Last week, Croke Park hosted an extraordinary event that showcased much of what is best in rural Ireland. I’m not referring to the All-Ireland club finals on Friday, excellent though they always are, but the Certified Irish Angus Beef Schools Competition on Wednesday.

Transition year students from 34 schools fought to become one of five teams chosen to rear five Angus cross calves to slaughter. There were videos, meat samples, brochures, tea towels and near life-size replica cattle – anything you could imagine relating to Angus stretching the length of the Hogan Stand concourse. In all, 180 schools entered, with 70 chosen for interview before arriving in Croke Park.

And just like in the club hurling final, a bunch of Dubs crashed the party. Eithne Murray, Tara Frehill, Emily Browne and Shauna Jager from Our Lady’s School in Terenure emerged victorious from the five schools who had been shortlisted two years ago. When they entered, agricultural science wasn’t even on the curriculum in the school; now, 96 girls have opted for it for next year as a Leaving Certificate subject.

The cattle were reared by the girls on the farm of former Macra president Sean Eustace in Brittas, on the edge of the city. Sean is a neighbour of one of the girls, and none of them come from a farm.

Credit must be shared widely for the growth of this competition. ABP and Kepak’s commitment is obvious –no expense is spared in staging the event. The commitment of agricultural science teachers to their students and their subject is impressive and infectious.

Charles Smith and the Irish Angus Producers Group above all have driven this event. They have stolen a march on other breeds by entering the consciousness of a whole generation of emerging consumers. Attitudinal surveys, taste tests, information and promotion campaigns are being conducted by the participating students in their schools and communities. Local butchers, supermarkets and restaurants are quizzed on the choices they make in the meat they supply to their customers.

Even a cynical old hack like me can recognise a good news story when I see one.