Jump to content

All Ireland & Uk Game Fair Championships


Recommended Posts

ALL IRELAND AND UK TERRIER & LURCHER CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

Following a Review of our Terrier, Lurcher and Whippet Events the Great Game Fairs of Ireland team will be making the following changes to our programme to bring them into line with our other countrysports competitions . This includes the re-allocation of prize money and the dropping of FREE tickets .

 

1. The GREAT GAME FAIRS of IRELAND Master McGrath Challenge for ELITE lurchers ( both Over and Under 23”) will have qualifiers throughout the UK and Ireland for a FINAL at Shanes Castle on Saturday 24th June.

Prize Structure will be as follows :

Winner : Winner : £250 plus Bronze Trophy plus Barbour Coat ; winners cap and Racing Coat. Runner Up £100, runners up coat plus Carriage Clock plus racing coat. All qualifiers attending the fair get a limited edition qualifiers cap.

2. The GREAT GAME FAIRS of IRELAND Mick the Miller Challenge for non elite Traditional lurchers – We define lurchers as any cross other than whippet x greyhound or 3/4 or greater greyhound. Qualifiers will be staged throughout the UK and Ireland including a qualifier with an enhanced prize structure at Shanes Castle and a FINAL at Birr Castle on the 26th August.

To qualify for this race dogs at the time of qualifying MUST NOT have run as an elite dog ( whether they have won or not).

Winner : £250 plus Bronze Trophy plus Barbour Coat ; winners cap and Racing Coat. Runner Up £100, runners up coat, plus Carriage Clock plus racing coat. All qualifiers attending the fair get a limited edition qualifiers cap.

3. Five Nations Terrier Championships – qualifiers staged throughout the Uk and Ireland for a FINAL at the Shanes Castle Game Fair on the 25th June.

Winner : £250 plus Bronze Trophy plus Barbour Coat ; winners cap and Racing Coat. Runner Up £100, runners up coat, a Carriage Clock plus racing coat. All qualifiers attending the fair get a limited edition qualifiers cap.

4. Five Nations Whippet Championships – qualifiers staged throughout the UK and Ireland for a FINAL at the Shanes Castle Game Fair on the 25th June.

Winner : £250 plus Bronze Trophy plus Barbour Coat ; winners cap and Racing Coat. Runner Up £100, runners up coat, Plus Carriage Clock plus racing coat. All qualifiers attending the fair get a limited edition qualifiers cap.

5. Five Nations Lurcher Championships – qualifiers staged throughout the UK and Ireland for a FINAL at the Birr Castle Game Fair on the 27th August..

Winner : £250 plus Bronze Trophy plus Barbour Coat ; winners cap and Racing Coat. Runner Up £100, runners up coat, plus Carriage clock plus racing coat. All qualifiers attending the fair get a limited edition qualifiers cap.

Applications are invited for qualifiers by emailing Albert Titterington to a.j.titterington@btinternet.com

Edited by AlbertJ
Link to post
Share on other sites

Albert if your holding the terrier five nations at shanes a lot of shows after june will miss out and only a handful of shows will have Qualifiers. Why change from Birr and it is at the end of the show season to moving it to the middle of the show season does not really make sense

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Danny,

 

As you are aware our team ( not just me) have worked very hard to give terrier, lurcher and whippet owners and organisers of qualifying shows the best prize fund and competitions in Ireland and at least equivalent to the other sporting events we run at the fairs. Most of the prize fund has been put up out of the pockets of our team and to be blunt most of the team have pointed out that disputes within the other sports are settled on the ground with the minimum of fuss and little or no bitching on social media. In short they ask why invest fairly huge sums of money to be insulted!

 

On a personal basis my main motivation in running the fairs is to promote and defend countrysports and as such I largely accept my colleagues' argument for diverting the money into sports which generate good PR rather than those which generate negative publicity.

 

However I also think most problems can be solved and that we should continue to promote and defend ALL countrysports and I have persuaded my colleagues to fund me for one more year for the terriers, whippets and lurchers. I have made suggestions for the events above and will be bringing forward more new suggestions for the racing and show ROI championships at Birr and the All Ireland Championships at Shanes.

 

Regarding the Five Nations Terrier event at Birr in 2016 while there were some nice dogs in the final and a very fine winner, the numbers who chose to compete in the final did not justify the effort we had put into providing it and basically the alternatives were to drop it altogether or try it for one more year at Shanes. Basically we will be working on the basis of 'use it or lose it'. The FN Lurcher Championship Final will continue to be at Birr.

