Tiermana Dream Dominates Irish Sprint Cup Final
Tiermana Dream produced a stunning front-running performance at Dundalk Stadium on Saturday night to land the 2026 BAR 1 Betting Irish Sprint Cup Final and secure the biggest prize of his career.
Trained by young handler Colm Fitzgerald, the Banner County runner took control at the first bend and never looked back, powering clear of his five rivals to win by more than five lengths in a rapid 20.96.
Tiermana Dream had already stamped himself as a leading contender from the opening round of the competition on July 18, posting sub-21-second times in both the first and second rounds.
However, concerns had emerged in the quarter-finals and semi-finals as he struggled to trap on terms. Those issues were nowhere to be seen when it mattered most.
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Tiermana Dream Takes Control at the First Bend
Breaking sharply from trap six, Tiermana Dream held off the fast-starting Rallying Billy in trap three to secure the advantage into the opening bend. From there, Fitzgerald’s charge was in complete control, stretching further clear with every stride.
Montana Secret was the hot favourite heading into the final but missed the break badly and found himself last approaching the first bend. He finished strongly to narrowly miss out on a place, while Rallying Billy’s anticipated fast start paid off as he held on for second.
The biggest outsider in the field, Barefoot On Fire, ran a huge race to finish third.
But this was Tiermana Dream’s night.
The victory earned Fitzgerald’s team a €20,000 winner’s prize and the coveted title of 2026 BAR 1 Betting Irish Sprint Cup champions.
Colm Fitzgerald: “You Often Dream of Winning Classics”
Speaking to BAR 1 Betting’s Will Reilly immediately after the race, Fitzgerald struggled to take in what he and his dog had achieved.
“I can’t believe it, you often dream of winning classics but you don’t think it’s going to come true.”
Tiermana Dream had already given his connections a memorable success when winning the Treaty Cup at Limerick, and Fitzgerald admitted Saturday’s victory was an unexpected bonus.
“He won the Treaty Cup in Limerick as well so he owes us nothing, this is a bonus really.”
Irish Greyhound Derby Final Night Next for Tiermana Dream?
Attention could now turn towards Shelbourne Park, with Fitzgerald revealing that Tiermana Dream could be back in action as early as the Derby Final meeting on Saturday, September 12.
“We’re looking at Derby final night now and then whatever final nights or open races we can get. If he stays sound we’ll see how far we can get with him next year.”
A total of 54 greyhounds set out in pursuit of the Irish Sprint Cup title less than a month ago, but it was Tiermana Dream who emerged as the champion after a gruelling and high-quality competition.
For Fitzgerald and his Clare connections, the long journeys to Dundalk were certainly worth it.
“It’s been a long five or six weeks coming up here but it’s well worth it now. It’ll shorten the four-hour spin home. It’s great to get over the line now.”
