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........