The Combined Clubs Dog Show and Northern Ireland Champion of Champions Saturday 7thSeptember 24
Laurencetown is famous for its green fields, ancient buildings, walled gardens and extensive lawns stretching down to the River Bann. But as well as these famous landmarks, Laurencetown can add another string to its bow by adding the annual Combined Clubs Dog Show and Northern Ireland Champion of Champions to its attractions and venue.    
Saturday was one of the warmest days of the year with the sun shinning down continuously. I got burned alive but all well worth it. Our Country Sportsmen, women and children came out to this now annual dog show to enjoy the last days of the summer sunshine. 
Our summer Dog shows have become canine excursions from all parts of the country North and South of the Border. Saturday was no exception with a good turnout of Terriers, Lurchers, Whippets and Strong dogs.
And wait for it, the big surprise of the day and what a pleasant surprise that was. The McGrath Racing Club arrived unexpectedly for a family day out to support the show. And guess what they acted on the spot with an impromptu few races to the joy of many of the racing fraternity at the show.
The childrens handling class was first on the list and judged by Marian Cree. What a turnout of children in the ring on Saturday. I can still see the smile on Clodagh Gentle face on winning 1st with her   Whippet Clive. These young boys and girls are our sportsmen and women of tomorrow. I have no doubt in my mind that these little people will carry on the sport after our day. Well done Marian and congratulations to all.  
Very soon it was show time. Here are the Results.
*Champion Whippet
Suzanne Addis with Poppy
Reserve
Joyce Scott with Duncan
*Champion Lurcher
Rose Mc Coy with Aria
Reserve
Lisa Beggs with Nina
*Champion Terrier
Franko Duffy with Toby
Reserve
Maxi Maxwell with Stig
*Champion Strong Dog
Laszlo Pusztai
Reserve
Natasha Truesdale with Tyson
*Champion Puppy
Natasha Truesdale with Shyla
**Overall Show Champion and Best in Show
Suzanne Addis with Poppy
**Northern Ireland Champion of Champions Whippets
Suzanne Addis with Poppy
Reserve
Suzanne Addis with Jack
**Northern Ireland Champion of Champions Lurcher
Mason Thompson with Roxy
Reserve
Rose Mc Coy with Aria
**Northern Ireland Champion of Champions Terrier
Franko Duffy with Toby
Reserve
Bear
**Northern Ireland Champion of Champions Strong Dog
Laszlo Pusztai with Black Diamond
Reserve
Andy Spence with Sniper
***Racing Results from the Pen of Biddy Mc Grath
Pups
Clodagh Gentle with Susie
Whippets
James Mullen with Toby
Fred Gentle with Clive
Under 22
Rose Mc Coy with Arlo
Rose Mc Coy with Gucci
Under 23
Errol Gardiner with Ranger
Shauna with Brigs
Over Hairy
Errol Gardiner with Milo
Errol Gardiner with Raven
Terriers
Maxi Maxwell with Stig
Maxi Maxwell with Buster
Big Dogs
Rose Mc Coy with Aria
Congratulations to all above winners
And Finally, may I take this opportunity on behalf of the organisers to thank the judges on the day.
Childrens Handling / Marian Cree
Whippets/Lurchers
John Morrison
Terriers
Graham Brennan
Strong Dogs
Tin Mc Kinistry
***Northern Ireland Champion of Champions Judges
Whippets / Davy Best
Lurchers / Graham Brennan
Terriers  / John Barry
Strong Dogs/ John Morrision 
And Finally, Finally, this day would not of been possible without these three men at the helm along with their back up team. Many thanks to Tom Barry, John Barry and Dessie Mackin for another great day out. You have the knack of always running a good show and that you done again last Saturday. Many thanks for the memories.
 
 
Margaret Mc Stay
 
 

LBKs DOG SHOW AND RACEDAY SUNDAY 1stSEPTEMBER 24
Scrabo Tower is one of Northern Irelands most iconic landmarks and stands majestically on the hill 540 feet above sea level. Beneath the pathway to Scrabo Tower lies the famous family run farm Scrabo Cottage Farm with its beautiful landscapes, scenic views, and a birds eye view right across Belfast. This was the venue for the LBKs Dog Show and Race day Sunday 1stSeptember 24.
