By Tom Higgins

Friday, January 13, 2012

OWNER Patsy Byrne recorded a double at Macroom yesterday, taking the All-Aged Stake with Toast Master, which he owns in partnership with bookmaker Berkie Browne, and the Reserve Derby Trial Stake with Breaking Tide.

Both are trained by Pa Fitzgerald of Croagh, Co. Limerick.

Toast Master, who won his trial stake at Clonakilty last season and ran up to High And Mighty at Rathkeale this season, won his opening course against Allaghaun Rover by five lengths and then edged out Ben Nevis in the quarter-final. He had a bye in the semi-final when BloomingBeautiful refused to course in her quarter-final after Same Over was withdrawn.

At the top of the draw, David Harrington’s (Carrigaline) Fleetwood Don, who won the Cup at Mallow, had a close call against Ath Dara Ladjaney fist time to slips, coming from behind to show a half a length in front. He then accounted for Roger Crystal next time up. In the semi-final he raced all the way to the escape when putting out Cryptic Rebel by five lengths.

In the final Toast Master was smartly away against Fleetwood Don and held a three lengths advantage at the escape.

In the final of the Reserve Derby Trial Stake Breaking Tide was smartly away from slips to beat Pat Treacy and William Mulcahy’s (Kilmallock) Halsback by three lengths.

Let Me Call, the property of Joseph Hayes of Dromina, Co. Cork and trained by Denis O’Driscoll from Skibbereen, Co. Cork took the Oaks Trial Stake, coming from behind to beat The H.S.B.Mac.G Syndicate’s (Clonmel) Any Time by half a length.

Judge. L. Kelly. Slipper. D. Galvin.

Macroom All-Aged Stake. (16). Quarter-Finals. Cryptic Rebel 3l. bt Re Me Martin; Fleetwood Don 3l. bt Roger Crystal; Toast Master 1l. bt Ben Nevis; Bloomingbeautiful a bye. (refused to course). Same Over (withdrawn). disq.

Semi-finals. Fleetwood Don 5l bt. Cryptic Rebel; Toast Master a bye.

Final. P. Byrne & B. Browne’s (Duagh & Listowel) f.d. Toast Master (Trajectory-Chubbies Accord) 3l. bt D. Harrington’s (Carrigaline) w.bd.d Fleetwood Don (Castle Pines-Mucky Kate).

Reserve Derby Trial Stake (32).

Quarter-Finals. Kingsmill Master 1l. bt Redzer Prince; Breaking Tide 2l. bt Misty Rebel; Halsbak 6l. bt Listowel Feale; Boomtown Paddy 1l. bt Ballymac More.

Semi-finals. Breaking Tide j.u. bt Kingsmill Master; Halsbak ½l bt Boomtown Paddy.

Final. P. Byrne’s (Duagh & London) be.bd. Breaking Tide (Bexhill Eoin-Call Up) 3l. bt P. Treacy & W. Mulcahy’s (Kilmallock) bk. Halsbak (Shining Town-Vacume Hawkeye).

Oaks Trial Stake (32).

Quarter-finals. Hey Sal 3l. bt A Better View; Any Time 2½l. bt Lineroad Babe; Let Me Call 2l. bt Queen Tania; Portinard Rosie 3l. bt Catchnscratcher.

Semi-finals. Any Time 2l. bt. Hey Sal; Let Me Call j.u. bt Portinard Rosie.

Final. J. Hayes’ (Dromina) bk. Let Me Call (Johnny Casanova-Maughera) ½l. bt H.S.B.Mac. G. Syndicate’s (Clonmel) w.bd. Any Time (Sandy Sea-Valentia Singer).

Liam Burke Memorial Duffer Stake (16).

Final. D. Whyte’s (Ballyduff) be.bd. b. Clover Ability (Bexhill Eoin-Shanavulin Queen) 3l. bt. Master S. O’Connor’s (Freemount) w.f.b. Killinuna Beauty (Sandy Sea-Dusty Track).

Denis Murray Memorial Working Members Stake.

