CRAFTY KENNELS

This week I took a trip over to Galway to visit the Crafty Kennels.............

Shane gave me instructions.....".go left at T.....along on left by big trees.....our house has a red door"

At the front of the House is a impressive gallop

And a field thats just been re-seeded with a new gallop

I couldnt help thinking this would make a fine coursing ground

The whole place is set in 50 acres of walled estate

At one time derelict....bit by bit a renovation is going on

Id say this is one very hard working family......nothing was out of place

The kennels are spotless and as fine a set up you would see anywhere

kennels and feed room downstairs

With treatment room and more kennels upstairs

Noelle feeds best meat, bred and vegetables

and the whole kennel had super backs and gleaming coats

Vacume Legend x Crafty Montico

The pups have a constant run of large fields.....they swop fields on a regular basis to keep them interested

Tom Griffin earmarking some Crafty Hugo pups

Crafty Hugo x Crafty Classico

Tyrur Lee x Noelles Magico

Tyrur Ted pups

Getting ready to gallop

`Noelle on the gallop with Hero and Kido

CRAFTY FANDANGO

fresh from his Tralee victory in the Paddy Byrne Memorial

Young Miche`al is there to help Noelle for the holidays

Everyone has there own group of dogs to do

Heres Peter with his Saplings for this season by Crafty Pedro

Shane with his runners...some being by Crafty Hugo

Micheal with Lizzie

This young lady just sort of pleases herself and crops up everywhere

Hugo....looking in the same condition as this years runners

CRAFTY HUGO

Peter with the Crafty Broods

Estardo, Montico, Molino and Sabugo

Lizzie getting upto tricks

were off for a walk round with the saplings

Time for cooling off

Theres plenty to keep them interested

More refreshments

Peter shows me Captains tricks

Hugo in his favorite spot

Lizzie in hers

Lizzie checking ive shut the gate on my way out

A huge thankyou to the Divilly Family for allowing me to invade their place
it was a lovely day...thankyou

There are more pictures of my Pictures on this link
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICTURES

Retired Greyhounds - Don't give up!

HARE SEMINAR 2010

Last Week saw the annual Hare Seminar thake place.  There was a good turnout will all clubs represented.

 The facilities for the hares are constantly being updated........Two new shelters have been introduce

Hares hate the wet weather and love the new shelters

The Tour of Clonmels Hare fercillities  was covered last year and if you have not seen it click on this link for a look round

TOUR OF POWERSTOWN PARK

DJ Histon explains how this drain stops the hounds following the hare after the escape

And Liam Drennon asks Clubs not to use this type of Box to transport hares in

there was a big disscussion on a new Slippers Hut

Work on the running surface goes on all year round

The stakes are now up to help the side turf grow a longer "guide"

LINK 

LM FM Radio Discussion

This morning DJ Histon (CEO of ICC) and Aideen Yourell (anti everything).....when head to head in a debate on Hare Coursing....

Here is a Podcast of this talk.....its worth a listen.........

LM FM PODCAST

go to the 

Michael Reade show - about 20 Min's in

KILSHEELAN GALLOP

Clonmel and Kilsheelan Coursing Club have put in a super new gallop......it is open to the public

There is a drag lure with someone to drive it

new opening times due to recent hot weather:

Mondays 8.30am - 11.30am & 6.30pm - 8.30pm



Wednesdays 8.30am - 11.30am & 6.30pm - 8.30pm



Saturdays 8.30am - 11.30am



Evening sessions are generally finished by half seven or so if there is nobody left to gallop - best to arrive early

Sunday mornings have been suspended for the moment





the cost is 2 euro per dog . . . . all handlers* must be members of Clonmel & Kilsheelan Coursing Club



non-members who wish to use the gallop will be required to take out club membership (10 euro p.a.)



* - where dogs are accompanied by two handlers, both must take club membership, NO EXCEPTIONS
 
A new watering system has been put in
 
 
 
Directions
On entering Kilsheelan village take the R706 (signposted Fethard) until you reach the Ormonde Stores crossroad.




