The final major show of the 2018 season was staged over the weekend with the National Aberdeen-Angus Calf Show taking place at the Showgrounds, Carrick-On-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. The premier showpiece attracted a total youngstock entry of just under 90 calves, including a small but select entry from Northern Ireland. The event has grown in popularity and stature over the last number of years and is now one of the most keenly contested events of the year. There were up to 14 calves paraded for judging in some of the classes and for the first time in many years, the champion and reserve in both the male and female section were both found from the winners of the Spring born classes.

Show judge for the day was Mr. Noel Hooke of the Beech Hill Aberdeen-Angus Herd from Hillsborough, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. Speaking after the conclusion of the judging, Mr. Hooke commented that he ‘was blown away with the incredibly high standard of cattle presented for judging throughout the day’. He also added that he had chosen to award prizes only to stock that were reflective of the commercial realities of the Aberdeen-Angus breed. Finally, he commented that both champions were exceptional animals and were very worthy winners, especially in the face of such tough and high quality opposition.

The supreme male championship was awarded to Anthony Scanlon, Carnaree, Ballymote, Co. Sligo with Owenmore Relter. This January 2018 born bull is sired by Bunlahy Kojak and is out of a homebred cow by Owenmore Kit. Expertly presented and shown by Anthony’s nephew, Bernard Kerins (who himself is a regular exhibitor on the show circuit), this one has taken many significant wins over the summer season, including a 1^st prize win at the All-Ireland Aberdeen-Angus Championships in Mohill last August.

Supreme Male Champion, Owenmore Relter.

The reserve male championship went to Martin Garvey, Liscolvin, Hillstreet, Carrick-On-Shannon, Co. Roscommon with Liscolvin Rossie. Martin has been a regular winner at the National Aberdeen-Angus Calf Show over the years and made a welcome return to the championship line-up on this occasion. This young bull calf is sired by the AI bull, Luddenmore Fionn G441 and is out of a Lawsons Ford Bagatelle Z094 daughter.

Reserve Male Champion, Liscolvin Rossie.

The supreme female championship went to Matthew & Rita Goulding, Kilmore, Ballyduff, Co. Kerry with Goulding Belinda U906. This stylish young heifer was born in January 2018 and is out of Goulding Belinda M545 and is sired by the homebred Goulding Man O Man, who is now standing in Irish AI and was himself a former 1^st prize winner at the National Aberdeen-Angus Calf Show. This one also took a 1^st prize win at the All-Ireland Aberdeen-Angus Championships and is the latest in a long line of success stories for the well-known Goulding Aberdeen-Angus Herd.

Supreme Female Champion, Goulding Belinda U906.

Michael & Barry Smith, Market Street, Cootehill, Co. Cavan took the reserve female championship with Lawsons Ford Lady Helly U411. This one was born in February 2018 and is sired by Friarstown Evolver N274 and goes back to Rawburn Rommel E423 on the dam’s side. This young heifer has enjoyed a stellar season on the pedigree show circuit and had also taken 1^st prize at the National Livestock Show in Tullamore.

Reserve Female Champion, Lawsons Ford Lady Helly U411.

Finally, in the young handlers section, former YDP Junior & Intemediate winner, Conor Craig from Coolarty, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford won the senior section whilst Avril Crowe, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, who is just coming off a successful trip to this year’s YDP Finals in the UK, won the junior section.

Winner of the junior young stockperson, Avril Crowe.

Winner of the senior young stockperson, Conor Craig.

Class Results: 

Junior Stockperson (open to boys and girls aged 14 years and under)

1^st: Avril Crowe, Mohill, Co. Leitrim

2^nd: Zara Sheahan, Mohill, Co. Leitrim

3^rd: Fiona Mulligan, Dromod, Co. Leitrim

4^th: Paul Bohan, Mohill, Co. Leitrim

 

Senior Stockperson (open to boys and girls aged 14 – 18 years)

1^st: Conor Craig, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford

2^nd: John Smyth, Oldcastle, Co. Meath

3^rd: Stephen Crowe, Mohill, Co. Leitrim

4^th: Jack Cronin, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon

 

Bull born between 01.09.2017 – 31.10.2017

1^st: Thomas Mulligan’s Clooncarne Pellet by Beryl Jamey

2^nd: John & Kate Tait’s Westellen Duke T826 by Bova Lord Bonanza N266

3^rd: John Brady’s Lisnafanna Rich Doug T038 by Drumcrow Joker

4^th: Cathal Duignan’s Laheens Prince Of Eslin by Rawburn Jagger Eric R094

5^th: Albert & Jennifer DeCogan’s Mogeely Jerry T544 by Wedderlie Oscalade R250

Clooncarne Pellet.

 

Bull born between 01.11.2017 – 31.12.2017

1^st: Michael Reynolds’ Bohey Paschal by Westellen Diego M734

2^nd: Martin Garvey’s Liscolvin Porter by Steil Knockranny 248

3^rd: Joe Kelly’s Glostermin Lord Harrison T021 by Friarstown Ideal Pete K202

4^th: John McEnroe’s Liss Marol T742 by Liss Darl R561

Bohey Paschal.

