 | |
| Location | Sandhill Rd, Killehenny, Ballybunion, County Kerry, Ireland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 52°29′59.2″N9°40′20.0″W / 52.499778°N 9.672222°W |
| Opened | 1966 |
| Closed | 1973 |
Ballybunion Greyhound Stadium was a greyhound racing stadium [1] off Sandhill Road, in Killehenny, Ballybunion, County Kerry. [2]
The west coast seaside town of Ballybunion in County Kerry had previously hosted greyhound racing from 1933-1939. [3]
In 1958 the president of the Irish Coursing Club, Matt O'Sullivan applied for a licence as the proprietor of a new Ballybunion track but the Bord na gCon headed by Seamus Flanagan refused the licence due to objections lodged by the nearby Tralee track. At the time any track within the same area could object to another hoping to become licensed. The licence was refused again in 1964. [4]
In January 1965, O'Sullivan (the owner of the Central Hotel in the town) finally won the right to host greyhound racing after taking the Bord na gCon to court. The court ruled that he should be granted a licence. [5]
The re-opening was on 18 May 1966 [6] when the Ballybunion Greyhound Racing Club Ltd ran the venue until 1973. It hosted a valuable Smirnoff Gold Collar race from 1966-1970 worth a record £1,340 in 1967. The event was sponsored by Gilbeys of Ireland and saw two new track records set, first by Coolowen Pride in 29.66 followed by Sandy Lee in 29.52. Racing was held on Monday & Wednesday evenings at 8.30pm. [7]
The winners of the Gold Collar were - 1966 Dogstown Star, 1967 Seneca, 1968 Pools Punter and 1969 West Park Una.
The site of the track was where the Green Valley caravan park is situated today.
| Yards | Greyhound | Time | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | Lucky Blunder | 16.80 | 1970 | |
| 300 | Tranquillity Sea | 16.75 | 24.05.1971 | |
| 525 | Coolowen Pride | 29.66 | 1967 | Gold Collar |
| 525 | Sandy Lee | 29.52 | 1967 | Gold Collar |
| 525 | Gortkelly Hope | 29.41 | 1970 | |
| 525 | Tranquillity Sea | 29.40 | 21.07.1971 | |
| 550 | Pools Punter | 30.99 | 1970 | |
| 550 | Barony Pride | 30.88 | 22.07.1970 | |
| 725 | Tomophas | 41.65 | 24.07.1968 | |
| 525 H | Charlestown | 30.54 | 23.08.1967 |
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1966 | Dogstown Star |
| 1967 | Seneca |
| 1968 | Pools Punter |
| 1969 | West Park Una |
Shelbourne Park is a greyhound racing stadium in the south Dublin inner city suburb of Ringsend.
Harold's Cross Stadium was a greyhound racing stadium in Harold's Cross, Dublin, owned and operated by the Irish Greyhound Board.
Greyhound Racing Ireland is an Irish semi-state body charged with regulating and promoting Greyhound racing in Ireland. The organisation has been active in developing the sport in Ireland since its founding on 11 July 1958.
Markets Field is a stadium in Garryowen, Limerick, Ireland. It has been redeveloped since 5 June 2015 when it hosted a soccer match between Limerick FC and Drogheda United in the League of Ireland Premier Division. It has been graded a UEFA Category Two stadium with a capacity of around 4,500. The ground has hosted underage international fixtures in 2015 and 2021. The EA Sports Cup final between Limerick FC and St Patrick's Athletic was played in Markets Field on Saturday, 17 September 2016.
Greyhound racing is a popular sport in Ireland. There are 17 stadiums operating in Ireland of which nine are fully operated by Rásaíocht Con Éireann / Greyhound Racing Ireland with the remaining six owned and operated by private enterprise but licensed by GRI.
The St Leger is a greyhound racing competition held annually at Limerick Greyhound Stadium at Greenpark, Dock Road, Limerick, Ireland. The competition is an original classic race and was inaugurated in 1932 at Celtic Park in Belfast following the decision by the Irish Coursing Club to issue a new list of classic races.
Kilkenny Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located in north-west Kilkenny in Ireland.
Clonmel Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland.
Cork Greyhound Stadium was a greyhound racing stadium on Western Road in Cork, Munster. It is not to be confused with Curraheen Park.
John F 'Ginger' McGee is an Irish born greyhound trainer. He is a seven-time champion trainer of Great Britain and was regarded as the leading trainer during the early 1990s.
The 1939 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 14th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 1947 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 22nd year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 1958 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 32nd year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 1961 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 35th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 1965 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 39th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 1966 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 40th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 1971 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 45th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Derry Greyhound Stadium also known as the Brandywell Greyhound Track is the greyhound racing operation held at the Brandywell Showgrounds next to the new Brandywell Stadium in Northern Ireland. The track was relocated from around the football pitch to next door to it, opening in 2018. Racing takes place every Monday evening.
Dungannon Greyhound Stadium or Oaks Park was a greyhound racing track held on Oaks Road, Dungannon, County Tyrone, BT71 4BA, Northern Ireland.
Chapelizod Sports Stadium was a greyhound racing and speedway stadium in Chapelizod Road, Chapelizod, Dublin, Ireland.