Knockane Jack wins Senior International Draghunt after thrilling finish
Born to Run coming home to win the Senior Puppy class owned by Lorraine and Julie Frayne, Northern Hunt at the Cork City & County Harrier Association International Draghunt in Aghabullogue. Picture Dan Linehan
Knockane Jack produced a career best to win the Senior International Draghunt at sun-drenched Aghabullogue.
In one of the best finishes of the season, the winner trained by the father and daughter partnership of Ger and Jennifer Kenneally in partnership with Ian Freyne just about held the brave challenge of Sean T from John and Sean O’Sullivan’s Griffin United kennel.
Knock’s Boy ran another cracking race to fill third ticket with Hannah Bawn, Tiger’s Boy and Not Now Al picking up the minor tickets.
There was natural elation in the winner’s camp after this memorable win with Ger Kenneally praising all concerned.
“It’s great as my daughter Jennifer loves the sport and we have Ian Freyne involved with us but to be honest, we had high hopes coming here today as our hound has been improving all season,” said Kenneally.
There was a shock in the Senior Maiden draghunt when Kerry entry Patsy trained by Joseph O’Driscoll landed the spoils.
In another driving finish the winner saw off Katie Taylor trained by Mayfield stalwart Pat Heffernan with Clogheen ace Not Now May filling third ticket for Gary and Nicole Freyne.
The action began with the open Puppy Draghunt and the large attendance was not disappointed as they were treated to a magnificent finish.
Credit to the Aghabullogue Hunt club, they provided an excellent course that the hounds excelled running on the terrain.
The hounds seemed to be going well but a slight check on the finish gave Born to Run the opportunity to take the lead and the Northern Hunt hound took full advantage to win comfortably.
Gerry Murphy of Shanakiel Harriers trained the runner-up Mexican Jet with the Jamie Wyse Griffin United trained Jamie’s lad filling third place.
Chancer, Border Tom and Mossgrove Rodger filled the remaining tickets.
The winning hound is trained by Lorraine Freyne in partnership with her daughter Julie and she couldn’t hide her delight in winning her first international draghunt.
“What a great day it is for me and my daughter to win this great draghunt and I am a little emotional today as these are days you only dream of in this sport,” said Lorraine Freyne.
The lady trainers were certainly to the fore as the Mary Barrett trained Lewis Lass of Shanakiel Harriers won the Puppy maiden draghunt with another classy display.
In a similar draghunt to their Senior puppy counterparts, the winner showed a tremendous drive to the tape to win from Casey Jack trained by Ger and Jennifer Kenneally of Southern/Carrigaline Harriers.
The Gerry Murphy trained Tiger’s Bell filled third ticket with the minor places going to Blue Rose, Guinness Boy and Knock’s Mac.
1. Knockane Jack (Southern/Carrigaline harriers); 2. Sean T (Griffin United); 3. Knock’s Boy (Griffin United); 4. Hannah Bawn (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill Harriers); 5. Tiger’s Boy (Shanakiel Harriers); 6. Not now Al (Clogheen).
1. Patsy (Kerry); 2. Katie Taylor (Mayfield); 3. Not now May (Clogheen); 4. Slievemish Lord (Clogheen); 5. Zodiac Jack (Clogheen); 6. Magic’s Pride (Mayfield).
1. Born To Run (Northern Hunt); 2. Mexican Jet (Shanakiel harriers); 3. Jamie’s Lad (Griffin United); 4. Chancer (Shanakiel Harriers); 5. Border Tom (Shanakiel harriers); 6. Mossgove Rodger (Shanakiel Harriers).
1. Lewis Lass (Shanakiel Harriers); 2. Casey Jack (Southern/Carrigaline Harriers); 3. Tiger’s Bell (Shanakiel Harriers); 4. Blue Rose (Southern/Carrigaline harriers); 5. Guinness Boy (Shanakiel Harriers); 6. Knock’s Mac (Griffin United).
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