 

Terrier & lurcher owners who choose to compete at Birr will not really lose out as there will be some changes to the showing and racing at Birr including new events and good prizes for terriers and lurchers.

 

I have built in a little flexibility into the Five Nations events for those show organisers who feel they may have been disadvantaged by the change of venue for the FN Terrier Championships and if they contact me directly I will explain this to them.

 

Albertj

Edited by AlbertJ
Link to post
Share on other sites

Some FACTS about Terriers , Lurchers & Whippets and their locations in our shows for those unfortunate people with a chip on their shoulder who appear to see something discriminatory in everything :

 

BIRR CASTLE

1. The location of the terriers & lurchers at Birr was chosen in consultation with our event organisers in order to have :

 

(a)As long and flat a racing course as possible

(B) Ringside parking for show and racing and the CLOSEST parking to the main site.

 

2. At Birr the terriers and lurchers are situated in the same area as our clay pigeon shooting and are closer to the main area than the 'elite' shooting. They also take a lot of valuable space in what is our only on site car park so terrier & lurcher competitors get preferential treatment to normal public patrons. A side field is hired from a local pub landlord for access to the fair and he and we allow terrier & lurcher competitors to camp in it FREE of CHARGE - no other competitors have this facility. The Five Nations Championships were staged in the main arena we couldn't put them any more central.

 

SHANES CASTLE

1. The location of the terriers & lurchers at Shanes was chosen in consultation with our event organisers in order to have :

 

(a)As long and flat a racing course as possible

(B) Ringside parking for show and racing and CLOSE parking to the main site.

 

 

2. At Shanes the terriers and lurchers are situated in the same area as our dog agility and Pedigree Dog Show ( both of which prefer ringside parking) and are closer to the main area than the 'elite' shooting. Once again terrier & lurcher competitors get preferential treatment to normal public patrons. The Five Nations Championships are staged in the main arena we couldn't put them any more central and we have displays of lurcher work & long netting and terrier racing in the main arena.

 

The terrier , lurcher & whippet prize structure at both fairs is one of the best in Ireland and at least as good as the other sports at the fairs.

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • 1 month later...

Applications for qualifiers coming in thick and fast. Can organisers note that it is their responsibility to email us results of qualifiers within one week of the show taking place. Photographs too would be useful( especially if Margaret Mc Stay is not present) - I can't promise but they will be considered for publication in the magazine.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites
  • 1 month later...

That's Albert everyone who quitions him has a chip on there shoulder

 

Skip,

 

I responded to a person who erroneously claimed that we put 'the commoners to the back fields of the show were the elite doesn't have to see them'.

 

This person was totally in error as to why the Terrier,Lurcher and whippet events which require space for racing and ringside parking, are located where they are at our fairs.

Other events such as the Five Nations finals which do not require this space are staged in the main arena.

 

What bit of this do you not understand?

 

Albert

Link to post
Share on other sites

just another way of pushing the commoners to the back fields of the show were the elite doesnt have to see them.

I wouldn't blame them looking at some of the participants it would be in the interest of disease control to keep them away from the main arena because they didn't look like they had their vaccinations.THATS THE OWNERS IM TALKING ABOUT AS THE DOGS LOOKED FINE ?
  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Albert, you should be ashamed of yourself liking jiggys comment....!!! We all can't show our dogs off in tweed's and cowboy hats!! So those in denim and hunters aren't great or upperclass enough! IS IT THE DOG'S WE JUDGING OR THE OWNERSHIP ALBERT????????? IS THAT SIMPLE ENOUGH FOR YOU..I REST MY CASE!!!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Albert, you should be ashamed of yourself liking jiggys comment....!!! We all can't show our dogs off in tweed's and cowboy hats!! So those in denim and hunters aren't great or upperclass enough! IS IT THE DOG'S WE JUDGING OR THE OWNERSHIP ALBERT????????? IS THAT SIMPLE ENOUGH FOR YOU..I REST MY CASE!!!

 

Perhaps Jiggy or someone else can explain to you that he meant this as a JOKE. You should really take that huge chip off your shoulder as you really are becoming a JOKE with your constant and persistent attempts to find something or anyone to criticise. The purpose of the original post was to give information to those genuine lurcher, terrier and whippet owners who want to race or show their dogs in a sporting fashion for some great prizes. We don't have any particular dress code for handlers !!!! Nor in fact did Jiggy mention clothing - this was the chip on your shoulder imagining he said something!

