Tipperary venue hosts a bumper weekend of thrilling coursing action

Two ladies observing all that was going on at the National Coursing Meeting in Clonmel

placeholder image — Two ladies observing all that was going on at the National Coursing Meeting in Clonmel

Powerstown Park Clonmel hosts National Coursing Meeting

Clonmel hosted a bumper weekend of coursing as thousands descended on Powerstown Park to enjoy the biggest coursing event of the year.

The crowds attending Powerstown for the national coursing meeting were strong on Saturday and Sunday and the venue was packed to capacity on Monday for a thrilling day of finals action.

“The wind is dying down now, it was like a hurricane earlier this morning,” said one punter on Monday as they settled in for a busy day of coursing.

There was great local interest as well on finals day with Tipperary concerns Moyle Alonzo and Cooga Magic meeting in the quarter-final of the Oaks.

Cooga Magic, owned by a Tipperary Town/Dundrum syndicate, beat off the challenge of the Clonmel syndicate-owned dog to earn the right to progress to the semi-final.

Among those in attendance was coursing veteran Bernie O’Flaherty whose family has a long association with the sport.

“I enjoy the spectacle of it all. I look forward to it every year,” said Bernie.

“I love watching the courses and meeting not only the locals but the people from all over the country that are coming to Clonmel for a long number of years,” she added.

“The crowds over the last few days are a testament to the bright future of coursing. Powerstown Park is brought to life each year by the hard work and dedication of many individuals and groups. My heartfelt thanks go to the clubs, Team Powerstown, and my fellow executive members for their tireless efforts,” said Pat McLoughlin, President of the Irish Coursing Club.

“Coursing is truly unique, and much of its strength lies in the voluntary efforts of its clubs. These dedicated contributions have built a strong foundation, ensuring that this cherished sport has not only survived but thrived for over a century,” he said.