Limerick politician aims to romp home like greyhound named after him

IF Limerick Councillor Eddie Ryan runs in the Local Elections as well as a greyhound named after him then he will top the poll.

Da Councillor has just won his fifth race in a row - the prestigious John White Memorial Perpetual Cup in Clonmel Greyhound Stadium.

Cllr Ryan is one of the proud owners along with friends Bill Vallance, Katie Frazer, John Frazer, from Galbally; Dick Fitzgerald, Richie Fitzgerald, of Kilfinane; and Liam and Chloe Walsh, Knocklong.

Da Councillor, trained by Patsy Barrett in Ardpatrick, has won eight races in total and is on a five race winning streak - one in Cork and four in Clonmel.

“He has won over €4,000 in winnings so he is definitely paying for himself and we’ve got a lot of enjoyment out of him,” said Cllr Ryan.

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The dogs on the street have been wondering if the former Fianna Fail man and now Independent councillor will contest the Local Elections next summer.

So this was an opportune time to ask the Galbally man if he will be putting his name forward in the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District next year.

“As it stands at the very minute, yes is the answer. I’ve been asked this a hundred plus times and I say yes all the time. There seems to be a small bit of a focus on whether or not I am going again even though I am definitely not the oldest in the council.

“I’ve been invited back to Fianna Fail more than once but I'll stay where I am (Independent). I love the group that I am in - there is six of us there,” said Cllr Ryan.

Returning to doggie matters, he said they will let Da Councillor's trainer Mr Barrett decide when and where the greyhound will run next. Coincidentally, Mr Barrett and Cllr Ryan are married to two McCarthy sisters from Knocklong - Breda and Nora.

“He ran for four Sundays in a row so it will be Patsy's call. It’s a poll-topping effort and we are laying down a marker for John Kiely, a Galbally man as we have now won five-in-a-row. It's a Limerick dog, Limerick trainer and Limerick owners,” said Cllr Ryan.