KEARNEY BROTHERS HELP LAUNCH NEW BOOK
The launch of a horse and greyhound racing book it may have been, yet a wide spectrum of sports featured at last week’s event which drew a huge crowd to Dundalk Stadium.
Ireland rugby, An Poc Fada, Kilkenny hurling, Gaelic football, coursing and cross-country running all got a mention on the night as ‘ The Story of Dundalk Stadium’ was unveiled.
Of course, the book concerns what editor and project manager Fiona Ahern described as the two great traditions of horse and greyhound racing.
The publication traces the ‘sport of kings’ to its beginning at the Dowdallshill venue in 1889 up to the present day; and likewise the dogs are remembered from racing in the former Athletic Grounds before a move was made in 1932 to the adjacent track at The Ramparts and finally the switch to Dundalk Stadium in 2003.
The book was written by horse racing historian John Kirwan from Bellewstown and local man Joe Carroll, both of whom were interviewed by Des Scahill, the former horse racing course commentator who acted as MC.
Some of the greatest National Hunt horses won at Dundalk, such as Arkle, Prince Regent, Cottage Rake, Fortria, Anaglog’s Daughter and Pollarsdstown; while on the Flat the old grass circuit was graced by Star Appeal, and the all-weather, which opened in 2007, by the likes of Mastercraftsman and Declaration Of War.
Dowdallshill, over the years, has also played host to coursing, cross-country and Poc Fada na hÉireann; while the top greyhounds in Britain and Ireland have contested the International which was inaugurated at The Ramparts in 1968 under the sponsorship of PJ Carroll & Company and continues to this day on 12 July.
The book also references the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup, one of the Classics on the calendar.
It includes some beautiful black and white photographs and interviews with owners, trainers, jockeys, punters and bookmakers.
Special guests to take the microphone were leading greyhound trainer Paul Hennessy who has also achieved success with his horses.
Judging by what Paul had to say to Des, there could be a great book in the Kilkenny man!
Robert and Dave Kearney made time in their busy rugby schedules to help with the launch, and recalled their grandfather, Dr McGuinness who was race doctor at Dowdallshill.
Robert revealed he was not fully over the disappointment of Ireland’s performance in the World Cup, but added the unpredictability of sport was why everyone loved it so much.
By the same token, he wasn’t exactly upset that England got chinned in the final!
The late Co. Monaghan trainer and one of the sport’s greatest characters Oliver Brady was fondly remembered by Rita Shah, while Colm McCourt explained how Dundalk Racing Club in the early 1980s was a trailblazer for the clubs and ownership syndicates of today.
On display were the 1938
Mullacurry Cup, Mickey Macardle Cup, Sweet Afton Cup and the Carrickmacross Cup of 1770, all competed for in horse racing
By its very definition a history book is for looking back, but Leo McCauley, chairman of Dundalk Stadium, encouraged the big crowd of people to take a look around the magnificent dual purpose facility.
He pointed out that this year alone €1 million has been spent on upgrading facilities.
Plenty of punters were present, a breed always on the look out for value, and it’s no surprise ‘ The Story of Dundalk Stadium’ was snapped up at just €20 a copy.