May 2024

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 167: RACHEL WHEELER & PAIDÍ WALSH

Barry chats to trainer Rachel Wheeler and Paidí Walsh, chairman of the Youghal Track Supporters Club.

TREBLE FOR GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON OPERATION

Barry Drake

The kennels of Andy Lynch enjoyed a night to remember in Youghal on Wednesday night as the Cappoquin outfit recorded a fantastic treble. Handled by his grandson, Tim Cliffe, all three winners displayed stunning early speed and in the process, posted magnificent all-the-way winning runs.

#LIGHT4LISA CAMPAIGN BACK AT ENNISCORTHY

Ian Fortune

A year after the great success of the fundraiser for the #Light4Lisa campaign at Enniscorthy, there are plans to run another at the southeastern venue next month. Once again, Powder Freeman has been in training and plans to repeat his victory over one of our canine athletes.

JAKE FASTEST IN ELITE BLACK STAKE AT ENNISCORTHY

Ian Fortune

The opening round of the Elite Black At Stud May Unraced made up the entire card at Enniscorthy on Monday night and a number of promising youngsters were on show including Ballinabola Jake, who set a strong standard in the first of the eight heats.

WILDCAT POUNCES FOR SUPERB CHAMPION SUCCESS

Ian Fortune

Moanteen Wildcat produced a brilliant performance to emerge a superb winner of the Champion Open Unraced Stake at Kilkenny on Sunday night. Broadstrand Syd was sent to traps the 11-10 favourite but a trap five draw ultimately proved his undoing as he took an early bump as he edged inwards hunting a rails pitch.

TALKING OAKS EPISODE 2 MONDAY 27TH MAY

GRI

Sporting Press correspondent Frank Kiernan joins Ian Fortune and Tommy Lyons for this week's chat about the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks action in Shelbourne Park.

IRISH AGAIN TO THE FORE AT TOWCESTER

Ian Fortune

The Irish had another great night at Towcester on Saturday evening, again highlighting the strength of the raiding party. Five of the eleven heat winners were representing these shores, while there were also a number of big displays in defeat.

OAKS BEGINNING TO GATHER PACE

Ian Fortune

The ladies provided some exceptional racing at a busy Shelbourne Park on Saturday night with the second round of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks the feature. The standard was remarkable with each of the eight heat winners breaking 28.60, while Droopys Edel set the standard with a stunning 28.21 return in the opening heat.

CORPORATE JACK LANDS LIMERICK 600 IN SUPER STYLE

Peter Farrell

There was a €1,000 prize on offer at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night as the final of the Limerick A3 600 took place and this was landed in emphatic fashion by the improving Corporate Jack.

BORNA THYMES IT WELL IN WILLIE MAHER MEMORIAL

Peter Farrell

The final of the €1,850 to the winner Willie Maher Memorial A3 525 served as the highlight at Thurles Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and there was a popular winner in the shape of local runner, Borna Thyme.

A STRONG LATE DASH FROM TORO IN LEE STRAND FINAL

Barry Drake

Dashing Toro (Droopys Sydney-Ballycowen Lucy) was the star of the show in the Kingdom on Saturday night as the 5-2 winner took gold in the final of the €10,000 to the winner Lee Strand 550.

ALL ABOUT TUONO CHARLIE IN DEADLY KENNELS OPEN 750

Barry Drake

Just like last week, Tuono Charlie set the standard in the Deadly Kennels Open 750 as the Sharon Hunt-trained runner delivered another foot-perfect display in the second semi-final at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

ANOTHER SUPERB DISPLAY FROM GORTKELLY BEAR IN KILCOHAN PARK FEATURE

Barry Drake

Gortkelly Bear, trained by Michael Meade for owner Derek Larkin, ran out a great winner of the feature in Kilcohan Park on Saturday night, the €5,000 to the winner DG Foods Ltd A4 Tri Distance Final.

ALF SHOWS HIS QUALITY IN ISLANDBRIDGE SUCCESS

Ian Fortune

Ballinakill Alf did what was needed to capture the Islandbridge Open Sprint at Shelbourne Park on Friday night, again displaying his supreme track craft and pace to see off the gallant pair of Romeo Taylor and Cree Jo Jo.

