North Tipperary Working Gun Dog Club

On Sunday November 5th 2017 which was a lovely crisp morning with a chilly breeze blowing across Lough Derg we set sail to Ilaunmore for our first Open Stake of the Winter, which was held by kind permission of Mr.Michael Manke.

On arrival and with the usual introductions and welcomes out of the way, Vincent Kyne – Steward of the Beat, who was being well assisted by our Club Vice – Chairman, Willie White set us on a course on the shoreline.

Throughout the day there was a steady supply of pheasants and rabbits which was dealt with extremely safely and efficiently by our team of Guns, Daniel Bourke, John Clooney, Ray Fogarty and Ivan McAlister, with a tally at the end of the day of 21 pheasants and 10 rabbits

All the handlers were put at ease when they came into line by our Judges, Pat Brennan (A), Ronan Gorman (A) and Benny Ryan (C)

When they came together to make up their books they were able to split the dogs on their notes, which allowed us to head for the mainland without the need of having a run off.

We made our way back to the cars where the Hon. Sec. announced the winners who received a bag of dogfood from GRAHAM’S DOGFOODS, who very kindly sponsored this event and the winner was presented with the Denis Flannery Memorial Cup.

In their summing up the Judges said that it was the dogs which were experienced enough to be able to put pressure on the game to get up which were ultimately the dogs that rose to the top at this trial.

1^st        F.T.Ch. Colcourt Firecrest – ESSB – (Excellent)

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

Owned and handled by Mr. Norman Blakeney.

2^nd       Glenhestbeg Della – ESSB – (Excellent)

(Int.F.T.Ch. Skronedale Romulus X F.T.Ch. Whitehope Euro)

Owned and handled by Mr. PJ Davitt.

3^rd       Sliabh Rosie – ESSB – (Excellent)

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

Owned and handled by Mr. Fintan “Captain” Kelly.

4^th        Sliabh Aoife – ESSB – (Excellent)

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

Owned and handled by Mr. Louis Rice.

C.O.M

Mia’s Girl – ESSB – Owned & handled by Mr. Eddie Byrne

Garrisoncullin Duke – ESSD – Owned & handled by Mr. Shane Gainley.

Carnteel Hozier of Greenbrush – ESSD – Owned &handled by Mr. Trevis Crothers

We held our Annual Working Tests this year on Sunday 9^h April, outside Nenagh, Co.Tipperary, by kind permission of Mr. John Minehan – Landowner. We were treated to a lovely bright Spring morning with a light breeze. The nice weather lifted everyone’s spirits which led to a day of craic and banter.

The Hon. Secretary started proceedings for the day with a couple of brief introductions and thanked Graham’s Pet Foods who had recently been announced as the new Sponsor for the Club

The Judges were Norman Blakeney and Ivan McAlister, they started off with 6 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 moved straight into the Novice Test in which there were 18 dogs to be looked at. 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, the two Judges decided to run straight into the Open Test as there were only 8 dogs to be seen. The Open Test consisted of a Hunt up, Shot fired with a dummy thrown forward from the right of the line, this was to be retrieved by the dog on the left. When this was complete the dog on the right was sent immediately for a long blind over a small drain, the dogs were then swapped over and the task was repeated. This was followed by a another Hunt Up, at this point the Senior Judge Norman Blakeney was reminding the handlers to be aware of the wind direction which was a cheek wind blowing across the course from the left hand side and the wind treatment of the dogs would be judged accordingly. At the end of the Hunt Up, both dogs were put sitting up for a long seen retrieve over the drain which was the final bit of action for each run.

When the dogs had all been seen and the Judges had made up the scores, two dogs were called for a run-off for Best Hunting Spaniel. Kevin Somers with Muggleswyck Taz and James Casey with F.T.Ch.Blackguard Ivy.

Before the presentation we ran our Raffle which was very well supported and created a fair deal of laughs. As usual it was very well sponsored by Kevin McSherry & Tony O’Brien of Open Season – Nenagh, Handlers & all Committee members.

Dogfood for the prizewinners was all very kindly sponsored by our new sponsor, Graham’s Pet Foods. (grahamsdogfood@hotmail.com or +447900789328)

PUPPY TEST.

1^st – Swifthill Rolo – ESSD

(Sliabh Henry X Sliabh Gypsy of Swifthill)

Owned by Ms. Amanda Murphy and Handled by Mr. Jason Travers.

2^nd – Billy’s Bullet – ESSD

(Glanmore Mist X Dawn Run)

Owned & Handled by Mr. John Keeshan.

3^rd – Glengoole Prince – ESSD

(Glengoole Tiger X Liscleary Matilda of Glengoole

Owned and Handled by Mr. John Groves.

