On Track Talking Dogs

Dylan Brennan joins Rory Burke to chat greyhound racing in this week's episode.

He grew up with greyhounds and has been lucky to have some great experience working in the sport. Dylan's local stadium is Newbridge and he has recently started reporting on the racing there for local media as well as launching his greyhound blog.

Have a listen to their chat, it's a good one!

Amanda Meade from Co. Limerick chats to Rory on this week's podcast.

Amanda works full-time with horses, she grew up involved in horses with the Mangans, a family well know in Limerick Greyhound Racing and that's where she first was introduced to greyhounds.

Her first greyhound, Only For Rory went and won his first race on her birthday, and from there she took out a kennel hand licence to assist trainer PJ. He has since retired from racing due to injury and now lives with her as a pet.

Since then she's learnt a lot and her love of greyhounds has grown, have a listen to her story now.

This week Rory speaks to Paddy Coss from Portlaoise.

Paddy races mainly in Newbridge but would also love nothing more than a Saturday night race in Shelbourne Park.

He tells Rory about his own journey in the sport, have a listen.

17 year-old Andrew Weldon joins Rory on this week's podcast.

The young Waterford man has been involved with greyhounds from a very young age and has had aspirations to become a greyhound trainer since he was 11.

Andrew developed epilepsy and he says that greyhounds really helped him after his diagnosis. Greyhounds are a real family affair and although he is still quite young he has plenty of experience with breeding and training at home.

Have a listen to their chat, they've plenty to talk about!

This week, Rory speaks to 15 year-old Mikey Cronin.

Although young, Mikey has hands-on experience with some of the greatest greyhounds in recent years at his father's kennels.

Mikey and his brother are both heavily involved with their father's kennel, with Mikey in particular a very well-known face at tracks across the country.

He and Rory chat about everything from the big-name greyhounds he's worked with, the work behind the scenes, life after retirement from racing and the future of greyhound racing.

Still just in transition year and with endless options ahead of him, he hopes to be able to have both a full-time job & a training operation in the future.

This week, Rory Burke's guest on the podcast is Kim Bergin.

17 year old Kim from Waterford has been involved in greyhounds from a young age and is now working in the Droopys Stud. She tells Rory about working at the Stud with so many wonderful greyhounds, including the brilliant Pestana.

Kim has also learnt a lot about greyhounds from working with William Finn & Rachel Wheeler and has hopes to train greyhounds herself in the not too distant future.

Have a listen to their chat now.

Rory Burke is joined by Limerick man Paul Maher in this episode.

A well-known face in Limerick Greyhound Stadium having worked there in various roles, Paul gives Rory an insight behind the scenes there.

Paul, a primary school teacher, is from a family with generations of involvement in greyhound racing. There's a strong family interest in breeding and Paul shares some breeding highlights and stories.

Have a listen to their chat now.

Rory is joined by Denis O'Neill from North Cork in this week's episode.

Denis has some great memories to share. He shares with Rory how his confirmation money was invested in his own greyhound and how his involvement in greyhounds has grown since.

Denis spent time working in greyhounds in the UK, something he says he learnt a lot from.

Have a listen to their chat now.

In this week's episode Rory speaks to young Waterford man, Gearoid O'Brien.

Gearoid made national news earlier in the year when his story was shown on RTE to highlight the social prescribing programme. Since then, Gearoid has been enjoying some great successes with his greyhounds with the help and support of his family and friends.

Racing mainly in Youghal, Gearoid gives Rory an insight into his kennels and daily life and highlights in his racing career to date.

Have a listen to their chat now.

Young Kerry woman Julianne O'Keefe joins Rory Burke in this week's episode.

Julianne grew up with greyhound racing and has fantastic memories from childhood of greyhounds and the sport. She credits being such a close-knit family because of greyhounds.

Julianne has just returned from teaching abroad but during her time in college she was involved in establishing a greyhound racing society.

Have a listen to their chat.