The national final of Macra na Feirme’s Farm Skills competition, in association with FBD Insurance, took place on Sunday 11 August at the Tullamore Show in Co Offaly.

Six teams of three had qualified for the national final from around the country, from the following clubs: Freemount, Avondhu in Cork; Ballinadee, Carbery, also in Cork; Callan, Co Kilkenny (Eoin Kennedy, Tom Collins and Sean Foley); Rathdowney, Co Laois; Carrigallen, Co Leitrim (Andrew McGovern, Stephen Dolan and Michael Reynolds); and Athboy, Co Meath (Eamon Cassells, Declan Murray and Robert Coroon).

Speaking at the Tullamore Show, Macra national president Thomas Duffy said: “The Macra na Feirme Farm Skills competition tests proficiency in several aspects of farm skills, from tractor skills to fencing. The aim of the competition is to help young farmers develop various farm skills and techniques, to demonstrate to the public the skill required in modern farming and to create greater awareness of farm safety.

“On behalf of Macra na Feirme, I want to acknowledge the financial support from FBD Trust towards our Farm Skills competition. We deeply appreciate the support received each year from the Tullamore Show committee, management and staff and, finally, to our staff and volunteers involved in preparing for the event from Offaly Macra members, to judges and national office staff. The event could not take place without their ongoing commitment to the Farm Skills competition.”

The judges awarded the safety award to Rathdowney Macra Club; second runner-up awards were presented to Ballinadee Macra (Aidan Dulea, William O’Neill and Aidan Sweetman) and first runner-up to Freemount Macra clubs (Thomas Murphy, Eugene Hough, and Brendan Buckley).

The overall winner receiving the perpetual cup was the Rathdowney Macra club of John Sweeney, James Barber and Kieran Phelan.