Great Success puts English Setters from Ireland top

in the 2014 Spring Trials

Gerald Devine and FTCh Ballyellen Cody heading out to the judges for another winning run

For Gerald Devine and his team of crack English Setters – he continued to fly the flag for quality of the breed in Ireland as his 2014 continued where the success of 2013 left off.  He accounted for 5 Open Stakes in Northern Ireland and Scotland during the Spring, making up a new Field Trial Champion in the process.  The first success came in Co Antrim when the Ballyellen sisters Ballyellen Colleen and FTCh Ballyellen Cara, which he trained and handles for Red Mills’ Bill Connolly took first and second respectively  in a pheasant stake – the first held in the Spring – at one of the North’s most successful pheasant grounds -Craigs Moss near Ballymena.  The following week saw an outing to Glenwherry also in Co Antrim where the Irish Grouse Conservation Trust had done sterling work in restoring a very good stock of game.  He took first and fourth spot with FTCh Ballyellen Cody and Cody’s daughter FTCh Gortinreagh Eppie respectively.  A return trip to Glenwherry a fortnight later saw Cody’s son FTCh Gortinreagh Excel claim his second Open Stake to secure his GB Title at 26 months of age.  And in the last northern trial of the Spring – on the challenging Murley Mountain in Co Tyrone, it was FTCh Ballyellen Cody again who proved himself top dog.  A trip to Scotland at the end of March, saw FTCh Ballyellen Cody clinch his third Open of the Spring.  Birds were very plentiful and there were many finds in the book (as they were at all these trials), but as usual Cody’s pace, drive and intense style on point meant there was no doubt as to who the winner was at the end of the trial.  He retained the Scottish Field Trial Association’s Spring Open which his daughter Eppie had won 12 months earlier to gain her title at 16 months of age – before she went on to win the coveted Kennel Club Derby Stake – the first FTCh ever to do so.

Geronimo has a great Spring, Summer and Autumn 2014

Kieran Walsh and his vastly experienced ESD – 7 year old FTCh Blackstairs Geronimo continue their winning ways during the Irish circuit, 2014.
They recorded no less than 6 First Excellent performances.
Wicklow/Wexford Field Trial Association
Winter trial (Moate) 1st Ex with Snipe and pheasant finds
Premier County
Spring trial 1st Ex Grouse
Irish Pointer Club
Spring Trial 1st Ex Grouse

English Setter Club
Summer Open. 1st Ex
Irish Field Trials Association
Summer Open. 1st Ex

Irish Red & White Setter Club
Autumn Open 1st Ex
English Setter Club
Autumn Open. 2nd Ex

This success followed on from a very impressive run of awards in 2013.
Wicklow/Wexford Field Trial Association
International Summer trial with a 1st Ex on grouse,
Irish Pointer Club
Summer trial 1st Ex Grouse
Irish Field Trials Association
Spring trial 2nd Ex Grouse
Irish Championship 2013
2nd Ex Grouse
Unfortunately, Kieran was forced to retire his other loyal servant FTCh Capparoe Tintreach through injury. This dog also has established a long list of awards through his career.

FTCh Blackstairs Geronimo on point on the summer moor.