Following on from its successful inaugural calf finals at Moate Show in 2025, the Irish Angus Cattle Society returned to the same venue for this year's bull calf championships.

Sponsored by Dunleavy Meats, the event attracted some outstanding young bull calves from across the country.

Making up the majority of the entries were breeders from west of the Shannon, as almost 60 bull calves competed across four classes in front of judge Martin Mulcahy of the Rathfort herd in Co Cork.

Taking the first championship of the day was well-known Mayo breeder Pat Regan with Loughglynn Celtic Warrior.

A son of the National Cattle Breeding Centre's (NCBC) number one seller Intelagri Matteo ET, Warrior's dam is the Drumhill Jay Eric-bred cow Loughglynn Star-Lite.

Born in February 2026, this young bull is a maternal brother to the Carrick champion Loughglynn Whacker.

Two in a row

For the second year in a row, Longford breeders PJ and Michael Kenny stood top of the line in the junior calf championship, this time with Mostrim Chief.

Born in March 2026, Chief is a son of Liscahill Lord Henry T510 and the Caulry Nationwide daughter Thegrove Unique.

Mostrim Chief, junior calf champion, shown by Michael and PJ Kenny, with judge Martin Mulcahy and IACS president Gerry Kilgallon. \ Tricia Kennedy

Ger Ryan made the long journey from Ballyhooly, Co Cork, worthwhile when he claimed the red ribbons in the intermediate bull calf championship with Ryans Buster.

A son of Dovea Genetics' Keirsbeath Karma, his dam is the Liss Brendan daughter Ryans Thea.

Ryans Buster, intermediate bull calf champion, shown by Kieran Ryan. \ Tricia Kennedy

Claiming the senior and last bull calf championship of the day were Longford breeders Aiden, David and Gerard Reynolds.

Born in September 2025, their young bull Bunlahy Bobby is sired by the UK powerhouse Rawburn Boss Hogg, while his dam is the Lisduff Red Pepper daughter Bunlahy Tibbie.

Bunlahy Bobby, senior bull calf champion, shown by Aiden and David Reynolds, with Gerry Kilgallon, IACS, and Martin Mulcahy, judge. \ Tricia Kennedy

Interbreed champion

Attention then turned to the females, where the in-form heifer Carrowboy Beyonce reigned supreme.

The Carrowboy Volcano daughter first attained the overall female champion Angus before going on to take the pedigree interbreed champion of the show.

Owned and exhibited by the Gibbons family from Co Roscommon, Beyonce has racked up numerous breed championships this summer.

Carrowboy Beyonce, female champion Angus and overall pedigree interbreed champion, shown by Alan Gibbons with judge Martin Mulcahy, Gerry Kilgallon, IACS, and Shona and Senan Gibbons.\ Tricia Kennedy

Reserve to her in the female Angus section was Cavan breeder Sean Kilkenny with his young heifer Newstar Bambi, a July 2025-born daughter of HW Farghal.

Winning the youngest heifer class of the day were Joe and Liam Farrell from Co Leitrim with a beautiful daughter of Mogeely Joe.

It proved a special day for Liam, as he also went home with the award for best young handler.