Our People, The Generations
Our People. In 2018, we had their stories. In 2020, we saw their day.
Now we meet the Generations.
We're very excited to bring you the next chapter in the Our People series: Our People, The Generations.
The hundreds of years of tradition that forms our sport.
The generations of families brought together
by their love of the dogs.
We stand for all that is good about our sport
and we are its future.
Because
THIS RUNS DEEP
Meet the O'Connells, County Cork
When Gaytime Nemo raced into the annals of English Derby history in 2023, it was an historic win for his owners the O’Connell’s, who have been lifelong supporters of the sport and have had many top-class performers along way.
Their story starts back in the 1940’s with Mother Stephanie whose earliest memories included heading to the bus station on a pony and trap (with the entire family and greyhound) to catch the bus to the old Cork Track. Back then they raced under the family prefix of Parchments and this started what was to become a lifelong interest in the sport. Parchments Wonder is the standout memory from that time – winning every round of the Irish Laurels, only to be beaten (due to missed break) on the final night.
When she married Teddy O’Connell in the 1960’s, Stephanie brought her love of greyhound racing with her to her new home in Tower and raised many litters of pups alongside rearing her family of Deirdre, Brendan & Ken. As Stephanie says, “Teddy was originally not interested in greyhound racing, but when we married it became part of the family farm and soon, he was bitten by the bug!”
After consultation with the neighbours, they settled on the prefix Gaytime and a new chapter in the story was born! Weekends were spent racing at Cork, Youghal, Tralee & Clonmel and they all fondly recall the highlights through the years; Gaytime Judy brought the family to a Laurels Final in 1977, Gaytime Blonde broke the track record in Youghal and went on to win the TV Trophy, Gaytime Conrad won the 1998 Guinness Trophy, more recently Gaytime Hawk brought them to an Irish Greyhound Derby Final after winning 4 consecutive rounds, Gaytime Milo reached the English Derby Semi-Final in 2021 and Gaytime Hugo (who is a half-brother to Gaytime Nemo) was a finalist in the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial.
As son Brendan says with a smile, “Stephanie is still very much in charge!” It is evident as they chat that their love of the sport has brought them immense joy as a family over the years, however they all agree nothing will beat winning the English Greyhound Derby in 2023. They still watch the video clips regularly just to confirm they did it! Brother Ken watched it from the Wayside Inn in Cloghroe, where the whole community turned out to cheer on their champion. Unfortunately, one person missing from the celebrations is Dad Teddy who sadly passed away in 2019. One can imagine he must be watching on with pride as the Gaytime story continues!
Meet the Ramsbottoms, County Laois
The Ramsbottom Family story in greyhound racing starts in 1966 with now Grandad Billy and his brother, Fr. Pat Ramsbottom. Billy who was farming in Garryglass, Co. Laois, purchased 2 pups from John Madden in Bagnelstown . These pups then returned to the family farm to be reared and trained and thus started a life-long love of greyhound racing.
His late wife Mary (who was a regular face at racing and who unfortunately passed away a number of years ago) was key in the day to day management of the kennels and her influence and love of greyhound racing lives on through Billy, her children and grandchildren.
Over the years Billy had lots of help with his 8 children taking an active role in walking and caring for the greyhounds daily needs. During this time the family raced their greyhound in Enniscorthy, Kilkenny & Newbridge, and they fondly recall all 8 children and the racing greyhound heading off together in the back of the car (this was before back seat seatbelts!). Billy and Karol talk about their first big win with pride. It was in 1996 with Garryglass Darkie and the Leger in Enniscorthy. This was home trained and Karol had the honour of leading out their champion.
Karol also struck lucky through his connection with greyhound racing as it is through the sport he met his future wife Linda Brennan (who is also a champion in her right as she was a player on the 2001 All Ireland Winning Laois Senior Ladies Football Team). Linda is the daughter of PJ Brennan, well-known himself in greyhound racing circles.
Originally, it was son Liam who got the training bug and took his licence out to train full-time, but has now made the move to a behind the scenes role, rearing greyhounds for owners.