4^th – Clentohill Gaby – ESSB

(Clodahill Quincy X Nederscot Spirit)

Owned & Handled by Mr. Jason Travers.

NOVICE 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 – Bellelake Swannie – ESSB

(Int.F.T.Ch. Hollydrive Theo X F.T.Ch. Molly Malone Two)

Owned & Handled by Mr. Richie Power.

3^rd – Westbourne Rocket – ESSD

(F.T.Ch. Greenbush Iced X Megan of Rolaghbridge)

Owned & Handled by Ms. Ieva Grigaite.

4^th – Drumreenagh Khal – ESSD

(Int.F.T.Ch. Hollydrive Kurt X Lisgarvagh Coco)

Owned by Mr. John Beatty & Handled by Mr. Kevin Murphy.

OPEN TEST

1st – Muggleswyck Taz – ESSD

(F.T.Ch. Buccleuch Pepper X F.T.Ch. Glenlaggen Gazelle)

Owned by Mr. Jim Warren & Handled by Mr. Kevin Somers.

2^nd – F.T.Ch. Clodahill Layla – ESSB

(F.T.Ch. Skronedale Remus X F.T.Ch. Clodahill Annie)

Owned &Handled by Mr. Pat Brennan.

3^rd – Carrigaunroe Nell – ESSB

(Carrigaunroe Scirocco X Sprucehill Rhoda)

Owned & Handled by Mr. John Butler.

4^th – Clodahill Quiv – ESSB

(Clodahill Jake X F.T.Ch. Clodahill Annie)

Owned & Handled by Mr. Pat Brennan.

BEST HUNTING SPANIEL

F.T.Ch. Blackguard Ivy – ESSB

Owned and Handled by Mr. James Casey.

BEST NEWCOMER

Mr. Jason Travers

*Photo’s courtesy of Vinnie Caldwell

The Club are delighted to announce our new Sponsor as
Graham’s Dog Foods

Graham’s Dog Foods are based in Rathfriland, Co.Down, run by Alec Graham and Nicola Magill.
They run a Company which has created a brand of high quality foods aimed at giving optimum health and performance in Working dogs.
Their range of foods consists of Worker, Lamb & Rice and Salmon & Potato.
The Committee are extremely grateful to Graham’s Dog Food for coming on board and look forward to working together into the future.

For further details about Graham’s Dog Food please email
grahamsdogfood@hotmail.com
Or
Telephone: +44 7900 789328

On Sunday February 19^th 2017 we once again headed to Ilaunmore for our last trial of the 2016/2017 season, by kind permission of Mr.Michael Manke. Our Judges for the day were John Keeshan (A), Ronan Gorman (B) and Eamonn Taaffe (C)

Vincent Kyne was our Steward of the Beat and was very well assisted by Willie White.

Before proceedings began a Minute’s Silence was observed as a mark of respect to Derrick Ryan who had passed away suddenly just a week before this trial. Derrick was a great friend and supporter of our Club, who would always be available to give a helping hand at a Test or a Trial if he was required to do so. Our deepest sympathies are extended to Colm and all the Ryan family.

Willie White plotted a course which seen the trial heading in a clockwise direction around the shoreline, where there was a mixture of rabbits and pheasants, which were becoming very scarce at this late stage in February. This in a lot of cases led to the dogs having to work harder to produce the game.

Danny Bourke, Ray Fogarty, Enda Cassen & John Clooney were our team of crackshots who dealt with the game in a very safe, swift & accurate manner for the day.

When the Judges had gone through the card and finished making up their books, Colm Ryan’s Hattonswood Warbler was called to do the water test as it was gaining it’s first Championship points.

We headed back to the cars for the presentation where the Judges said that this had been an excellent quality trial which they had enjoyed Judging.

Club Chairman – Pat Brennan, thanked everyone who helped out and supported us for this trial and raffle which we held, he also especially thanked Willie Edgar for his influence in bringing KRONCH on board last year as our sponsors. Unfortunately this trial would mark the end of our association with KRONCH.

In the absence of the Hon. Secretary, Vice Chairman – Willie White announced the results and the handlers placed 1^st – 4^th were presented with various products which were very kindly sponsored by KRONCH.

1^st        F.T.Ch. Hollydrive Abbey – ESSB – (Excellent)

(Int.F.T.Ch. Skronedale Romulus X Hollydrive Kylie)

Owned and handled by Mr. Des Donnelly

2^nd       Clodahill Quiv – ESSB – (Excellent)

(Clodahill Jake X F.T.Ch. Clodahill Annie)

Owned and handled by Mr. Pat Brennan.

