Clogheen Drag 06/09/09

Another week, another drag bringing us closer to the end of the 2009 season. Tremendous improvement in the weather. Instead of it lashing rain with westerly gale force winds , it seemed to change every 5 minutes, from easterly to southerly winds, giving us a different view of the black clouded scenery every time we turned to avoid it !!!!!


None the less 22 senior hounds were set off heading for the red gates, up ovams, sweet shops and vearing home toward Duggans Lane via Faggot Hill. Pat Mahony was 2nd & 3rd at the red gates with 'Ruby' and 'Harold Scott'. 'Harold Scott' has definately found his form lately whilst Triona Longs 'Foxy Jack' was also in the drag all the way round. At the finish it was Pat Mahonys 'Harold Scott' leading them strongly in to the line followed by 'Foxy Jack' and it seemed this would not change. 3 lengths from the line and Tristan O Herlihys 'Quiet Lady' came from 3rd to cross the line first with a full length lead on 'Harold Scott'. To be fair, I think 'Harold Scott', whilst still running strongly, seemed to steer very slightly right(looking down from the line) and 'Foxy Jack' followed. 'Quiet Lady' came straight in her position (up left) and crossed with just over a length to win a great battle on the finish. 'Magics Choice' snatched the 4th ticket for Mayfield.

Pictured above; Tristan O Herlihy with senior winner 'Quiet Lady' and Pat O Mahony with
senior runner up 'Harold Scott'. (Pat it's not for me to say but your hound is giving her some looks, he looks in the gores !)

The senior maidens were more strung out I think. 16 lined up to follow same course. I'm not sure who led what roads, but the finish was a solo performance. Because of the mist and fog, it was hard to make out what hound was coming on it's own to take 1st. It was Bernie Ralls 'Stracken' of Mayfield. He crossed the line at his ease with at least 20 lengths to spare on his follower. Charging for 2nd place came Michael & Leanne Harringtons 'A Lot Of Spots' who had also distanced himself a good few lengths from the chasing pack behind him. Although the first 2 places came independantly, they were running to the line like scalded cats and finished very strong. Michael Heffernans 'Bellman' made up a lot of ground on the call and finished 3rd just a head in front of Noelle McCarthys 'Barney' who took 4th.

Senior Results;
1st Quiet Lady, Fairhill
2nd Harold Scott, Northern United
3rd Foxy Jack, Southern Harriers
4th Magics Choice, Mayfield
5th Tallyman, Northern United
6th Dairy Tune, Kerry Pike

Senior maiden Results;
1st Stracken, Mayfield
2nd A Lot Of Spots, Fairhill
3rd Bellman, Mayfield
4th Barney, Fairhill
5th Westgate Tally, Mayfield
6th Busy Lad, Griffin United

Puppy Results:
1st Sheares Park Boy, Southern Harreirs
2nd Hi Ya, Fairhill
3rd Sheares Park Lad, Southern Harriers
4th Alyson, Douglas
5th Jasper, Northern United
6th Judys Girl, Mayfield