I entered the track in such a chirpy and upbeat mood Saturday. I was looking forward to eight thrilling and competitive heats as it was the third round of the Irish Greyhound Derby!
What a fun night it was in Shelbourne Park as ten brave men agreed to the ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’. At this stage, people are bored of hearing about it and watching people getting ice cold water thrown over them, but not this time! This was a one time opportunity for people to see their favourite personalities and trainers getting cold, wet and looking miserable! What’s not to like! Fair play to all the lads, it’s great to see them let their hair down and put themselves under the spotlight for charity, they must have been freezing!!!
I have pictures of some of their reactions which is the best part so have a look below! Thanks for the laughs men.
Paul Hennessy (nice Jesus sandals Paul, HON THE CATS)
Kevin Hennessy (Boylesports will be proud Kev)
Pat Buckley (I think I prefer the picture of you holding the Fish Pat)
Owen McKenna (It’s a long way to Tickle Mary Owen HON THE PREMIER COUNTY)
Shane Dowling (The Kingdom could be meeting the Dubs in the Final yet Shane, you better wash that jersey)
Declan Carey (I heard you had to throw out your suit Declan, probably best!)
Graham Holland (Good to see you taking one for the UK Graham)
Pat Curtin (Pull yourself together Pat ‘Curtin’ ha)
Ian Fortune (I heard your Dad made you do it Ian, bad form Michael)
Phil Meaney (taking one for the IGB team Phil, well done)
There were some stand out classy performances on Saturday and now we are down to the quarter finals, already! Each week throws something different at us but I was feeling low-spirited to see Droopys Nidge not qualify. It would of been fantastic to see this powerhouse go all the way but hopefully he will be back fit and ready soon. Alas, my feeling of sadness didn’t last long as one of my Derby predictions won in style, MIND THE NET. What a dog, he made it to the Scottish Derby, English Derby and now he is half way to the Irish Derby as well. He deserves to go all the way, this dog has done our Country proud so watch out folks, not only do you have to ‘Mind The Net’ but you also have to ‘Mind Pat Buckley’ too, his dogs are in super form!
Kisses For Cloda ran brilliant again for Ollie Bray. Ollie won the Derby in 2002 with Bypass Byway and Kisses For Cloda has every chance of giving Ollie his second Derby win. Laughil Blake was very impressive I thought. He is another one of my Derby Final predictions and I really enjoy watching this dog run.
Greyhounds are gentle, sweet natured, docile, affectionate and dedicated dogs, they are all heart and for every trainer and owner left in the Derby each one of their dogs means the world to them. Their dreams are starting to become real, achievable, reachable and doable. Unfortunately there can only be one winner of course but its not an easy job getting them there. Did you ever think to yourself what makes a good greyhound stand out from the rest? How do some trainers and owners always seem to have the fast dogs? Well I was watching a programme last night on RTE and one line that stuck in my head was one from the legendary Vincent O’Brien. He was asked many years ago how does he spot a great horse from the not so great and he said he always looks for a horse that ‘fills his eye’. It made sense, its a gift really and not all of us have it but thankfully some of our successful friends at the dogs do and watching these greyhounds in the Derby remind of us of how lucky we are and how competitive we are as a Country to keep producing great winners and sustaining reputable stud farms and tracks. It’s not luck, it’s not a lottery, it’s the result of hard work, fantastic breeding, top class pedigrees and outstanding trainers, owners, staff, the IGB, the list goes on. I am proud to be part of this wonderful industry.
So who is going to make it to the Semi Finals of this years Derby? Ballymac Vic, Whizzing Archie, Jaytee Osprey? Everyone I talk to has different opinions and no one reads a race the same way as the next person but one thing is for sure that a machine stands out to us all and that fortunately leaves us spoiled for choice as Laughil Blake, Mind The Net, Kisses For Cloda, Paradise Maverick, Ballyana Foxtrot and Ballymac Vic tick all the boxes and if the above was to be a Derby final all our Christmases would come at once! BUT only three can qualify and while that is disappointing it’s also fair and it means that the deserving and best greyhounds go all the way and make it to the final and give six excited groups of connections the hope of a Derby title and a trophy to put on their fireplace.
QUARTER FINALS DRAW
HEAT 1
1 IVY HILL PRINCE
2 SHOPPING BASKET
3 KISSES FOR CLODA
4 BALLYMAC VIC
5 BALLYANA FOXTROT
6 BORNEO (M)
HEAT 2
1 VULTURI
2 HOMELESS BOY
3 JAYTEE OSPREY
4 HAWAII KINSALE
5 EMERS SUPERSTAR
6 PARADISE MAVERIK
HEAT 3
1 DROOPYS WARD
2 KILLINAN BABY
3 DEANRIDGE PENNYS
4 EL FLUTTER (M)
5 LAUGHIL BLAKE (W)
6 MIND THE NET (W)
HEAT 4
1 TYRUR SUGAR RAY
2 BAREFOOT AGENT
3 THORNVALLEY
4 WHIZZING ARCHIE
5 GREEN PRINCE
6 SKYWALKER FARLOE (W)
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