It is now youngest son Karol who is the trainer in the family and he has approximately 20 greyhounds in his kennels at any one time for a select number of owners. Nowadays he has his own set of willing kennel hands as he and Linda have been joined by daughters Mia (aged 8), Lauren (age 7), Ellie (aged 5) and Amy (age 3).
While capturing a major classic title is still an ambition, Karol has been within touching distance over the past number of years. He has however captured the Kilkenny Derby Title (formerly known as the Langton Derby) three times (once under the ownership of his daughter Mia), Champion Puppy 550 and Winter Racing Festival with champion greyhound Deadly Destroyer. Many of his charges are amongst the most recognisable names in the sport including Sliabh Liag, Pablo Escobark, Deadly Showtime, Sober Glory & Deadly Jet.
With such passion for the sport still evident in their Mum, Dad & Grandads it is not a surprise to find the family at Kilkenny Track most Friday nights and Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium when they have a runner. Both Karol & Linda agree that the “a night at the dogs” is their preferred family social outing and the girls love nothing more than helping Dad to lead out their greyhound, along with catching up with all their friends!
Meet the Walls, County Kildare
The story of the Walls of Co. Kildare and their involvement in greyhound racing, starts with Tom Wall Senior who purchased his first greyhound at the age of 16. Tom, (who played club football with Athy and Senior Football for Kildare) purchased the family farm and pub in 1959 in Kilgowan, Co. Kildare and it was here that he raised his family, which included sons Michael, Thomas & Lawrence.
Kilgowan remains the family racing prefix. As Thomas & Michael look back over their childhood, they recall walking the greyhounds before and after school each day and being involved in all aspects of care and training before heading off to race each week at either Newbridge, Harolds Cross or Shelbourne Park.
Michael remembers fondly when 15 years of age, in school in Newbridge, his Friday routine was to wait outside Coxs Pub at 1pm to get the first copy of the race card for Newbridge Greyhound Stadium, Michael would head off for lunch to study the form, and “forget” about returning for afternoon school!
Michael’s wife, Teresa’s (who more recently served as a Board Member with Greyhound Racing Ireland from 2006 – 2014) maternal relatives, the Kellys, were also well-known greyhound folk. Michael was her brother’s best friend, and as both of them say, “if she didn’t come along for racing they would have never had made it to marriage!” During this time, the courting routine was Saturday night at Shelbourne Park (when they still raced on grass) and then the last film at Newbridge Cinema!
When asked about their favourite memories Michael & Teresa both agree that the best Irish Greyhound Derby Final they witnessed was the year Laughil Blake won.
Their list also includes Hanover Laddie winning the Comerford Cakes Juvenile (who they had bred), watching Atinato race (trained by Michael), Brodys Magic (Bar One Racing Sprint Cup Finalist & Irish Greyhound Laurels Finalist) and Two Slip Jigs (Kasko Unraced winner in Thurles in 2023), both bred by the family. They also affectionately talk about Kilgowan Lotus and Kilgowan Iris – 2 litter sisters who once their racing career was over lived their retirement in the family home until they were both 15 years old. Their current focus is their racer Milky Bar Kid (named after his sloppy drinking habits as a pup!).
After being involved in the background in rehoming their ex-racers for several years, Thomas has now branched into a more official role with The Irish Retired Greyhound Trust. His kennels are now the home of the recently opened Leinster Care Centre. It is here that potential adopters can come to meet their potential new family pet.
Niece Laurie McMahon has been on hand all through her childhood in helping at the kennels and going racing and pictures of her at different finals and events are dotted around the home, showing that this is very much a family affair!
Derby Winners Special
Meet the O'Donnells & Ruths, Tipperary & Kildare
When Jennifer O’Donnell commenced her bid to win the 2022 Irish Greyhound Derby, she was following in the footsteps of not just one but both her parents AND her aunt – all having previously claimed the title.
Jennifer’s father Matt married Frances Ruth, sister of Dolores Ruth, another leading trainer, and so began the dynasty of the O’Donnell & Ruth families.
