Galway Greyhound Stadium formerly Galway Sportsgrounds, is the home of greyhound racing in Galway. The operators, Greyhound Racing Ireland host race fixtures throughout the year, primarily on Friday and Saturday evenings and the race distances are 350, 525, 550, and 575 yards. The feature competition at the track is the Champion Bitch Stake. The grass pitch inside the greyhound track is used by Connacht Rugby and when rugby union is held the stadium is known as The Sportsground for sponsorship purposes.

History The Galway Greyhound Racing Company was established in 1929 but it took a further three years for the first greyhound racing to take place at the west coast venue on the west side of the Lough Atalia. The opening night was slightly delayed before finally taking place on 1 July 1932. The first Racing Manager was Eugene Kelly. The company was set up with £2,000 of capital by the directors Joseph Young, Henry Anderson, Martin Brennan, C.J. Kerin, John D.Whelan, M.J.Lydon, Thomas McDonagh, Philip O'Gorman, Jeremiah O'Sullivan. J.J. Flavin and Martin McDonagh.

After a successful first season, the track re-opened for 1933, with significant improvements having taken place at the 'Sports Field', including a cover added to the main stand. In 1935, the Galway Greyhound Owners' Association was formed. In 1937, Mr Pat White was appointed the new manager of the track after switching from Enniscorthy Greyhound Stadium.

The stadium operated through the majority of World War II and was a very popular destination, drawing in large attendances, partly due to the lack of other entertainment during the period. By 1946, the track was holding five meetings per week, overseen by Racing Manager M.A Cunningham and some races offered £300 for the win (a significant amount at the time).

In 1959, a dispute over rent increases arose between directors of the greyhound racing and the Galway Sports Society, who owned the grounds and threatened to end the greyhound racing. Edward 'Ned' Shea replaced Martin Divilly as track manager in 1960 and Micheál Ó Droigheaín, another former Galway track manager died in 1964. Another problem arose in 1974, when the track was closed over ownership issues. The issue was that the Galway Agricultural & Sports Society wished to sell the racing licence to the Bord na gCon and refused to let the Galway Racing Company operate (the Galway Racing Company had held the licence since 1932). It finally resulted in the track being taken over by the Bord na gCon in October 1974.

By 1978, the stadium required renovation and the Bord na gCon decided that improvements could only be completed with the closure of the greyhound track. Therefore, in 1978 a new stand with bars and tote facilities was built and the circuit itself was re-laid with increased cambers. The grand re-opening was on 25 May 1979, with the modernisation costing over £500,000.

In March 1998, the track was converted to sand from grass but the owners and breeders were frustrated at the funding levels by the Bord na gCon. In 2003, the track was subject to a major renovation project that cost the Bord na gCon €6m. The project was overseen by Racing Manager Ollie Hester, who joined the track in 2000.

In recent years the stadium has raced on the Friday and Saturday evenings and was also subject to criticism over attendance figures, which were distorted by TV requirements.

Track records Current

Yards Greyhound Time Date Date325 Droopys Marco17.3728 July 2004350 Mall Brandy 18.627 June 2013525 Raha Mofo28.2018 November 2022550 Handy Princess 29.6610 March 2007Champion Bitch Stakes Final550 Hanover Phantom =29.66 28 May 2022575 Si Senor 30.9724 November 2007700 Tyrur Rachel 38.6930 July 2007725 Bogberry Molly 40.8427 July 2013810 Iflookscouldkill45.094 August 20071010 Flandy58.853 October 2008525 H Top Lark 29.3423 July 2004 Former

Yards Greyhound Time Date Date325 Hello Guy 18.61 1950325 Hello Guy 18.15 1960325 Move Solar 18.05 1970325 Shashana 18.05 1970=equalled 325 Ardrine Belle 17.88 28 August 1970 325 Clare Lodge 17.72 26 July 1993325 The Quiffer 17.79 27 August 1982325 Altinure Chief 17.56 22 June 2001325 Tolmaker Hugh 17.54 19 July 2002330 Carra Ree 18.60 8 May 1950330 Move Handy 18.05 19 November 1966 350 Aulton Class 19.35 1 August 2007350 Universal Class 19.24 30 August 2007 350 Liketheclappers 18.80 15 December 2007 350 Balliniska Woods18.70 29 July 2009 350 Hurry Back 18.68 5 August 2011 500 Golden Victory 28.82 20 April 1951525 Tannette 31.505 May 1933525 Tell Me 31.15 10 May 1933525 Corrib Side 31.42 28 June 1935525 Marching Through Georgia30.00 1939525 Spanish Battleship 525 Gortkelly Hope 29.57 1970525 Fly On Boy 29.54 29 July 1970 525 Splendid Silver 29.50 18 June 1976 525 New Line Bridge 29.46 12 July 1985 525 No Road Back 29.34 June 1997 525 No Road Back 29.05 July 1997 525 Magical Guest 29.25 2 August 2000 525 Spring Motion 29.12 4 August 2001 525 Plucky Customer 28.83 31 July 2002 525 Master Tom 28.82 6 September 2003 525 Joes Lang 28.77 31 October 2003 525 Niamhs Old Forge28.70 7 November 2003 525 Tyrur Marita 28.51 10 January 2004 525 Deel Rover 28.49 16 July 2005 525 Droopys Commanche28.4722 July 2005 525 Holborn Post 28.46 29 July 2006 525 Hillcroft Josie 28.3428 July 2007525 Raha Mofo28.2711 November 2022550 Erris Rebel 31.30 1943 550 Fealeside Duke 31.28 26 August 1977 550 Ollies Missy 30.74 31 July 1986 550 Crossleigh Fudge30.30 27 June 1999 550 Tyrur Bello 30.12 19 July 2002 550 Coolio 30.11 4 December 2003 550 Tyrur Marita 29.82 21 May 2004550 Handy Princess 29.74 3 March 2007 Champion Bitch Stakes semi-final575 Tom and Gerry 31.77 1 August 2007 575 Illtellyouthis 31.43 8 September 2007575 Line of Fire 31.26 3 November 2007 600 Farmhill Prince 35.05 1950700 Rambling Customer41.1217 June 1960 700 Clonmohan Lucy 41.12 15 July 1960=equalled 700 Moyglare Choice 40.46 17 December 1999 700 Hello Bud 39.25 1 August 2001 700 Hello Bud 39.25 31 July 2002700 Mustang Kylie 39.16 23 July 2004 700 Midland Fire 39.10 20 May 2006 700 Blackjack Baggio39.02 24 November 2006 810 Desert Chicken 48.80 1970810 Skilful Story 46.80 8 August 1975 810 Deerwood 46.60 29 July 1985 810 Raheen Treasure 45.95 30 July 2002 810 Eye Rocket 45.85 23 July 2004 810 Group Champ 45.44 30 October 2004 810 Drominboy Jet 45.33 30 July 2005810 Iflookscouldkill45.154 July 2007325 HLevally Roe 19.00 13 June 1958 330 HHalsham Playboy 19.80 3 September 1955 330 HGambling Editor 19.75 1956525 HBay Moon 31.00 1939525 HGolsto 30.55 14 July 1956 525 HGroup Stinger 29.65 16 September 2000 525 HSlanemore Ivy 29.65 2002525 HTop Lark 29.48 4 December 2003 550 HGormans Fancy 32.90 1950

Rugby Union

References