Judge praises quality entry at 15th annual event in Dungannon.

By Julie Hazelton

A fantastic event and a great advertisement for the breed was how Irish judge Niall Lynch described the Northern Ireland Aberdeen Angus Club’s 15th annual calf show, hosted by Dungannon Farmers’ Mart.
Mr Lynch hails from the Ceanannus Herd in Kells, County Meath, and is currently managing the 15-cow Crannmor pedigree herd, and an Aberdeen Angus beef finishing enterprise owned by building contractor Dermot Byrne.
“There were some excellent calves on show and I had to make some difficult decisions. The top placed entries in each class had very little between them, especially in the young calf classes. I thoroughly enjoyed the event, and I’d like to thank the Northern Ireland club for its invitation and hospitality.”
Securing the JB Lamb Memorial Cup and the supreme championship honours, sponsored by the Irish Aberdeen Angus Association, was the senior bull calf champion Coolermoney Ranger V902 from Adrian and Graeme Parke’s herd at Strabane. This nine-month-old calf is by the noted Black Banner X1 of Idvies, and is out of the prolific brood cow Coolermoney Raven L117 – one of nine cows in the herd ranked best small herd in 2019.
The supreme champion was described by the judge as a fantastic young bull. “He is a good square calf, very natural and oozing breed character. This one caught my eye as soon as he entered the showring.”
Coolermoney Ranger V902 stood first in his class at Irish Aberdeen Angus Association’s national calf show, held at Carrick-on-Shannon in October.
Standing reserve in the bull calf championship line-up was the intermediate class winner Crew Dartagnan V737 ET from Samantha Allen, and nephew Allen Shortt, Strabane. Born in March 2019, he is by Warrenho Dalmigavie G237, and bred from the former All-Ireland class winner Crew Dakota L101 – dam of the supreme champion at last year’s Dunngannon calf show.
Claiming the heifer calf championship ribbons was the intermediate class winner Coltrim Lady Jane V047, bred by Neville and Ivan Forsythe, Moneymore. This eight-month-old heifer comes from the herd’s noted Lady Jane cow family. She was sired by former stock bull Kiltariff Lord Tornado M433, and is bred from Coltrim Lady Jane R325 – one of 30 cows in the herd.
Runner-up was Birches Lady Jane V813, the junior heifer calf class winner, bred by the Matchett family – Nigel, Gail, Sarah and Sam from Portadown. This six-month-old calf is a daughter of the herd’s stock sire Cheeklaw Emlyn P480 – reserve breed champion at Balmoral and winner of the 2017 All-Ireland Championship. Her dam is the privately purchased Carrigroe Miss Champion – one of 20 cows in the herd.
The senior classes were led by the yearling heifer champion Aughnahugh Elora U337 bred by Andrew Cromie, who owns a herd of five pedigree cows. Born in May 2018, she is by Netherton Mr Brazilian E377, and out of Old Glenort Eveline. This one was placed first at Newry Show, and won the reserve championship at Castlewellan.
Taking the reserve yearling championship was the November 2018 Woodvale Miss Annie U436 exhibited by Alwyn and Carol Armour and Sons, Dromara. Sired by the 12-cow herd’s 5,000gns stock bull Oak Moor Mr Paul S311, he is bred from Woodvale Miss Annie N611.
The Matchett family won the trophy for the best pair of calves owned by exhibitor. Runner-up was Fintan Keown from the Home Farm Herd based at Belleek.

NI Aberdeen Angus Club chairman Alan Morrison congratulated the prize winners, and thanked Niall Lynch for judging the club’s 15th annual show. “Thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the day, especially the Irish Aberdeen Angus Association for its generous sponsorship; and the Wylie family for the use of the excellent facilities at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart. ”

Results from the judging ring:

Young Handlers

Junior handler, aged 8 to 13 years-old – 1, James Morrison; 2, Pippa Troughton; 3, Joe Mallon.
Intermediate handler, aged 14 to 18 –years-old – 1, Bailey Smyth; 2, Molly Troughton; 3, James O’Rourke.
Senior handler, aged 19 to 24 –years-old – 1, Sam Matchett.

Yearling classes

Senior yearling heifer, born January to August 2018- 1, Andrew Cromie, Aughnahugh Elora U337 by Netherton Mr Brazilian E377; 2, Alan and Naomi Morrison, Drumnmeer Beauty U877 by Irelands Fletcher F1; 3, Alan Cheney, Lana Ewonder U576 by Lana Duke N627.
Junior yearling heifer, born September to December 2018 – 1, Alwyn an Carol Armour and Sons, Woodvale Miss Annie U436 by Oak Moor Mr Paul S311; 2, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Birches Lady Jet U721 by Luddenmore Just Thebusiness P220.
Senior yearling bull, born January to August 2018 – 1, Alan Cheney, Lana Elber U414 by Lana Eros R132; 2, Neville and Ivan Forsythe, Coltrim Peanut U907 by Kiltariff Lord Tornado M433.
Junior yearling bull, born September to December 2018 – 1, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Laheens Rock and Roll by Bohey Jasper; 2, Neville and Ivan Forsythe, Coltrim Echo U992 by Kiltariff Lord Tornado M433; 3, Mrs Fiona Troughton, Tullybryan Lord Javinci U116 by Lisduff Leonard S387.

