Irish Performance of the Week - 16 June 2026
There were some tough decisions to be made on the performance of the week in Ireland from last week with a pair of ties where it was impossible to split them.
Craze's crazy run continues
A week after landing the Star Sports & Orchestrate Ltd English Greyhound Derby with Lennies Eddie, there was a spectacular double for the Paul Hennessy/Lee Craze team at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.
Lennies Ash took the final of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks, three months before her second birthday and on career start number 12. It is easy to think that there is more in her tank as she matures later in the year and into 2027 which has to excite connections.
It was also the first round of the Corn Cuchulainn on Saturday night where Lennies Desire produced a spectacular 41.01 from the front in his heat. That is the second quickest time that has ever been produced over the 750y distance, 15 spots off the track record held by Redzer Ardfert.
There was a superb sprint run at Lifford where December 24 puppy Id Rather Not produced the fourth quickest run on the year on a track subsequently marked -10. It was just the second run in his life which suggests that he is a serious recruit. His litter sister Rathdown Maggy has made a very promising start to her career at Star Pelaw for Glenn Foot, so they look a litter to follow.
There were two winners this week from the same Coolavanny Hoffa - Newinn Willow litter as Oriental Diamond took the Kilkenny award alongside Jims Gem and Oriental Prince took the prize at Tralee.