As venues go for shows, this was up there among the best. I can honestly say I have never seen such a display of Plaques, Trophys and first class Rosettes on display, and all up for grabs on the day. Dogs and Bitches in every category were split up and each allocated their own Championship and reserve and at the end of the day an Overall Champion and Reserve.
Everything was planned meticulously, and all of the day went without a hitch. The rings were well spaced out, toilet, Burger stand, Country Sports stand, brilliant racetrack, and a bouncy castle for the wee people.
The views from this venue were to die for. With the shadow of Scrabo looking down on us, we had a clear view right across Belfast and beyond. This venue being cited on a hill, there was a cool breeze all day with small specks of rain in between.
It was nice to meet up with so many like minded people in the country sports fraternity. I had the pleasure of been introduced too renowned and international terrier judge Mr Robert Booth. What a gentleman he was. We had a nice conversation and he told me he loved Ireland and that he lived in County Tipperary for some time and knew the country quite well. Robert also presented Harry John Digging with a lovely Trophy set on a wooden stand for reaching out his friendship to him and to commemorate his time in Northern Ireland. What a lovely gesture. 
It was a day of good will and presentations when Harry John Digging presented Peter Morgan with a lovely plaque for respect for running his shows. What better man with a lifetime of experience.
Niall O Cloghan and his sons were on site with their now very popular Terrier Maze. As the work in the field will begin shortly, It was great to see the excitement of the working terrier men when their prized terriers negotiated the Terrier Maze with speed and come out the other side to win the fastest time championship. This accolade went to Jed Donagh with PiP and Reserve to Lee Spiers with Buddy. Well done team O Cloghan.
Time passes so quickly,very soon it was Race time.
Here are the Results from the Pen of Biddy Mc Grath
Whippet Dog
James Mullen with Toby
Fred Gentle with Snake
Whippet Bitch
Clodagh Gentle with Susie
Pups
Tierna Owens with Flow
Jamie O Connor with Penny
Under 21s
Rose Mc Coy with Arlo
Patsy Mc Coy with Dallas
Under 22s
Kirsty Harpur with Dash
Rose Mc Coy with Gucci
Under 23s Race Breed
Errol Gardiner with Ranger
Jack Mc Grath with Missy
Bull Light
Joyce Scott with Axel
John Williams with Lightening
Bull Heavy
Joyce Scott with Mabel
Stephen Mc Cook with Champ
Over Hairy
Errol Gardiner with Milo
Stephen Mc Cook with Champ
Under Hairy
Ged Donagh with Tess
Tom with Rose
Under 24s
Colin Tucker with Fletcher
Kirsty Harpur with Chucky
Big Dogs
Cliona Owens with King
Speed Jump
Cameron Rogan with Ghost
Kirby Mc Kibbin with Queen
**Some  Showing  Championships taken from photographs on Facebook. Some of the dogs names I do not have. Hope I got them right as there were to many to get all of them
Overall Show Champion Handler
Lorcan Mc Keever with Arlo
Reserve
Clodagh Gentle with Clive
Champion Working Terrier
Richard O Callaghan with Hunter
Reserve
Niall O Cloghan with Rua
Champion Terrier Maze with fastest time
Ged Donagh with PiP
Reserve
Lee Spiers with Buddy
Reserve Champion Working Bitch
Niall O Cloghan with Rua
Overall Champion Pairs
Fred Gentle with Snake and Susie
Reserve  
Rua and Max
Reserve Champion Field Dog
Niall O Cloghan Junior
Puppy Champion
Creggan Swifts
Champion Working Strong Dog
Stephen Mc Cook with Thor
Champion Dog Terrier
Richard O Callaghan with Hunter
Champion Strong Dog
Mark Gorman with Jax
Champion Strong Bitch
Christine and Lazlo Pusztai with Black Diamond
Reserve
Oliver Dunne with Ruby
Overall Champion Bitch
Christine and Lazlo Pusztai with Black Diamond
Ladies Handler
Cliona Owens with Kobi
Reserve
Ann Duffy
Gents Handler
Ged Donagh
Reserve
Jamie O Connor
Champion Whippet Dog Final
Vanessa Lynn with Louis
Reserve
James Mullan with Max
XL Bully Winner
Jon Jonny with Hugo
Derry Man who never wins anything
Creggan Swifts
Four Bitch Final
Anthony Taggart with Fern
Reserve
Niall O Cloghan
Champion Bitch Terrier
Anthony Taggart with Fern
Best Wheaton
Ged Donagh
Overall Best Working Dog
Richard O Callaghan with Hunter
Jamie O Connor 
Overall Best in Show
Vanessa Lynn with Louis
Reserve
Mark Gorman with Jax
And Finally, a big shout out 
to the Judges on the day for doing a great job.
