Cork Draghunting: Sean T returns to form in Sonny Cummins Memorial at Ballineen

Reigning Senior champion Sean T of Griffin United returned to winning ways when lifting the Sonny Cummins Memorial Senior Draghunt at Ballineen on Sunday.

Credit to the local organisers they put together an excellent course that gave all hounds a fair chance in good open country.

When the hounds showed on the finish the Troy O’Mahony Mayfield-trained Don’t Panic Lad looked to have a slender lead but on the race to the tape Sean T showed his class to win from the Gary and Nicola Freyne-trained Not now Al of Clogheen.

The unlucky Don’t Panic Lad eventually straightened up to take third ticket with High Miss, Ashcroft and Not now Betty filling the remaining tickets.

There was natural elation in the winner’s camp after the draghunt with trainer John O’Sullivan praising his consistent hound.

“Delighted to get this win as I feel our hound is quite there with getting to full fitness, but he is so genuine he is capable of producing performances like today on a consistent basis,” said John O’Sullivan.

In the Senior maiden draghunt there was joy for Clogheen trainer Damien Wade when his charge Slievemish Lord saw off the Andrew O’Callaghan-trained Mayfield hound Midday Star in a tight finish.

Reports from this draghunt suggested the hounds drove the hunt at pace and it was no surprise the hounds were bunched when they showed on the finish.

In the race to the tape Slievemish Lord held firm to see off Midday Star with the Thomas and Chole Murray trained Chloe’s Boy of Shanakiel harriers taking third ticket.

The winning trainer was naturally elated his hound had at last showed more determination as up to this win, he wasn’t showing the required grit at the most important stage of a draghunt.

“Great to get win with this hound as he showed on many occasions, he has the ability to run but this sport is all about finishing,” said Damien Wade.

The Puppy meeting was held at the same venue on Saturday and what it day it proved for the Southern/Carrigaline harriers husband and wife training partnership of Ken and Trina Long when their charge Blue Lilly landed the spoils.

After finishing third in the opening meet of the season at Glenville Blue Lilly improved her performance again to cross the tape ahead of the Damien Wade trained Slievemish Boss.

Mayfield brothers Kyle and Callum McCarthy will be pleased with their charge Mossy’s Diamond who snatched third ticket to follow their win at Glenville.

Speaking after the draghunt the winning trainer Trina Long spoke of her delight in witnessing her hound cross the tape in first place.

“A lot of work goes into rearing and training hounds and we are delighted that Blue Lilly has done the business in only the second draghunt of the season and hopefully she will continue to progress,” said Trina.

Next weekend Mayfield Harriers will hold their annual Puppy and Senior meeting with the Puppy slip at 4pm on Saturday and on Sunday the Senior hounds will be slipped at the same time.

Senior: 

1. Sean T (Griffin United); 2. Not Now Al (Clogheen); 3. Don’t Panic (Mayfield); 4. High Miss (Griffin United); 5. Ashcroft (Northern Hunt); 6. Not Now Betty (Clogheen).

Senior Maiden: 

1. Slievemish Lord (Clogheen); 2. Midday Star (Mayfield); 3. Chloe’s Boy (Shanakiel harriers); 4. Casey Jack (Southern/Carrigaline harriers); 5. Chancer (Shanakiel harriers); 6. Kempest (Shanakiel harriers).

Puppy: 

1. Blue Lilly (Southern/Carrigaline harriers); 2. Slievemish Boss (Clogheen); 3. Mossy’s Diamond (Mayfield); 4. Charlotte’s Lass (Shanakiel harriers); 5. Putting on the Style (Clogheen); 6. Slievemish Queen (Clogheen).