O’Flaherty’s Man triumphs in battle of Derby winners

HISTORY was made at New Ross yesterday when two coursing Derby winners clashed in the final of An Corn Ros Mhic Treoin.

In the event victory rested with O’Flaherty’s Man which captured Powerstown Park's dog classic in February when he led by no less than six lengths against Danagher’s Best which had triumphed at the National Meeting 12 months previously.

O’Flaherty’s Man is trained in Strabane by Cathal Magee and he was nominated by his breeder Tom Crosbie, the doyen of the coursing game in the southeast.

Michael Dunphy of Droopy’s fame, sent out the winner of the Derby Trial Stake when Rio Rooney raced eight lengths clear of Danagher’s Reward, a kennel mate of Danagher’s Best.

Dermot O’Sullivan collected the Oaks ticket when Vacume Runaway held on by a length against Con Guiney’s Simple Wish in an all-Cork buckle.

There was another victory for Leeside when Barry Lynch produced Mark Kelleher’s Wilton Boss to outpace the Sean McGrath trained Polka in the Redmills Classic Bitch Stake.

Meanwhile Thady’s Tender, winner of the Derby Trial Stake at Liscannor last season, returned to win the McDonagh Memorial All-Age dog stake at the same meeting yesterday.

In the final he won by two lengths from Cranmore, owned by the Equal Four Syndicate of Castleisland, Co Kerry.