Celtic Park (Belfast)

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Celtic Park
Páirc na gCeilteach
Paradise
GreaterBelfastTemplate.gif
Red pog.svg
Celtic Park
Location within Greater Belfast
Location Belfast, Northern Ireland
Capacity 5,000 seated, overall 50,000.
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke ground1899
Opened1901
Closed1983
Demolished1986
Tenants
Belfast Celtic
Greyhound Racing

Celtic Park was a multi-use stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was used for football matches and was the home of Belfast Celtic F.C. Throughout the majority of its existence it was a greyhound racing track. The stadium was able to hold 50,000 spectators at its height, with 5,000 of those spectators seated. [1]

Contents

Football

The stadium ceased to host Belfast Celtic matches when the team stopped playing competitive matches in 1949. [1] Like Celtic Park in Glasgow, Scotland, it was known as "Paradise" by its fans. The football team ran into financial issues and finally dissolved in 1960 but the stadium was then firmly established as a greyhound stadium. [2]

Greyhound Racing

Origins

Two Belfast bookmakers called Joe Shaw and Hugh McAlinden visited to Belle Vue Stadium in 1926 to view the new form of greyhound racing around an oval. They duly formed the National Racing Greyhound Company with the assistance of Paddy O’Donoghue and James Clarke. [3] It was the first greyhound track to open in Ireland on Easter Monday 18 April 1927, and one of the first in the United Kingdom. [4] [5] The company would take control of Ireland's second track Shelbourne Park in 1927. [3]

McAlinden was the chairman of Belfast Celtic and he instigated the lease of the stadium for the racing which would be governed by the Irish Coursing Club, the official regulatory body of greyhound racing in Ireland. On opening night racing consisted of two hurdles races in the six race card and one race ended with a dead heat between Keep Whistling and Imperial Jimmy. [3]

Early history

The first ever winner (not only at Celtic Park but in Ireland) was a greyhound called Mutual Friend (Three Speed x Lazy Peggy) on the Easter Monday; the April 1923 whelp was owned by Jim Tuite of Railway House, Oldcastle, County Meath. [6] The 55th Old Boys Silver Band provided entertainment on the opening night. [4]

Duneynie Castle claimed the Belfast Telegraph Cup competition in the summer of 1927 and re-opening for a second season in March 1928 patrons were able to purchase a complete form guide of the previous season from all Irish Coursing Club tracks for one shilling. Two months later on 11 May Mick the Miller finished third in the Abercorn Cup final at the track over 526 yards. [2]

A major event introduced in 1926 was the Trigo Cup; William Barnett presented a cup to Celtic Park after his horse Trigo won The Derby and St Leger Stakes. The Trigo Cup would gain classic status some years later in 1944 and second major competition called the McAlevey Gold Cup was inaugurated in 1938. In 1932 and 1943 the track hosted the Irish St Leger one of Ireland's premier races and in July 1946, the first case of a greyhound traveling by air took place. Warrington greyhound Clady Border trained by Ken Newham went from Manchester airport to Belfast to take part in an event at Celtic Park in which he won. [2]

The first Racing Manager at the Track was Jim Rice and after his passing he was honoured by the track hosting the Jim Rice Memorial Trophy. Another competition called the Ulster Sprint Cup was a regular event from 1930 and the Trigo Cup was also known as the Ulster Derby for many years. [2]

Later history

In 1955, Spanish Battleship appeared at the track for his final race in Ireland. The track suffering from a lack of investment and hampered by the troubles in Northern Ireland began to go downhill. However, in 1978 a new board of directors took over, Sean and Brian Graham and Jim Delargy closed the track to allow for refurbishment and Eddie O'Hagan the Racing Manager retired. The changes included an all-sand track from grass. [7] The track finally opened two years later during April 1980. [8]

Closure

Brookmount Properties bought the site for redevelopment and the last meeting was held on 31 October 1983. [9] The site of Celtic Park is now occupied by a shopping centre. [1]