Final. J. Burke’s (Whites Cross) bd.d. Ailin Beag (Mafi Magic-Skellig Beag) 4l. bt Mrs. P. Shanahan’s (Farnanes) bk.b. Ryecourst Misty (Head Bound-Generic Joe).


Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/racing/byrne-lands-macroom-double-180093.html#ixzz1jL58aptp

draw next sun eve in clonmel..its hotting up!

The trials are this week i hear..Unusual but that's what is happening and ''no clockmen allowed''

Anyone heard much about Ravel Glory in the Oaks?

Supposed to be very smart and part of a very good litter.

I think Kavvie they will be allowed clocks but no one is allowed on the course or down by the gate except the people with dogs so they will be no one allowed to drop a flag as the dogs are slipped so unless they can draw an imaginary line like the do in the NFL or the offside rule..I'd not trust the clock

'clockmen' i persume ye mean people who turn up to watch the trials and time them themselves?? If so they should be allowed in my opinion as if they are prepared to put the work in to gain an advantage fair play to them.

I'll be there I shall ask premission and if i'm refused i'll take them to the court of human rights for trying to deprieve me of a living...Do they need another court case?.

waste of time without a flag man

I'l be very suprised if the Derby and Oaks aren't heading up Northeast/North.

Oaks - Kingsmill Eve
Derby - Ashmore Master / Serene Dilemma



How do you rate there chances? I know nowt about it but get told the odd bit here and there, won't be backing any of them either but was just wondering.

gaisce mor maybe ?? kavvie
i'm told she trials in the morning

ANAGLOGS,i enjoy reading your posts, very in formative at times;from what you say i presume then you are a licenced bookmaker with a bord na gcon betting permit and a pitch at clonmel.

CLONMEL DERBY Draw Mon/Tues/Wed 30/31st Jan & 1st Feb 2012
****.COM DERBY

Reserves (in order):
CAPFIELD: MASTER JACKPOT: WOOD HYLAND:
BALLYMAC BEX: KINGSMILL EXILE: DONNELLANS CROSS :
BARAHAVEN BOY : DUSTYS BLUEBOY : BREAKING TIDE

1 : BRANNIG RIOROYAL Tynwald Smokey ex Leigh Shady
2 : SMART TOUCH Dual Type ex Safety Set

3 : MONTALTO KING Bexhill Eoin ex Kingsmill Blonde
4 : BELATED BIRTHDAY Tynwald Smokey ex Belated Legacy

5 : INDEPUB Shelbourne Aston ex Parker Doll
6 : BALLYMORE BOB Bexhill Eoin ex Spice One

7 : WINDGAP LAR Court House ex Clerihan Daisy
8 : CHARLEMONT MILLS Kingsmill Dynamo ex Larchill Lil

9 : LIXNAW EOIN Bexhill Eoin ex Bridewell Rose
10 : ASHMORE SAMBO Bexhill Eoin ex Carrick Sam

11 : BRINDLE MAN Razor Ashmore ex Dillrock Nina
12 : KINGSMILL LARCH Kingsmill Dynamo ex Larchill Lil

13 : EOIN ROGER Bexhill Eoin ex Tullamoy Lady
14 : DROOPYS EURO Kingsmill Dynamo ex Global Call

15 : INDIA RIO Tynwald Smokey ex Uptown Smurf
16 : LOYAL LAND Matt Hyland ex Strideaway Smurf

17 : BAHAMIAN KID Ballymac Maeve ex Itellyoupatsy
18 : HUNTERS GLORY Razor Ashmore ex Miss Candy Floss

19 : WISE CALL Kingsmill Dynamo ex Hollyoak Pegasus
20 : PRIME EXAMPLE Bexhill Eoin ex Call Up

21 : KILLEAGH MATT Tynwald Smokey ex The Other Sense
22 : SWANKY MATT Matt Hyland ex Swanky Queen

23 : TOCK TICK Bexhill Eoin ex Marwood Type
24 : ARDFERT PETER Bexhill Eoin ex Silent Mac

25 : BLUEVIEW DAN Murtys Gang ex Foxhill Rio
26 : ESHWARY SEA Sandy Sea ex Itellyoumikey

