Talking Dogs on Thursday

Thurles man Brendan O'Neill joins Barry Drake this week for a chat.

Brendan has been involved in greyhound racing since he was a child, developing his love of the sport working with his granduncle Paddy Sheehy.

Brendan recalls some great characters and racing stories from over the years. Brendan is an agent for Ray Patterson, witnessing some great successes over the years - he can reel off some impressive greyhounds, names that have left their mark on the sport and continue to do so.

They chat about the Derby, the Laurels in Cork and much more, have a listen.

Trainer Owen McKenna joins Barry in this week's podcast.

A man who needs no introduction - a must-listen, enjoy the chat!

Owen enjoyed his 2nd Derby success at the weekend when Susie Sapphire claimed a popular victory in the 2021 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby.

It's a double episode this week as two young trainers join Barry this week.

Dean Harpur recently took out his trainers licence. His family didn't have greyhounds but as a child he developed a love of greyhounds growing in Wexford. At the age of 21, he and his grandfather got two greyhounds, built kennels and runs and built it from there! Dean was also part of the syndicate behind Cash Ready, a finalist in the 2020 Irish St. Leger in Limerick.

Scott Phelan also chats to Barry, another man who developed a love for greyhounds as a child. He got his first dog as a teenager, working with his uncle to train him. They chat about his greyhounds, hopes for the future and rehoming those who've finished their racing careers.

Barry Drake speaks to Waterford man Dan Casey in this episode.

Dan shares some local greyhound memories with Barry and tells him about his own greyhounds in training.

Of course, Dan and his business, Caseys Caravan & Camping, are valued sponsors in Waterford. The Final of the Caseys Caravan & Camping 525 will take place in Kilcohan Park this Saturday. Barry and Dan chat about the competition and the Dave Collins Memorial Munster Oaks Final.

Barry Drake catches up with Gavin O'Mahoney in this week's episode. Gavin is a sponsor, an owner and a passionate greyhound racing supporter.

Gavin's real involvement in racing began when he met his wife Elaine in London and he joined her for a trip to the 2014 English Derby in Wimbledon to meet her family, the Dunphys of Droopys Stud.

Gavin came on board as a sponsor in Kilcohan Park last year with his company JAG Building Services, naming the event in the honour of a late friend, Dave Collins. The 2021 Dave Collins Memorial is underway in Waterford now. Gavin also sponsors in Kilkenny and he and Barry chat about both events.

Of course, they chat about his greyhounds including Storys Pewee, trained by Murt Leahy, who runs in Heat 3 of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate 2nd Round on Saturday night. Gavin's also a member of the Club of Champions Syndicate and he's looking forward to the day when they can all meet track-side to cheer on their greyhounds.

Barry Drake speaks to trainer Peter Cronin in this episode.

The well-known trainer takes Barry back to his early days in Tipperary growing up immersed in greyhound racing. Developing a love of greyhound racing from his father Michael, Peter has passed it on to the next generation to his own sons.

They look back on some of Peter's more memorable greyhounds and of course the chat turns to his hopefuls in this year's BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby.

Have a listen to their chat now.

This week, Barry is talking all things greyhound racing with Dermot Leahy in Thurles.

Dermot had a most impressive winner at Curraheen Park on Saturday night, Russmur Pat, winning his opening round heat of the Greyhound & Petworld A1 stake.

He operates a small training kennel while also working full-time and is a young trainer that’s going places, have a listen to their chat now.

A man that needs no introduction, Barry's guest this week is Liam Dowling, the "Ballymac" man.

The Kerryman gives an insight into his family history in greyhounds and his own kennels. Of course, a big part of their chat looks ahead to the 2021 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby. Liam shares his thoughts and gives Barry an update on their contenders.

Make a cuppa and have a listen to their chat!

Don't forget to tune in to all the Derby action this Friday and Saturday on Talking Dogs TV and join the chat on social media using #BoyleSportsIGD

Fresh from big race success with De Machine in the BoyleSports Champion Stakes, Barry catches up with Damien Matthews in this week's podcast.

The Matthews family have enjoyed many great years in greyhound racing and Damien shares some memories from over the years and plans for the future.

He also gives Barry an update on the wonderful Unlock Unlock.

This week, Barry is joined by Gavin John Byrne.

Gavin got involved in greyhound racing helping a neighbour walk his dogs as a child and has been hooked ever since. He has great memories of travelling to Shelbourne Park racing when he was younger.

Gavin's passed the love of the sport to the next generation with his daughter also "greyhound mad", helping out with the retired greyhound meet 'n' greet pre-COVID.

They have a great chat about dogs, Thurles, the love of the sport and much more. Have a listen.