Matt started training greyhounds in 1968 and after several years of claiming various titles across the country, he won the first of his three Irish Greyhound Derby Trophies in 1990 with The Other Toss.
He successfully defended his title in 1991 with Ardfert Mick and joined the exclusive group of English & Irish Greyhound Derby winning trainers with Farloe Melody in 1992. He completed his Irish Greyhound Derby Trio in 1995 with Batties Rocket.
Fast forward to 2006 when Dolores claimed her first Irish Greyhound Derby title with Razldazl Billy, followed in 2011 with Razldazl George. Dolores is the second member of this extended family to claim their seat at the exclusive club of Irish trainers who have managed to win both the Irish & English Greyhound Derbies; she claimed the English Greyhound Derby crown in 1996 with Shanless Slippy, which coincidently Matt & Batties Rocket finished 3rd in.
Just one year after her sister Dolores’ second Irish Greyhound Derby win, Frances joined the illustrious winning list in 2012 with Skywalker Puma.
In 2023, Jennifer completed her own piece of Derby history when she became the first female trainer to win back-to-back Irish Greyhound Derby titles. It took the honour as the fastest ever Final and was also the first time that litter brothers had completed the Derby double.
Now Jennifer has two Derby victories to her name, 2022 with Born Warrior and 2023 with The Other Kobe, she is far from finished. Who knows what the future holds but she has clearly inherited her family training talent and is in her own right exceptionally talented in her chosen field.
Meet the Murphys, County Limerick
Imagine going to school to not only learn Irish, English and Maths, but to be educated on how to care for and train greyhounds? Well, that is exactly how Jim Murphy’s journey to greyhound racing started. His Athlacca NS principal Mick Daly enjoyed a second career in rearing greyhounds and Jim became part of his kennel staff. Days were spent cleaning kennels, walking dogs, and heading off to trialling sessions in Mitchelstown.
He must not have spent all his time on the greyhounds however, as Jim went to work as an aircraft engineer. This meant long periods of time working away from home, including a stint in Iran where he was evacuated from in 1979 due to the Revolution. The following years were calmer and he did choose well when it came to his partner as wife Kay managed the home-front and the family grew to include sons James & Mark and daughter Muireann.
Throughout this time Jim enjoyed the role of a silent partner owner in several greyhounds with his brother Ned, and it was not until his retirement that he branched out on his own. Ned had bought the dam Trout or Salmon and it was one of her litters that Jim purchased a pup to be named Clonbrien Hero!
This champion went on to win the Produce Stakes, The Laurels, The St. Leger, Race of Champions and on The Night of Stars.
The next they chose was Clonbrien Prince – an English Derby Finalist (who won every heat throughout the competition and the unfortunate trap draw meant it was not to be for the final). He is now retired at home, enjoying his post-race career!
It was not long before other family members got the ownership buzz as daughter Muireann and wife Kay became joint owners of Clonbrien Treaty ( who is out of Clonbrien Millie, a granddaughter of Trout or Salmon and bred by another brother of Jim's, Jerry Murphy) and seem to have continued the family knack for picking winners as he went on to win the Con & Annie Kirby 2023 – the richest juvenile race in Ireland!
They have now been joined by the next generation with the arrival of grandson Ollie, so whatever is next for Clonbrien Team, it is certainly one to keep an eye on!
Meet the Heeneys, County Waterford
Michael Heeney credits his grandfather for passing his love of greyhound racing to him.
His childhood memories include attending the local track and spending every Thursday afternoon with him helping with the dogs. When he was old enough, his grandfather set him the task of walking his bitch Duck Lane, 5 times around the local GAA pitch each night. However, Michael took it one step further and walked her 20 times each night and what resulted was a prolific stayer who won all her competitions and gave Michael his first taste of training greyhounds!
When Michael left his hometown of Dundalk for the bright lights of London (where he trained as an accountant), White City became his local track. He attended weekly and recalls the thrill of seeing superstar Yellow Printer race.
