The Joker 

The owner and trainer of the famous dog, ‘Joker’ was Jackie P. O’Sullivan of Ballard, Emlaghmore.

The dog is still spoken of among huntsmen to this day, nearly seventy years after the dog’s death. It is a testament to the high regard the dog was held in that notification of his passing made the front page of the Kerryman on the 24th May 1952. The following words below were printed.

‘JOKER IS DEAD’

‘Sportsmen and particularly huntsmen will learn with regret that the famous hound “Joker” of Fermoyle is dead. He died on Tuesday at the residence of his owner Jackie P. Sullivan, of Ballard.

It is three years ago this month that this grandly proportioned dog, the possessor in every detail of all those qualities which have made the Kerry Beagle famous began the brilliant career that brought him every honour that could be won in his sphere. During that time he scored 18 firsts, 5 seconds, 1 third and 3 fourths in 30 outings. He won the Kenmare Drag-Hunt 3 years in succession; he won once at Clare, Killorglin and Cork (the “All-Ireland”) and twice in succession at Ballinskelligs, Killoe, Caherciveen, Gleesk, Breahig and Carhan. In 1949, the year he won the “All-Ireland” at Blackpool, he captured 6 cups and during his career won 2 cups outright for his club. In last year’s All-Ireland at Killagh, Co. Cork, though far from fit and already evincing symptoms of the malignant disease that brought about his end, he was unluckily beaten after leading to within a few yards of the winning gap, being passed by another Kerry bred “Ceolan”, a hound that on several previous occasions he had beaten.’

This is the most complete version of this song in the Binneas collection. It is thought however that some verses may be missing. It is hoped that bringing the song to a wider audience other verses may be uncovered.

The excitement ran high as the dogs they lined up,

The prize was a good one and a valuable cup.

All of the dogs were in an elegant style,

And the distance to cover was over twelve mile.

Joker took the lead and moved quickly away,

The next was the Cork dogs to join in the trail,

In Killoe mountain something went wrong,

For Joker went wide as the rest raced along.

O’Sullivan the owner he knew he’d succeed,

Faster and faster to gain the first stream,

Faster and faster like lightning across

But the odds were tremendous at Killogrone Cross

He went out Rehill mountain like a great shooting star,

But at the Kilcoman mountains he was ahead of them all,

The people at the crossroads had to pull along side,

For to let him pass by.

When the turn it came to O’Donoghues field,

The people were excited to know what was coming on.

The microphone sounded out Joker by name,

O’ the fine dog is coming, a dog of great fame.

Jackie the owner, a man you all know,

There is credit there due wherever he goes,

Six cups to his name and prizes galore,

There’s no dog could equal in Erin’s green shore.