High fashion stakes at Marshes dual race day at Dundalk Stadium

I RECENTLY headed for one of the biggest days on the Dundalk Stadium calendar, The Marshes Dual Racing day. The place was packed with revellers, all dressed to impress and all up for a fantastic day.

I was only into the paddock area when I met sisters Rosemary Coleman and Marcella Coleman-McCoy both from Blackrock who were looking sensational and were up for making the best of the days racing.

I then met up with a group of ladies (and one gentleman) who were looking equally as well and they were Aine Quigley from Kilkerley, Nicki Jordan and Torin Fleming both from Ravensdale, Louise Rice from Inniskeen and Roisin Duffy from Ravensdale who were then joined by Mairead Kirk from Roche, Martina O’Connor and Patrice Kieran both from Inniskeen and Annmarie Thornton from Cooley who were enjoying the day while also celebrating Roisin’s birthday, and no ladies I’m certainly going to divulge how old she is, just safe to say she was looking great on her birthday!

Not too long later I got a word with two young men from Bessbrook, brothers Ben and James McCamley who were enjoying their day with their granda, none other than Joe Carroll from Bellurgan. To say the lads were in good company would be an understatement, but of the three, it was James who had had the first winner, a 14/1 no less!

Next I caught up with wellknown postman Emile Heskey from Hyde Park who was just into the stadium after me and hadn’t had a chance to see what the form was, but was looking forward to the dogs after the horses.

I then got a quick word with my neighbour Joe Berrill from Parnell Park who told me he hadn’t had any luck, but was quietly confident about the last few races.

Heading over to the kiddies play area I met up with Nicolai, Claire, Alannah, Daniel and Ida Voight from Dunmor who were enjoying the sunshine while the children played on all the inflatables. Claire was the one who was picking all the winners, but were the rest of the family paying any heed to her I wondered?

Meanwhile inside at one of the tables I met up with Ciaran, Bernadette and Cora Tennyson with Elaine O’Connor all from Portadown who were enjoying the afternoon with Mickey McEneaney from St. Nicholas Avenue who was keeping his cards close to his chest and not giving any tips.

I then headed upstairs where the best dressed ladies were gathering and met up with Sarah Stevenson from Bangor who was with Stephen and Kayleigh Fisher from Finnabar Crescent, her mum Hester McKenna from Oaklawns who was with sons Craig and Peter. The lads said their luck was in during the races and they were also cheering on sister Kayleigh who was into the final ten for the best dressed lady with a €5,000 prize and a trip to the Big Apple.

Making my way through the crowds I then caught up with Cecilia Keenan from Lordship who certainly should have been the final ten who told me she was there with husband Tommy, Thomas and Alison Duffy and Seamus and Fiona Dully all from Lordship who were having a lovely afternoon and they all wanted to wish Cecilia and Tommy’s daughter Louise Fallon from Newry a very happy birthday and the Jade Garden would be certainly be getting a visit later on after the races to continue the celebrations.

Next I had the pleasure of meeting up with sisters Yvonne and Grace Finnegan from Rampark who were also in the final mix and were looking really well. They were enjoying the entire day with their mum and cousin Lisa Finnegan and Olivia both from Rampark.

Too busy to talk me because she had a pressing phone call on the go was Gillian Woodcock from Bay Estate who was with Trina Gollogly, Niamh McArdle and Una McGinn all from Carrickmacross who were looking exceptional and were all wearing hats from Cappello by Trina the well know milliner from Carrickmacross, check them out ladies, they’re a bit special.

Meanwhile back outside amongst the real people I met up with Basher Dillon, Owen Farrell and Aisling Dillon all from Greenacres who were enjoying the company of Arvind, Priya, Emma and Sim Sookun from Mauritius who were having a lovely afternoon, specially Basher who said he’d won on four out of the six races so far!

Finally, before I departed I met up with Linus English from Blackrock who was dodging the raindrops from the light skiff and said that two favourites had come in for him so he was enjoying the big day.