Talking Dogs on Thursday

This week, Barry Drake is joined by Tom Pa O'Connor from Kerry.

Tom is well known among the greyhound community, a very popular trainer for many years. His son Patrick has since taken over training with the family's Saleen prefix making their mark over the years.

In recent days, Tom's name has been shared far and wide across social media as he has launched a great fundraiser for 3 cancer charities in Munster. Tom has organised the fundraiser as a way of thanking those who do such tremendous work with cancer patients, as he continues his own treatment for bladder cancer.

Of course, there's some great greyhound chat and memories to share to. Have a listen and of course if you can, you can donate to the 3 charities on https://bit.ly/3Edl25z

A bumper greyhound racing chat in this episode as Barry Drake is joined by two guests this week.

Trainer Karol Ramsbottom enjoyed great success at the Winter Racing Festival and he chats to Barry about the wins and some of his other greyhounds in training.

Barry's second guest is Willie Rigney, a man who is well known to the greyhound public and he recalls memories of the sport with Barry and gives us a hint of some new stars in the making. He also enjoyed Winter Racing Festival success with a win from All About Ted, trained by Peter Cronin.

Have a listen to their chat.

A man that needs no introduction, trainer Liam Dowling joins Barry Drake this week.

The Kerry man chats about his Matchbook Irish St. Leger win last weekend in Limerick Greyhound Stadium with Ballymac Merlin, his 2nd win in the Classic.

They look ahead to this weekend's Winter Racing Festival in Shelbourne Park which promises to be a fantastic weekend of racing.

There's plenty to talk about, have a listen now!

Barry Drake is joined this week by a man he calls "the Scooby man", Steve Noble.

He joins Barry from London where he first got involved in greyhounds as a teenager.

Steve is enjoying particular success on the track at the moment with his Scooby greyhounds with trainer Jennifer O'Donnell. Barry gets an update on Scooby Princess and of course they chat about Scooby Prince who will contest the final of the National Puppy Stake this weekend in Shelbourne Park.

Trainer Thomas Buggy joins Barry Drake to chat all things greyhound racing in this week's podcast.

Thomas' mother got her first greyhound at the age of 14 and since then greyhounds have been a huge part of family life. His mother trained over 500 winners & 2 classic winners before stepping back when Thomas took out his own trainers licence but it's still very much a family business.

Thomas reached the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Final this year with Carrigeen North and he chats about that and other recent success and future hopes.

Have a listen.

Trainer Thomas O'Donovan joins Barry Drake on this week's podcast episode.

Born into a greyhound family, Thomas recalls some great highlights, including a memorable night in Shelbourne Park when He Said So won the Derby for his father.

Thomas worked in greyhound racing in Australia before returning with greyhounds for breeding here in Ireland. Since returning to training in Ireland he has enjoyed some great success including the 2020 Irish St. Leger with Epic Hero and just 2 weeks ago winning a Laurels with One Time Only.

Have a listen to their chat now.

Barry speaks to Michael Lonergan from Tipperary in this week's episode.

Michael is now retired but he has been involved in greyhounds all his life and worked as a Control Steward. Spending 29 years in the job, he operated between Clonmel and Youghal.

Since retiring, he's returned to greyhound ownership and currently is enthusiastically following some great greyhounds he bred.

He has memories of great dogs and great characters in the sport, have a listen.

This week Barry brings us a bumper episode to enjoy.

He is joined by Curraheen Park Racing Manager, Brian Collins, and Friends & Supporters of Cork Greyhound Racing Chairman Jimmy Barry Murphy as they look forward to this Saturday Irish Laurels Final.

Barry also catches up with Deirdre Leahy after Droopys Gloss' victory in the SIS Juvenile Derby Final in Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium last weekend.

Kerry man Chris Houlihan joins Barry Drake this week to talk all things greyhound racing.

Chris has some great tales to tell from his introduction to greyhounds, working in the UK and establishing himself as a trainer when he came home.

He talks about his great Laurels victory with Cashen Legend at a time when he had just been diagnosed with Leukemia. He also went on to win another big classic, the Irish St. Leger, with Cashen Mafuma.

Greyhounds are very much a family business with the whole family playing a role and just last week he enjoyed another success in Thurles.

Have a listen.

Olivia Hogan from Nenagh and Anna Stapel from both join Barry on this week's episode.

Olivia grew up immersed in greyhounds (Five Alley prefix) and she chats to Barry about her experiences. During the pandemic, she helped out a family friend, bringing his greyhounds racing during restrictions and has enjoyed listening to his memories and learning from him.

Anna was introduced to greyhounds in 2018 when her family moved next door to Feichin Mullin. Born in Germany, she had no experience of greyhounds at all and is now the self-styled "puppy manager" in the kennels and is a regular in Youghal.