THE Co Limerick Foxhounds have really hit a purple patch this season, with one red letter day hot on the heels of another, so expectations were high when we attended our local meet at Knockainey with the County pack on Bank Holiday Monday.

Knockainey is steeped in racing and hunting history. Knockainey Stud, just a stone’s throw from the meet, produced no less than two Derby winners, Ard Patrick and Galtee More, in 1902 and 1897 respectively, when it was the property of John Gubbins, who was also master and huntsman of the Co Limerick Foxhounds of the day.

Still a major force in the racing world, Knockainey is currently the property of Neilus Hayes, who has enjoyed considerable success on the turf, particularly with the famed Risk Of Thunder, whom he hunted before the horse found fame and fortune on the track in the ownership of Sean Connery and trained by Enda Bolger.

Like so many of our county villages, Knockainey has become a dry meet, with no pub functioning during the day, but the deficit was made good by Timmy and Adrienne O’Connell, who had all kinds of refreshments available from their lorry. Not only that, but Timmy was the very hard-working area manager and had huge swathes of proper hunting country, with top class jumping available for the day.

When not hunting, Timmy is a farrier and has probably shod more Cheltenham winners than any farrier in history, as he shoes for J.P. McManus and Martinstown Stud. Adrienne and himself, always well mounted, rarely miss a day with either the Scarteen or the Limerick and enjoy an odd foray to the Wexford.

Sadly missing from the fray, but there on foot, was the hard working secretary Deirdre Hogan, who is recovering from a nasty fall at Reen’s Pike, but hopes to be back in action before the end of the season.

Hunt chairman, Liz Barry of Manister House Stud, now in her second season, has the onerous role and was out, complete with extended family, as her grandson, young Alex was mounted and going well, with Dad, Luke, out on foot. The young generation was well represented, with father and son team Thomas Dalton and young Lorcan visiting from nearby Scarteen country.

Stalwarts

Scarteen was further represented by young Jonty Purcell, coming from a family steeped in hunting, with Martha Buckley, whose Dad and Mum, Donnacha and Emma, real stalwarts of the hunt, were also out. Grandparents, Michael and Mary, were at the meet and Michael was the popular huntsman of the Limerick Harriers for many seasons, where he showed great sport.

Youngest jockey of the day was Roan Carroll, all of 10, who lives nearby. International show jumping star (European team gold medallist) Kian Dore was out with young brother, Jack, who bought a bit of land during the day. Completing the junior line up was young J.J. Power from Bruree, going like a veteran all day, while his Dad, Mark, who hunted for many years, was out on foot and holding a watching brief.

Alex Barry, 12 years old, takes on the big double bank at Kilballyowen with the County Limerick Foxhounds \ Catherine Power

Distinguished

Sadly missing was senior joint-master John Halley from Fethard, but Emma Thompson and Niall Foley were both out, with Niall acting as field master for the day. Both come from a distinguished hunting tradition, with Emma’s mother, Lady Melissa Brooke, having been master of the Limerick for many seasons, while Niall’s father, James, was the legendary whipper-in of the hunt back in the days of Hugh Robards.

With the church bell striking 11am, Fergus and his 14 and a half couple of Old English, so even that every one could be from the same litter and capable of earning a rosette in Stradbally, made the short hack to nearby Knockainey Stud, where hounds were once kennelled when John Gubbins hunted hounds.

While young Sarah Hayes was there to welcome hounds through, of Reynard there was none to be found and they drew on across the road to Lanamara, which surprisingly was also blank. However, better things lay ahead, as they made the short hack to Kilballyowen and the estate of Mathew and Eliza Lloyd.

With Mathew mounted and Eliza on hand to welcome hounds, it augured well and, sure enough, hounds had barely touched down when they spoke. Reynard was seen slipping away by whipper-in, the young David Beecher, an outstanding ambassador for the Co Limerick, as courteous as he is stylish. With fourth season home-bred, Trickle (by Racket out of Tassle) leading the pack, hunting was away, with music that would put the Army No 1 band to shame.

Our pilot gave hounds and the field a guided tour of the estate before jumping into Broderick’s over a really decent bank. With a rugby match being played just nearby, there was no shortage of excitement in Kilballyowen on the day.

Travelling fox

Eventually, he was marked to ground and given best and they hacked on to Seamus Halpin’s out farm. Hounds had barely left the road, when a travelling fox was encountered and they ran into John Cooke’s out farm before crossing the road into Billy Donoghue’s and running on to Murphy’s before hitting John Cooke’s home farm again, where our pilot found a well-earned rest in a welcoming shore. Jumping had been fast and furious and every bank not far from puissance level.

Showing the way were the Fitzgerald brothers from Patrickswell: Brian, who is farming, and young Conor, an electrician with one of Limerick’s leading electrical firms (on non-hunting days!).

The apple falls near the tree they say and I remember well the two young Fitzgeralds hunting with their Dad and Mum, Des and Annette, who were never found wanting across big country. Going well were husband and wife team, Dave and Emma Bevan from nearby Bruff. Never found wanting, complete with signature cigar, was the veteran John Gleeson, P.P. Hogan’s last hunting apprentice, who hunts three or four days a week.

When young Alex Barry became detached from his pony, it was John Gleeson who came to the rescue and had the young jockey back on board almost before his boots hit the ground and ready to gallop on to the next. Within hacking distance came Seamus Murnane and Helen Hartigan, both from Lough Gur, who would know the country like the back of their hand.

With the evening well advanced, when many huntsmen would have blown for home, Fergus drew on towards Paddy Hanly’s out farm near Bulgaden village, found and ran hard and fast for Tom Connelly’s before marking to ground in Brian Sheedy’s farm at the hill. Some more super jumping ensued before Reynard was marked to ground at 5.05pm.

With six hours in the saddle and light fading, our huntsman, even Fergus, had to blow for home. With almost continuous hunting all day, horses and jockeys were very glad to box up and get home for a well-deserved rest before another sterling day.