Large crowds once again descended on to the multipurpose equestrian showgrounds in Glenamaddy over the weekend for the district’s fourth annual ploughing and agricultural show.

Overcast weather in the morning wasn’t enough to dampen spirits, with attendees coming from all parts of the country. One of those included recent all-Ireland hurling winner Joe Canning, who also spoke on behalf of the show’s main sponsors Comers Bros.

Pedigree cattle classes for the show were down, with only four breeds this year making the cut to be judged. This led to a big fall in numbers across the board. However, quality spoke over quantity throughout, in both the pedigree and commercial sections.

Interbreed champion

Going on to claim the overall pedigree interbreed championship under the judges Leo McEnroe and Clive Jennings was the day’s Charolais champion. This one went by the name Ardabrone Molly ET and was exhibited by Karl Kelly from Co Sligo.

Sired by Inverlochy Ferdia, this October 2016 heifer is out of dam Sagesse Brilliante. Molly is no stranger to the show ring, having collected 11 first prizes, three overall breed championship and two reserves during the summer show season.

Close on her heels to claim the reserve overall interbreed championship was Bernard Kerins with his bull Kerins Provider. This stylish young February bull is sired by Redwood Eiger and out of homebred Lawsonsford Bagatelle cow Kerins Jasmine. Having come second in his class at the all-Irelands in early September in Strokestown, Provider has thrived well, also claiming the overall Angus title on the day.

Simmental

In the Simmental ring, Sean and Jack Larkin went on to claim the overall Simmental champion with Fearna Glamour. This heifer was sired by Anatrim Bodybuilder and out of Fearna Regal. Glamour is also no stranger to the show ring, having collected a number of red rosettes as well as the interbreed at Swinford show. Reserve honours in the Simmental ring went to Fearna Glamour’s full sister Fearna Hope owned by Gerry Neenan, Co Mayo. This isn’t their first day out, having placed the same in Swinford back in August.

Charolais

Securing the reserve overall spot in the Charolais ring was John O’Grady with Glenree Natal ET. This March-born bull calf is out of Anside Foreman and Enniscrone Fiona. John also took home the prize for the best Charolais calf confined to the Co Galway Charolais club.

Angus

In the Angus section, reserve overall title was awarded to Dermot Kilcrann’s Lodgetown Poppy. This March-born heifer calf is sired by Dovea bull Bunlahy John G and out of Lodgetown Kerry. Poppy has enjoyed a stellar show career, securing the reserve junior female championship at the Irish Angus Society’s all-Irelands in Strokestown early last month.

Limousin

Top honours in the Limousin ring went to Donie McKeon for his November born Milan Linder ET. This heifer was sired by Ampertaine Foreman and out of homebred Milan Amelie.

Having come out on top of the junior heifer class she went all the way to be tapped out as overall Limousin by judge Clive Jennings. He then went on to award the reserve breed championship to Ardnacrusha Kylie from Donal Maloney. This two year old Sympa sired heifer was a regular feature on the summer show circuit.

Commercial

Leading the charge in the commercial ring on the day was Cian McGloin, Co Leitrim, with a young sweet black and white calf. This heifer is sired by Belgian Blue bull Empire and out of a Charolais cross-bred dam. Having won the heifer under 400kg class, she was eventually tapped out by judge Leo McEnroe as the overall commercial champion.

One step behind and claiming the reserve overall title was James and Michael Brady, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, with a young Charolais cross heifer by Fiston.