When Michael returned to Dundalk, he and his daughter Eimear became regulars at Dundalk, Navan, Harolds Cross & Shelbourne Park. Eimear departed for Waterford to continue her studies in music (focusing on the violin), graduated with a Masters in Music Performance and is now educating the next generation of musicians as a lecturer in her former Alma Mater.
Three years ago, the duo decided to combine resources and relocate to the countryside in Waterford where they built their own kennels. It was here that the well-known Sentimental Lad (known at home as Matt, who was bought from Breeder and friend Ronny Wuyts) began his career.
Sentimental Lad became one of the stars of Shelbourne Park in 2022 when he broke the 575 track record in a time of 30.59 (which he still holds today). Matt (whose half sister is Bockos Crystal) is now retired from the track at home, enjoying his post-racing stud career. Michael & Eimear may have changed location but still are regular faces at Shelbourne Park looking forward to introducing the next generation of racers!
Meet the Spillanes, County Cork
For Sheila Spillane it all began when she received her first greyhound from a neighbour when she was a young child, a bitch named Springfield Gift. From that moment on, the yard was never without a greyhound. She and her late father James would race Springfield Gift at the old Western Road.
However, it was the opening of Youghal track in 1948 that really cemented Sheila’s attachment to the sport along with a romantic encounter! Her late husband, John, was a salesman for Keenans Sheds in Bagnelstown and came to price a shed locally when Sheila caught his eye, the rest as they say is history.
The pair were wed in 1957 and moved to the townland of Burgess where they set up kennels. They had four children, Con, Norma, Shelly and Mary, and were married for almost forty years until John’s passing in 1996. Shelly unfortunately passed away in 2012, and the family created and sponsor the Shelly Fennelly Memorial in Curraheen Park to this day in her honour.
Sheila’s kennel partnership with her son-in-law JJ (Shelly’s husband) cemented the future for the Burgess prefix, with their 9-acre site proving to be a fantastic spot for rearing pups and they are now one of the most recognisable names in the sport.
Burgess Kennels continues to be a family affair with the numbers now expanded to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren along with her ex-racing greyhound Jimmy (Burgess Dubh), forever at her side. Sheila was inducted into the Greyhound Racing Hall of Fame in 2023, in recognition for her contribution to greyhound racing.
Meet the O'Regans, Waterford
The O’Regans of Waterford can trace the start of their love of greyhound racing back to Michael O’Regan, a butcher in Waterford who has a dog listed in the Stud Book of 1923. Once his grand-nephews Pa & Donal came along in the 1940’s & 1950’s they became part of the support team spending every weekend racing at Kilcohan Park Greyhound Stadium.
As Donal puts it “when one member of the family had greyhounds, it meant all the family were involved”. They were (and still are) based in the city centre with a house that had a large back garden. While these gardens were mainly used for growing vegetables and keeping pigs during that time, it also gave the family the space to erect kennels and keep greyhounds.
Pa & Donal talk about their favourite memories during that time including Jos McDoaks (28 years ago), Highpath Rainbow (1993), Highpath Robbie (2007) and Brykar Fangio (named for his speed after Brazilian F1 Driver).
100 years on from their Grand-uncle, Pa & Donal now have their own support team with Pa’s grandchildren Cian & Brianna and Donals daughter Katy all involved. Still located in that original house where it all began, they now have 5 racing greyhounds and 1 retired greyhound in the kennels. It really has continued to be a family affair!
Meet the Mullins, County Galway
The Mullins of Gort have a greyhound sporting heritage going back to the 1960’s. It all starts with Noel Mullins. Little did he know then as he headed to Galway on a Tuesday & Friday night with nephew Sean in tow, that it would set the seeds for a life long involvement in the sport and encourage the generations after him to continue.
A big treat at the time was going to Limerick on a Saturday night for the major events (including the Kennedy Cup & Irish St. Leger). Some of the best wins (and memories) happened at Clonmel with home bred greyhounds and included Spring Wood in the Munster Puppy Cup (1981) followed by Spring Play winning the National Produce Stakes (1984). This fired the passion of the sport for the family, as anyone who enjoys success will know with success comes the challenge to continue achieving top-class winners!
