The BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby is nearing its climax! Ahead of the semi-finals we’ve spoken with Kilkenny-based Greyhound trainer Paul Hennessy who trains BoyleSports Bob a dog co-owned by BoyleSports chairman John Boyle.
BoyleSports Bob will line up in the second semi-final of the €125,000 competition this weekend at Shelbourne Park and is a 10/1 chance to win the top prize. Hennessy has hailed “good friend” Boyle’s commitment to greyhound racing and spoke about how the partnership initially came about and openly admits he would take third place and qualification for the final at the weekend!
John Boyle’s “Incredible” Support Of Greyhound Racing
We’ve trained for John (Boyle), who’s a great friend, for a number of years and I always had John in mind when watching Bob at Kilkenny.
John’s support for greyhound racing, especially through BoyleSports, has been incredible and this Derby is proving special in many ways.
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Semi-Finals All About Qualification
But going back to BoyleSports Bob, it’s just been a great journey with him and the two lads and we’re one race from the final - and that would be special.
However, we know what semi-finals are. You’re one step away from the final and it’s really just about qualification - we’d take third now! It’s a red-hot semi-final as you’d expect with lots of pace but hopefully, he gets room to run that’s all we can ask for. Then we know we’re in with a chance because this dog just never gives up.
We couldn’t be happier with Bob - he is doing his thing, and fingers are definitely crossed for this Saturday in the semi-finals.
Making The Final Would Mean A Lot To US
It’d be great to make the final, especially for John and Ned [Murphy, co-owner]. That would mean a lot to us because we can see the immense pleasure and fun Bob is giving the two of them.
He’s just a brilliant greyhound for us, such a good competition dog in the highest class. He’s only been in three competitions this year, the Easter Cup and the English Derby, and reached the final in both, finishing second at Towcester, and now is in the semi-finals of the Irish Derby. It’s not a bad record and hopefully, there’s another chapter to be written here.
It's actually worked out well for us with how Bob is running, but the competition as a whole has been great. Graham’s (Holland) dog Bockos Diamond has broken the 550yd track record and, in the Puppy Oaks, Robert’s (Gleeson) Droopys Kathleen was amazing in breaking the 525yd record - so there’s been plenty to enjoy at Shelbourne during the months of October and November.
BoyleSports Bob has “Obvious Ability”
Going back to the start, he’d showed promise in the Champion Unraced in Kilkenny when known as Forest Paddy. John Kennedy of Good News fame had told us to look out for him - he was a pup with a future it seemed - and, while he failed to qualify for the second round, you could see there was something there.
He had obvious ability - and I approached Ned (Murphy), who had a half a share in him, to buy him. Ned was happy for us to be involved but wanted to keep part of him so he could have a ‘Saturday night’ dog at Shelbourne. Well, fair play to Ned and John, they’re living the dream. They’ve had that - and more - and will be at Shelbourne again this Saturday.
And the improvements and investment in Shelbourne Park has been brilliant and well done to all who’ve made it possible. The Shelbourne experience has always been great but it’s even better now.
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