THERE were massive Kerry celebrations in Shelbourne Park tonight as the Liam Dowling trained Ballymac Matt won the Irish Derby.

It was a case of third time lucky for Ballymac-based Liam, who has seen two of his dogs lose in the big race in the past two years.

This time though, his dog scooped the €125,000 top prize in the race, much to the delight of the many Kerry people in the crowd, no doubt  up for the matches tomorrow.

Ballymac Matt was in second for most of the race but he eventually overtook Farloe Blitz on the bend to claim victory.

“That man [Liam] puts his heart and soul into it and I’m delighted,” said Shane Dowling, Liam’s son, speaking to RTE just after the race, before they caught up with the man himself.

“It’s the first of three…it’s Kerry’s night and hopefully tomorrow it’ll be Kerry’s day,” said Liam, who thanked all the team in Ballymac.

Well done Liam, now over to you Kerry.