MAGICAL THREE TIMER FOR THE GREAT JOHN O'CONNELL

Barry Drake

The night belonged to the kennel of John O'Connell (Pic right with Rollaway Bob) in Youghal last night as the Cobh man, who was celebrating his 88th birthday, recorded a fantastic treble on the 13-race card.

Boardwalk Bertie got the ball rolling in the second of the night, an A4 contest, in 29.62.

In a driving finish, the 7-2 shot pulled out all the stops to deny Commons Rover, by a head.

It was a double after the success of Mirissa Magic in the fourth of the night. The 2-1 favourite turned handy around the opening corners and he finished best to win easily, in 29.48. (A6).

It was a magical three timer for John O'Connell when Rollaway Bob powered up the home straight to win race eight, an A7, in 29.86, at odds of evens. A 22nd career success for the consistent tracker.

A wonderful supporter of greyhound racing in Youghal, everyone was delighted for John.

Kate O'Driscoll, Mark Drinan, Maragret Kiely, Stevie Motherway, John O'Connell with the birthday cake, Tadgh O'Loughlin and Donie O'Shea, all pictured at Youghal track. 

PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT

Fancy Tulip produced the performance of the night as the 5-1 shot delivered a stunning 28.72 run in the feature of the night.

The Talking Dogs A0-A1. Owned and trained by Kevin McLean, Clonmel, the flying early pacer showed massive early speed and she stayed on strongly to beat Portrait, by four lengths, in 28.72. Hot favourite Nonevernomore could never get involved and he was back in third.