The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Miss Kelly is an All-Ireland puppy champ
SINCE the annual competition began over 40 years ago, there was yet to be a Kerry winner of the Puppy All-Ireland until this year, when 15-year-old Ballinskelligs native Luke Harty and his beloved beagle Miss Kelly brought home first prize from Ballinspittle in Cork last month.
The Coláiste na Sceilge student was delighted to return with his winning puppy and that Miss Kelly – or Wendy as the family know her – will be getting a well-deserved break for a while after her hard work.
“54 dogs competed in the race so it was a great achievement for her to win. It’s great encouragement and she’s only young yet, she will be two in January,” Luke explained.
“There is a break in racing now until April. We wait until the dogs are a year old until we start training them.”
Drag hunting is a sport that Luke has always been interested in as he follows in the footsteps of the generations before him.
His grandfather, father and uncle all have their own hunting dogs as well. “My grandfather, Anthony, has a dog called Dark Destroyer; my uncle Tony has a dog, Randy; and my father has a dog, Chloe. They all placed in local championships this year. So, it has been a great year for us,” Luke said.
Luke is a member of the Ballinskelligs club of the Kerry Beagle Association and said he is delighted to have brought the title home.
“Miss Kelly is the first dog I’ve trained myself, so that’s a great start. A lot of time is spent training her; she is walked three times a day and takes part in practice races. She’s a pure pet anyway.
“I got her from a member of the club, Pats Dillon. I’ve had great support from the club, and I’d really like to thank all the lads who held the homecoming bonfire at The Glen for when we arrived home after the competition.”