MY father always told me to keep the best to last and so of the seven opening meets I have attended this season, it seemed fitting that Duhallow would be the last (for this season at least!).

Kilbrin is in the heart of Duhallow near Liscarroll, roughly halfway between Buttevant and Kanturk. Fame came early to Kilbrin as it was the birthplace of Archbishop Croke. This pious patriot, after whom Croke Park is named, saw his early days in Kilbrin.

Hounds were enlarged on a green just behind the village and it made a smashing sight with a dash of scarlet from the beautifully turned out hunt staff and masters.

Senior master Kate Jarvey was the exception to the colour scheme as she was turned out in a very smart blue hunt coat. Kate Horgan made a welcome return visit having been master for over 10 seasons and chairman of the Masters of Foxhounds Association for a similar term. Preliminaries over, it was time for action and with a field of almost 70, huntsman Ger Withers, with 16 and a half couple of Old English hounds, moved off to the first draw on Dan Reilly’s farm at Ballyhest. While hounds were drawing, I had the chance to renew many Duhallow acquaintances. Kilmoganny master James Phelan, with whom I hunted recently, was out on his new horse that had been prepared for him by Roger Kiely, whose horses are always foot-perfect. He is Kate Jarvey’s right-hand man and the performance of her horses speaks for itself. No day in Duhallow would be complete without hunt secretary, now retired, Col Pat Coleman on his good bay.

Roger was out and acting as assistant field maser with Maurice Coleman filling the number one spot. Maurice has been field-master since the reign of Harry Freeman-Jackson, the only Irishman ever to win Badminton in addition to winning the Galway Plate. Maurice still crosses the country with a steely determination and enthusiasm of a Gold Cup-winning jockey. Farrier Alan Palmer gave an exhibition of vaulting on and off his grey. Catherine O’Flynn, who runs Philip’s Bookshop in Mallow, was out and collecting cap, an essential function in any hunt. Conversation had to cut short as hounds spoke and after all too brief woodland hunting, our pilot was viewed away by amateur whip Paul Buckley who, when not hunting, runs a garage in Kanturk.

To hear our huntsman sound the gone-away as hounds broke covert and hunting full steam across the old turf of Castlecor was the best tonic anyone could ask for.

With horses mad fresh, a terrific dash ensued up the hill and towards the old Duhallow kennels, beside Tim O’Connell’s farmyard. Tim, who is the sixth generation of his family to farm Castlecor, is an auctioneer and owns Castlecor estate. He was represented in the field by his daughter Rachel, flying on a real quality type. Hounds had been kennelled here during the mastership of the Wrixen-Beechers around 1800 when the hounds had moved nearby Ballygiblin. Barely pausing by the old kennels, we galloped for the Buttevant road. I was passed as if I was standing still by two very small boys on equally small ponies riding a finish. They certainly would not have been pulled in before the stewards as non-triers! They turned out to be Michael O’Meara (11), whose dad Kevin was out, and Tommy Ahern, who farms extensively at Ballyclough. These young sportsmen had missed the meet as they were playing an early game of Rugby before hunting!

The O’Meara family hold a special place in the history and lore of Duhallow. The famed O’Meara twins, Dermot and Paddy, one a doctor and one a solicitor, were the heart and soul of Duhallow for 50 years and produced all the current generations of O’Meara’s. It was great to see the surviving patriarch, Paddy, aged 96, looking very sprightly at the meet and no doubt feeling proud to see his son Peter as master. He is an auctioneer and was out with his son Charlie. The other master out was Pat Hayes from Two Pot House who runs a country store in Mallow. Missing was solicitor Matt Nagle, who was preparing for a particularly challenging case.

DUCKS AND DRAKES

At the far end of Castlecor, our pilot was marked to ground and we pressed on and drew towards the water treatment plant. Kilbrin and its environs was awash with foxes but sadly scent was in short supply and foxes, sensing their impunity, played ducks and drakes with hounds. We marked at least a brace to ground.

But our morning, enjoyable as it was, could only be looked on as an appetiser for what was to follow. Hounds went on to draw Neenan’s conifer plantation. Third season dog, Paddler by Duhallow Parson, having shown interest in a particularly briary thicket, shot in one side and a fox shot out the other side. The way hounds settled on the line suggested it was one of those days when you would need to ram your hat well down and have the peak constantly pointed towards Buttevant. If what follows sounds confused, it is because one farm morphed into another and I lost count of the number of roads I crossed.

In the meantime, my photographer had been taken under the wing of Tim O’Connell and his son John, a student at Pallaskenry Agriculture College. The first check gave us time, a gathering of breath and to see who was still up with the action.

Jumping from an outside farm of O’Connell’s into forestry, we met a nasty single, well guarded by trenches and as narrow on top as a drover’s stick. After some woodland hunting, our pilot decided to return and we were faced with the self same bank which, if anything, had become narrower and, in addition, a root as thick as a wrist, had emerged ready to entrap a horse’s leg. At this stage I was tracking Roger Kiely, bringing on a future champion. The lead I wanted was a slow deliberate jump with sufficient time on top to re-adjust. Sadly I was to be disappointed as he went over it like a scalded cat and of course, my fellow decided to follow suit with no regard for the nasty root not to mention the jockey!

As we pressed on, the TMO was called on and decided the bank was unjumpable, which gave rise to what became known as “the 12 apostles”. This was roughly the number that got away and were lucky enough to be there when our huntsman blew his quarry to ground well over an hour after we found!

In the failing light, we hacked back to Kilbrin but, sadly, the village’s only pub has succumbed to modern times and was permanently shut. For all that, it was a smashing day and confirms my view - if you want hunting - Duhallow are premier league!

And who made up the 12 apostles? That would be telling!