After a highly successful Limerick Show a few weeks earlier, Irish Shorthorn Society members regrouped to compete in their all-Ireland calf finals, which were again hosted by Strokestown Show. The show hosts six individual all-Ireland finals for calves ranging from September 2016 to May 2016, with classes for males and females.

The first class to take centre stage under sticky ground conditions was the all-Ireland senior female class. This was open for animals born between 1 September and 31 December 2016. Securing top spot in this class and starting what was to be a highly successful run throughout the day was Tommy Staunton, Kinvara, Co Galway with Caramba Hottie Koo.

This pure white heifer is sired by HC Free Spirit and out of renowned show cow Caramba Hottie, who secured female champion at Balmoral and overall champion at Tullamore Show in 2015.

Pat and Rachel Hehir, Inagh, Co Clare, secured the reserve title with their November-born Ardnaskea Dolly 2nd. This heifer is sired by Paintearth Rama 53U and out of Dovea Sir James 2nd sired dam Ardnaskea Groovy 2nd.

Next up was the intermediate heifer class which catered for animals born from the start of January up to the end of March. The Flatley brothers were out in front in this one with Glann Jane, a Doon Erasmus daughter. It was to be a second reserve title for the Hehir family when they claimed the reserve intermediate heifer championship with Ardnaskea Mimi. This one is sired by Chapleton Wildfire and out of a Crega Dice-sired homebred dam.

Concluding the all-Ireland female classes was the junior heifer for April- and May-born calves. This title went home to Co Westmeath with Martin Kelly for his Annfield Dawn. This April-born heifer was sired by the aforementioned Doon Erasmus and out of Furbo Jilt.

The Flatley brothers were at it again in the junior heifer class and walked away with the reserve all-Ireland title with Glann Ruby. Sired by Glenisla Explore, Ruby is out of dam Capponellan Zenith.

Males

On to the males and the senior class was again taken by Tommy Staunton with Caramba Kinvara. This well-made October 2016-born bull was sired by stock bull Busypark Ultra and out of homebred dam Caramba Rothes Helen, a Sprys Patents Ace daughter. After a long journey from Co Carlow, Conor Murphy was duly rewarded when his Ardclay Kickass secured the reserve spot. Again sired by Chapelton Wildfire, he is out of an Uppermill Landfall-bred dam.

Tom Fox, Athlone, Co Westmeath led the intermediate bull class with Bethlehem Hurricane. The extremely stylish January-born bull was sired by homebred Bethlehem Breeze, a bull who also won his class at these finals when he was a calf.

Well-known breeders Noel and Lisa Dowd secured the reserve intermediate title with Creaga Nord. This one is sired by Eionmor Ideal 50P and out of an Alta Cedar Perfect Storm-bred dam. This capped a great day for the duo who also claimed the overall Shorthorn champion of the show title with the renowned Creaga Heidi.

The Kinvara man Tommy Staunton was again out in force in the junior championship.

Taking home his third all-Ireland championship of the day was the baby of the team, Carmaba Lancelot. This April-born roan bull is sired by Heir Apparent of Lonfield and out of a Glencoy Callum-bred dam. The reserve title also went to Galway, this time to Gerry and Karen Fox with Lissarulla Earl 4th. Sired by Knockanedan Earl. Earl is out of homebred dam Lissarulla Asumpta.

All-Ireland Shorthorn classes

Beef Shorthorn senior female calf 2017

1. Champion: Caramba Hottie Koo, Tom Staunton, Kinvara, Co Galway.

2. Reserve: Ardnaskea Dolly 2nd, Pat and Rachel Hehir, Inagh, Co Clare.

3. Ricketstown Lilly 224, Martin Kelly, Rathvilly, Co Carlow.

Beef Shorthorn intermediate female calf 2017

1. Champion: Glann Jane, Flatley Bros, Kilkelly, Co Mayo.

2. Reserve: Ardnaskea Mimi, Pat and Rachel Hehir, Inagh, Co Clare.

3. Bethlehem Sunrise, Tom Fox, The Pidgeons, Athlone, Co Westmeath.

Beef Shorthorn junior female calf 2017

1. Champion: Annfield Dawn, Martin Kelly, Moate, Co Westmeath.

2. Reserve: Glann Ruby 1st Flatley Bros, Kilkelly, Co Mayo.

3. Ballinlig Adeline, Terry and Amelda Middleton, Moate, Co Westmeath.

Beef Shorthorn senior male calf 2017

1. Champion: Caramba Kinvara, Tom Staunton, Kinvara, Co Galway.

2. Reserve: Ardclay Kickass, Conor Murphy, Tullow, Co Carlow.

Beef Shorthorn intermediate male calf 2017

1 Champion: Bethlehem Hurricane, Tom Fox, The Pidgeons, Athlone, Co Westmeath.

2. Reserve: Creaga Nord, Noel and Lisa Dowd, Creggs, Co Galway.

3. Bethlehem Wolf, Tom Fox.

Beef Shorthorn Junior Male Calf 2017

1. Champion: Caramba Lancelot, Tom Staunton, Kinvara, Co Galway.

2. Reserve: Lissarulla Earl 4th - Gerry and Karen Fox, Oranmore, Co Galway.

3. Ballinlig Buddy, Terry and Amelda Middleton, Moate, Co Westmeath.