Iverk show, the oldest agricultural show in the country at almost 200 years in existence, held its annual event in South Kilkenny amidst glorious summer sunshine over the last weekend in August with large crowds of spectators around the ring. The Hereford section boasted an impressive prize fund with €250 up for grabs in each of the five classes which helped to attract a top quality entry of cattle. Judge for the day, Irish Hereford Breed Society President, Mr. Martin Murphy of the Toureenbrien Hereford Herd thanked the show for inviting him to judge this year’s cattle classes and complimented the exhibitors on the incredibly high standard of stock that were paraded around the ring.

The supreme Hereford breed championship was awarded to Trevor Dudley, Kilsunny House, Dovea, Thurles, Co. Tipperary with his senior cow, Kilsunny Lass Lily. This three year old cow has put together an unforgettable summer season which has been highlighted by her 1^st prize win at the National Hereford Show in Tullamore and her supreme breed championships at Nenagh, Cappamore and Iverk during the month of August alone. The Dudley family also won three of the five classes on the day, with second prizes in the remaining two categories to ensure plenty of rosettes traveled home to Kilsunny.

The reserve Hereford championship went to Messers Curtis & Jones, Knockduff, Bree, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford with their senior heifer, Knockduffpoll 1 Golden. This September 2016 born heifer is sired by the hugely popular AI bull, Kilsunny Goliath and is out of the former National Hereford Female Champion, Knockduffpoll 1 Daisy. This one won the senior heifer calf class at last year’s National Hereford Show in Tullamore and was a 1^st prize winner at Tullow last week too.

The young handlers class, which was kindly sponsored by the South Leinster Hereford Branch, saw Padraig Jones from Pallas, Gorey, Co. Wexford emerge as the eventual winner with older brother Conor following closely behind in 2^nd place.

Other 1^st prize winners on the day included Eamon & John McKiernan’s Knockmountagh Mozart and Trevor Dudley’s Kilsunny Lass Orchid & Kilsunny Oscar.

Hereford Champion ‘Kilsunny Lass Lily’ with Susan Dudey

Fiona Jones with Reserve Champion ‘Knockduffpoll 1 Golden ET’

Hereford Cow or Heifer born before 01/07/16 

1. Trevor Dudley – Kilsunny Lass Lily | 18/10/2014 | Sire: Glaslough Judge / Dam: Kilsunny Lass Gem
2. Niall Jones – Grianan Cooperrobin N679 | 15/09/2013 | Sire: Grianan Firecracker / Dam: Grianan Cooperrobin 584 ET
3. Mervyn Parr –  Grianan Orange | 03/03/2011 | Sire: Grianan Hyflyer / Dam: Grianan Orange 409Edward Dudley receiving the Tourtane Cup from Heather & Henry Parr sponsor of cup, Judge Martin Murphy & Iverk show representatives for his winner of the above class and overall Hereford Champion ‘Kilsunny Lass Lily’

Hereford Heifer born between 01/07/16 to 30/6/17 

1. Curtis & Jones – Knockduffpoll 1 Golden ET | 15/08/16 | Sire: Kilsunny Goliath / Dam: Knockduffpoll 1 Daisy
2. Trevor Dudley – Kilsunny Lass Nector | 02/7/16 | Sire: Glaslough Judge / Dam: Kilsunny Lass Glitter
3. John Jones – Clonroe Fairy | 01/09/16 | Sire: Baltymore Ginger / Dam: Clonroe LizeNiall Jones with his winner of the above class and overall Reserve Hereford Champion ‘Knockduffpoll 1 Golden’

Bull/Heifer Born 01/10/17 to 31/03/18

1. Trevor Dudley – Kilsunny Oscar | 14/10/17 | Sire: Clooncullane King / Dam: Kilsunny Lass Josslyn
2. Matthew Goulding – Gouldinpoll  1 Double Decker | 15/12/17 | Sire: Goulding Poll 1 Captain / Dam: Gouldingpoll1 Fanny 621
3. Niall Jones – Macmine Mao | 03/12/17 | Sire: Baltymore Ginger / Dam: Grianan Cooperrobin

Bull born on or between 01/07/17 to 30/09/18

1. Eamon & John McKiernan – Knockmountagh Mozart | 06/07/17 | Sire: Gageboro Morgan / Dam: Knockmountagh Sorca
2. Trevor Dudley – Kilsunny Ozzy | 24/07/17 | Sire: Cill Cormaic Kasper / Dam: Kilsunny Lass Lily
3. John Jones – Clonroe Ginger George | 02/09/17 | Sire: Baltymore Ginger / Dam: Clonroe Lize

Heifer born on or between 01/07/17 to 30/09/18

1. Trevor Dudley – Kilsunny Lass Orchid | 23/07/17 | Sire: Glaslough Judge / Dam: Kilsunny Lass Glitter
2. Niall Jones – Macmine Mai | 03/12/17 | Sire: Baltymore Ginger / Dam: Grianan Cooperrobin
3. John Jones – Clonroe Gina | 01/09/17 | Sire: Gageboro Morgan / Dam: Clonroe Deidre

Young Handler

1. Padraig Jones
2. Conor Jones

Padraig Jones winner of the young handlers class

Report & Photos:

• Edward Dudley
• Pat Jones