Competitions

Notable track records

YardsGreyhoundTime (sec)DateNotes/ref
375Caim Star21.4-517 May 1929 [10]
375Solitude Star21.2-528 April 1930 [11]
375Confusion21.401 August 1930 [12]
375Divorced Princess20.928 May 1931 [13]
375You Have Me=20.9224 August 1934 [14]
375You Have Me20.8931 August 1934 [15]
375Dark December20.8723 September 1935 [16]
375Lone Keel20.8318 September 1936 [17]
375Derryten20.6424 October 1941 [18]
375Fair Mistress20.5222 April 1942 [19]
375Hilarious Champion20.169 July 1956 [20]
375Rito20.1326 October 1962 [21]
375Tanyard Chief20.081962 [22]
375Fiery Effort20.0725 October 1965 [23]
375Kirkland Darkie19.9410 September 1971 [24]
525Guiding Pal=30.6018 July 1930 [25]
525Mike's Fancy=30.6021 July 1930 [25]
525Sister Olive30.4910 August 1931 [26]
525Queen of the Rock30.406 May 1932 [27]
525Maghereagh Soldier30.3717 May 1935 [28]
525Maghereagh Soldier30.2529 May 1936 [29]
525Morning Signal30.167 October 1936 [30]
525Myroe Roving Boy=30.12June 1939 [31]
525Braemar Monty29.9515 September 1939 [32]
525S. M. Oddity29.6018 October 1940National record [33]
525Smartly Fergus=29.6026 June 1945 McAlevey Gold Cup heats [34]
525Priceless Border29.5423 May 1947 [35]
525Ballymore Cottage29.3827 June 1947Trigo Cup [36]
525Coolkill Hero29.364 June 1954 [37]
525Dunmore King29.364 May 1956McAlevey Gold Cup semifinal [38]
525Cautious Customer29.1914 September 1956 [39]
525Nimble Star28.9830 May 1958 [40]
525True Picture28.972 June 1958National record [22]
525Dillies Pigalle28.8613 May 1966McAlevey Gold Cup final, National record [41]
525Kirkland Darkie28.7911 May 1970National record, McAlevey Cup heats [42]
525Jemmy John28.6126 June 1970National record, Ulster Derby final [43]
550Maghereagh Soldier31.6724 May 1935Trigo Cup heats [44]
550Maghereagh Soldier31.5031 May 1935Trigo Cup semi-final [45]
550Maghereagh Soldier31.457 June 1935Trigo Cup final [46]
550Maghereagh Soldier31.3515 June 1936Trigo Cup first round
550Strong Mutton31.2811 June 1936Trigo Cup semifinal [47]
550Mazurka30.9830 April 1948 [48]
550Racing Nig30.6031 July 1959 [49]
550Racing Luck30.541 August 1960Ulster St Leger 2nd rd [22]
550Normac Venture30.5322 May 1964 [50]
550There's Hope30.5129 July 1964Ulster St Leger [51]
550Tom's Dog30.4813 August 1965Ulster St Leger final [52]
550Sulky Mac30.387 August 1967Ulster St Leger SF [53]
600Moorland Rover34.3-522 April 1929 [54]
600Aughamore Lass34.548 April 1938 [55]
600Sullivan's Mild34.3130 April 1945 [56]
600Smartly Fergus33.9915 June 1945National record
600Multiforbo33.914 October 1957 [57]
600Ashley Park Boy33.6011 July 1958 [58]
600Ashley Park Boy33.4518 July 1958 [22]
600Yellow Streak33.4028 September 1966Ulster Cesarewitch heats [59]
600Circular Grand33.3930 September 1966Ulster Cesarewitch rd2 [60]
600Clahane Flash33.389 June 1967 [61]
600Fiery Sahara33.3621 August 1967 [62]
600Itsamint33.3420 October 1969Ulster Cesarewitch final [63]
600Blissful Pride32.904 October 1971Ulster Cesarewitch 1st Rd
640Dragon's Flight37.3-59 September 1928Trigo Cup heats [64]
640Bright Bundle37.1217 May 1931 [65]
860Clovis52.2011 October 1929 [66]
860Ilene Darling51.9514 October 1931 [67]
860Ilene Darling51.5530 October 1931 [65]
375 HSoft Slide22.2815 March 1935 [68]
375 HNeidin's Carnero21.4615 June 1936
525 HFlail32.0012 September 1930 [69]
525 HMacaroni31.1228 June 1935 [70]
525 HMagheragh Major31.0722 May 1936 [71]
525 HNicotina31.0524 June 1938 [65]
550 HNeiden's Beautiful32.7010 September 1937 [65]
600 HDrumhaw37.1-517 May 1929 [72]
600 HFlail36.401930 [73]
600 HAnother Circle36.2821 August 1936 [65]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Belfast Celtic". Groundtastic. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Genders, Roy (1975). The Greyhound and Racing Greyhound, page 98-100. Page Brothers (Norwich). ISBN   0-85020-0474.
  3. 1 2 3 Genders, Roy (1981). The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing, page 279-282. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN   07207-1106-1.
  4. 1 2 "Belfast's New Sport" . Northern Whig. 19 April 1927. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ↑ "Belfast Celtic Park Greyhound Stadium". Greyhound Derby. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  6. ↑ Comyn, John. 50 Years of Greyhound Racing in Ireland. Aherlow Publishers Ltd. p. 26.
