Carlow Charity Dog Show and Raceday ( Stephanie O Connors Show) Sunday 7thApril 19

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Carlow Charity Dog Show and Raceday ( Stephanie O Connors Show) Sunday 7^thApril 19

The River Barrow flows through the town of Carlow, and forms the historic boundary between the Counties Laois and Carlow.  The settlement of Carlow is thousands of years old and played a major role in Irish history, serving as the capital of the country in the 14th century. 

Outside the town of Carlow is a little village with a big heart called Palatine. This was the venue for the Carlow Lurcher, Terrier, Whippet , Hound Dog Show and Race Day Sunday 7^thApril 19. And what a show that was.

Mrs Samsung rang her alarm at 4.30 on Sunday morning, and from then on in, our house was all stations go. Very soon we were on the road with dogs in toe, heading towards Mc Donalds in Newry to meet up with the rest of the convoy.

It was very misty in the morning, but as the day went on the sun came out to play, and beamed down on us all day. We arrived at the venue around 10.00am, and by that time the field was filling up fast. The atmosphere was electric and the welcoming was as warm as the sunshine. 

Denise and Trevor Cahill and Jim and Christine Maher were there with their dog Leads and hunting gear stands, as well as an Ice Cream van and Chip van. As I walked around the field it was nice to meet up with some great huntsmen and women after the long cold winter. As Mr & Mrs Fox are gone off on their summer holidays, it gives our canine companions  a chance of a break from their working schedule.

Time flies by so quickly, and very soon it was Racing and Show Time.

Here are some Results of the Showing and Racing.

Childrens Handling Class

The wee people were out in force in the pet ring and childrens handling  class. What a turnout of our young huntsmen and women of tomorrow. One very proud little lady after winning the childrens handling class was Ava Boggan with her winning dog Angel. Congratulations Ava and well done. There were many more winners in the pet ring, to many to mention including Brooklyn Rafferty, Cormac Mc Killion, Abigal Morrissey  Cleo Crosbie and Jade Dunphy. Well done to everyone, you were all winners in my eyes.

Racing Results.

Master McGrath over 23

1/ Michael McGrath with Tucker
2^/  Conor Nolan with Jodie
3/  Eddie Kane with scooter

Master McGrath under 23
1/ Billy Cullen with Shadow
2/ Joe Leonard with Bruno
3/ Joe Leonard with Jack

Mick the Miller
1st.  Eddie Kane with Snowy
2nd. Fran Kenny with Teabag
3rd.  Fran Kenny with PJ

Michael McGrath Hairy 24.
1/ Michael McGrath
Heavy Bull Cross
1/ Pa Hempenstall
2/ Billy Cullen
3/ Charlene Rafferty with Shifter

Under 21
1st. Paddy McGrath with Amber
2nd. Joe Leonard with Elsa
3rd. Paddy McGrath with Robby.

Hairy
1st. Eddie Kane with Fonk
2nd. Michael McGrath with Stella
3rd. Conor Nolan with Prince

Whippet
1st.  Alex Savage with Murphy
2nd  Barry Chambers with Alfie
3rd.  Anthony McGrath with blue

Under 23
1st. Joe Leonard with Bruno
2nd.Joe Leonard with Jack
3rd. Seamus Moore with Mindy.

Over 23
1st  Kirsty Harpur with Megan
2nd. Michael McGrath with Black Jack 

Showing Results

Champion Whippet. 

Rea Wilson with Otis
Reserve Champion.

Jade Dunphy with Willow

Champion Terrier. 

Eamo Mc Erlain with Spooky
Reserve Champion. 

Mark Mc Callion with Pinky

Champion Lurcher Dog.

Jed Donagh with Jake
Reserve Champion. 

Eoin Barnes.

Champion Lurcher Bitch. 

Tracy Crosbie with Stella
Reserve Champion. 

Eoin Barnes.

Champion Hound. 

Kilkenny Foxhound with Harver
Reserve Champion. 

Kilkenny Foxhound with Subtle

5 Nation's

Whippet.

Rea Wilson with Otis
Terrier.

Eamo Mc Erlain with Spooky
 

Lurcher  

Jed Donagh with Jake.

Overall Show Champion 
Eamo Mc Erlain with Spooky

Reserve Champion 
Jed Donagh with Jake.

Congratulations to all above winners and well done.

And Finally, may I take this opportunity on behalf of Stephanie and Mark to thank the judges for a job well done, and Racing on the day.  

Judges

Pets/ Margaret Mc Stay 
Whippet/ Charlene Rafferty
Lurcher /Dog/ Gary Smith
Lurcher /Bitch/ Brian Grady
Hounds/ Johnny Dicker
Terriers/ James McGuiness.

Racing

Michael and Jack Mc Grath.

And Finally, Finally, as the saying goes, I always save the best to last. Yes, Stephanie and Mark O Connor and your brilliant back up team, this accolade goes to you. I can honestly say for a first time show, your show was run with a very high degree of skill and professionalism. The organisation and timing was impeccable, with a very well versed team. This was backed up with a brilliant venue and top prizes both in showing/racing and raffle. I am sure you had some sleepless nights but it certainly paid off. Thank you so much for a great and memorable day and above all for your friendship. 

And now for the icing on the cake. Mark and Stephanie made a  whopping 1951.70euros the proceeds of last Sundays show.

This huge amount was handed over today by Stephanie  Mark and team to Carlow Mental Health Association and will be a great help to the lives of so many people to learn about Positive Mental Health. 

Excellent work Stephanie and Mark , a credit to you and congratulations again on a first class, first time run show, and I am already looking forward to more of the same in 2020.

 

Margaret Mc Stay

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 11, 2019 by appleblossom