PADDY POUNCES LATE FOR NEWBRIDGE DERBY GLORY

Ian Fortune

Coonough Paddy seemed to get better and better with each outing through the Friends of Newbridge Derby and so it was fitting he produced his best run of the competition in Friday's decider at the Kildare venue.

SEVEN UP FOR IRISH AT TOWCESTER

Ian Fortune

Ireland had yet another memorable night at Towcester on Friday night, sending out seven of the ten heats winners in the second session of opening round heats of the Star Sports/TRC English Derby.

JENNIFER O'DONNELL CHATS TO PAUL CARROLL ON LAST FRIDAY’S TIPP FM 'THE SPORTING EDGE' SHOW.

GRI

Back-to-Back Irish Derby winning greyhound trainer and Killenaule native Jennifer O'Donnell Chats To Paul Carroll On Last Friday’s Tipp Fm 'The Sporting Edge' Show.

Enthusiastic German Fans Flocked To Shelbourne Park For UEFA Europa League Pre Party

Sarah Kinsella

Greyhound Racing Ireland were delighted with the incredible turnout at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium as they hosted their first ever ‘Fan Meeting Point’ ahead of the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League Final.

A BRIGHT START FOR IRELAND AT TOWCESTER

Ian Fortune

The Star Sports/ TRC English Derby began at Towcester on Thursday evening and the Irish made a very bright start, sending out four winners, including the three fastest winners of the session. De Lahdedah set the standard with a massive 28.78 return but Irish Derby champion The Other Kobe and the Paul Hennessy trained duo of Jaytee Etienne and Boylesports Bob also greatly impressed.

DAVY TRAYNOR

Ian Fortune

Greyhound racing lost a true friend in recent days with the passing of Davy Traynor after an illness. Davy was a staple in Irish greyhound racing over the last few decades with his famed ‘Lodgefield’ prefix carried by so many stars through the years.

GREYHOUND SALES FIXTURE DATES ANNOUNCED FOR MAY - JULY 2024

GRI

The following Sales Fixture are allocated for May, June and July 2024:

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 166: ANDREW HEPBURN & MARK J. FANNING

GRI

Barry chats to Andrew Hepburn, kind sponsor of the DG Foods Ltd A4 Tri-Distance at Kilcohan Park & Mark J. Fanning about Thurles racing at the moment with 2 Finals on this weekend.

JOHN DEVER

Ian Fortune

The Irish greyhound racing community was in shock over the weekend with the sad news of John Dever’s passing. In particular, those involved in the Dublin greyhound community would have been saddened by one of its most popular members.

RUN WITH PRIDE - PURCHASE A PIN TO HELP US SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH

GRI

Two years ago, the Shelbourne Park Tote Department embarked on a mission to make a difference, designing and launching the sale of a Pride Pins initiative to support mental health. This June, they are expanding the initiative nationwide to raise vital funds for Pieta House, a leading charity dedicated to preventing suicide and self-harm.

AUTUMN SHINES AT ENNISCORTHY

Ian Fortune

Ballybreenautumn justified favouritism in the final of the April Unraced at Enniscorthy on Monday evening, producing yet another fine display.

GORTKELLY BEAR GOES QUICKEST IN THE SEMI FINALS OF THE DG FOODS LTD TRI DISTANCE

Barry Drake

Gortkelly Bear impressed when recording back-to-back wins in the second semi-final of the DG Foods LTD A4 Tri Distance at Kilcohan Park on Saturday night.

MASSIVE CROWD TURN UP FOR ST FINBARRS GAA FUNDRAISING NIGHT

Barry Drake

A massive crowd turned up at Curraheen Park on Saturday night as St Finbarrs GAA held a very successful fundraising night.

TALKING OAKS EPISODE 1 MONDAY 20TH MAY

GRI

The 2024 Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks got underway on Saturday night in Shelbourne Park and Declan O'Donoghue joins Ian and Sarah to discuss all the action and give us their thoughts.

KING REIGNS AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

There was a bit of everything at Shelbourne Park on Saturday including drama, brilliant performances, a couple of shocks and a career best effort from Carmac King as he landed the Shelbourne Champion 550 in the style of a greyhound that could create more waves at the highest level in the future.