Calf Classes

Senior heifer calf, born in January or February 2019 – 1, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Rachel V913 by Balmachie Jack Eric R206; 2, James Mallon, Knockoneill Evening Tinge V794 by Luddenmore Just Thebusiness P220; 3, Freddie Davidson, Ember Princess Lil V553 by Cheeklaw Edgar R515.
Intermediate heifer calf, born in March or April 2019 – 1, Neville and Ivan Forsythe, Coltrim Lady Jane V047 by Kiltariff Lord Tornado M433; 2, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Lady Heather V935 by Netherton Figo C244; 3, Alwyn and Carol Armour and Sons, Woodvale Tidy Bee V543 by Oak Moor Mr Paul S311.
Junior heifer calf, born in May or June 2019 – 1, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Birches Lady Jane V813 by Cheeklaw Emlyn P480; 2, Fintan Keown, Home Farm Lady Halow V415 by Netherton Americano M703; 3, Fintan Keown, Home Farm Lady Highlight V404 by Netherton Americano M703.
Senior bull calf, born in January or February 2019 – 1, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Ranger V902 by Black Banner X1 of Idvies; 2, Freddie Davidson, Ember Daniel V542 by Cheeklaw Edgar R515; 3, Callum McAleese and Emily Kyle, Tullyarmon Evolution V031 by Blelack Evolution R454.
Intermediate bull calf, born in March or April 2019 – 1, Samantha Allen and Allen Shortt, Crew Dartagnan V737 ET by Warrenho Dalmigavie G237; 2, Alwyn and Carol Armour and Sons, Woodvale Lord Juggernaut V495 by Oak Moor Mr Paul S311; 3, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Birches Lord James V846 by Carrigroe Fred.
Junior bull calf, born in May or June 2019 – 1, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Birches Lord Jacob V835 by Cheeklaw Emlyn P480; 2, Mrs Fiona Troughton, Tullybryan Lord Jonty V201 by Portauns Volcano P643; 3, Fintan Keown, Home Farm Lord Hardy V382 by Netherton Americano M703.
Pair of calves, owned by exhibitor, born in 2019 – 1, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Birches Lord Jacob V835 and Birches Lord James V846; 2, Fintan Keown, Home Farm Lady Highlight V404 and Home Farm Lady Hallow V415; 3, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Rosita V924 and Coolermoney Lady Heather V935.

Ivan Forsythe, Moneymore, exhibited Coltrim Lady Jane V047, the intermediate heifer calf class winner and heifer calf champion, at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s 15th annual calf show in Dungannon. Included is Mac Crowe, president, Irish Aberdeen Angus Association, sponsor. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie

James Morrison, Maguiresbridge, won the junior young handler class at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club Calf Show. Included is judge Niall Lynch, Kells. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie

Bailey Smyth, Castlederg, winner of the intermediate young handlers class at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s Calf Show, Dungannon. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie

First prize senior young handler Sam Matchett from Portadown. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie

Gemma Parke, Strabane, exhibited senior bull calf Coolermoney Ranger V902, bull calf champion and supreme overall champion at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s 15th annual calf show. Included are Mac Crowe, Irish Aberdeen Angus Association, sponsor; Niall Lynch, Kells, judge, and Adrian Parke. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie

Andrew Cromie, Rathfriland, exhibited Aughnahugh Elora U337, the yearling champion at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s 15th calf show, Dungannon. Looking on is Mac Crowe, president, Irish Aberdeen Angus Association, Sponsor. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie

Adam Armour, Dromara, with the junior yearling heifer Woodvale Miss Annie U436, reserve yearling champion at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s annual calf show. Looking on is Mac Crowe, president, Irish Aberdeen Angus Association, sponsor. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie

Allen Shortt, Strabane, exhibited the intermediate bull calf Crew Dartagnan V737 ET, reserve bull calf champion at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s 15th annual calf show, Dungannon. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie

Sam Matchett, Portadown, exhbiited Birches Lady Jane V813, the junior heifer calf class winner and reserve heifer calf champion, at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s annual calf show. Included is Mac Crowe, Irish Aberdeen Angus Association, sponsor. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie

Birches Lord James V846 and Birches Lord Jacob V835, exhibited by Gail and Sam Matchett, Portadown, were the champion pair at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club calf show in Dungannon. Adding his congratulations is judge Niall Lynch, Kells. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie

Home Farm Lady Halow V415 and Home Farm Lady Highlight V404, exhibited by Bernard and Fintan Keown, Belleek, were the reserve champion pair at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s 15th annual calf show, Dungannon. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie

Alan Cheney, Trillick, exhibited Lana Elber U414 , winner of the senior yearling bull class at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s 15th annual calf show in Dungannon. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie

Gail Matchett, Portadown, exhibited Laheens Rock and Roll, winner of the junior yearling bull class at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s 15th annual calf show, Dungannon. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie

Gemma Parke, Strabane, exhibited Coolermoney Rachel V913, winner of the senior heifer calf class at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s 15th annual calf show, held at Dungannon. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie

Gail Matchett, Portadown, exhibited Birches Lord Jacob V83, winner of the junior bull calf class at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s annual show, held at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie

French students Ehrine, Aude, Baptiste and Elise with NI Aberdeen Angus Club secretary Cathy O’Hara at the club’s 15th annual calf show, held at Dungannon. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie

Jasmine and Alesha Parke, Strabane, chilling out at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s 15th annual calf show in Dungannon Farmers’ Mart. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie

Lorraine Duff and Eilidh Lynch from Kells, County Meath, at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s 15th annual calf show in Dungannon Farmers’ Mart. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie

Judge Niall Lynch, Kells, County Meath, looks over the cattle in the showring at the Northern Ireland Aberdeen Angus Club Calf Show in Dungannon Farmers’ Mart. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie