Garry O'Sullivan Memorial Drag hunt @ Rathduff 25/05/2014

14TH JUNE 1939-6TH NOVEMBER 2002

This year is the 11th running  of the Garry O'Sullivan memorial drag-hunt & it is one of my favourite  drag hunts of the year & a drag meeting that all trainers will want to win , Garry had given over 50 years of service to a sport that he loved & his wife Brenda who has been around hounds all her life & still is today will be hoping for a good turn out & some cracking drag hunts for her late husbands 11th memorial drag in Rathduff this weekend.

Garry held many positions within the C,C,C,H,A over the years being chairman , public relations officer  & secretary of Northern Hunt, Garry was also a huntsman for Northern Hunt.

Over the years Garry built up a great rapport with the farming community to which was a benefit to the C,C,C,H,A adding new courses to the drag hunting calendar , Ballynoe, Rylane, clare castle, Ballinagree & Rathduff the venue for his own memorial drag this weekend to name a few.

Garry was 2nd generation into drag hunting following in the foot steps of his father jackie & uncle florry who along with a few others were the founder members of northern hunt in 1925, 

Garry's children , Gary & martina 3rd generation, along with grandson adam 4th generation (vice chairman ) & nephew john & niece janet are all activley involved in the sport today, with adams son Isaac sure to follow in the drag-hunting tradition of the 0'Sullivan family.

Garry had his share of success in the sport along with his brother Sean O'Sullivan winning 6 internationals in various grades over the years & twice runner up in the All Ireland, his son gary & adam had their big day in 2008 landing the Senior All Ireland with Black & Tan to which i'm sure put a big smile on garry's face .

Cups & Trophies 

Garry was also very popular over in cumbria and travelled with his wife frequently over a 20 year period building great friend ships with the late Birkett Lawson , George & Joe Lawson & Edward & Lena Gibson.

There is always a good turn out of hounds for this drag hunt & many trainers will be looking to land one of the grades on sunday, for those that were fortunate enough to have known Garry will know that he was a man with great charisma and a sense of humour and loved his sport of drag hunting with a passion.

Always up for the craic 

Last years Senior Winner was Blue Lightening (ICDA), Maiden honours went to Westgate caesar of mayfield who over the last few years have had great success with Bernie Rall's Stracken & Mossie taking the honours , senior pup winner was Kieran lynch's english bred bitch  Awesome & the puppy maiden was won by the consistent kennel of Andrew Gary & Darren O'Callaghans Keep Calm Midday.

Slip times:

International Slip 2014 

1.30pm for the pups

2.30pm for the senior hounds

A big thanks to farmer Tom Dennehy for giving the start & finish & parking for the drag hunt & all the land owners giving permission to run this drag hunt in Rathduff.

The presentation will be held @ The Curtains bar Mallow Road

In the evening the O'Sullivan family will be remembering Garry @ the Baker Street, with live music & food those that would like to join them are more than welcome.

On behalf of Brenda,Gary,Martina & Adam i would like to wish everyone the best of luck on sunday may the best hounds win.

                                                                          God Bless