Sensational Bouncing Monarch crowned Con & Annie Memorial champion

THE 2026 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial 525 reached a spectacular conclusion at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night, where a capacity crowd witnessed a final of exceptional quality and excitement.

In a race befitting the stature of the event, Bouncing Monarch delivered a breathtaking performance to shatter the track record and claim the €80,000 winner’s prize - and a €10,000 prize for Effin GAA.

Greyhound Racing Ireland extended a sincere thanks to sponsors Noreen and JP McManus for their continued and generous support of this prestigious Classic, which has become one of the standout events on the Irish greyhound racing calendar.

The final was attended by a number of well known personalities including Limerick senior hurling manager John Kiely, Niall Collins TD, Willie O'Dea TD, Founders of the Dylan Quirke Foundation, Dan and Hazel Quirke, Limerick GAA County Board Chairman Seamus McNamara Greyhound Racing Ireland Chairman Pat Flanagan and CEO Tim Lucey, underlining the significance of the occasion both locally and nationally.

Broadcast live on Virgin Media TV 2, the event was brought to audiences across the country by hosts Ivan Yates and Ian Fortune, further enhancing the prestige of the event.

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The final itself featured a top-class line-up, with unbeaten runner Bockos Gold (trained in Golden, Co. Tipperary by Graham Holland, looking for his fourth title in five years) narrowly heading the market ahead of Ballymac Setanta (trained in Kerry by Liam Dowling, looking for his first winner in this event), while UK challenger but trained in Tipperary by Michael O'Donovan, Bouncing Monarch was strongly fancied from a favourable inside draw.

From the moment the traps opened, Bouncing Monarch took control with a sensational start, clocking a remarkable 1.13 sectional. Showing electric early pace and precision around the opening bends, he quickly established a commanding lead that was never seriously threatened.

As the race unfolded, Ballymac Setanta produced a strong finishing effort, while Ballycowen Frank (also trained by Michael O'Donovan) ran on well from the rear to join him in a dead heat for second place. However, the night belonged emphatically to Bouncing Monarch, who powered home seven lengths clear in a stunning time of 27.77, six spots inside the previous track record.

Effin GAA also celebrated success on the night as the winning nominating club, receiving a €10,000 prize as part of the unique community-driven structure of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial.

While this was the first victory for Michael J O’Donovan for UK owner David Fradgley, the victory marked a second Kirby Classic success for the O’Donovan kennel as Michael's son Mark has previously claimed the title in 2021 with Stonepark Leo.

The performance of Bouncing Monarch will be remembered as one of the finest ever seen in the Kirby Memorial, combining blistering early speed, sustained dominance, and record-breaking brilliance.