At the Ormonde Stores proceed straight ahead for approx half a mile and the field will be on your right


You can get uptodate News from Kilsheelan Coursng Club from their excellent website

KILSHEELAN WEBSITE

COURSING DIARY: Tour of Powerstown Park

COURSING DIARY: Tour of Powerstown Park

Here ia a article from last years Hare Seminar.......This years event starts tommorow at 11.00

Its a great day out

Please click on the link above to view.....more pictures soon of this year

COURSING DIARY: How to Hold a Hare

COURSING DIARY: How to Hold a Hare

CARRICK SAM

That wonderful brood Carrick Sam is very poorly.....id like to wish the OHagan family all the best with her over the coming weeks in the hope that she will return to health. She is a much loved family pet ....

Heres a reminder of her other telents when she is not being cuddled by Turlogh

Im afraid the page wasnt large enough to fit everyone of her TS winners....sorry if your missed off



xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxcccc


Im sad to report that Carrick Sam passed away yesterday .........a much loved family pet

ANY NEWS?

The New Season is on its way....we have our Netting licence signed . Clubs all round the Country will be working away getting their grounds in top condition.

If you have any club news you would like me to post on this blog.....any fundraising you are doing ....just drop me a line and ill post it up.

www.yvonneharrington.live.ie

Ive posted below some new weekly track previews....these are made by Mick Livesey and Daniel Monk and are a great Idea

Irish Greyhound Racing Previews

IrelandPreviewShowintro

Hare today and gone tomorrow

Here is a copy......for all those that missed it .....of DJ Histons letter in the Sunday Independant.


Sunday July 25 2010

Sir -- I write in response to the article "Let the hare sit, and survive", appearing in your paper on July 11. As CEO of the Irish Coursing Club, I wish to offer some additional insights into the activity of coursing which is repeatedly misrepresented.

The author of the article begins with the announcement of a Northern Ireland decision to ban coursing.

I was present at Stormont for that debate, and can see there are four very important facts which are absent from the article: 1) this proposed amendment, though voted on, is not yet a "done deal"; 2) the amendment was surreptitiously (though quite legally) submitted just minutes before the deadline for amendment submissions effectively avoiding counter amendments; 3) the decision was made in spite of evidence from Government-funded research which details the very real conservation threat to the Irish hare in areas where organised coursing does not exist; and 4) no alternative suggestions were made for the conservation of the Irish hare, a decision based on emotion rather than facts.

The author's appeal to readers through the use of romanticised quotes is misleading, as those quotes are from a time when there were not wildlife rangers present at meetings, when there were not 22 conditions attached to the licence and regulations established by the Government and written with the welfare of the hare in mind, including returning all captured hares to the wild once they have been coursed.

The author also fails to recognise the vital role organised coursing clubs have in hare conservation, which practise hare husbandry year round, leaving extra food for the hare in unusually bitter weather conditions and helping protect them from predators and poachers.

DJ Histon, CEO,

Irish Coursing Club, Clonmel

Sunday Independent

IRISH CUP 2010 Qrter Finals to Finals
« on: April 13, 2010, 10:30:48 AM » Quote

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IRISH CUP 2010 Qrter Finals to Finals, plus Interviews with Damian Matthews, Conor Sheehan, and John Barrett.

from Mick Lally on Vimeo.

PROVISIONAL FIXTURES

Heres a list of provisional Fixtures......They  may be changed.



Liscannor....... Sat, Sun September 25,  26, ............ Clare


Kilflynn............ Sat, Sun September 25, 26, ................ Kerry

Glin.................... Fri, Sat, Sun October 1, 3,............. Limerick

Westmeath United....... Sat, Sun October 9, 10,................ Westmeath

Ballyheigue............... Sat, Sun October 9, 10, ....................... Kerry

Cashel..................... Sat, Sun October 9, 10, ........................... Tipperary

Regiona...................l Sat, Sun October 9, 10,....................... Limerick

