GARRY O'SULLIVAN MEMORIAL DRAGHUNT @ RATHDUFF CO-CORK

14TH JUNE 1939-6TH NOVEMBER 2002

This year is the 13th running of the Garry O'Sullivan memorial drag-hunt & an open drag hunt open to all associations in Ireland & England, 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 13th memorial drag in Rathduff Co Cork 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 actively involved in the sport today, with adams son Isaac sure to follow in the drag-hunting tradition of the O'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 

Hounds were Garry's passion for over 50 years 

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Osullivan family & friends 

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 Samanthas Tess S&C Harriers and the maiden honours went to Paddy Wack kerry pike the Senior pups was won by IT Wasn't Me Clogheen & Linda & Marguerite busteed lady diamond of Mayfield Harriers 

shane lynch & sam guckian hound
IT WASN'T ME senior puppy winner @ Coom

Lady Diamond puppy maiden winner @ Coom

International Slip 2014 

I asked a few drag hunting members to sum in three words the man here are a few below: 

Denise Rall: Character,Gentleman, Sportsman

John O'Callaghan:Hound lover, funny, sportsman

Timmy Mac:Craic, gentleman, Dedication

Michael Crowley: genuine,lovely,honest

Teri Clark: Caring,loving,Hard working

Slip Times

3.00pm for the pups 

4.00pm 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 Glen Ryan Tavern , 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

2016 International Results @ Carrignabhfear Co Cork

Senior Hounds

1st Ashtree-Griffen United
2nd Mossgrove Dessie-ICDA
3rd Denton Razor-ICDA
4th Faugheen-KBA
5th Bounty-FAIRHILL
6th Ballinard kerry-KBA

John O'Callaghan & family
Ashtree Senior International Winner 2016

28  ran time 32.00

Maiden Hounds

1st Misty-ICDA
2nd Diamond-ICDA
3rd Marley-KBA
4th Shankiel Jude-ICDA
5th Border Lad-ICDA
6th Misty Jack-SOUTHERN & CARRAGALINE HARRIERS

59  RAN  TIME 31.56

Senior Pups

1st Mossgrove Lady-ICDA
2nd Blarney rose-FAIRHILL
3rd Son of Mossie-MAYFIELD
4th Mossie Son-MAYFIELD
5th Black jack-SOUTHERN & CARRAGALINE HARRIERS
6th Slievemish Fire-CLOGHEEN

Moss grove lady senior international puppy winner 2016

20  ran  time 17.01

Maiden Pups

1st Blackjack rover-IRISH HOUND TRAILERS
2nd Pixie-ICDA
3rd Puerto jack-SOUTHERN & CARRAGALINE HARRIERS
4th Cobh Prince
5th Killians girl-ICDA
6th Cool Lulu-SOUTHERN & CARRAGALINE HARRIERS

23 RAN TIME 19.30

This weekends running of the 2016 headed to Carrignabhfear in what promised to be a cracking meeting as 4 drag hunting associations came together to contest the 2016 International.

In the seniors in what for me was to be the drag hunt of the day,many hounds that have been running well in the run up to the meeting were in with a big shout today , Midday Charm 6 wins from 7 runs , Denton Razor last years winner , Bounty , Mossgrove Dessie & Mossie, to name a few, but today belonged to John O'Callaghan and his English bred hound Ashtree, The bitch was bred by James & John Oldcorn in Cartmel Cumbria, bred out of Eno-Huntsmans Dazzler the former HTA & BHTA registered hound who won the bitch produce @ Westward back in 2014 which was declared void.

She came over to johns kennel at the tail end of the 2015 season , with very little running under her belt in 2016 after breaking, this gutsy hound showed 5th when the call went up she responded with a good turn off foot to hold off Mossgrove Dessie by a length trained by Finbar & Barry O'Sullivan 2015 winner Denton Razor trained by John O'Keefe was 3rd, the remaining tickets went to Jason Leary's Faugheen of the Kerry Beagle Assocation who ran a cracker as fast open fields would not be his usual type of running down in County Kerry, a consistent Bounty of Fairhill took a well deserved 5th place & Ballinard kerry took the final ticket of the day for the Kerry Beagle Association.

John has had his fair share of International ups and downs over the years, john won the puppy maiden with Maxwell in 2005,Senior Maiden with Shadowfax in 2007, 2nd with Justice in 2011 & 2nd in the Seniors with isitit in 2008.

Back in 2003 he won the Senior crown with Milligan @ Rylane ,On that day john's late father John who was very ill at the time turned to John and said “we finally done it” it was the one drag hunt meeting he always wanted to win. Well John you did it again and I'm sure your father would have been looking down on you today with a huge smile on his face.

