The Dáil’s spending watchdog has initiated inquiries into a €5m overspend by the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) on its new flagship stadium in Limerick.

There should be a fine welcome for recently-crowned Sprinter of the Year Shoemakers Lad when he turns up at Curraheen Park for the semi-finals of the Kudos Supersprint on Saturday.

It may be only six months since the 2010 Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger final was run at the brand new Limerick Stadium but a huge crowd will be convening again on Saturday to savour the 2011 decider where there will be very strong local interest.

THE impending closure of Newbridge cast a gloom over the Irish greyhound industry this week but there is strong reason to hope it can rise from the ruins of this development.

WITH Dick O’Sullivan stepping down today, there is still no news from the Department of Agriculture as to who will follow the genial Kerryman as chairman of the Irish Greyhound Board. However, it will be a major surprise if the appointment is not made prior to the likely change of Government.

Question: What Coursing Derby winner was not eligible to contest a Coursing Bred stake on the track?

The facilities will be limited but it will be a happy occasion when Shelbourne Park re-opens for racing this evening following the longest break the track has had since the Foot and Mouth outbreak.

Here’s hoping that the worst predictions of the Met Office prove off the mark and that the Christmas racing schedule can continue at full pace at tracks all over the country over the weekend.

Within shouting distance of Christmas and here we are in a situation where the greyhound action is absolutely red hot with the Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger commencing tomorrow at Limerick Stadium while on Saturday at Shelbourne the first round of the Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake will fire into action.

WATERFORD grabs the spotlight this week with the final of the Connolly’s Red Mills Masters topping the programme on Saturday and it promises to be a highly interesting contest.

A FEW very significant changes in the management of Irish tracks were confirmed yesterday. Declan O’Halloran has stepped down from the top position at the new Limerick Stadium a little over three weeks after the first night at the track. Meanwhile, An Taoiseach’s brother Barry Cowen has been appointed to the vacant General Manager position at Mullingar.

THE well-fancied Tyrur Bucko will not run in Saturday’s second semi-final of the Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels at Curraheen Park due to a serious injury.

FOR most people getting the chance to sit anywhere they like in Thomond Park Stadium is an exciting prospect, but for Limerick man Dan Mooney, that novelty may have waned slightly.

THE BIG question mark in advance of Saturday’s Sporting Press Irish Oaks final is whether Skywalker Queen can hit top form at just the right moment to win the bitch classic for the second year on the trot.

I’M something of an optimist by nature but I can’t help but detect a number of very positive signs on the Irish greyhound front that provides renewed hope for the future of the industry.

TICKET prices for Ireland’s upcoming friendly with South Africa at Thomond Park next month have been slashed in a bid to sell out the famous Limerick stadium.

The Republic of Ireland will play Australia on August 12 at Thomond Park Stadium, the FAI has announced today.

THOMOND PARK has hit a second concert jackpot with confirmation yesterday that Rod Stewart will perform there on July 4.

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON picked a perfect evening to see Munster for the first time at Thomond Park.

Wellington scrum-half Piri Weepu will captain New Zealand for the first time against Munster at Thomond Park.

LIMERICK is to remain the home of Munster rugby after the IRFU Munster Branch last night revealed it is to look at three alternative sites for Thomond Park - but all in the Treaty city.

It appears as though Thomond Park's hollowed turf may be dug for good as the IRFU have commissioned ARUP Consulting Engineers to conduct a feasibility study in the Limerick area with regard to the provision of a 26,000 capacity rugby stadium.