Cork Draghunting: Jamie's Boy lads Munster title in Kerry

Jamie’s Boy trained by Jamie Wyse of Griffin United was the sole Cork City and County Harriers Association winner in the Munster championships that were hosted by the Kerry Association at Scartaglin.

Not easy for any hound to win on Kerry terrain but surely the Cork Association should be leading by example and get this championship back under their wing. The excuse is they are unable to get a venue annually but surely a bit of planning and hard work would see this problem solved.

Too many venues have been lost and having a good relationship with the farming community is crucial. Accepting the point that times have changed in the sport over the years, a small bit of extra work would sort many issues.

The terrain far was different from what Cork hounds are used to, but it was a fine open course put together by the local club that saw the Puppy draghunt get proceedings underway.

When the hounds showed on the finish, the leaders were packed closely together and as they approached the final ditch Jamie’s Boy got his legs on the ground that gave him the title.

Shanakiel harrriers filled the next two tickets with the Gerry Murphy-trained Mexican Jet and clubmate Mossgrove Rodger filling third place for Finbarr O’Sullivan.

Ger and Jennifer Kenneally will be delighted with the performance of Casey Jack in fourth as the Southern/Carrigaline harriers hound continues to improve.

The home Kerry association filled fifth place with Con O’Leary’s Star Enchant and the final ticket went to Lorrain and Julie Freyne’s Northern Hunt youngster Born to Run.

There was sheer joy in the winner’s camp after the draghunt, as trainer Jamie Wyse found it hard to put into words what this win meant to him and his family.

“I am absolutely speechless as my hound hasn’t been among the tickets in recent weeks but the way he finished this draghunt made me a very proud man on a day I will never forget,” said Jamie Wyse.

In the Senior Draghunt the hounds took over 37 minutes to complete the course and the Kerry hound Bonny Kate just had enough in the tank to see off the Troy O’Mahony Mayfield-trained Don’t Panic Lad.

Sean and John O’Sullivan of Griffin United will be happy with the performance of Sean T who snatched third ticket.

Mayfield stalwart Mickey O’Brien was delighted with his hound Tadgh’s Lad, who filled fourth place with Cork also filling fifth and sixth with Wolfe Tone Lady and Tiger’s Boy.

In the Senior Maiden Draghunt the former Shanakiel Harriers ace Kerry Surprise retained his title but this time under the Harty family in Ballinskelligs.

The Dave and Damien Kidney trained Samantha’s Meg finished a close second with two other Cork association hounds Slievemish Lord and Misty securing fourth and fifth tickets.

Munster Senior championship: 1. Bonny Kate (Kerry); 2. Don’t Panic Lad (Mayfield); 3. Sean T (Griffin United); 4. Tadgh’s (Mayfield); 5. Wolfe Tone Lady (Northern Hunt); 6. Tiger’s Boy (Shanakiel Harriers).

Senior Maiden: 1. Kerry Surprise (Kerry); 2. Samantha’s Meg (Shanakiel Harriers); 3. Lofty (Kerry); 4. Slievemish Lord (Clogheen); 5. Misty (Shanakiel harriers); 6. Brandy (Kerry).

Puppy: 1. Jamie’s Boy (Griffin United); 2. Mexican Jet (Shanakiel Harriers); 3. Mossgrove Rodger (Shanakiel Harriers); 4. Casey Jack (Southern/Carrigaline Harriers); 5. Star Enchant (Kerry); 6. Born to Run (Northern Hunt).