Westport & Loughrea ......... Fri, Sat, Sun October 15-17,

Abbeydorney........... Sat, Sun October 16, 17,........... Kerry

Corhane & Killenaule......... Sat, Sun October 16,  17, ........ Tipperary

Edenderry....................... Sat, Sun October 16, 17, ...........Offaly

Mallow.............. Sat, Sun October 16, 17,....... Cork

Fermoy & Grange............... Wed, Thur October 20, 21, ....... Cork

Ballinagar........... Sat, Sun October 23,  24, ....... Offaly

Charleville................. Sat, Sun October 23,  24, ............... Cork

Gorey................ Sat, Sun October 23, 24, ...........Wexford

Miltown-Malbay........... Sat, Sun October 23, 24, ......... Clare

Thurles.............. Sat, Sun October 23, 24, ............Tipperary

Castleisland............... Sun, Mon October 24,  25, .......... Kerry

Waterford.............. Sun, Mon October 24,  25, .......... Waterford

Lixnaw............ Sat, Sun October 30, 31,....... Kerry

Freshford............. Sat, Sun October 30, 31, .......... Kilkenny

Limerick City............. Sat, Sun October 30,  31, ........Limerick

Mitchelstown............... Sat, Sun October 30,  31, ......... Cork

Leinster Open & Trim ...........Sat, Sun October 30,  31,....... Meath

Galway & Ornamore.............. Wed, Thur Oct 3,  4, ........... Galway

Co. Carlow............. Fri, Sat, Sun November 5,  7, .......... Carlow

Cappaquin............. Sat, Sun November 6, 7, ..........Waterford

East Donegal............ Sat, Sun November 6, 7, ........Donegal

Listowel..................... Sat, Sun November 6,  7,.......... Kerry

Ballyduff .............Fri, Sat, Sun November 12,  14............. Kerry

Dungannon & Co. Cavan .............) Fri, Sat, Sun November 12, 14, .......... Cavan &Tyrone

Borris-in-ossory............... (TBC) Sat, Sun November 13,  14, ........... Tipperary

New Ross.............. Sat, Sun November 13,14, ........ Wexford

Clonmel & Kilsheelan.......... Sat, Sun November 13,  14,........ Tipperary

Knockgraffon................. Fri, Sat, Sun November 19, 21, ........ Tipperary

Balbriggan............. Sat, Sun November 20,  21,........ Dublin

Enniscorthy............ Sat, Sun November 20,  21, .......... Wexford

Kilimer/Kilrush................ Sat, Sun November 20, 21, ....... Clare

Rathcormac............. Sat, Sun November 20, 21, .......... Cork

Rathkeale............... Sat, Sun November 20, 21, .......... Limerick

Bandon & Careys Cross............ Sat, Sun November 27, 28,....... Cork

Doon............... Sat, Sun November 27,28,........ Limerick

Johnstown & Ulringford......... Sat, Sun November 27,  28,............. Kilkenny

East Donegal......... Sat, Sun December 4, 5, ......... Donegal

Ennis & Clarecastle ..........Sat, Sun December 4,5,........ Clare

Newcastlewest......... Sat, Sun December 4,  5,......... Limerick

Rathdowney........... Sat, Sun December 4,  5, ......... Laois

Glanworth............. Wed, Thur December 8,  9, ......... Cork

Castletowngeoghan....... Sat, Sun December 11,  12, ........ Westmeath

Dungarvan.............. Sat, Sun December 11, 12,......... Waterford

Nenagh......... Sat, Sun December 11,  12, ....... Tipperary

Ardpatrick & Kilfinnan............... Sat, Sun December 11,  12, ........Limerick

Tradaree.............. Sat, Sun December 18, 19, ........ Clare

North Kilkenny................. Sat, Sun December 18, 19, ....... Kilkenny

Athy Open & Old Kilcullen ........ TBC Kildare

Roseberry Open................ Sun December 26,........... Kildare

Borrisoleigh............... Sun, Mon December 26,  27,................ Tipperary

Co. Kerry................ Sun, Mon December 26,  27, ................ Kerry

Cork....................... Sun, Mon December 26,  27, ............ Cork

Dundalk & Dowdallshill.......... Sun, Mon December 26,  27,........ Louth

Mooncoin.............. Sun, Mon December 26,  27, ......... Kilkenny

Roscommon................ Sun, Mon December 26, 27, ........ Roscommon

South Clare........................... Sun, Mon December 26,27, ............ Clare

Wexford & District.......... Sun, Mon December 26,  27,........ Wexford

Abbeyfeale.......... Tue, Wed December 28,  29,........ Limerick

Fethard Open....... Tue December 28,....... Tipperary

Millstreet......... Thur, Fri December 30, 31, ....... Cork

Galbally............... Fri, Sat December 31,  1, ........ Limerick

Clonakilty.............. Fri, Sat, Sun January 7, 9,........ Cork

Templetuohy Sat, Sun January 8,  9,........ Tipperary

Ballymena, Kilcreevin/Ballymoate & Tubbercurry ....... Fri, Sat, Sun January 7, 9,
Sevenhouses.............. Sat, Sun January 8, 9, ........ Kilkenny

