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I'd be an occasional dogs goer but I thought this track was doing alright and am surprised at this.
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Harold’s Cross greyhound stadium is to close next year and will be sold by the Irish Greyhound Board in an effort to clear debts of over €20 million.
Board chairman Phil Meaney announced the decision on the Dublin track at an Oireachtas Agriculture Committee meeting yesterday.
“The notion of poorly performing tracks having financial subsidy and support in perpetuity is gone," said Mr Meaney.
"Individual stadia will have to stand on their own two feet and be able to demonstrate a capacity to perform under certain headings.”
“There is likely to be rationalisation of tracks over a period and Harold Cross will be sold at the appropriate time,” he said.
IGB chief executive Geraldine Larkin said that land in Cork and Limerick would also be sold.
“The Irish Greyhound Board cannot keep funding tracks which are not giving a return on money spent. Any decision on future funding will take into account the multiplicity of factors impacting on a stadium’s performance,” she said
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Harold’s Cross greyhound stadium is to close next year and will be sold by the Irish Greyhound Board in an effort to clear debts of over €20 million.
Board chairman Phil Meaney announced the decision on the Dublin track at an Oireachtas Agriculture Committee meeting yesterday.
“The notion of poorly performing tracks having financial subsidy and support in perpetuity is gone," said Mr Meaney.
"Individual stadia will have to stand on their own two feet and be able to demonstrate a capacity to perform under certain headings.”
“There is likely to be rationalisation of tracks over a period and Harold Cross will be sold at the appropriate time,” he said.
IGB chief executive Geraldine Larkin said that land in Cork and Limerick would also be sold.
“The Irish Greyhound Board cannot keep funding tracks which are not giving a return on money spent. Any decision on future funding will take into account the multiplicity of factors impacting on a stadium’s performance,” she said
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It will be a sad day for Greyhound racing if Harolds Cross is sold off.
They will have to spend a right few quid to spruce up Shelbourne Park for 5 nights racing every week.
They will have to spend a right few quid to spruce up Shelbourne Park for 5 nights racing every week.
Went to it once about 5 years ago.....not a nice place at all with an intimidating atmosphere.....low grade racing with a low grade clientele.....
Thought it was a bit of a Shelbourne Park "light" but a huge improvement on what it was before they put a few quid into it.
Very sad news for all involved in dog racing , a part of Dublin life is been eroded by its sale .A night at the H.X. track was part of my life , I'm proud to have trained bred and owned winners at this smashing track ..IGB have a lot to answer for IMO , they forgot the life blood of greyhound racing , the small trainer , people like myself who had a deep love of the game and were willing to put their in their hand pocket , yet Management decided they knew best and looked after the big yards to the detrement of small trainers like myself and others ..I take no enjoyment from their predicament and worry about those who might lose their livelihoods ...A sad day for Greyhound racing...
It's an awful blow for the Dublin greyhound man, some lads who race there were just getting back into the game since things started to pick up.
Went there once a week when I was working in Dublin in the 60's . Preferred Shelbourne , but HX was a good track .
The greyhound industry going the way it has in the north ( where it all started in Ireland )? Celtic and Dunmore were bigger than HX , but have been closed for 25 and 15 years approx . Sad to see it , my father was a dog owner until the fifties , during the glory days when attendances were in the thousands , every meeting , having peaked in the thirties and forties .
Alternative outlets nowadays for sporting enthusiasts , in the old days there was essentially only horse , dogs , and football ( in various guises ) . Changed times now .
The greyhound industry going the way it has in the north ( where it all started in Ireland )? Celtic and Dunmore were bigger than HX , but have been closed for 25 and 15 years approx . Sad to see it , my father was a dog owner until the fifties , during the glory days when attendances were in the thousands , every meeting , having peaked in the thirties and forties .
Alternative outlets nowadays for sporting enthusiasts , in the old days there was essentially only horse , dogs , and football ( in various guises ) . Changed times now .
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=PHOTOS+OF+CELTIC+PARK+GREYHOUND+ST&biw=102...
Nice post, never give up, I had many a good night in H/X, Also a very unfair post by Paulie .
First 4 tracks in Ireland were : Celtic , Shelbourne , HX , Dunmore .
Only one going to be left soon is Shelbourne . Sad .
But bear in mind there is hardly a greyhound stadium in London these days .
Only one going to be left soon is Shelbourne . Sad .
But bear in mind there is hardly a greyhound stadium in London these days .
Its sad to see another greyhound track close,its sad greyhound racing is in decline.
I used to go greyhound racing in The White City years ago,crowds of 40 thousand with sixty odd bookmakers great atmosphere sadly those days are gone.
I've never been to Harold's Cross but ye dog men should go to its last meeting,give her a decent send off.
I used to go greyhound racing in The White City years ago,crowds of 40 thousand with sixty odd bookmakers great atmosphere sadly those days are gone.
