THE GLENSHANE WORKING DOG SHOW AND RACEDAY SUNDAY 7th JULY 24.

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THE GLENSHANE WORKING DOG SHOW AND RACEDAY SUNDAY 7th JULY 24.

Up with the lark on Sunday morning just as dawn was breaking and in a very short time we were heading up the road to meet with some friends and then on to the beautiful Maghera countryside and the venue for The Glenshane Working Dog Show and Race Day. And what a day and venue that was.  

I said this last year and I will say it again this year, this is one of the best venues in Ireland to hold a dog show in. As usual the grass was immaculately cut with plenty of room in the show rings and a brilliantly spaced out good long racecourse.  

 As the morning progressed into noon, cars and trailers with dogs in tow filled the field to capacity. The Gods were on our side, with just a few showers earlier in the afternoon and later sunshine most of the time. 

There was a very large crowd at this now very popular annual show, definitely bigger than last year. The craic and the banter was in full swing amongst the huntsmen and women, and all with one thing in mind, out for a great Country Sporting day in Maghera and they were not disappointed.

The wee people were  enjoying the day in the play trailer, bouncing around to their hearts delight. There was everything on site to accommodate them. Some very tired children on Sunday night. 

As I walked around the field I called into Michael Mc Cormac and Lorna with their brilliant stand full of everything you need in Country Sports gear. Michael is the person to go to if you need anything in Country Sports Line, and not hard to deal with either. Such a lovely couple, and always so welcoming. 

Along the way I also met up with Niall O Cloghan and his two lovely young boys. These two we men love their Terriers. As they say the apple does not fall far from the tree.  A chip of the old block .

Barry Kelly was there with his canine athletics and what a show within a show this guy serves up. I have great admiration for this man as he has added a great something that was needed in the Canine world. Some great dogs there in fine form and clearing every hurdle put in front them. Harry John Digging and Paula Beggs had a field day with their champion pooches. Well done Barry.

Very soon it was Raffle Time, and as usual the raffle generates a lot of excitement around the field with some great prizes on offer. Maurice Mc Dowell done  a wonderful job calling out the raffle numbers and making sure every winner went home with some lovely prizes.

Time passes so quickly and very soon it was Race time. Here are the Racing Results from the pens of Biddy Mc Grath and Joanne Owens.

Whippets

1/ James Mullen with Junior

2/ Fred Gentle with Clive

Under 21

1/ Leanne Hawthorne with Casey

2/ Yapper Hayes with Jessie

Under 22

1/ Kirsty Harpur with Dash

2/ Daniel with Misty

Under 23 Non Elite

1/ Kirsty Harpur with Venis 

Under 23 Elite

1/ Vanessa Lynn with Arthur

2/ Kirsty Harpur with Dash

Under 24

1/ Colin Tucker with Fletcher

2/ Billy with Chucky

Under 24 Hairy

1/ Leigh Thompson with Jess

2/ Harry Roche with Zula

Over Hairys

1/ Jimmy Scott with Sugar

2/ Stephen with Champ

Big Dogs

1/ Cliona Owens with King

2/ Michael Mc Grath with Rose

Bull Cross

1/ Joyce Scott with Axel

2/ John Williams with Lightening

Pups  

1/ Jamie O Connor with Penny

2/ Katelyn Mc Kenzie with Ace

Terriers

1/ Stephen with Stigs

2/ Niall O Cloghan with Nan

Showing Results

Overall Champion Puppy

Cayce Coyle with Troy

Reserve

James Mullen with Toby

Overall Champion Whippet

Vanessa Lynn with Louis

Reserve

Fred Gentle with Clive

Overall Champion Lurcher

Neil Fitzpatrick with Spike

Reserve 

Neil Fitzpatrick with Rocky

Overall Champion Terrier

Graham Ryan with Bear

Reserve

Kyle Quinn with Meg

Overall Champion Strong Dog

Andy Spence with Sniper

Overall Champion Bully

Adam Langmeade with Reggie

Overall Champion and Best in Show

Neil Fitzpatrick with Spike

Reserve

Andy Spence with Sniper

Congratulations to all above winners

And Finally may I take this opportunity to thank the Judges on the day.

Lurchers/Stewart Graham

Terriers/ Ciaran Fullan

Whippets/ John Mc Stay

Bullies/ Danielle Mc Dowell

Strong Dogs/ Ryan O Neill

Pets / Thomas Mc Donald

Again this year,  thanks to Peter Morgan for giving the use of his PA System to the Glenshane Dog show. It was so useful and very much appreciated. 

The Racing at this show was run and organised by the McGrath Lurcher Racing Club. What a bunch of decent honest people and always willing to help. Teamwork is the success of this club and as usual everything went like clockwork. Michael/Jack/ Terry and Biddy your efficiency is beyond reproach and on behalf of the Glenshane Working Dog Show thank you for that.

And Finally, Finally Joanne and Paul Owens and your back up team, your show was well organised and a credit to all good sporting shows. It was evident on the day a lot of hard work went on behind the scenes to make this show so enjoyable for everybody. This show was no ordinary show as this show is held every year for a very special reason close to Paul and Joannes heart.

Cathan, their little son was born on Boxing Day 10 years ago. Cathan was born with a

liver disease called Biliary Atresia and was only diagnosed when he was 6 weeks old. He had surgery at 6.5 weeks and then 7 years later Cathan received his gift of life from Birmingham Childrens hospital, a liver transplant 3 years ago. 

It would take a tear from a stone listening to these parents briefly telling me the heartache and trauma they came through to try to keep Cathan alive and to get him to where he is to day, a fine healthy child. 

In Cathans case this story had a happy ending, but down the line the story is also tinged with sadness, because another family lost their loved one to give the gift of life to Cathan. Some poor family was broken hearted somewhere.

This is where the The Glenshane Working Dog Show and the good Sporting men and and women North and South of the border of the Canine world who came out and supported this show on Sunday comes in to play. 

Joanne and Paul Owens decided, because of all the help, hope and encouragement they received from The Royal Victoria Liver Support Group in their darkest hours, they wanted to give back something to them in gratitude and that is what last Sundays Dog show was all about.

Joanne and Paul, Thank you for the memories .To we meet again  in 2025 God Bless

 

Margaret Mc Stay

Edited July 10 by appleblossom