The Aldi ABP Irish Angus all-Ireland bull calf championships returned to the Iverk Show for its finals on Saturday last.
The competition is the envy of many breeds due to the very lucrative prize fund on offer, with €23,500 up for grabs across the Angus classes.
While the female classes now see enhanced prize money, the big draw continues to be the bull calf classes.
New format
This year, for the first time, the classes were broken into three instead of the original two. This new format meant that younger bulls wouldn’t be competing against bulls that are much older than them.
However, for bulls to be able to compete in these finals, they must first qualify at one of the 15 nominated shows across the country.
Youngest class
Kick-starting the day was the youngest class of bulls, which ranged from 1 February 2018 to 30 April 2018.
Winner of the junior all-Ireland bull class Tubridmore Re Rebel 653 from Denis Twomey with Helen Twomey. Pictured with judges Ben and Elain Ryall, Brian Frazer ABP, Rob Farrell ALDI, Paul Mathews ABP and Daniel O'Neill. \ Tricia Kennedy
Tasked with judging the day's schedule were Ben and Elaine Ryall of the Fellfort herd in Watergrasshill. They found their champion in the form of Denis Twomey’s Tubridmore Re Rebel 653. This young February-born bull qualified at Charleville Show and is sired by Dovea Genetics AI bull Bunlahy John G.
Rebel was tapped out in front of the Tullamore Show's junior male champion Knockmountagh Robert, who had to settle for reserve.
This stylish young bull was brought out by Eamon and John McKiernan, Drogheda, Co Louth. Sired by Rawburn Jagger Eric, his dam is homebred Goulding Jumbo King daughter Knockmountagh Madam.
Intermediate
The intermediate class, which ranged from the start of November to the end of January, was the next in line.
Intermediate all-Ireland bull calf champion Troyswood Patrick bred by Seamus Neary and shown by Sean McGarry. \ Tricia Kennedy
Winner here was Kilkenny-based Seamus Neary for his November-born Troyswood Patrick.
Having qualified the same morning at Iverk Show, the Bohey Jasper son went on all way to claim top of the middle class.
Following in a very close second, despite being one of the youngest bulls forward, was John Murphy’s Mercury Royal Tinge.
This January-born bull is out of the herd’s senior stock bull Luddenmore Just the Business, while the dam Mercury Lovely Tinge is a former prizewinner at the national calf show.
Senior bull
The final class of the day to take place was the senior bull calf championships, which had bulls born from 1 August 2017 to 31 October 2017.
Senior all-Ireland bull calf champion Drumcarbin Prince Mambo with breeder Shane McKeirnan. \ Tricia Kennedy
Having claimed the reserve overall senior champion at last year’s final, Cavan-based Shane McKiernan did one better this time around to secure the top spot.
Leading the way in the seniors was his September-born Drumcarbin Prince Mambo. This stylish rising one-year-old bull is sired by Rawburn Transformer, while his dam is sired by Drumcarbin Lord Hugo.
Qualifying at the first of the qualifying shows in Bandon was the Vickery family with Carbery Paxton. This bull maintained his form throughout the summer to claim reserve senior bull calf.
Sired by Friarstown Ideal Pete, the September-born Paxton is out of a Hallington Endeavour sired cow.
Born from 1 August to 31 October 2017
1st: Shane McKiernan, Drumcrow, Corlismore, Ballinagh, Co Cavan. Drumcarbin Prince Mambo – DOB 16/09/17. Sire: Rawburn Transformer. Dam: Drumcarbin L Pidatia.
2nd: Keith and Caroline Vickery, Carbery Farm, Rosscarbery, Co Cork. Carbery Paxton – DOB 04/09/17. Sire: Friarstown Ideal Pete K202. Dam: Carbery Kristen.
3rd: Patrick O'Donnell, Mitchelscourt Estate, Mitchelstown, Co Cork. Lyreen Preston – DOB 02/08/17. Sire: Luddenmore Fionn G441. Dam: Lyreen Ella.
Born from November 1 2017 to January 31 2018
1st: Seamus Neary, Troyswood, Kilkenny. Troyswood Patrick – DOB 02/11/17. Sire: Bohey Jasper. Dam: Borrough Leesa.
2nd: John Murphy, Woodlands, Glen South, Banteer, Co Cork. Mercury Royal Tinge – DOB 08/01/18. Sire: Luddenmore Just The Business. Dam: Mercury Lovely Tinge.
3rd: Martin Garvey, Liscolvin Hse, Hillstreet, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Roscommon. Liscolvin Porter – DOB 01/11/17. Sire: Steil Knockranny. Dam: Crerogue Elysees P458.
Born from February 1 2018 to April 30 2018
1st: Denis Twomey, Farran, Causeway, Co Kerry. Tubridmore Re Rebel 653 - DOB 03/02/18. Sire: Bunlahy John G. Dam: Tubridmore Keelan.
2nd: Eamon and John McKiernan, Newtown, Monasterboice, Drogheda, Co Louth. Knockmountagh Robert – DOB 02/02/2018. Sire: Rawburn Jagger Eric R094. Dam: Knockmountagh Madam.
3rd: Thomas Mulligan, Currycramp, Dromod, Co Leitrim. Clooncarne Rommel – DOB 20/04/18. Sire: Baronagh Producer N662. Dam: Currycramp Kim.