Childrens Handling Class
Gail Ross/Barley Banger
Ladies Handling Class
Gail Ross/Barley Banger
Gents Handling Class
Barley Banger
Whippets
Stephanie O Connor
Lurchers
Maurice Mc Dowell
Terriers
Robert Booth
Strong Dogs
John Ryder
Working Dogs
Jason Morrissey
The McGrath Racing team Biddy, Michael, Jack, and Anthony, you are tops. You set the place a light with your professionalism and experience and run the racing so effective and efficiently on the day. There is a lot of hard work goes into running racing and all credit goes to team Mc Grath.  
And Finally, Finally, Harry John Digging you were definitely the King of Scrabo on Sunday and in a league of your own. Along with your back up angel Gail Ross, who pulled out all the stops to make everything run so smoothly, and Sam Ross the photographer who took some lovely photographs, you brought town and country North and South of the border together for another great sporting day out.
You are a shinning light in our Country Sport traditions and for a first time show and venue, it was excellent and without contradiction.  Harry John Digging you should be proud of the work you done on Sunday. Thank you for a day full of joy and excitement and roll on 2025 for more of the same.
 
Margaret Mc Stay
 

List of classes For the Combined Clubs Dog Show This Saturday 7th September 24
For Your Sat Navs:
BT63 6EB
Terrier classes.
1 Any variety pup.
2 Russell dog/bitch
3 Lakeland dog/bitch
4 patterdale dog/bitch
5 border dog /bitch
6 crossbred dog /bitch
7 working dog /bitch
8 veterans dog/bitch
9 pairs.
Heavy Dogs.
1 Any variety pup
2 small staff dog /bitch 
3 large type staff dog /bitch
4 English bull dog/bitch
5 Wheaten dog /bitch
6 American bull dog /bitch
7 working dog /bitch
8 working class dog /bitch
9 veterans dog/bitch
10 Added another class in Strong Dogs (any other type of strong )
Lurcher Classes 
1 a lurcher pups
2 smooth under 23 inch 
3 smooth over 23 inch 
4 rough under and over 23 inch 
5 bull x dog /bitch
6 collie x dog /bitch
7 hare dog /bitch 
8 fox dog /bitch
9 veterans dog /bitch.
Whippets 
1 pups 
2 whippet dog 
3 whippet bitch
4 working whippet 
5 veterans whippet.
There will also be a child's class.
The Northern Ireland Championship will be directly after the show.

The Northern Ireland Champion of Champion Show
Another show coming up
Saturday 7th September 24
At Laurencetown, Gilford, Co Down
All Champions who won a Championship on the Island of Ireland in the last 2 years can compete in :
**Please Note there will be no Racing at this show**
Showing  For Whippets/Lurchers /Terriers/ Strong Dogs
After Showing will be The Champion of Champions
FOR YOUR SAT NAVS : HOLLYMOUNT ROAD LAURENCETOWN CO DOWN BT63 6EN Margaret Mc Stay

The Mc Grath  Racing Club Dog Show and Race Day, Sunday 25th August 24 in Carlow
Representing the Great Game Fairs of Ireland  ( By kind permission of Mr AJ Titterington )
In the beautiful Irish midlands lies the County of Carlow, with its many scenic landscapes, villages and townlands. Ballinabrannagh is one of those traditional rural spots now made famous for the annual Mc Grath Racing Club Dog Show and Race Day.
