Historic All-Ireland Puppy Draghunt as Hannah Banna and Knock's Boy cannot be separated
Ger McCarthy with Knocks Boy of Griffin United who dead-heated in the Puppy All-Ireland draghunt at Timoleague also included are Noah and Finbarr McCarthy
FOR the first time in the history of draghunting a dead heat finish concluded a Puppy All-Ireland as despite with the aid of video technology Mayfield’s Hannah Banana and Shanakiel Harriers Knock’s Boy could not be separated as they crossed the tape.
On a day when damp and windy conditions at Timoleague it didn’t deter the hounds from driving the hunt at the west Cork venue.
When the hounds came into a view there were five hounds who looked to have a serious chance of landing the title.
Knock’s Boy had a slender lead but in the style of a champion Hannah Banana came from fourth to force a dead heat with her final lunge to the tape.
The Aaron Freyne Clogheen trained Jamie’s Dream had to be content with third ticket despite putting in a tremendous finish but the day belonged to Hannah Banana who by virtue of her dead heat also secured the Puppy championship title.
For Mayfield trainer Troy O’Mahony his daughter Ava and father Johnny it was a day to savour.
“I thought her task looked almost impossible coming into the last field but she spread wings coming to the tape and it was ironic she forced the dead heat with her litter brother with her litter sister finishing in third.
“To dead heat in the All-Ireland and win the Puppy championship on the same day is something dreams are made of and it’s also great for our club in Mayfield,” he said.
For the trainer of Knocks Boy Michael Crowley who was denied at the death it was a also a memorable day for the Griffin United trainer.
“At first we thought he had won but the camera doesn’t lie and in fairness, the hounds couldn’t be separated.
“We have had a great season and I would like to thank Ger McCarthy and his son Noah for their help in a year that I was laid up for a time,” he said.
The remaining tickets were filled by Authentic, Chloe’s Boy and Ashcroft.
The annual non-winners draghunt was also an exciting finish with the honours going to the Kieran Kearney Shanakiel Harriers trained Kerry Surprise.
In another good finish, the winner showed all her battling qualities to cross the tape ahead of the consistent Blue Lad from the Trina and Ken Long Southern/Carrigaline Harriers kennel.
Jamie’s Gem from Aaron Freyne’s Clogheen kennel took third ticket ahead of Singer, Daganmore Spot and Caoimhe’s Boy.
For the winning trainer Kieran Kearney winning this draghunt gave him great pleasure.
“Look winning any draghunt is tough but I have a lot of faith in my hound and it was nice to see her break her duck for the season,” he said.
Captain James trained by Barry O’Keeffe of Shanakiel Harriers produced a sterling run to win to win the open Senior draghunt crossing the tape ahead of clubmate Tiger’s Boy and Authority of Northern Hunt.
1. Hannah Banana (Mayfield); Knocks Boy (Griffin United) (dead heat); 3. Jamie’s Dream (Clogheen); 4. Authentic (Northern Hunt); 5. Chloe’s Boy (Shanakiel Harriers); 6. Ashcroft (Northern Hunt).
1. Kerry Surprise (Shanakiel Harriers); 2. Blue Lad (Southern/Carrigaline Harriers); 3. Jamie’s Gem (Clogheen); 4. Singer (Griffin United); 5. Daganmore Spot (IHT); 6. Caoimhe’s Boy (Griffin United).
1. Captain James (Shanakiel Harriers); 2. Tiger’s Boy (Shanakiel Harriers); 3. Authority (Northern Hunt); 4. Northern Belle (Shanakiel Harriers); 5. Naoi (Shanakiel Harriers); 6. Tex (IHT).
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