Not Now Al produces the goods at Senior All-Ireland Draghunt in Glenville
Cork Draghunting: The hounds are slipped for the 2-26 All-Ireland Senior Draghunt at Glenville.
Not Now Al produced a magnificent finish to deny Zodiac Jack of Southern/Carrigaline harriers in a thrilling WedFilms sponsored Senior All Ireland draghunt at Glenville on Sunday.
Trained by Gary and Nicole Freyne of Clogheen in partnership with Joe Freyne the winning hound kept his best run of the season to clinch the title.
The 61 hounds were slipped at Murphy’s farm in Glenville before making their way in the direction of Carrig na bhFear as they swung in the direction of Whitechurch where the vantage point was near Rockmount Park.
From this vantage point they headed to Republican Cross at Carrig na bhFear before completing the 14-mile course back at Tatten’s farm.
Reports from the various crossings suggested the hounds were driving the hunt at pace and as they came into view, it was anybody’s guess who was going to lift the title.
In the end, it was a ding-dong battle to the tape between the winner and the Ger and Jennifer Kenneally trained Zodiac Jack of Southern/Carrigaline harriers.
Indeed, in the last field the lead was exchanged on a few occasions but just in the shadow of the post, Not Now Al got his nose in front to snatch victory at the death. The technology of the video camera was needed to judge the winner where the judges deemed a narrow win for the Clogheen hound.
It was all of 22 years 2004 that a hound called Not now Norman won the Senior All-Ireland draghunt at Ballinagree and since that day Gary Freyne and his father Joe have used the Not now prefix for all their hounds.
The Clogheen club founded in 1945 and in their 81st year have produced some wonderful hounds over the years.
Who could forget men like the late Christy Buckley, Robert (Bobby) Byrne, Tommy Twohig, Gerry Roche, John Allen, Dan O’Mahony and Dan O’Connell to name a few who all gave great service to this club.
When the result was finally ratified it was clear the wining connections were emotional as they had lost a club member on the morning of the draghunt.
“We would like to dedicate this win to the late Michael ‘Haulie’ O’Connell who was a lifelong member of our club but sadly passed away today,” said Gary Freyne.
After starting the season well Not Now Al went into a lull for a few months but keeping your best until last suited the winning connections.
“It was great to get the nod with two genuine hounds battling to the tape and in the end we just got our nose in front. A big thank you to the organisers and my fellow club members at Clogheen in what will- be a day my wife Nicole and I will never forget," added Freyne.
Let’s spare a thought for the connections of the runner-up Zodiac Jack as the father and daughter partnership of Ger and Jennifer Kenneally were only denied at the death.
Barry O’Keeffe will be pleased with the performance of Border Mystery who filled third ticket ahead of Pixie’s Mexican Dream, Hannah Bawn and Jamie’s Rascal.
Many thanks to Pat O’Mahony and Frank Allen for the Trojan work put in to securing this venue and to all the farming community for their goodwill in allowing the use of their land.
It certainly was a day to remember for the Freyne family of Clogheen as the heroics of Not Now Al secured them the Blue Riband title.
1. Not Now Al (Clogheen harriers);
2. Zodiac Jack (Southern/Carrigaline Harriers);
3. Border Mystery (Shanakiel Harriers);
4. Pixie’s Mexican Dream (Shanakiel Harriers);
5. Hannah Bawn (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill Harriers);
6. Jamie’s Rascal (Clogheen Harriers).
61 ran. Time: 39.53.
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