Record breaking start to Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Stake in Limerick

A LARGE crowd of greyhound racing fans and Limerick GAA Clubs alike descended on Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night for the opening round of the 2024 Con and Annie Kirby Memorial and they were treated to some blistering displays.

Ballymac Danica made it a memorable night as she smashed the previous 27.95 track record, recording a 27.83 win for Liam Dowling and her nominated GAA Club, Ballysteen GAA.

Sponsored by JP & Noreen McManus in memory of Noreen’s late parents, the competition is now in its 11th year and consistently attracts the very best in young greyhound talent to Limerick in search of a slice of the €150,000 greyhound prize money.

As always, there is a fantastic €20,000 prizefund for the Limerick GAA Clubs who have been assigned a greyhound in the competition.

Kerry’s Liam Dowling had also enjoyed earlier success as Ballymac Senan got his Kirby tilt off to a flier with a dominant performance in heat six.

However, the night belonged to kennel companion Ballymac Danica as she once again outlined her exceptional engine with a 27.83 clock, which is .12s faster than the previous track record jointly held by College Maybe and Clona Duke.

Trainer Robert Gleeson is no stranger to Kirby success and he has a real player in the 2024 renewal with Droopys Metaphor (Mungret St. Pauls), who romped to heat nine success.

Heat five saw another impressive performance from Rushy Meadows (Askeaton Kilcornan Desmonds GAA) as two-time Kirby winner, Brendan Matthews, showed his hand in the renewal.

Ballymac Senan got the ball rolling for Liam Dowling and Fedamore GAA in heat six as he won at his leisure.

Fashion Model has built a reputation for her blistering finishes and this was on full display in heat ten as the Pat Guilfoyle-trained bitch took up proceedings at the business end.

In heat one, Graham Holland, owner Barbara Lowndes and Feenagh Kilmeedy got on the scoresheet as Swords Hero ran a fine race to double his career win tally.

There was a shock on the cards in heat two as the Shaun Conway trained Noirs Ben (Murroe Boher) crossed over in front at odds of 8/1.

The shocks kept on coming in heat three as 20/1 outsider, Quarry Boy (Doon GAA), emerged in front after Mustang Fever was deeply unlucky having looked to have this home and hosed at the halfway mark but ultimately failing to qualify for Round 2.

Heat four may have been a five-dog affair, however, it took nothing away from the quality as Knockeen Dazzler produced a brilliant performance to win for young Daniel O’Rahilly and Mountcollins GAA.

Perhaps the biggest shock of the night was the elimination of Whyaye Bonnylad in heat seven and the eventual winner was the fast-finishing Pat Buckley trained Ballinabola Bill (Monagea GAA).

Despite Faypoint Harvey making an earlier than anticipated exit from the Kirby, litter brother Faypoint Sean (Croagh Kilfinny GAA) made it back-to-back wins for Patricia Flanagan and Graham Holland in heat eleven.

On a night of some big upsets and surprising eliminations, there was another big priced winner in the concluding heat of the night as Phoenix Tyson (10/1) built on his big win in the Swimbooker A2 525 at Shelbourne Park last time out to secure a spot in the 2nd Round for trainer Ian Reilly and nominated club, Ahane GAA.

The competition on Saturday 30th March in Limerick Greyhound Stadium with the 48 remaining greyhounds and their nominated clubs competing in 8 highly competitive heats.

The night will also mark a big family celebration for Easter with a visit from the Easter Bunny along with free Easter Eggs, face painting and colouring competitions for the children.

For more information visit www.LimerickGreyhoundStadium.ie or search #Kirby2024 on social media.