DENIS O’MALLEY
It came as a shock to hear the sad news that the hugely popular figure and leading handler Denis O’Malley passed away earlier this week.
Denis had a real love affair with the sport, training greyhounds for almost seventy years, while there was always dogs around him with his father handled a few before him.
In recent years, Clearly Written was one of the real standout dogs for Denis. A finalist in the 2018 Laurels, he also went desperately close to making the decider of the Leger at Limerick.
But Denis was in no doubt about the best he ever trained. That was Jackie Come Home, who was one of the track stars of 1985. She went unbeaten through the early rounds of the Irish Oaks at Harold’s Cross before eventually finishing second in the final.
She returned for a crack at the Irish Derby and again reached the final. A fast-starting lady with terrific early speed, she was also a noted wide runner so a trap one draw in the Derby final was less than ideal. Predictably, she moved off and found traffic but was fully deserving of her place in the final.
It also highlighted Denis’s prowess with a racing greyhound. To train a bitch to finish runner-up in an Oaks and reach a Derby decider takes real skill.
The GRI website suggests that Denis trained a whopping 811 winners but that is only since they began keeping records. There is no doubt he trained hundreds and perhaps thousands more. Certainly, he must have trained over a thousand winner around Limerick alone, firstly at the old Markets Field and, in more recent times, at the new Greenpark Stadium.
A proud Limerick man, he was named the Limerick & Clare Greyhound Owners & Breeders Association ‘Public Trainer of the Year’ award in 2014, 2015 and 2016. That would have meant plenty to a man who truly loved his dogs.
A popular figure and a true gentleman, Denis will be greatly missed by all that knew him. A real doggy man, there was scarcely a night at Limerick that he didn’t have a runner and his absence will be significant.
We would likely to send on our sincerest condolences to his wife Carmel, his daughters Sharon, Denise, Siobhan and Jacqui, his beloved grandchildren Connor, Kelly, Olivia, Sarah and Becky, his extended family and many friends.
May He Rest In Peace.
Funeral Notice
Denis P. O’Malley of Cahernorry, Drombanna, Co. Limerick.
Well known Greyhound Trainer.
On February 13th 2024, peacefully, at St. John’s Hospital Limerick, surrounded by his loving family.
Dearly loved husband of Carmel and adored father of Sharon, Denise, Siobhan and Jacqui.
He will be greatly missed by his loving family, cherished grandfather of Connor, Kelly, Olivia, Sarah and Becky, son-in-law Steve, partners Philip and Jim, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, other relatives, neighbours and his many lifelong friends.
Pre-deceased by his brother Willie and sister Kathleen.
May He Rest in Peace
Reposing at Cross's Funeral Home, Ballyneety, on Thursday, February 15th, from 5pm to 7pm, followed by removal to St. Patrick’s Church, Knockea.
Requiem Mass on Friday, February 16th, at 12.30pm, funeral afterwards to Cahernorry Cemetery.
House strictly private, please.
No flowers please. Donations, if desired, to a charity close to your heart, in memory of Denis.
The O’Malley family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the Doctors, Nurses and Staff of St. John’s Hospital, his G.P Dr. Kennedy and Jonathan Kelly and his staff of Windmill Pharmacy, our neighbours and friends for their kindness and support to Denis.
~ Remembered with love ~
Those wishing to leave a message of condolence can do so HERE.