Cork Draghunting: Meet to remember for John O'Callaghan at Whitechurch
Cork Draghunting: William Freyne and grandson Ryan Duffy of Clogheen who enjoyed success at Whitechurch.
Over many decades the Cork City and County Harriers Association have witnessed many great trainers and on Sunday at Whitechurch, Northern Hunt handler John O’Callaghan produced a day to remember for his kennel.
Entering four hounds in the Senior Draghunt hosted by Griffin United, he duly did the business in style when claiming first place with Applause.
Great when your hound crosses the tape in first place but his other three entries Authentic, Ashcroft and Adonis duly filled fourth, fifth and sixth tickets.
In a course put together by Griffin United members Sean O’Sullivan and Peter O’Herlihy the excellent draghunt took 27 minutes to complete.
Indeed, when the hounds came into sight it was Ashcroft that led from Not now Al but suddenly decided to swerve off the hunt and in the end his kennelmate done the business in a comfortable fashion.
After the draghunt the winning trainer was naturally elated with the performance of his hounds.
“A great day for us but look I am very lucky my son Brion, Dave McSweeney and his daughter Ciara are all available to help the kennel and that’s how I can keep so many hounds,” said John O’Callaghan.
In the Senior maiden draghunt there was joy for Shanakiel harriers, trainer Barry O’Keeffe when his charge Border Mystery won his second draghunt of the season.
Barry is another stalwart of the sport having started out with Owenabue Harriers and a spell with West Cork Associations before moving back to the city with his present club.
In another good finish the winner crossed the tape ahead of the Ger and Jennifer Kenneally Southern/Carrigaline harriers trained Casey Jack.
The Andrew O’Callaghan Mayfield trained Midday Authority filled third ticket ahead of Starman’s Son, Midday Rambler and Border Tom.
The Puppy draghunt at the same venue was a test of stamina for the hounds on a cold and wet Friday evening with the honours going to the William Freyne and Ryan Duffy Clogheen trained Putting on the Style.
The Clogheen young hound certainly lived up to his name on the finish when crossing the tape ahead of the Micky O’Brien Mayfield trained Storm.
It was a good night for the O’Herlihy family of Fair Hill harriers when their charge Starlight had Tristan, Olivia and Ben in rapture when snatching third ticket.
The remaining ticketing hounds were Crazy Lady, One day at a Time and Handsome Jack.
For the Clogheen trainer William Freyne one of the oldest members in the Cork City and County harriers association the buzz of winning is still with him after decades training hounds.
“Always great when you rear hounds and set them off hoping that one day you get to see them compete and win so naturally my grandson Ryan and I are thrilled with this victory,” said William.
The Griffin United club would like to thank the farming community in Whitechurch for their cooperation in allowing the use of their land.
The draghunting action will move on to Waterfall on Friday when Southern/Carrigaline harriers will host their Puppy meet at 7pm.
On Saturday the Senior meeting will be held at Ballygarvan with a 4pm slip.
1. Applause (Northern Hunt); 2. Not now Al (Clogheen); 3. Not now May (Clogheen); 4. Authentic (Northern Hunt); 5. Ashcroft (Northern Hunt); 6. Adonis (Northern Hunt).
1. Border Mystery (Shanakiel harriers); 2. Casey Jack (Southern/Carrigaline harriers); 3. Midday Authority (Mayfield); 4. Starman’s Son (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers); 5. Midday Rambler (Mayfield); 6. Border Tom (Shanakiel harriers).
1. Putting on the Style (Clogheen); 2. Storm (Mayfield); 3. Starlight (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers); 4. Crazy Lady (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers); 5. One Day at a Time (Clogheen); 6. Handsome Jack (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers).
App?
