Cowen takes the reins at Mullingar

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.

Both developments have been open secrets over the past number of days but were confirmed yesterday by the IGB. O’Halloran had created a favourable impression in his short reign at Limerick and oversaw the successful launch of the new stadium. It is understood he is moving to a position in the insurance industry in Cork.

He said: “Having worked so closely with so many people on the successful launch of this wonderful new stadium, it is with much regret that I am moving on after what was a short but highly exciting period for the greyhound industry in the mid-west region. The new stadium has been a massive good news story for Limerick from an investment and jobs point of view. When you see a business with every restaurant seat sold for the month of December, it can only mean good news for the region in terms of jobs and suppliers”.