High Miss lives up to billing to capture All-Ireland Senior Draghunt

High Miss of Griffin United was crowned Gurranabraher Credit Union All-Ireland Senior Draghunt champion after producing a season best to capture the Blue Riband race at sun-drenched Glenville.

The winner trained by Donal O’Donovan has been in excellent form all season and in recent draghunts sustained a four-race unbeaten run and went off as 2/1 favourite.

The hounds were slipped at Kelleher’s farm above Glenville as they travelled at pace towards Carrig na bhFear.

At this vantage point the hounds raced along the border of Keame before making the long haul back towards the finish at Glenville.

Reports from the various vantage points suggested the hounds were driving the hunt at pace but with many pundits predicting this was a day for an outside hound to win that prediction didn’t materalise.

When the hounds came into view it was noticeable many of the leading hounds in the betting ring were in contention but when the call went up the cream came to the top.

Showing electric speed, the winner came home like a scolded cat to cross the tape ahead of the Ger and Jennifer Kenneally trained Knockane Jack who is also a very solid finishing hound.

Senior champion Sean T who pipped his clubmate High Miss to the individual title ran another cracking race for the father and son training partnership of John and Sean O’Sullivan.

Shanakiel Harriers trainers Gerry Murphy and Sheila Cummins produce hounds on an annual basis and they were pleased to take fourth and fifth tickets with Misty and the 2023 winner Tiger’s Boy.

The remaining ticket went to the Ger and Jennifer Kenneally and Ian Freyne syndicate with Zodiac Jack of Southern/Carrigaline Harriers.

The emotion at the finish was visible as the winning trainer Donal O’Donovan was surrounded by well-wishers and family friends.

Grandson of the late Jerry ‘Fox’ O’Donovan the legendary Fair Hill stalwart who actually trained Lively to win this draghunt in 1938 and 87 years later another triumph for the O’Donovan family all be it with a different club.

“What a day and what a draghunt to win but look all the credit must go to my hound who proved her class today in the longest draghunt of the season,” said Donal O’Donovan.

When Donal got into the sport late in life little did he ever think he would be standing on the winners rostrum of this great draghunt.

“Look today is one to be thinking about absent friends and thank God my prayers were answered so in nutshell to all the people who have helped me thank you from the bottom of my heart,” added Donal.

There are many people to thank for the success of this draghunt and no more than Gary Freyne of Clogheen who put many hours of work into getting a line of country with the cooperation of the farming community whose input is crucial to the sport.

Another gentleman, Pat O’Mahony, ably assisted, and again this member has been crucial in getting leave for various draghunts during the draghunting calendar. There was a large gathering at Kades County where the chairman of the Cork City and County Harriers Association Damien Wade praised all concerned for making the day a memorable one.

“As you saw today a 15-mile draghunt takes some work and my thanks must go to my fellow clubman Gary Freyne for his incredible commitment in putting this wonderful course together.

“To Pat O’Mahony another stalwart of the sport for his guidance and help and to every farmer who gave permission to run over their land.

“To the trainers of all 58 hounds, thank you for supporting Glenville GAA club as the gate receipts today went towards helping their juvenile section.

“Finally, to the winner High Miss and trainer Donal O’Donovan congratulations and well done on winning this magnificent draghunt.” 

Senior All-Ireland Draghunt Glenville: 

1. High Miss (Griffin United); 

2. Knockane Jack (Southern/Carrigaline Harriers); 

3. Sean T (Griffin United); 

4. Misty (Shanakiel Harriers); 

5. Tiger’s Boy (Shanakiel Harriers); 

6. Zodiac Jack (Southern/Carrigaline Harriers).