SYD TAKES OFF IN CHAMPION OPEN UNRACED

Ian Fortune

Both semi-finals of the Champion Open Unraced at Kilkenny were won in superb fashion on Friday night but the display of Broadstrand Syd in the second heat was particularly good with the Johnny Linehan trained star leaving a top-class field in his dust.

A BRILLIANT BRACE FOR HOLLAND IN ISLANDBRIDGE

Ian Fortune

There is simply no stopping Graham Holland. It doesn’t matter which discipline his greyhounds are taking on, his Riverside Kennels operation just send out winner after winner. That was the case at a very busy Shelbourne Park on Friday with both semi-finals of the Islandbridge Open Sprint going to the Golden based handler.

REAL POWER ON SHOW IN NEWBRIDGE DERBY

Ian Fortune

For the second week running, there was a real display of power in the semi-finals of the Friends of Newbridge Derby with both Leeloo and Coonough Barry coming home hard to earn their place in next weekend’s decider on the back of a victory.

A COUPLE OF CLASSY DISPLAYS IN THE SEMI FINALS OF THE LEE STRAND

Barry Drake

Summerfield Air, trained by Gerry Holian for Liam Carr, was quickest in the semi-finals of the Lee Strand below in the Kingdom on Friday night.

CAZADOR WINS IN STYLE AS GREEN BRIGADE ALSO IMPRESSES AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

Clonmel hosted no fewer than three sweepstake finals on Friday night and one suspects these were dress rehearsals for the upcoming Produce Stakes given some of the terrific performances on display.

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 165: OWEN MCKENNA & JIMMY BARRY MUPRHY

GRI

Barry chats to Owen McKenna after he reached a significant milestone of his 2000th winner last weekend. He also catches up with Jimmy Barry Murphy as he looks forward to a huge fundraiser for St Finbarr’s GAA at Curraheen Park this Saturday night.

ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR LADIES DAY AND INTERNATIONAL AT DUNDALK

Ian Fortune

Friday, July 12th has always been a date to put a circle around with Dundalk’s biggest day of the year providing great entertainment for those that likes their horses, their canines or just a great day out.

COCO IN SEASON AND HAS A DATE WITH BILLY

Ian Fortune

The brilliant Tote Gold Cup winner Boylesports Coco was being lined for a crack at the English Derby but plans have certainly changed in recent days. After picking up a small knock in her latest outing, scuppering chances of a trial at Towcester, an Oaks challenge was then muted.

TALKING DOGS ON MONDAY 13TH MAY

GRI

Join Ian Fortune, Tommy Lyons and Barry Drake for this week's Talking Dogs chat. There's plenty to chat about as they give us their thoughts on action from Shelbourne Park, Newbridge, Tralee, Cork and Limerick plus Towcester.

2002 AND COUNTING FOR MCKENNA

Ian Fortune

Owen McKenna has long been one of the best greyhound trainers in the land. A man who was born into the sport as a son of the late great Ger McKenna, who is seen by most as the best to ever put a lead on a greyhound, he had little choice.

JIM CAUGHT NAPPING AS HE CELEBRATES ‘SPECIAL’ BIRTHDAY

Ian Fortune

Jim Murphy has been a man in the news for a few years now with so many superstars of the sport carrying his ‘Clonbrien’ prefix.

KING MAKES IT FIVE STRAIGHT IN CHAMPION 550

Ian Fortune

The semi finals of the Shelbourne Champion 550 were the highlight of a thoroughly entertaining card at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.

SHORT GRIP POWERS TO CLONBRIEN TREATY LIMERICK OAKS SUCCESS

Peter Farrell

Kindly sponsored by the Murphy family, the final of the 2024 Clonbrien Treaty Limerick Oaks took place on Saturday night and it went the way of Short Grip, who followed up her brilliant semi final success to cement her status as one of the fastest females in training.

OAKFIELD WAS A BULLET

Peter Farrell

In amongst the Willie Maher action, it would be remiss not to mention a performance of real class in the concluding race as Oakfield Bullet got back to winning ways for Thomas Jordan.

BLACK SHINES IN WILLIE MAHER MEMORIAL SECOND ROUND HEATS AT THURLES

Peter Farrell

After some fine action in the opening round of the Willie Maher Memorial 525 at Thurles Park one week prior, the second round heats featured on Saturday night and it was Black Shine that went quickest for the Pie-In-The-Sky-Syndicate.

