Talking Dogs on Thursday

Barry Drake chats to Donogh McLean following Kerryroad Al's brilliant success in the 2026 TIME Club Derby Final at Limerick Greyhound Stadium. Donogh reflects on the family's connection to greyhound racing, the journey through the competition, and what it meant to land the €20,000 first prize with the talented son of Head Bound. He also discusses some of the standout performers associated with the...

Barry chats to young Clare trainer Colm Fitzgerald following a memorable night in Limerick as Tiermana Dream landed the West Limerick Treaty Cup. Colm reflects on recent success, the family effort in the kennels, and looks ahead to Dundalk's Irish Sprint Cup. Barry also catches up with William Rigney of Time Greyhound Nutrition to preview Saturday night’s Time Club Derby Final in Limerick, boastin...

Barry Drake chats to William Rigney of Time Greyhound Nutrition ahead of Saturday night’s Semi-Finals of the 2026 Time Club Derby at Limerick Greyhound Stadium. William reflects on another successful renewal of the innovative competition, which gives graded greyhounds and their connections the opportunity to compete for a €20,000 winner’s prize. He discusses the concept behind the event, the stron...

English Greyhound Derby winning trainer Paul Hennessy joins Barry to chat about his big win with Lennies Eddie at Towcester on Saturday night. Paul reflects on another memorable Derby triumph, discussing the performances of both Lennies Eddie and Lennies Tank throughout the competition, and the key moments that shaped the Final. He also looks ahead to upcoming plans for his Derby winner, including...

Barry Drake chats to Denis Murphy ahead of Friday night’s Callaway Pro Am At Stud Race of Champions Semi-Finals at Kingdom Greyhound Stadium. Denis discusses sponsoring the feature event and the incredible line-up assembled for the competition. Barry and Denis also look ahead to Saturday night’s Denis Linehan Solicitors Open Unraced 525 Semi-Finals at Curraheen Park, where Callaway Ryder will agai...

Barry talks to Tom Kinane, racing manager at Kilkenny Greyhound Stadium. Tom discusses the official opening of the new stand as well as a cafe area for this Friday night along with the racing action. It is sure to be a busy affair with a fundraiser scheduled for the night as well as some special visitors including minister for agriculture, Martin Heydon. Barry also speaks to Pat Morrissey of Clonm...

Barry Drake looks ahead to the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks this week with trainer Patrick Guilfoyle. Patrick discusses the chances of Magical On Fire, Magical Mag and Magical Hope ahead of the opening round at Shelbourne Park. Barry also chats to Mark Fanning ahead of Tuesday night’s final of the €3,000 to the winner Thurles Track Champion Bitch Stake, as well as looking ahead to the...

Fresh from Bogger Bob’s brilliant victory in the €10,000 Droopys Stud Select Stakes Final at Kilcohan Park, Owner / Trainer Liam Peacock joins Barry Drake this week. Liam reflects on the success, Bogger Bob’s career so far and what could be next for the talented performer. Barry also chats to Olivia Murphy ahead of this Friday’s Fundraising Information Evening at Curraheen Park with special guest...

Bouncing Monarch is the type of greyhound that most people can only dream of owning in their lifetime. When 15 year old David Fradgley got involved in greyhound racing back in the 1960s in Yorkshire, he would scarcely have dared to dream it. Fast-forward 60 years and the dream came through. Barry chats to the proudest man in West Yorkshire this week, as they reflect on a memorable Con and Annie Ki...

Fresh from Classic success with Lemon Orla in the Shelbourne Park Bookmakers Easter Cup, trainer Tom O’Neill joins Barry Drake on this week’s Talking Dogs on Thursday episode. Tom reflects on a lifetime in greyhound racing, from growing up around dogs to training top-class performers, and shares the story behind Lemon Orla’s rise from a sales purchase to one of the sport’s standout stars. He also...

From the family connections in the GAA to a love of greyhound racing, there's a lot of sporting chat to delve into with this week's guest, David O'Connor. While his family are famously known for their hurling achievements, David has been quietly making his mark in greyhound racing, a sport he has been passionate about from a young age. He chats to Barry about what first sparked his love of the spo...

Liam Dowling joins Barry to look ahead to the 2026 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick Greyhound Stadium, following Ballymac Deniro’s impressive success in the T. Nolan CVRT Centre Juvenile Classic at Kingdom Greyhound Stadium. Barry also catches up with David Flanagan after Blackstone Cola’s victory in the Deise Plastering Novice 730 Stake at Kilcohan Park, while also looking ahead to the exci...

