KILLEAGH point-to-point is on the move for 2019, relocating 15 kilometres to the temporary home of Boulta for its January 20th fixture.

The ever-popular fixture has for the last 35 years taken place on the lands of the Hennessy family in Knockane, Co. Cork and remained as one of the annual highlights on the Cork-Waterford calendar throughout that time.

As Patrick Mulcahy, Killeagh PRO explains, it is a track that etched its place into point-to-point history, and for that, the committee continue to be eternally grateful to the Hennessy family, who remain an integral part of their committee.

“It was a great track for the horse, but at the same time it was very easy for the patron to park their car, the parade ring was very close to the betting ring and then the betting ring was beside the hill where everyone watched the racing.

“That was the key to the atmosphere that we were able to create. Back in the mid-80’s there would have been 45 bookmakers in the field at Killeagh - that is how big the crowds have been there.”

The tracks long list of graduates will continue to fly the flag for the calibre of equine stars it was capable of producing, including 2015 winner Knocknanuss, who impressed for the Moore family at Newbury on Saturday. However the committee’s focus is now on the future, which in 2019 will see them temporarily move to Boulta, and Gerard Mulcahy’s popular schooling grounds on the outskirts of the village.

“It is a very good track with decent facilities. Obviously the weigh tent is covered with the shed itself and there is a nice hill for the crowd to stand on and see over the far side of the track,” continued Mulcahy.

“We are very grateful to the Mulcahy family for opening up their track to us, as without them we could have been in a spot of bother this year and that is not what we wanted, especially as we were the only one that weekend.

“By having no point-to-point that weekend it would have left a big void so early in the season when a lot of horses are just getting going with the ground, so it was never something that we could consider.”

PERMANENT HOME

Plans are already afoot to find the next ‘Killeagh’, with the search for their new permanent home set to recommence almost immediately after next month’s fixture.

“The lads that are involved in the sub-committee really want to find a track that is suitable for horses, but also for spectators. That is what Knockane was great for over the last 35 years.

“Throughout the years there no matter what - hail, rain or sunshine - that point-to-point was always going to be on because the ground was gravel and sand based, so the water was always sinking through.

“A small advantage that we have by having our temporary home for this season, is that we can begin looking at fields again from the week after the point-to-point, because one of the big things with running in January is the ground and how it copes with the weather. If it does pelt with rain the week before the meeting, you would be 95% confident Killeagh would have gone ahead, so we need to find a track that we know will take that.

“The sub-committee have a couple of places in mind and we have options in the Killeagh area. The way the farming game has gone it is going to get tough no matter where in the country you are, be that Cork, Wicklow or Galway, but I would be very positive that we will get a great home for 2020.”