Edited by AlbertJ
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites
  • 3 weeks later...

It was indeed a joke and as a working class man I didn't see anyone looking down on me! In fact it was the opposite and I found the organisers over friendly and outgoing and I never met them before in my life it was just general conversation at the side of the ring.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

It was indeed a joke and as a working class man I didn't see anyone looking down on me! In fact it was the opposite and I found the organisers over friendly and outgoing and I never met them before in my life it was just general conversation at the side of the ring.

 

Jiggy, What about a best dressed Terrier or Lurcher owner competition with you as the judge?

Link to post
Share on other sites

 

 

It was indeed a joke and as a working class man I didn't see anyone looking down on me! In fact it was the opposite and I found the organisers over friendly and outgoing and I never met them before in my life it was just general conversation at the side of the ring.

Jiggy, What about a best dressed Terrier or Lurcher owner competition with you as the judge?

only ladies need apply it will be like Galway races?
Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    No registered users viewing this page.

  • Similar Content

    • By appleblossom
      ****Great News for Our Dog Show Fraternity  in 2026 Re : 5 Nations/Mick The Miller/MasterMc Grath **** Carlow
      It has been decided by the Mc Grath Lurcher Racing Club and by kind permission of  Mr AJ Titterington of The Great Game Fairs of Ireland, that their Annual Dog Show event in Carlow 2026 will take place over a two day event. 
      *Saturday the 27th June 26 will be Showing only for the 5 Nations and All Ireland Showing.
      *Sunday 28th June will be for Racing Only for the Master Mc Grath / Mick the Miller and All Ireland Racing. 
      Please note, All dogs that have qualified for the 5 Nations/Mick The Miller and Master McGrath in 2025 will again automatically be qualified for 2026 event. If a dog that has won a show is already qualified in 1st or 2nd then the qualifier will go to 3rd place.
      This is just a heads up for now, full details and schedule will be issued at later date.
       Signed :
      Mc Grath Lurcher and Racing Club
       
