The shone at Bannow Rathangan Show in Killag, where the standard was high and competition was fierce.

Cattle

Young handlers

Split into two classes, above and below 12 years of age, the young handler section saw a lot of entries this year. With applicants from across the southeast involved, exhibitors under 12 entered the ring first. Padraig Jones from Pallas, Gorey, Co Wexford, reached the top in this class. Second was a very popular girl in the showing arena, Sarah O’Neill from Coolnacuppogue, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow.

The second class, 12 to 18 years of age, saw Katie Gahan from Ferns take home red and Conor Jones from Gorey following in second place.

Dairy

With a lot of competition in the dairy section, the Roche family from Slevoy, Foulksmills, claimed the supreme dairy champion title. Slevoy Missey was the winner of the open dairy breed junior cow in milk class also. Her dam is Ramsbarro Primerose and her sire is Gluno Bono.

Commercial

After securing the Gorey commercial champion title, Melvin Masterson reappeared at the Killag show with his beef calf Jack. Again taking the commercial supreme champion title, Masterson, from White House, Rathnure, swept the board with his impressive livestock.

Irish Moiled

The Irish Moiled classes saw the most entries. With over six classes, the stakes were high for all exhibitors who made it to the final.

The Hyland herd secured the top place as Alan Mooney’s cow and calf at foot impressed the judge, Albert Baxtor, the most. From Kilcock, Co Kildare, the winning cow was sired by Hill View Tom and the Dam was Glasdrummond Lily 23.

The reserve champion title went to Seamus Holmes, Clonarl, Castlefinn, Co Donegal. The long journey was made worthwhile when his Dungallia Bean an Ti won the female class and came second overall.

Parthenaise

Des and James Furlong impressed the judge, Brian Byrne, in the Parthenaise ring. The Furlongs, from Rathfylane, Caim, Enniscorthy, secured red with their heifer Boley House Lulu. Coming in second was Paddy Kavanagh from Drumgoold Lower, Enniscorthy. The dam of his bull, born after 1 December 2016, was Fianna Herd Filipa.

Hereford

Judge Henry Dooley awarded the champion Hereford title to Glen Jacob, Dunisinane, Enniscorthy.

The female Hereford champion Dunisnane Beth had the sire Haven Kingpin and the dam Dunisinane Nadine.

Glen also took the reserve rosette. This time his male Hereford got him on the podium. Dunsinane Brave was born on 21 August 2016.

Sheep

Six very important sheep cups were up for grabs at the show. With Suffolk being the most prominent breed on display, judges Rodney Deacon and Robin Darker had a heavy duty to carry out.

Frank Jordan Memorial Cup

The any other breed title was won by Shay Kennedy, the reigning reserve champion for 2015 and 2016. Kennedy is from Churchtownhill, Carrick-on-Suir, Co Waterford. His Vendéen stock ram was called Quitrent Niall.

The Smyth family from Camolin, Enniscorthy, secured the reserve title with All Star Breeze.

The Arthur Sweetman Memorial cup

The Arthur Sweetman Memorial cup is awarded to the best Suffolk ram lamb annually. A ram from Brendan Fitzpatrick was the recipient this year, while Michael Clarke claimed second.

Gain Suffolk Championship Cup

Brendan Fitzpatrick came up on top again in the overall Suffolk final. From the Ballywilliam Flock, Brendan’s ram lamb once again claimed him the honours. John Martin took second place.

T Furlong & Son Perpetual Challenge Cup

The Texel champion cup and reserve title went to John Neville. The Wexford man took the top spot with his ram lamb and he claimed second with his hogget ewe. Both will be for sale at the Blessington Show and sale later this year.

Jimmy Kelly Memorial Cup

The champion crossbred sheep was secured by John Martin’s shearling ewe. John is from Duncormick, Co Wexford.