UNCLE SUNNYS CHARITY DOG SHOW AND RACEDAY IN AID OF THE KORMA CENTRE SUNDAY 18th AUGUST 24

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UNCLE  SUNNYS CHARITY DOG SHOW AND RACEDAY SUNDAY 18^th AUGUST 24

Burndennett Cricket club is situated on the border between the counties Tyrone and Derry and lies in the vale of the beautiful Sperrin mountains.  This was the venue for Uncle Sunnys Charity Dog Show and Raceday Sunday 18^th August 24.

 After taking a wrong turn and very quickly seeing the error of our ways, it was not long to a field full with cars vans and trailers came into view. With the echo of barking dogs wafting over the countryside, Mrs Sat Nav verified in her dolcet tones we had reached our destination.

As Uncle Sunnys Dog show and Race day is widely acclaimed now being one of the top shows, again this year it certainly lived up to its name. This show always brings a magical atmosphere with it. 

From 10.00am on Sunday morning the crowds rolled up in force, with dogs and family in tow. The show ground was superb with a good long Racing Track, views to die for, and well spaced out show rings. 

There was ample ringside parking with Toilet facilities, a burger van/Ice Cream van, art,  Country Sports stands and a bouncy castle for the wee people. Nothing left to chance at this show, something for everybody. 

The weather was kind to us with quite long spells of sunshine along with a cool breeze. This show is always a great family day out with lots of fun and frolics, and we were not disappointed this year either.

It was nice to see the usual show goers back at the show this year, and quite a few new faces as well in the ring, showing off their Whippets, Terriers, Lurchers , Strong Dogs and Bullys, and maybe take home a nice trophy or a bag of meal at the end of the day. 

Niall O Cloghan and sons were there with their wonderful Terrier Maze. This maze brings so much joy and excitement to every Terrier man in the country, seeing their well breed terriers running the gauntlet from one end of the Maze to the other and winning a prize at the end of it. Niall this Maze is a great invention and long may it continue.

Our little people are very important people to country sports show rings and race courses. And they were certainly out in force at Sundays show and bouncy castle and show ring. Long after we have gone out of the ring and the field, these little people will be carrying on our Country Sports traditions in another tomorrow, and another generation.

Time moves on and very soon it was show time.

 ** Showing Results

Champion Pup

Abigail Mc Neill with Jax

Reserve

Leah Miller with Cali

Champion Pet

Conor Mc Phelmey with Rua

Reserve

John Boyd with Polo

Champion Hound

Nigel Leonard with Sounder

Reserve

Brian Leonard with Ranger

Champion Whippet

Leah Miller with Cali

Reserve 

Fred Gentle with Snake

Champion Lurcher

JP O Hagan with Tyson

Reserve

Neil Fitzpatrick with Spike

Champion Terrier

Kyle Quinn with Star

Reserve

Hanna Heinonen with Judge

Champion Strong Dog

Marty McHugh with Harley

Reserve

Corey / Paula Beggs with Paco

***Overall Show Champion and Best in Show***

Marty McHugh with Harley

Reserve

Kyle Quinn with Star

Congratulations to all above winners  

**Racing Results 

From The Pen of Christina Maguire

PUPS

Jack Townsend with Xera

Whippet Race

James Mullen with Junior

Under 21

Rose Mc Coy with Arlo 

Under 23 Hairy

Mason Thompson with Jess

Over 23 Hairy

Steven Mc Cook with Chimp

Over 23 Elite

Kirsty Harpur with chucky

Under 23 Elite

Kirsty Harpur with Dash

Light Bull

Joyce Scott with Axel

Heavy Bull

Joyce Scott with Mabel

Master Mc Grath Qualifers

Paul Owens with Millie

Katelyn Mc Kenzie with Ace

And finally, a very big thank you to the judges on the day who done a wonderful but difficult job

Child Handling and Pets

Margaret Mc Stay

Hounds

Martin Mc Guigan

Whippets 

Leanne Hawthorne

Lurchers

Stewarty Graham

Terriers

Franko Duffy

Strong Dogs

Ken Wilson

The Racing responsibilitys on the day was carried out by The Mc Grath Racing Team. What a brilliant racing family of truly genuine people. Biddy/Michael/Jack and team, you were tops on the day and excellent team work.  

And Finally, Finally, Uncle Sunnys  well run dog show and Raceday would not of been possible without this man and woman at the helm, yes Concepta O Goan and Tommy Melaugh it is you I am speaking about. 

Along with Christina Maguire, Harry Roche, Dessie Roche,Toni,Ciara Clare,Bailey Melaugh and all your  back up team, you pulled out all the stops and turned the day into a memorable family dog show, for a great cause and a great Country Sporting day out. 

It was evident a lot of hard work and sleepless nights went on behind the scenes to make this Dog show so successful.A special word of thanks to Christina Maguire for all your help to me in the ring. You are a lady and you really worked your heart and soul out running from ring to ring organising and keeping everyone right. 

The caring people Concepta O Goan and Tommy Melaugh are when arranging this dog show with Uncle Sunny, immediately they said it was going to be a charity event, and the Charity they decided the proceeds of Sundays dog show was to go to was “ The Korma Centre Changing Lives”

The centre offers a safe and welcoming space where one can speak free and in confidence to a trained

Counsellor/Psychothorapist who will discuss and look at what has brought you to seek support. 

We all can have difficult times in our daily lives and at some stage need to talk to somebody to help us to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sharing your worries and fears with someone you can trust who is there to listen to you, in a non-judgemental way, can be a great relief and can give hope for the future. What a worthy Charity.

I had the pleasure of meeting Uncle Sunny on Sunday and what a lovely man with a very kind heart. I must say thank you to Uncle Sunny, Concepta O Goan, Tommy Melaugh and team for a great show on Sunday in Strabane and I am already looking forward to more of the same in 2025.

To the memory of all who passed away and who inspired this show to happen, to we meet again God Bless.

 Margaret Mc Stay

Edited August 23, 2024 by appleblossom