3^rd       Hattonswood Warbler – ESSB – (Excellent)

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

Owned and handled by Mr. Colm Ryan.

4^th        F.T.Ch. Colcourt Firecrest – ESSB – (Excellent)

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

Owned and handled by Mr. Norman Blakeney.

C.O.M

F.T.Ch. Blackguard Ivy – Owned and handled by Mr. James Casey.

F.T.Ch. Sliabh Cushla – Owned and handled by Mr. Louis Rice.

Sliabh Aoife – Owned and handled by Mr. Louis Rice.

Sliabh Rosie – Owned and handled by Mr. Fintan Kelly.

Greenbrush Iced – Owned and handled by Mr. Willie Edgar.

Clodahill Pele – Owned and handled by Mr. Adrian Doris.

As this was the last trial of the 2016/2017 season the Committee would like to thank our Hosts, Sponsors, Judges, Competitors and everyone who helped and supported the Club during the year.

We will be running our Annual Working Test in April, details are available from our website northtippworkinggundogclub.com or contact us by email at northtippwgc@gmail.com

*Photo’s courtesy of Vinnie Caldwell.

On the lovely crisp, frosty morning of Monday January 2^nd 2017 we made a visit to our friends on Ilaunmore where we held our first trial of the New Year. Very kindly hosted by Mr. Michael Manke. This trial brought a busy week to a close as a number of us were involved in the 2016 IKC Spaniel Championship, which concluded only four days prior to this.

This event is seen by the committee as being one of our best of the year, usually with a number of reserves on the card. However, we found that this year the same level of support was not there and this was reflected by the fact that we had a number of Novice dogs able to get a run in this stake.

After the Hon. Sec. introduced everybody including the Judges – Mr. Damian Kelly (A), Mr. Paul Carragher (A), Mr. Vincent McCarthy (C) and Mr. Paul Cassidy who was making his debut as a C panel Judge, the Steward of the Beat Mr. Vincent Kyne set us off on a slightly different route to which we are accustomed to.

As is the norm, Game was in abundance even though the birds were running on at this stage of the year. There was a nice scattering of rabbits which caused problems for some of the dogs and also put others in very tempting situations. However, the dogs which had more experience of dealing with such pressure shone through at the end of the day.

After the Judges made up there books, they called two dogs for a run-off, Pat Brennan’s Novice bitch (Clodahill Quiv) and Willie Edgar’s (Meadowbeat Neala of Greenbrush) as usual with a run-off everyone was left anticipating what colour rosette it was for. However, it developed that the run-off was for second and third as there was a dog on ice

In summing up the day after the presentation, the senior Judge Damian Kelly stated that he felt that Illaunmore was one of the top three trialling grounds for Spaniels in the Country. This is a great reflection on the hard work done by Vincent Kyne and his team.

The winner was presented with the North Tipp. Working Gundog Club Perpetual Cup and also the North Tipp. Working Gundog Club Guns Award. The first three handlers were presented with products which was very kindly sponsored by KRONCH.

After the awards were presented, Willie Edgar’s bitch Meadowbeat Neala of Greenbrush was tested at the water as she had been awarded enough points in the field towards her title of Field Trial Champion.

1^st        F.T.Ch. Clodahill Layla – ESSB – (Excellent)

(F.T.Ch. Skronedale Remus X F.T.Ch. Clodahill Annie)

Owned and handled by Mr. Pat Brennan.

2^nd       Meadowbeat Neala of Greenbrush – ESSB – (Excellent)

(F.T.Ch. Belvden Collingwood X Llangattock Luna)

Owned and handled by Mr. Willie Edgar.

3^rd       Clodahill Quiv – ESSB – (Excellent)

(Clodahill Jake X F.T.Ch. Clodahill Annie)

Owned and handled by Mr. Pat Brennan.

4^th        Garrisoncullin Tio – ESSB– (Very Good)

(F.T.Ch. Churchview Chunnel X Clio of Lavalley)

Owned and handled by Mr. Shane Gainley.

C.O.M

F.T.Ch. Blackguard Ivy – Owned and handled by Mr. James Casey

The past fourteen months for Benny and “Sue” have paid off after plenty of hard work and dedication.

On their first day out together back in early December 2015 they won our Novice trial, following this “Sue” was made up to Field Trial Champion Anninn Susie in her next 4 trials.

After a break over the Summer their sights were set on preparing for a run in the 2016 IKC Championship, which resulted in them coming away with Third place after a run off for the top three places.

On a lovely crisp morning on Sunday November 6th 2016 we set sail across Lough Derg to Ilaunmore for an Open Stake, by kind permission of Mr.Michael Manke.

As usual we were welcomed onto the Island by Vincent Kyne – Steward of the Beat, who was being well assisted by our Club Vice – Chairman, Willie White and their team of Stops.

