A large crowd gathered at the host farm of Eustace and Deirdre Burke, Ballyginnane, Carrigaline, Co. Cork last Sunday, September 13^th for the Munster Aberdeen-Angus club open day. The Clontead herd is well known on the pedigree circuit and a large contingent of farmers, breeders and Aberdeen-Angus enthusiasts travelled from all corners of the country and braved the inclement weather conditions to view this well-established herd. The entire herd of 20 cows and followers impressed all in attendance with the renowned show cow Shankill Lady Helton J049, in particular gaining many admirers on the day.

The Munster Club also presented the prizes in the annual herds competition during the open day. John McEnroe of Liss Aberdeen Angus – one of the oldest and most prolific Aberdeen Angus herds in the country – judged the herds competition this year. John praised the caliber of stock at each of the herds he visited in Munster and commented on the high quality cattle he saw on his travels around the region.

Full Results:

Small Herd Section

1^st: Tim and Sheila O’ Brien – Carraig Dubh Herd

2^nd: Edward Dudley – Castlelough Herd

3^rd: Paul and Brendan McMahon – Sunlodge Herd

Medium Herd Section

1^st: John and Kate Tait – Westellen Herd

2^nd: Eustace and Deirdre Burke – Clontead Herd

3^rd: Henry and Yvonne Dudley – Killea Herd

Large Herd Section

1^st: Albert and Jennifer DeCogan – Mogeely Herd

2^nd: Matthew Goulding – Goulding Herd

3^rd: John Sullivan – Thornhill Herd 

Best Bull Calf: Matthew Goulding’s Goulding Macbeth by Abberton Eminem M285 

Best Heifer Calf: Tim and Sheila O’ Brien’s Carraig Dubh Linda by Coney Island Legend E112 

Best Cow Family: Edward Dudley’s Castlelough Barbara Family

Best Stock Bull: Albert & Jennifer DeCogan’s Wedderlie Black Box J935 by Abberton Mr Bionic G441

The Munster Club would like to sincerely thank the Burke family for putting their herd at the disposal of the club in order to host this year’s open day. The quality of stock on show on the day was outstanding and all of the hard work behind the scenes in the lead up to the event is most appreciated.

The Club would also like to thank John McEnroe for taking the time to judge our annual herds competition and visit each of the herds participating this year. It is a time consuming task and we are most grateful to John for all his efforts over the last few days.

Finally, a word of thanks to all of the breeders who entered the competition this year and we offer the warmest of congratulations to each of the winners. 

The Munster Aberdeen Angus Club also hold an open stock judging competition during the open day.

Stock Judging Results:

SENIOR:

1^st: Henry Dudley, Killea, Templemore, Co. Tipperar 

2^nd: Sean O’ Mahoney, Monkstown, Cork, Co. Cor 

3^rd: Stanley Deane, Cork.

JUNIOR

1^st: John Beamish, Skibbereen, Co. Cork

2^nd: Lea Jennings, Bandon, Co. Cork

3^rd: Fionn Burke, Cobh, Co. Cork