Talking Dogs on Thursday

This week Barry Drake is Joined by Thomas O’Donovan and John McDonnell for the 100th episode of Talking Dogs On Thursday.

First up in the hot seat is Thomas O’Donovan. Tommy enjoyed another great success on Saturday night as One Time Only ran to victory in the BoyleSports Champion Stakes Final in Shelbourne Park. One Time Only is no stranger to big race wins with the Laurels at Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium already under his belt. Thomas and his family savored the moment of last weekend’s success and they now look ahead to the 2022 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby.

Next up Barry chats with John McDonnell of Bar One Racing. The 2022 Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup is currently centre stage at Dundalk Stadium. John chats about Bar One Racing involvement in the competition as they head into to their 19th year of sponsoring the event, and they look at the high standard of competition to date as he gives the latest statistics on betting figures ahead of Saturday night’s semi-finals.

Have a listen now!

🎧𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟗𝟗:𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝🎧

This week we head to Waterford as Barry Drake chats to young greyhound trainer, Adam Dunford.

Adams starts by telling us how he got into the greyhound racing industry, his dad Tommy Dunford and how he influenced his love for the sport.

Adam took out his trainer’s license only a year and a half ago and wow has he made tracks since! At only 23 years of age Adam has achieved so much. This year he has had a 34% strike rate with 32 winners from 89 runners! Adam chats about the tricks of the trade that he has learned over the years from some of the best in the business including the very successful Graham Holland.

They move their attention to the Bar One Racing Sprint Cup at Dundalk Greyhound Stadium. Adam has landed an impressive treble win in the opening two rounds of the competition. He chats about his three super stars: Fantasy Reece, Fantasy Jesse, and Shancol Johnny. Adam is looking forward for the rest of the competition to unfold.

Have a listen to their chat now!

This week Barry Drake is joined by brothers, Peter, and Shane Divilly who recently enjoyed success with Crafty Kokoro in the 2022 Corn Cuchulainn.

First up, Barry chats to Shane about his earliest memories of greyhound racing. Shane says the love for greyhound racing came from both his mother and fathers’ side of the family and how he had no other option but to be involved in greyhound racing! He chats about the Crafty prefix which he says comes from his dad’s side. Shane moves on to talking about the family involvement with the kennels and how they all have their own role to play, including his mother, Noelle.

Next up, Barry chats to the registered owner of Crafty Kokoro, Peter Divilly. Peter talks about Crafty Kokoro’s journey in the Corn Cuchulainn competition. He chats about her continued improvement throughout the competition and how they knew they were in with a chance of success of the night based on her recent performances.

Peter chats about the great taste of success and how Crafty Kokoro’s next target is the 2022 Boyle Sports Irish Greyhound Derby.

Have a listen to their chat now!

In this week’s podcast Barry Drake is joined by a trainer who has enjoyed amazing recent success, Patrick Guilfoyle.

It has been a particularly good year for Patrick to date with Explosive Boy being the most recent dog to add to Guilfoyle’s list of victories with the 2022 Dundalk International. Patrick chats about how Explosive Boy is getting strong and stronger and how he is a more relaxed dog this year which has been a contributing factor to his success. Patrick was doubly represented at the 2022 Dundalk International by Explosive Boy and Good Cody, and he says both dogs ran powerful races with Good Cody securing 3rd place. His next destination for Good Cody is the 2022 Irish Greyhound Derby.

They reflect on some more of Patricks recent victories. They discuss Magical Mary, the 2022 RPGTV Irish Cesarewitch winner and the smashing winning performance of Vincenzo in last Saturday nights Shelbourne Champion 500 Final.

They turn their attention to the 2022 Corn Cuchulainn Open 750 final which will take place this Saturday evening at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium. Pat is represented by star performer Magical Poppy in this competition.

They end their chat talking about Wi Can Dream as Pat discusses his promising recovery that he has made since his tendon injury.

Have a listen to their chat now!

Barry Drake is joined by a lady who has enjoyed unbelievable success recently, Marissa Molloy.

