A TOTAL of 78 point-to-point fixtures have been scheduled for the 2021 spring season, just two fewer than were originally scheduled for this year’s session, despite the enhanced autumn 2020 fixture list of 38 meetings.

Paul Murtagh, INHSC Registrar, commented: “We were presented with quite a number of operational challenges this year due to the pandemic, and as a result we have had to make a number of changes to the spring season schedule.

“Traditionally the season would open on December 30th at Dromahane but for this year we have had to bring this ‘Kanturk’ fixture into the autumn season and it will now take place on December 20th. Instead, the opening fixture of the spring season will take place at Lisgoold on January 3rd.”

Murtagh added: “In spring 2020 we scheduled 79 meetings over 21 weekends, finishing on the traditional June bank holiday weekend, whereas this year we have scheduled 77 fixtures spread over 22 weekends, yet finishing a week earlier on May 30th at Kinsale.

“In between we have had to make various other changes to hunts’ traditional dates and I would like to thank all those hunt committees that accepted a move from their traditional date so that we could produce a balanced fixture list with fixtures scheduled appropriately throughout the season.”

In publishing the fixture list this week, the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee made clear that all meetings “will adhere to Government guidelines applicable at the time and in line with the Covid-19 protocols for holding point-to-points, which have been successfully used throughout the autumn season.”

Martin O’Donnell, senior steward of the INHSC, added: “The Stewards of the INHSC would like to compliment all the hunts that agreed to race behind closed doors this autumn at a time when there was so much uncertainty.

“We have been delighted with how the point-to-point community has rallied together and adhered to all the protocols to ensure each fixture could be run off in a safe environment. We look forward to the spring season and again are grateful to those hunts that have agreed to hold fixtures behind closed doors.

“Furthermore, we appreciate the flexibility shown by various hunt committees in the scheduling of the season. We hope that owners and the general public can return to point-to-points before long, but in the meantime it is vital that everyone continues to adhere to all the protocols and Government guidelines.

POINT-TO-POINT FIXTURES SPRING 2021

03-Jan United Hunt (F) Lisgoold Watergrasshill, Ballindenisk, Co. Cork.

10-Jan Muskerry (F) Aghabullogue Dromatimore, Co. Cork.

10-Jan Shillelagh & District (F) Fairwood, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow.

17-Jan Ballinagore (H) Ballycrystal, Kiltealy, Co. Wexford.

17-Jan Killeagh (H) Carrigarostig, Killeagh, Co. Cork.

23-Jan East Down (F) Tyrella, Downpatrick, Co. Down.

24-Jan Dungarvan Farmers (F) Kilossera, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.

31-Jan Scarteen (F) Comea, Kilfeacle, Co. Tipperary.

31-Jan United Hunt (F) Carrigtwohill Ballyvodock, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork.

07-Feb Co. Clare (H) Belharbour Belharbour, Co. Clare.

07-Feb West Waterford (F) Tallow Shanakill Cross, Waterford.

07-Feb Wexford (F) Moorfields, Ballinaboola, New Ross, Co. Wexford.

13-Feb North Down (F) Kirkistown, Portavogie, Co. Down.

14-Feb Avondhu (F) Knockanard, Fermoy, Co. Cork.

14-Feb Stonehall (H) Cragmore, Askeaton, Co. Limerick.

14-Feb Ward Union (S) The Folly, Palmerstown, Oldtown, Co. Dublin.

20-Feb North Tipperary (F) Lisboney, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

21-Feb Duhallow (F) Kildorrery Rockmills, Co. Cork.

21-Feb Island Hunt (F) Ounavarragh, Courtown, Gorey, Co. Wexford.

21-Feb Kildare (F) Punchestown, Naas, Co. Kildare.

27-Feb Tynan & Armagh (F) Farmacaffley, Co. Armagh.

28-Feb Bray (H) Fairwood, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow.

28-Feb Carbery (F) Kilpatrick, Bandon, Co. Cork.

28-Feb Tipperary (F) Lisronagh Lisronagh, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

06-Mar Co. Down (S) Derrydrummuck, Loughbrickland, Co. Down.

06-Mar West Waterford (F) Lismore Castle Farm, Co. Waterford.

07-Mar Carlow Farmers (F) Borris House, Borris, Co. Carlow.

