There was strong West Limerick involvement with De Lahdedah, the 5/1 winner of the coveted and valuable English Greyhound Derby at Towcester.
Trained in Ballymacelligott, near Tralee in Kerry by Liam Dowling (and his son Shane), the champion is owned by the Garsúns Syndicate, whose members hail from West Limerick and North Kerry.
Among those involved are Athea friends John McAuliffe and Pat O’Sullivan, along with Abbeyfeale native Kevin O’Connor.
Also connected to the great animal is Stephen Hanrahan and Duagh man Derry Carroll.
First prize was a whopping £175,000.
In front of a packed enclosure, there were wild scenes of celebration at the presentation ceremony.
De Lahdedah’s time of 28.58 seconds equalled the track record for the 500 metres distance.
In the runners-up spot was Boylesports Bob for Kilkenny trainer Paul Hennessy.
De Lahdedah is a home-bred son of Lenson Bocko and Ballymac Sarahjo and he will now aim for the Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park in the Autumn.
It was a first victory in the English Derby for Liam.
“I always said we’d keep on trying and thankfully it’s come right. He’s always had something about him, this dog, right from an early age, and I’m delighted for the lads who own him,” Mr. Dowling said afterwards.
Kennel companion Ballymac Gizmo finished a respectable fifth.
On the coursing front, Team Dowling won the Derby, Oaks and Champion Stakes at Clonmel earlier in the year.
Meanwhile, Limerick has a quality card on Saturday next (7.40pm onwards), one which features the final of the TIME Nutrition Derby with its winner’s prize of Є20,000.