In more recent years Sean has had a very successful partnership with his friend Ollie Curtin and their first litter resulted in Derby Finalist Carrowgarriff (2013), an amazing achievement for any kennel. Many fans will know them however for the litter sisters extraordinaire, Dana Point (twice winner at the Night of Stars, Dublin Marathon and recipient of Stayer of Year 2021) and Miss Joss (winner of Christmas Oaks).
These days Noel, Sean and Ollie are joined by Sean's daughters Eleanor & Isabel and niece Makayla. All 3 girls have continued the family passion for the sport getting involved in the day-to-day care of greyhounds (including being the assistants at trial sessions) and proudly bringing winning trophies and sheets to school for Show and Tell! The legacy of the Mullins of Gort continues to live on.
Meet the Buggys, County Carlow
The Buggy Family can trace their history in greyhound racing back to a Greek Myth!
The story starts with Mum Mary receiving her first greyhound named Greek Myth at the age of 13. She raced him at her local tracks of Kilkenny & Enniscorthy and it was from there that her lifelong involvement in the sport started!
When Mary married Larry, she brought greyhounds with her to her marital home where she still resides, trains and breeds greyhounds to this day. When children Rose and Thomas came along, the hobby developed into the family business (which they now manage alongside another business).
Nights out at Shelbourne Park or their local track Kilkenny (where they still race most of their greyhounds and credit the great job being done there in helping them to achieve success elsewhere as it is where all their greyhounds get their start) not only are the family business but also the family social outings. They are now joined by the next generation of Una and Silé, so the future is looking bright.
These days Team Buggy have over 30 greyhounds at home, 6 retired greyhounds as pets, two of them with significant history of their own.
Kilgraney Tomson (who was bred at home to their own Stud Dog and Brood Bitch) is now 11 years old and enjoying his retirement in Carlow but would be known to many as the winner of the Tipperary Cup at Thurles in 2013 and the Tote Gold Cup at Shelbourne Park in 2014. He is joined by Kilgraney Ace who was a Derby semi-finalist and is now 8 years old.
One of the highlights for the family to date was having an Irish Derby Finalist in the 2021 Final - Carrigeen North, trained by Thomas and supported by the entire family, making it a true multi-generational effort.
Meet the Hennessys, County Kilkenny
The Hennessy family need no introduction to many.
A proud Kilkenny man, Paul Hennessy is recognised as one of Irelands leading greyhound trainers. He is a two-time winner of the English Greyhound Derby, a winner of the Irish Greyhound Derby and three-time winner of the Scottish Greyhound Derby.
He gained his first success back in 1986 with the Tipperary Cup and has not stopped since!
A proud Kilkenny man, this family business is very much just that as Paul works side by side with his wife Susan (who herself comes from a well known greyhound racing family) and several of his family have followed him into different aspects of the greyhound racing industry.
The next generation has begun with the arrival of grand-daughters Hazel Jane and Leah and grandson Liam Óg.
Paul also trained the famous Late Late Show, who captured imagination of the Irish public with his performances in the early 2000's. On his retirement he remained with the Hennessy Family until his death at the age of 13.
Paul currently has 3 ex-Derby winners in his kennels enjoying their retirement - Priceless Blake (English Derby Winner age 6), Jaytee Jet (English Derby Winner age 9) and Barefoot Allstar (age 13).
Meet the Maguires, County Waterford
Meet the Maguires from Co. Waterford - Jimmy & Stephanie. A father and daughter with a shared love of greyhounds.
The Maguire’s race under the prefix Daring and have been racing and breeding greyhounds for over 50 years from their home in Co. Waterford.
Breeding many a champion over the years, the most notable being Glen Miner in the 80’s, who made it into the Guinness book of records for being the fastest dog over a four-bend track!
Daring Lance was another home bred and owned dog who won the Cesarewitch in Mullingar and held the track record in Waterford.
