SETANTA & DUFFLE SERVE UP AN EPIC AS KIRBY FIELD CUT TO TWELVE

Peter Farrell

The 2026 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial 525 has served up the most incredible action in recent weeks and the €80,000-to-the-winner Classic is the gift that keeps on giving after last night’s magnificent quarter-final action.

While there was sensational action across all four quarter-finals, there is little doubt that the highlight of the night came in the third heat, as Liam Dowling saw two of his kennel stars, Ballymac Setanta and Ballymac Duffle, serve up a Classic, with the outright market leader just managing to fend off his advancing kennel companion. Elsewhere, Bockos Gold continued his unbeaten run in his usual emphatic fashion, while Bouncing Monarch also made it three wins on the spin as he kick-started a quick-fire double for the Michael O’Donovan kennel, with Cushie Flytplan landing the concluding heat in tremendous style.

Ballymac Setanta was handed a shock defeat in the second round; however, he remained at the head of the outright market and was duly installed as the 8/11 favourite to land heat three. In a race that looked to lack a touch of early speed, ‘Setanta’ quickly took command and looked certain to emerge a comfortable winner. That, however, was to prove quite the opposite. Drawn in four, the strapping blue didn’t break as fluently as he can and was headed in the opening strides by Ballymac Duffle, who pinged the lids from trap two. However, within the blink of an eye, Ballymac Setanta left his rival for dust. Further back on the run-up was Ballycowen Frank, who was charging up the inside but was forced to check at the bend, surrendering third place to Riverside Rex. Up front and leading by four lengths into the back was Ballymac Setanta; however, Ballymac Duffle set off in chase, looking a certain qualifier but with plenty on his plate in terms of reeling in the leader. Setting a ferocious gallop to post a terrific 15.77 third-bend sectional, the son of Ballymac Kingdom - Ballymac Wisdom looked home and hosed, but between the bottom bends Ballymac Duffle put on the afterburners. Halving the deficit to just two lengths turning for home, the latter took off on the run-in and gave his kennelmate a serious fright at the line, with ‘Setanta’ just holding on to seal a half-length victory. It was a sensational performance from both greyhounds, reflected on the clock with 27.90. Further back, Ballycowen Frank recovered to stay on strongly and claim third. (Sec: 4.10 / 15.77)

BOCKOS ON-TRACK TO CLAIM GOLD

In the opening heat of the night, Bockos Gold continued to build momentum in the Classic with yet another brilliant performance for Graham Holland and the Jolly Good Company Syndicate.

After a string of sensational displays, Bockos Gold was expected to make every inch of the running and, as such, he went to traps as the 4/7 favourite to make it four straight victories. Drawn well in trap two, the 86-pound heavyweight made his intentions clear from the outset, bolting from his inside berth to dispute with Rapido Ivy in the opening strides. Quickly taking command, the son of Coolavanny Hoffa - Newinn Cuckoo rounded with a one-length lead over his rival, while further back Waitingforastar displayed eye-catching early speed to take ownership of third position. With all to play for entering the back straight, Bockos Gold was two lengths clear of Rapido Ivy and it remained as you were approaching the penultimate bend. Posting a swift 15.80 sectional, ‘Bockos’ was flawless out front and, although Waitingforastar powered home to really catch the eye, the favourite crossed the line two and a half lengths clear. Further back, Rapido Ivy ensured Peter Cronin will have representation in the semis, claiming the final qualifying position in third. The time was a blistering 27.92. (Sec: 4.14 / 15.80)

MONARCH REMAINS UNBEATEN

Another unbeaten runner heading into the semi-final stages is Bouncing Monarch (Deerjet Sydney - Lemon Elsa), as the UK runner emerged victorious in a red-hot second quarter-final.

A heat that would have been fitting of any final saw Ballydoyle Tina go to traps as the 7/4 favourite ahead of Bouncing Monarch at 2/1. With the break set to prove of utmost importance, it was Droopys Map who took a flyer from trap four but simply had no answer to the early speed on either side. With Bouncing Monarch steaming up the inside, Montana Secret was showing immense early speed from five; however, the latter was luckless at the opening bend, being squeezed out and subsequently doing very well to stay on all fours. With crowding from middle to wide at the opener, this allowed Bouncing Monarch to gallop into a commanding lead entering the back straight. He was chased by litter comrade Beanos Yank, who benefited from his trap one berth to nip around with minimal fuss. Forced to check slightly off the back of ‘Monarch’, Beanos Yank had three lengths to make up but halved the deficit passing the 750-yard box, showing remarkable speed to challenge Dave Fradgley’s charge. Ballydoyle Tina was next in line and was also beginning to wind up her charge in a bid to fend off the strong-running Ballymac Chantry in fourth. With the winning line in sight, Bouncing Monarch railed superbly on the run for home and comfortably crossed the line three lengths clear of Beanos Yank, who just held on to seal second ahead of the fast-finishing Ballydoyle Tina in third. Another superb performance from the Michael O’Donovan-trained tracker, and from the placed runners, with the time recorded at 28.29. (Sec: 4.20 / 16.04)

ANOTHER CUSHIE DISPLAY

The final quarter-final saw Getup The Boy sent to traps as the 11/10 favourite after a series of impressive performances up to this point.

Another tracker who appeared to be coming to the boil nicely, however, was Cushie Flytplan (11/4), and he duly built on his brilliant second-round victory with another thoroughly impressive win. Drawn in three, the Michael O’Donovan-trained runner pinged the lids and edged out Boozed Wish at the opening bend. Meanwhile, Getup The Boy fluffed his lines at trap rise but paced up well from two to turn a length and a half shy of the leader, alongside Jaykay Fly in one. As the runners entered the back straight, Getup The Boy rallied around the outside of Cushie Flytplan and briefly headed his rival passing the sprint boxes. However, this was short-lived, as ‘Cushie’, owned by John Codd and Diana Brody, came back for more to regain control at the three-quarter mark. Still all to play for in the closing stages, the son of Droopys Flytplan–Fatboyz–Storm proved a tough nut to crack for Getup The Boy, staying out stoutly to cross the line with two lengths in hand. Further back, the remaining qualifying position went the way of Jaykay Fly. The time was another rapid 28.11 (Sec: 4.17 / 16.09).

The draw for the semi finals of the 2026 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial 525 was made shortly after and is as follows :

1st Semi Final

T1 - BALLYMAC SETANTA

T2 - JAYKAY FLY

T3 - GETUP THE BOY

T4 - BALLYMAC DUFFLE

T5 - BALLYCOWEN FRANK

T6 - WAITINGFORASTAR

2nd Semi Final

T1 - BALLYDOYLE TINA

T2 - BOCKOS GOLD

T3 - CUSHIE FLYTPLAN

T4 - BOUNCING MONARCH

T5 - RAPIDO IVY

T6 - BEANOS YANK