HALL OF FAME, SPECIAL MERIT & WELFARE AWARD RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED
GRI
The recipients for the Hall of Fame, Special Merit and Greyhound Welfare Awards at the RCÉ/GRI National Greyhound Racing Awards have been announced.
The Awards will take place this Sunday 13th March at 7pm and will be hosted virtually and available to view for free on grireland.ie/talkingdogs.
HALL OF FAME
DENIS LENNON
Denis “Dinny” Lennon has been involved in greyhounds for most of his life and the man from Threecastles has established himself as one of Ireland’s most influential breeders.
His ‘Lemon’ prefix is known worldwide and has become synonymous with quality. So many wonderful greyhounds have carried the prefix over the years, while his bloodlines can be found in numerous classic and feature event winners over the past four decades.
SPECIAL MERIT
NOREEN MCMANUS
Noreen McManus (née Kirby), along with her husband JP, are names with ties in many sporting codes but today we honour Noreen for her contribution to greyhound racing.
Noreen’s love of greyhounds was fostered by her parents, the late Con and Annie Kirby and Noreen and her husband sponsor the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick Greyhound Stadium in their memory.
The newest Classic event, it has established itself as the starting block for the stars of our sport. Not alone is it of great significance to greyhound racing, it is also an important fundraising opportunity for Limerick GAA clubs and a wonderful marriage of two great communities. It’s legacy and contribution are a fitting tribute to two much loved parents and legends of our sport.
GREYHOUND WELFARE
GREYHOUND PETS OF AMERICA
Greyhound Pets of America National (GPA National) is a non-profit corporation founded in 1987, and is the largest single non-profit Greyhound adoption group worldwide. Since opening in 1987, GPA Chapters have worked together to adopt over 80,000 Greyhounds into loving homes. From its earliest beginnings, GPA's history has been one filled with individuals willing to pioneer the idea of Greyhounds as Pets and educating the public on the incredible nature of the breed.
GPA National, through its officers, were to the forefront of the GPA Irish Greyhounds to America Program back in 2019 and were instrumental in getting this rehoming initiative up and running. Although COVID restrictions did result in a temporary suspension in the initiative, greyhound transports to the U.S. recommenced in October 2021 and since then U.S. Receiving Groups affiliated to GPA (National) have rehomed almost 200 IRGT greyhounds with more expected to travel soon.