Mairead McGuinness MEP opened the show and even took part in some turf footing, assisted by show chairman Michael Harte who demonstrated that it was not her first time to do so!

Angus

New Angus breeders, John Brennan and family from Cloonacool, Co Sligo took the Angus championship with Owenmore Maisy, an April 2015 heifer sired by Owenmore Kit. This heifer was bred by Anthony Scanlon, Ballymote, Co Sligo.

Reserve Angus went to Bernard Kerins with his Cow Kerins Kemi sired by Aynho Rossiter Eric. She was the All-Ireland Aberdeen Angus senior heifer champion in 2015 and Aberdeen Angus champion at Mullingar show last weekend. Her Dam Kerins Demi was All-Ireland Irish Angus Junior Female Champion in 2008.

Simmental

Sean McGarry returned to Riverstown to judge the Simmental Classes. His champion on the day was multiple championship winner Tawley Gretta, shown by Kieran and Paul Mullarkey, Ballinfull, Co Sligo. Sired by Monaduff Snorter and bred from Annadale Dainty, an Auchorachan Wizard dam, this stylish heifer has won numerous championships including the coveted Balmoral Show in 2016.

In reserve was the junior heifer class winner Fearna Glamour for new breeder Sean Larkin from Co Galway. This heifer was purchased for €7,900 at the Simmental Premier Sale and had a successful first day out.

The interbreed pairs class also went to pedigree Simmental breeders Paddy and Elaine Feeney, Sligo.

Charolais

In the Charolais section, Judge Sean McGarry tapped out another Sligo team, Niall and Brendan Canning. The champion was their September 2016 heifer Sagesse Martha ET, a daughter of Adonis out of Dam Contesse sired by Volcan.

Reserve went to the McGovern Family, Sligo with the January 2017 bull calf by Prime Roberto out of a CF52 cow.

Limousin

Champion Limousin went to Ian Kilgannon’s September 2016 bull by Lennon Frosty out of a Virginia Andy Dam.

Reserve went to Sligo man Donie McKeon.

Commercial

Lady Jane took the honours again in the commercial ring for Chris Meehan. Shown by Saoirse Oliver, this TVR daughter out of a BB cow caught the eye of Judge David Moles, Co Donegal to take the heifer calf class.

She went on to take the commercial championship and capped a very successful day for Chris by taking the supreme championship ahead of Kieran and Paul Mullarkey’s interbreed champion, who was reserve supreme champion.

Sheep

In the highly contested sheep classes, Enniscrone Man Ronan Gallagher came out on top with his pedigree Texel ewe by Shannagh Won O Won from an Enniscrone Uncle Jerry ewe, shown by Graham Gallagher.

The reserve spot went to Ross Henry with his crossbred ewe.

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Racing to the top at Barryroe