Milford............... Open Sun January 9, ........ Limerick

Macroom.............. Wed, Thur January 12,  13, ..........Cork

Cork County Open.................. Sat, Sun January 15,  16, ....... Cork

Newbridge.................. open Sun January 16, .......... Kildare

Knockgraffon Open................. Sun January 23,........... Tipperary

Dromina Open.......... Sun January 23, ........ Cork

Clonmel & District............ Open Sun January 30,.............. Tipperary

NATIONAL MEETING............................ Mon, Tue, Wed January 31, to February 2,

Duleek Open .................Sun February 6, ................. Carlow

Fedamore Open...................... Sun February 6,............ Limerick

Tipperary & District.................... Sat, Sun February 12,  13,........ Tipperary

IRISH CUP................... Fri, Sat, Sun February 25- 27, 2011 ................Limerick

GREAT NEWS

There some great news for all coursing fans.   I understand Mr Gormley has signed the Hare Catching Licence.   Clubs can start catching hares mid August.    This is fantastic news and shows the excelent work put in by the ICC over the summer..........been a busy time for them....Well Done Lads!!

KENNELLY ARCHIVE

This is a great little video you will all enjoy

Kennel Archive

CARRICK SAM

While I was up in Northern Ireland last month I poped in to see Pearce OHagan.  Pearce is the breeder of Wallace Green,  Wallace Flyer etc....as well as my own lovely bitch  Bless.

Carrick Sam has a super litter this year by Derby Winner Razor Ashmore......im sure this lad has bright times ahead of him ......from the stock ive seen so far. Pearce has used him on two or three broods this year

Pearce and young Turlough with Saplings for this season

Pearce has a few to train this year....all choicely bred out of his broods, im sure hell have some fun with them.

Turlough with Carrick Sam, who I must say was looking a picture.....one interesting brood for this year is that super bitch......Lils Glory......she had a great run as a all age winning two cups and getting to the Finalof the Grace Burton.

Theres still a few pups for sale at Pearces place.....so if your looking......give him a ring

NEW WEBSITE

Ive just set up a new Photography Website.......This will include all the photography I do....not just the Coursing.

Only just set this up a few days ago and the galleries will grow.....more Greyhounds will be on show soon. I also intend to use this site during the Coursing season as a overflow of photos from meetings that dont make it onto the Blog.

MY WEBSITE...

Wont be long till the New Season gets underway.....im pleased to report that all my bitches for this year have been in season.......

Heres a very interesting Article you might like to read


Vet News. By John Konkhe.


Some people are fascinated by the horsepower, cornering dynamics and top speed of a fast car, the climb speed and maneuverability of a fighter plane, or endless records broken at last year's Olympic Games.



But is there a limit to athletic performance?



Having been a greyhound vet and admirer for 20 or more years, I am awed by the specialised running machine and athlete we call a racing greyhound. So, in this article, I thought I would gather a few statistics on the greyhound as an athletic and physiological marvel for those who are equally fascinated by this lovable, elite breed of dog.



Over the past 20 years, starting with Dr Ross Staaden in Perth who ran greyhounds on a high speed treadmill to measure their energy and oxygen use, heart rates and other physiological parameters, until today with Dr Robert Gillette of Alabama University in the USA, measuring stride lengths, galloping patterns and weight forces, we have gained an insight into how a greyhound functions as a finely tuned and well adapted canine athlete.



The statistics below illustrate the adaptation of the greyhound to the high speed chase.



The figures are based on the average 30kg greyhound, at the peak of fitness and obviously injury free.



Energy Use

In the first 7.5 seconds of a 30-second race, a greyhound metabolises high energy creatine and glycogen stores in its muscles without the need for oxygen.



It uses the creatine energy base during the first 3.5 seconds acceleration phase to the first bend of a standard circle track.



In fact, a greyhound expends half of its total energy used in a race for this acceleration stage.



However, surprisingly greyhounds and even racing sprint horses performing for less than one minute expend in a race only about 6% of their total energy intake required each day to meet the exercise needs in training.



Acceleration Speed

At maximum acceleration, a greyhound reaches a full speed of 70 kmh within 30 metres or six strides from the boxes, traveling at almost 20 metres per second for the first 250 metres of a race.



The only other animal that can accelerate faster over a short distance is a cheetah that can reach speeds of 109 kmh over 3-4 strides from a standing start.



