Black July

The fastest dog in Millstreet when I was a young boy Was owned and bred by Maurice Connors his name was Black July Trained by Paddy O Keeffe at Dooneen a leading trainer then In the Kennedy cup at Limerick he had a famous win. A son of Cheeky Tippy and Maddest Lily the striking black and white Was Ireland's fastest greyhound when he was in full flight The Irish Derby favourite he was the one to beat And one of the fastest greyhounds to come out of Millstreet. Sold to Harry O Neill the bookmaker the word it got around For a record price for a greyhound then 'twas said two thousand pounds And Black July for Maurice Connors had surely paid his way For two thousand pounds in those times worth thirty grand today. Since Denny Dennehy and John Joe Cronin's hounds brought to their Paish fame Duhallow home of champion dogs so many one could name And Black July a top class dog when he was in his prime The mighty speedster from Liscreagh inspired the bards to rhyme. It must be nearly forty years how quick the time did fly Since Millstreet had a champion dog his name was Black July And Millstreet had many great dogs since of their big wins we hear And the latest Donie Mahony's champ the great Mountleader Peer. Trained at Dooneen by Paddy O Keeffe a leading trainer then In the Kennedy cup at Limerick he had a famous win The fastest greyhound of his year when I was just a boy Was owned and bred at Liscreagh the mighty Black July.