OUR PEOPLE, THE GENERATIONS - MEET THE HEENEYS FROM WATERFORD

Meet the Heeneys - Michael, Eimear & Matt

Michael Heeney credits his grandfather for passing his love of greyhound racing to him. His childhood memories include attending the local track and spending every Thursday afternoon with him helping with the dogs. When he was old enough, his grandfather set him the task of walking his bitch Duck Lane, 5 times around the local GAA pitch each night. However, Michael took it one step further and walked her 20 times each night and what resulted was a prolific stayer who won all her competitions and gave Michael his first taste of training greyhounds!

When Michael left his hometown of Dundalk for the bright lights of London (where he trained as an accountant), White City became his local track. He attended weekly and recalls the thrill of seeing superstar Yellow Printer race.

When Michael returned to Dundalk, he and his daughter Eimear became regulars at Dundalk, Navan, Harolds Cross & Shelbourne Park. Eimear departed for Waterford to continue her studies in music (focusing on the violin), graduated with a Masters in Music Performance and is now educating the next generation of musicians as a lecturer in her former Alma Mater.

Three years ago, the duo decided to combine resources and relocate to the countryside in Waterford where they built their own kennels. It was here that the well-known Sentimental Lad (known at home as Matt, who was bought from Breeder and friend Ronny Wuyts) began his career.

Sentimental Lad became one of the stars of Shelbourne Park in 2022 when he broke the 575 track record in a time of 30.59 (which he still holds today). Matt (whose half sister is Bockos Crystal) is now retired from the track at home, enjoying his post-racing stud career. Michael & Eimear may have changed location but still are regular faces at Shelbourne Park looking forward to introducing the next generation of racers!

Visit grireland.ie/ourpeoplethegenerations to learn more about the generations of families across Ireland united by their love of greyhounds and our sport.

The Heeneys are just one of the many families across Ireland where generations are united by their love of greyhounds, because...

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