Don’t Panic Lad of Mayfield crowned All-Ireland Senior International Draghunt heat champion

It was a nostalgic day for the Denis and the late Anthony Wall as a riveting display saw Don’t Panic Lad of Mayfield crowned All-Ireland Senior International heat champion at picturesque Coom.

It was a busy day for all trainers with four senior heats and two puppy equivalent with the senior and puppy finals coupled with consolation deciders in the same grades making it a great spectacle at this wonderful venue.

The draghunting world was shocked back in June with the unexpected death of Anthony Wall from the Mayfield club but it proved a great day for his family when their charge Don’t Panic Lad was crowned champion in style.

Don’t Panic Lad proved his class when winning his heat that booked his place in the decider and in the final he showed all his class to cross the tape ahead of Silver K from the Kerry association and Knock’s Boy of Griffin United.

The winner is now in the Troy O’Mahony kennel but after the draghunt he paid tribute to the late Anthony on this nostalgic day.

“Anthony must have been looking down on us today and I am thrilled for Denis and the entire Wall family and his friends who I am sure will embrace this great win,” said Troy O’Mahony.

In the Puppy final there was another popular winner when the James and Joy Greene-trained Starman’s Son of Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers landed the spoils.

The winner was also impressive in winning his heat and in the final, he came as straight as an arrow on the finish to cross the tape ahead of the Ger McCarthy Griffin United trained Knock’s Mac and Knock’s Fox.

Results:

Senior Heat Final:

 1. Don’t Panic Lad (Mayfield); 2. Silver K (Kerry); 3. Knock’s Boy (Griffin United); 4. Rocket (Kerry); 5. Slievemish Lord (Clogheen); 6. Pele (Kerry).

Puppy Final:

 1. Starman’s Son (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers); 2. Knock’s Mac (Griffin United); 3. Knock’s Fox (Griffin United); 4. Master T (Kerry); 5. Mexican Jet (Shanakiel harriers); 6. Star Enchant (Kerry).

Senior Consolation Final:

 1. Sean T (Griffin United); 2. Blue Shooter (Kerry); 3. Hannah Bawn (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers); 4. Ozzie T (Griffin United); 5. Brandy (Kerry); 6. Gypsy King (Kerry).

Puppy Consolation Final:

 1. The Dreamer (Shanakiel harriers); 2. Stranger (Cavan); 3. Lewis Lass (Shanakiel harriers); 4. Jamie’s Boy (Griffin United); 5. Midday Star (Mayfield); 6. Rusty (Kerry).

Senior Heat 1 qualifier: 

1. Rocket (Kerry); 2. Slivemish Spring (Clogheen); 3. Kerry Surprise (Kerry); 4. Tiger’s Boy (Shanakiel harriers); 5. Not now May (Clogheen); 6. Chapel Field Boy (Kerry).

Senior Heat 2 qualifier: 

1. Don’t Panic Lad (Mayfield); 2. Northern Driver (Kerry); 3. Pele (Kerry); 4. Slievemish Lord (Clogheen); 5. Knock’s Boy (Griffin United); 6. Blue Lad (Southern/Carrigaline harriers).

Senior Heat 3 qualifier: 

1. Texas (Kerry); 2. Fooly Buff (Northern Hunt); 3. Barbie (Cavan IBHT); 4. Blackthorn (Cavan IBHT); 5. Wolfe Tone Lass (Northern Hunt); 6. Jimmy Jack (Southern/Carrigaline harriers).

Senior Heat 4 qualifier: 

1. Silver (Kerry); 2. Buzz (Cavan IBHT); 3. Ben (Cavan IBHT); 4. High Miss (Griffin United); 5. Authentic (Northern Hunt); 6. Not now Al (Clogheen).

Puppy Heat 1 qualifier: 

1. Mossgrove Rodger (Shanakiel harriers); 2. Master T (Kerry); 3. Knock’s Fox (Griffin United); 4. Chapel Field Boy (Kerry); 5. Star Enchant (Kerry); 6. Knock’s Ozzie (Griffin United).

Puppy Heat 2 qualifier: 

1. Starman’s Son (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers); 2. Mexican Jet (Shanakiel harriers); 3. Kempest (Shanakiel harriers); 4. Our Journey (Cavan IBHT); 5. Knock’s Mac (Griffin United); 6. Newtown Destroyer (Cavan INDHA).