The Hereford society held its annual national championship at the AIB National Livestock Show in Tullamore. Hereford breeders from around the country made the trip for the event, resulting in the largest entry of Herefords to date for the exhibition, with over 140 cattle entered.

A number of familiar faces from well-known Hereford herds throughout the UK could be seen dotted around the ring and they were not disappointed with the quality of animals on show, which was to be expected seeing as the number of Herefords at various shows had been high throughout the country prior to the event.

Donald Robbie and his wife Marlene made the trip from New Zealand to judge the event. Marlene got the ball rolling and judged the first class of the day, which was the young handlers, leaving the remaining 19 classes for Donald.

The young handlers’ class was split in two sections at this year’s event – junior and senior – with the addition of a new trophy presented in memory of the late Denis Collins of Templeglantine herd who officiated as chief steward at Tullamore for 25 years.

Securing this trophy as the national junior young handler was Padraig Jones, Pallas, Gorey, Co Wexford, while Mark Hyland, Corrawallen, Co Leitrim, took home the MJ Twomey Memorial Trophy for the senior class.

Donald then took his hand to the normal classes. After nearly eight hours of judging, he found his supreme champion in the form of John Appelbe’s bull Solpoll 1 Lawman. This bull is well used to the show ring. Even as a calf, he secured a top place at the Northern Ireland calf show.

More recent achievements include winning the male championship at the national in Tullamore last year and interbreed wins at local shows this year. However, this supreme championship win has surpassed them all, securing the title of national Hereford champion for 2017. Sired by Panmure 1 Henry, the three-year-old is out of Solpoll 1 Pansy F15.

Just after this, Donald tapped out Corlismore Poll 1 Sydney as his reserve champion. Having started the day off winning the cow and calf class, Sydney went on to claim the female championship and eventually the reserve supreme championship. Born January 2011, this six-year-old is sired by Grianan Firecracker, a bull who has produced many champions at events throughout the country, while the dam is Corlismore Poll 1 Sara. Owned and exhibited by Gerry McNamara from Ennis, Co Clare, Sydney was originally bred by the McKiernan family in Co Cavan.

The McKiernan family was also in for the championship lineup, as they had earlier secured the reserve male championship with new stock bull Shiloh Farm Dynamite. This stylish young bull was awarded the male championship at last year’s calf show before being purchased by Sean and Gary. Sired by Grianan Freddie, he is out of dam Cill Cormaic Lass.

Reserve honours in the female ring went to Niall Jones from Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, with Grianan Cooperobin N679. This three-year-old cow has been a regular feature at a number of shows since she was a heifer, picking up a number of rosettes along the way. Sired by the aforementioned Grianan Firecracker, this one is out of Grianan Cooperobin 584.

On to the junior section and securing the national heifer of the year title was Tim Breen, Kiskeam, Co Cork, with Coisceim Poll 1 Jewel. This January-born heifer is sired by Groushall Poll 1 Premier and out of Drominarigle 1 Hoodini. Winning the equivalent title in the male section was Kye Manhattan 757 from Padraig McGrath, Elphin, Co Roscommon. This stylish young bull is sired by Freetown Hotspur, while the dam is Pompeii-bred dam Kye Heidi 585.