A packed marquee of quality calves attracted attention all morning at the Irish Simmental Cattle Society national calf finals held at the National Ploughing Championships on Wednesday.

Judging these finals was Richard Rodgers, who runs the Hiltonstown pedigree Simmental herd in Co Antrim.

Exhibitors from Mayo, Cork, Monaghan, Carlow and Longford all claimed national titles on the day, which, according to breed secretary Peader Glennon, "further highlights the appeal of these national calf finals".

ADVERTISEMENT

Showing their dominance in the breed at present were Coose Lincoln ET and Coose Napoleon P ET, who between them sired four out of the five championship winners.

Polled calf champion

Taking the national polled calf championship back to Co Mayo for Ballyhaunis breeder Gerry Neenan was Fearna Vibrant P, a January 2026-born heifer calf sired by Coose Napoleon P.

This quality young heifer is out of the Anatrim Bodybuilder-bred dam Corrib Nichole ET.

Senior bull calf champion

The 2026 senior bull calf championship went to Cork breeder William O'Riordan with Bridgemount Vincy. Born in December 2025, this promising young bull calf is sired by Coose Lincoln ET and out of the Lisnacrann Fifty Cent-bred dam Bridgemount Karry.

National senior bull calf champion Bridgemount Vincy, exhibited by Aisling O'Riordan, with Enda Dooley of Dovea Genetics; judge Richard Rodgers; ISCS president Willie O'Halloran; and William O'Riordan. \ Willie McElroy

Junior bull calf champion

In the junior bull calf championship for calves born from February 2026 onwards, victory went to Monaghan exhibitor Sean Brady with Kilkitt Vladimir.

This February-born calf is also sired by Islavale's impressive herd sire Coose Lincoln ET, this time out of Kilkitt Molly, which in turn is sired by Kilkitt Keep Er Lit.

National junior bull calf champion Kilkitt Vladimir, exhibited by Adam Brady, with Sean Brady; ISCS president Willie O'Halloran; judge Richard Rodgers; and Enda Dooley of Dovea Genetics. \ Willie McElroy

Senior heifer calf champion

Nigel Hogan from Tullow, Co Carlow, reigned supreme in the senior heifer calf championship with Rathnashan Vixen.

Born in January 2026, this Saltire Impressive-bred heifer is out of Rathnashan Harriet ET, one of the herd's top breeding cows out of a Kilbride Farm Delboy dam.

National senior heifer calf champion Rathnashan Vixen, shown by Nigel Hogan, with judge Richard Rodgers; ISCS president Willie O'Halloran; and Enda Dooley of Dovea Genetics. \ Willie McElroy

Junior heifer calf champion

The last class of the day saw the junior heifer calf champion go to the McGarry family from Newtownforbes, Co Longford, with Clonguish Velvet.

This February 2026-born heifer calf is sired once again by Coose Lincoln ET and out of the Kilbride Farm Bantry-bred dam Carbery Nikita, which was purchased at the Carbery dispersal sale in 2024.

National junior heifer calf champion Clonguish Velvet, shown by Paudie McGarry, with ISCS president Willie O'Halloran; Enda Dooley of Dovea Genetics; and judge Richard Rodgers. \ Willie McElroy

Commenting on the show, Glennon added: "We would like to thank our main sponsors Dovea Genetics for their continued support of these national calf finals, Richard Rodgers for traveling down to judge the classes, the exhibitors who made the show possible by turning up and putting on a terrific display of quality calves in front of the judge and anyone else who helped in any way with the finals."