Marissa starts by reminiscing on her earliest memories of greyhound racing with her brother Stephen as she chats about her family’s massive background in the greyhound industry. She talks fondly of her late dad who has taught her so much about the breeding and training of greyhounds.

Marissa shares memories of parading dogs at her local track in Galway Greyhound Stadium as she chats about the generational sport that greyhound racing is. She is thrilled to see the younger generation coming through. She chats about the fantastic celebrations that were had last weekend to celebrate Galway’s 90th birthday.

They then turn their attention to Raha Mofo, the 2022 Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks winner. Marissa shares memories of the special night as she thanks everyone for their amazing support since the success. Marissa is looking forward to the bright future ahead for this powerful performer.

Have a listen now!

This week Barry chats to the man of the moment, Graham Holland.

Before chatting about his 2022 English Derby success, Graham chats about his earliest memories of greyhound racing. He was born into the greyhound industry and since has worked with greyhounds all his life. He reflects on some of his magical successes to date including his first classic win with Sevenheads Bay in the Laurels at Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium.

They turn their attention to the 2022 English Greyhound Derby as Graham chats about Romeo Magico’s journey in this year’s competition. He chats about the special night and the amazing win for the Firmager family and all connections of Romeo Magico. Grahams next hope for this talented dog is the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby.

They end their chat by discussing The Denis Linehan Solictors Unraced Final taking place this Saturday evening at Curraheen Park, in which Graham is represented by Bockos Crystal.

Have a listen to their chat now!

This week Barry Drake is joined by East Cork man Liam Twomey.

Liam starts by chatting about his family involvement within the greyhound industry, they bred and schooled many successful greyhounds including an English Leger winner. He acknowledges his dad’s day-day work with their greyhounds at home.

With the week that is in it, they turn their attention to the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks. Liam chats about the fairy tale story and unbelievable win of Witches Bell in the 2016 Irish Oaks. He reflects on the great feeling and fond memories of the night. He hopes he will enjoy more successes like this one in the future. Liam is hoping for another local success in the Final on Saturday night, hoping John Linehan and Droopys Nextone soar to victory.

Have a listen to their chat now!

Tipperary man John Byrne joins Barry Drake on this week’s podcast.

John shares his earliest memories of greyhound racing with his family and how he gained an interest in the sport. He learned the bread and butter of greyhound racing through work experience at many well-known kennels including Shelbourne Stud.

John was in Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Sunday evening for the Produce Stakes Final where he says the atmosphere was electric. The night was made even better when John’s Courty Girl won the Kieran Purcell Snr. Memorial Guys & Dolls Stake Final in an impressive time of 28.60! He hopes he will enjoy more successes like this one in the future.

Have a listen to their chat now!

Trainer Pat Buckley is Barry’s guest on this week’s podcast.

Pat enjoyed a successful night at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium last Saturday with the sensational Flashing Willow setting a new 325 track record and winning the 2022 Lee Strand Final with Tullig Cyrname.

The duo the turn their attention to Towcester Racecourse and the 2022 English Derby and Pat updates us on his team there.

They end their chat by talking about the final of the Larry O’Rourke Produce Stake taking place this Sunday evening at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium. Pat talks about his runner, Gaston Pecas and the overall high standard of the final.

Have a listen to their chat now!

This week, Barry Drake chats to an enthusiastic greyhound supporter, Damien Lonergan.

Damien chats about his earliest memories of greyhound racing at the old track in Clonmel and how his interest in the sport grew from racing with his dad, who he attended many Produce Stakes with.

The duo chat about Damien’s connection with trainer Owen McKenna and of course they have to mention the wonderful Susie Sapphire.

Damien is a man who loves his job and is very thankful to John Boyle of BoyleSports for his involvement in greyhounds. He shares his thoughts on the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oak at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium, the 2022 English Derby at Towcester and the Larry O’Rourke National Produce Stake at Clonmel.

Have a listen to their chat now!