A great track record – Kilkenny company Connolly’s Red Mills to sponsor Irish Laurels until 2021
By SINÉAD CONNOLLY
LEADING Kilkenny company Connolly’s Red Mills have been confirmed as sponsors of the Irish Laurels for a three-year period. The Irish Greyhound Board announced that the fifth generation Goresbridge family business will assume sponsorship of the event until at least 2021.
Connolly’s Red Mills previously sponsored the event, which was held in Cork’s Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium, between 2012 and 2014.
“The Board is delighted that Connolly’s Red Mills are returning to sponsor the Laurels competition. Red Mills have always had a strong affinity to greyhound racing and their sponsorship of the competition demonstrates their continued support for the Irish greyhound racing industry. We’re looking forward to some high quality racing action over the four weekends of competition, and I’m sure the excitement will continue to build until we reach the final on October 19th,” said Irish Greyhound Board chairman Frank Nyhan.
The Irish Laurels was first held in 1944 in the old Cork Greyhound Stadium and was hosted there until 1999. From 2000, the event has been hosted in Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium, in Bishopstown, Cork.
“Connolly’s Red Mills are delighted to be in a position to sponsor the Laurels. Being the most prestigious event at Curraheen Park and known as the ‘Derby of the South’, we see it as a great opportunity to support the sport and meet our many customers in the Munster area,” added Gareth Connolly, Sales and Marketing Director at Connolly’s Red Mills.
Last year’s event was won by Rockybay Foley, for popular local trainer Kieran Lynch and owner Chrissie Slyne, who took home the €30,000 winning prize in a time of 28.27 seconds.
The 2019 Laurels will begin on Saturday, September 28 and run for four consecutive Saturdays, with the final being held on Saturday, October 19.
The 2019 Connolly’s Red Mills Irish Laurels is for 48 open class greyhounds, run over 525 yards. The winner will receive €30,000 in prize money.
PHOTO CAPTION: (L-R): Gareth Connolly, Sales & Marketing Director at Connolly’s Red Mills; Frank Nyhan, Chairman of the Irish Greyhound Board; Aoife Dunphy, Connolly’s Red Mills; Michael Phelan, Agri-Business Manager, Connolly’s Red Mills; Paul Hennessey, greyhound trainer and previous Laurels winner.