 

Bull born between 01.01.2018 – 15.02.2018

1^st: Anthony Scanlon’s Ownemore Relter by Bunlahy Kojak

2^nd: Michael & Barry Smith’s Lawsons Ford Evaluator U410 by Friarstown Evolver N274

3^rd: Conor Craig & Amanda Bogan’s Millbawn Rocket by Ardrossan Admiral A2

4^th: Adrian Parke’s Cloghogmill Eric U546 by Cloghogmill Prince Pete R255

5^th: Cathal Duignan’s Laheens Reputation by Weeton Diamond Mine P444

 

Bull born between 16.02.2018– 31.03.2018

1^st: Martin Garvey’s Liscolvin Rossie by Luddenmore Fionn G441

2^nd: Tom Reynolds’ Knockadrinan Ronan by Drumgowna Norman

3^rd: Matthew & Rita Goulding’s Goulding Role Model by Goulding Man O Man

4^th: Martin Garvey’s Liscolvin Ros by Netherton Americano M703

5^th: Michael & Barry Smith’s Lawsons Ford Real Macoy by Friarstown Evolver N274

 

Bull born after 01.04.2018

1^st: Matthew & Rita Goulding’s Goulding Real Leather by Netherallan Peter Pershore E052

2^nd: Mark Beirne’s The Grove Retriever by Rawburn Boss Hogg N630

3^rd: John McEnroe’s Liss Michael U801 by Liss Darl R561

4^th: Geraldine Shanley’s Aughnamona Rebel by HF Rebel 53Y

5^th: Thomas Mulligan’s Clooncarne Ronan by Clooncarne Frank

Goulding Real Leather.

 

Heifer born between 01.09.2017 – 31.10.2017

1^st: John Mullooly’s Lavally Lady Jacqui T363 by Dillon Knight Eagle Challenger

2^nd: Matthew & Rita Goulding’s Goulding P Tibbie 892 by Netherallan Peter Pershore E052

3^rd: Bernard Kerins’ Kerins Perkemi by Bunlahy Kojak

4^th: John & Kate Tait’s Westellen Flora T820 by Balmachie Rannai D005

5^th: Thomas Mulligan’s Clooncarne Princess by Clooncarne Kyle

Lavally Lady Jacqui T363.

 

Heifer born between 01.11.2017 – 31.12.2017

1^st: Conor Craig & Amanda Bogan’s Millbawn Aurora T238 by Netherton Mr Brazillan E377

2^nd: Martin Garvey’s Liscolvin Peach by Bohey Jasper

Millbawn Aurora T238.

 

Heifer born between 01.01.2018 – 15.02.2018

1^st: Matthew & Rita Goulding’s Goulding Belinda U906 by Goulding Man O Man

2^nd: Conor Craig & Amanda Bogan’s Millbawn Razzle Dazzle by Ardrossan Admiral A2

3^rd: Adrian Parke’s Coolermoney Rose U773 by Netherton Figo C244

4^th: Louis Byrne’s Tomriland Piella Bell U342 by Weeton Diamond Mine P444

5^th: John Brady’s Lisnfanna Emily U040 by Balmachie Lord Jock R198

 

Heifer born between 16.02.2018 – 31.03.2018

1^st: Michael & Barry Smith’s Lawsons Ford Lady Helly U411 by Friarstown Evlover N274

2^nd: Matthew & Rita Goulding’s Goulding R Philippa 919 by Oakchurch Dirk N131

3^rd: Tom Reynolds’ Knockadrinan Rita by Lisduff Dandy K895

4^th: Mark Beirne’s The Grove Rona by Carrington Park Time On B7

5^th: John & Kate Tait’s Westellen Myrlo U836 by Liss Darl R561

 

Heifer born after 01.04.2018

1^st: Tom Reynolds’ Knockadrinan Ruby by Drumgowna Norman

2^nd: Thomas Mulligan’s Cloonarne Rita by Rawburn Boss Hogg N630

3^rd: John McEnroe’s Liss Bilban U816 by Liss Marty P417

4^th: Matthew & Rita Goulding’s Goulding Rebella Patriot by Retties JFK M195

5^th: Pat & Finbarr Cahill’s Shankill Marisa U160 by Drumhill Lord Harry R635

Knockadrinan Ruby.

 

On the back of the success of this year’s national Aberdeen-Angus calf show, the Irish Aberdeen-Angus Association now turns its attention to the upcoming autumn sales season, with its premier sale of bulls and heifers taking place at Carrick-On-Shannon mart on Saturday, November 10^th. It is expected that over 30 lots will be on offer in total, with many four and five star cattle and easy calving bloodlines from the best-known herds in the country going under the hammer. Entries are now being taken, and for more information please contact the Irish Aberdeen-Angus Association office on 071 9632099 or email irishaberdeenangus@eircom.net as soon as possible.

Additional photography: