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Sanding issues tugs at the heart strings

FEW issues in the Irish greyhound world have evoked more discussion in recent years than the proposed conversion of Shelboume Park to all-sand, a job which is scheduled to go ahead in January but is subject to a final decision by Bord na gCon at their meeting in Dublin this morning.
There are two definite camps on this one, many who reckon that sand is the way forward and the traditionalists, including myself, who feel it will be a sad day when the green sward becomes a thing of the past at Shelbourne.
Today's Sporting Press reveals the result of a survey which shows that there is a big body of opinion against the move. However the final decision will be taken by the Members of Bord na gCon and one suspects that it will be a close vote.
Meanwhile Shelbourne Park will again be very much to the forefront this weekend when there is a top class programme lined up for the Omagh Bomb Victims Fund Benefit Meeting. There is a nice mixture of open and confined races and it's all for a very deserving cause. In addition to the prize money and advertising revenue the pool will also be boosted by a £5 Buster Draw plus other raffles for prizes including greyhound pups.
The 1999 Greyhound Calendar published by Bord na gCon this week contains some good news for patrons of both Limerick and Youghal tracks in the form of attractive new competitions to be run.
Youghal will stage the valuable Dairygold 550 in April while Limerick have two interesting newcomers in the Cambridgeshire over 750 yards in March and the Munster Futurity Stakes over 525 yards in October/ November.
The main dates remain virtually the same as this year with the Derby final due to be run on Saturday, September 18th and the Co-Op SuperStores Irish Laurels final on Saturday, June 5th.
Cork stages the final of the Red Mills/ Winning Post Stake on Saturday as well as the first round heats of the Michael O'Leary Memorial Stake and the Cork GOBA Stake, Judging by semi-final running the money could be claimed by Tim Considine's Oriel Girl (Boyne Walk/ Tarbrook Smokey) on the evidence of her impressive 29.61 run in the semi.
She has a tricky enough trap three draw but has the overall pace to collect. Trials next week will be on Tuesday morning, weather permitting.
Final changes for the December 8th Sales catalogue must be notified to the track before Monday.
Coming up at Cork is the Murphys Irish Stout Stake which this year is a 24 event for greyhounds which have not bettered 29.60 or its equivalent and it gets under way on December 5th and has a winner's prize of £1,100.
Saturday week is the big night for the Cork Camogie Senior Team with all prizemoney going to the owners. .
Entries are sought for the following races at the meeting: 300y (17.00 Seeding); 500y (30.25); 525y - Unraced 31.00. 30.70, 30.50, 30.10, 29.90, 29.70, 29.50; 700y (40.50 Seeding). The winner of the 29.50 contest will receive £500.
Trap draw for the Michael O'Leary Memorial: Heat 1-1 Aughcasla Kerry; 2 Belvedere Glow; 3 Bonita Flash; 4 This Life (w); 5 Brogan Jack (w); S Ballycummer (w).
Heat 2 - 1 Lauras Carlos; 2 Lagile Duchess; 3 Retired Painter; 4 Myross Margo; 5 Careful Castle (w); 6 Lislevane Leader (w).
Heat 3 - 1 Helenas Kate; 2 Another Branch; 3 Call Me Sam (w); 4 Citizen Dream (w); 5 Susans Raven (w); 6 Stakehill Sisko (w). Reserves -Hobys Lass, Waughs Gift, Glandore Tiger (w).
Trap draw for Cork GOBA Stake:
Heat 1 - 1 Lake Irish; 2 Matties Primrose; 3 Silver Offer; 4 Healys Half; 5 Lowland Summer; 6 Island Echo.
Heat 2-1 Gulleen Babe; 2 Veg Vendor; 3 Skimcoat; 4 Vital Election; 5 Senahel Dream; 6 Belvedere Robin.
Heat 3 - 1 Beat Them Honey; 2 Elaines Rascal; 3 Birdmans Gigolo; 4 White Bliss; 5 Pluckanes Chief; 6 Boola Maid. Reserves - Lethal Rascal, Sona Darkie, Top Gear.

Courtesy of Irish Examiner