Meet the Kerry fifth-year student who stunned the greyhound world and pocketed €80,000
The dust is yet to settle and normal routine yet to return for 17-year-old Daniel O’Rahilly who, last Saturday night, sent out Knockeen Dazzler to win the prestigious Con & Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick Greyhound Stadium.
The achievement, in taking on and beating the very best trainers and the cream of young track talent in the country earned the Ballymacelligott lad a considerable cheque, countrywide adulation, and the bonus of a couple of days away from his school duties.
One of only two greyhounds under the care of O’Rahilly, Knockeen Dazzler posted a performance of authority which bodes well for his future, as it does for his precocious handler.
The winner was expertly cared for throughout what is one of the most demanding competitions on the greyhound calendar, and that was patently obvious as he produced his best performance in the decider, showing his young handler had picked up plenty from his father, DD, and his late grandfather, Roger.
“It’s still a bit surreal. I know it’s Tuesday now, but I still haven't really come to terms with what happened,” said O’Rahilly, enjoying a little time away from his fifth-year class commitments. “I don’t really remember a lot about the race. I was on the infield, and I wouldn’t be the type to get too excited, and so when I saw him going around in front, I was just hoping he would stay there. There had been a doubt about his stamina prior to the competition but he seems to have gotten stronger with each run, and he definitely dispelled that notion. We always thought he was right out of the top drawer but to win this stake was unbelievable.”
It was an emotional weekend for the family as Daniel’s grandfather, Roger, a key contributor in fostering his grandson’s passion for the sport, passed away three years ago last Friday night and the family held an anniversary mass the evening before the final.
“My grandfather won the 1981 Laurels with Knockeen Master,” he explained. “That was in the old Western Road but that track and Curraheen Park would always have been considered lucky for us. He had a few other decent greyhounds, none as good as that, but he had greyhounds all his life and like any family in greyhounds, that’s how I got into it.
“He asked me one day if I’d like to put one in my name and of course I said yes, and that began my interest in having dogs of my own and training a few.
“I have only two dogs in training, and I got them from the Matthews family. I had been looking for a few months and then we went up to Newry and I picked them out. I was always going to keep them here and train them myself.”
Living in Ballymacelligott, not far from the Dowlings, success in the sport is not new to the locals, but Daniel was stunned by the reaction since Saturday.
“It has been great. We’re here in Ballymac, which isn’t a bad parish for greyhounds and the number of people who have contacted us to congratulate us, people from all over the country, has been unbelievable.”
Of course, when winning one of the biggest races of the calendar, there is considerable monetary reward, but the old head on young Daniel’s shoulders won’t allow for trivial splashing of the cash.
“As good as the money certainly is, and I have to thank the McManus and Kirby families for their sponsorship, it’s the prestige of the competition and winning it which means most. The money is great, and I will definitely be investing some of it in buying pups, but there are also plenty of things to be paid for – as there always are with greyhounds.
“I’m sure my father has been making up bills for the past few days,” he added, with just the hint of a giggle in his tone.
Whatever Knockeen Dazzler achieves in the remainder of his career is bonus territory – and the prospect of stepping up to 550 yards for the Leger excites his handler – but such was the manner in which he was handled, we can be quite sure, in an uncertain sport, that this was not a one-off for O’Rahilly.