John & daughter Orlaith with 2016 senior international trophy
& of course Orlaith has the winners envelope for shopping with mam 

Jayne Oldcorn who is in Ireland with her partner Ian fleet also had a huge smile on her face today as Ashtree landed the senior spoils, it's her family over in England who had bred the hound, i suspect she will be bending the elbow tonight rather than Ian's ear.

Senior maiden honours went to to Misty of the ICDA in what was a very close finish on the run into the tape just beating Gerry Murphys Diamond into 2nd place Patrick Dillons marley also ran a cracker finishing 3rd badgers shankiel Jude took 4th & 5th spot went to  border lad rounding up a great day for the ICDA in the maiden grade, the final ticket went to misty jack of southern & carragaline harriers.

Senior pups winner Mossgrove lady trained by a delighted Finbar & Barry Osullivan, who won by 5 lengths on the run in to the tape beating Blarney rose, son of mossie & mossie son took 3rd & 4th places, blackjack & slievemish fire  rounded of a good day for the city hounds.

Maiden Puppy- honours went to Blackjack rover IHT pixie was 2nd for the ICDA ,puerto jack 3rd & the remaining minor tickets went to Cobh Prince, Killians girl & Cool Lulu.

2016 International @ Carrignabhfear Co Cork

This coming weekend's  2016 International heads to Carrignahfear.

The meeting is hosted by the C.C.C.H.A, With trainers & hounds coming in from all 4 Associations that currently compete in Ireland being the C.C.C.H.A -I.C.D.A -K.B.A. & I.N.D.H.A every trainer will be looking to land one of the International Titles that's on offer on Sunday.

2016 International Senior hound
2016 International Maiden hound
2016 International Senior pup
2016 International Maiden pup

Last years International was held in Rathduff.

The Senior honours went to Denton Razor trained by John O'keene of the I.C.D.A,
The Maiden Grade went to Gerry Murphy's Castletown Tiger  I.C.D.A.

Denton Razor 2015 senior international winner
currently in fine form 

Castletown tiger 2015 Senior Maiden Winner 

Senior Pups was won by Max Lad of Northern Hunt C.C.C.H.A
Maiden Pups was won by Casper of Mayfield Harriers C.C.C.H.A.

Max Lad 2015 Senior puppy winner 

Casper 2015 Puppy Maiden Winner

Here are a few hounds from all Associations that are in with a good chance this Sunday to pick up a major honour in drag hunting.

C.C.C.H.A.Senior Hounds, In tip top form is Midday Charm trained by Andrew Gary & Darren O'Callaghan this classy bitch has won 6 senior drag hunts so far this season out of the 7 she has competed in,Winning last weekend in impressive style on her run to the tape as she won the Northern Hunt Senior grade, the O'Callaghan family will no doubt have the bitch ready for the big day as they have with many a hound in many a year gone by, Bounty of Fairhill 4th last year out in Rathduff has been in the tickets consistently & will have a shout on the day, along with Bernie Rall's Mossie the 2014 Senior International Winner, daughter Denise Rall's Son of Magic has also been running very well ticketing away on a regular basis, Ger & Jennifer's The Howler Jack will also be one to think about on the big day, Awol,Dark Destroyer, Bully Mike, Blue Shadow & Awesome have all picked up tickets in the Senior ranks this season & their trainers will have to be in with a chance as well on the day.

K.B.A  Senior Hounds: Jason Leary's Glen who has 3 wins to date & Faugheen push the charge for the lad from Kerry, Mike Driscolls Robbie has 2 wins & Midday mission has been ticketing away down in Kerry might she come back to haunt her former kennel in cork?,I'm sure there will be a few more hounds representing the Kerry Beagle Association on the day as they always travels in great numbers & enjoy themselves in what is a long trip for trainer & hounds up to County Cork.

I.C.D.A  Senior Hounds: Denton Razor 2015 winner is in great form this season for John O'Keefe & should be a good match for Midday Charm on the day, Mossgrove Dessie 2014 Senior Puppy winner  has also found some good form over his last few runs and will be one to watch for on the big day,Mad Max for Kieran Kearney is running well,Ringo & Speculate 2nd last year could also be in amongst the tickets.