The Aldi ABP Irish Angus all-Ireland bull calf championships returned to the Iverk Show for its finals on Saturday last.
The competition is the envy of many breeds due to the very lucrative prize fund on offer, with €23,500 up for grabs across the Angus classes.
While the female classes now see enhanced prize money, the big draw continues to be the bull calf classes.
New format
This year, for the first time, the classes were broken into three instead of the original two. This new format meant that younger bulls wouldn’t be competing against bulls that are much older than them.
However, for bulls to be able to compete in these finals, they must first qualify at one of the 15 nominated shows across the country.
Youngest class
Kick-starting the day was the youngest class of bulls, which ranged from 1 February 2018 to 30 April 2018.
Winner of the junior all-Ireland bull class Tubridmore Re Rebel 653 from Denis Twomey with Helen Twomey. Pictured with judges Ben and Elain Ryall, Brian Frazer ABP, Rob Farrell ALDI, Paul Mathews ABP and Daniel O'Neill. \ Tricia Kennedy
Tasked with judging the day's schedule were Ben and Elaine Ryall of the Fellfort herd in Watergrasshill. They found their champion in the form of Denis Twomey’s Tubridmore Re Rebel 653. This young February-born bull qualified at Charleville Show and is sired by Dovea Genetics AI bull Bunlahy John G.
Rebel was tapped out in front of the Tullamore Show's junior male champion Knockmountagh Robert, who had to settle for reserve.
This stylish young bull was brought out by Eamon and John McKiernan, Drogheda, Co Louth. Sired by Rawburn Jagger Eric, his dam is homebred Goulding Jumbo King daughter Knockmountagh Madam.
Intermediate
The intermediate class, which ranged from the start of November to the end of January, was the next in line.
Intermediate all-Ireland bull calf champion Troyswood Patrick bred by Seamus Neary and shown by Sean McGarry. \ Tricia Kennedy
Winner here was Kilkenny-based Seamus Neary for his November-born Troyswood Patrick.
Having qualified the same morning at Iverk Show, the Bohey Jasper son went on all way to claim top of the middle class.
Following in a very close second, despite being one of the youngest bulls forward, was John Murphy’s Mercury Royal Tinge.
This January-born bull is out of the herd’s senior stock bull Luddenmore Just the Business, while the dam Mercury Lovely Tinge is a former prizewinner at the national calf show.
Senior bull
The final class of the day to take place was the senior bull calf championships, which had bulls born from 1 August 2017 to 31 October 2017.
Senior all-Ireland bull calf champion Drumcarbin Prince Mambo with breeder Shane McKeirnan. \ Tricia Kennedy
Having claimed the reserve overall senior champion at last year’s final, Cavan-based Shane McKiernan did one better this time around to secure the top spot.
Leading the way in the seniors was his September-born Drumcarbin Prince Mambo. This stylish rising one-year-old bull is sired by Rawburn Transformer, while his dam is sired by Drumcarbin Lord Hugo.
Qualifying at the first of the qualifying shows in Bandon was the Vickery family with Carbery Paxton. This bull maintained his form throughout the summer to claim reserve senior bull calf.
Sired by Friarstown Ideal Pete, the September-born Paxton is out of a Hallington Endeavour sired cow.
Born from 1 August to 31 October 2017
1st: Shane McKiernan, Drumcrow, Corlismore, Ballinagh, Co Cavan. Drumcarbin Prince Mambo – DOB 16/09/17. Sire: Rawburn Transformer. Dam: Drumcarbin L Pidatia.
2nd: Keith and Caroline Vickery, Carbery Farm, Rosscarbery, Co Cork. Carbery Paxton – DOB 04/09/17. Sire: Friarstown Ideal Pete K202. Dam: Carbery Kristen.
3rd: Patrick O'Donnell, Mitchelscourt Estate, Mitchelstown, Co Cork. Lyreen Preston – DOB 02/08/17. Sire: Luddenmore Fionn G441. Dam: Lyreen Ella.
Born from November 1 2017 to January 31 2018
1st: Seamus Neary, Troyswood, Kilkenny. Troyswood Patrick – DOB 02/11/17. Sire: Bohey Jasper. Dam: Borrough Leesa.
2nd: John Murphy, Woodlands, Glen South, Banteer, Co Cork. Mercury Royal Tinge – DOB 08/01/18. Sire: Luddenmore Just The Business. Dam: Mercury Lovely Tinge.
3rd: Martin Garvey, Liscolvin Hse, Hillstreet, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Roscommon. Liscolvin Porter – DOB 01/11/17. Sire: Steil Knockranny. Dam: Crerogue Elysees P458.
Born from February 1 2018 to April 30 2018
1st: Denis Twomey, Farran, Causeway, Co Kerry. Tubridmore Re Rebel 653 - DOB 03/02/18. Sire: Bunlahy John G. Dam: Tubridmore Keelan.
2nd: Eamon and John McKiernan, Newtown, Monasterboice, Drogheda, Co Louth. Knockmountagh Robert – DOB 02/02/2018. Sire: Rawburn Jagger Eric R094. Dam: Knockmountagh Madam.
3rd: Thomas Mulligan, Currycramp, Dromod, Co Leitrim. Clooncarne Rommel – DOB 20/04/18. Sire: Baronagh Producer N662. Dam: Currycramp Kim.
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