STUNNING EARLY SPEED FROM KATSUMOTO IN FEATURE SPRING DEBY FINAL

Barry Drake

Katsumoto made the most of the rails pitch to win the final of the €7,500 to the winner A2 Spring Derby at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

DG FOODS LTD A4 TRI DISTANCE STAKE OFF TO A GREAT START AT KILCOHAN PARK

Barry Drake

The DG Foods LTD A4 Tri Distance Stake got off to a flying start in Waterford on Saturday night with several impressive performances in this fantastic event which is a huge addition to the calendar at Kilcohan Park.

TIGER HOLDS FALCO IN ISLANDBRIDGE HEAT

Ian Fortune

What a difference a week can make? Just seven days after the voided contest that saw the re-run of the opening heart of the Islandbridge Open Sprint, Robbies Tiger completely left his most recent woes behind him.

VICTORY FASTEST IN NEWBRIDGE DERBY

Ian Fortune

There were some superb runs in the second round of the Friends Of Newbridge A1 Derby on Friday night but the headlines had to go to the aptly named Victory Lane who a strong standard when storming home to win the final heart in a sizzling 29.88.

HABOUR AND SYD SET CHAMPION UNRACED PACE

Ian Fortune

The second round of the Champion Open Unraced at Kilkenny wasn’t a happy hunting ground for favourite backers on Friday night, although Neko Harbour did offer some respite as he obliged in a joint fastest of the round in Heat 2, clocking 28.93 to match opening heat winner Broadstrand Syd.

DASHING TORO A YOUNGSTER GOING PLACES

Barry Drake

Dashing Toro clocked a magnificent 29.47 in the second round of the Lee Strand at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Friday night.

AVISO A LOS COMPRADORES DE GALGOS EN SUBASTAS DE VENTA AUTORIZADAS

GRI

Greyhound Racing Ireland [Carreras de galgos en Irlanda] desea informar de que, a partir del 1 de mayo de 2024 inclusive.

TALKING DOGS ON THURSDAY EPISODE 164: PAUL HENNESSEY & DAMIEN MATTHEWS

GRI

Barry chats to two great trainers today, Paul Hennessey & Damien Matthews.

TALKING DOGS ON TUESDAY 7TH MAY - SPK 600 FINAL & MORE

GRI

Ryhope Beach's 600 win in Shelbourne Park headlines today's chat but there's plenty of action across Ireland and in Towcester for Ian and Sarah to discuss today.

VIDEO: 2024 SHELBOURNE 600 FINAL

GRI

Ryhope Beach added his name to the illustrious list of 600 winners over the May Bank Holiday weekend when he landed the 2024 renewal for trainer Michael J. O'Donovan and owner Alison Bandurak and her husband Mike. Join us now for a look back on the win and a chat with Mike Bandurak.

RYHOPE BEACH LANDS €15,000 SHELBOURNE OPEN 600 FINAL

Sarah Kinsella

The Michael J O’Donovan trained Ryhope Beach was an outstanding winner of The Shelbourne Open 600 Final on Saturday night winning in a time of 32.23.

HAWK TAKES FLIGHT IN ENNISCORTHY’S APRIL UNRACED

Ian Fortune

Hogans Hawk was the standout winner in the delayed second round of the April Unraced at Enniscorthy on Monday night. Willie O’Connor’s daughter of Droopys Sydney and Powerful Mush simply too hot for her rivals, making all to come home six lengths clear of Piercestown Page in 28.80.

KOBE STRIKES AS GRAHAM HAS TOWCESTER FIVE-TIMER

Ian Fortune

The Other Kobe returned from a 246 day layoff to make a winning return to action at Towcester on Sunday afternoon, highlighting his claim in the upcoming Star Sports/ TRC English Derby. It was a tremendous display rom the brilliant son of Ballymac Best, only bettered by his handler Graham Holland and his Riverside Kennels operation who sent out five winners on the day.

FOXROCK BOB UPSETS THE ODDS IN SORLEY O’DORNAN DECIDER

Peter Farrell

There was a healthy €2,250 on offer as the final of the Sorley O’Dornan Memorial A3/A4 525 concluded at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Sunday night and it certainly didn’t go to script as 11/1 chance Foxrock Bob landed the spoils.

