Mickey Wade Memorial Draghunt heat finals in Kerry were a huge success

The sport of draghunting returned to action on Saturday with a very successful Mickey Wade Memorial Draghunt heat finals that were hosted at picturesque Coom in Kerry.

To be fair, the biggest crowd of the season were treated to a wonderful days, sport with four senior heats and two puppy heats, culminating in senior and puppy finals with two consolation finals for the unlucky losers in their respective heats.

The Senior final was eagerly awaited as the hounds could be seen clearly driving the hunt at pace on good open terrain.

When the hounds came into view the Kerry pair of Rocket and Texas were leading showing a serious turn of foot and that’s the way they crossed the tape to make it a memorable day for the Kingdom trainers Niall Lyons and Joseph O’Driscoll.

Griffin United trainer Ger McCarthy will be pleased with the performance of Knock’s Ozzy who snatched third ticket with Don’t Panic Lad, Border Mystery and Brandy the remaining placed hounds.

In the Senior consolation final Ger McCarthy’s kennel was rewarded when Knock’s Fox crossed the tape ahead of Cavan hound Discover and Chloe’s Boy of Shanakiel harriers.

The Puppy Final was a cracker with the Jerry Murphy and Sheila Cummins trained Naoi’s Boy causing a huge shock as he is still a maiden in this grade.

In another good finish the winner crossed the tape ahead of championship leader Mossy’s Diamond trained by Kyle and Callum McCarthy of Mayfield with the third ticket going to the recently purchased Ava’s Pride trained by Troy and Ava O’Mahony.

Many thanks to the main sponsor O’Connell Group and to the hardworking pullers on the day Kieran Lynch, Tristan O’Herlihy, Ger McCarthy and Ryan Duffy.

Next weekend will see the rescheduled Peter Barrett memorial taking place at Castletownkenneigh with the Puppy scheduled for Friday with a 7pm slip and the Senior meet on Sunday at 11am.

Results:

Puppy Heat 1: 

1. Storm (Mayfield); 2. Blue Lilly (Southern/Carrigaline harriers); 3. Magic (Griffin United); 4. DNA Diva (Northern Hunt); 5. Anyone on the Phone (Mayfield); 6. The Dude (Kerry).

Heat 2: 

1. Mossy’s Diamond (Mayfield); 2. Ava’s Pride (Mayfield); 3. Vicky T (Griffin United); 4. Slievemish Queen (Clogheen); 5. Naoi’s Boy (Shanakiel harriers); 6. Handsome Jack (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers).

Puppy Final: 

1. Naoi’s Boy (Shanakiel harriers); 2. Mossy’s Diamond (Mayfield); 3. Ava’s Pride (Mayfield); 4. Vicky T (Griffin United); 5. The Dude (Kerry); 6. Slievemish Queen (Clogheen).

Puppy consolation Final: 

1. Slievemish Boss (Clogheen); 2. Charlotte’s Lass (Shanakiel harriers); 3. Naoi’s Girl (Shanakiel harriers); 4. Putting on the Style (Clogheen); 5. Newtown Chancer (INDHA Cavan); 6. One day at a Time (Clogheen).

Senior Heat 1: 

1. Jamie’s Buzz (Clogheen); 2. Rodman (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers); 3. Slievemish Bounce (INDHA Cavan); 4. Not now Al (Clogheen); 5. Newtown Lady (INDHA Cavan); 6. Patsy (Kerry).

Heat 2: 

1. Don’t Panic Lad (Mayfield); 2. Pele (Kerry); 3. Brandy (Kerry); 4. Ferry Lord (Kerry); 5. Philly’s Star (Northern Hunt); 6. Jamie’s Boy (Clogheen).

Heat 3: 

1. Knock’s Mac (Griffin United); 2. Starman’s Son (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers); 3. Mossgrove Rodger (Shanakiel harriers); 4. Border Mystery (Shanakiel harriers); 5. Fooly Buff (Northern Hunt); 6. Flecky Jack (Kerry).

Heat 4: 

1. Rocket (Kerry); 2. Texas (Kerry); 3. Knock’s Ozzie (Griffin United); 4. Hannah Bawn (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers); 5. The Dreamer (Shanakiel harriers); 6. Ozzy T (Griffin United).

Senior Final: 

1. Rocket (Kerry); 2. Texas (Kerry); 3. Knock’s Ozzy (Griffin United); 4. Don’t Panic Lad (Mayfield); 5. Border Mystery (Shanakiel harriers); 6. Brandy (Kerry).

Senior consolation Final: 

1. Knock’s Fox (Griffin United); 2. Discover (IBHT Cavan); 3. Chloe’s Boy (Shanakiel harriers); 4. Born to Run (Northern Hunt); 5. Kempest (Shanakiel harriers); 6. Busy Lad (INDHA Cavan).