I've never been to Harold's Cross but ye dog men should go to its last meeting,give her a decent send off.
Good post Workrider,sad for the dogmen to see your sport going down the drain, a 20m debt though is very big,i'd imagine the real estate value would knock a fair whack off that.
IGB seem to have been stuck between a rock and a hard place.
IGB seem to have been stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Pa , they had a killing from H.C.during the Celtic Tiger ,built house's on it and made huge money , just as they did with Shelbourne , squandered that as well it seems , and nobody to answer to , a shocking state of affairs IMO...
Ah, didn't know that,just went on the basis of the opening post and had a bit of sympathy for IGB,that's a different matter.
Gant would be more up to date on this than me Pa , I would be interested in his take on it...
I was at Harold's Cross many times in the mid 80s but not for the dog racing. Went to watch League of Ireland matches there when Shelbourne were tenants as I lived locally. I expect the recent increases in Dublin property valuations has something to do with the timing of the decision.
Lots of questions should be asked and answers demanded but, this is Ireland, so that's unlikely to happen.
Lots of questions should be asked and answers demanded but, this is Ireland, so that's unlikely to happen.
i'm tempted to visit HX before it closes based on pauli's "TripAdvisor"....a hoodie, two days beard, twenty cigs and a can of dutch gold?
I know nothing of the dogs apart from the vile smell that used to emanate from a neighbour's house down the street as he was cooking some vile concoctions for his dogs more than a few years ago.
seriously!? , a €20m debt? how on earth could this happen in the sport?
20% of the annual handout (about 10m) seems very generous to me and I'm surprised the sport is flagging with this support.
hopefully someone will fill me in.
I know nothing of the dogs apart from the vile smell that used to emanate from a neighbour's house down the street as he was cooking some vile concoctions for his dogs more than a few years ago.
seriously!? , a €20m debt? how on earth could this happen in the sport?
20% of the annual handout (about 10m) seems very generous to me and I'm surprised the sport is flagging with this support.
hopefully someone will fill me in.
Didn't they mess about with building fancy offices etc somewhere ? Limerick ?
Actually running the sport isn't rocket science . Most of the tracks are well organised via locals who care about dogs and the sport . The old days of slightly hooky practices has long gone I suspect , too much video evidence etc nowadays compared with the past when reportage was minimal .
Slightly surprised by the news , maybe its the debt thing . Know a few of the younger element of family circle and friends have gone to occasional dog meetings and thoroughly enjoyed them , admittedly not from a punting perspective , purely as a social activity . Good night out . Personally my measure of a good night out at the dogs was largely financial . And the craic down in the ring if you knew some of the characters / bookies involved .
Actually running the sport isn't rocket science . Most of the tracks are well organised via locals who care about dogs and the sport . The old days of slightly hooky practices has long gone I suspect , too much video evidence etc nowadays compared with the past when reportage was minimal .
Slightly surprised by the news , maybe its the debt thing . Know a few of the younger element of family circle and friends have gone to occasional dog meetings and thoroughly enjoyed them , admittedly not from a punting perspective , purely as a social activity . Good night out . Personally my measure of a good night out at the dogs was largely financial . And the craic down in the ring if you knew some of the characters / bookies involved .
IGB seem to have been stuck between a rock and a hard place.
with respect Pa that's absolute bollox, the IGB caused this mess with all their actions down the years and then capped it all off by spending a fortune on a new track in Limerick that they even managed to make a mess of the track
with respect Pa that's absolute bollox, the IGB caused this mess with all their actions down the years and then capped it all off by spending a fortune on a new track in Limerick that they even managed to make a mess of the track
should have read on, see it was already said
It is Premier,tbf Workrider gave me more insight after that post,quite shocked they have sold off estate and are still so in debt,how has it gone so wrong? Is it wages, administration,pure bad management or what that caused the debt.Ignorant enough with greyhound racing and for anyone(neutral or not that into greyhound racing) reading the opening post the statement was sympathetic to IGB without any explanation of how it has come to this.
The spend/overspend on Limerick tack and head office has the finances in a mess.
Then again in good times the whole industry lost the run of itself.
If they do what the FAI did and pleaded with the banks for some of the debt to be written off, Harolds Cross could be saved. They should get a good team to have a chat with AIB.
One thing is for sure, getting the whole industry to unite will be next to impossible, too many little camps with different agendas.
Then again in good times the whole industry lost the run of itself.
If they do what the FAI did and pleaded with the banks for some of the debt to be written off, Harolds Cross could be saved. They should get a good team to have a chat with AIB.
One thing is for sure, getting the whole industry to unite will be next to impossible, too many little camps with different agendas.
20m in debt Gant, i cant see it happening, but i hope im wrong m8.
