Spoiler Guide by Rebecca Stunell, Synopsis by BBC Drama Publicity

Written by Kieran Prendiville
Directed by Frank Smith
Produced by David Shanks
First UK Broadcast: 11th March, 2001, BBC1
Viewing Figure:

Grainne gets a pet goat for her birthday, but the goat, Daddy G, soon becomes a menace in the pub. Paul decides enough is enough and tells Grainne she'll have to keep the goat up at Avril's. Avril is finding the financial worries of running the stables a burden. When she receives an offer for The Cat from another trainer she has to take the offer seriously. Avril soon finds out that Grainne is keeping her goat at the stables but she decides to let her keep it there. Suddenly The Cat's form improves and Avril realises it's because of the goat. The Cat and the goat have become great mates.

Frankie asks Vincent to speak to a drunk who has asked to see a priest. The man is called Joe Clohessy and he confesses to breaking into a house and accidentally knocking a woman down the stairs. The woman falls into a coma and her husband becomes the prime suspect. Vincent doesn't know what to do because he can't repeat what Clohessy has told him due to the strict rules of confession. Frankie is suspicious when Vincent asks for information about the case. She confronts him but he can't tell her what he knows. Eventually Vincent goes to Father Mac for some advice. Father Mac understands Vincent's predicament and has a 'word' with Clohessy who soon admits what he has done. Afterwards Frankie realises the position Vincent was in and thanks him trying to help.

The Cat's form continues to improve and Avril decides to race her at Wexford. Edso helps Avril when they take The Cat for a trial run and they start to flirt with each other. Eventually Dooley finds out how the goat has improved the horse's form and suddenly takes an interest in his daughter's pet. He has a word with Avril and negotiates to take a percentage of any winnings. Just before the race the goat disappears and The Cat becomes restless. Everyone thinks Grainne has taken her but when Donal goes round to see Liam he hears the goat. Liam confesses that he took the goat because he bet on a different horse and didn't want The Cat to win. They take the goat to Wexford just in time and The Cat wins the race.

Typical Quotes

Memorable Lines

Continuity
'A goat is for life, not just for Christmas' was also used in series 1, with Padraig running after Kevin's goat.

Extra Locations
The racetrack.

Critical Review
Grainne's first major storyline. This is not one of the great episodes of BallyK, but Edso's relationship with Avril advances quite a lot in the course of the episode.