 Donal (McKenna) is a 14-year old who develops a passion for greyhound racing. He works in a kennel, which is owned by Good Joe (Stott). Good Joe promises Donal ownership of Donal s favourite greyhound, The Mighty Celt, if the animal wins three races in a row. Meanwhile, Donal s mother, Kate (Anderson), must adjust her life when O (Carlyle), a man from her past, returns. The political climate of Ireland serves as the backdrop of this story.