ferry Club;
2nd, Charlie 2, Patrick Dillon, Ballinskelligs Club;
3rd’ Charlie, Noreen Mcgill, Ardcost Club;
4th’ Finder, John Mcgill, Ardcost Club;
5th’ Nemo, Ciaran Smith, Glen Club;
6th’ Black Jack, Niall Lyons, Killoe Club;
Timed at 37 Mins, 48 Hounds Ran;

Maiden Results
1st’ Barney, Dan McCarthy, Ballinskelligs Club;
2nd’ Maggie, Tony Harty, Ballinskelligs Club;
3rd’ Rifel Man, Gerry Driscoll, Portmagee Club;
4th’ Jeorge, Allan Smith, Glen Club;
5th’ Wendy, Vincent Murphy, Ferry Club;
6th’ Podge, Joseph Driscoll, Portmagee Club;
Timed at 38 Mins, 38 Hounds Ran;



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Gary O Sullivan Memorial Draghunt
25th of May 08. Rathduff, Cork.







Puppy start ready to go a few mins early, get back lads.......

Puppy Draghunt @ 3pm
The 47 hounds were slipped at 3pm. The gang of hounds bumped and battled off each other trying to get out in front and drive on the hunt. While it started out a very warm and dry day, this soon changed to a very gusty & windy afternoon during the course of this drag. Reports say that the hounds were checking a bit, especially when crossing roads, maybe because of the high winds. When they showed roughly about 7 fields out from the finish, they were coming at a savage pace, the high grass in some fields took it's toll on them but they speeded up the pace again as soon as the call went up. When they got closer, it seemed to have been Pat Learys 'Joker' who was leading, but when they came over the final ditch, the leading hounds headed towards the judges on their left before crossing the finishing line. So it went to Frankie Allens very consistent 'Tallyman'of Northern United, who's on holidays this week but is being looked after by chairman Pat O Mahony, Pat Learys' 'Joker' followed to take the 2nd ticket for same club and the consistent 'Torres' took the 3rd ticket for the real trainer Denise Kepple, owned by her husband Leslie only in name I'd say !!!! (sorry Leslie) of Mayfield. They completed the course in 17mins 38secs.



ABOVE: Our devoted bookies Tony (on left, camera shy) and Pat (facing us on right) O Leary

Puppy Results:
1st: 'Tallyman', Northern United (Betting at 6-1)
2nd: 'Joker', Northern United (Betting at 3-1)
3rd' Torres', Mayfield (Betting at 6 - 1)
4th: 'Midday Lass', Douglas
5th: 'The Rock', ICDA
6th: 'Randy', ICDA
Time: 17mins, 38secs


Senior Draghunt @ 4pm
Eventaully slipped at 4:20pm, in cold high winds, reports from the roads say they were running like 'Scalded cats', (I would too in that cold!). It has to be said that gossip on the field was that it was a sure thing that Mike Dineen of the ICDA, with his faithful International winner 'Bluebell' would be amongst the leading hounds and sure to take the winning ribbon, her only real threat from the city would be Michael John Buckleys & son Michael Buckleys trained 'Merlin' of Clogheen, if he decided to go out, and yesterday he did,(when he did go out I think all the punters ran to the bookie placing their betson him!) so now the race was on. Everyone knew if 'Merlin' came on the finish anywhere within the leading pack, that as soon as the call would go up he'd pi*s it, so lets see how knowledgeable our field gossip is...

After 17mins, we hear that 'Merlin' crossed the road in second place, along with 'Bluebell'. This was going to be a good finish, so when they showed the four real contenders in with a place were battling hard to get in front, only 'Merlin's gears to the call left the following hounds to their rightful places. 'Merlin' sprinted 1st over the finishing line winning comfortably away from Alan McCarthys 'Denton Laser' of Griffin United who finished 2nd and Mike Dineens 'Bluebell', ICDA took the 3rd place.

Pictured Above: Michael Buckley with 'Merlin'

SENIOR RESULTS:

RESULTS: from left to right

1st: 'Merlin', Clogheen
2nd: 'Denton Laser', Griffin United
3rd ' Bluebell, ICDA
4th: 'Not Now Man', Clogheen
5th: 'Blue Diamond', ICDA
6th: 'Blue Boy Son', ICDA
Time: 30Mins 30secs







Senior Maiden Draghunt:


Slipped 15mins after the seniors, the finish to this was very frustating to trainers and owners as 3 fields from the finish 2 tractors started cutting silage from left to right where the hounds would be coming straight to the finish. The leading hounds met with the tractor, which blocked its path to the gap, and these hounds followed the tractor to the left of the field only to give way for the next pack of hounds to shoot in front. Even though the call was up, the winds and tractor made it very hard for the inital leading pack to hear it, as they were right next to the tractor, rumor is that Alan McCarthys 'Nemo' and ICDAs' 'Ballycassig' (Or similar name...) were the leading hounds.

