Kerry co-driver Noel O'Sullivan aiming for Ulster Rally win and second Irish Tarmac crown
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Irish Examiner
8 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Gowran Park tips: Plaza Athenee can make it third time lucky
Gowran Park hosts a seven-race card and Plaza Athenee can build on two promising efforts by getting off the mark in the sixth race, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden. John Murphy's three-year-old filly, unraced at two, made her debut in a Curragh maiden in late June and there was distinct promise despite her being beaten more than 10 lengths into sixth place. On her second start, in a maiden at Killarney's July meeting, she was sent off the 3-1 favourite but had to settle for second place behind Drama Queen. Only touched off following a protracted duel with the winner, who is now 90 rated, it was a significant step up on her debut effort, and more can be expected. Today's two-furlong shorter trip is of little concern, and she can take this en route to better things. It could be a good day for her rider, Colin Keane, as he also holds leading claims aboard Continuite in the feature, the listed Darley Irish EBF Hurry Harriet Stakes. The Juddmonte filly was placed on both starts at two and while she was off for 10 months prior to her recent return to action, over a mile at this venue, it didn't show as she stretched clear in the closing stages to win as she pleased. A full sister to Time Lock, who has won two Group 3s and a listed race over 12 furlongs, the selection ought to appreciate the step up to almost 10 furlongs, and while she is conceding experience to most of her rivals, she will take a great deal of beating. Easy Mover ran a fine race in defeat in the listed Corrib Fillies' Stakes at Galway and on that evidence she should appreciate the step up in trip. She appeals as the danger and best each-way alternative to the selection. Tickling can get off the mark for her career by taking the finale, the Curragh To Curragh Charity Cycle August 30 Handicap. Mark Molloy's filly showed precious little on her first three outings but there was a marked improvement on her first foray into handicap company. Slow to find stride that day, she was under pressure from a long way out and didn't enjoy the best of runs through the field, but was noted staying on really strongly to finish a close fourth behind Galaxy Wonder. She can only continue to improve and with James Ryan in the saddle, she can have a big say in the outcome of this race. Thegooseiscooked is sure to be popular amongst punters and has obvious claims, but may find one or two too good once more.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Red-hot Enright completes Downpatrick double as Wing Back rewards gamble
Phillip Enright continued in sparkling form when sharing a Downpatrick double with Sam Curling, the pair scoring with the gambled-on Wing Back and Fire Coral. Wing Back was big as 16/1 in the morning and backed into 7/4 favourite and led before the final flight before beating Parkgarve by four and a half lengths in the Denvir's Of Downpatrick Handicap Hurdle. Enright was understandably very pleased with how things panned out: 'With the hood back on, he relaxed better, jumped well and kept going up the hill. Sam told me he was going well at home and he got the job done.' The partnership struck again in the Randox Handicap Hurdle as Fire Coral (7/2 joint-favourite) responded to Enright's strong handling on the run-in, staying on bravely score by a neck. Enright, who received a two-day whip ban, was riding his seventh winner in a week. Curling was full of praise for him. "Phillip is riding brilliantly at the moment," the trainer said. "We got this mare from Cormac Farrell and she was always going to have her day. And I'd say today's trip suited her ideally. She's tough and jumps well and is owned by a syndicate that is local to me at home.' Without a winner since late May, Sam Ewing matched Enright's brace with an early double on Atomic Queen and Catena Zapata. Trainer Peter Fahey, who took Kilbeggan's finale on Saturday night, provided Ewing with the first leg of his brace when Limerick bumper winner Atomic Queen edged ahead early on the run-in and powered up the hill to see off favourite Galileo Springs in the ITBA Mares Maiden Hurdle. 'She won her bumper in Limerick and backed it up with a good run in a winners' race in Punchestown,' explained Fahey. 'But we came home from Kilbeggan (her hurdling debut) scratching our heads. Things just went wrong, but it did her no harm and we got the bonus today. I'd say she needs more of a galloping track and if she keeps improving, she might end up being a black-type filly.' Ewing delivered again when Catena Zapata, claimed out of Henry de Bromhead's yard last month having won a Killarney claimer, opened her hurdling account in the Randox Rated Hurdle. Odds-on favourite Arch Empire flopped, jumping poorly and finishing tailed off, last of four. Having his second run for Ian Donoghue, the 12/1 outsider of the field made all and stayed going well to beat Redwood Queen by five and a half lengths. 'Everything that comes out of Henry's jumps well and he was good when he schooled on Wednesday morning,' said Donoghue. 'It wasn't the plan to make it, but I left it to Sam. In fairness to him, he found plenty coming up the hill. I'd say we'll mix and match it with him.' In fine form in recent weeks, trainer John McConnell was also in double form, landing the four-runner WTW Willis Mares Handicap Hurdle with Mrs McGo (Daryl Kidd) and following-up when Finn Brickley made virtually all on 4/5 favourite Minella Supreme in the bumper.
