1984 Irish Greyhound Derby

The Irish Derby was moved to a later slot in the year and was scheduled to be run in September. The leading contenders going into the event were two 1984 English Greyhound Derby finalists Morans Beef and Spartacus; the latter had since won the Easter Cup. Dipmac had recovered from an injury to take part in the event and Ger McKenna’s team included the returning Count Five and Brideview Sailor. The ante-post favourite was Rugged Mick.^[5]

Morans Beef set the best first round time, a fast 28.99 beating Dipmac into second place, the latter finished sore on the wrist, the same wrist injury that had ended his English Derby attempt. Rugged Mick was a shock elimination.^[5]

Bad weather washed out the first attempt at a second round before a second attempt went ahead on very heavy going. The going contributed to the elimination of Brideview Sailor, Morans Beef, Manorville Sand, Glenbrien Champ and Powerstown Jet. Glencorbry Celt was fastest in 29.09.^[5]

The quarter finals took place in better conditions resulting in wins for Tubbercurry Lad, Dipmac, Jack the Hiker and Dark Captain. In the semi-finals Spartacus defeated Tubbercurry Lad and Curryhills Fox in 29.06, before Count Five claimed the second semi final heat, with victory in a very fast 28.95; Dipmac and Glencorby Celt dead heated for second place to claim the final two places.^[5]

Dipmac had undergone veterinary treatment throughout the competition as he struggled with his wrist injury, leading greyhound veterinary surgeon Plunkett Devlin assisted his owners Paschal Taggart and Noel Ryan and trainer Seamus Graham in getting the greyhound to the final. When the traps opened for the final Dipmac produced a turn of early pace that was too much for Count Five and Spartacus. Some trouble behind left Dipmac clear with Count Five just behind but he held on with the strong finishing Glencorby Celt running on for second place. losing finalist Curryhills Fox was owned by Charlie McCreevy.^[5]

• 1984 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year