Cover ups by the IGB and the ICC are going on for donkeys years.
i know that but it wasnt in the general public years ago like it is now
Have they answered that question Ferris asked them yet about the Control Committee members owning dogs with high profile trainers who have had positive tests?? 
the squirming was unreal, the twats must know that we all know anyway
the squirming was unreal, the twats must know that we all know anyway
Sure I hear having positive tests is like a badge of honour.
Sad news,havent been to Harold Cross in years,will have to make a visit and bring back some good memories before its closed down,was looking at the returns at shelbourne park last night,really shocking carry on by the bookies,premier as a matter of interest would there be many bookies standing there last night?,the 9:00 race the sp returned was 2/1 co fav of 5 runners,
Read in the Post earlier in year there were 23 tracks in London in the 1970's/today there is one.Wimbledon.
huddys • October 23, 2014 8:10 PM BST
Sad news,havent been to Harold Cross in years,will have to make a visit and bring back some good memories before its closed down,was looking at the returns at shelbourne park last night,really shocking carry on by the bookies,premier as a matter of interest would there be many bookies standing there last night?,the 9:00 race the sp returned was 2/1 co fav of 5 runners,
probably just the one book there on a wednesday night
Sad news,havent been to Harold Cross in years,will have to make a visit and bring back some good memories before its closed down,was looking at the returns at shelbourne park last night,really shocking carry on by the bookies,premier as a matter of interest would there be many bookies standing there last night?,the 9:00 race the sp returned was 2/1 co fav of 5 runners,
probably just the one book there on a wednesday night
http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/Debates%20Authoring/DebatesWebPack.ns...
If the premier track in Ireland can only attract 2 bookies there is very little hope for the sport. Some of the horse racing tracks in England only have 4 or 5 bookies there on occasions , but they are being subsidised by the TV coverage etc . That does not apply to Shelbourne .
No bookies , no punters , no crowd ,--- inevitably no dogs . No answers here !
No bookies , no punters , no crowd ,--- inevitably no dogs . No answers here !
Pointless spending money on facilities etc if the sport is not able to go forward ( which seems unlikely ) . Time maybe to circle the wagons and concentrate on tracks which are low maintenance but still healthy crowd and dog wise .
Very few would go to the dogs if they could not have a bet on the outcome of a race , whereas some will go horse racing without having a bet ( went to racing abroad , did not have a bet myself , just took in the occasion --but it was inexpensive , think I paid 4 Aussie ( 2.50 ) to get in and it included program and other side options ) . TAB have OZ sewn up though . As have Jockey Club in Hong Kong , other track I visited --Sha Tin .
Very few would go to the dogs if they could not have a bet on the outcome of a race , whereas some will go horse racing without having a bet ( went to racing abroad , did not have a bet myself , just took in the occasion --but it was inexpensive , think I paid 4 Aussie ( 2.50 ) to get in and it included program and other side options ) . TAB have OZ sewn up though . As have Jockey Club in Hong Kong , other track I visited --Sha Tin .
i was a regular at limerick and galway years ago..strong market and good prices..then crowds dropped prices dropped to ridiculous levels..and as a result the whole thing is fcuked...even shelbourne outside big nights is quiet betting wise..when people arnt getting value they wont bet generally.look at the tote..another shambles
Kavvie....Bad prices never put people off having a bet on greyhounds, markets were always poor.
But the recession clipped the wings off breeding/pup sales, still good money out there for a decent dog/bitch.
But the recession clipped the wings off breeding/pup sales, still good money out there for a decent dog/bitch.
I was used to going to the dogs up here , Celtic and Dunmore . Traditionally strong markets , one bookie I knew was £3000 in front one night in Celtic after 3 races --3 skinners --and a semi-d in those days in a decent area was £500 . 1940's . 200 bookies at the big meetings .
Early in my Kerry holiday visitations I went to Tralee greyhounds regularly, good track , good racing , rubbish betting , even for small stakes . I only ever bet on the Tote there , fiddling around just . Guess its partly tradition . Even nowadays there are 10-12 bookies at Drumbo ( I believe) , talking to one of them fairly recently , he just smiled and said "its not what it used to be " .
Early in my Kerry holiday visitations I went to Tralee greyhounds regularly, good track , good racing , rubbish betting , even for small stakes . I only ever bet on the Tote there , fiddling around just . Guess its partly tradition . Even nowadays there are 10-12 bookies at Drumbo ( I believe) , talking to one of them fairly recently , he just smiled and said "its not what it used to be " .
was in drumbo recently......theres only 5 books there
Some of them in Drumbo wouldn't lay eggs. The racing there is generally poor grade but they are getting bums on seats.
Beware the Northern dog coming down south.
Beware the Northern dog coming down south.
