Weekend greyhound racing schedule decimated

BY and large the weekend greyhound racing schedule has been decimated with only a handful of cards surviving the savage early winter freeze-up.

Among the casualties last night were the meeting at Harold's Cross, the Kilmacsimon benefit meeting at Curraheen as well as meetings at Dundalk, Kilkenny, Lifford, Limerick, Longford, Newbridge, Thurles, Waterford and Youghal.

Racing went ahead at Galway, Tralee and Shelbourne Park which was declared on in mid afternoon.

So, fingers are crossed regarding tonight's programme with a number of meetings already called off. These include Harold's Cross, Mullingar, Newbridge, Thurles and Waterford. Inspections will be held at all other venues.

Tomorrow's meeting at Clonmel has already been cancelled and the card will be run on Sunday week. Just two races were staged on Thursday night at Clonmel over the 750 yards distance with the eight other races failing to go ahead due to a failure with the traps due to the cold weather. These eight race will be run on Thursday night along with the final of the 750 competition.

- The addition of Rathdowney and East Donegal to the list of postponements, means there will be no coursing this weekend.

Newcastle West is off until Sunday and Monday, December 12 and 13 with the original draw standing.

East Donegal has been switched to Saturday and Sunday, December 11 and 12 and again the original draw stands.

Ennis and Clarecastle has also been switched to December 11 and 12 with the draw also standing while the Rathdowney committee will meet tomorrow morning to decide on new dates. Again, the draw stands.