  7. ↑ Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN   0-948955-15-5.
  8. ↑ "All Those Aprils". Vol. 16, no. 4. Greyhound Star. 4 April 1998.
  9. ↑ Barnes/Sellers, Julia/John (1992). Ladbrokes Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN   0-948955-22-8.
  10. ↑ "Track Records at Celtic Park" . Belfast News-Letter. 18 May 1929. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. ↑ "Track Record equalled in Sprint Event" . Belfast News-Letter. 29 April 1930. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  12. ↑ "Celtic Park results" . Belfast News-Letter. 2 August 1930. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  13. ↑ "Celtic Park Card" . Belfast Telegraph. 7 September 1931. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  14. ↑ "You Have Me Ties With Record" . Belfast News-Letter. 7 September 1931. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  15. ↑ "You Have Me Wins Trophy and Sets Up Record" . Belfast News-Letter. 1 September 1934. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  16. ↑ "Celtic Park Results" . Belfast News-Letter. 24 September 1935. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  17. ↑ "Lone Keel Wins Final and Sets up Track record" . Belfast News-Letter. 19 September 1936. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  18. ↑ "Celtic Park results" . Belfast News-Letter. 25 October 1941. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  19. ↑ "Dog-Racing" . Larne Times. 24 September 1942. Retrieved 14 August 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  20. ↑ "Celtic results" . Belfast News-Letter. 10 July 1956. Retrieved 18 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  21. ↑ "Rito Breaks Celtic Track Record" . Belfast News-Letter. 27 October 1962. Retrieved 14 August 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  22. 1 2 3 4 "Record Holders" . Ireland's Saturday Night. 8 December 1962. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  23. ↑ "New Celtic Park record" . Belfast News-Letter. 26 October 1965. Retrieved 18 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  24. ↑ "Celtic results" . Belfast News-Letter. 11 September 1971. Retrieved 18 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  25. 1 2 "the Stewards Cup final" . Northern Whig. 8 August 1930. Retrieved 30 November 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  26. ↑ "Scottish Champion breaks Celtic Park record" . Northern Whig. 11 August 1931. Retrieved 30 November 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  27. ↑ "Celtic Park record broken by Queen of the Rock" . Belfast Telegraph. 7 May 1932. Retrieved 30 November 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  28. ↑ "Three-year-old record Broken" . Belfast News-Letter. 18 May 1935. Retrieved 30 November 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  29. ↑ "Celtic Park Results" . Belfast News-Letter. 30 May 1936. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  30. ↑ "Celtic Park Results" . Belfast News-Letter. 8 October 1936. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  31. ↑ "Celtic Park Results" . Belfast News-Letter. 22 June 1939. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  32. ↑ "Celtic Park Results" . Belfast News-Letter. 16 September 1939. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  33. ↑ "Celtic Park Results" . Belfast News-Letter. 19 October 1940. Retrieved 18 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  34. ↑ "Cormorant's Record Equalled at Celtic Park record" . Belfast News-Letter. 15 September 1928. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  35. ↑ "Record Broken at Celtic" . Belfast Telegraph. 24 May 1947. Retrieved 18 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  36. ↑ "The Trigo Cup" . Belfast News-Letter. 28 June 1947. Retrieved 18 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  37. ↑ "New Celtic Park Track Record" . Northern Whig. 5 June 1954. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  38. ↑ "New Celtic Record" . Northern Whig. 5 May 1956. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  39. ↑ "Race of the Century is definitely on" . Ireland's Saturday Night. 15 September 1956. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  40. ↑ "Celtic results" . Belfast News-Letter. 31 May 1958. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  41. ↑ "Dillie's Pigalle storms home" . Belfast News-Letter. 14 May 1966. Retrieved 18 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  42. ↑ "Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When 1970) May edition". Greyhound Star.