    • By appleblossom
      MY DOG SHOW LIST FOR 2026   Updated  12.10.25   ***See Below I have started my Dog Show list for 2026. PM me with your dates ASAP for your dog shows in 2026 to avoid disappointment ***   FROM THE PEN OF : MARGARET Mc STAY.   List of Dog Shows for 2026 so far.   *Sunday 8th March 2026 Carlow Lurcher/Terrier/ Whippet Club Dog Show and Raceday, in Carlow   *Sunday 3rd May 2026 Rockview Harriers Annual Terrier/ Hound/ Lurcher/ Whippet and Pet Show. At Seven Houses Coursing Ground, Danesfort, Co Kilkenny. R95 XD98 ( Near Junction 9 /M9 Motorway   *Saturday 16th May 2026 South Tyrone Foxhounds Dog Show ,Dungannon   *Sunday 24th May 2026 DWTC DOG SHOW , Co ARMAGH   *Sunday 31st May 2026 Kilworth and Araglin Dog Show ,CO CORK   *Saturday 27th June 2026 Mc Grath Lurcher Racing Club/5 Nations/All Ireland Showing, Carlow   *Sunday 28th June 2026 Mc Grath Lurcher Racing Club/Master Mc Grath/Mick The Miller/All Ireland Racing, Carlow   *Saturday 18th July 2026 N.W.L.T.C Dog show and Race day, Strabane   *Saturday 25th July 2026 The Burren Dog Show and Raceday , Newry, Co Down   *Sunday 23rd August 2026 Glenshane Dog Show and Raceday, Maghera   Margaret Mc Stay  
    • By appleblossom
      ***See Below I have started my Dog Show list for 2026.
      PM me with your dates ASAP for  your dog shows in 2026  to avoid disappointment ***
      List of Dog Shows for 2026 so far.
      *Sunday 8th March 2026 ( Stephanie O Connor )
      Carlow Lurcher/Terrier/ Whippet Club Dog Show and Raceday, in Carlow
      *Sunday 3rd May 2026
      Rockview Harriers Annual Terrier/ Hound/ Lurcher/ Whippet and Pet Show. At Seven Houses Coursing Ground, Danesfort, Co Kilkenny. R95 XD98 ( Near Junction 9 /M9 Motorway )
      *Saturday 16th May 
      South  Tyrone Foxhounds ( Hanna) Dungannon
      *Sunday 24th May 2026
      DWTC  Dog Show, County Armagh
      *Sunday 31st May 2026
      Kilworth and Araglin Dog Show, County Cork
      *Saturday 18th July 2026 ( Anthony Taggart)
      N.W.L.T.C  Dog show and Race day, Strabane.
      *Saturrday 25th July 26
      The Burren Dog Show and Raceday,Newry, Co Down
      *Sunday 23rd August 26
      Glenshane Dog Show and Raceday, Maghera.
      Margaret Mc Stay
    • By appleblossom
      The Mc Grath  Racing Club Dog Show and Race Day, Sunday 31st August 25
      **(Representing Mr Aj Titterington of The 5 Nations  and The Great Game Fairs of Ireland)**
      It has been said Carlow is one of the oldest counties in Ireland. Within this beautiful County traditionally rural and near the M9 motorway lies the village of Ballinabrannagh. This was the venue for The Mc Grath Racing Club Dog Show and Race Day Sunday 31stTH August 25.
      As it was 5 Nations day,Ballinabrannagh was buzzing with excitement. It was here in the late summer weather sporting enthusiasts from north and south of the border came to view the challenges of the sporting elite, and to partake in the Country sports events listed on the day.
      As we approached the venue, it was very evident the popularity of this now annual show and the footfall far bigger than last year, all parking places were  filling up fast. On entering the field, I met so many patrons who I would have met at the Great Game Fairs of Ireland  in Shanes Castle. At this point  the memories came flooding back and what happy memories they were, probably never to return. The weather was very windy all day with some heavy showers in between.  
      The show rings were well spaced out and the racetrack was in immaculate condition despite the heavy rain during the week.  
      The entire McGrath family was out in strength on Sunday. I would guess all 15 children of the household and all helping out in every way they could.
      It was nice to see all our little boys and girls in the childrens handling class showing off their faithful Canine breeds. We must not forget that these little people are our Country Sportsmen and women and show organisers of to morrow. 
      Ged Donagh paid a lovely tribute to  5 young sports girls and boys that have attended and showed their dogs at our shows in the summer months in 2025 and previous. These 5 young people  are now our  Young Sports Personalities of the year. They are Clodagh Gentle/Ian McGrath /Ivy Roche/Charlie Mc Caughey and TJ Duggan. Each young person in the group received a nice trophy sponsored by Ged himself for all their hard work in the ring. Ged does this now annually.What a lovely thought and accolade to these Young Sports People. 
