Cork Draghunting called off for first time ever due to blistering heat to protect dogs

For the first time in over a century, the sport of draghunting came to halt when the officers of the Cork City and County Harriers Association decided temperatures were too high for the hounds to race in.

Draghunting is a unique sport with the first official race documented back to 1902. And 124 years later, the sport continues to thrive, albeit with fewer clubs.

Credit to all concerned having the welfare of hounds as their number one priority deserves all the plaudits given and hopefully a drop in temperatures will see a return to action sooner than later.

Co-chairman Adam O’Sullivan was adamant that this sport is all about the wonderful dogs that give their all.

“Draghunting hounds are magnificent athletes that give their all on a weekly basis but running in this present weather would not be fair to their welfare and that’s the priority for all clubs and their respective hounds,” said Adam.

Last week Southern/Carrigaline Harriers did manage to run their Puppy Rerun draghunt at the Rising Sun.

On a super course with clean running terrain that was restricted to a 12-minute course the hounds drove the hunt at pace. When they showed on the finish, they were a few in with a chance of landing the spoils but Mayfield ace Mossy’s Diamond showed the best turn of foot to cross the tape ahead of the Damien Wade Clogheen-trained Slievemish Duchess.

Mary Barrett is having a decent season with her hounds and Charlotte’s Lass finished a close-up third for the Shanakiel harriers trainer. There was natural elation in the winners camp as trainer Kyle McCarthy praised his promising young hound.

“We are delighted how Mossy’s Diamond continues to progress and to be fair this was another draghunt where he had to pull all the stops out on the finish,” said Kyle.

The various championships in draghunting are all competitive with the reigning Senior champion Sean T, trained by John and Sean O’Sullivan of Griffin United, bouncing back to the summit with 52 points.

Long-time leader Not Now Al of Clogheen, trained by Gary and Nicole Freyne, is still very much in the title race as he only trails the leader by a mere two points.

The Puppy championship is also hotting up like the present weather with the Kyle and Calum McCarthy trained Mossy’s Diamond of Mayfield the new leader with an impressive 60 point tally.

Southern/Carrigaline Harriers Rising Sun Puppy Rerun: 1. Mossy’ Diamond (Mayfield); 2. Slievemish Queen (Clogheen); 3. Charlotte’s Lass (Shanakiel harriers); 4. Anyone on the Phone (Mayfield); 5. Wolfe Tone Boy (Mayfield); 6. Blue Lilly (Southern/Carrigaline harriers).

Senior Championship: 1. Sean T (Griffin United) 52pts; 2. Not Now Al (Clogheen) 50; 3. High Miss (Griffin United) 40; 4. Not now May (Clogheen) 29; 5. Applause (Northern Hunt 23; 6. Knockane Jack (Southern/Carrigaline harriers) 22.

Senior Maiden: 1. Star Man’s Son (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers) 41pts; 2. Not now Betty (Clogheen) 36; 3. Casey Jack (Southern/Carrigaline harriers) 33; 4. Lewis Lass (Shanakiel harriers) 29; 5. Border Mystery (Shanakiel harriers) 22; 6. Slievemish Lord (Clogheen) 17; Mexican Jet (Shanakiel harriers) 17; Midday Rambler (Mayfield) 17.

Puppy: 1. Mossy’s Diamond (Mayfield) 60pts; 2. Starlight (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers) 54; Putting on a Style (Clogheen) 54; 4. Charlotte’s Lass (Shanakiel harriers) 49; 5. Anyone on the Phone (Clogheen) 47; 6. One day at a Time (Clogheen) 44.

Puppy Maiden: 1. Naoi’s Boy (Shanakiel harriers) 38; 2. Naoi’s Girl (Shanakiel harriers) 35; 3. Mossy’s Reign (Mayfield) 34; 4. Gypsy Rock (Northern Hunt) 28; 5. Fireball (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers) 24; 6. Black Paddy (Shanakiel harriers) 23.