  43. ↑ "Jemmy John sets new record" . Belfast Telegraph. 27 June 1970. Retrieved 18 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  44. ↑ "Track Record Broken in Trigo Cup Heat" . Belfast News-Letter. 25 May 1935. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  45. ↑ "Celtic Park Results" . Belfast News-Letter. 1 June 1935. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  46. ↑ "Trigo Cup Final at Celtic Park" . Belfast Telegraph. 8 June 1935. Retrieved 26 November 2023– via British Newspaper Archive.
  47. ↑ "New Record in Trigo Cup by Strong Mutton" . Belfast News-Letter. 12 June 1937. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  48. ↑ "Mazurka Breaks Celtic Record" . Northern Whig. 1 May 1948. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  49. ↑ "Amazing Success" . Ireland's Saturday Night. 1 August 1959. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  50. ↑ "Celtic results" . Belfast News-Letter. 23 May 1964. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  51. ↑ "Thrilling Race at Celtic" . Belfast News-Letter. 30 July 1964. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  52. ↑ "Tom's Dog breaks record" . Belfast News-Letter. 14 August 1965. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  53. ↑ "Record at Celtic" . Belfast News-Letter. 8 August 1967. Retrieved 18 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  54. ↑ "Rustic Martin Fancied" . Northern Whig. 16 June 1933. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  55. ↑ "Aughamore Lass wins in record time" . Belfast News-Letter. 9 April 1938. Retrieved 18 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  56. ↑ "Sullivan's Mild breaks track record at Celtic" . Northern Whig. 1 May 1945. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  57. ↑ "Multiforbo makes 13th a record" . Belfast Telegraph. 5 October 1957. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  58. ↑ "Celtic results" . Belfast News-Letter. 12 July 1958. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  59. ↑ "Record Holders" . Belfast Telegraph. 8 December 1962. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  60. ↑ "Celtic results" . Belfast News-Letter. 1 October 1966. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  61. ↑ "Celtic results" . Belfast News-Letter. 10 June 1967. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  62. ↑ "Fiery Sahara sets up new track record" . Belfast News-Letter. 22 August 1967. Retrieved 18 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  63. ↑ "Itsamint sets new record" . Belfast News-Letter. 21 October 1969. Retrieved 18 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  64. ↑ "Dragon's Flight's Performance" . Northern Whig. 10 September 1929. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  65. 1 2 3 4 5 "Drumskea Champion takes the Trigo Cup" . Ireland's Saturday Night. 21 June 1958. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  66. ↑ "Clovis establishes a Record for 860 yards distance" . Belfast News-Letter. 12 October 1929. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  67. ↑ "Celtic Park Programme" . Belfast News-Letter. 16 October 1931. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  68. ↑ "Celtic Park Results" . Belfast News-Letter. 16 March 1935. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  69. ↑ "Flail's Record" . Northern Whig. 13 September 1930. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  70. ↑ "A New Track Record" . Belfast News-Letter. 29 June 1935. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  71. ↑ "Magheragh Major Breaks Track Record" . Belfast News-Letter. 23 May 1936. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  72. ↑ "Track Records at Celtic Park" . Belfast News-Letter. 18 May 1929. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  73. ↑ "Greyhound Racing" . Northern Whig. 11 July 1930. Retrieved 17 December 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.

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