Derry Greyhounds: Farrell family’s fantastic treble triumph at Brandywell

A full programme of 8 races attracted a good crowd to Brandywell on Monday. First to earn a place on the winners podium was the Sarah Leahy owned and Shea Cassidy trained Ballymac Twig (Ballymac Kingdom x Ballymac Petula, May ’24). Slowly away from trap 1, Twig had plenty of early dash and led around the first bend. She ran on well to win her sprint by 4 lengths in 17.03 to record her first career success on her fourth attempt.

Townsend Kate (Mustang Jet x Droopys Kaide, Sep ’24) made a winning debut in Race 2 over 300 yards. Owned by Eamon and John Joseph Porter, Kate was fast away from trap 3 and held off the both Shanmoyle Mary and Derryloy on her outside at the first bend. She tracked the bends well and opened up 2 lengths on her rivals as she crossed the line in 17.08. Derryloy ran on well to claim second place and it looks like he will appreciate a step up to 4 bends.

Race 3 was also over the sprint trip and PJ Tynan’s long journey from Tipperary was rewarded when Courtlough Tipp (Broadstrand Bono x Courtlough Kerry, Apr ’24) got the better of Cashout King in what was a terrific battle throughout the race. Trap 6 suited Tipp as he was up with pace from lid lift and he ran a great bend on the outside of his rivals to maintain his pitch. His stamina took him to a 1.5 length victory in 17.21 for his first career success on his third attempt.

Trainer, Stephen Radcliffe notched up a double on the card in Race’s 4 and 7. Rovers Hoffa (Coolavanny Hoffa x Hollyhill Tess, May ’23) is a new recruit from the Cork area and at almost 3 years of age he already had 7 career successes to his credit. He made it 8 wins from 31 starts after winning Race 4 by 2 lengths in 28.30 for the 500 yard trip.

He was fast away from trap 1 but the early paced Yahoo Puff led him around the first turn. Hoffa took control of the race at the sprint boxes and was unchallenged thereafter. In Race 7, Stephen was training Sparta Gifted (Dromana Bucko x Gifted Girl, Aug ’23) for owner Marty Healy.

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This was her tenth career start and she was slowly away from trap 2 which made a win over this sprint trip look unlikely. However Sparta had got herself into third place at the first turn where she switched out wide of the leaders as they turned the bend. She swung off wide entering the home straight and still had a couple of lengths to make up on leaders. Once her stamina kicked in she flew up the home straight to win by 0.5 lengths in 17.14 and record her first career success.

The remaining 3 races on the programme went to the father and son team of Michael and Peter Farrell. Their treble was kicked off in great style when Painters Rory (Iconic Rory x Painters Cabbage, Jan ’24) won Race 5 over the 500 yards by 9.5 lengths in 28.00 after a slick start from trap 3.

Brandywell; The Kerry GOBA Veteran Winners Trophy was won by Shrewd Stories after his win at our last race meeting. Pictured with Abbie (left) & Ella.

This was his third consecutive win and brings his tally to 5 wins from only 11 starts. In Race 6 they won with Glasheen Eagle (Dromana Bucko x Glasheen Covid, May ’24) who is new recruit from Galway. He was fast away from trap 3 and despite getting crowded at the first turn, he quickly took up the lead and ran out a 5.5 length winner in 28.46 for the 500 yards. This brought his career tally to 4 wins from 12 starts.

Their treble was completed in the finale over the sprint trip when Away Bono (Broadstrand Bono x Wolfofallstreets, Apr ’23) took a flyer from trap 6. He was challenged for the lead at the first turn but had the better stamina to claim the honours by 1.25 lengths in 16.93 which was the fastest time of the night. This was only his third victory from 24 starts but it was a night when the Farrell kennels were flying and Bono did everything right on the night. 

The finalists will be lining up at Lifford Greyhound Stadium on Saturday for the €4,000 to the winner Northwest Greyhound Supplies A4/A5 525 Final in association with Time Nutrition. The first semi-final heat last Saturday was won by David O’Neill’s Tetra Eco (Dorotas Wildcat x Miss Mini Moll, Apr ’24). He was slow leaving boxes but showed terrific early pace from trap 3 to turn the bend in front and had enough stamina to hold off his rivals by 1.25 lengths in 29.26.

False Rumour in trap 6 was also slow from traps and kept a wide course throughout to claim second place. Dreenan Bella took the third qualifying spot after a fast break from trap 2. She was lying in second place entering the back straight and may have got squeezed for room at the third bend. She was just 0.75 lengths behind Rumour at the finish.

Lemon Donnacha (Signet Ace x Foyle Lucy, Jan ’24) won the second semi-final for Georgina Gibbons and her father Declan Crossan. He was evenly away from trap 6 and turned the first bend on the outside of the early leaders. Kilara Charli in trap 2 had taken up an early lead and looked like he might hold on for the victory but Lemon wasn’t to be denied and he got up close home to win by 1.25 lengths in 29.23 from Charli in second with the running on Laoises Pet taking the last qualifying spot a further 1.5 lengths away in third.

Brandywell; The Lenny McKinney Greyhound Transporter Trophy was won by Scary Moon who was voted our favourite performer at our last race meeting. Enda O’Goan (right) presented the trophy to Caeleen Anderson.

The stage is set for a competitive final with all 6 dogs in with a genuine chance of winning.

Cruppney Diamond retires to Florida - A family with a long history of greyhound ownership, Rick and Debbie Gechter in Seminole, Florida welcomed their new companion Eddie (aka Cruppney Diamond) into their home in February 2026 after they adopted him from Gold Coast Greyhound Adoptions and he has quickly become a beloved addition to their family.

Brandywell; Race 6 was won by GLASHEEN EAGLE in 28.46. Pictured with (from left) Martin McLaughlin, Michael & Peter Farrell.

Eddie was bought by his pevious owner in Dungiven just before he embarked on his racing career. He won two of his eight races at Dundalk in 2020 and whilst he ran 3 races at Brandywell, he could only place runner up at best.

Since 2022 Eddie has been spending his early retirement actively enjoying the scope of the green fields of Dungiven until an opportunity came up with the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust for him to move to Florida. So 7.5 year old Eddie packed up his collar and lead and headed off to the sun.

Eddie aka Cruppney Diamond relaxing at home with his new adopters in Florida.

Having cared for greyhounds since 1978, Rick and Debbie has extensive knowledge and experience of the breed and have been able to ease Eddie’s transition into his new environment.

Eddie has adjusted well and is getting along with both small and large dogs at the dog park. The family intentionally chose a senior dog as they felt he would be a better match for their own lifestyle. They are thrilled with Eddie’s progress and appreciate their retired athlete from the island of Ireland.

If you would like to know more about adopting a retired greyhound, please contact the Brandywell Greyhound Supporters Group on Facebook.