Dunraven claims cup a century on

LORD Thady Dunraven brought the Irish Cup back home to Kilgobbin, Adare, last night for the first time since the Dunravens let loose greyhounds in pursuit of the trophy 100 years ago.

His father and grandfather were in at the beginning when the Dunraven family opened their lands at Charity Meadows, Clounanna, for the event in 1905.

But up to yesterday, winning the event had eluded the Dunravens.

As he was surrounded by well-wishers in Patrickswell, the seventh Earl of Duraven, Lord Thady, said: “It is a very emotional moment given our family connection with the Irish Cup. My first memory of the Irish Cup was going there when I was about 10 years of age.”

He recalled that a greyhound with his nomination got to the quarter finals a few years ago.

“Today we have won this historic trophy in Irish sport, the Irish Cup for the first time, marvellous,” he said.

First to congratulate him were members of the other great Adare dynasty, the Chawke family.

Charlie and his brother Gerry Chawke made it to the semi-final with Kick Me Joey.

Had they won the Irish Cup, brewery workers would be on overtime over the next few days, given they own a chain of pubs stretching from Dublin, through Clonmel and on to Adare where two of the four village pubs bear the Chawke name.

Charlie said: “We all come back for the Irish Cup. I brought my son Bill, who’s 10, with me.”

The Chawkes had a big table at the Irish Cup dinner in the Dunraven Arms on Saturday night.

Charlie’s sister Mary Savage said: “Even with his crutch, I couldn’t keep up with him on the dance floor.”

Tom Kennedy, the father figure of Co Limerick publicans, said he had lost track of the number of Irish Cups he has attended.

Tom, 83, recalled: “When I was a young lad in Newcastle West they used to run a special train to the Irish Cup.”

Top English racehorse trainer Sir Mark Prescott said he has been coming to the Irish Cup meeting since Tartan Black won the event in 1973.

Sir Mark said: “I always stay in the Dunraven Arms in Adare. It’s back to work tomorrow with the 60 horses I train. It’s been another marvellous visit to the Irish Cup.”

Liam Riordan, an Irish Cup committee member and winner of the Cup in 2001 with Micks Magic, cracked open the first of many bottles of champagne to celebrate Lord Dunraven’s win.

“He’s a great sportsman and this win is a great climax to a fantastic three days of coursing,” said Mr Riordan.

The Irish Cup is sponsored by JP McManus and the winning owner collected €63,500.