Jimmy is well known for his volunteer work at Waterford's Kilcohan Park Greyhound Stadium and has held the position of Chairman for the past ten years.
Both himself and his daughter Stephanie along with family friend Peter Woods run the kennels. They keep the kennel small with a few racing dogs and brood bitches (where they welcome one or two litters each year). They also have several race dogs that they have placed with a trainer.
As Stephanie says, “Greyhounds are in my blood, I grew up with them. We love what we do and will continue to race and breed hopefully another few champions in the future and have a few winners on the track along the way!”
Meet the O'Donnells, County Tipperary
Meet the O'Donnell family from Co. Tipperary. Jim, Shari-Anne, Cian, Aoife & James - a family with involvement in greyhounds in many levels. Shari-Anne wrote a brief introduction to the family for us, have a read to get to know them a little better.
"I suppose my interest in greyhounds started when I met my husband Jimmy who was reared with them. We were blessed to have great luck over the last few years under the NewInn prefix and it it’s a family affair with my children Cian, Aoife and James always on hand when needed.
It all took off after we purchased a Bitch called “Anytime Soon” who amongst many champions bred NewInn Expert who produced the outstanding “NewInn Taylor”. His record speaks for itself winning 16 out of 18 races, including both the Produce Stakes and Boylesports Irish Derby.
But with the highs comes the lows, and our hearts were broken when NewInn Wonder, or as he was known to us "Tiger”, sadly passed away earlier this year.
Greyhounds have been a huge part of our lives, and to quote our good friend, the late Maria Byrne, “It’s not a job when you love what you’re doing”.
I’ve made so many friends and met so many amazing people over the years through our involvement with greyhounds, and our ambition is to continue to breed more Classic winners and enjoy every day!"
Meet the Carberrys, County Meath
Meet the Carberry family from Co. Meath. Peter and Rita, Avril and Alicia and the children - the generations of one family with a shared love of greyhounds. Get them to know them a little better now.
“It’s just fantastic… the kids in particular. It’s showing them what it takes to care for an animal and how important that animal is in a family. You know, It brings everyone together because you have a shared love for that animal.
And it’s no different with a greyhound than any other dog or any other pet that you would have, you know, these are part of our family, that’s the way we look at it. I can see that in my own kids, developing that compassion and empathy for caring for something other than yourself is just so important and it’s such a great quality that we’re trying to raise our kids with.
And it’s that shared love that has been passed down from generation to generation of the greyhounds and the sport…. Hopefully our kids will continue that through the generations.”
If you cannot see the Carberry's video embedded above, click here to watch on our Youtube channel.
Meet the Murphys, County Wexford
Meet the Murphy family from County Wexford - 4 generations of one family with one thing in common, the love of their greyhounds.
"It brings all the family into it and gets us all working together as a unit, it's a good thing"
Learn more about the family and their story in our wonderful sport now.
If you cannot see the Murphy's video above, click here to watch on our Youtube channel.
Meet the Scanlons, County Limerick
Meet the Scanlons from County Limerick – Donie, Kathy, Siobhan, Catriona and Kacie with greyhounds Bingo & Rolly.
The family race under the Ballyelan prefix, a nod to their townland. Greyhounds have a long history in Ballyelan, tracing back to 1934 when Donie’s father Jim began training.
For many years there was no greyhounds in the house, but after Donie & Kathy’s son Donal passed away suddenly in 2006, their children got them two greyhound pups - a routine and focus to help them through a very difficult time. On 6th August 2008, one of those two pups gave them their first winner, the beginning of a new chapter in the Ballyelan story.
Every year the family sponsor the Donal Scanlon Memorial in Limerick, a way to honour his memory and also give back to the sport they love.
The family run a small kennel with just 6 greyhounds there currently, three racing, one retired mammy and her two 12 month old Pestana pups. Kathy takes charge of the feeding and nutrition, Donie looks after the walking and exercising and when her homework is done granddaughter Kacie arrives to help in any way she can. Kacie is their biggest fan and even has her own Ballyelan clothing range!
