SPRINGFORT Hall, a fine old country house just north of Mallow, took on a new role last Saturday when they hosted a meet of the dashing Duhallow. The car park was already bursting at the seams as we arrived, but all sorts of good things were being dispensed up near the house for one and all, both on foot and mounted.

Sadly missing was senior Joint-Master Kate Jarvey from Monymusk Stud, who is still celebrating Austin O’Connor’s five-star triumph on Colorado Blue, the first Irish win at five-star level in eventing for 58 years. Kate bred the horse at Mellon Stud in Co Limerick, where she lived before making the move to Monymusk. Kate was missing as she was on duty at one of the many disabled charities she supports. There have been many changes in Duhallow with the retirement of long-time Chairman Pat Fleming, who steered the hunt through many difficult times, but with patience and diplomacy saw them through. The chair has now been taken by Patrick Coleman, whose late father, Dan, is still recalled as one the greatest masters and huntsmen the Duhallow had ever known. Likewise, treasurer Catherine Flynn has retired to be replaced by Dr Fiona O’Meara.

Almost the first person we met was the inimitable “Suntan” Aidan O’Connell, who had hunted innumerable times over the years and was guest of Matt Nagle MFH from nearby Buttevant, who is celebrating his 20th season as master of the famed pack and going as well as ever.

There to greet one and all was Joint-Master Pat Hayes, who lives locally near New Twopothouse and was area manager for the day. He was out with his daughter, Dr Patricia Hayes, currently working in Mallow General Hospital. Both were beautifully turned out, as you might expect, as Pat runs Munster’s leading tack and sporting shop in nearby Mallow. Patricia hopes to specialise in cardiology. She was riding retired racehorse, Camlann, a winner both on the flat and over hurdles when trained by Shark Hanlon.

The Hayes family were further represented, though on foot, by daughter Beverly who works in Fine Art. Another Joint-Master there to greet and meet was Liz Aherne, who works in the pharmaceutical industry. Sadly, she was on foot, as she is nursing some injuries from a nasty hunting fall.

Since last season, the mastership has been joined by Joe de Courcey, who lives in the depths of west Cork and makes the trip weekly to hunt with the Duhallow.

Michael Healy whip, Peter Kiely whip, Matt Nagle MFH, Jamie Byrnes huntsman, Pat Hayes MFH, Patrick Coleman (Chairman) and Alexander Mills MFH of the Iveagh Foxhounds pictured at the Duhallow’s meet at Springford Hall \ Catherine Power

Old English

Huntsman Jamie Byrne was hunting 14 and a half couple of Old English, up there with the best to be found in these islands. Normally a stickler for move off time, he had been persuaded to allow the hospitality linger just a little past move-off time, but by 11.15am he was on his horse and with his amateur whippers-in Michael Healy, Finbar O’Mahony and, learning his trade, young Peter Kiely, a son of field master Roger.

Young Peter, well mounted on Arthur Comyn’s horse, is learning fast and is tipped as future Duhallow huntsman. Another young Kiely, David, was on a young horse and made up the family trio.

Another traditional Duhallow family are the Burke-Ott’s and there were two members out - Luke, who is making a name for himself in the point-to-point world, and his sister, Zara.

The short delay gave our photographer an opportunity to take some pictures with the historic house in the background. Visiting from the Iveagh in the Co Down was Joint-Master Alexander Mills, who makes the trip south regularly to hunt with his friend and fellow MFH Pat Hayes.

Family outing

Hunting is very much a family sport and Duhallow is not found wanting in encouraging the younger generation, including the Gould family from Dromina. Christopher (13), Jack and Hannah, right down to young Harvey, were out with their Dad, Denis, who runs a very substantial dairy farm, while his wife, Helena, is a stalwart of Charleville Show. The youngest rider on the day was Emily Palmer, who was out with her Dad Trevor, both on smashing greys.

Another family group were the Roche family from Tullylease: Brenda, Clodagh and Kieran, all mounted and going well all day. Best turnout prize on the day must surely go to William O’Hanlon and Liz Ryan, who were both turned out to RDS standard.

First draw

The first draw was immediately across the Doneraile road in Dermot O’Riordan’s which held a brace. Our huntsman quickly had his hounds settled on the hunted fox and they ran on into Lycett’s, who are very large landowners in the area. They ran on into Breen’s and Cronin’s before making a large left-handed circle with some smashing jumping before returning to Lycett’s, where he was marked to ground and left.

Old friends

While he was gathering hounds, it gave us an opportunity to catch up with some old Duhallow hunting friends, such as former master Peter O’Meara, who was out with his daughter, Anna.

Another couple and real Duhallow regulars are the Kennedys, Pat and Jill, who are both involved in healthcare. Pat comes from Co Limerick, while Jill is originally from Castletownroche and is one of the rising stars of the IHRB (Turf Club) and regularly officiates at point-to-points.

They then went on and drew behind the Hazel Tree pub, now sadly closed, and found in Noel O’Brien’s very extensive farm.

While hounds appeared to be at fault, it was fourth season Albany and third season Trainer, all home-bred, that had the pack back on song. Running from O’Connell’s to Cronin’s and Ruby’s, much of it on stubble with the fields struggling to stay on terms, they eventually marked to ground in Jack Murphy’s.

Despite lengthening shadows, our huntsman drew on and soon found in a big double in Deane’s and they hunted on with some really challenging jumping through Cronin’s and O’Regan’s, where they eventually marked to ground.

With scent no better than patchy all day, hounds had worked very hard and a good day’s sport was enjoyed by all. It was nearly dark before riders returned to their boxes at Springfort Hall.