It was here in the late summer weather sporting enthusiasts from north and south of the border came to view the challenges of the sporting elite, and to partake in the Country sports events listed on the day.
This dog show and race day is a great sporting day out for all like minded people before the shades of winter fall down and the work in the field begins. 
As usual the Canine world was well catered for, with a full programme of showing and  racing, burger van, country sports stands, toilet facilities and a child handling class for the wee people with lots of goodies on the day. Some great wee lads in that class and some craic with them .
With the now famous 5 Nations showing Championships, the Master Mc Grath  , Mick The Miller finals and the All Ireland showing and Racing Championships all happening at this show by kind permission of The Great Game Fairs of Ireland( Aj Titterington ) in one day, this was an action packed schedule and all went without a hitch.
As the morning progressed the excitement was building up in the air as the time for the highlight of the year, the Master Mc Grath and Mick the Millar was fast approaching.  
This show was full of memories for me. As I am old enough, myself and my husband being part of the Canine scene for 25-30 years, we  have seen so many good friends pass away and no longer with us. So my heart was filled with pride and tinged with a little sadness when Ged Donagh announced and sponsored the Ross Rice racing cup. It was lovely to see all Rosses mates there to support Ged and honour and keep the memory of their treasured friend alive. Congratulations to Jamie O Connor and his winning dog for winning this race in Rosses memory
Going forward with another new attraction from Mc Grath Racing club, was the under 10 racing class. Well you talk about excitement. The field echoed the cheers, clapping, and roars from these young people when their canine friends were running this race. What a great idea and hopefully will be showcased by shows in the future.
The day kicked off when Fran Kennys dog Rose pipped the post in the Master Mc Grath final followed by Errol Gardiners winning dog Chase winning the Mick the Miller Trophy for 2 consecutive years running. Last 2023 and now in 2024. What an achievement Errol. It was well worth the journey to see the joy on the faces of these two Sporting people.
Time passes quickly and very soon it was time for the very popular 5 Nations Championships and All Ireland Showing Championship 2024.
Here are the Showing Results Courtesy of Biddy Mc Grath and Leigh Thompson.
**Five Nations Champions 2024 **
Five Nations Champion Whippet
James Mullen with Max
Reserve
Sian Krysten Webb with Loca
Five Nations Champion Lurcher
Ged Donagh with Jake
Reserve
Ged Donagh with Kev
Five Nations Champion Terrier
Kyle Quinn with Star
Reserve
Richard O Callaghan with Hunter
**All Ireland Champion Showing**
All Ireland Champion Whippet
Sian Krysten Webb with Loca
Reserve
Sian Krysten Webb with Tikka
All Ireland Champion Lurcher
Ged Donagh with Seamus
Reserve 
Fran Kenny with Precious
All Ireland Champion Terrier
Kyle Quinn with Star
Reserve
Richard O Callaghan with Hunter
All Ireland Champion Strong Dog
Ricky B with Juice
Reserve
Andy Spence with Snake
**Overall All Ireland Show Champion
Sian Krysten Webb with Loca
Reserve
Ged Donagh with Seamus
**Pups **
All Ireland Champion Whippet Pup
James Mullen with Toby
All Ireland Champion Lurcher Pup
Rebecca Saunderson with Susan
All Ireland Champion Terrier Pup
Kyle Quinn with Nancy
All Ireland Champion Strong Dog Pup
Marty Black with Panda
***Overall Champion All Ireland Pup
Marty Black with Nancy handled by Kyle Quinn
Reserve
Marty Black with Panda
Racing Results From the pen of Biddy Mc Grath
Master Mc Grath Champion
