Friday 9th October 2009 was a special day as the English Setter Club’s   Connolly ‘s 30th Anniversary Confined Stake took place in Carlow.  Connolly’s RED MILLS agreed to the sponsorship and running of this trial, giving special prizes of money, crystal vases and dog meal while also printing the programmes.  The Trial was judged by Bill Connolly and James Dalton.  The Trial was run in beet which was not too strong.  Martin Townsend and John Hutton were Stewards of the Beat.  Twenty-four dogs were on the card, twenty competed.  The weather was good in the morning, but rain came in the afternoon.  When we went out to the beat we stopped at the top of the lane to turn in and everyone was amazed to see all the pheasants on the stubble beside the beat – about forty flying into the beat.  It’s either a feast or a famine.  Alas, the dogs did not do well in this field as there were too many birds running around.  Not one of the dogs came out with credit.

After that we had some good work especially in the second round.  The two best running dogs were Eamon O’Grady’s (Wexford) Black Eye Pirate and Joe McGill’s (Laois) Penny Rock Flight.

Eight dogs were brought back for the second round.  All these dogs ran well in beet which was not too high.

Results were as follows:

1st  Tom Dunne’s (Tipperary) Goldshield Breeze. 

 Breeze had good quartering and a nice find on a snipe and was graded “Excellent”

2nd  Billy Grace’s (Tipperary) Capparoe Jip. 

Jip had fair quartering, pointed and worked out and had a find on a pheasant.  He was graded “Very Good”

There was a special prize sponsored by Charlie Cullen (founder member) for the best quartering dog.  This was won by Joe McGill’s Penny Rock Flight.

Pat Martin (Secretary) said he could not thank Bill Connolly and RED MILLS enough for all the work they had done for the Club.  This Trial, he said, had not cost the club a penny.  Everyone present showed their appreciation.  He also wanted to thank Laura McDonald (RED MILLS representative) who was there early in the morning and had everything ready.  He said she could not have been more helpful to him.  A presentation was made to Bill Connolly of a sculpture of his ESB FTCh Lefanta Quiva.  Bill said he was taken aback as he was not expecting this.  He said that times were getting tougher but he was delighted to be able to do this for the Club.  He was very pleased to be present amongst his friends (and dogs) as he had been unable to attend the Championship.  Also he was happy to see that the sportsmanship on the day was the way it should be.  He was also happy to see the great support received in Carlow.  He added that as long as there were men like Martin Townsend and John Hutton it will continue.  All the prizes were then presented.

The President, Neil Ryan said he would have to agree with everything that was said about RED MILLS, they are a great family company.  Neil thanked Michael Murphy for coming to report for the “Shooters Digest” and all the competitors for their entries and he wished everyone a safe journey home.

Michael Murphy

“Shooters Digest   Dec-Jan 2009/10”