Donal O’Mahony draghunting meet was once again enjoyed by young and old

The 26th running of the Donal O’Mahony draghunting meeting was once again enjoyed by young and old on Sunday with the large attendance enjoying the action and Puppy show.

The Cork association had entries from Kerry, Cavan and the HTA in England with Neil Brown and his wife Gilliam having one entry in the Senior race and two in the Senior maiden draghunt.

The end result for the Brown’s was three tickets with Hey Mac snatching fifth in the Senior race and his other two Dundee and Peggy Sue filling third and sixth in the Senior maiden draghunt.

The journey was quite a trek leaving Cumbria on Friday to make the boat to Larne in Scotland before the ferry made its way across to Belfast.

From Belfast on Friday afternoon, it was a four- hour drive to Cork where they landed in Mayfield at the home of Busteed family at 8pm.

So what attracts English trainers to compete in the Donal O’Mahony draghunt?

“To be honest, my wife and I have been coming to Cork for a few years as we are great friends with the Busteed’s and over the year’s we have got to know many other draghunting people in this city,” said Neil Brown.

Competing means everything to Neil and Gillian.

“We could probably fly over but we love competing and despite the extra hours on the road running hounds is what we love and we enjoyed every minute of it,” added Gillian.

There were a few other HTA members from England also in attendance as the father and son partnership of Jonty and Jake Moore with Geoff Higgins and Joe Fearon also among the party.

Back to the Senior draghunt and what a day it proved for Northern Hunt trainer John O’Callaghan when his charge Authentic showed his class on the finish to cross the tape a gallant 25/1 winner.

Authentic wasn’t on the winner’s rostrum since winning at Glenville back in March but the one guarantee you have with this hound is when he is among the pack on the finish his ability to move up a few gears helps him.

Many trainers were baffled on how the Senior hounds struggled at various parts of the draghunt as outside of the first three hounds the remaining ticketing hounds were mixed with maiden hounds who had been slipped nine minutes after them.

It was difficult for catchers and judges but well done to all concerned for eventually sorting out the placed hounds in both draghunts.

Winning trainer John O’Callaghan is well used to the being on the winner’s rostrum on big days and after a moderate season by his kennel standard he is once again celebrating a win at one of the high profile meetings in the draghunting calendar.

“I actually had a slight fancy my hound would run a big race as this finish will always suit any hound who can lift on the call and many thanks to all involved with me because when you a kennel full of hounds it can be hard work,” John O’Callaghan said.

Mayfield trainer Denise Rall has been dedicated to the sport for many years and she was rewarded with an impressive 1.2 in the Senior maiden draghunt with kennelmates Magic’s Beauty and Magic’s Pride.

Lorraine Freyne completed an International and Donal O’Mahony Puppy double with Born to Run and Thomas and Chloe Murray of Shanakiel harriers were jubilant with the display given by Puppy maiden winner The Dreamer.

On a final note, lets salute the farming community of Blarney for their goodwill especially Mitchell Hayes and his family for allowing the start and finish on their land.