07-Mar Limerick (H) Ballycahane, Crecora, Co. Limerick.

07-Mar South Westmeath (H) Umma House, Moyvoughly, Moate, Co. Westmeath.

13-Mar North Down (F) Kirkistown, Portavogie, Co. Down.

14-Mar Killinick (H) Lingstown, Tomhaggard, Co. Wexford.

14-Mar Kilworth & Araglen (H) Ballyarthur, Carrignagroghra, Fermoy, Co. Cork.

14-Mar Tipperary (H) Turtulla, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

20-Mar Brosna (F) Durrow, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

21-Mar Brosna (F) Durrow, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

21-Mar Duhallow (F) Liscarroll Knockardbane, Liscarroll, Mallow, Co. Cork.

21-Mar North Kilkenny (F) Parksgrove, Ballyragget, Kilkenny.

27-Mar Route (H) Loguestown Road, Portrush, Co. Derry.

27-Mar Tipperary (F) Lisronagh Lisronagh, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

28-Mar Bree (F) Monksgrange, Rathnure, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

28-Mar Galway Blazers (F) Dartfield, Kilreekill, Loughrea, Co. Galway.

28-Mar United Hunt (F) Ballynoe Garryanne, Killavorilla, Kilclare, Cork.

31-Mar Killeagh (H) Inch Ballyanthony, Tallow, Co. Cork.

03-Apr East Antrim (H) Loughanmore, Dunadry, Co. Antrim.

04-Apr Co. Clare (H) Dromoland @ Quakerstown Quakerstown, Boston, Co. Clare.

04-Apr Waterford (F) Curraghmore, Portlaw, Co. Waterford.

04-Apr Westmeath (F) Castletown-Geoghegan, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

05-Apr East Antrim (H) Loughanmore, Dunadry, Co. Antrim.

10-Apr Louth (F) Tattersalls, Fairyhouse, Co. Meath.

11-Apr Co. Limerick (F) Athlacca Rathcannon, Athlacca, Co. Limerick.

11-Apr Duhallow (F) Dromahane Dromahane, Mallow, Co. Cork.

11-Apr North Galway (F) Belclare, Tuam, Co. Galway.

16-Apr Killultagh, Old Rock & Chichester (F) Largy Road, Crumlin, Co. Antrim.

17-Apr Killultagh, Old Rock & Chichester (F) Largy Road, Crumlin, Co. Antrim.

18-Apr Ballymacad (F) Newcastle, Oldcastle, Co. Meath.

18-Apr Doneraile (H) Dromahane, Mallow, Co. Cork.

18-Apr Laois (F) Stradbally Hall, Stradbally, Co. Laois.

24-Apr Newry (H) Taylorstown, Co. Down.

25-Apr Bree (F) Monksgrange, Rathnure, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

25-Apr Killeady (H) Dromahane, Mallow, Co. Cork.

25-Apr Meath (F) & Tara (H) Fairyhouse Racecourse, Ratoath, Co. Meath.

25-Apr Stonehall (H) Ballysteen Askeaton, Co. Limerick.

01-May Iveagh (F) Bells Hill, Maralin, Co. Down.

02-May East Galway (F) Stowlin, Eyrecourt, Ballinasloe Co. Galway.

02-May Muskerry (F) Dromahane, Mallow, Co. Cork.

03-May Muskerry (F) Dawstown Birch Hill, Grenagh, Co. Cork.

08-May Mid Antrim (H) 47 Woodside Road, Ballymena, Co. Antrim.

09-May Kilkenny (F) Grennan, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny.

09-May United Hunt (F) Bartlemy Hightown, Bartlemy, Co. Cork.

14-May Fermanagh (H) Necarne, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh.

15-May Fermanagh (H) Necarne, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh.

16-May Laois (F) Stradbally Hall, Stradbally, Co. Laois.

16-May United Hunt (F) Ballindenisk Watergrasshill, Co. Cork.

22-May Ormond (F) Southpark, Ballingarry, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.

23-May North Kerry (H) @ Tralee Racecourse Tralee Racecourse, Tralee, Co. Kerry.

23-May Ormond (F) Southpark, Ballingarry, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.

29-May South Union (F) Kinsale Farrangalway, Kinsale, Co. Cork.

30-May South Union (F) Kinsale Farrangalway, Kinsale, Co. Cork.