Armagh Sporting Dog Charity Show and Race day , Sunday 3rdJune 2018. ( Fiona Devlins Show )

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Armagh Sporting Dog Charity Show and Race day , Sunday 3^rdJune 2018. ( Fiona Devlins Show )

 

The role I play among the good canine folk and Dog Show organisers North and South of the border and further afield can be quite diverse, demanding , challenging,  and above all most enjoyable. No two shows are a carbon copy of the last one, with each show and each day being totally different in their own right. 

Armagh Sporting Dog Show, Sunday the 3^rdJune was no different.  The day arrived bright and early, with clear blue skies and miles of sunshine beaming down  all day. With the car loaded up, we headed down the motorway to Feaghbridge Flapping Track, Coalisland and to Fiona Devlins  Annual Charity Dog Show and Raceday.

The show venue was top class, and very soon on arrival, the field was full to capacity with cars, trailers, dogs, and families, all out for a care free day in the summer sunshine. The show organisation was impeccable. Showing and racing went without a hitch, and on top of it all, we were blessed with beautiful weather. 

It was nice to see so many regular show goers and also some visitors. Amanda and Mark Delaney and their family from Carlow paid a visit along with their winning canine friends, and went home to Carlow with some lovely trophys and Rosettes. 

Burgers, refreshments and beverages were on sale on site all day. The little people played around and enjoyed themselves rolling about in the freshly mowed grass. Some tired little feet on Sunday night.

Time flies by, and very soon it was time to start the racing. The nice thing about Feaghbridge, you have the choice of running your dogs out of traps or slipping them, and both was actioned on show day.

Here are some Racing Results :

Elite Winners

Joe Leonard with Scared in 20.11

Malachy Mc Fall with Sukie in 18.64

Joe Leonard with not scared in 18.71

 Non Elite

Under 22

Kirsty Harpur with Lady

Under 24

Kirsty Harpur with Skylar

Over 24

Sean Burke with Milo

Bull Cross

Charlene Rafferty with Red

Master Mc Grath Qualifier

Charlene Rafferty with Ned

Mick the Millar

Charlene Rafferty  Red

Terrier Race 

Sam White with Finn

Whippets

Barry Chambers with Alfie

Showing

*Overall Champion Terrier 

Dorita Manson with Sheamus

Reserve

Dessie Mackin with Bill

Lurchers

*Overall Champion Lurcher : 

Maurice Mc Dowell with Sport

Reserve

Harry Roche with Chase

Whippets

Overall Champion Whippet 

Davy Best with Merlin

Reserve

Rea Wilson with Lexie

Champion Pup

Dorita Manson with Josie

Champion Strong Dog

Niall Mc Cann with Dollar

**Overall Champion of Champions and Best in Show**

Dessie Mackin with Sheamus

Reserve Champion

Maurice Mc Dowell with Sport

A Big Congratulations to Dessie and Maurice and all above winners and well done.

Some great prizes in the Raffle and always generates a flush of excitement through the crowd. We were very lucky and went home with three big bags of dog food. 

It was a picture to see the look on the face of young Brooke Rafferty and Lexie Rose Maguire, when Fiona Devlin, show organiser awarded and presented them with trophies for joint winners of young handler of the year 2018. Two very proud mothers on the day. Well done young ladies and very well deserved.

And Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank the judges for a job well done.  Handling Classes : Lisa Dumigan/ Terriers : John Keane/Lurchers : Graham Brennan/ Whippets : Margaret Mc Stay. Judging is not an easy job, but you carried out your remit truthfully and honestly on the day. I took some photographs and they are on my timeline at the moment.

And Finally, Finally, Fiona Devlin and Conor Mc Cormick, your show was a credit to you both with excellent team work. Trophies and Rosettes were beautiful. I know you put a lot of hours and sleepless nights in bringing this show to top quality standard, and you succeeded 100%. Many thanks Fiona for your kindness and hospitality around the rings. We had a very memorable day and are looking forward to more of the same in 2019.

 

Margaret Mc Stay

 

Edited June 7, 2018 by appleblossom