Judge Andy Ryder, The Dale, Carlisle, had the challenging task of judging a quality line-up of calves at the Irish Belgian Blue Society All-Ireland calf finals, which were staged at Tinahely Show recently.

Starting with the bull classes, the senior male calf championship and reserve titles went to David Pearson, Clough, Ballacolla, Co Laois.

The champion Boherard Ipad is by Attribut and out of the dam Laurel Lodge Cloe. In reserve was a full brother to the champion, Boherard Index, also by Attribut and out of the same Cloe cow.

In the junior male championship, the top spot also went to David Pearson, Clough, Ballacolla, Co Laois, for his calf Boherard Jockey, this time by Winston and again out of the same Cloe cow as the senior champion and reserve.

Melvin Masterson, Rathnure, Enniscorthy, took the reserve title with his calf Boroside Jones, by Langoureux De Fooz and out of the dam Rosemount Daisy.

Turning to the female championship, Billy Dunne, Errill, Co Laois, took the senior heifer calf title with Errill Invisible, an Empire D’Ochain daughter out of Rathlyon Anita.

In reserve was Fidelma and Stephanie Stanley, Bandon, Co Cork, with the Harisson daughter Villablue Iona, out of the dam Villablue Brillant.

In the junior heifer calf championship, Heatherview Joy, a Soucieux daughter bred by Tommy and Pauline Fitzgerald, Clonalsee, Co Laois, was crowned the champion. She is out of the dam Heatherview Comfort. Kilmainham Jessie, sired by Imperial De L’Ecluse and out of the dam Kilmainham Faithful, was reserve. The breeder was Liam Lynch, Mountmellick, Co Laois.