The Dealer understands that it is becoming increasingly likely that the 2017 National Ploughing Championships will take place in Screggan, Tullamore again.

The Dealer has learned that negotiations between the National Ploughing Association and landowners have progressed well, with “75% of them over the line”.

A person close to the talks told me that the NPA is hopeful of concluding talks in time for an announcement to be made at a ploughing banquet on 9 October.

A record 283,000 people attended this year’s hugely successful Ploughing. To me, the ease of getting in and out of the site makes it a no-brainer to return to Screggan.