PICTURES: Bumper attendance at quarter-finals of Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Stake

FOR MORE PHOTOS PRESS THE ARROW OR NEXT ON THE SLIDESHOW 

THE quarter finals of the 2024 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial 525 took place at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and such as the pattern of this year’s Classic, there were more shock results in terms of the heat winners.

Prior to the four quarters, the outright betting market had Droopys Metaphor, Da Bold Falcon, and Epic Chick share 6/1 favouritism, however, only one progressed into next week’s semi-finals as Epic Chick was forced to play second fiddle behind the fastest quarter final winner, Merits Inclusion.

As we are now getting down to the business end of this competition, an owner who knows what it takes to win a Kirby, having won on two separate occasions, is Brendan Matthews of Newry.

The Northern handler was represented by Merits Inclusion in the third quarter final, finally got things right as he handed a comfortable defeat to 4/6 favourite, Epic Chick.

With the withdrawal of Serene Rex earlier in the day, the opening quarter final was a five-dog affair, and this saw Scooby Pacemaker come from off-the-pace to deny Romeo Kingpin back-to-back wins.

It may have taken a little longer than originally anticipated, but Ballymac Patriot got off the mark in the second quarter final as he too finished at speed for owner Liam Dowling.

It really is testament to the greyhound that we are now down the final twelve in this €80,000 to the winner Classic, yet we are still waiting for the reigning Juvenile Classic champion to really click at Limerick.

While Graham Holland was busy recording a one-two in the final of BresBet Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park, Faypoint Sean (Droopys Sydney - Roaming Shari) represented his kennel brilliantly in the final quarter final.

After showing huge pace to come from behind last time out, Faypoint Sean was installed as the 5/2 second favourite behind Droopys Metaphor and he produced a similar performance to seven days prior as he again came to seal victory.

The action continues this Saturday night with the semi-finals of the 2024 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial. Doors open at 6.30pm and full details can be found from the Limerick Greyhound Stadium's website.

The draw for the semi- finals of the 2024 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and the nominated clubs are as follows:
First Semi-Final
1 Romeo Kingpin Killeedy GAA
2 Ballymac Patriot Mungret St. Pauls Ladies Football
3 In Good Time St. Patrick’s GAA
4 Barefoot On Fire Oola GAA
5 Epic Chick (m) Gerald Griffins GAA
6 Knockeen Dazzler (w) Mountcollins GAA

Second Semi-Final
1 Scooby Pacemaker Patrickswell Camogie
2 Merits Inclusion Cappamore Camogie
3 Feshtys Mo St. Kierans GAA
4 Radical Harry Dromin Athlacca GAA
5 Faypoint Sean (m) Croagh Kilfinny GAA
6 Phoenix Tyson (m) Ahane GAA