Twenty-six finalists will take part in this year's competition, bringing a wide range of experience from cattle breeding and showing.
Some have been competing since they were just three or four years old, while others have gone on to establish their own herds and win major young handler titles.
Here are the finalists hoping to take home the All-Ireland title at the Royal Meath Show on Sunday.
Valerie Keogh
Hailing from Co Offaly, Valerie’s passion for farming runs deep, rooted in hands-on experience and a love for the land passed down to her from her father. She has a particular fondness for showing cattle and cattle breeding, proudly working with her own small herd of pedigree Belgian Blue and commercial cattle over the last decade. Above all, Valerie finds the thrill of preparing cattle for shows and seeing the results of careful breeding, selection and management incredibly rewarding.
Sarah O’Neill
Eighteen years old and coming from a suckler farm in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, Sarah loves showing cattle with her father, especially their own homebred cattle. Having competed in young stockperson classes since she was four years old, her favourite part of farming is calving time and seeing the results of their breeding choices become reality.
Sally Towey
Sally began showing cattle at eight years of age, sparking a passion that has continued to grow ever since. An accomplished stock woman, she has achieved numerous young handler successes, with a standout moment coming last year when she was crowned Shorthorn young handler of the year at Elphin Show. Alongside showing, she successfully started her own commercial herd and has already exhibited many of her own cattle.
Keziah Shaw
Coming from Benburb in Co Tyrone is Keziah Shaw, where she and her family run a herd of pedigree Hereford cattle. Having recently completed her A Levels, she will now study sustainable agri food management at Loughry College. Showing cattle has been her passion from a young age, as she enjoys the increasing challenges of young handler classes.
Jack O’Meara
Living on his family farm in Offaly, 19-year-old Jack O’Meara is a young man with a huge interest in agriculture. Since starting their own herd of commercial and pedigree cattle a number of years ago, Jack and his brother Declan have achieved numerous accolades since. Along with showing cattle, he also competes in ploughing competitions, winning the novice All-Ireland in 2024.
Colin Lynch
From Mountmellick in Co Laois, 19-year-old Colin Lynch has developed a lifelong passion for show cattle, particularly Belgian Blues. A love for cattle from a young age, hard work and commitment to the cause has earned him many first prizes in the show ring. The highlight of his career came at Tullamore Show, where he won overall male champion with Romeo, a bull he bred himself.
Clodagh McCaffrey
Currently studying agricultural science in college, Clodagh McCaffrey comes from Elphin in Co Roscommon. With a passion for agriculture from a young age, she enjoys helping out on her family farm, especially around calving time. She loves attending agricultural shows at the weekend and has made lifelong friends along the way.
Brodie Molloy
A pedigree and commercial Limousin breeder, Brodie Molloy comes from Dunleer in Co Louth. Since she was a child she has been attending agricultural shows with her father. Her favourite part is seeing potential show calves grow into animals capable of winning a rosette for their herd. Her end goal for this competition is to make her dad proud, and whatever the outcome, she’s grateful for the opportunity.
Oliver Taggart
Seventeen-year-old Oliver Taggart lives on a beef and sheep farm in Ballyclare, Co Antrim. He farms and shows commercial cattle alongside his father and sister, and has developed a great interest in livestock photography, taking photographs at local shows. One of his greatest achievements was winning overall champion young handler at the recent Limousin show and sale.
Oisín Clarke
Oisín Clarke is 13 years old and comes from Bailieborough in Co Cavan. His interest in showing cattle began in 2023, when he bought his first Charolais-cross heifer at the Manorhamilton Show and sale with money he had saved. Since then, he has become involved in the North Eastern Limousin Club YMA events and continues to work hard and improve his stockmanship skills.
Katie Lordan
Representing the Rebel County is 14-year-old Katie Lordan. A second year student at MICC Dunmanway, she started showing when she was just over three years old. Her first show was Tralee and with the help and guidance of her father, her love for showing commercial and Belgian Blue cattle began. Over the years, she has made many friends and memories along the way.
Grace O’Donovan
Showing cattle since she was eight years old, Cork girl Grace O’Donovan loves travelling all over Ireland and the buzz of getting cattle ready for the show ring. Over the years she has gained many friends and particularly enjoys catching up with them all at the different shows. In 2023, she placed third in the junior category of the All-Ireland young stockperson competition.
Darragh O’Doherty
Showing cattle since he was four years old, Darragh O’Doherty recently started his own pedigree Belgian Blue herd under the prefix Darragh Doc’s Blues. He loves preparing animals for the show ring alongside his sister Saoirse. As well as showing cattle, he also helps his father on their dairy farm, doing everything from feeding calves to bringing in silage.
