Judge: Mr. Andrew Hughes (UK)

The inaugural National Hereford Calf Show was held this past Saturday at the GVM Arena, Tullamore. This is a new event for the 2014 show calendar and was supported by over 40 exhibitors from all corners of Ireland resulting in a final entry of in excess of 80 calves. The spectator area was full to capacity with visitors from all over Ireland in attendance. It was also a pleasure to welcome additional visitors from Northern Ireland, England, Wales and Denmark. A special thank you is extended to all the sponsors who supported the event and made it possible.

The show attracted a number of calves that had enjoyed a significant amount of success during the summer show season as well as many animals making their debut on the show circuit. As a result, the quality and standard of calves in each class was superb and the event was a spectacular showcase of Irish Herefords and a great exhibition of Hereford cattle.

The day kicked off with the young stockperson classes. This section was judged by Irish Hereford Breed Society President Ivor Deverell. Each young handler was judged on their ability to show and parade their animal and was also evaluated on their knowledge of the breed and their calf. The junior section was won by Sarah Murray with Leah Mullen coming in second position. The senior section was won by Catherine Smyth with Ciaran Kinahan and Colin Anderson taking second and third prize respectively. Each of the young handlers were presented with a rosette and special medal many of them were back in action in the show ring later in the day leading calves in the main show classes.

The female section comprised of four classes and fielded a very strong entry of top quality young heifers. The overall Female Championship was awarded to the winner of the senior heifer calf class Gouldingpoll 1 Duchess 591 exhibited by Matthew Goulding. This quality heifer is no stranger to success having previously placed as the Reserve All Ireland Heifer Calf of the Year at the National Hereford Show in Tullamore last August in addition to winning many more prizes on the Munster show circuit. Judge Andrew Hughes described his Female Champion as “an extremely well balanced and correct young heifer” and had no hesitation in placing her at the top of the championship line-up.

The Reserve Female Champion came from the Corlismore Polled Herefords of Sean McKiernan with the young calf Corlismore Poll 1 Lady 748. Lady 748 took 1^st prize in the keenly contested senior 2014 born class. The judge complimented this heifer on her “size for age” and she fought off stiff competition from many of the older heifers to take the Reserve Female championship.

Other 1^st prize winners on the day included the 2014 National Hereford Show Female Champion, Knockmountagh Cindy exhibited by John & Eamon McKiernan, who won the junior Autumn 2013 class. The youngest calf of the entire show, Gageboro Niamh 2, won the junior class in the female section for breeders Niall Daly & Lisa Holloway.

The male section was particularly well supported with a large entry in each of the four classes with one class attracting an entry of 23 bulls, 18 of which were present on the day. The Male Championship was awarded to Eamon & John McKiernan with the winner of the first bull class of the day – Knockmountagh Master. This bull was a prolific winner of many prizes during the summer circuit and capped off a tremendous year for his owners by taking home the overall Male Championship. Judge Andrew Hughes was praised his Champion for his “strength and power” and added that he was a very deserving champion of the show.

The Reserve Male championship was won by Moyclare Mariner for owner Michael Molloy. This superbly fleshed young calf has also enjoyed much success on the summer show circuit and is sired by the noted stock bull Brocca Saviour. The Judge also commented on the exceptional muscling of the bull for his age.

The senior 2014 born bull calf class was won by Sean McKiernan’s Colismorepoll 1 Hustler 747 who is sired by the former two-time National Hereford Show Champion Grianan Firecracker. The last of the show classes was won by Rossmore Kestrel for owner Cathal Flynn. This bull deserves particular recognition as he fought off stiff competition from a large number of quality bull calves in what Judge Andrew Hughes described as the show’s “most difficult class to judge”.

Female Section:

Class 1: Heifer born between 01.09.2013 – 31.10.2013

1^st: Matthew Goulding, Ballyduff, Tralee, Co. Kerry – Gouldinpoll 1 Duchess 591, born: 12.09.13, sire: Remitall 1 Supreduty, dam: Dorepoll 1 Duchess 525

2^nd: Brian & Eamonn Duignan, Shancor, Cornafean, Co. Cavan – Corlismorepoll 1 Esta 734, born: 29.09.13, sire: Grianan Firecracker, dam: Corlismorepoll 1 Sharon Esta

3^rd: Philip Smyth, Ardmulchan, Navan, Co. Meath – Ardmulchan Clover 610, born: 16.10.13, sire: Grianan Emperor, dam: Ardmulchan Clover 456

4^th: John O’ Connor, Ballykennedy Hse, Ballingarry, Co. Limerick – Clouncagh Joanne 4, born: 12.09.13, sire: Dieulacresse Hector, dam: Cloughcagh Breage Blossom.

Class 2: Heifer born between 01.11.2013 – 31.12.2013

1^st: Eamonn & John McKiernan, Newtown, Monasterboice, Drogheda, Co. Louth – Knockmountagh Cindy, born: 16.11.2013, sire: Parkhill Pompeii, dam: Knockmountagh Cathy.

2^nd: Michael Molloy, Glebe, Belmount, Co. Offaly – Moyclare Rose 24, born: 26.11.2013, sire: Brocca Saviour, dam: Moyclare Rose 3.

3^rd: Edwin Jones, Riverside, Kenagh, Co. Longford – Lislaughtin Alma 9, born: 09.12.2013, sire: Grianan Gaffer, dam: Lislaughtin Jessica 11

4^th: JJ Farrell, Trillick-A-Temple, Longford, Co. Longford – Trillick Barbie, born: 06.11.2013, sire: Free Town Hotspur, dam: Trillick Honey.