Siobhan took the family involvement to another level when she joined the team at Limerick Greyhound Stadium in 2010. In 2014 for her work as Business Development Executive for Limerick and Galway, Siobhan won the Network Ireland Limerick Employee of the Year Award before representing the region in the Network Ireland National Awards.
While Siobhan has moved on to a new job with Limerick GAA, she still plays an important role every spring when the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial rolls around, helping to coordinate the GAA Club involvement.
Meet the Byrnes, County Dublin
Meet the Byrnes family from Co. Dublin.
From Imelda down through the generations to the her young great-grandchildren, 4 generations of the family share a love of greyhounds.
"It's great for bringing families together...."
Learn more about the family, how they got their Catunda prefix and how they come together for what they love - greyhounds!
If you cannot see the embedded player above, click here to watch on our Youtube channel.
Meet the Dempseys, County Wexford
Featuring Gary, Michael, Lorraine, Jamie & Johnny joined by greyhounds Sid & Frankie.
Michael will be recognisable to trainers and owners across the country as he has served as Racing Manager in not 1 but 4 stadia. He commenced his career in Lifford, moved to Dundalk, followed by a stint in Enniscorthy and is now part of the Leinster Racing Office with responsibility for Shelbourne Park.
Michael & his brother Gary inherited their love of greyhound racing from both sides of the family with both his father's family (The Dempseys) and his mother's side (The Donohues) well known in Wexford greyhound racing circles. Their maternal grandfather was a Bookmaker in Enniscorthy Greyhound Stadium and his Paternal Grandfather had track racers as far back as the 1930's.
Their uncle Johnny (Donohue) served as a Board Member in both Enniscorthy and Kilcohan Park Greyhound Stadia.
Believe it or not greyhound racing even helped with Michael’s love life! He met his wife Lorraine at Kilcohan Park Greyhound Stadium when she was on a girls night out - so greyhound racing helped to bring them together!
Their son Jamie is now carrying on the tradition as he can be seen helping Uncle Gary on a weekly basis with their racers Sid & Frankie, ensuring that the next generation of Dempseys will carry on the family sport!
Meet the Fitzgeralds, County Clare
Tom, Rose and sons Mark & Shane with their retired racers Holly & Ollie - Proud Clare People!
This really is family affair as the Fitzgeralds breed, rear and train their own greyhounds in Parteen, Co. Clare. They race under the "Ocean" prefix, which incidentally has been their family prefix since 1928!
Tom inherited his love of greyhound racing from his dad, Tom Senior, who inherited his interest from his Grandfather.
Tom is well known in the Mid-West greyhound circles as he is currently serving as the Chairman of the Advisory Committee for Limerick Greyhound Stadium where he also does most of his racing.
One of his own best memories?
It must be winning the Con Kirby Memorial back in 2011. This was the precursor to the popular Con & Annie Kirby Memorial event that is hosted currently.
Video: Our People, The Generations - It Runs Deep
The O'Donnells, The Buggys & The Scanlons
Across Ireland, generations of families work together behind the scenes in Irish Greyhound Racing.
They all share a love for their greyhounds, a passion for their sport and a deep sense of pride in what they do.
The video features:
The O'Donnell Family from Co. Tipperary
The Buggy Family from Co. Carlow
The Scanlon Family from Co. Limerick
As part of the Our People, The Generations series, we'll be spotlighting just some of the wonderful people in greyhound racing through photos and videos to share their stories. Keep an eye out over the coming weeks to learn about them.
The Dempseys, The Maguires & The Mullins
The video features:
The Dempsey Family from Co. Wexford
The Maguire Family from Co. Waterford
The Mullins Family from Co. Galway
The Hennessys & The Fitzgeralds
The video features:
The Hennessy Family from Co. Kilkenny
The Fitzgerald Family from Co. Clare
Behind The Scenes - A Sneak Peek at Our People, The Generations In The Making
If you cannot see the embedded video above, click here to watch on our Youtube channel.