On April 21st, Bouncing Monarchs sold a show at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last Saturday night, dominating the Khan and Annie Kirby Memorial 5, 125 final. This powerhouse Greyhound shattered the track record, powering home seven links clear to snag an €80,000 winner's prize. F&GAA, the nominating club, pocketed €10,000 too, making it a big night for the community. The event pulled in a capacity crowd, hyped by sponsors Noreen and J.P.
McManus, whose support keeps this Irish classic at the top of the Greyhound. Racing calendar, it was a spectacle from the traps, with Bouncing Monarch exploding out front, thanks to a sizzling 1.13 early sectional. Plenty of heavy hitters turned out, from Limerick curling manager John Keely to TD's Niall Collins and Willie O'Dea, plus Dylan Quirk Foundation. Founders and GAA Brass, broadcast live on Virgin Media TV.
To by hosts Ivan Yates and Ian Fortune, it felt like a national party. Trained in Tipperary by Michael O'Donovan for UK owner David Fradley, Bouncing Monarch held off a late charge from Ballymax Setenta and Bally Cowan, Frank, who dead heated for second in 27.7 seconds seconds. It's the O'Donovan Kendall's second Kirby Triumph, following Mark O'Donovan's win in 2021. Greyhound Racing Ireland shouted out the sponsors, and this record breaker has the whole scene talking legendary pace for years to come.