It was a day of dreams for young Sarah Murray at this year’s Tullamore Show when her heifer Grianan Prim T854 was tapped forward as supreme Hereford national champion for 2019.

The young cattle breeder fought it out against the best in the country, but in the end Danish judge Anders Mortensen decided Prim was the best of the lot.

Originally bred by fellow Moate breeders Tom and Anselm Fitzgerald, the 12-month-old heifer was purchased privately six weeks prior to Tullamore and has since racked up a number of top accolades. Sired by Grianan Parker, she is out of the cow Grianan Prim J542.

Sarah is no stranger to champions, with one of her first-bred bulls Shiloh Farm Dynamite going on to claim the overall championship last year for new owners Sean and Gary McKiernan, Ballinagh, Cavan.

Dynamite was again out in force at the 2019 show, but had to settle for the reserve male championship title. This now-three-year-old bull is a son of Grianan Freddy and Cill Cormaic Lass.

Taking the overall male championship and the reserve supreme championship was Gerry McNamara, Ennis, Co Clare with Churchcross Poll1 Hurler.

This powerful July 2018-born bull is a son of former herd sire of the year Panmure 1 Henry, while the dam is Allowdale Serena.

This bull has had an outstanding show career to date, collecting numerous championships throughout the summer. Along with taking the male and reserve overall title, Hurler was also named the national Hereford bull of the year.

Taking the reserve female championship at the show was the aforementioned Tom and Anselm Fitzgerald with their rising three-year-old first-calved cow Grianan Orange R786.

Reserve female champion Grianan Orange R786. \ MacGregor Photography

This stylish young cow is out of the same sire as the reserve male champion, Grianan Freddy, while the dam is Grianan Orange M660.

Shown alongside her smart heifer calf, Orange also came up trumps in the cow class at Nenagh Show.

Junior heifer

Taking reserve spot in the heifer of the year class and top spot in the junior heifer calf class was Herberry1 Lucy Superstar.

Bred and exhibited by Raymond Hunt and Veronica Brennan, this January 2019-born calf was also a prominent feature at shows this summer.

Sired by SMH Euro 30E, she is out of Gouldingpoll 1 Lucy 641, who has bred exceptionally well for the new breeders.

Taking the yellow rosette in the heifer of the year class was Tom and Anselm Fitzgerald with Grianan Cooperrobin 712.

This yearling heifer is out of the supreme champion’s sire, Grianan Parker, while the dam is Grianan Cooperrobin 0705.

Bull of the year

Standing reserve to the male champion in the bull of the year class was Sinead Conry, Castlerea, Co Roscommon, with Rathnallog Ted.

This eight-month-old bull is a son of Bova AI bull Trillick George and dam Castleroberts Stephanie. Ted also came up trumps in the junior bull calf class on the day.

Taking the intermediate bull calf class and third place in the overall bull of the year competition was Keenagh Bruno.

Bred and exhibited by Edwin and Robert Jones, this October 2018-born bull is out of Keenagh L-Jay and Lislaughtin Alma 9.

Female and supreme champion Grianan Prim T854.\ MacGregor Photography

Other first prize-winners

Taking top spot in the senior cow class was four-year-old Kilsunny Lass Lily. Bred and exhibited by the Dudley family, this cow is a daughter of former stock bull Glaslough Judge.

In the two-year-old heifer class, Kevin and William Ryan, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, were top of the line with Kinglee 1 Ebony 557. This heifer is the cross of sire Panmure 1 Karl and dam Kinglee 1 Ebony.

In the younger heifer class, Mark Hyland picked up the red rosette for his January 2018-born Hillockpoll Hannah. This growthy heifer is sired by Balleen General.

Last of the females to pick up a red rosette was Appel 1 Dawn Break. This September 2018-born heifer was bred and exhibited by Cork breeder John Appelbe and is a daughter of the 2017 overall Hereford champion Solpoll 1 Lawman.

In the male section, Offaly breeder Michael Molloy secured first place in the intermediate bull class with Moyclare Rob. This bull was shown throughout the year with much success and is a son of Free Town Nadal.