Over 100 young handlers competed across seven classes in the eagerly awaited YMA National Calf Championships which took place at Cillin Hill, Kilkenny, last week.

In the young handlers championship, the judge, David Gray from Scotland who runs the Grayridge pedigree herd, tapped forward Diarmuid Murphy, a member of Cork YMA club from Upton, as the overall champion. From the well-known Lissaniskey pedigree Holstein Friesian herd, Diarmuid attained the highest individual stockjudging score at the recent IHFA National Open Day. This was his first time to take the YMA title

In reserve was the winner of the senior section, Colin Todd, Co Monaghan, while JJ O’ Connor, Co Cork, having won the junior section, took the honourable mention award. In the calf classes, the Booth family, Beechrow herd, Stradbally, Co Laois, won the national calf title with Beechrow Twains Atwood. No stranger to winning, the Booths won the title just three years ago with a calf bred from the same family as last week’s winner, namely the Twain family established by the Galwaybay herd. Sired by the Goldwyn son, Atwood, she is backed by five generations of VG/EX dams.

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Co Monaghan breeder Padraig Greenan was reserve with his calf Greenlea Shottle Pledge, while Mike Magan, Killashee, Co Longford, won the honourable mention award with Bunacloy V-B Doorman Alioli-ET.

Club awards

• The Laois/Offaly Bill Flynn Memorial YMA Perpetual Trophy for best Club Stand: Cork Club

• The Cork Friesian Breeders Club YMA Perpetual Trophy for best clipping team: Cork Club

• The Breffni/Oriel Friesian Breeders Club YMA Perpetual Trophy for best team of calves: Cork Club

• The Kildare Friesian Breeders Club YMA Perpetual Trophy for best team of handlers: Cork Club

Clipping competition

1. Cork: Brian Smith, Kevin Smith

2. Breffni / Oriel: Rachel Corley, Jack Cooney

3. Carlow / Kilkenny: George Murphy, Simon Lanigan

Handler class results

Novice A (aged 10 & under)

1. Clodagh O’Sullivan, Cork

2. Hollie Keenan, Breffni /Oriel

3. Hannah Greenan, Breffni / Oriel

Novice B (aged 14 & under)

1. Oisin Cronin, Kerry

2. Brendan Gildea, Galway

3. Michael Gildea, Galway

Novice C (aged 26 & under)

1. Jamie Keenan, Breffni / Oriel

2. Hannah Healy, Kildare

3. Thomas Gildea, Galway

Junior handler (aged 12 & under)

1. JJ O’Connor, Cork

2. Nicole McLoughlin, Kildare

3. Muiris Harty, Kerry

Intermediate handler (aged 13 – 16)

1. Rebekah Williamson, Breffni / Oriel

2. Pauric Coleman, Carlow/Kilkenny

3. Rachel Corley, Breffni /Oriel

Senior handler (aged 17 – 20)

1. Colin Todd, Breffni/Oriel

2. Paul Murphy, Cork

3. Louise Sinnott, Slaney

Mature handler (aged 21 – 26)

1. Diarmuid Murphy, Cork

2. Marie Doran, Kildare

3. Laura Sinnott, Slaney

Calf Class results

Dairy Shorthorn born 2015

1. Monasteroris Posie 12 owned by Michael & Ann Maree Manley

2. Monasteroris Lady Walton 8th owned by Michael & Ann Maree Manley

3. Smithstown Foxy owned by John Healy

Jersey class

1. Suirvalley OT Starlight owned by Pat Gaynor, Co Cavan

2. Beechrow Tequila Rumour ET owned by Michael Booth, Co. Laois

3. Bluestone EX Baileys Louise owned by Conor Lynch, Co. Limerick

Ayrshire heifer calf born in 2014 & 2015

1. Threemile Pam owned by Christian Keenan, Co Monaghan

2. Drumshanny Napier Heather owned by Trevor Williamson, Co Monaghan

3. Threemile Hollie Napier owned by Christian Keenan

Dairy Shorthorn heifer calf born in 2014

1. Monasteroris Jennie Deans 20th owned by Michael & Ann Maree Manley, Edenderry, Co Offaly

2. Monasteroris Lady Walston 7 owned by Michael & Ann Maree Manley, Edenderry, Co Offaly

3. Monasteroris Royal Fleece ET owned by Michael & Ann Maree Manley, Edenderry, Co Offaly

Coloured breeds championship

Champion: Suirvalley OT Starlight owned by Pat Gaynor, Mullagh, Co Galway

Reserve champion: Monasteroris Posie 12th owned by Michael & Ann Maree Manley, Edenderry, Co Offaly

Honourable mention: Threemile Pam owned by Christian Keenan, Threemilehouse, Co.Monaghan

Holstein Friesian calf classes

Junior calf born Jan-Feb 2015

1. Portvale Atwood Vicky owned by Clayton Coulter & N Russell (Breffni/Oriel)

2. Dellview Snow Angel owned by Gordon Kingston (Cork)

3. Lumville E Danoise owned by Richard Whelan (Kildare)

Intermediate calf born Nov-Dec 2014

1. Laurelelm Fever Brilliant owned by Rickey Barrett (Cork)

2. Ardskeagh Acres Sal owned by Ann Marie Kell (Limerick/Clare)

3. Riverview Impala Red owned by Brendan Gildea (Galway)

Senior calf born Sept – Oct 2014

1. Beechrow Twains Atwood owned by Michael Both (Laois/Offaly)

2. Ardarostig Acme Lulu owned by Sean Murphy (Cork)

3. Hallow Lavanguard Chrisi owned by Philip Jones (Slaney)

Summer yearling born July-August 2014

1. Clonpaddin Lavanguard Flavour owned by John Hurley (Slaney)

2. Mirah Fever Kathy owned by Michael Freeney (Galway)

3. Grangecon Burns Penny 5 owned by Anthony Kealy (Kildare)

Spring yearling born March, April, May, June 2014

1. Greenlea Shottle Pledge owned by Padraic Greenan (Breffni/Oriel)

2. Clonpaddin Windbrook Fame 2 ET owned by John Hurley (Slaney)

3. Dellview Elsa Karry owned by Gordon Kingston (Cork)

Mature Calf born Jan-Feb 2014

1. Bunacloy V-B Doorman Alioli ET owned by Mike Magan (West Midlands)

2. Mounteen Stonewall Nula owned by John Kirby (Cork)

3. Knoxtown Bradnick Memory owned by Sean Murphy (Slaney)