C.C.C.H.A. Maiden Hounds: In the Maiden grade i think is a bit of a head scratcher as its wide open Blackholm is in great form for John O'callaghan winning the Northern hunt club drag last weekend is some style as she led from slip to catch taking her tally of  2 wins and a bag of tickets to the International, Timmy Mac's Shearspark hounds will be ready on the big day and have been ticketing away all year for the man who's had his picture taken more times than a grenadier guard at Buckingham palace will he make the Echo this year?, Blue Magic, Star Magic,Magic's Boy, Star Man, Casper, Misty Jack, Small & Dainty, 2015 winner Max Lad & litter brother Dawstown Spark who showed some magic winning back to back drags at Easter lead Martina & Don Mcgrath's charge on Sunday, the above are a hounds in with a shout on the day. that have been in among the tickets in the opening 8 drag hunts this season in the C.C.C.H.A.

K.B.A. Maiden Hounds: Patrick Dillons, Vicky , Marley & Fran , Blue Star & Judy head the way for Jason Leary & Blue Tornado for Joseph Driscoll.

I.C.D.A. Maiden Hounds: Get McCarthy's Misty should put in a fine run for the in form trainer, along with Border Lad & Gerry Murphys Guniess & Diamond.

C.C.C.H.A. Pups, As all the pups have been running in the one grade up to the International it will be a trainers decision whether they run their hounds on a fresh hunt or dead rag with 2 grades being available Senior pups & Maiden pups: Midday Sky ,Slievemish fire, Shearspark kid, Katies Gem , Mossie's Son & Son Of Mossie,Black Jack, Malbec,Karter Blarney Rose & Heidi's boy have been the most consistent pups battling for tickets week in week out since the opening day of the season its wide open.

K.B.A Pups: Joseph Hartys Asia, Dido Declan Driscoll, Joe Driscoll Darling & Remy Boy trained by Shane Driscoll.

I.C.D.A. Pups: Sheila Cummins Penny Lane is top pick from the this years I.C.D.A. pups along with Ger McCarthys Samson & Magic, Messi who is a good driving hound may dictate the pace for Gerry Murphy on Sunday.


For those that are travelling from Cumbria have a safe trip and enjoy your weekend.

Best of Luck to all Trainers & Hounds for the weekend.

NORTHERN HUNT DRAG HUNT RESULTS

PUPS 22/04/16

1ST MIDDAY SKY-MAYFIELD
2ND SHEARSPARk KID-MAYFIELD
3RD KARTER-MAYFIELD
4TH KATIES GEM-KERRY PIKE
5TH SLIEVEMISH FIRE-CLOGHEEN
6TH MOSSY'S SON-MAYFIELD

19 RAN  TIME 15.20

SENIOR HOUNDS 24/04/16

1ST MIDDAY CHARM-MAYFIELD
2ND SON OF MAGIC-MAYFIELD
3RD MOSSY-MAYFIELD
4TH BOUNTY-FAIRHILL
5TH DARK DESTROYER-KERRY PIKE
6TH GYPSY WOMAN-GRIFFEN UNITED

19  RAN  TIME 29.30

MAIDEN HOUNDS

1ST BLACKHOLM-GRIFFEN UNITED
2ND STAR MAN-KERRY PIKE
3RD MISTY JACK-SOUTHERN & CARRAGALINE HARRIERS
4TH SHEARSPARK MURS BEAUTY-MAYFIELD
5TH NOT NOW MICHAEL-CLOGHEEN
6TH SILVER LINING-MAYFIELD

John & daughter Orlaith with
Blackholm Northern Hunt Senior Maiden Winner 

18  RAN  TIME 30.20

A super weekend for the O'Callaghan families at the Northern Hunt Drag hunt meeting.


Andrew Gary & Darren's Midday Sky wins the puppy grade beating Mayfield club hound shears-park kid trained my Timmy mac.

Midday Charm completed a super double for the O'Callaghan family notching up her 6th win in the opening 8 meetings, I hear that the Mayfield bitch is in electrifying form ahead of next weekends international meeting & when the call went up today she flew into the tape with ease, the bitch will surely be one of the red hot favourites for the senior international title next week @Carrignabhfear,

Denise Rall's son of magic & her father's mossy took two more tickets for the Mayfield harriers bringing the in form clubs total to 8 places across all three grades.Bounty dark destroyer & Donie duggans gypsy woman shared the rest of the tickets.

The Maiden Honours went to John O'Callaghan of Griffen United as his hound Blackholm picked up her 2nd win of the 2016 campaign & is also in very good form after ticketing away over the last few weeks, reports from various road crossings today tell me Blackholm led the drag hunt from start to finish.

