NATIONAL SHOW 2009 6/09/2009

With over 350 entries, the 2009 Charolais National Show was an all round really great event. Back in what can best be described as its spiritual home in Tullamore Charolais breeders turned out a top class entry in a very impressive setting.

Top prize winners were by Doonally New (9), Major (5), Texan Gie (3), Lyonsdemese Tzar (3) and Bova Sylvain (3) along with progeny from a number of stock bulls including Roughan Ultimatium (by Page); Baurnafea Baccaret¡(by Theodat); Cornadrung Casper (by CF 52), Cloonfad Axel (by Oscar) and Bunnanagh Ukraine (by Indurain)

The tops in all the categories were really outstanding and even right down through the lower class placings the quality was clearly evident and appreciated by the huge attendance from all over Ireland, Scotland, Wales, N.I. and France.

Judging all the bull classes in the show, Archie MacGregor from Glasgow stated that the quality of cattle at the show was improving each year and in his opinion it had taken another leap forward from the very good quality he had judged at the 2006 show.

He awarded championship honours in the: Senior Male Calf section to : Cottage Devon (by Texan Gie; MGS Oscar) owned by Anne-Marie Butler, Ballymore Cottage, Gooldscross, Cashel, Co. Tipperary

Reserve Senior Male Calf section to: Gallaway Dollar (by Lyonsdemese Tzar; MGS Charlestown Sergio) owned by Michael Kiernan, Augharan, Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim.

Junior Male Calf Champion section to: Goldstar Echo, (by Texan Gie; MGS Doonally New) owned by Martin Ryan, Copperfield House, Cabra, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Reserve Junior Male Calf section to: Limkiln Eagar, (by Doonally New; MGS Indurain) owned by Richard Hackett, Coolistuige, Clonlara, Co. Clare.

In the adult male section top honours went to Royal Baladin (by Lough Ness; MGS My Dear) owned by Kevin Foley, Inchiquinn, Killeagh, Co. Cork, with the reserve championship going to Riversdale Anchor, (by Oscar; MGS Jupiter) owned by Andy McGovern, Sunnaghmore, Cloone, Co. Leitrim.

FEMALES – Presiding in the female ring was Andrew Hornall from Stirling in Scotland. A man who strongly believes that a good herd begins with good females was fulsome in his praise of the quality of cattle presented to him with some of those classes having very big numbers.

Championship honours were awarded to: Senior Female Calf Champion: Looby Damsel (by Panama; MGS Doonally Olmetto) owned by James Phelan, Rathnageera, Garryhill, Co. Carlow.

Reserve Senior Female: Ballydavis Diamond, (by Bova Sylvain; MGS Indurain) owned by Kathleen & Michael Hargroves, Ballydavis, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.

Junior Female Calf Champion: Sagesse Ella (by Maerdy Sinndar; MGS Lyonsdemesne Leroyd) owned by Brendan Canning, Creggconnell, Rosses Point, Co. Sligo.

Reserve Junior Female Calf Champion: Cornadrung Ella (by Doonally New; MGS Jupiter) owned by Thomas Farrell, Cornadrung, Augnacliffe, Co. Longford.

In the adult female section top honours went to Royal Victorienne (by Royal Mozard; MGS Hermes) owned by Kevin & Cynthia Foley, Inchiquinn, Killeagh, Co. Cork, with the reserve championship going to Ballydavis Champion, (by Bova Sylvain; MGS Oscar) owned by Kathleen & Michael Hargroves, Ballydavis, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.

COMMERCIALS – In charge in the commercial ring were Conor and Denis Ryan from Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary.

They awarded the Overall & Female Commercial Championship to a two year old heifer by Ashleigh Admiral owned by Shane Giltinane, Ballymacave, Croagh, Co. Limerick, and the Male Commercial Championship to a twenty seven months old Bullock by Anneskeagh Stuart, owned by Seamus & Lisa McCann, Bealinstown, Swords, Co. Dublin.

Reserve in the Female Commercial section went to Brian McKinney, Knockbrack, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal for his 19 months old heifer (no permanent teeth) and Reserve in the Male Commercial section went to Michael & Pat Rosingrave, Ballyline, Crusheen, Co. Clare.

YOUNG CHAROLAIS BREEDERS – The Young Charolais Breeders section took place on Friday evening with the ages of participants ranging from 6 years to the mid-twenties.

All were really enthusiastic and put through their paces by judge Richard OBeirne, Kilconly, Tuam, Co. Galway.

In the Junior Section (Under 12 years of age): First place went to young Conor Craig, Coolarty, Granard, Co. Longford. This young man, superbly turned out put in a masterly performance in the ring.

He was followed closely by second prize winner Padraig Geoghegan, Curragh, Rosemount, Moate and Joint Third placing went to six year old Sean Barron, Rossenany, Windgap, Co. Kilkenny who had all the details of his Dads calf ready to tell the judge and to the only young lady in the class Maeve Moroney, Claremount, Broadford, Co. Clare

In the Intermediate Section (12 C 18 years of age) the young ladies were to the fore with: First place going to young Katie Corridan, Fedamore, Co. Limerick.

Second to Clodagh Ryan, Copperfield Hse., Cabra, Thurles, Co. Tipperary

Third to Lisa Meade, Clonmore, Templemore, Co. Tipperary

and Joint Fourth to the Moroney brothers Paul & Shane, Claremount, Broadford, Co. Clare.

In the hotly contest senior section (18 to 35 years of age)

First place went to Marie Louise Ryan, Copperfield Hse., Cabra, Thurles

Second to Martin Ryan Jnr., Copperfield Hse., Cabra, Thurles

Third to Eoin Donoghue, Ballagh, Newtownforbes, Co. Longford

Fourth to Richard Poyntz, Coolarty, Granard, Co. Longford.