Class 3: Heifer born between 01.01.2014 – 28.02.2014

1^st: Sean McKiernan, Corlismore House, Corlismore, Co. Cavan – Corlismorepoll 1 Lady 748, born: 20.01.2014, sire: Corlismore Pompeii, dam: Udel 1 R51 Unwed Lady

2^nd: Declan Donnelly, Lissycasey, Ennis, Co. Clare – Clondrina 1152, born: 29.01.2014, sire: Balleen Gilbert, dam: Clondrin 633

3^rd: Ruth Good, Coolkirky, Riverstick, Co. Cork – Lislaughtin Almala 10, born: 04.02.2014, sire: Grianan Gaffer, dam: Lislaughtin Jessica 15

4^th: John Neenan, Tullaha, Broadford, Charleville, Co. Limerick – Tullaha Lily, born: 12.01.2014, sire: Newstar Hercules, dam: Tullaha Delia.

Class 4: Heifer born after 01.03.2014

1^st: Niall Daly & Lisa Holloway, Horseleap, Moate, Co. Westmeath – Gageboro Niamh 2, born: 24.04.2014, sire: Gageboro Kipling, dam: Tullamaine Fethard.

2^nd: James V Thompson, Ballyraggan, Rathvilly, Co. Carlow – Ballyraggan Thyme 798, born: 14.04.2014, sire: Killoe Blazer, dam: Ballyraggan Lavendar 567

3^rd: Thomas Plunkett, Castletown-Finea, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath – Ardnagross Patty, born: 17.03.2014, sire: Trillick Blazer, dam: Ardnagross Ruth

4^th: Cathal Flynn, Tullyyard, Co, Monaghan – Rossmore Dolly, born: 06.04.2014, sire: Grianan King Kong, dam: Tattygare Maggie.

 Male Section 

Class 5: Bull born between 01.09.2013 – 31.10.2013

1^st: Eamonn & John McKiernan, Newtown, Monasterboice, Drogheda, Co. Louth – Knockmountagh Master, born: 15.09.2013, sire: Grianan Firecracker, dam: Knockmountagh Carmel.

2^nd: T&A Fitzgerald, Glebe House, Mount Temple, Moate, Co. Westmeath – Grianan Neon, born: 10.09.2013, sire: Grianan Highfyler, dam: Grianan Orange K581

3^rd: Matthew Goulding, Ballyduff, Tralee, Co. Kerry – Dendor 1 Last Chance, born: 28.09.2013, sire: Solpoll 1 Gillbert, dam: Dendor 1 Greta 8

4^th: H&M Parr, Tourtane, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny – Tourtane Jake, born: 23.10.2013, sire: Kilsunny Goliath, dam: Grianan Orange K589

Class 6: Bull born between 01.11.2013 – 31.12.2013

1^st: Michael Molloy, Glebe, Belmount, Co. Offaly – Moyclare Mariner, born: 03.11.2013, sire: Brocca Saviour, dam: Moyclare Dora.

2^nd: T&A Fitzgerald, Glebe House, Mount Temple, Moate, Co. Westmeath – Grianan Nobleman, born: 17.11.2013, sire: Bowmount Storm, Grianan Dominique.

3^rd: Declan Donnelly, Lissycasey, Ennis, Co. Clare – Clondrina 1138, born: 06.12.2013, sire: Balleen Gilbert, dam: Clondrina 881

4^th: Sean McKiernan, Corlismore House, Corlismore, Co. Cavan – Corlismorepoll 1 Hustler 740, born: 11.11.2013, sire: Grianan Firecracker, dam: Colismorepoll 1 Sara

Class 7: Bull born between 01.01.2014 – 28.02.2014

1^st: Sean McKiernan, Corlismore House, Corlismore, Co. Cavan – Corlismorepoll 1 Hustler 747, born: 18.01.2014, sire: Grianan Firecracker, dam: Corlismorepoll 1 Sydney 524.

2^nd: Hugh P Murray, Main Street, Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath – Newland Goss, born: 13.02.2014, sire: Castledaly Jeff, dam: Castleday Brid.

3^rd: Edwin Jones, Riverside, Kenagh, Co. Longford – Keenaghpoll 1 Jupiter, born: 28.02.2014, sire: Kilsunny Goliath, dam: Keenaghpoll 1 Fiona.

4^th: Philip Smyth, Ardmulchan, Navan, Co. Meath – Ardmulchan Krusader, born: 02.01.2014, sire: Grianan Emperor, dam: Ballymartin Hillary.

Class 8: Hereford Bull born after 01.03.2014

1^st: Cathal Flynn, Tullyyard, Co, Monaghan – Rossmore Kestrel, born: 02.03.2014, sire: Grianan King Kong, dam: Rossmore Blossom.

2^nd: Basil Arnold, Mullaghdoo, Kileshardra, Co. Cavan, Mullaghdoopoll 1 Elite, born: 24.03.2014, sire: Gouldinpoll 1 Superduty, dam: Mullaghdoo Rosetta.

3^rd: James V Thompson, Ballyraggan, Rathvilly, Co. Carlow – Ballyraggan Mentor 792, born: 07.03.2014, sire: Woodview Ernest, dam: Ballyraggan Dot 565.

4^th: Michael Farrell, Kilcleagh, Castledaly, Moate, Co. Westmeath – Castledaly Messi, born: 17.03.2014, sire: Bowmont Vancouver, dam: Castledaly Eliza.

Report and Gallery photos by: Edward Dudley

Photos Prizewinners: Helena Murray