MOANA & MALACHI CLAIM SUPPORTING LIMERICK FINALS

Peter Farrell

On a night where the standard of racing was exceptionally high at Limerick Greyhound Stadium, the finals of the Sean O’Connor Memorial A1 525 and the Limerick & Clare GOBA A2 525 also went down for decision.

The Sean O’Connor Memorial A1 525 has long served as a high-quality supporting act to the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial, and the 2026 renewal of the €5,000-to-the-winner contest went the way of Brickhill Moana, who produced a near carbon-copy of her semi-final success to bring her career tally to twelve victories.

Trained by Vincent McKenna for Albert Long and John Collins, Brickhill Moana went to traps as a 2/1 chance following a 28.27 demolition job in the semi-finals. On this occasion, she again pinged from trap three to immediately put her rivals under pressure. Chased early by Boozed Bonnie on the inside, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Twentylittletoes held a two-length advantage before extending further down the back straight, as Kilcolgan Eddie showed marked improvement to move into second. Kilcolgan Eddie looked a serious threat rounding the closing bends; however, Brickhill Moana held firm, staying on strongly to score by a length and a half in a brilliant 28.24.

MALACHI CLAIMS GOBA DECIDER

The €1,700-to-the-winner Limerick & Clare GOBA A2 525 final took place earlier on the card and produced a thrilling finish, with Tyrap Malachi (8/1) striking late in a blanket finish involving four runners.

In the early stages, Tally Ho Rose and Two Chimneys showed best from traps, but the inside line proved decisive for Tally Ho Rose, who tracked well to open a commanding lead entering the back straight. Sheezatwister gave chase, but the leader held an advantage of some four lengths approaching the three-quarter mark. The stronger finishers began to close rapidly in the closing stages and, in a dramatic finish, it was Tyrap Malachi (Malachi – Varra Biddy) who swept around the outside to prevail by a head on the line. The winning time was 28.75, with Ballymartin Neady taking second, just a short head ahead of Two Chimneys in third.

ROUNDING UP THE CARD

Minella Times A1 525 - The judge was called into action early on as the Paraic Campion-trained Chestnut Bonny held off the late bid of Carrigmore Dawn. Jointly owned by Tony and Raymond Bennett, ‘Bonny’ hit the front passing the 750-yard box as she shot up the inside of Honeypound Glory. In doing so, the daughter of Grangeview Ten - Aghaburren Bonny held off the late challenge of Carrigmore Dawn, by a short-head, in 28.80.

Don’t Push It A1 525 - Brian O’Donnell and Gerry Holian were represented by Indian Mist and the 9/4 chance made no mistake on his first start since November of last year. Drawn in trap two, the son of Ballymac Cashout - Ballymac India broke best of all and turned clear of Titanic Brads in second. The latter made a real fist of things in behind, however, couldn’t get on terms with Indian Mist as he crossed the line with one and a half lengths to spare. The time was a swift 28.41.

Johnnywho Open 750 - Boylesports Blue went to traps as the 15/8 favourite in this marathon contest, however, he was forced to settle for second in behind JJ Fennelly’s Burgess Hazel (4/1). The latter, a 4/1 chance, was spring-like at traps as he opened a commanding lead passing the stands for the first time. Thereafter, the son of Deerjet Sydney - Droopys Dargle was never under threat as he stayed on brilliantly to see off Boylesports Blue by five lengths. The time was 41.76.

Synchronized A1 525 - Jointly owned by Breda Boyle and Patrick Sheehy, Ballinabola Pixie was available at odds of 6/1 in this A1 contest and that proved excellent value as ‘Pixie’ powered to an eleventh career victory. Drawn in two, the daughter of Confident Rankin - Dolls On Fire was only moderately into stride but showed excellent track craft to nip around just shy of Imokilly Roxanne. Outpacing her rival down the back, Ballinabola Pixie maintained a strong gallop late on to see off Ballymac Riddick by one and a half lengths in 28.37.

Dinoblue Open 350 - In-form trainer Colm Fitzgerald was represented by Tiermana Dream in the open sprint and the 5/2 chance bounced right back to form to get the better of Stonepark Browne in another photo finish on the night. Donning the white jacket, the son of Ballyhimikin Jet - Tiermana Jetty showed exceptional early speed to hit the front and take a two length lead around the bottom two bends. The improving Stonepark Browne was eating up the ground in a bid to get back on terms, however, he fell just short as Tiermana Dream scored by a short-head crossing the line. The time was a brisk 18.49.

Istabraq Open 525 - Whizzing Donald was sent to traps as a 4/1 chance in the Open 525 and Adam Hogg’s tracker wasted no time in asserting, pinging from four to fly into the opening bend in control. Thereafter, the son of Broadstrand Bono - Whizzing Katie set a strong gallop to see off Tyrap Bucko, by three parts of a length, in 28.70.

I Am Maximus Open 525 - The reigning Connacht Derby champ, Droopys Map, performed very well in this year’s Kirby and Con Guiney’s charge produced another powerful performance to land a top-class contest. A 9/4 market chance, ‘Map’ broke fast from two, however, was outpaced on the run-up by Fahee Phantom in three. Never too far off the pace, Droopys Map tracked the leader throughout, before stepping on the gas late on to regain control. In doing so, the son of Droopys Sydney - Droopys Dancer drew clear to win by two and a half lengths from Fahee Phantom in second. The time was 28.41.

Meetmebythesea AO 525 - Evan McAuliffe got in on the act in the penultimate race on the card as Drombeg Flash finished with intent to win for the second time in his career. Drawn in four, the 11/2 chance walked from traps before shipping a hefty bump at the opener. Sitting around a dozen lengths adrift entering the back, the son of Grangeview Ten - Millbank Marcela produced a phenomenal display thereafter to come home with a wet sail and win by a half-length from Ballycowen Archy in second. The time was 28.94.

Saratoga AO 575 - The concluding race on a memorable night went the way of Timmys Bucks, jointly owned by Tim and Olive Cliffe. A versatile tracker, the 5/1 chance occupied the rear position early on but showed notable improvement down the back to sit second. Getting stronger as the race progressed, the son of Burgess Bucks - Trusted Exile mowed down Moorestown Brett in the late stages to cross the line with one length to spare. The time was 31.60.