27 : HOPES AND DREAMS Bexhill Eoin ex Chubbys Accord
28 : YELLOW RIVER Razor Ashmore ex Miss Candy Floss

29 : BALLYBLUE EOIN Bexhill Eoin ex Ballyegan Laura
30 : GAFFNEY RANGER Bexhill Eoin ex Chubbys Accord

31 : LOOSE CHIPPINGS Tynwald Smokey ex La Torre
32 : GO HOME HARE Wallace Green ex Inallherglory

33 : ALL IN JO Murtys Blaze ex Shes A Dazzler
34 : SAFE HYLAND Matt Hyland ex Liosarinn Chorus

35 : GLANMORE ADAM Bexhill Eoin ex Cleanglass Grace
36 : TOM BAWN Bexhill Eoin ex Bridewell Rose

37 : SKELLIG WISH Matt Hyland ex Beyond Tivoli
38 : FORTFIELD RIVER Eoin Rua ex Fortfield Blonde

39 : PATH OF PEACE Bexhill Eoin ex Call Up
40 : OFFSHORE EOIN Eoin Rua ex Inspiring

41 : OUTER CIRCLE Wallace Green ex Tango Time
42 : STRIKE THE LOTTO Galway Mark ex Dukeries Fern

43 : ARDMORE BUTCH Lochbo Butch ex Ardmore Rhythm
44 : SERENE DILEMMA Murtys Blaze ex Uptown Dilemma

45 : NICKIES RIO Bexhill Eoin ex Denham Darkie
46 : TORRE AIR Tynwald Smokey ex La Torre

47 : UPTOWN ABU Murtys Blaze ex Uptown Dilemma
48 : SOLID MONK Bar Time ex Tobitl

49 : CRAFTY DENSO Vacume Legend ex Crafty Montico
50 : FASCINATOR Bexhill Eoin ex Bambas Hawkeye

51 : ARISE SIR MARK Bexhill Eoin ex Minor Tynwald
52 : BLUEVIEW SAM Murtys Gang ex Foxhill Rio

53 : BARRACK EOIN Bexhill Eoin ex Crafty Kalisto
54 : JERU CAVENDISH Siena Steel ex Jeru

55 : CUINE BOY Kyle James ex Garbally Glory
56 : CUDDLY MAN Johnny Casanova ex Maughera Times

57 : VACUME COOL DUDE Bexhill Eoin ex Vacume Blonde
58 : FACE THE NATION Murtys Blaze ex Angelical Girl

59 : MASTER MC HUGH Murtys Gang ex Foxhill Rio
60 : BLACKPOOL SWANK Matt Hyland ex Cudham Specks

61 : HERE COMES HARRY Kingsmill Dynamo ex Hollyoak Pegasus
62 : ASHMORE MASTER Bexhill Eoin ex Carrick Sam

63 : AFTERTIMING Bexhill Eoin ex Butlers Mary
64 : CAROWKEAL BENJI Trajectory ex Carrowkeal Rossa

GREYHOUND & PET WORLD OAKS

Reserves (in order):
VOLGA FLOW: RUNAWAY BLONDE: LISDALEEN STAR:
ALKALA: LISTOWEL LADY: MOUNT RUBY SAMMY

1 : FIERY SUNSET Bexhill Eoin ex Fiery Ruby
2 : TILT YOUR SKIRT Bexhill Eoin ex Tilt Your Kilt

3 : FEEDE BLOND Eoin Rua ex Strawberry Blond
4 : KINGSMILL EVE Kingsmill Dynamo ex Global Call

5 : CUSHIE VICTORIA Bexhill Eoin ex Moat Elsa
6 : MISTY HERRIS Droopys Saunders ex Misty Hazel

7 : GAISCE MOR Bexhill Eoin ex Rith Gan Gaisce
8 : BLAZING DILEMA Murtys Blaze ex Uptown Dilemma

9 : MOORSTOWN MERSEY O Flahertys Man ex Garvan Groovy
10 : CLASHNEVIN LILL Razor Ashmore ex Lils Glory

11 : GALLIE Bexhill Eoin ex High Caesar
12 : MULBOY GIRL Bexhill Eoin ex Mardine Blonde