Chloe Hegarty
Also representing Cork is 14-year-old Chloe Hegarty. Having grown up on a dairy and beef farm, she has been competing in young stockperson classes since she was knee high. She is the third generation in her family showing cattle, following in her grandfather and father’s footsteps. This year Chloe is showing her own Belgian Blue cross heifer, Millie.
Cathal Glynn
Making the long journey from Inagh in Co Clare will be Cathal Glynn, who qualified for the finals in Kildysart. Passionate about farming and cattle, his favourite part of showing is preparing animals for the show ring. He enjoys travelling to agricultural shows and livestock sales across Ireland, where he can learn more about the industry and meeting people.
Caroline McConnell
Residing in Muckamore, Co Antrim, where she lives on her family’s pedigree Charolais and Limousin cattle farm, is Caroline McConnell. She loves getting into the show ring and competing in young handler classes, winning champion young handler at Balmoral this year. She also had the opportunity to shadow judge Limousin cattle in Carlisle and has served on the Young Limousin Breeders Committee.
Anna Carroll
Anna Carroll is a young lady with a strong interest in farming and agriculture, developed from an early age. A native of Westmeath, her passion for showing pedigree and commercial cattle has grown since her home farm ventured into breeding pedigree Parthenaise cattle. This is her second time qualifying for the finals, having competed at junior level in 2022.
Aine O’Sullivan
Representing Mullagh in Co Cavan is 15-year-old Aine O’Sullivan. Running a herd of Hereford cattle alongside her mother Kate, farming has always been a huge part of her life. She really enjoys preparing cattle and bringing them to shows, as well as meeting fellow competitors, sharing experiences and learning from those around her.
Tori O’Connell
Having qualified at Midleton Show, Tori O’Connell from Co Cork is looking forward to Sunday’s final. Showing Simmentals is one of the many things she loves to do and be part of, especially the lifestyle and the feeling of peace at her grandparents’ farm in Mallow. So much so, when she’s not at school nor on the farm, she likes to memorise things about the cattle, like their breeding.
Thomas McCann
A keen Gaelic footballer with his local club in Co Down, Thomas McCann’s main interest is pedigree cattle. Farming alongside his father, grandfather and little sister, they run a small suckler and pedigree Belgian Blue herd. As well as all the show preparation work and halter training, he has a real interest in genetics, trying to match the best bull with the right cow.
Scott Jones
Young Scott Jones from Co Longford grew up on a suckler and sheep farm, which also includes a herd of pedigree Angus and Hereford cattle. However, it is the Hereford breed where his fondness lies. A member of the Hereford Society’s Next Gen programme, Scott believes the programme has given him practical tips and knowledge around showing cattle.
Saoirse O’Doherty
Just 10 years old, Saoirse O’Doherty attends Quilty National School in Co Clare. She enjoys school with her friends and plays football for Kilmurry Ibrickane. She loves spending time on the farm with her father, brother Darragh and grandad. In the spring, she feeds the baby calves and helps her father bring the cows in for milking. She has been showing cattle for six years now and this year she’s showing a purebred Belgian Blue heifer.
Jack Callaghan
When Santa brought 11-year-old Jack Callaghan his first show calf, his love for getting calves ready for the show ring began. He enjoys meeting people, making new friends, and of course, winning every now and then. Together with his father and brother, they bought an embryo with their show winnings. On Sunday, he will be showing his own bull calf Alfie, and is relishing the occasion.
Finn Devane
From a very young age, Finn Devane has had a passion for cattle and showing, always keen to take the halter. This year, he was crowned junior young handler champion at Omagh Show, where he qualified for Sunday’s final. At Clogher Show, he won his age group before taking the junior championship and overall young handler champion.
Diarmuid Mullaney
This young Roscommon boy’s love for showing started when he led a calf for his grandfather at Strokestown Show when he was just eight years old. Living on a farm, he takes part in the daily chores involved in getting animals to the show ring. Diarmuid has made many friends through showing and attending youth development events organised by breed societies. He particularly loves showing traditional breeds such as Angus, Hereford and Shorthorn.
Eilis Hannon
Eilis Hannon is the fourth generation of her family to show cattle. Growing up on a mixed farm comprising commercial and Belgian Blue cattle, she attends agricultural shows across the country every year. This year, she’s showing her commercial calf Misty and her Belgian Blue bull calf, Robert. She loves looking after the cattle and sees them as her pets.
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