Classy champion Slievemish Duchess crowed All-Ireland Puppy winner

The class of champion Slievemish Duchess was epitomised at Ballyclough on Sunday when she won the Puppy All Ireland title in devastating style.

On a course and distance that the young hounds had never encountered in their careers it was survival of the fittest with the Clogheen hound once again showing her class on the finish in a time of 34.29.

In good open terrain the hounds had to face 10 miles of jumping and racing and it was no no surprise when they came into view that there was a few in with a chance of landing the title.

As we have witnessed on many occasions this season the winner showed her class when the call went up as she raced to cross the tape a 15- length winner from Stargaze trained by Frank Allen of Griffin United.

Ger and Jennifer Kenneally Southern/Carrigaline harriers have a progressive hound in Casey Jack as she once again ran her heart out to snatch third ticket.

Ger and Noah McCarthy of Griffin United will be pleased with the performance of Knock’s Mac who filled fourth place with the Gerry Murphy and Sheila Cummins duo Guinness Boy and Tiger’s Belle in fifth and sixth.

It was emotional day for the winning trainer Damien Wade who was naturally elated with this memorable win.

“I would like to dedicate this win to my late father Mickey who is probably looking down on me very proud of what we achieved with this hound over the season.

“To end up Puppy champion and win the All Ireland titless in the same season is something dreams are made of and it is also a great day for my club Clogheen who I have been a member of all my life,” said Damien Wade.

The open non- winners is always a competitive draghunt and it proved a great day for Mayfield trainer Andrew O’Callaghan when his charge Midday Rambler landed the spoils.

In another good finish the winner saw off the Martin Wall trained Wolfe Tone Lass from the Northern Hunt club with clubmate Amazing snatching third ticket for John O’Callaghan.

The winner trainer has spent all his life in the sport and credit to his sons Gary and Darren they are always there to help him with his respective hounds.

After the draghunt he reflected on his good day at the office.

“We are delighted as Midday Rambler has been running well of late and hopefully, he can maintain his form for next weeks Senior All Ireland draghunt,” said Andrew.

In the open Senior draghunt the honours went to High Miss of Griffin United who crossed the tape ahead of the John O’Callaghan Northern Hunt duo Applause and Adonis.

After weeks of speculation, it has been officially announced that the Senior All-Ireland draghunt will be hosted at Glenville on Sunday next.

This is the Blue Riband draghunt of the season and with hounds competing from Kerry and Cavan associations it should be a memorable day for all concerned.

Puppy All-Ireland: 1. Slievemish Duchess (Clogheen); 2. Stargaze (Griffin United); 3. Casey Jack (Southern/Carrigaline harriers); 4. Knock’s Mac (Griffin United); 5. Guinness Boy (Shanakiel harriers); 6. Tiger’s Belle (Shanakiel harriers).

Non- Winners: 1. Midday Rambler (Mayfield); 2. Wolfe Tone Lass (Northern Hunt); 3. Amazing (Northern Hunt); 4. Tiger’s Boy (Shanakiel harriers); 5. Travel Star (Shanakiel harriers); 6. Not now Betty (Clogheen).

Senior winners: 1. High Miss (Griffin United); 2. Applause (Northern Hunt); 3. Adonis (Northern Hunt); 4. Magic’s Beauty (Mayfield); 5. Hannah Bawn (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers); 6. Ashcroft (Northern Hunt).