Michael Wade was a Cork draghunting stalwart
Cork Draghunting: The late Michael Wade (right) with son Damien and Slievemish Spring and his wife Eleanor after winning the 2022 Senior International at Grange.
THE draghunting fraternity were saddened last week when the news filtered through that the late Cork Southern Hunt/Clogheen Harriers supporter Michael 'Micky' Wade had lost his battle with cancer at Marymount Hospice.
Michael (74) was a lifelong member of the Cork Southern Hunt club but in the last 30 years has been a keen supporter of Clogheen Harriers mainly assisting his son Damien who is the present chairman of the Cork City and County Harriers association.
The Wade family are popular in the sport and nothing gave Michael better satisfaction than supporting his son who trained notable hounds like Tara’s Express, Talisman, Slievemish Weapon and Slievemish Spring.
Trips to Cumbria in England was something that Michael enjoyed for many years where he became good friends with top trainers Kevin and Penny Swanton in Kendal.
Indeed it was fitting the last time that Michael was able to witness a hound from their kennel win was back in June 23 at the Fornaught when Slievemish Bounce won the Sean and Monica Walsh Memorial Senior Draghunt.
The following weekend Michael accompanied son Damien to Monaghan for the Heat draghunts and that proved to be his last attendance at a draghunting meet.
Having worked with O’Connell Transport for many years when Michael retired he became a carer for his wife Eleanor.
The one great trait that Michael possessed was his ability to mix with people and to his wife Eleanor, sons Paul and Damien and daughter Aisling we offer our deepest sympathy on the passing of a true gentleman.
The race for the Senior championship is reaching fever pitch but incredibly the reigning champion Authority of Northern Hunt still maintains his position at the top of the table.
Although missing six weeks of the season to date he is back running but it looks evident that the injury that he picked up could halt his bid for a record-breaking fourth consecutive title.
Blue Daisy trained by Trina and Ken Long of Southern Carrigaline Harriers looks a serious threat as she only trails the leader by three points.
Indeed when you look at the table all six hounds have a chance of winning the title and we should be in for a very interesting few weeks.
In the Senior Maiden championship Huntsman’s Sunshine trained by Tristan Herlihy and Timmy O’Callaghan of Kerry Pike/Fair Hill Harriers leads the pack but the Barry O’Keeffe-trained Riley is within striking distance.
The Puppy championship is another interesting battle but with Clogheen ace Not Now May having a 22.5 points lead it should be enough to land the title.
The Puppy Maiden draghunts have concluded due to a lack of numbers and a decision of the destination of the title will be made shortly.
1. Authority (Northern Hunt) 57pts; 2. Blue Daisy (Southern/Carrigaline Harriers) 54; 3. Sean T (Griffin United) 49; 4. Blue Lad (Southern/Carrigaline Harriers); 5. Tigers Boy (Shanakiel Harriers) 43; Zion (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill Harriers) 43.
1. Huntman’s Sunshine (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill Harriers) 49pts; 2. Riley (Shanakiel Harriers) 39; 3. Knock’s Boy (Griffin United) 31; 4. Jamie’s Dream (Clogheen) 21; 5. Tadgh’s Lad (Clogheen) 20; 6. Magic’s Beauty (Clogheen).
1. Not Now May (Clogheen) 65.5pts; 2. Knockane Jack (Southern/Carrigaline Harriers) 43; 3. Applause (Northern Hunt) 41; 4. Rodman (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill Harriers) 32.5; 5. Ozzy T (Griffin United) 31; 6. Jimmy Jack (Southern/Carrigaline Harriers) 27.
1. Misty (Shanakiel Harriers) 46pts; 2. Not Now Betty (Clogheen) 38; 3. Royal Court (Griffin United) 32; 4. Not Now Al (Clogheen) 28; 5.Adonis (Clogheen) 18; 6. Slievemish Lord (Clogheen) 14.
App?
