*Pat Guilfoyle is tipped for the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Final.
Ennis owned Cragmoher Gypsy came good at her third attempt to taste victory in Galway.
In trouble on both career outings thus far, the Gerard Kenny of Ennis owned Cragmoher Gypsy made no mistake at the third attempt in race nine at the Galway Track on Saturday night last as she routed her rivals by upwards of seven lengths in 29.37. Very smartly into her stride, the winner led Cuilbeg Mo Chrois and Runaway Dream by over a length rounding the opening two bends. Racing past halfway the lead had grown to four lengths as she set sail for home and drawing further clear with every stride Cragmoher Gypsy was full value for her margin of victory.
Cloneyogan Jet owned by Siobhan Garrahy of Lahinch finally registered that all important maiden career victory in race five which was a A6 graded contest as she made just about all the running to defeat Sports Show by five and a half lengths in 29.21. Trapping well Cloneyogan Jet led Peteles Countess and Astro Oisin on the run towards the opening bend and turning down the back she led Peteles Countess by half a length. Passing halfway, Sports Show began to make ground on the leader but Cloneyogan Jet kicked clear between the final two bends to win going away in fine style. Friday night’s card at the Track featured the College Road A6 550 Yards Stake Semi Finals
In the second semi-final, Pierview Roisin and Ballylean Rogue disputed the lead racing towards the opening bend with Astro Suzie and Mackie Blackie tracking th leading pair around the opening two bends. Racing down the back straight the Joe Kelly of Ballynacally owned Ballylean Rogue took command of the contest as Astro Suzie moved second passing halfway and Aulton Tiger also began to close. Rounding the home bend Ballylean Rogue was home and hosed as he defeated the staying on Aulton Tiger by a length and a half in 30.81.
Ennistymon’s Pat Crowe owned Brother Joe made a winning debut in race five, a novice sprint contest as the Donal Duggan of Tulla trained son of Droopys Sydney & Sarista proved four and a half lengths too good for Clydagh Tommy in 19.45. Clydagh Tommy was smartly into stride along the rails but as he drifted outwards on the run towards the opening bend the winner took the inside route to lead by a length at the turn. Rounding the home bend Brother Joe was three lengths clear and he lengthen well in the straight to win going away at the line.
Spancilhill duo Padraig and Joe Ward were celebrating following the S9 graded sprint contest. Both Croaghll Mick and Loveable Rogue were smartly into their strides with the former holding a two length advantage approaching the opening bend. Rounding the bend though the Spanchill owned Loveable Rogue made rapid progress on the outside and despite moving wide off the home bend quickly took command of the contest edging away to defeat Craoghill Mick by three parts of a length in 19.68.
A strong finish from the Gerry Holian trained Tigerintempo in the A2 graded 550 was enough to hold off the challenge of Noelles Torello who held a narrow advantage on the outside. Racing down the back straight the lead grew to a length at one stage but approaching the penultimate corner the Clare Gallery and David Ryan of Shannon owned Tigerintempo was back on terms and finished stronger to prevail by a length and three parts in 30.18.
The highlight of greyhound racing in this region so far this year will be the Final of the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Sweepstake at the Limerick Track on this coming Saturday night. Explosive Boy trained by Pat Guilfoyle in Cloughjordan is tipped to collect the winners check of €80,000. There is also a big number of Clare dogs in supporting races on the night.
