Kildare trainer Jerry Melia aims to take top prize at The BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Final
Melia is looking to win his first Irish Greyhound Derby title, having been a finalist twice previously.
by Daragh Nolan · Leinster LeaderThe highly anticipated final of the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby is set to take place tomorrow night (Saturday November 23) at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium. Kildare trainer & owner Jerry Melia is looking to win his first Irish Greyhound Derby title, having been a finalist twice previously.
This year's event promises to be of even more interest with Tipperary based trainer Graham Holland on the brink of making history. If either Bockos Diamond or Cheap Sandwiches clinch the title, Holland will become only the third trainer in the history of the Irish Greyhound Derby to win the title four times.
Bockos Diamond is particularly noteworthy, aiming for his 15th consecutive win in just his 16th race. A victory would place Holland alongside legendary trainers Tom Lynch, who won in 1953, 1954, 1955 and 1967, and Gay McKenna, who secured titles in 1965, 1966, 1970, and 1972.
Graham Holland's previous victories in the Irish Greyhound Derby include 2016 with Rural Hawaii, 2019 with Lenson Bocko (whose owners, Graham and Beverly, are also part of the Bockos Diamond syndicate), 2020 with Newinn Taylor.
The final trap draw in contention for the €125,000 top prize are:
1: Callaway Knegare, trained by Owen McKenna (Tipperary)
2: Singalong Dolly, trained by Pat Buckley (Tipperary)
3: Cheap Sandwiches, trained by Graham Holland (Tipperary)
4: A Lucky Julie, trained by Jerry Melia (Kildare)
5: BoyleSports Bob trained by Paul Hennessy (Kilkenny)
6: Bockos Diamon trained by Graham Holland (Tipperary)
Doors open at 4:30 PM, with the first race starting at 7:34 PM. Patrons are also advised that the area will be busy due to Irish rugby match in the Aviva, so leave plenty of time to make your way to Shelbourne Park. A free park and ride is available at Clanna Gael GAA Club (Eircode D04 E285)
All details available on www.ShelbourneParkGreyhoundStadium.ie