      Next on the schedule was the Ross Rice racing cup in memory of Ross who passed away after an accident a few years ago. It was lovely to see all Rosses mates there to support and honour and keep the memory of their treasured friend alive. There were cheers all around the field when Jaimie O Connors winning dog romped home to victory for the 2nd time around. He was last years winner also. Many thanks to Ged Donagh for keeping this young mans memory alive through this race and sponsoring this event.
      Time passes so quickly, very soon it was Race and Show time. 
      Racing Results, Curtesy of Biddy Mc Grath
      Master McGrath Final 
      Winner
      Adam McGrath with Johnny 
      Reserve 
      Joyce Scott with Guss 
      Mick the Miller Final
      Ged Donagh with Tess
      Reserve 
      Ned Kane with Gunner 
      All Ireland Racing 
      Whippet
      James Mullen with Junior 
      James Mullen with Toby
      KC Whippet 
      Susan with Miss Money Penny 
      Fred Gentle with Snake 
      Under 21s 
      Lynzi Gardiner Magill with Bill
      Lynzi Gardiner Magill with Ollie 
      Under 22s 
      Lynzi Gardiner Magill with Venus 
      Lynzi Gardiner Magill with Ruby
      Under 23's Traditional Lurcher 
      Ricky with Lady 
      MJ with Ruby
      Under 23 elite 
      Vanessa Lynn with Arthur 
      Lynzi Gardiner Magill with Lady 
      Under 24 smooth 
      Lynzi Gardiner Magill with Jack
      Lynzi Gardiner Magill with Fletcher 
      Under 24 Hairy 
      Rebecca Saunderson with Susan 
      Bull Cross Heavy 
      Joyce Scott with Mabel
      Glen with Nova 
      Bull Cross Light 
      Yapper Hayes with Lady 
      Like with Myla 
      Greyhound 
      Barry Holland with Hot Hunter 
      Stephanie O Connor with Holly 
      Ross Rice Cup
      Jamie O Connor with Penny 
      Puppy 
      Ricky with Big Girl 
      Kirsty Smyth with Sika 
      Over Hairy 
      Lynzi Gardiner Magill with Sugar 
      Ged Donagh with Shea
      Fastest Young Slipper
      John Reilly
      5 Nations Showing Results
      5 Nations Champion Whippets
      Fred Gentle with Susie
      Reserve 
      Sophie Leonard with Junior
      5 Nations Champion Lurcher
      Lynzi Gardiner Magill  with Sugar
      Reserve
      Ged Donagh with Shea
      5 Nations Champion Terrier
      Rocco Cairns with Paddy
      Reserve
      Paddy Gilmore with Hanns
      ALL IRELAND SHOWING 
      ALL Ireland Champion Lurcher
      Jed Donagh with Stig
      Reserve
      Lisa Beggs with Rossa
      ALL Ireland Champion Whippet
      Sophie Leonard with Junior
      Reserve 
      Clodagh Gentle with Nala
      ALL Ireland Champion Terrier
      David O Brien with Grip
      ALL Ireland Champion Strong Dog
      Johnny with Winnie
      Reserve
      Ged Donagh with Brock
      Overall All Ireland Champion and Best in Show
      David O Brien with Grip
      Reserve
      Sophie Leonard with Junior
      Overall All Ireland Champion Puppy
      Harry Roche with Reba
      Reserve
      Joyce Scott with Ernie
      Finally, On Behalf of the Mc Grath Racing Club many thanks to the brilliant Judges on the day 
      Child Handling : Karla Wilson
      **All Ireland Showing Judges **
      *Whippets: 
      Karla Wilson
      *Lurchers :  
      Paddy Gibson
      *Terriers    : 
      Niall O Cloghan
      *Strong Dogs : 
      Franky Corrigan  
      **5 Nations Judges
      *Whippets : 
      Margaret Mc Stay
      Chontelle McMeekin
      *Lurchers:
      Maurice McDowell
      Paddy McGrath
      *Terriers
      Marty Black
      Jack McGrath
      Your judging skills were honest, efficient and impeccable, and many thanks for that. 
      And Finally, Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank the Mc Grath Family for another brilliant show and race day on Sunday. The saying is that behind every good man is a good woman and Biddy Mc Grath you definately fit that picture. Biddy, we would have been lost without you. Along with Michael and Jack, you put a lot of hard work in behind the scenes to make this day most enjoyable for everyone. 
      Your whole family was so welcoming, and made us all feel at ease in your native Co Carlow. Thank you so much for the lovely presentation to us on Sunday, it was so unexpected and very much appreciated.
      As the end of the day was approaching, it was time to say good bye to Balinabrannagh for another year and be on the road again to Co Armagh and the place we call home. 
      Many thanks Mc Grath Racing Club for the memories, and God willing, we will all be back again in 2026 for another great window in Country Sports.
      To we meet again God Bless.
       
