Cork Draghhunting: Kerry springs a big Surprise in Scartaglin

The aptly-named Kerry Surprise was a shock winner of the Munster Senior Maiden Championship hosted on the Kerry terrain of Scartaglin on Sunday.

It was a magnificent display by the Cork hound trained by Kieran Kearney of the Shanakiel Harriers club as the Kingdom filled four of the remaining five tickets in this race.

The finish saw the Cork hound show true resilience to see off the challenges of the Kerry duo Sparker and Dillon.

In a race with the exception of the winner, Kerry filled the remaining tickets with the exception of fourth hound White Shark trained by Danny O’Driscoll of Griffin United.

The ecstatic scenes after the draghunt greeted the winner with his trainer in jubilant mood.

“It has been a tough few years for my kennel but this win will go a long way to cheering us up as it’s not easy for Cork hounds to win on Kerry terrain,” said Kieran Kearney.

A terrific late rally by Busy Maid of Kerry ensured she was crowned Munster Senior champion.

Credit to all hounds they had to face tough terrain on a 12-mile course but credit to the local club they provided a good course.

Reports from the various vantage points suggested the hounds were driving the hunt the pace and when they showed on the finish they were in line.

There was no call on this occasion as the hounds finished over a gap and in the final strides the winner held firm to finish ahead of the ever-consistent Blue Lad trained by the Trina and Ken Long of Southern/Carrigaline Harriers.

Blue Lad is now approaching his seventh birthday but surprisingly he has maintained his consistent form despite being in his veteran years.

Indeed it was a good day for Cork hounds with the John and Sean O’Sullivan-trained Sean T filling third place with the Tomas and Murray Shanakiel Harriers-trained Chloe’s Boy in fourth place.

After the draghunt Trina Long spoke of her delight in Blue Lad’s terrific performance in snatching runner-up.

“We are thrilled and what more can I say about this hound as the joy he has given us over the years is just unbelievable and he will always have a special place in our hearts,” said Trina.

The Puppy draghunt concluded a busy day at the Kerry venue and the home association took the honours through Texas.

In another good finish the winner saw off Ozzie T trained by the father and son partnership of John and Sean O’Sullivan from the Griffin United club.

The happiest trainer on the field was Eugene O’Callaghan from the Northern Hunt club whose charge She’s the One Katelyn ran a season-best to snatch third ticket.

Shanakiel Harriers trainer Davy O’Shea kept the Cork flag flying when his charge Dingo filled fourth ticket.

Munster Senior Championship: 

1. Busy Maid (Kerry); 2. Blue Lad (Southern/Carrigaline Harriers); 3. Sean T (Griffin United); 4. Chloe’s Boy (Shanakiel Harriers); 5. Black Bird (Kerry); 6. Patsy (Kerry).

Munster Senior Maiden: 

1. Kerry Surprise (Shanakiel Harriers); 2. Sparker (Kerry); 3. Dillon (Kerry); 4. Ronnie (Kerry); 5. White Shark (Griffin United); 6. Freddie (Kerry).

Munster Puppy: 

1. Texas (Kerry); 2. Ozzie T (Griffin United); 3. She’s the One Katelyn (Northern Hunt), 4. Dingo (Shanakiel Harriers); 5. Boots (Kerry); 6. Chapel Fire (Kerry).