*The McMahon family of Cooraclare celebrate.
The Final of the Ann Cheevers Memorial A5 525 Yards Stake was the feature contest on last Saturday night’s card the stake remembered a lady who’s family are synonymous with Greyhound Racing in the West Of Ireland and who is much missed by her family and wide circle of friends.
By Michael Maher
As the traps rose for the €1500 to the winner decider both Lexis Cleo and Lissatouk Peggy were smartly into their stride and approaching the opening bend the led by two lengths from Peteles Countess. Turning down the back Lissatouk Peggy took a length out of her rival and at the halfway mark that advantage had extended to two lengths. Approaching the third bend When We Dream began to close on the leading pair but the James McMahon of Cooraclare owned Lissatouk Peggy railed well around the final bend and she dug deep close home to see off the late thrust of When We Dream by three parts of a length in 29.11
The outcome of race two was in little doubt from an early stage as from traps the Damian and Gary Pepper of Feakle owned Astro Kevin was very smartly into his stride and racing towards the opening bend the son of Droopys Roddick & Texas Clever led Wilbrook No Deal by over three lengths. Tracking well between the two bends Astro Kevin extend his advantage to over five lengths before eventually scoring by six lengths from Wilbrook No Deal in 19.26.
Race 3 was a Novice 350 yards contest which developed into a match from a very early stage as both Ballyea Rogue and Burnpark Ronaldo both broke smartly and quickly opened up a three length advantage on their rivals as they charged towards the opening bend. Rounding the bend Burnpark Ronaldo loomed up on the outside of the rail hugging Ballyea Rogue but the Noel Gavin of Ballyea owned and Declan McDonagh of Liscannor trained Ballyea Rogue responded well and kicking again went on to score by a length and a half in 19.37.
The Kevin Ryan of Ruan & Helen Vaughan of Quin owned Krystaline got off the mark in race 5 on Friday nights card at the fifth time of asking as the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained runner made just about all to score by an ever increasing nine lengths at the line in 19.47. Trapping well from her trap three berth the winner opened up a three length advantage over Charmed at the opening bend and with bunching among the chasers she drew right away around the home bend for a convincing victory.
After a few near misses Lissycasey owner Martin Griffin got on the scoresheet following the S5 graded contest as the always prominent Room To Stop proved a length too good for Ballyhale Pat at the line in 19.32. Away well Room To Stop led on the run towards the opening bend from Burkos Hope and Killeshil Oscar. Rounding the bend the winner kicked three lengths clear which was to prove vital as despite the fast finish of Ballyhale Pat the winner was in control at the line.
Fresh from a double success at the beginning of April with Snuggie Rosie and Snuggie Archie, Myles Cummins and Breda Casey kept their winning streak going with another double on last Thursday night at Limerick Greyhound Stadium as Snuggie Bonnie and Snuggie Archie entered the winner’s enclosure. Bonnie a daughter of Sir Paddy and Snuggie whisper who celebrated her fifth birthday last January recorded a remarkable 19th career victory in 28.96 and Archie a son of Paddys Magic and Miles Girl recorded a career best with his 29.22 effort.
The opening race of the evening went to Joe Collins from Parteen with Shanakyle Abbie who recorded a fourth career success in 29.41, Abbey is a daughter of Droopys Roddick and Toremore Nosey.
There was two semi-finals of the Limerick & Clare greyhound owners and breeders A3/A4 Sweepstake, the second semi-final went to Pat Curtin from Mountshannon with his consistent Slippery Joe in 28.88, this was a twelfth career win for this son of Kisses for Cloda and Royal Diva.
Anne Carey from Cooraclare with Gower Jet and Padraic Fanning from Ennis with Speedie Syd will be representing the Banner in this final as well which will take place on this Friday night 22nd of April in what will be an evening not to miss with the Final of the Con and Ann Kirby Memorial stake attracting thousand to the Limerick venue. In what looks like a wide open Final my few euros each way will be on Kildare who runs from trap four.
