Longford Greyhound Stadium was a greyhound racing track located on the south side of Longford, County Longford, Ireland.
The stadium was a ten-minute walk from the town centre and had a large customer car park. Racing took place every Monday and Friday evening and the facilities included a fast food bar and totalisator betting. Race distances were 525, 550, 750 and 805 yards.
History Longford Greyhound Stadium was accessed via Earl Street and was the most centrally located track in Ireland. The south Longford venue had a circumference of 485 yards and opened in May 1939. It was organised by two men called Matthew J. Lyons (a local businessman) and John E. Dorris (managing director) who purchased the Sligo greyhound operation and brought it to Longford.
Initially the stadium opened for a racing season, starting in the Spring and closing before Winter each year. The track hosted the Longford Derby & Longford Puppy Derby and other events to have taken place previously here are the Padian Cup and Smithwicks 550.
In July 1966, John McDermott died aged 73, he had been the manager of the track from its opening night. A later pioneer of the track was Jim Conroy (racing manager). Also in 1966, the track closed for the winter break and looked unlikely to re-open, but the owner Thomas Packenham sold the site to Longford Sports Ltd.
In 1974, the track only raced on Friday nights due to the effect of the 1973 oil crisis. In September 1985, the Longford Greyhound Supporters Club was formed.
In June 1989, the track celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special a meeting that was attended by Frank Berry (jockey), Larry Cunningham, Eddie Macken and Ray Flynn.
In the new millennium, the track battled for survival during hard financial climates, led by Racing Manager Patrick Farrington and the voluntary committee. In July 2014, the sale of the Park Road track was agreed to Scottish-based greyhound owner Howard Wallace.
In 2018, it was announced that the track was closing for good but it gained a reprieve.
In 2020, the stadium closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and never recovered from the financial loss, holding its last meeting on 23 March 2020.
Competitions Longford Derby Longford Puppy Derby
Track records At closing
Yards Greyhound Time Date Notes330 Bay Sun 17.3311.07.2008525 Dustin Fox 28.1514 July 2006550 Tyrur Harold 29.4516 June 2017570 Frisky Fantasy 30.732 August 2010805 Posh Again 44.8711 July 2008 Former
Yards Greyhound Time Date Notes330 Richmont Mick 18.69 1950330 Portumna Bouncer 18.44 11 July 1969 330 Scaragh Prairie 18.32 30 August 1974330 Cast No Stones 18.22 24 May 1985 330 Tubbercurry Lad 18.22 12 July 1985330 Athboy Vintage 17.69 20 July 2001330 Comans Express 17.68 10 June 2002 330 Silkey Joe 17.62 11 July 2003 330 Lethal Party 17.61 7 October 2005 330 Petes Noble 17.59 21 October 2005 330 Duke of Ross 17.52 9 December 2005330 Gingko 17.35 13 July 2007 525 Cooleeny Twister 29.98c.1948 525 Lovely Rambler 29.38 2 July 1965 525 Sampson Flash 29.28 5 July 1974 Longford Derby final525 Pepsi Princess 28.82 1 September 1989 525 Athboy Vintage 28.27 10 August 2001 525 Get Here 28.26 19 July 2002525 Dundrum Prince 28.21 18 June 2004 525 Hi King Closure 28.19 17 June 2005 550 Design 31.15 1970550 Claddagh Quail 31.04 11 September 1970 550 Bermadaghs Shay 30.80 17 July 1985 550 Break The Clock 29.78 1 August 2003550 Coolamber Prunty 29.77 11 July 2008 550 Pepsi Kev 29.77 3 October 2008 550 Rince Boy 29.76 20 October 2008550 Bunlahy Brett 29.66 2 August 2010 550 Clydal Jack 29.63 21 June 2013Longford Derby second round550 Surley Bassi 29.51 20 June 2014570 Angel Wonder 32.85 9 June 1967 570 Couch Trip 31.04 28 September 2001 570Emdee Boys 30.92 13 May 2002570 Dundrum Prince 30.80 1 April 2005570 Dunsany 30.88 1 April 2005 570 Dundrum Prince 30.74 5 April 2005 600 Danba 34.67 14 April 1967805 Thanks Jim 46.98 August 1991805 Clydal Pigeon 45.89 30 September 2003805 Hidden Solo 45.10 5 December 2003 330 HBenas Gift 19.95 c.1940330 HCave View Clipper 19.48 23 October 1959 525 HFortwilliam Pagan 31.44 c.1941
References
External links Irish Greyhound Board