13 : YOUR SYMBOLIC Bexhill Eoin ex Killucan Betty
14 : EMMAS GOLDRUSH Murtys Blaze ex Uptown Dilemma

15 : BOMBSHELRIAPANTS Kingsmill Dynamo ex Hollyoak Pegasus
16 : MAGICAL SOPHIE Bexhill Eoin ex Brats Delight

17 : WISE LADY Kingsmill Dynamo ex Hollyoak Pegasus
18 : BOSSA NOVA BABE Bexhill Eoin ex Rith Gan Gaisce

19 : SILENT CAROL Bexhill Eoin ex Silent Mac
20 : SPRING HAWK Razor Ashmore ex Kilpeacon Petals

21 : SOMETHING QUICK Bexhill Eoin ex Ballymore Trick
22 : BARRACK BIMBO Bexhill Eoin ex Barrack Court

23 : LADY BOMBSHELL Wilton Time ex Coshair Judy
24 : FIVES TREASURE Wallace Green ex Daltons Heresay

25 : LAUGHING LADY Johnny Casanova ex Maughera Times
26 : CARROLLSDESQUARE Dale Blue Boy ex Beautys Outlaw

27 : AWE AND WONDER Bexhill Eoin ex Chubbys Accord
28 : NAUGHTY LADY Bexhill Eoin ex Chubbys Princess

29 : YORKVILLE STELLA Bexhill Eoin ex Denham Darkie
30 : SHAUNANNE FLYER Murtys Gang ex Multibetty

31 : GOOD MORNING MAM O Flahertys Man ex Stop Yawning
32 : DAISYCUTTER Bexhill Eoin ex Gallant Daisy

33 : GALLANT SUCCESS Murtys Gang ex Tipsy Woman
34 : UPTOWN ANGEL Murtys Blaze ex Uptown Dilemma

35 : TURN THE TIDE Tynwald Smokey ex Make The Turn
36 : OILEAN SMILE Bexhill Eoin ex Beautiful Smile

37 : TRIOANAS JOY Bexhill Eoin ex Ballymac Jane
38 : OH BANBA Bexhill Eoin ex Bambas Hawkeye

39 : MOAT MICHELLE Bexhill Eoin ex Easy N Sweet
40 : GLENVALE KATIE Sandy Sea ex Itellyoumikey

41 : RIOS GIRL Ballymac Maeve ex Itellyoupatsy
42 : SWING ROSE Razor Ashmore ex Miss Candy Floss

43 : JERU MELODY Siena Steel ex Jeru
44 : LET ME CALL Johnny Casanova ex Maughera Times

45 : PERFUME Innocent Man ex Coshair Leara
46 : AMYVILLE KATE Janey Mac Aroo ex Longview Ciara

47 : CAREFUL HOLLY Eoin Rua ex Inspiring
48 : COFFEE IN CURROW Bexhill Eoin ex Shanavulin Queen

49 : TULLAMOY TRUMP Bexhill Eoin ex Tullamoy Lady
50 : COME ON VIVIENNE Razor Ashmore ex Kilpeacon Petals

51 : ARISE MY LADY Bexhill Eoin ex Minor Tynwald
52 : ROSIE HEDGE Cushie Theory ex Wee Rose Garden

53 : BALLYMORE POLLY Bexhill Eoin ex Ballymore Trick
54 : BEAUTIFUL HONEY Bexhill Eoin ex Beautiful Smile

55 : CAPETOWN LUCY Murtys Gang ex Smokey Blossom
56 : ALAINN Bexhill Eoin ex Tullamoy Lady

57 : HOLY LADY Bexhill Eoin ex Tullamoy Lady
58 : DALE ROISIN Eoin Rua ex Two Car Trap

59 : GORTMELIA SWEET Bexhill Eoin ex Easy N Sweet
60 : CASSIEBEAG Johnny Casanova ex Maughera Times

61 : RAVEL GLORY Bexhill Eoin ex Carrick Sam
62 : MARSHALS DUCHESS Bexhill Eoin ex Marshals Pearl

