Greyhounds in turmoil

THIS LAST few weeks has been a very turbulent time for greyhound racing.

The I.G.B. had proposed the sale of Harold’s Cross but then failed to get it rezoned, thus making the sale not so viable.

Yet matters escalated last Monday when the I.G.B. closed Harold’s Cross, locking the gate and locking out the four local directors.

This resulted in a march to the Dáil to protest at this action and calls for the removal of the current board who plan to sell the profit-making track to pay for the loss-making, debt-ridden Limerick stadium.

There has been massive support from all over the country, with G.O.B.A. and other groups, the G.R.I.I. and G.P.S., uniting to place pickets on Shelboune Park for the foreseeable future on both Friday and Saturday nights.

The Harold’s Cross issue is due to be raised in the Dáil this week and it is hoped that the iconic stadium will be re-opened soon as possible.

There was a notice on the Enniscorthy race card on Thursday night stating that five more tracks were earmarked for closure.

However, track Chairman Christy Murphy stated he contacted the I.G.B. Chairman who assured him no other tracks were to close and added that the newspaper reports were false. Time will tell.

Thursday, February 16 - race one, Welcome To Enniscorthy A7: 1, Metric Brae (owner, Pauline Byrne, Marshalstown), 29.99; 2, Whitefort Amy, 30.37.

Race two, Bet With The Tote A6 525: 1, Heavenstown Jack (owner, Amy Cleary, Cleariestown), 29.68; 2, Rubys Hill, 29.85.

Race three, The Trackside Diner A5 525: 1, Misterin Zippy (owner, Michael Galway, Misterin), 29.19; 2, Tomahurra Rock, 29.71.

Race four, Unrecorded Trials Wednesday and Friday A4 525: 1, Sorghaghtani (owner, Mary Whelan, Enniscorthy), 29.37; 2, Same Act, 29.65.

Race five, The Showgrounds A4 525: 1, Duffry Gate Pat (owner, Alex Cooney, Enniscorthy), 29.32; 2, Whitefort Mickey, 29.35.

Race six. The 2017 Kennedy Cup Squad A2 525 semi-final: 1, Tycoon Prince (owner, Raymond O’Sullivan, Carrigbyrne), 28.85; 2, Piercestown Moll, 29.02.

Race seven, The 2017 Kennedy Cup Squad A2 525 semi-final: 1, Except Change (owner, Francis Kent, Co. Wexford), 28.76; 2, Almost Blazing, 29.07.

Race eight, The Track Bar A3 525: 1, Lemon Pete (owner, Patrick Roban, Enniscorthy), 29.35; 2, Slaneyside Roche, 29.56.

Race nine, February A3/A4 575: 1, Tree Tops Beauty (owner, Brendan McDonald, Ballymurn), 32.15; 2, Seagrave Jack, 32.22.

Stephen Murphy receiving his certificsate to mark his official membership of the W.K.T.A., and his role as national representative. Back (from left): Charlie Golden (club President), Cllr. Anthony Kelly, Ruby Murphy, Padge Reck (trustee), Darrell Byrne...