The sun shone on the Showgrounds in Culleen, Mullingar once again as a quality display of Beef Shorthorns took their usual corner in the walled garden.
The Judge for the day was Andy O’Donoghue from Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare.
The first class on the day was the Cow class with first Prize awarded to Creaga Gipsy with her white heifer calf bred by Noel Dowd, Creggs, Co. Galway and 2nd place was awarded to Bethlehem Beauty bred & exhibited by Tom Fox, Glasson, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
The All Ireland 2 year old Heifer class was next up, with an excellent display of really stylish heifers. The All Ireland Championship was awarded to Conor Craig, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford with a very stylish heifer by Dovea Sir James 2nd – Mohill Gemma. All Ireland Reserve Champion place went to Jim Foley, Rathanna, Sligo with his homebred heifer Clarencehill Rosemae 26th, third place was awarded to the Flatley Bros, Kilkelly, Co. Mayo with Bethlehem Patch. It was young Conor Craig’s debut in a Beef Shorthorn ring and what a start!! Congratulations.
Next up was the 2014 born heifer class. Jim Foley was awarded 1st Prize for another homebred heifer Clarencehill Rosemae 37th, 2nd prize went to Blackvalley Glitter exhibited by Noel Dowd, the 3rd prize winner was Rockville Ladybird 319 exhibited by the Flatley Bros.
In the 2015 Calf classes Tom Fox was awarded 1st prize for a very smart Breeze daughter and 2nd prize went to Noel Dowd with a white Creaga Dice daughter – Creaga Lacey and 3rd prize was awarded to a red Blockbuster daughter Glann Della bred & exhibited by the Flatley Bros. In the bull calf class 1st prize was awarded to Creaga Landmark a very impressive son of Creaga Java, 2nd place went to Bethlehem Johnny 2nd, a very well made son of Bethlehem Breeze and 3rd prize was awarded to Annfield Banjo a very nice red calf out of Sliabhbhui Prince 2nd, bred and exhibited by Martin & Joe Kelly, Moate, Co. Westmeath. All the animals were presented to a very high standard and all exhibitors have to be complimented for such hard work.
Beef Shorthorn Champion – Creaga Gipsy
Reserve Champion – Mohill Gemma