Againstthehead tops in Newbridge Open Cup

On Sunday last at Old Connell Stud, just on the outskirts of Newbridge Againstthehead, owned trained and bred locally by Glen Healy, emerged a deservingly winner of the Newbridge Open Cup co-sponsored by two Kerrymen Dermot O’Shea and Denis O’Sullivan. Aimee Hegarty supplied the runner-up Puenete Romana which was the fourth time the Hegarty Family got to this prestigious final.

In the supporting stake the Old Connell Cup was divided with the English owned Hunting Kind who qualified for the final and the other two semi finalists Lobnamna Luna and Blacktrench Girl. 

Newbridge Open Cup

Just after the stroke of midday slipper Alan Kelly sent both Collarmelater and Againstthehead off behind a stag of a hare with this hare weaving up ahead of both greyhounds Againstthehead opened up a three-length lead for the first score. In a course that lasted a punishing 45s Againstthehead had the better of the six turns before this puss went on her way out the top fence line.
Both Paramaddan Sofi and Donaghmore Murt had a ding dong battle to the opening score as this hare made her way towards the side fence line. Driving in hard for the opening score by half a length Sofi slid on the ground before righting herself as Murt took a wrench.
Scoring again before puss exited out the side ditch on 15s Sofi advanced.
In another pulsating hunt Arena Magic, runner-up at Roseberry Open on St Stephans Day, was denied the opening score as Ridgemount Niall held on to a half a length lead to the turn.

Once the opening points were judged they both scored a point each before Arena Magic took control of this racing puss. Scoring frequently all the way back to the gate where the hare entered the field Magic on 79s had easily worked off the lead to advance to round two.

In the final course of the opening round Puenete Romana enjoyed a length lead to the first turn as Scartview Dara followed. With the puss making for the side ditch, it was surprising that she did not exit the field when the first opportunity arose. Doubling back into the field she gave Romana plenty of close quarter work before slipping out the side fence on 34s at the
second time of asking.

Despite being well behind on the handicap Againstthehead was smartly away from slips as Paramaddan Sofi followed. Taking the opening turn by two lengths, this racing puss gave another two quick twists to both greyhounds before quickly exiting out the side fence line on 19s with the Healy charge heading for the final.

Off the only course from the second beat a side slip was the order of the day as a stag of a hare came right across the slippers shy. Upon release both hounds sighted before Puenete Romana showed the pace ahead of a tired Arena Magic to take the first turn by three lengths. In the resulting 46s hunt four more turns were had before this hare made her way back out onto the tarmac driveway before co-sponsor Denis O’Sullivan caught them before the bridge.

With the final beat heading to the willows, hares could be seen crossing ahead of the beaters. Once one came in the right direction both finalists who were fairly equal on the clock were slipped as she ran straight out ahead of the pair of them.

Showing no signs of tiredness from his opening hunt Againstthehead (Barrack Boru-Ballymac Hope) opened out a four-length lead to take the opening score ahead of Puenete Romana (Boylesports Magic-Andere Sansa).

With this puss quickly doubling back towards the side willow line where a line of flankers were working another point was shared before judge Eugene Doyle pulled the winning flag in Againstthehead’s favour. As this racing puss re-entered the willows there was 19s on the clock.

Old Connell Cup

The UK owned Hunting Kind who already had an outing over the open county at Christmas time pulled out a three-length margin to the first turn over Bauneys Blue. With this racing hare knowing every blade of grass in this field she made her way to the small grove in the top corner of the field. Following one more turn she popped out ahead of the dogs on 18s.

Beechhill Barry showed the pace ahead of Jukes Special to take the opening score by two lengths in the following 30s hunt another three turns were divided as Barry advance to the next round.

Showing a nice touch of early speed Lobnamna Luna opened out an eye catching four length margin as she drove in hard for the opening points ahead of Ice Cool Chanel. With this racing puss quickly doubling back towards her entry point she gave both hounds another two scored before leaving the field on 18s.

In the final course Hunting Kind pulled out a three-length margin over Beechhill Barry to the first turn. At the same stage another hare came from the willows before chief game keeper Dick Bell turned her back into the beat with the help of the flankers.

Back to the course this racing hare had doubled back towards where she had come from and with Hunting Kind following she was flagged the winner of this course.

With Dick’s hare not being rerisen in the willow’s, stumps were pulled at 3.15 and a divide was called following an excellent day’s coursing. The promoting club despite loosing the hour earlier due to the frost can hold their chest out loud and proud as taking on the task of running two eight dog stakes in the open in these current times is a credit to them.