O'Shea takes Coilog honours
Paul O'Shea got his domestic season off the mark today winning the latest round of the Boswell Equestrian Centre National Grand Prix League, staged at Coilog, Co Kildare.
O'Shea's jump-off clear on Killard Horizon in 38.18 proved too much for the competition, despite a late scare from Mervin Clarke whose mount Santee clipped the tough last fence to negate what would have been a better time.
Although the rain held off at the Kildare venue, the wind played havoc with the fences over Killian Clarke's course. Still, twenty made it into the jump-off, in which Olive Clarke was an early pacesetter, going clear in 43.15.
Tholm Keane on Warrenstown You Two then shaved two seconds off Clarke's time, only to be overhauled by Stephen Smith on Laraghlease Western Desert who pared the target down to 39.70.
There were just six riders left when Paul O'Shea took command and knocked another second-and-a-half off the lead time on Killard Horizon. The remaining five contenders couldn't better the Limerickman's effort, but he did have to hold his breath as Mervin Clarke on Santee put in a much faster time but failed to clear the last fence.
Francis Connors, who didn't compete today, still heads the League table on 18 points, while Tholm Keane's 3rd placing today sees him move to joint second on 13 points alongside Greg Broderick who was out of luck on his mounts this afternoon.
Today's event was sponsored by Coilog Nurseries Ltd., producers of high quality ornamental trees for the Irish and European markets, based at Kilmeague, Naas, Co. Kildare.
BOSWELL EQUESTRIAN NATIONAL GRAND PRIX LEAGUE
RESULT: Coilog 1.40m Grand Prix
Monday, May 7th, 2007
Venue: Coilog Equestrian Centre, Co Kildare
Sponsor: CoilOg Nurseries
Prizefund: €3,000
1) Killard Horizon (Owner: Catherine Duffy) Paul O'Shea 0/0 38.18
2) Laraghlease Western Desert (Owner: Robert Hancock) Stephen Smith 0/0 39.70
3) Warrenstown You 2 (Owner: Ronan Tynan) Tholm Keane 0/0 41.13
4) Spitfield (Owner: John Melia) Olive Clarke 0/0 43.15
5) Kilfinnane (Owner: Minister For Defence) Lt. Michael Kelly 0/0 48.34
6) Santee (Owner: Pauline Clarke) Mervin Clarke 0/4 36.53
48 starters, 20 through to jump-off.
BOSWELL EQUESTRIAN NATIONAL GRAND PRIX LEAGUE
LEADERBOARD AFTER THOMASTOWN GRAND PRIX,
Monday, 7th May, 2007
1. Francis Connors 18 points
2. Greg Broderick 13 points
2. Tholm Keane 13 points
4. Robert Splaine 10 points
4. Paul O'Shea 10 points
6. Seamus Hayes 9 points
7. Stephen Smith 8 points
8. Clem McMahon 7 points
9. Neal Fearon 6 points
10. Cian O'Connor 5 points
10. Darragh Kenny 5 points
10. Lt. Michael Kelly 5 Points
