IT was our third opening meet so far and I’m glad to report that accounts of an early demise of our sport are very far off the mark. Sunday saw us deep in the heart of Tipperary with the Suir Vale Harriers.

The meet was at their spiritual home, the very picturesque village of Drombane, easy hacking distance from their kennels. While the founding master Seamus O’Dwyer was very much to the fore on his new bay, brought on by Keith Martin from Galway, hounds are now been hunted his aide de camp Emma Ryan. They now have two gorgeous children, Tadgh (4) and James (1.5), both at the meet and enjoying every minute of it.