The 42
5 days ago
- The 42
Kerry and Tipperary All-Ireland winning stars back in club focus this weekend
THE SAM MAGUIRE and Liam MacCarthy celebrations are starting to ease a little. In Kerry and Tipperary the acclaim over the inter-county brilliance of 2025 has now shifted to more local matters, as the stars that lit up the biggest stages this year return to club action. Kerry's All-Ireland football champions are set for the opening group games in the county club championship action this weekend. In Tipperary, their hurling talents have had divisional games already to contend with but now the main business of the county championship consumes their attention with the first round of group matches. Here's what's in store for the main men that shone for the Jack O'Connor and Liam Cahill-managed teams this summer. ***** Kerry… The action commences in Kerry with club championships this weekend, before the county championship commences next month. The senior club ties begin tonight with Dr Crokes, the all-conquering champions of 2024, playing Killarney rivals Spa. All-Ireland winning captain Gavin White will be joined by Mark O'Shea, Shane Murphy, Evan Looney, Micheál Burns, and Tony Brosnan in the Dr Crokes squad, while Dara Moynihan is the main county figure for Spa. On Saturday afternoon Austin Stacks, who had All-Ireland winners in Dylan Casey, Joe O'Connor and Armin Heinrich, face Templenoe, the club of Tadhg Morley and Killian Spillane. The last senior group game of the weekend is on Sunday afternoon as Kenmare, led by Sean O'Shea, take on Dingle, who can call on Dylan, Paul, and Conor Geaney, and Tom Leo O'Sullivan. The participation of three-time All-Star winner Tom O'Sullivan for Dingle is unclear after he missed the latter stages of the All-Ireland series through injury. The opening round sees byes for Shane Ryan and Paul Murphy with their club Rathmore, and for midfielder Diarmuid O'Connor with Na Gaeil. At intermediate level in Kerry, the group action also begins. Advertisement The star power lies with David and Paudie Clifford as their Fossa side play John Mitchels on Saturday evening, while Brian Ó Beaglaoich lines out for An Ghaeltacht against Castleisland Desmonds. Defender Jason Foley's club Ballydonoghue face Listowel Emmets on Sunday, while emerging Kerry yougster Tomas Kennedy is part of the Kerins O'Rahillys setup who play Glenbeigh-Glencar. Beaufort have All-Ireland winners Mike Breen and Sean O'Brien at their disposal as they get set to play Gneeveguilla on Sunday. Then at premier junior level, Graham O'Sullivan's Dromid Pearses face St Pat's Blennerville in Sunday afternoon's opener. ***** Tipperary… After the divisional action has been wrapped up, the Tipperary stars move into the opening round of the county senior championship. Reigning chmpions Loughmore-Castleiney, who can call on the trio of McGrath brothers (John, Noel and Brian), face their opening game on Saturday evening and Drom & Inch at 7pm in Templemore. Last year's beaten finalists Toomevara also play on Saturday in Borris-Ileigh at 7pm, with Darragh McCarthy spearheading their challenge against a Holycross-Ballycahill side featuring his county team-mates Bryan O'Mara and Joe Caesar, In the same group, Andrew Ormond is marquee name for JK Brackens, the newly-crowned Mid Tipperary senior champions, as they face Lorrha-Dorrha. Earlier on Saturday at The Ragg at 4.30pm, Tipperary's All-Ireland winning captain Ronan Maher plays for Thurles Sarsfields along with the Stakelums, Conor and Darragh, against a Nenagh Éire Óg outfit that includes Jake Morris and Sam O'Farrell. The remaining game tomorrow sees goalkeeper Rhys Shelly (Moycarkey-Borris) play Alan Tynan (Roscrea) as their clubs meet in Templemore. Sunday's senior group matches pit Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs) against Paddy McCormack (Borris-Ileigh), while Andrew Ormond is the flagship name in the JK Brackens ranks as they take on Lorrha-Dorrha. Willie Connors and Barry Hogan are invovled with Kiladangan against a Clonoulty-Rossomore side that have Tipperary defender Robert Doyle, while Eoghan Connolly and Oisin O'Donoghue will feature for Cashel King Cormacs against Mullinahone. At premier intermediate level in Tipperary, Michael Breen will be in action for Ballina against Burgress, Jason Forde will lead Silvermines against Boherlahan-Dualla, while Seamus Kennedy and Peter McGarry play for St Mary's against Killenaule. In the intermediate grade, Tipperary panel member Johnny Ryan features for his club Arravale Rovers against Borrisokane.