63 : CLOVERHILL SANDY Wallace Green ex Princess Town
64 : COOLALOUGH AINE Wallace Green ex Early To Work

CLASSICS CLUB CHAMPION STAKES

Reserves (in order): KYLE RANGER: KYLE TANYARD

1 : CAESAR MUSIC Droopys Caesar ex More Music
2 : WHITESTONE RAI Droopys Saunders ex Wake Up Time

3 : KYLE KING Kyle James ex Ballybeg Fancy
4 : HIGH AND MIGHTY Bexhill Eoin ex Hollyhill Blonde

5 : PAY ME Bexhill Eoin ex Uptown Smurf
6 : DRESDEN CALL Bexhill Eoin ex Call Biddy

7 : RIGHTTOGOWRONG Bexhill Eoin ex Ready To Sleep
8 : DROOPYS BABS Janey Mac Aroo ex Droopys Scotch

GRACE BRUTON CHAMPION BITCH STAKE

Reserves (in order): CAROLINA CRYSTAL: MUNGOS CERELLA

1 : WHY TANYARDPENNY Bexhill Eoin ex Why Tanyard Jane
2 : BEAUTIFUL CHRISY Ashmore View ex Cudham Perfect

3 : PORTINARD NINE Trajectory ex Four Options
4 : SOUTHSIDE TESS Murtys Blaze ex Southside Trif

5 : WHY TANYARD ASH Bexhill Eoin ex Why Tanyard Jane
6 : PARTY FLAMINGO Matt Hyland ex Party Victory

7 : CHERYL Bexhill Eoin ex Belated Legacy
8 : CLASS ATTRACTION Judicial Affair ex Moonveen Ellen

The following greyhounds have been officially withdrawn from the 2012 National Coursing Meeting.

B0YLESPORTS.COM DERBY
Montalto King
Capfield

CLASSICS CLUB CHAMPION STAKES
High And Mighty

The following greyhounds have been officially withdrawn from the 2012 National Coursing Meeting.

****.COM DERBY
Montalto King
Capfield (res)
Charlemont Mills
Serene Dilemma

GREYHOUND & PET WORLD OAKS
Listowel Lady (res)
Kingsmill Eve

CLASSICS CLUB CHAMPION STAKES
High And Mighty

NATIONAL COURSING MEETING

Monday 30th Jan, Tuesday 31st Jan and Wednesday 1st Feb.

Start 11.30am each day.

Judges: Liam Kelly and John O’Connell

Slippers: Martin Murphy and Richard Quinn

Monday:

11.30 am Starts with Oaks.

Then Interval.

Then The Derby.
and
Spirit of Mischief Stakes.

Tuesday:
Oaks,
Derby.

Interval.

Oaks
Derby
Kitty Butler Stakes
T.A Morris Stakes
Keen Laddie Stakes.

Wednesday: Complete Card

Barracks are well drilled

By Diarmuid O’ Flynn

Saturday, January 28, 2012

"You have to have a dream," says David Curtin; "Everyone needs a dream."

Forty years ago David bought a hillside farm just outside his native Tournafulla, over 100 acres of very challenging land. But David had a dream, and decades later he and his wife Noreen (and nowhere was partnership ever more true than working the land back then) were able to turn over a thriving dairy-farm to son Shane.

Modern milking parlour, concreted yards, everything spotless, spick and span. David and Noreen, a Clare native, retired to a cosy new stone-walled house at the edge of the farm, Shane and his new wife Michelle moved into the old family home but modernised it, Michelle using her design touch to enhance what was already there.

Rearing a family of four, carving a future from those hills, there wasn’t much David could do in the way of socialising but he did have one cast-in-stone annual break – the National Coursing Meeting in Clonmel. Late January/early February, the calm before the storm on a dairy-farm, the days before the hectic calving season kicks off, every year for the last 52 years David would head for Clonmel; for the last 38 of those years he would make a short holiday of it, staying with a few buddies in Hearn’s Hotel. It became his routine, his annual holidays.

This week the routine changes. One of the regular quartet of friends will be missing, David’s great friend Patrick O’Sullivan having passed away over the Christmas; his hearty company is sorely missed. The second major change, however, is joyous, very joyous.