Legendary trainer Paul Hennessy joins Barry after Coloursaregreen’s victory in the 2026 Tote Gold Cup Final at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium. Barry also catches up with Morgan Crowley ahead of the TIME Irish Cesarewitch Final in Mullingar Greyhound Stadium on Sunday, before speaking with Shane Rigney from TIME Greyhound Nutrition about the big race and their continued support of the sport. Hav...

Barry chats to Hughie Keleghan, Chairman of the WGOBA in Galway, as excitement builds ahead of the Kilcolgan Castle Connacht Derby and a packed few weeks of top-class racing at Galway Greyhound Stadium. Hughie discusses the strong sponsorship and the €9,000 winner’s prize, standout runners across the heats, and the welcome influx of leading trainers targeting the competition. He also looks ahead t...

Caroline Collins joins Barry Drake on this week’s episode of Talking Dogs on Thursday to shine a light on Curraheen Park and the growing impact of the Curraheen Park Supporters Club. Caroline speaks passionately about the vision behind the supporters' club and their sponsorship of racing locally in Curraheen Park to support their local greyhound community. The pair also briefly reflect on the Cork...

Barry chats to two great guests this week. First up, he's joined by Tom Mullan following a brilliant run of form for the Mullan family kennels. Tom chats about growing up in the greyhound racing and his life in the sport and recent success at Lifford, including Trainer of the Year honours. Barry then chats to Pat Morrissey to preview a huge weekend of racing at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium. A packed...

Aaron reflects on his journey into greyhound racing, the importance of routine in his day-to-day operation, and the satisfaction gained from rearing, schooling and training his own dogs. The pair also discuss a remarkable year that saw Aaron record 53 winners from just 211 runners, earning him leading trainer honours at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium. A really engaging and insightful chat. Have a liste...

Denis McGrath joins Barry Drake on this week’s episode of the podcast after a big Christmas success at Limerick Greyhound Stadium with Foxwood McGowan. Denis chats about how he got involved in greyhounds, setting up near Nenagh, and the satisfaction of breeding and rearing his own dogs. The pair reflect on Foxwood McGowan’s run through the competition and a superb final performance to land the Con...

Trainer Patrick Guilfoyle joins Barry Drake on this New Year’s Day episode of the podcast, following an exciting 2025 for the kennel. Patrick takes us back to the start, getting the greyhound bug at a young age growing up around them and learning a strong work ethic from his parents. These days they are keen to pass on their experience and the Guilfoyle’s regularly welcome young greyhound enthusia...

This week, Barry Drake is joined by Berkie Browne to talk all things the Eric Browne Memorial Kingdom Derby, ahead of Friday night’s feature final at Kingdom Greyhound Stadium. Berkie reflects on the opening rounds of the competition, standout performances from the semi-finals, and the quality of the six finalists chasing the €35,000 prize. A passionate discussion on top-class racing, family invol...

This week, Barry Drake chats with Tipperary trainer Vincent McKenna, fresh from a fantastic Fair Warrior victory at Mullingar Greyhound Stadium. Vincent talks about Gem Friendly’s brilliant unbeaten run through the competition, her progression this year, and future plans as she steps up in trip. He also reflects on a lifetime in greyhounds, the influence of the McKenna family, standout memories, a...

This week, Barry Drake chats with young handler and trainer Tim Cliffe, fresh from a brilliant success at the Winter Racing Festival in Shelbourne Park. Tim reflects on a great weekend for rising stars in the sport, including his big 850-yard victory on Saturday night. He shares insights into handling, breeding, and producing staying greyhounds, the influence of his grandfather Andrew Lynch. He al...

This week on Talking Dogs on Thursday, Barry Drake catches up with UK owner Lee Craze, the man behind the “Lennies” greyhounds. Lee reflects on a lifetime in racing, from childhood days at White City to working with legendary bookmakers, owning top-class greyhounds, his successful partnership with Paul & Susan Hennessy, and memorable wins. He also chats about future plans, his growing involvement...

This week, Barry Drake speaks with one of the sport’s rising young trainers, 22-year-old Colm Fitzgerald from West Clare. Fresh from a big win on Laurels Final night and strong runs across Cork, Galway and Tralee, Colm reflects on a remarkable year. A great insight into a talented young trainer quickly making a name for himself. Have a listen now!

Barry Drake looks ahead to Saturday’s Bar One Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels Final at Curraheen Park, chatting with Kieran Burke from the sponsors, along with the finalists Liam Dowling, Patrick Guilfoyle, Michael Wren and Eve Leahy. A brilliant line-up, a packed card and all eyes on one of the biggest nights of the year! Have a listen now!