'Spirits' high as Brendan trains his 9th winner of the Irish Cup

THE name Matthews is synonymous with the Sport of Coursing throughout Ireland and beyond.

When speaking about Brendan Matthews, the closest comparison I can make is the late great horse trainer Vincent O’Brien.

The Master of Ballydoyle was a genius with racehorses and was acknowledged as perhaps the best ever trainer in the equine sport.

The same can be said of Brendan Matthews, a member of that pantheon of greats when it comes to greyhounds..

Last week the Newry based chalked up an unprecedented ninth Irish Cup Victory with his greyhound Cool Spirit.

A son of Irish Cup winner Newinn Wonder and Oaks Winner Foxhollow Queen, Cool Spirit is owned by the Newry-Limerick syndicate of owners that consists of Seamus Kelly, from Newcastle West, and Liam Herlihy, Strand, along with Brendan.

Cool Spirit met some formidable opponents along the way, not least Go Home Ourthat in the final, and for a pup he really impressed and was a worthy winner..

The final was an exciting affair with the duo neck and neck in the early stages.

In was only in the final quarter did the Matthews trained runner gain the upper hand and at the escape had two lengths to spare.

From his base at the Townview Kennels in Newry, Brendan, who is in his 83rd year, reflected on his ninth victory in this prestigious competition.

“I won my first Irish Cup in 1992 with a dog called Stormy Champ which I had bought for £800.

“Since then I have been luck enough to win eight more, Cool Spirit being the most recent one.”

From his nine Irish Cup victories, Brendan has trained the winner four times on the Limerick Racecourse stretch; once in Tralee and on another four occasions at Clounanna in County LImerick also.

Add to those nine Irish Cup wins a further five Irish Derby Coursing successes; two Irish Oaks and nine Champion Stakes plus numerous trial stake victories.

The love of greyhounds started many decades ago.

“I used to go after school to my Uncle Ted Matthews home. He was a great doggie man. That is how I got the buzz for dog racing.

“My first dog was one I bought from a vegetable wholesaler in Banbridge.

“The dog was walking around a yard and I asked the man was that dog was worth any money.

“He said it wasn’t but would win races and was looking £10.

“ I offered him £5 and got the dog which I gave to John Woods to train.

“The dog was called Kernan Lass and it went on to win 28 out 0f 35 races.”

Brendan was in the vegetable business for many years but in 1967, with unrest throughout the North, made the decision to go into greyhounds full time.

“At that time there was a variety of tracks. Dunmore; Lifford; Celtic Park and navan to name but a few.

“I won my fair share of trophies and then decided to get into Coursing.

“I bought my first coursing dog for £800 and I remember telling the fellow who I bought it from that I would win the Irish Cup the following year, and so I did.”

While greyhounds is his first sporting love, Brendan in a life long gael and follower of Armagh.

“I’ve seen every All Ireland since 1948 and quite a few semi finals as well,” he quibbed.

Whether or not his beloved Armagh can win the All Ireland in 2023 is very much debatable.

However, one thing is for sure. The name Matthews is set to remain to the forefront of Greyhounds in Ireland for many years to come.

“The success enjoyed over many years is very much down to the entire family. They all give a helping hand,” said Brendan.

Indeed, the proud grandfather of seventeen has set the bar high for future generations and you know what, I’ve no doubt Cool Spirit will not be his last Classic winner.