All handlers were anticipating what amounts of game they were going to encounter, as this year, apart from a nice spread of rabbits there was also an extra 2000 birds released on the Island compared to other years. Needless to say, especially on the shoreline there were some scary moments for some of the handlers where they met some large pockets of game.

All the dogs were given their chance to shine by our Judges, Tom O’Connor (A), Tony O’Brien (A), Benny Ryan (C) and Ivan McAlister (C).

The team of Guns was made up of Tom Brennan, Young Captain Kelly, Daniel Burke & John Clooney who all shot very accurately and safely for the whole day.

When the Judges came together to make up their books they were unable to split two of the dogs on the books and decided to call PJ Davitt with Glenhestbeg Della and James Casey with F.T.Ch. Blackguard Ivy for a run off. It was a short run off as the Judges had their minds made up after a few casts in low crop.

As two of the dogs in the awards were gaining their first Championship points they had to be tested at the water.

We made our way back to the cars where the Hon. Sec. announced the winners who were in receipt of some products from KRONCH, who very kindly sponsored this event.

1^st        Glenhestbeg Della – ESSB – (Excellent)

(Int.F.T.Ch. Skronedale Romulus X F.T.Ch. Whitehope Euro)

Owned and handled by Mr. PJ Davitt.

2^nd       F.T.Ch Blackguard Ivy – ESSB – (Excellent)

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

Owned and handled by Mr. James Casey.

3^rd       Sprucehill Gordon – ESSD – (Very Good)

(Sprucehill Ray X Bridevalley Tynan)

Owned and handled by Mr. Tim Dennehy.

4^th        Glengoole Ripple – ESSB – (Very Good)

(Drumreenagh De Vitry X Glengoole Lass)

Owned and handled by Mr. Roger Shore.

C.O.M

Owenwee Conifer – ESSB – Owned and handled by Mr. Patsy McCarthy

Blackspond Delightful – Owned and handled by Mr. Peter McKearney.

Antoileanbeg Caitlin – Owned and handled by Mr. Paul McKearney.

Garrisoncullin Tio – Owned and handled by Mr. Shane Gainley.

The Club and Committee would like to offer our very best wishes to fellow Committee member Sean Moriarty, his wife Brigid and their children Bobby and Emma as Sean’s career is bringing them to the sunny shores of the Algarve in Portugal.

Over the past number of years Sean has become a very well known face, keen participant and Judge on the Spaniel Trial and Test circuit. In more recent times his loyal companion Leo (F.T.Ch. Tearsol Flash) brought them on a very memorable journey as they competed at both Irish and British Championships, countless Working Tests and they have also represented Ireland at numerous International tests at Irish Game Fairs and CLA Game Fairs, finishing as top Spaniel on several occasions at both.

Since he was first elected, Sean has been a valuable asset to have on our Committee, where he has brought a lot of common sense to the table. Sean has also been the Section 4 Secretary of the Cashel FTA and has been actively involved with the I.K.C. Field Trial Committee. As well as being able to juggle this with family life and a very busy career, Sean has also been elected to the I.K.C. Spaniel Championship Committee and has served as Chairman of same for two very successful championships – 2014 (Glenarm) and 2015 (Illaunmore).

We wish Sean continued success as his career moves forward and thank him for his input to our sport.

Ivan McAlister

(Hon. Secretary)

Since the inauguration of this Club, one of the main goals of our various Committees over the years has been to try to attract and encourage new people into our sport. So with that in mind, the Club organised a training class on Sunday 24^th April, on the surrounding land of Inch House, Country House and Restaurant, Bouladuff, Thurles, Co.Tipperary by kind permission of the landowner/proprietor Mr. John Egan.

The class attracted handlers who were interested in having a better trained shooting dog, handlers who were interested in becoming involved in Field Trials and a few handlers who were already active on the trial circuit and were hoping to pick up some new tips.

The Trainers for the day were Club Chairman – Pat Brennan (Clodahill Spaniels), Damian Kelly (Anahoe Spaniels) and Paul O’Brien (Corrib Labradors) who all shared their knowledge and experience with all the participants.

The day consisted of some demonstrations with Labradors and Spaniels of various ages and plenty of interaction between everyone in attendance.

The Committee would like to thank Pat Brennan, Damian Kelly and Paul O’Brien for running the class and also Mr. John Egan for providing us with the use of his ground and most of all everybody who came and supported the class.

If you would like to participate in future Training Classes or are interested in joining the North Tipperary Working Gun Dog Club please feel free to Contact Us.

For further information about Inch House, Country House and Restaurant, please visit www.inchhouse.ie.