Coursing enjoyed a renaissance under Desmond

Diarmuid O’Flynn talks to retiring ICC Chief Executive Jerry Desmond, who for the last 22 years has overseen the running of the minority sport.

After the lilting strains of ‘Limerick You’re A Lady’, for the connections of Pumpkin Hayes, winner of the Kitty Butler Stakes, after the comic verses of ‘Johnny Hughes Bar’ for Woodpark Rebel, owned by Johnny Quinn from Newmarket-on-Fergus, winner of the Champion Bitch Stakes; even after the lovely ‘Mount Massie, The Flower of Macroom’ for Oaks winner Sullane Sign and ‘Hard Times, Come Again No More’ for the O’Connor brothers Razor Ashmore, acclaimed winner of the Derby, there was still one more presentation to be made at the end of the formalities at the National Coursing Meeting in Clonmel recently.

The final cheer of the final day was reserved for the retiring Irish Coursing Club Chief Executive Jerry Desmond, and a well merited acclamation it was.