Amongst his more familiar but less tactful friends, Donal Leahy is oft jokingly referred to as The Nearly Man. Mafi Magic and Two Excuses must accept their share of the blame for that.

CENTRAL CITY, a track-bred dog who had his first outing on a coursing field at East Donegal on New Years Day when he was a fourth reserve in a All-Aged Stake, and then went on to win his trial stake at Tubbercurry, was a surprise winner of the Boylesport.Com Derby at Clonmel yesterday.

IT must have been a close call but from a very strong field — where his main rival must have been Champion Stakes winner Windfarm — the Greyhound & Pet World coursing dog of the year award has gone to the courageous puppy Eoin Rua (Handsome Billa – Eoin Og), winner of the very competitive JP McManus Irish Cup at Patrickswell and the Keen Laddie Stakes at Clonmel.