The greyhound can maintain an average speed of 16.45 metres per second over a 500 metre race, decreasing to around 14.6 metres per second as it crosses the finish line.



A thoroughbred racehorse can achieve a maximum speed of around 49 kmh or 13.6 metres per second.



An elite human sprinter can reach 40kmh in a 10 second sprint race at an all out speed of 11 metres per second.



The muscles of a greyhound generate 75-80% of their power from anaerobic metabolic pathways during a 30 second race.



In distance races, or coursing trials in excess of 40 seconds duration, 80% of the total energy in the final half of the race or gallop is metabolised using oxygen.



The Heart

In a racing greyhound, the heart output increases from about 200mL per kg body weight per minute at rest to over 1000mL per kg at the full gallop. A greyhound circulates up to 15 litres of blood around its body, or half its own body weight in a 30 second-race.



A racing greyhound circulates its entire blood volume between 4-5 times during a 30 second gallop.



These figures equate to a greyhound pumping its entire blood volume of around 3.4 litres up to 4-5 times around its body during a 30 second gallop. A greyhound's heart weight ranges from 1.18 to 1.73% of body weight, or 270 grams to 519 grams for a 30kg greyhound, which is higher than an elite racehorse at 1.0-1.3% of its body weight.



Other breeds of dogs have a heart weight equal to 0.77% of their body weight, compared to 0.5% for humans.



An average 70kg human athlete has a heart size similar to a 30kg greyhound, but the greyhound's heart delivers blood at almost twice the rate, beating at 310-340 beats/minute at the gallop, compared to humans at 170.210 beats/minute.



Blood Volume

A fit greyhound has the highest blood volume of any athlete, relative to its body size, with blood contributing 11.4%, compared to 10.5% for a racehorse, 9.5% for a human sprint athlete and 7.2% for a normal pet dog.



A greyhound has around 35 x 1012 red blood cells in its body, producing around 5 million replacement red cells per second in its bone marrow and spleen.



A fit greyhound has about 3 litres of blood consisting of around 2 litres red cells, or about 6.6% of its body weight or a PCV of 60% of blood volume. A racehorse has a blood volume of around 55 litres, but a PCV of around 40% when fit, or 4.4% of its body weight.



Track Contact

At a gallop, a racing greyhound is only touching the track surface for 25% of its stride distance, and during the remainder of the stride, it is suspended above the ground until the next limb hits the ground.



Up the straight, a greyhound carries 2.26 times its body weight on the weight bearing front limb at each stride, increasing to 5 times (or roughly 150kg) in downward weight force on its left inside front limb when leaning over around a sharp bend on the track.



A greyhound has a stride length of around 5 metres making 4 strides per second as it accelerates from the traps, decreasing to 3.25 strides per second up the home straight, with each limb touching the ground for about 0.11 seconds.



The forelimbs have a flight distance (off the ground) of 1.23 metres, and the rear legs 2.45 metres or double the distance.



Wrist/Bone Joints

The wrist joint bones on the front limbs sustain pressure of 500psi or 20,000 newtons per square cm when cornering at the gallop.



The wrist and lower limb structures withstand up to 150kg of downward pressure when galloping around a corner, which is created by the centrifugal force in proportion to the speed of the greyhound and the radius of the track circle.



This sideways force is imposed on the greyhound's front limb on the second stride into the corner and if the track surface is unstable or shears, the outward flinging force causes increased sideways pressure on the joint, which can result in injury to the wrist.



Respiratory & Blood Pressure Dynamics

A greyhound draws in 60-90 litres of air in 50-90 breaths in a 30-second gallop, extracting 1500 mLs of oxygen from the air to metabolise the energy in its muscles.



During the gallop, the blood pressure in the lung arteries increases from 7 mm mercury pressure units at rest, to 40 units at the gallop, similar to the pressure peak in a human athlete, but only one third of the maximum pressure in a racehorse's lung artery, which reaches 120 mm mercury pressure, or roughly 2.1 psi of pressure.



A greyhound produces around 100Kcals or 100,000 watts of waste heat energy during a 30 second race, sufficient to bring 600mL of tap water to the boil in around 2 minutes.



After a race, the gut function is restored over a 30 minute period to digest food, but the immune system is depressed for 30-120 minutes after a hard gallop.



Loading stress placed on the limb bones is repaired over a 7-10 day period after a race.



And we wonder why they break down