BETDAQ’s Sarah Kinsella fills us in on the all the latest Irish Greyhound Derby news as they reach the Semi Final stage of the prestigious race.
Things really do get better with age, don’t they. As a kid growing up most of us were always wishing you could be older so you could go to nightclubs, or drive a car, buy a packet of smokes and show off your ID.
Well it has definitely been proven that Ballymac Vic and Tyrur Sugar Ray improve with age (just like our favourite bookmaker Ted Hegarty, eh Ted?!). These two greyhounds are one step closer to chasing the winners prize to be crowned the 2014 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby Winner, but who will it be, that is the million dollar question that fills Shelbourne Park every Saturday night. Everyone you talk to its the same story “Well, how’s things? Ah sure look I’m still above ground and yourself?. Ah I’m struggling like a poor farmer. Who will win the Derby?” As my Mammy always says about her gracefully aging self, “The older the fiddle the sweeter the tune”, this is a FACT and Mammy turned sixty something on Thursday so Happy Birthday Annie!
So, I kind of broke the rules in work a little today. I wore a Dublin Jersey, a really old one at that, but you see you are not allowed wear jerseys in work but I couldn’t help it. It’s bad enough that I couldn’t attend the game because I have to work so I was a rebel supporter and I wore one anyway but it was no use as the Dubs lost, badly. Donegal will win the All Ireland now, you should put ALL your money on them, which brings me to my next story…..
My Dad and I were in Shelbourne last week and we stopped to talk to Jerry Melia after Thornvalley qualified. My Dad says to Jerry,
“Jesus Jerry your dogs are running well, you are having a good run. What are you doing with all your money Jerry?”
“Well, says Jerry, I was putting all my money in a shoe box and hiding it in the cupboard you see and one day I decided to take some money out and the bloody mice had made holes in the shoe box and had eaten all me money into tiny little pieces.”
“Ah no, says my Dad, what did you do Jerry?”
“Ah I went to a wedding shortly after and used it as confetti”
And that is a true story, Jerry you are a legend! Always making people laugh and smile.
What a game it was between Kerry and Mayo. Liam and Shane Dowling must be buzzin after their victory and what a finish they had to their triumphant day as Ballymac Vic and Vulturi gave Liam a double, in the quarter finals. It ain’t easy done but the Kerry man is having a fabulous run in this years Derby and nearly got three dogs through but Green Prince didn’t qualify.
Another man who is having a great run with his dog is Michael J O’Donovan with the exceptional Laughil Blake. He seems to be the one to beat now surely, judging by his performances anyway. I have liked him from the start and he could give Michael another Derby title as he won with Judicial Pride in 2000 in a fast clock of 29.68. Oh, its getting so close now guys, I am getting goose-pimples every time I think of the final night and with the plan that is set up for the night with the Original Rude Boys playing, its going to be EPIC..! I wonder if I will get a dance with Pat Flynn the Shelbourne Manager on the night?! You did promise Pat!
I met up with Noel Byrne and his son David last night at the bar (where else sure ha) and we spoke about the disappointment of Kisses For Cloda and that it was always going to be harder for him to win if he had to come from behind as he had been leading for all his wins in the Derby. Sad to see him and Ballyana Foxtrot go but they gave us some powerful and memorable runs and put up a good fight especially Kisses For Cloda as he came back from injury. Another dog I will miss is Paradise Maverick, a half brother to Paradise Madison. He was too far out last night and had too much work to do, I really thought he could make the final.
A few punters I spoke to had a great night as they backed all four winners of the Derby heats. Vulturi, Tyrur Sugar Ray, Ballymac Vic and Laughil Blake. I attended the draw last night and was treated to coffee and sambos again and watched the nervous trainers and owners wait impatiently for the draw results. When Tyrur Sugar Ray was pulled out for trap one there was a might roar from Conor Fahy and company as they were delighted with this result for their Derby runner. A sweet result for Sugar Ray!
SEMI FINALS DRAW
HEAT 1
1 TYRUR SUGAR RAY
2 BAREFOOT AGENT
3 EMERS SUPERSTAR
4 DROOPYS WARD
5 HOMELESS BOY
6 LAUGHIL BLAKE (W)
Prediction: 6-1-3
HEAT 2
1 BALLYMAC VIC
2 DEANRIDGE PENNYS
3 IVY HILL PRINCE
4 VULTURI
5 BORNEO (M)
6 SKYWALKER FARLOE (W)
Prediction: 2-1-6
And what is this rumour I heard that the women of Shelbourne are next up for the Ice Bucket Challenge? There is a bet on Marie Gilbert , Dolores Ruth and Nicky Holland to take part, let’s hope they know about it, well they do now anyway! Don’t get too excited though lads, it’s NOT a wet t-shirt competition now just in case you get carried away with yourselves..! Poor Skippy Gilbert would have palpitations! And what about this best dressed ladies competition, why can’t there be a best dressed man competition as well? Who do you think would win it? Emmet Hegarty, Declan Carey, Kevin Hennessy, Pat Curtin? I think we should introduce a ‘Best dressed Gentleman and Lady’ competition. Yay or Nay?
So I look forward to seeing you all in your best form on Saturday and don’t forget to wear your colours of support for the final of the All Ireland Hurling on Sunday. Kilkenny take on Tipperary, Paul Hennessy takes on Owen McKenna, the Cats take on the Premier County. Let the battle begin!
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