In Clonmel this year the Curtin family will have two contenders, one in the Derby (Barrack Eoin) and one in the Oaks (Barrack Bimbo, Barrack the kennel prefix); one of those – Barrack Bimbo — is a live contender.

Though only 32, Shane is the breeder and trainer, a job he combines with the farming. It’s not that he wanted to make a fortune at it, though with hard work and a little luck a fella can make a few bob; no, this was love.

"When I first came home for good after I finished school I was more into going away for the weekend than anything else — when you’re younger you’re more interested in nights out than days out walking dogs!

"But then I got into the dairy-farming and I got into the dogs. I always loved dogs, bought my first dog from my Communion money! My uncle, Connie Curtin, was actually beaten in the semi-final of the Irish Cup in 76, Way Up Swanky.

"I suppose it was because of him really that I got into it, he was a fanatic. I was brought to the track, I was brought coursing, I was brought to the gallops. He’d always give me a pup or two so I’d always have some bit of an interest — that got me into it, and I’ve stayed with it more or less all the way up along."

There’s another reason also for Shane getting into dogs. "As a farmer I could get up there at six in the morning, do my work all day, and not meet a sinner from one end of the week to the other. Dogs give you an interest." They also give you something else. "When you’re winning, when you have a Trial Stake winner especially, it’s easy to stay interested but sure you’d always be dreaming anyway, walking the roads with a dog on a lead – those dreams shorten the walk."

Another man with a dream is Niall Curtin, Shane’s younger brother; no, it’s not of finally making it onto the Limerick senior hurling championship team, having tasted success with the All-Ireland U-21 team of 2002 (prospective brother-in-law Andrew O’Shaughnessy, engaged to their sister Eimear, was the star of that team).

"If John Allen came looking for me at this stage we’re in real trouble," he laughs. Niall, you see, is the full owner of Barrack Bimbo.

"Beginner’s luck," he says, "My first dog. I’d have gone to Clonmel a couple of times over the years, gone to the odd coursing meeting, but I’d never have shown the same interest in it as Shane. But Shane had a well-bred litter of pups, asked me if I’d be interested in buying one of them, have a bit of craic out of it, and I said ‘fair enough’. Well, I’m hooked on it now."

"He had a unique kind of selection process," says Shane; "There’s a passage in along by their dog-run and when the pups were about 12 weeks old he got them all gathered down in one corner and took off on a sprint up the road, as fast as he could — the first one up to him, that was the one he picked!"

"It worked, didn’t it?" counters Niall; "She did have a bit of a kink in her tail and I thought the lads were trying to pull a fast one on me, trying to persuade me to go with her — she was a nice-looking dog alright, only for that break in the tail. They told me that would make no difference and I wasn’t sure if they were trying to make a fool of me or not — they weren’t!"

They’re a warm family, the Curtins of Tournafulla, from a warm community, though that community and that way of life is coming under increasing pressure. The recession is having a devastating effect, two-thirds of the starting 15 from the team that ran eventual champions Garryspillane very close in the county senior hurling quarter-final of 2005 are now scattered around the globe, five of them helping Br. Pearses to the London Intermediate championship of 2010.

Law changes are also impacting. "There was a time when a man worked the land ‘til he wasn’t able anymore," says David, who – like his two sons – is as lean and fit as any of the greyhounds in training – no quads on this farm!

"But if a farmer retires now and is caught helping out on his own farm, he can lose his pension – I can take a spade and help my neighbour next door but I can’t lift a hand here!"

The drink driving laws also have a penal effect. David is lucky, he has family and anyway is only on the outskirts of the village, but many of his friends don’t enjoy the same convenience, can’t afford the taxi-fares either; they are now imprisoned in their own homes. "The village is gone very quiet," says Shane, "Local bars are really under pressure, struggling to stay going."

And still that life endures, rural Ireland battling on. "You have to have a dream," says David Curtin; "Everyone needs a dream." To so many people, Clonmel and its annual National Coursing Meeting offers that.

