Up to 10,000 flock to National Coursing Meeting
For three days this week, the horseracing track in Clonmel becomes the centre of attention for the young superstars of the coursing world. As well as attracting owners, trainers and supporters from all across the island, it also brings its fair share of overseas visitors.
Among the nationalities represented at Powerstown Park yesterday for the first rounds of the Greyhound and& Pet World Oaks and Boylesports Derby were English, Scottish, American and Australian, along with the usual legions from the North.
It’s one of the most lucrative weeks of the year for local pubs, restaurants and hotels with many venues such as Gerry Chawke’s pub in the town centre, Moran’s, The Coachman and The Local putting on special attractions for the duration of the festival.
Recession or not, those who love the event will let nothing stop them from their late-winter pilgrimage to Clonmel and, according to those who know, they’re still spending. “Oh it’s good, it’s as good as ever I’d say,” said veteran ticket merchant Mary Whelan.
From her booth, where she sells the reserved club stand passes, she has seen it all over the years and she has sat through all weathers, including bitterly cold winds yesterday.
“It’s cold, but I’m grand inside there. I enjoy every bit of it and love the people. Especially the men,” she says with a laugh. “One man said to me, ‘Would I fit in there with you?’ I said, ‘I’ll fit as many as two’.”
In years gone by, the annual meeting attracted large protests from animal rights activists but the introduction of muzzling for the greyhounds diluted the opposition somewhat as, according to those involved with the sport, it all but removed the “kill” from proceedings.
However, some remain implacably opposed to coursing and a protest organised by Aran attracted a small gathering outside Powerstown Park yesterday. “It goes to show,” said Aran’s Marika Rea, “how backward this country seems to be politically when in fact the cruel spectacle of hare coursing is banned on grounds of animal welfare in Northern Ireland.”
The protests won’t prevent a similar crowd of coursing enthusiasts attending the event today, while up to 15,000 could pile into the venue tomorrow for finals day.
