We held our Annual Working Tests this year on Sunday 10^th April 2016, near Nenagh, Co.Tipperary, by kind permission of Mr. John Minehan – Landowner. Michael Minehan was in attendance with us for the day representing the family and ensuring everything was alright with the ground. After overnight frost we were treated to an extremely cold, wet and miserable day for the Test. However the conditions did not deter Handlers who braved the elements to support the Club for the day.

The Hon. Secretary started proceedings for the day with a few brief introductions and then asked everyone in attendance to join him for a Minute of silence in memory of the late Sean Beausang who had only recently passed away.

The Judges were well known faces John Keeshan and Sean Moriarty, they started off with 10 Pups to look at in a Test which consisted of a short Hunt up, Drop to Shot or Command and a short seen retrieve. When the Puppy Test was complete the Judges were able to move to a new strip of rushes for the Novice Test in which the dogs had to Hunt up, Drop to Shot followed by a seen retrieve, they had another short hunt and were then given a Blind retrieve. With the Novice Test complete we took a break for 20 minutes, before we headed into the Open Test. This consisted of a Hunt up, Shot fired with a dummy thrown forward from the right of the line, followed in quick succession by a shot and a diversion thrown from the left of the line. On this occasion the dummy on the right had to be picked first immediately followed by the one on the left. There was another short hunt with a long blind retrieve over a small drain.

When the dogs had all been seen, the Judges called Jamie Cahill with F.T.Ch.Clodahill Nell and Vincent McCarthy with Sprucehill Magda for a run-off for Best Hunting Spaniel.

Before the presentation we ran our Raffle which is always very well supported and creates a fair deal of craic and lighthearted fun. As usual it was very well sponsored by Kevin McSherry & Tony O’Brien of Open Season – Nenagh, Coolrain Sawmills, John Keane of C & K Sporting Products and all Committee members.

Dogfood for the prizewinners was all very kindly sponsored by KRONCH, all of which was provided by their Irish Rep. Willie Edgar.

PUPPY TEST.

1^st – Clodahill Rhythm – ESSD

(F.T.Ch Clodahill Nofler X Int.F.T.Ch Clodahill Demi)

Owned and Handled by Mr. Pat Brennan.

 

2^nd – Marbeech Duke James – ESSD

(F.T.Ch. Helmsway Heath X Claybrow Tiger Lily)

Owned by Capt. T.O. Bartle & Handled by Mr. Norman Blakeney.

 

3^rd – Shiftwell Sparrow – ESSB

(F.T.Ch. Hollydrive Bert X F.T.Ch. Gortnacor Daffodil)

Owned and Handled by Mr. John Groves.

 

NOVICE TEST

 

1^st – Sliabh Rosie – ESSB

( F.T.Ch. Helmsway Henry X F.T.Ch. Wyndhill Shona of Sliabh)

Owned and handled by Mr. Fintan ‘Captain’ Kelly.

 

2^nd – Sprucehill Magda – ESSB

( Int.F.T.Ch. Hollydrive Theo X F.T.Ch. Abha an Londraigh)

Owned and Handled by Mr. Vincent McCarthy.

 

3^rd – Hattonswood Sparrow – ESSB

( F.T.Ch. Lisgarvagh West X F.T.Ch. Hattonswood Meg)

Owned and Handled by Mr. Vinnie Cauldwell.

 

4^th – Fushia Glenavaud – ESSB

(Drumreenagh de Vitry X Aughacasla Tern)

Owned and Handled by Mr. Tom O’Connor.

 

OPEN TEST

 

1st – Sprucehill Magda – ESSB

( Int.F.T.Ch. Hollydrive Theo X F.T.Ch. Abha an Londraigh)

Owned and Handled by Mr. Vincent McCarthy.

 

2^nd – F.T.Ch. Clodahill Nell – ESSB

( F.T.Ch. Tearsol Flash X F.T.Ch. Clodahill Annie)

Owned and Handled by Mr. Jamie Cahill.

 

3^rd – F.T.Ch. Blackguard Ivy – ESSB

( Int.F.T.Ch. Hollydrive Theo X Rosbeha Arris)

Owned and Handled by Mr. James Casey.

 

4^th – Colcourt Firecrest – ESSB

( F.T.Ch. Chinachgook Roberto X Not so little Rascal)

Owned and Handled by Mr. Norman Blakeney.

 

BEST HUNTING SPANIEL

F.T.Ch. Clodahill Nell – ESSB

Owned and Handled by Mr. Jamie Cahill.

 

BEST NEWCOMER

Mr. Justin Donovan.