O’Donovan John proves a surprise packet

O’DONOVAN JOHN, owned by Richard Keane, Goolds Cross, Co. Tipperary, and trained by David Flannigan, who could be backed at 10-1 before the stake commenced, proved a surprise winner of thefeatured Fitzgerald Cup, the All-Aged event, at the second stage of the Glanworth Coursing meeting.

He proved too good for the bitch, Be On Time, owned and trained by Denis Curtin of Listowel, Co. Kerry, in the decider.

The major upsets in the stake came in the semi-finals where O’Donovan John put out the long odds favourite Mucky Eamonn by two lengths,having a 2-1 majority when the hare escaped, while Be On Time got the better of Ben Nevis, who had run up for two Cups already this season, by a length in an exciting buckle.

The final, however, was a one dog affair as O’Donovan John raced away to take the opening turn by six lengths from Be On Time.

Trainer Pa Fitzgerald sent out a very promising February whelp in the English owned Aftertiming to take the Derby Trial Stake.

Owned by Ben Lewis, the brindle was up two lengths in a short slip against the K-D-D Syndicate (Cork) owned and Pat Norris trained Kierans Sam, taking the only two scores in the buckle.

Trainer John Kiely secured the Oaks ticket for Mrs. Ann. Marie Keane and Master Ronan Hayes of Dromina, Co. Cork with Cassiebeag. The Junepuppy, who was most unlucky at Cappoquin last time out, came from behind to get the better of the Sean Curtin’s (Tournafulla), owned and trained, Barracks Becks, by a length and a half in an exciting decider.