Cork Draghunting: Guide to this season's fixtures

Thu, 21 Mar, 2024 - 17:00

John Coughlan

RECORDS show that the sport of draghunting was actually run in the late 18th century but looking through the archives the first official draghunts began in 1902.

Now 132 years later the sport continues to produce some wonderful memories and characters and provide happiness to many people in Cork city and county. Draghunting is an extraordinary sport as every Sunday the trail goes to a different course as trainers hope for the magic of witnessing their hound cross the tape in first place.

In 1945, the Cork City and County Harriers Association had 26 clubs registered but the sign of the times has seen them fall to a mere seven.

In truth the support for the sport has declined in recent years but to be fair in recent years with so many distractions in present society it is little wonder that attracting young people has become more demanding for all clubs.

On the other side of the coin the slide has halted with dog numbers on the increase and association secretary Troy O’Mahony believes the present membership are determined to maintain stability. One major problem in recent years has been the lack of sponsorship although Singleton’s SuperValu Hollyhill and the Gurranabraher Credit Union have maintained their backing for one of Cork’s oldest outdoor sports.

In recent weeks the association has reached out to a number of companies in search for some sponsorship for major draghunts on their calendar but the response has been slow according to O’Mahony.

“We are consistently looking for sponsorship for draghunts like the International and Munster championships but to be honest minority sports struggle to attract companies to back us.

“The Echo sport has been a lifeline to us for decades as the farming communities in different regions diligently read it and we are also proud of the contributions we have made to charity over many years,” he said.

Cork Draghunting: John O'Callaghan of Northern Hunt with treble Senior Champion Authority and his array of silverware.

This season Damien Wade of Clogheen Harriers is back in the hotseat of chairman and is looking forward to the challenge.

“We need to work together as there is a huge challenge in the coming years to keep our sport afloat and I am appealing for positivity in all aspects.

“Bigger clubs need to look out for the smaller ones and if we sing from the same hymn sheet I see no reason why we cannot continue to hold our own,” he said.

The season to date has been an interesting one in the Senior grade with Blue Lad winning the opening Senior draghunt at Glenville but the Rerun honours went to Sean T of Griffin United.

In the Senior Maiden grade Mayfield ace Hannah Banana trained by Troy and Ava O’Mahony is showing she is ready to take the big step to the Senior grade after winning the opening two draghunts.

The Puppy grade has seen a change of guard in the opening draghunts with various pups filling the tickets.

The forthcoming calendar will see the first major draghunt of the season taking place on May Bank Holiday Sunday.

There is always a special buzz on International day and the Cork association will be hoping to have a sponsor on board for this prestigious meeting where association secretary Troy O’Mahony can be contacted on 086-8829577.

August will be a special month as draghunting trainers will have the Munster championships and the Singleton’s SuperValu Donal O’Mahony meeting at Blarney.

The dogs coming through a field at Bartlemy. Picture: Dan Linehan

For many years the Donal O’Mahony meeting has experienced many great moments and last year Cumbrian trainer James McClennan lifted the puppy draghunt with Glamorous Ava.

There was huge interest from the HTA association in Cumbria when news filtered through that a hound from the Lake District travelled to Blarney to win at this prestigious meeting.

Draghunting is a wonderful sport and lets hope it can battle through for another century of top class action.

FIXTURES:

March 24: Griffin United (Whitechurch);

April 1: Michael O’Mahony Memorial) Blackpool;

April 8: Newcestown (Shanakiel Harriers);

April 14: Southern/ Carrigaline Harriers;

April 21: Tower-Kerry Pike/Fair Hill Harriers);

April 25: Clogheen;

May 5: TBC (International meeting);

May 19: Bottle Hill (Jimmy Carey memorial);

May 26: TBC (Garry O’Sullivan memorial);

June 2: Cahirciveen;