VILLAGE KENNELS MUNSTER CHRISTMAS CUP CONCLUDES AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

It is a big night at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium as the €5,000-to-the-winner Village Kennels Munster Christmas Cup goes down for decision.

As ever, the 2025 renewal has proved top-class and we arrive at the decider with a red-hot line-up. On paper, it looks a two-dog affair, with Jerrivee De Meg and Slippery Brian both putting unbeaten records on the line, although connections of all six finalists can be optimistic of a bold showing.

Graham Holland is double-handed in the final, with Slippery Brian and Danish Biscuit representing the Golden Kennels, but the former is clearly his leading hope. Owned by Larry Dunne, Slippery Brian has taken to Clonmel with ease and his 28.43 semi-final success stands as the fastest run of the competition to date. On that occasion, the Ballymac Cashout tracker drew clear to score by six-and-a-half lengths and he has shown himself to be particularly strong from halfway. However, he will line up in the black jacket in the final, a potentially tricky draw with Jerrivee De Meg drawn on his immediate inner.

JERRIVEE A MAJOR PLAYER

Owned by Brendan Cocoman and Ian Cunningham, Jerrivee De Meg arrives off back-to-back victories and has looked a class act in posting sub-28.60 performances. The Paul Hennessy-trained son of Dromana Bucko has the sectionals to suggest he could be the early leader and it promises to be a fascinating battle should he turn in front of Slippery Brian.

COMPETITIVE LINE-UP

Of the remainder, Sure Exile appears the most likely to upset the principals. Andrew Lynch’s runner has shown plenty of early pace in both outings, though his most eye-catching run came in the opening round when clocking 28.65 behind Bombay Special. Drawn in five, it is a demanding assignment for the April ’24 whelp, but as the youngest greyhound in the field he could run a big race if enjoying a clear passage. On the outside, Elvis Bay represents Thomas O’Donovan and has played his part in the competition so far. A first-round winner in 28.92, he was unable to live with Slippery Brian in the semi-final, following him home over six lengths behind. That said, he is arguably the best drawn runner as the sole wide seed and could blaze an early trail for the Golden Tipp Syndicate. The remaining pair, Danish Biscuit and Gealltanas Grace, complete the line-up. Danish Biscuit, the second of the Holland runners, has shown strong finishing speed on both appearances to date. Drawn in red, the daughter of King Sheeran will be hoping to capitalise on any potential traffic issues and, if doing so, is certainly capable of playing a major role. Gealltanas Grace, owned by the Feelgood Racing Syndicate, has twice filled the runner-up spot in the competition, but has been admirably consistent in defeat with two mid-28.70 efforts and is more than capable of making the frame.

In summary, this is a top-class final and the draw has created as many questions as answers. On that basis, a tentative nod goes to Jerrivee De Meg, who may get first run on Slippery Brian and race to a valuable prize for connections.