CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME

On behalf of the Board of Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ), I wish to welcome all trainers, owners, sponsors and spectators to Limerick Greyhound Stadium for the Final of the 10th annual Con and Annie Kirby Memorial.

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to JP and Noreen McManus whose kind sponsorship of this event has helped to establish it as one of the world’s top Juvenile racing events.

In just 10 years, this event has launched the careers of more than 700 greyhounds and has quickly become established as one of the top 4 events in Ireland. More than 70 dogs from across the country have participated over four bumper weekends leading up to tonight’s final.

One of the highlights of this annual event is the ongoing partnership with Limerick GAA, which sees clubs from across the city and county getting involved in the action through to the nominator competition.

Over €1.6 million in prizemoney has been generated by the event since its inception in 2013 with €200,000 being awarded to local GAA clubs’ courtesy of the additional prize-fund set up by JP and Noreen. The overall winner of tonight’s final will receive €80,000 while nominated GAA clubs from across Limerick will benefit from a shared fund totalling €20,000.

We are looking forward with anticipation to seeing who will be crowned 2023 Kirby Memorial champion, following on from last year’s memorable win by Swords Rex of Riverside Kennels.

I hope you thoroughly enjoy a night of exceptional greyhound racing, and I wish all finalists and their connections the best of luck in tonight’s final round of the competition.

Le meas,

Frank Nyhan Chairman, Rásaíocht Con Éireann