TIPPERARY CUP ALL TO PLAY FOR

Peter Farrell

The semi finals of the 2025 Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup served as the highlight at Thurles Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and Cagey Billy set the standard with a thoroughly dominant performance in the second semi.

Coming into the second semi final, Tarsna Maasai was expected to maintain his unbeaten run in the event after a mightily impressive 28.72 performance last time out. Indeed, his odds suggested as much with Geoff Parnaby’s star installed as the 4/6 favourite, however, Cagey Billy had other ideas as he exploded from trap five to lead. Posting a rapid 1.66 sectional, ‘Billy’ manufactured clear daylight on the run-up and as trouble ensued rounding the turn, this allowed Christopher Delaney’s charge to open a four length advantage over Tarsna Maasai in second. At this point, the latter didn’t look too comfortable as he checked up at the third bend and the gap only increased thereafter as Cagey Billy galloped out majestically at the head of proceedings. Building on a fine 28.90 victory last weekend, the brindle son of Pestana - Lilly Lula, a 2/1 chance, romped to an eleven length victory as the fading Tarsna Maasai just held on to secure second. A close finish for the qualifying places saw Moorstown Brett finish just a head back in third. The time was the fastest of the night, 28.76.

BACK-TO-BACK FOR BORNA

In the opening semi final, Borna Thyme made it back-to-back wins for Ruairi Dwan as he took full advantage of the withdrawal of likely favourite, Boylesports Blue.

A five-dog affair as a result, Borna Thyme went to traps as the even money favourite and he set his stall out early with a flying start from trap five. Shaving one spot off his previous sectional to post a rapid 1.65, Dwan’s charge was already in full control and he raced into the opening bend with a lead of a couple of lengths over Jim By Two in second. At this point, the latter showed an eye-watering turn of speed to loom alongside Borna Thyme midway down the back, however, the favourite ran a brilliant third bend to once again assert. It was now the turn of Moorstown Knight to attempt to reel in the leader and although making rapid inroads on the run for home, Borna Thyme stuck to his guns gamely to emerge a half-length winner. The time was 28.90. Both Moorstwon Knight and Jim By Two were big eye-catchers in this semi final and they will also advance into the feature next Saturday night.

JUNIOR’S STOCK CONTINUES TO RISE

On the undercard, the final of the Split The Pot A3/A4 570 saw Coolanga Junior justify his 6/4 billing for owner Michael Lowry.

Chasing a hat-trick on the night, Coolanga Junior is a fast improving youngster and in truth, once leading on the run-up, it was always going to take a monumental effort to reel in the September whelp. Breaking level from three, the son of Airmount Nando powered into the lead and in doing so, quickly developed daylight over his rivals. Both New Penny and Bust The Tins played their part in a tight tussle for second, however, the leader was always in charge of this contest as he maintained a strong gallop throughout to emerge a three length winner over New Penny, who came through for second. The time was 31.53, which was a new personal best from a greyhound that has now won three of his four starts.