Could believe that , never give up , maybe the 10-12 was a figment of my informants mind . The bookie I was talking too must be one of those 5 though , he was among the best layers at Dunmore before it closed , about 20 regular ( decent) bookies there in the 90's -- plus some fly by nights who were "tanked" on the way in if they were lucky . My bookie friend admits its only a bit of a hobby nowadays , not like the real thing when men were men !
A fair few of the "when men were men" ended up with not even a pot to p&ss in. Most never settled their debts.
29.13 bitch first race 10 yr ago...missed break but still won.not an offer gant that finished me with track even v good dogs arnt getting money
GANT007 • October 23, 2014 11:00 PM BST
A fair few of the "when men were men" ended up with not even a pot to p&ss in. Most never settled their debts.
yes a lot ended up skint but never heard of any of them not paying
A fair few of the "when men were men" ended up with not even a pot to p&ss in. Most never settled their debts.
yes a lot ended up skint but never heard of any of them not paying
im owed a good few pound by a "when men were men" merchant and ill never see it.im sure a few on here know the story!!
obviously wasnt a belfast track kavvie as u never went back after u didnt get on
Straight sellers will sell on but a lot of the regular buyers have no funds.
Did you look for offers or wait for them to come to you. 29.13 first time out even at a fast track like Limerick, Waterford, Cork or Shelbourne could have been sold on to England.
Did she better the time in her next few races.
Did you look for offers or wait for them to come to you. 29.13 first time out even at a fast track like Limerick, Waterford, Cork or Shelbourne could have been sold on to England.
Did she better the time in her next few races.
Went to Drumbo once , GANT , shortly after it opened , and to see how many of the Dunmore regulars had transferred their allegiance to Lisburn district council . The bums they are getting on seats there are not serious punters , from what I hear . My niece went there recently , thoroughly enjoyed it -- think it was a "girls night out " . Long term it is hard to sustain and attract hen parties etc . Not so many people with doggy backgrounds nowadays , drift from the land partly to blame .
And from what I hear any city folk looking after greyhounds must be deeved with health and safety nuts trying to ban them .
And from what I hear any city folk looking after greyhounds must be deeved with health and safety nuts trying to ban them .
NGU....I was at a small track a while back and 2 auld track gossips were mouthing about the bookie not laying this and that.....Bookie told us later the pair of them owed him about €5k between them.
These 2 mouthpieces now do trios on the tote.
These 2 mouthpieces now do trios on the tote.
GANT007 • October 23, 2014 11:11 PM BST
NGU....I was at a small track a while back and 2 auld track gossips were mouthing about the bookie not laying this and that.....Bookie told us later the pair of them owed him about €5k between them.
These 2 mouthpieces now do trios on the tote.
gant my reply was to kavvie as by what he is saying its a bookie that owes him and i was saying i didnt believe it happened in belfast..
NGU....I was at a small track a while back and 2 auld track gossips were mouthing about the bookie not laying this and that.....Bookie told us later the pair of them owed him about €5k between them.
These 2 mouthpieces now do trios on the tote.
gant my reply was to kavvie as by what he is saying its a bookie that owes him and i was saying i didnt believe it happened in belfast..
Kelly • October 23, 2014 11:13 PM BST
On the ball , never give up , 22.59 .
cheers kelly
On the ball , never give up , 22.59 .
cheers kelly
she did.sold her in the sales .she ran 29.23 in sales trial on a track of loose sand.she won 4 opens and lots of graded races in england .and they bred her..dunno to who or if the pups were any use
GANT007 • October 23, 2014 11:24 PM BST
NGU.....I'd say it's a punter who owes Kavvie.
ah ok gant,cheers
NGU.....I'd say it's a punter who owes Kavvie.
ah ok gant,cheers
no gant!!thats another debt.. the one im on about is owed by a shop bookie
I knew a lot of the older stlye bookies from way back . Most of them were "track " bookies , dogs mainly , but horses and point to points also . People forget that Sean Graham could not get a licence to bet down south , had to have a "middle man " from the south standing up there . 1960's .
A good few of the older style bookies did finish up skint , some were drinkers , some were essentially gamblers themselves , some were not too intelligent , and some got ripped off --probably by punters who complained about not getting on . The biggest bookie in Belfast at the height of betting activity ever here lived in rented accomodation -- a telling mindset situation . Maybe he had a premonition bookwise a la Rich man , Poor Man advice --good read . And he could have bought half a street of houses .
Think the more recent bookie successes up here are into property , nursing homes , art . Some interesting stories there too !
A good few of the older style bookies did finish up skint , some were drinkers , some were essentially gamblers themselves , some were not too intelligent , and some got ripped off --probably by punters who complained about not getting on . The biggest bookie in Belfast at the height of betting activity ever here lived in rented accomodation -- a telling mindset situation . Maybe he had a premonition bookwise a la Rich man , Poor Man advice --good read . And he could have bought half a street of houses .
Think the more recent bookie successes up here are into property , nursing homes , art . Some interesting stories there too !
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