Lane leads all the way to Clonmel

Cork hurling manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy enjoyed fine success on the coursing fields on Sunday when his Jacksons Lane, trained by Michael O’Donovan in Tipperary town, won the Derby Trial Stake at Abbeyfeale.

A great supporter of greyhound sport, this victory ended the long wait for a first Clonmel qualifier since he and his son, Brian, watched their Telematic Touch, trained by his cousin and Curraheen stalwart John, go to the last 16 of the Oaks back in 1996.

The win was not unexpected, as the son of Lochbo Butch and Aghadown Laura had shown distinct promise in earlier competition. “He was beaten ‘just up’ by the winner in Newcastlewest and so we knew we had a chance this time, but it’s very tough to win a trial stake,” said Barry-Murphy.