      Margaret Mc Stay
       
       
    • By appleblossom
      THE GLENSHANE WORKING DOG CHARITY SHOW AND RACEDAY SUNDAY 24th AUGUST 25 ( In Aid of The Fort Centre RDA Maghera )
      Maghera is a small town at the foot of the Glenshane Pass and lends itself to some of the North coasts most beautiful panoramic views. Situated 2 miles outside Maghera is Tobermore Golf Club. This was the venue for The Glenshane Charity Working Dog Show and Raceday Sunday 24th August 25. And what a day and venue that was.  
      Safe to say this was one of the best venues I have been to this year.  The grass was immaculately cut, rings well spaced out and a well groomed race course.
      As this show was run for a very special charity, the gods were on our side as the sun shone in abundance all day. As the morning progressed into noon, cars and trailers with dogs in tow filled the field to capacity. The craic and the banter was in full swing amongst the huntsmen and women on the day. Our good Canine folk had only one thing in mind. Out for a great Sporting day  in Glenshane before the work in the field begins.
      The wee people were there enjoying the day in the play trailer, bouncing around to their hearts delight. Some very tired children on Sunday night. Paul Boyd was there with his Country Sports stand, as was the hot food, tea and coffee van.
      Time passes so quickly and very soon it was show time.
       Here are the Showing Results
      Showing Results
      *OVERALL CHAMPION PUP
      JESSICA - LEE CORRIGAN WITH BEAR
      RESERVE
      CHARLIE Mc CAUGHEY WITH 
      DIXIE
      *OVERALL CHAMPION PAIRS
      JOHN WILLIAMS WITH LIGHTENING AND SASS
      RESERVE
      CLODAGH GENTLE WITH SNAKE AND SUSIE
      *OVERALL CHAMPION LURCHER
      SHANE BURNS WITH BUSTER
      RESERVE
      MORGAN McNULTY WITH CLYDE
      *OVERALL CHAMPION WHIPPET
      SUSAN McCANN WITH MISS MONEYPENNY
      RESERVE
      JAMES MULLEN WITH MAX
      *OVERALL CHAMPION TERRIER
      ROCCO CAIRNS WITH PADDY
      RESERVE
      GED DONAGH WITH THUG
      *OVERALL CHAMPION STRONG DOG
      LASZLO PUSZTAI WITH BLACK DIAMOND
      ***OVERALL CHAMPION AND BEST IN SHOW***
      LASZLO PUSZTAI WITH BLACK DIAMOND
      RESERVE
      ROCCO CAIRNS WITH PADDY
      Racing Results
      Terriers
      Jack with Millie
      Big Dogs
      1/ Jack Townsend with Zara
      2/ John Williams with Lightening
      Mick The Millar /Jimmy Scott Memorial Cup
      1/ Ged Donagh with Tess
      2/ Harry Roche with Ria
      Under 21s
      1/ Rose McCoy with Arlo
      2/ Joyce Scott with Nettle
      Under 22s
      1/ Rose McCoy with Texas
      2/ Rose McCoy with Guicci
      Under 23s Elite
      1/ Vanessa Lynn with Arthur
      2/ Jack with Missy
      Under 24s Smooth
      1/ Rose McCoy with Prada
      Under 24s Hairy
      1/ Harry Roche with Zola
      Heavy Bull Cross 
      1/ Charlene Rafferty with Jester
      2/ Barry Holland with Sally
      Light Bull Cross 
      1/ John Williams with Sass 
      2/ Nevaeh Marly
      Big Pups
      1/ Kirsty Smyth with Sika
      2/ Katelyn Mc Kenzie with Zeus
      Small Pups
      1/ Clodagh Gentle with Dash
      Whippets
      1/ James Mullen with Toby
      2/ James Mullen with Junior
      Greyhounds
      1/ Billy Harpur with Tilly
      2/ Barry Holland with Hot Hunter
      Congratulations to all above winners
      And Finally, may I take this opportunity on behalf of the Glenshane team to thank the judges on the day.
      Childrens Handling Class and Pets :
      Chloe Taggart
      Lurchers : Daithi O Faolain
      Whippets : Patsy McCoy
      Terriers: Philip Mackin
      Strong Dogs : Mark Mc Callion
      The Racing was run and organised by the McGrath Lurcher Racing Club.  Teamwork is the success of this club and as usual everything went like clockwork. Michael/Jack and Biddy your efficiency and dedication as usual is beyond reproach and thank you for that.
      And Finally, Finally on this occasion it is very hard to put into words what the show organisers Joanne and Paul Owens have come through over these last 11 years and it still continues today.  
      Cathan, their son was born with a rare liver disease called Biliary Atresia and was only diagnosed when he was 6 weeks old and had surgery at 6.5 weeks At the age of 7 years Cathan received his gift of life from Birmingham Childrens hospital, with a liver transplant and is 4 years post liver transplant on 23rd August.
      It would take a tear from a stone listing to these parents briefly telling me the heartache and trauma they came through to try to keep Cathan alive and to get him to where he is to day. 
      All proceeds from this charity dog show will go to Fort Centre RDA Maghera. This show is also a celebration of Cathans life and how far and the progress he has made in his young life so far.   
      Joanne/Paul/Cliona/Tiarna/Sharon/Nicola and your back up team, your show was well organised and a credit to all good sporting shows and a great window for our Country Sports. It was evident on the day a lot of hard work went on behind the scenes to make this show so enjoyable for everybody. This show is now an annual event and for a very special reason close to Paul and Joannes heart.
      ** Just a wee foot note. As many of you know Cathan had a we set back on Sunday at the show resulting in him being hospitalised. The good news is he is out of hospital and making good  progress and will be back to full health and of to school very soon.** 
      Glenshane Team, Thank you for Sunday. To we meet again take care and God Bless
      Margaret Mc Stay
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
×
×
  • Create New...