Cheers in the air as the traps finally reopen at Lifford Greyhound Stadium

At 6:38pm on Sunday a cheer rose into the evening air as the traps finally reopened at a sold-out Lifford Greyhound Stadium.

Over three-and-a-half years had passed since that cheer, following the end of an era when, in August 2019, Super Don came home by half a length to win The HPW Getting Out For The Last Time 525. When the lights were flicked out that night, nobody knew if they were going to be turned back on again.

A consortium of investors, including record-breaking racehorse trainer and vet Mark Johnston, finalised a deal to purchase following a drawn-out process and a racing licence was granted by Greyhound Racing Ireland. which considered a range of submissions from Lifford together with a detailed business plan for a three-year period. 

Following the soft launch the week beforehand, today was the official gala opening. The first race of the 10-card meeting - The Len McKinney Transport A1 525 Final - was won by Clondenan Flash with the cheers still going up. My Raven was first home in the second race, the Taylorstown Schooling Track ON2 325 Final.

Illnontbethere was the only Donegal-owned winner on the night, with Gerard McGettigan and Roger Hegarty from Letterkenny celebrating a spectacular victory coming from last place to speed up the final straight and take the win in the Best Value Tote in the World A3 550. 

It’s My Bucks won race four, the Fitzwilliam SSO 335, with Boherna Rio successful in the Best Value Tote in the World A1 525. Race six, with the lights gleaming down, was headed by Droopy’s Iconic and Maxlite led the pack over the line in the North West Greyhound Supplies S1 325 Final.

The BoyleSports Money Back 2nd on Greyhound Racing saw Droops Nextone take the plaudits, with Corbrack Prince an impressive winner in the Dragonbet. The last race, the Old Docks A3 550 Final, saw Neon Blue victorious. 

Lifford Greyhound Stadium was first opened in 1959 and, n 2003 underwent a huge transformation and the 17.5-acre site includes a 240-seater restaurant overlooking the track. The action continues on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon each week.