FAIR HILL DRAG HUNT RESULTS

PUPS

1ST BLACK-JACK-SOUTHERN & CARRAGALINE HARRIERS
2ND MIDDAY SKY-MAYFIELD
3RD SHEARSPARK KID-MAYFIELD
4TH MALBEC-KERRY PIKE
5TH CARTER-MAYFIELD
6TH SLIEVEMISH FIRE-CLOGHEEN

23  RAN  TIME 15.00

KEN LONG'S BLACK JACK
FAIR HILL PUPPY WINNER 

SENIOR HOUNDS

1ST MIDDAY CHARM-MAYFIELD
2ND THE HOWLER JACK-SOUTHERN & CARRAGALINE HARRIERS
3RD MOSSIE-MAYFIELD
4TH SON OF MAGIC-MAYFIELD
5TH BLUE SHADOW-SOUTHERN & CARRAGALINE HARRIERS
6TH DARK DESTROYER-KERRY PIKE

19  RAN  TIME 29.00

MIDDAY CHARM FAIRHILL SENIOR
WINNER 

MAIDEN HOUNDS

1ST MISTY JACK-SOUTHERN & CARRAGALINE HARRIERS
2ND SMALL & DAINTY-NORTHERN HUNT
3RD BLACKHOLM-GRIFFEN UNITED
4TH CASPER-MAYFIELD
5TH MAX LAD-NORTHERN HUNT
6TH NOT NOW VENICE-CLOGHEEN

21  RAN  TIME 30.00

MAYFIELD HARRIERS DRAG HUNT RESULTS

SENIOR HOUNDS

1ST BOUNTY-FAIRHILL
2ND THE HOWLER JACK-S&C HARRIERS
3RD AWOL-GRIFFEN UNITED
4TH BULLY MIKE-IHT
5TH CRAWFORD-GRIFFEN UNITED
6TH AWESOME-NORTHERN HUNT

11  RAN   TIME 31.15

MAIDEN HOUNDS

1ST MISTY JACK-S&C HARRIERS
2ND BLACKHOLE-GRIFFEN UNITED
3RD SMALL & DAINTY-NORTHERN HUNT
4TH STARMAGIC-KERRY PIKE
5TH STARMAN-KERRY PIKE
6TH BLUE MAGIC-NORTHERN HUNT

15  RAN  TIME 32.00

PUPS

1ST BLARNEY ROSE-FAIRHILL
2ND KATIES GEM-KERRY PIKE
3RD JESSIE J-NORTHERN HUNT
4TH MALBEC-KERRY PIKE
5TH PUERTO JACK-S&C HARRIERS
6TH BLACK JACK-S&C HARRIERS

15  RAN TIME 15.26

J CAREY MEMORIAL DRAG HUNT RESULTS

SENIOR HOUNDS

1ST MIDDAY CHARM-MAYFIELD
2ND THE HOWLER JACK-SOUTHERN & CARRAGALINE HARRIERS
3RD BOUNTY-FAIRHILL
4TH AWOL-GRIFFEN UNITED
5TH SON OF MAGIC-MAYFIELD
6TH AWESOME-NORTHERN HUNT

16  RAN  TIME 27.05

MIDDAY CHARM MICHAEL O'MAHONY MEMORIAL
SENIOR WINNER 2016 

MAIDEN HOUNDS

1ST SHEARSPARK BACARDI-MAYFIELD
2ND BLACKHOLM-GRIFFEN UNITED
3RD KASPER-MAYFIELD
4TH MISTY JACK-SOUTHERN & CARRAGALINE HARRIERS
5TH MAGICS BOY-MAYFIELD
6TH MAX LAD-NORTHERN HUNT

24  RAN  TIME 27.03

ASSOCATION PUPPY DRAG HUNT @ BOTTLE HILL

1ST SHEARSPARK KID-MAYFIELD
2ND SLIEVEMISH FIRE-CLOGHEEN
3RD MOSSY'S SON-MAYFIELD
4TH BLARNEY ROSE-FAIRHILL
5TH SON OF MOSSY-MAYFIELD
6TH COOL LULU-SOUTHERN & CARRAGALINE HARRIERS

18  RAN TIME 20.49

Another great weekend's Sport for Mayfield Harriers as they win all three grades,Timmy Mac landing a brace winning the Senior Maiden with Shearspark Bacardi & Shearspark Kid the puppy grade, beating Damien Wades Slievemish fire who came from 5th to pick up 2nd place,mossy's son was 3rd blarney rose 4th , son of mossy 5th & cool lulu 6th.

The senior honours went to midday charm beating last week's winner The howler Jack , taking her tally to 4 wins , good runs from bounty , awol, son of magic  & awesome .

Maiden honours went to shearspark bacardi beating blackholm, Kasper was 3rd & the remaining tickets were picked up by misty jack , magics boy & max lad.