McManus calls the toon in Irish Cup

THE Irish Cup developed into a real McManus family affair at Ballybeggan Park in Tralee yesterday.

For good measure Noreen is also one of the three members of the RMH Syndicate (Nora Raleigh and Tom Harnett are the others) who own the winner.

"I am really over the moon,” said Noreen.

“It’s a great thrill just to have a nomination in a prestigious event such as this, but to actually win it is just unbelievable".

Tooned Up was the even money favourite before the quarter-finals yesterday morning with Hard Going and Multibet both at 3-1.

Hard Going led all the way for a two lengths success over Bambas Melody in the opening quarter final, while Ardnalee Mike came from behind to put out Uncle Tom by four lengths, getting another score before the finish.

Tooned Up had a bye when Joansdale was withdrawn, having one turn and two wrenches before the hare went home. In the last quarter-final Multibet and Ashmore View were very wide apart leaving slips but Ashmore View finished the stronger to be up five lengths. The loser came off lame.

Hard Going was never troubled in the semi-final against Ardnalee Mike, racing up eight lengths in front, while Tooned Up, trained by John Linehan in Mountcollins, was equally impressive when beating Ashmore View by four lengths in a course in which each had two scores.

In the final Tooned Up, who started favourite for last year’s Derby and won the Munster Cup at Newcastlewest this season, took control from the start to race away to a five lengths success over Hard Going, who won an all-aged stake at the Macroom meeting this season.

There was no final in the Stud Dog Owners & Agents Select All-Aged Bitch stake when Tarantella had to be withdrawn injured from the decider, leaving the long odds favourite, Departing South, to be declared the winner.

There was an English success in the final of the Kirby’s Brogue Inn Irish Plate when the Richard Devonish trained Cnoc Eile took the honours against Bolero. There was little between the pair, who were bumping in the run up, but the winner pulled out to take the honours by a length.

Pipers Gap, who won his trial stake at Newcastlewest and was beaten on a just up decision by Skellig Rock in the quarter final of the Derby, came from behind to to dispose of the challenge of Donavani by two lengths in the Strand Co-Op Irish Purse.

Judge: P. Horan, Slipper: T. Murphy

J. P. McManus Irish Cup (64 All-Aged). Winner 63,500 Runner-Up 19,000. Two Greyhounds 6,350 each. Four Greyhounds 1,580 each. Eight Greyhounds 635 each

Quarter-Finals

Hard Going 2l bt Bambas Melody

Ardnalee Mike 4l bt Uncle Tom

Tooned Up a bye, Joansdale (p). withdrawn)

Ashmore View (p) 5l bt Multibet

Semi-Finals

Hard Going 8l bt Ardnalee Mike

Tooned Up 4l bt Ashmore View (p)

Final

Mrs. N. McManus ns. R.M.H Syndicate’s (Newcastlewest) dk.bd.d. Tooned Up (Hilltown-Chorus Thriller) (4-6) 5l bt S. McNeill Loughlan ns. P. Willis’ (Mallow) be.bd.d. Hard Going (Smokey Minstrel Hard Lines) (evens)

Kirby’s Brogue Inn Irish Plate (for greyhounds beat in second round of Cup)

Quarter Finals: Cnoc Eile 11/2l bt Didyouseethat (p); Bolero a bye, Tip The Hat (p) (withdrawn); Electric Rodeo (withdrawn)

Final: T. J. Clarke ns. J & Ms. B. Bodie’s (Northampton) w.bd.d. Cnoc Eile (Hilltown-Cushie Flair) (4-6) 1l M. Spillane ns. B & L. Jones’ (Dundalk) f.d. Bolero (Newry Hill-Kalunda) (4-6)

Lee Strand Co-Op Irish Purse (for greyhounds beaten in first round of Cup)

Quarter-Finals: Leafy Trail (p) j.u. bt Trudys Smasher; Donavani (p) 5l bt Early Force (p); Pipers Gap (p) a bye, Im Only Razor (p) withdrawn; Lough Keel (p) 11/2l bt Nialls Return (p)

Semi-Finals: Donavani (p) 11/2l bt Leafy Trail (p); Pipers Gap (p) 8l bt Lough Keel (p)

Final: B. Tansey ns. M. Flanagan’s (Kilmeedy) w.bd Pipers Gap (p) (Toy Razor-Ballybeg Blaze) (1-4) 3l bt D. Cox ns. J. Burke’s (Oola) f. Donavani (p) (Brookview Inn-I Remember) (6-4).

Stud Dog Owners & Agents Select All-Age Bitch Stake (32)

Winner 6,500. Runner-Up 2,000. Two Bitches 650 each. Four Bitches 200 each

Quarter-Finals: Gentle Twilight (p) a bye. Sapphire Star (withdrawn); Departing South (p) j.u. bt Classic Blonde; Rahela Smokey (p) j.u. bt Lochgarman Sal (p) ; Tarantella (p) long lead bt Garbally Dove (p)

Semi-Finals: Departing South (p) 1l bt Gentle Twilight (p); Tarantella (p) 5l bt Rahela Smokey (p)

Final: P. Dalton’s (Golden) bd. Departing South (p) (Hilltown-Tender Highlife) declared winner, B & L. Jones’ (Dundalk) w.f. Tarantella (p) (Tullamore-Kalunda) (withdrawn injured)

Noel ‘Doc’ Connolly Memorial All-Aged Cup (Confined)

Final: D. O’Connor’s (Lixnaw) f.d Russcinncoop (p) (Colina Guscio-Primo Laura) 11/2l bt Ballyclare Syndicate’s (Ballyheigue) bd.d. Ballyclare Razor (Toy Razor-Feora Blue)

Kerries & Kilgobbin Stake (for open coursing greyhounds)

Final: Miss S. & Ms. F. Guiney’s (Newmarket) bd.d Rock On Euro (p) (Tullamore-Duarigle Dancer) 1l bt Not-All-Bald Syndicate’s (Fedamore) bd. Half Barrell (Hilltown-Cillowen Blonde)