Cork Draghunting: Slievemish Duchess edges out Sean T in Newcestown

Slievemish Duchess of Clogheen produced a wonderful finish to win the Shanakiel Harriers Senior Draghunt at Newcestown on Sunday.

In good open country the Clogheen hound showed tremendous resilience to cross the tape ahead of Sean T trained by John and Sean O’Sullivan of Griffin United.

Knockane Jack is coming right with the Senior All Ireland draghunt only a fortnight away as she crossed the tape in third place.

After the draghunt, the winning trainer Damien Wade paid tribute to his class hound.

“Reflecting on the season Slievemish Duchess has done relatively well and to win this draghunt is a good boost heading into the big one,” said Damien.

In the Senior Maiden Draghunt the William Freyne and Ryan Duffy-trained Honeysuckle showed his class to cross the tape ahead of the Southern/Carrigaline harriers duo of Blue Rose and Casey Jack.

The Puppy draghunt was hosted at Ballineen and it proved a good evening for Mayfield trainer Martin Wall when his charge Wolfe Tone Boy landed the spoils.

In a driving finish the winner showed his class and finishing power to hold off clubmate and champion elect Mossy’s Diamond trained by Kyle and Callum McCarthy.

In the Puppy maiden race a small field of three hounds saw the honours go to the Emma Power Northern-trained Gypsy Ghost.

Well done to John and Sean O’Sullivan of Griffin United as their class hound Sean T retained his Senior Championship and also to Ger and Jennifer Kenneally on securing the Senior Maiden Championship with Casey Jack.

The Puppy All-Ireland will be hosted at Ballyclough on Sunday next and for Mayfield trainers Kyle and Callum McCarthy, it will be a nostalgic day as their young hound Mossy’s Diamond has just been crowned champion. Credit to this kennel, they have trained their hound to perfection and it would be fitting if they could complete the elusive double.

Congratulations to Gerry Murphy and Sheila Cummins for winning the Puppy Maiden Championship with Naoi’s Boy.

Newcestown Senior: 1. Slievemish Duchess (Clogheen); 2. Sean T (Griffin United); 3. Knockane Jack (Southern/Carrigaline harriers); 4. Hannah Bawn (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers); 5. Starman’s Son (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers); 6. Jamie’s Rascal (Clogheen).

Senior Maiden: 1. Honeysuckle (Clogheen); 2. Blue Rose (Southern/Carrialine harriers); 3. Casey Jack (Southern/Carrigaline harriers); 4. Magic’s Pride (Mayfield); 5. Knock’s Mac (Griffin United); 6. Knock’s Ozzy (Griffin United).

Ballineen Puppy: 1. Wolfe Tone Boy (Mayfield); 2. Mossy’s Diamond (Mayfield); 3. Gypsy Rock (Northern Hunt); 4. Vicky T (Griffin United); 5. Slievemish Queen (Clogheen); 6. Putting on the Style (Clogheen).

Puppy Maiden: 1. Gypsy Ghost (Northern Hunt); 2. Mannix (Kerry Pike); 3. Patch (Griffin United). (Only 3 ran).

Senior Championship: 1. Sean T (Griffin United) 78pts (champion); 2. Not now Al (Clogheen) 60; 3. Slievemish Duchess (Clogheen) 47; 4. High Miss (Griffin United) 42; 5. Not now May (Clogheen) 29; 6. Border Mystery (Shanakiel harriers) 24; Applause (Northern Hunt) 24.

Senior Maiden: 1. Casey Jack (Southern/Carrigaline harriers) 54pts (champion); 2. Not now Betty (Clogheen) 43; 3. Starman’s Son (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers) 44; 4. Lewis Lass (Shanakiel harriers) 39; 5. Mexican Jet (Shanakiel harriers) 28; Magic’s Pride (Mayfield) 28.

Puppy: 1. Mossy’s Diamond (Mayfield) 100pts (champion); 2. Charlotte’s Lass (Shanakiel harriers) 79; 3. Putting on the Style (Clogheen) 78; 4. Starlight (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers) 77; 5. One day at a Time (Clogheen) 58; 6. Anyone on the Phone (Clogheen) 56.

Puppy Maiden: 1. Naoi’s Boy (Shanakiel harriers) 66pts (champion); 2. Naoi’s Girl (Shanakiel harriers) 51; 3. Gypsy Rock (Northern Hunt) 50; 4. Black Paddy (Shanakiel harriers) 42; 5. Mossy’s Reign (Mayfield) 34; Fireball (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers) 34.