New fixtures for Oriel and Wicklow

IT is very encouraging that the 2017/’18 season will see the return of two hunts who have not run a point-to-point in close to two decades.

The publication of the spring 2018 fixture earlier this month featured a fixture which will be hosted by the Oriel Harriers at Tallanstown on May 5th.

The Oriels had been a regular on the point-to-point scene when based at the old Dundalk racecourse, and prior to that at Drumcar and Tallanstown, before holding their final fixture in March 2000.

This week came the news that they would be joined by a second returning hunt, the Wicklow Foxhounds, who are set for a more immediate return.

It is 20 years since the Wicklow Foxhounds last staged a point-to-point at Camolin, having also raced at Craanford, Tinahely, Banntown and Gorey.

They mark their return by re-visiting Tinahely, to run a six-race meeting on Sunday, November 5th, filling the void in the eastern region left vacant by the cancellation of the Kilkenny Foxhounds’ fixture at Grennan on the same day.

Hunting out of South Wicklow and North Wexford each Sunday and second Wednesday, the Wicklow Foxhounds had been eyeing up a potential return to point-to-pointing when the opportunity arose.

“We were contacted by the Shillelaghs about the possible free date. Since getting the go-ahead we have been offered great guidance by John and Mary Dagg and John Walsh,” reported Seamus Killoran from the Wicklow’s organising committee.

“We met with them on Monday night to go through all the planning and they have been extremely helpful”.

It is hoped that the new fixture, for which entries close this Tuesday at 12 noon, will be very well supported by handlers and owners to repay all the hard work put in by hunt members over the past week getting the fixture up-and-running in such a short period. A successful meeting would encourage the Wicklows to secure a date of their own in the calendar for the years to come.