If you’ve never been to Shelbourne Park on Derby Final night to experience the famous Derby Roar, then you don’t know what you’re missing.

For Greyhound Owners and Trainers, the Derby is the ultimate dream. The thing that gets them through all those cold mornings and wet evenings spent walking their Greyhounds.

Last year, that dream was realised by a Tralee trainer, Liam Dowling, a man who learnt his trade growing up on the family farm. Based in Ballymacelligot near Tralee in Co. Kerry, Liam bred, reared and trained his Derby winner with the support of his family. In the previous two years Liam had been a three-time Irish Derby finalist and had also made the final of the English Derby but the winner’s crown eluded him.

Success finally came his way on Saturday 19th September 2015 when, after 6 weeks of competition, Ballymac Matt put in a late surge to cross the line ¾ lengths ahead of Farloe Blitz. The delight amongst the crowd was evident as Liam’s son, Shane, paraded the Derby victor.

VIDEO: Ballymac Matt wins the 2015 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Final

Can Ballymac Matt make it two-in-a-row in 2016? It’s only been achieved once before, with the legendary Spanish Battleship winning in three consecutive years in the 1950’s. Only time will tell whose name will be recorded in the record books for 2016.

The BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby is underway now at Shelbourne Park and the Dublin venue will host the qualifying rounds of the competition every Saturday night until the Final on Saturday 17th September.

Michael Fortune, a name synonymous with Greyhound Racing in Ireland writes daily reports for the magazine section ‘Talking Dogs’ on the IGB website. A quick visit here and you’ll find all the latest in Derby news to keep you up-to-date on the action on and off the track.

Incidentally if you find yourself in Shelbourne Park on Derby Final night, keep an ear out for Michael and his son Ian, who also act as the in-house commentators at Derby HQ.

So make tracks to Shelbourne Park to catch the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby. Tickets for the Final are on sale now at ShelbourneParkGreyhoundStadium.ie.