The National Hereford show which again took place at this year’s Tullamore Show saw over 130 cattle presented in front of Danish judge Mr Jens Michael Jensen. No stranger to taking centre stage, Jens has previously judged in Denmark but also at the UK Royal show, the Royal Highland and Balmoral.

In the final line-up after six hours judging, he found his overall champion in the form of last year’s female champion Gouldingpoll 1 Duchess 591. This not even three-year-old first calver won the cow/heifer class before picking up the female championship and eventually securing the overall national title. Sired by Remital Superduty and out of Dorepoll 1 Duchess 5525, she was exhibited by Matthew and Rita Goulding, Ballyduff, Tralee, Co Kerry.

Adding further to the family’s success, Duchess 591’s January heifer calf at foot also picked up the national heifer calf championship on the day; the sire behind this one was Dendor 1 Last Chance.

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Standing reserve was again from the female ring, with Sean McKiernan, Corlismore House, Ballinagh, Co Cavan, coming up trumps with his 18-month-old heifer Corlismorepoll 1 Sydney 793. The young Solpol 1 Cruiser daughter picked up the reserve female championship before following the Goulding-bred first calver to the end to be tapped forward as reserve overall.

In the male championship it was John Appelbe’s stock bull Solpoll 1 Lawman who was triumphant. The nearly three-year-old held off stiff competition in the senior bull class and a strong young bull championship line-up to take the overall male championship. The Panmure 1 Henry sired bull is out of Solpoll 1 Pansy and is currently the main stock bull for the Cork-based Carrigroe herd.

Claiming reserve honours was the February 2016 calf Shiloh Farm Dynamite from S&H, Parkwood, Moate, Co Westmeath. This stylish young calf is sired by Grianan Freddy and had already secured the bull calf championship earlier in the day.

Catherine Smyth, Navan, Co Meath, took home the much-sought-after William J Twomey memorial trophy after securing top spot in the young handler’s competition. The hotly contested class saw Jack Maloney, Bandon, Co Cork, in reserve while PJ Maloney, Bandon, Co Cork, claimed third.

National Pedigree Hereford Cow In calf or with her own natural calf at foot born on or before 30/6/13:

Grianan Orange 589 sired by Grianan Highflier ET exhibited by Mervyn Parr, Clogh, Castlecomer.

National Pedigree Hereford Cow or Heifer born on or between 1/7/13 and 30/6/14:

Gouldingpoll 1 Duchess 591 sired by Remital Superduty exhibited by Matthew Goulding, Ballyduff, Tralee.

National Pedigree Hereford Heifer born on or between 1/7/14 and 31/12/14:

Gouldingpoll 1 Lucy sired by Gouldingpoll 1 Captain exhibited by Veronica Brennan, Newtown, Kells, Kilkenny.

National Pedigree Hereford Heifer born on or between 1/1/15 and 30/6/15:

Corlismorepoll 1 Sydney 793 sired by Solpoll 1 Cruiser exhibited by Sean McKiernan, Corlismore Hse, Ballinagh.

National Pedigree Hereford Heifer born on or between 1/7/15 and 31/8/15:

Knockmountagh Willow sired by Haven Kingpin exhibited by E & J McKiernan, Newtown, Monasterboice, Louth.

National Pedigree Hereford Heifer born on or between 1/9/15 and 30/11/15:

Grianan Orange P752 sired by Bowmont Storm exhibited by T & A Fitzgerald, Glebe Hse, Mount Temple, Moate.

National Pedigree Hereford Heifer born on or after 1/12/15:

Gouldingpoll 1 Duchess 742 sired by Dendor 1 Last Chance exhibited by Matthew Goulding, Ballyduff, Tralee.

National Pedigree Hereford Bull born on or between 1/1/15 and 30/6/15:

Corlismorepoll 1 Lad 794 sired by Solpoll 1 Cruiser exhibited by Sean McKiernan, Corlismore Hse, Ballinagh.

National Pedigree Hereford Bull born on or between 1/7/15 and 31/8/15:

Riverrock Superstar sired by Gageboro Morgan exhibited by Tony Hartnett, Knockatoon, Rockchapel, Co Cork.

National Pedigree Hereford Bull born on or between 1/9/15 and 30/11/15:

Knockmountagh Super 2 sired by Haven Kingpin exhibited by E & J McKiernan, Newtown, Monasterboice, Louth.

National Pedigree Hereford Bull born on or after 1/12/15:

Shiloh Farm Dynamite sired by Grianan Freddy exhibited by S & H Murray, Parkwood, Moate.

National Pedigree Senior Hereford Bull born before 31/12/14:

Solpoll 1 Lawman sired by Panmure 1 Henry exhibited by John Appelbe, Carrigroe, Clonakilty.