A year of showing culminated at Strokestown Show recently for many Shorthorn breeders, as the Irish Shorthorn Cattle Society staged its all-Ireland calf finals. Some of the most decorated show cattle of the year were present on the day, all looking to get their names on national titles. In the heart of Shorthorn country, the show always attracts some of the breed’s finest and this year was no different, leaving judge David Lillie’s job that bit more difficult.

Lifting the overall prize this year, was Sligo breeder Dan McKeon, with his senior cow, Moygara Cindy 2. Shown with her calf Moygara Topman at foot, Cindy is a 2018-born daughter of Doon Erasmus and Moygara Debbie, a Ballylinney Eagle-sired cow.

In reserve was the senior bull calf champion, Glannview Paw Patrol, brought out by Mayo man, Adrian Flatley.

September 2025-born, this powerful son of Glann Jenson is out of Glann Bailey, a Clonina Explorer 300 daughter.

Glannview Paw Patrol, senior bull calf champion and reserve overall champion, shown by Adrian Flatley with judge David Lily and James Duke of Strokestown Show. \ Swarber Photography

Bull calf champions

The McDermott family from Co Roscommon struck gold with Creevolan Rocco, as he won the all-Ireland intermediate bull calf championship for 2026. Just over nine months old, Rocco is bred from Raith Nelson and Creevolan Belle, another daughter of Clonina Explorer 300.

Before teaming up to lift the overall title alongside his dam Moygara Cindy for Dan McKeon and family, the five-month-old Moygara Topman claimed his own victory in the junior bull calf championship. He is one of the first calves to be shown out of Dovea Genetics’ new AI sire, Driney Nice Guy.

Heifers

All-Ireland honours in the senior female calf championship went the way of Rockville Lassie 586. The property of local man Anthony Dockery, this rising 12-month-old heifer is sired by Rockville Oakley and out of Knockanedan Lassie.

Mayo man Dylan Gallagher reigned supreme in the intermediate heifer calf championship with Cullane Lizzie, a Rockville Quin 538 daughter going back to Napoleon of Upsall.

Sam Dudley made the trip from Co Tipperary count when he stood top of the line in the junior heifer calf section with Dekeana Rothes Shakira, an April 2026- born daughter of Chapelton Typhoon.

Following the show, the society expressed thanks to Dovea Genetics for sponsoring this year’s finals.