Competitions in Macra are a highlight for many members, as national finals bring members together from all over the country to compete to win the shiny trophy to bring back to their club and county.

Macra managed to run numerous successful competitions before the COVID-19 pandemic hit Ireland and put the whole country into a lockdown, but the competitions committee didn’t let that get in their way, as they set out to try to run as many competitions online through Zoom, Kahoot and Microsoft Teams. Who would have thought having competitions virtually would be the new normal!

We had numerous highlights throughout the year, but certainly the first ever Macra Na Feirme Poc Fada was one competition that members are all still talking about. It took place in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, on 25 July.

Thirty-five of our finest hurlers lined out to take part in this competition. There were hurlers from every part of the country, who all put on a show throughout the two-mile course, which they had to navigate a sliotar around – or sliotars in the case for some! Word on the streets of Thomastown is the locals are still finding sliotars all over the walk along the river.

Farm Skills

The Farm Skills semi-finals were held on 16 August in Tipperary, where nine teams were put to the test. They had to show off their fencing and tractor skills, but also had to show their knowledge with a quiz.

Competition was high on the day and one thing that is for sure, there won’t be an animal out in Cork, with three teams qualifying for the finals.

Ballindee Macra Carbery, Banteer Macra Avondhu, Donoughmore Macra Muskerry, Moynalty Macra Meath, Kenmare Macra Kerry and Rathkeevin Macra South Tipperary all qualified for the final.

Know Your Ag

This year’s Club Question Time, sponsored by Kerrygold, and the ‘Know Your Ag’ quiz were all held online through Zoom and Kahoot. There was a huge turn-out for all these events, with teams joining from every corner of the country. For the ‘Know Your Ag’ quiz, we were delighted to have Katriona Kinsella from the Irish Farmers Journal as the quiz master. Mountmellick Macra took home first place in this year’s Club Question Time, while Donoughmore Macra took home the Know Your Ag title.

The ‘Know Your Ag’ quiz were all held online through Zoom and Kahoot.

The impromptu team public speaking took place over Zoom, which of course was a challenge, but nevertheless the committee pulled it off with the support of the competitors and judges.

Sarah Beirne came first place in the impromptu public speaking, closely followed by Josephine O’Neill in second place. In the team public speaking competition, Callan Macra came in first place, followed by Aghinagh Macra in second place.

Stockjudging

When you think of beef and sheep stock judging, you certainly don’t think it could be held online, but the competitions committee made it happen with the help of Bord Bia. This year’s competition saw some changes, with the addition of grading carcases, which everyone enjoyed taking part in.

Thank you to Bord Bia for sponsoring this competition and to all who took part in the finals. The winners on the night were:

  • U23 winner – John Martin.
  • U23 runner-up – Paul J Maher.
  • Senior winner – Anthony Buckley.
  • Senior runner-up – Jamie Corcoran.
  • Sheep winner – Paddy Delaney, with John Mulcahy in second place.
  • Overall, 2020 was a great year for Macra competitions. Even though there was a pandemic, the committee and participants showed great wiliness and patience and we can’t wait for all the competitions planned for 2021.