Long may it thrive, long may the Curtins of Tournafulla and families and places like them thrive


Read more: http://www.examiner.ie/sport/other/barracks-are-well-drilled-181864.html#ixzz1kkCaJTC8

Sportingpress.ie

Sam, Dreams in demand for Derby crown
BLUEVIEW SAM and Hopes And Dreams have both attracted attention with the sponsors for next week’s B0ylesports Derby at Powerstown Park.
They laid €2,000 each-way Blueview Sam at 14-1 and €2,000 at the same price Hopes And Dreams. The pair have been cut to 12-1.

Irish Coursing Club

Lovely and bright day at Powerstown Park. Great sense of anticipation about the place.
The Powerstown Park staff and local committee have the place looking superb. The new boxing shed worked really well at the trials. It is now almost parallel with the Slippers Hut. Hares run a straight line into it from the back run. Before they had to do a full right hand turn into the old boxing shed.

The field on the right as you drive into the Owners & Trainers car park is back in action too for handlers to walk and exercise their dogs. Big drainage job done on it during the summer. New addition is a bridge that brings you right into slips from this field. It will be well signposted on the day.

Came across Nigel Quinn cleaning the windows in the Club Stand. No doubt he was thinking of what might have been. Had a comrade of Cuddly Man, Cassiebeag, Laughing Lady and Let Me Call but alas he will be watching the action from the stands. However himself and his great friend Christy Browne will celebrate on Wednesday if Maughera Times throws a Classic winner.

As I’m chatting to Nigel a tractor and trailer pass by the Club Stand with a huge load of sallys. If the hares manage to get through all of these they will give the greyhounds a mighty run for their money next week. They are eating hay this year too. Top quality hay. The lads tell me it smells so nice you would eat it yourself. It is a nail biting time though for the local committee. They won’t relax until every hare makes it home safely under the escape.

Down below the vans from the catering company are moving in. Stocking up the shelves. Fair play they are doing a really good deal on the Soup and Sambo this year. Only €7, was €8.50 last year. Fine big mug of homemade soup too. Their Hot Steak Baquette with sautéed onions & relish goes down a treat at Thomond Park so if it’s good enough for Munster it should be well worth a try.

Back in the office we get word that Charlemont Mills is out of the ****.com Derby. Heartbreak for Kevin & Carol Rooney. They bought him after his trial stake win at Crohane. He was known as Battstreet Tiger then. Bad news for them but good news for Wood Hyland who comes in as reserve.
Not long later Michael O’Donovan is on the phone. The rumours about the local hope Serene Dilemma are true and he is unable to take his place in the Derby. A few days ago Liam Dowling rang to know what time on Monday he would get his trial for the reserve D Ballymac Bex. Now he is in the Derby.
And then the first big casualty of the Greyhound & Pet World Oaks. 10/1 shot Kingsmill Eve ruled out through injury. Many pundits thought she could give Michael Fitzpatrick & the Roches an Oaks trophy to go beside the one from Dynamo’s Derby win in 2009. The reaction of John Scully owner of Reserve A Volga Flow on hearing the news spoke volumes about how genuine coursing people are. “Kingsmill Eve gone ?. That is very sad for the connections. I was so looking forward to her meeting Fiery Sunset on Tuesday morning, two great bitches”.

As I leave the office I see the Presentation Jackets which Kathleen from Greyhound & Pet World sent up last week. DJ has already reminded me not to forget them on Wednesday. He was in Kilsheelan last November when I had a panic attack after realising I had left the jackets at home. I will have them in Powerstown ok but who will be wearing them ????
---------------------

The Powerstown Preview. Hotel Minella. 9.30pm tonight.

Admission Free.

Followed by Light Refreshments and Heavy Hors d’oeuvres

--------------------

The following greyhounds have been officially withdrawn from the 2012 National Coursing Meeting.

B0YLESPORTS.COM DERBY
Montalto King
Capfield (res)
Charlemont Mills
Serene Dilemma

GREYHOUND & PET WORLD OAKS
Listowel Lady (res)
Kingsmill Eve
Alainn

CLASSICS CLUB CHAMPION STAKES
High And Mighty

--------------

4/1 co favs Emmas Goldfish, Fives Treasure and Ravel Glory now.