Fran Kenny with Rose
Reserve
Paul Owens with King
Mick The Miller Champion
Errol Gardiner with Chase
Reserve
Edward Kane with Ginger
ALL IRELAND RACING CHAMPIONS AND RESERVE CHAMPION  
TERRIER CHAMPION 
Robert with Copper
Reserve 
Robert with Tess
Whippet Champion 
Willy Carthy with Molly May
Reserve 
James Mullen with Junior 
Under 21 Champion 
Lynzi Gardner Maill with Venison
Reserve 
Lynzi Gardiner Magill with River
Under 22s Champion 
Leanne Hawthorne with Casey 
Reserve 
Billy Harpur with Dash 
Under 23 Non Elite 
MJ with Ruby
Reserve 
Thomas with Speedy 
Under 23s Elite 
Lynzi Gardiner Magill with lady 
Reserve
Lynzi Gardiner Magill with Codi 
Under 24 Champion 
Lynzi Gardiner Magill with Jack 
Reserve 
Billy Harpur with Chucky 
Under 24 Hairy Champion 
Jed with Tess
Reserve 
Mason Thompson with Jess
Heavy Bull Champion
Joyce Scott with Mabel
Reserve 
Luke with Blue
Light Bull Champion
Joyce Scott with Axel 
Reserve 
Leigh Thompson with Roxy
Big Dogs (MMcG Qualifier for 2025) Champion 
Lynzi Gardiner Magill  with Aneka
Reserve 
Cliona Owens with Miley 
Puppy Champion
Jamie O Connor with Penny 
Reserve 
Liverne Townsend with Zara 
Under 10s Best Slipper Champion
Ronaldo with Jack 
Reserve 
AJ with Zara 
Congratulations to all above winners
And Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank the judges on the day
Five Nations Judges
Whippets
Leigh Thompson 
Margaret Mc Stay
Lurchers
Paddy Mc Grath
Maurice Thomas Mc Dowell
Terriers
Hanna Heinenon
Eamon Mc Erlain
All Ireland Judges
Whippets
Kirsty Harpur
Lurchers
Fiona Devlin
Terriers
Hanna Heinonen/Eamon McErlain
Strong Dogs
Gary Griffen
Judging is not an easy task. Thank you all for doing an excellent job.
Personally, I would like to thank Leigh Thompson for all her help and professionalism at the show, but especially when we were judging together in the 5 Nations. You are a star Leigh and thank you. Also to Stephanie OConnor /Chantelle O Connor and Biddy Mc Grath for taking photographs while I was in the ring. I could not of done it without you.
And Finally, Finally, this show was run under the guidance of people who are passionate about Country Sports and a great window for the showing and racing tradition. 
Yes it’s the McGrath Racing team I am speaking about. Biddy, Michael, Jack, Terry, and Anthony, and your brilliant back up team. You set the place a light with your professionalism at every stage in the showing and racing and everything ran so effective and efficiently this year. A lot of hard work went in but it all paid off in the end, and was a credit to you all and your team. Mary Mc Grath you should be so proud of your family.
My Final word goes to Albertj Titterington and his wife Irene. After 69 Great Games Fairs of Ireland, you have left a legacy in Country Sports that will live on long after we have gone to the great throne beyond the sky. Our lives have been enriched with the excellent work and enjoyment you give to many families across the country and down through the years, through your Game Fairs. 
Over the years you have brought a creative marketing flair, vast event organisation, a wealth of experience, and a lifetime's commitment to the promotion and enjoyment of all Country Sports. 
Albert, I know you could not be in Carlow because of health issues, but you donated some beautiful Cups, Trophies and prizes which was so much appreciated. 
Albert and Irene, It is an honour to be your friend, and on behalf of the whole canine community and especially the Mc Grath Racing Club, we wish you a speedy recovery back to health, and look forward to seeing you in Carlow in 2025.
Again thank you to the Mc Grath Racing Club for another great show. A great day was had by all in Carlow. 
To we meet again, God Bless
 Margaret Mc Stay