SETANTA LEADS THE CHARGE AS KIRBY MEMORIAL BEGINS AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
There’s a major night in store at Limerick Greyhound Stadium as the opening round heats of the 2026 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial 525 get underway.
Kindly sponsored by the McManus Family, this is the thirteenth running of the Classic and it brings together many of the country’s most exciting young trackers.
Despite his remarkable achievements in the sport, Liam Dowling has yet to land the Kirby since its inception. However, he arrives at the 2026 renewal with a particularly strong hand, led by the newly crowned ‘Future Star’, Ballymac Setanta.
The impressive blue lines out in heat ten and comes into the competition unbeaten in 2026. After clocking 18.35 over the sprint and following up with a 28.37 .30s, the son of Ballymac Kingdom – Ballymac Art appears sharper than ever this year, a concerning prospect for his rivals. Drawn in trap two, he faces credible opposition but would be a surprise loser in his bid to make it eleven wins from seventeen starts. Blackstone Lexus, trained by Michael O’Donovan, looks the principal danger in four, while Glengar Yeats is another notable contender in six.
MONARCH BACK ON IRISH SOIL
UK representation adds further intrigue to this year’s Kirby, with Bouncing Monarch set to begin his campaign in heat six. Also under the care of Michael O’Donovan, the fawn is well drawn in trap one and is expected to attract significant attention. While unfamiliar to the Limerick scene, the son of Deerjet Sydney will be tested against quality opposition, including Newinn Spot. Trained by Graham Holland, Newinn Spot impressed during the Rural Kennels Unraced stake with multiple sub-16-second sectionals and, despite misfortune in the final, emerged as a standout performer from that stake. A step up from a recent 18.75 trial will be required, but the son of Tommy Shelby is more than capable of stringing his rivals along.
DENIRO TO STAR
Ballymac Deniro, winner of a highly competitive Juvenile Classic, goes to traps in heat eleven and is expected to build on that success. The son of Ballymac Finn broke the 28-second barrier in the final and carries a growing reputation into this contest. Drawn in five, he appears well housed in what looks a manageable heat on paper. Metallic Missile, in six, may pose the strongest challenge given recent experience against high-class opposition.
TWO LENNIES TO SHINE
Paul Hennessy is another trainer seeking a first Kirby title and fields a strong team, headlined by two runners carrying the ‘Lennies’ prefix. Lennies Dynamic is first into action in heat eight, where he lines up in the striped jacket. A son of Dorotas Wildcat, he posted an impressive 28.16 trial last weekend and looks primed for a deep run in the competition. Ballymac Ralf and Waitingforastar provide opposition, but on trial form he sets the standard.
Later in the concluding heat, Lennies Eddie is also likely to start favourite. A winner in 21.04 at Dundalk and more recently 28.16 at Limerick, he may not need to improve further to prevail. Berlin Trilogy represents a notable threat, though the son of Good Cody is expected to make a strong challenge despite a tricky draw in four.
GETUP THE BOY BACK
Getup The Boy returns to action in heat seven and while he has just two career wins to his name, both came in major contests, the final of the TIME Juvenile Derby 550 and the WRF Juvenile 525. Mark Robinson’s runner has not raced since the Winter Racing Festival but has trialed well and is expected to go close. He faces competition from Glengar Blitz, part of Pat Buckley’s bid for a fourth Kirby title, and the in-form Zenith Glory for Corona Ryan.
HEAT WATCH
In the opener, Ballycowen Frank can provide Michael O’Donovan with an early success. Drawn in trap two, his recent 28.20 victory at Curraheen suggests he will be difficult to beat, though Silverhill Bucko rates a strong challenger.
Heat two features recent 28.17 winner Ballymac Gwennie, who may attempt to strike late, similar to her recent 28.17 success. However, Bockos Gold, trained by Graham Holland, stands out after a 28.21 run at Limerick and is selected to continue his progression. Connacht Derby winner Droopys Map also adds depth to a very competitive contest.
Ballydoyle Tina, one of the fastest greyhounds in training, can return to winning ways in heat three after a strong performance in defeat last time out. Ballymac Iroko has shown promise at Limerick, while Unassuming seeks a hat-trick for Brendan Matthews.
In heat four, Ballymac Duffle steps out of novice company for the first time. Despite still seeking a maiden success, his performances suggest he is capable of breaking through here, particularly from a favourable draw in trap one. Gaytime Joachim and Grouchos Gregor are among the dangers.
Hackney Dancer headlines heat five after an authoritative 28.27 success last weekend. This represents a step up in class, but the Michael O’Donovan-trained runner appears well equipped to handle the challenge. Singalong Cherry and Ello Ello are among the key rivals.
Cushie Flytplan is a leading contender in heat nine, arriving in strong form including a recent 17.38 trial at Tralee. Jaykay Fly and Vivaro Warrior provide notable opposition in what looks a wide-open affair.
In the final heat, Button It looks to build on a strong runner-up effort behind Ballymac Setanta. With early pace and a favourable draw, he could prove difficult to contain. Firstpastthepost and Radical Dreamer are also expected to play prominent roles, with the latter likely to improve after a troubled run last time out.