Senior All Ireland 2009

The seniors getting ready to go with steward David Lynch making sure all is in order......

The 2009 senior All Ireland drag hunt attracted the biggest crowd of well over 1000 people to Dripsey, Co Cork. This drag first intended to be held at Glenville, Co Cork, but had to be moved to a different venue. The dripsey hunt club put a huge effort and great organisation in such little time to make this day what it was, a huge success.

Cllr Michael O Connell starting the drag with steward David Lynch
Trainers headed to the start where a whopping 80 hounds lined up to be slipped at 4pm. Once slipped, these 80 hounds had 2 long and very wide open fields to let them find their bearings without stampeding each other going out the start. They would run a tough course of nearly 15 miles, in very warm weather.


Above is steward David Lynch practising his walk for the ladies day next Saturday

Various reports from the roads tell us that Tristan Herlihys 'Quiet Lady' was stuck in the drag along with Mick Dineens 'Bluebell' who led most of this course. The large crowd made their way to the finish and were not disappointed with the end result. Fantastic views of the finish, but the sun shone directly where the hounds would show making it difficult for trainers to pick out their dog. After 41 minutes of running 2 hounds showed 3 fields out running downhill toward the finish. It was 'Bluebell' and Michael Freynes 'Bobbys Choice' almost running side by side. They had a few lengths on their followers 'Eurostar' of the ICDA and Noelle McCarthys 'Barney' of Fairhill. There was a big group of hounds showing now as the leaders headed downward into a dip before jumping the final ditch into a blind climbing finishing field. All trainers were on their toes screaming as this was a very tight race between 'Bluebell' and 'Bobbys Choice' to the line. As they neared the tape Tim O Callaghans 'Ted Baker' speeded from 6th to eventually catch up with the first 2 hounds. At the line it was very tight, but Mick Dineens talented 'Bluebell' managed to give herself a full length lead to land the Senior All Ireland title for the 3rd time in her career, setting a new record. The judges went to the camera to distinguish between 2nd & 3rd and 'Ted Baker' took the runner up prize, and 3rd place went to 'Bobbys Choice'. Top 3; Mick Dineen with daughter Rachel and winner 'Bluebell', Tim O Callaghan with runner up 'Ted Baker' and Michael Freyne with 3rd place 'Bobbys Choice'

Cllr Michael O Connell presents the cup to Mick Dineen with his 2009 senior All Ireland winner 'Bluebell'

Results;

1st Bluebell, ICDA

2nd Ted Baker, fairhill

3rd Bobbys Choice, Clogheen

4th Eurostar, ICDA

5th Barney, Fairhill

6th Kilmoy Kate, ICDA

80 Ran, Time; 43mins 25secs

Senior All Ireland finish....