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The Mc Grath Lurcher Racing Club Dog Show and Race Day, Sunday 27th August 23

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The Mc Grath Lurcher Racing Club Dog Show and Race Day, Sunday 27th August 23

The town of Carlow was founded by the Normans in 1207, making it one of the oldest counties in Ireland. Nestled in the middle of this beautiful ancient County lies the traditionally rural village of Ballinabrannagh with its very convenient proximity to the M9 motorway. This was the venue for The Mc Grath Lurcher Racing Club Dog Show and Race Day Sunday 27TH August 23.

As the strawberry alarm clock rang out loud and clear at 5.30am, with the dawn chorus from the dog pens chiming in our ears, flasks and sandwiches packed into the boot, very soon we were on our way down the motorway to Co Carlow,  arriving  at our destination at approximately 11.00am.

As we approached the venue, it was very evident the popularity of this show with a large crowd already in the field.  All the usual show goers of yesteryear were there and also a few new trainees. The weather was pretty good all day with the exception of a few light showers.

The show rings and racetrack was in immaculate condition despite the inclement weather of the previous days. The racetrack especially was mowed razor tight to the ground and as flat as a pancake. In my opinion one of the best prepared racetracks I have seen this summer.  

This was all down to the excellent  workmanship of Michael and Jack Mc Grath. These two men put their heart and soul into this show ground to make it comfortable for all the good Country Sportsmen and women of the Canine world, and that they done in abundance.    

The entire Mc Grath family was out in strength on Sunday, with my favourite, Mammy Mc Grath in the middle of them. I have great admiration for this lady, who reared her 15 children in hard times, and all have grown up to be good citizens, and all have given her back so much  unconditional love.  

With no Game Fair this year, Albertj Titterington asked the Mc Grath Lurcher Racing Club to organise and run the Red Mills Master Mc Grath, the Feedwell Mick The Miller, and the 42nd Championship show and Racing classes. And this they done with meticulous planning, and what a success that was.

Niall O Cloghan was there with his now ever popular Terrier Maze. The Maze always brings all our huntsmen together in competition and to show off their prized winning Terriers.

The raffle as usual always generates a buss of excitement at our shows and Sundays raffle was no different. Some lovely prizes up for grabs on the day.

It was nice to see all our little boys and girls in the childrens handling class showing off their faithful Canine breeds in the show ring and also on the racetrack. These little people are our Country Sportsmen and women and show organisers of to morrow. Some proud mothers and fathers watching their little ones walk round the ring and receive their goodie bags. I am sure there were some sleepy heads on Sunday night. 

Time passes so quickly and very soon it was Show time. 

Here are the Racing and Showing Results, courtesy of : Biddy Mc Grath

Master Mc Grath 

Michael McGrath with Calypso 

Reserve 

Jan Sen with Whippy 

Mick the Miller 

Errol Gardiner with Chase 

Reserve Michael McGrath with Chance

Whippets  

Leigh Thompson with Harley

Reserve

Suzanne Addis with Poppy 

Under 21s  

Willy with Blacky 

Reserve 

Lynzi Gardiner Mc Gill with River 

Under 22s   

Kirsty Harpur with Dash 

Reserve 

Rose Mc Coy with Texas 

Under 23s 

Non Elite Traditional Lurcher  

MJ with Ruby 

Reserve

Matthew with Leela 

Under 23s Elite  

Lynzi Gardiner Mc Gill with Brier 

Reserve 

Vanessa Lynn with Arthur 

Under 24s 

Lynzi Gardiner Mc Gill with Jack 

Reserve 

Colin Tucker with Fletcher 

Under 24 

Hairy

Eddie Kane with Seldom

Reserve 

Adam with Ginger 

Bull Cross Heavy   

Fran with Precious 

Reserve 

Joyce Scott with Mable 

Bull Cross Light  

Joyce Scott with Axel 

Reserve

Leigh Thompson with Roxy 

Big Dogs Elite 

Paul with Miley 

Reserve

Fran with Rose 

Master McGrath Qualifier 2024 

Josh with Ben 

Reserve

Rose Mc Coy with Aria 

Greyhounds 

Jan Sen with Jet 

Reserve

Ella Thompson with Zena 

Bocky Dempsey Memorial Cup   

Liam with Wexford 

Reserve

Yapper Hayes with (dogs name TBC)

Showing

Whippets

Whippet Puppy 

Vanessa Lynn Louis 

Whippet Dog

Billy Kerry with Kerry Connolly Franks Blue Boy

Whippet  Bitch 

Karla Wilson with Bow 

Working Whippet

Darren with Blue 

Racing Whippet

Suzanne Addis with Poppy 

Veteran Whippet 

Suzanne Addis with Beauty 

Whippet Pairs

 Billy Kerry with Kerry Connolly Franks Blueboy and Kerry Connolly Sapphire 

**Overall Champion Whippet

Billy Kerry with Kerry Connolly Franks Blueboy 

Reserve

Suzanne Addis with Poppy 

**Overall Champion Terrier

Niall O Cloghan with Nan

Strong Dogs 

Pups Andrew with Sonny 

Staff Bitch 

Kirsty Smyth with Ruby 

Staff Dog 

Corey Beggs with Paco 

Pitt Dog 

Kyle with Badger 

English Bull 

Karla Wilson Clive 

** Overall Champion Strong Dog

Corey Beggs with Paco 

Resrve 

Karla Wilson with Clive

Bully's

Pups u6Months 

Diesel 

Pups o6Months 

Alan 

Frenchie 

Karla Wilson 

Pocket 

Poppy 

XL

Bill Mc Donagh with Apollo 

Merle XL

Stacey 

Olde English 

Ashton Sands with Pandora 

British Bull 

Karla Wilson with Rita 

**Overall Champion Bully

Bill Mc Donagh with Apollo 

Reserve

Ashton Sands with Pandora 

Lurchers

Pups 

Josh with Hanna Ace 

Smooth u23 

Conor Beck with Smile 

Smooth o23 

Paul Obrian with Cora 

Rough u23 

Ned Kane with Seldom 

Rough o23 

Adam Mathew's with Boss 

Bull x Dog 

David with Blue 

Bull x Bitch

Josh Hanna with Queenie 

Non Ped 

Vanessa Lynn with Arthur 

Collie x 

Rose Mc Coy with  Aria 

Working 

Billy Kerry With Axel 

Lamping 

Faye with Cerburus 

Pairs 

Adam with Bow and Holly 

**Overall Champion Lurcher

Adam Mathews with Bow 

Reserve 

Billy Kerry with Axel 

***Overall Champion and Best in Show

Niall O Cloghan with Nan 

Reserve 

Corey Beggs with Paco 

***Overall Puppy Champion 

Vanessa Lynn with Arthur 

Reserve 

Cathal O Cloghan with Max

Finally, many thanks to the brilliant Judges on the day 

Whippets: Ella Thompson/ Lurchers : Leigh Thompson/ Terriers : Joyce Scott/Strong Dogs : Chontelle Mc Meekin/ Bullys : Gail Ross

Your judging skills were honest, efficient and impeccable. Your duties on the day were carried out to perfection and many thanks for that. 

And Finally, Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank the Mc Grath Family for a brilliant show and race day. 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 on Sunday. 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 me 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 back to Co Armagh and the place we call home. 

Many thanks Mc Grath Lurcher Racing Club for the memories, and God willing, we will all be back in 2024 for another great window in Country Sports.

To we meet again God Bless.

 

Margaret Mc Stay

Edited by appleblossom
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