So the hounds came on the the finishing line and 'Indian Scout' of Southern Harriers won it for Paddy Kenneally followed by a close 2nd 'Tomahawk' of Clogheen and 'Paddy Layback' took the 3rd place.

Below: Senior Maiden Winners from right to left;




1st: 'Indian Scout', Southern Harriers
2nd: 'Tomahawk', Clogheen
3rd: 'Paddy Layback', Douglas
4th: 'Marybelle' Northern United
5th: 'Black Miller', ICDA
6th: 'Black & White', ICDA
Time: 31mins







Senior Maiden Winner Paddy Kenneally with 'Indian Scout' of Southern Harriers who completed this course in 31mins.

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CARRIGTWOHILL RE-RUN: 20/05/08

PUPPY RE-RUN
The re-run of the puppies took place at Araglen, Fermoy, on Tuesday at 7:30pm.


Once again a very impressive run from Pat(the bookie !) O Learys pup 'Joker' who set a ferocious pace from start to finish. 'Joker' came to the only road on his own with a field to spare on the following hounds. However, because of the break(bushes) and various paths leading in and out of the bushes, he checked several times before correcting himself on the hunt, giving the following hounds a chance to catch him. He came out in front setting the pace again for his followers and led the road. When he showed on the finish he made no mistake and 'lifted the ground' (as my hubby said !), to cross the winning line in style. He was followed closely by Leslie Kepples 'Torres' who took the 2nd ticket, and a few lengths behind came 4 dogs together, each battling for a place. The pace of this run was so intense that the pups completed this course in just 15mins 30secs, as opposed to 18mins 30secs the Saturday previous. the 'Joker' is definately a very dependant hound not to be reckoned with this season, as when all goes well, this dog sets a savage pace and also has the finishing gears to get over the winners tape.



PUPPY RESULTS:

1st: 'Joker', Northern United

2nd: 'Torres', Mayfield

3rd: 'Nine Lives', Northern United

4th: 'Darkie', Northern United

5th: 'Crafty Jack', Southern Harriers

6th: 'Ruby', Northern United

Timed at 15mins 30secs.


Pictured above is Leslie Kepple, with his hound 'Torres' who had to settle for 2nd on this occasion.

SENIOR HOUNDS:

Wednesday, 21st of May @ 7:30pm
All eyes were on this drag as double points and prize money were at stake because of Sundays voidance of the senior drag. It was an appalling evening with gale force winds, heavy rain and dense fog. How the pullers managed to actually get around and pull the course without getting lost or otherwise is a mystery. However the hounds were slipped at 7:30pm in reverse course to Sundays meeting, but 5 hounds came back after approx 3 fields. Speculation of why this occured is because of the noise from the maiden hounds, which were getting ready to be lined up. These 5 hounds came back only to get around the course in the opposite direction(finish to start), confusing isn't it......... while the remaining 18 or so hounds completed the course on the right track. As the fog was so bad it's hard to say which dog led what at any stage without guessing, but in the end, Damian Wades 'High Max' of Clogheen crossed the line in his usual mighty fast finishing style to take 1st place, then followed by 'Is It It' of Douglas to take 2nd place and 'Pats Pick' of Mayfield took the 3rd ticket.

RESULTS:
1st: 'High Max', Clogheen,
2nd: 'Is It It', Douglas
3rd: 'Pats Pick', Mayfield
4th: 'Maryport Lad', Mayfield
5th: 'Black Pearl', Fairhill
6th: 'War Dance', Kerry Pike
Time: 24mins


SENIOR MAIDEN HOUNDS:


The Maidens were slipped 15mins after the seniors in the same appalling weather. Once again very hard to say which hound was leading the pack because of fog conditions. However when they showed on the finish it was always going to be either 'Dairy Tune', 'My Way' or 'Marybelle', of the three contenders that showed 'Dairy Tune' of Kerry Pike tuned into its own finishing gears as this hound just stepped up the pace in time to cross the line a winner for a delighted Christy & Marie Keating. Hot on her heels was 'My Way' of Clogheen who took a well deserved 2nd place and followed very closely by 'Marybelle' of Northern United who got 3rd. It was a tight finish with less than half a length between the first three. As the winning hound, 'Dairy Tune', was out sick for three weeks due to a kennel cough, and had only just returned on Sundays meeting, it must have a brave heart to complete this course and end it with the winning ribbon on it's back !
Trained & owned by Christy & Marie Keating, both pillars to our draghunting association in their own rights, Christy a former and respected Cork City Association Chairman and of course Marie who is our Cork City Associations' Secretary, whom is highly respected and regarded by all, both City & Nationally by all Associations involved, for doing such a tremendous job with organising, maintaining and participating in all drags on every level.
I hope the rest of the places don't get too jealous because of this write up for the winner, as all there's left are the results ........

RESULTS;
1st: 'Dairy Tune', Kerry Pike
2nd: 'My Way', Clogheen
3rd: 'Marybelle', Northern United
4th: 'Lincoln', Mayfield
5th: 'Callums Ryan', Douglas
6th: 'Black Lass', Carrigtwohill
Timed at 24Mins