HUGELY SUCCESSFUL ‘LIFFORD TOGETHER’ GALA AS PIVOTAL TIME CLAIMS FEATURE

Peter Farrell

A large crowd descended onto Lifford Stadium on Sunday evening as the track presented their gala night, ‘Lifford Together’, which was in aid of the R.N.L.I Lough Swilly Lifeboat Station in Co. Donegal.

IN GOOD TIME DELIVERS STUNNING TRACK RECORD RUN IN THE KINGDOM

Barry Drake

A big crowd enjoyed some wonderful racing action in the Kingdom on Saturday night. Huge credit must go to the KGOBA and the Clifford family, Ardfert, for the great work and wonderful sponsorship on the night. The Awards took centre stage, but there was a sensational performance on the track as well.

SPECIAL BEACH CAPTURES SHELBOURNE OPEN 600

Ian Fortune

Ryhope Beach is the 2024 Shelbourne Open 600 champion although for much of the opening half of the contest it didn’t seem likely. On what was a tremendous night of action, the performance of Ryhope Beach as he captured his first classic success was the undoubted highlight.

SHORT HOLDS TIGHT GRIP ON LIMERICK OAKS

Peter Farrell

The opening round heats of the Clonbrien Treaty Limerick Oaks took centre stage at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and all three heats oozed quality as Short Grip set the standard with a blistering 28.13 effort.

KELLY SETS THE STANDARD IN WILLIE MAHER MEMORIAL

Peter Farrell

The opening round heats of the Willie Maher Memorial A3 525 got underway at Thurles Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and it was Slippy Kelly that set the standard with a fine display for Patrick Ryan.

KATSUMOTO QUICKEST IN THE SEMI FINALS OF THE SPRING DERBY AT CURRAHEEN PARK

Barry Drake

Katsumoto, trained by Gerry Holian for owners Basil and Bernadette Holian, went quickest in the semi-finals of the €7,500 to the winner A2 Spring Derby at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

SENSATIONAL START TO KILKENNY’S CHAMPION UNRACED

Ian Fortune

It was predictable there would be some fine performances at Kilkenny on Friday night in the opening round of the Champion Open Unraced Stake but it really did exceed expectations with so many potential superstars impressing on the night but none could match Jacktavern Gem who looked exceptional as he recorded a scintillating 28.64.

DRAMA IN ISLANDBRIDGE AS ALF GOES FASTEST

Ian Fortune

There was certainly drama at Shelbourne Park on Friday night with the opening round of the Islandbridge providing plenty to talk about

LEELOO SETS STRONG STANDARD IN NEWBRIDGE DERBY

Ian Fortune

Perhaps inspired by her litter sister, Singalong Dolly, who is set to potentially start favourite in the final of the Shelbourne Open 600 this evening, Leeloo went fastest in the opening round of the Friends of Newbridge A1 Derby at the Kildare venue on Friday night.

DANICA HEADS A STAR-STUDDED LIMERICK OAKS

Peter Farrell

Kindly sponsored by the Murphy Family, the opening round heats of the Clonbrien Treaty Limerick Oaks gets underway later tonight and it’s fair to say that the calibre of entry is through the roof with a number of the Country’s best females venturing to Limerick.

TWO WIDE OPEN SPRING DERBY SEMI FINALS AT CURRAHEEN PARK

Barry Drake

The semi-finals of the €7,500 to the winner A2 Spring Derby take centre stage at Curraheen Park tonight.

UNANIMOUSPANTHER THE STAR IN THE OPENING ROUND OF THE LEEE STRAND

Barry Drake

Unanimouspanther, trained by Pat Buckley for owner Ciaran O'Sullivan, set the standard in the opening round of the Lee Strand in the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium last night.

VIDEO: BECOMING A KIRBY CHAMPION

GRI

17 year old Daniel O’Rahilly tells us what it means to one of the greatest competitions in our sport, the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial.

SPRINTERS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

Recent Friday nights have been hugely entertaining at Shelbourne Park and tonight’s fare promises to provide more of the same with a couple of sweepstake finals backing up the opening round of one of the best sprint competitions of the year, the Islandbridge Open 350.