Category: 2013 Archive

Day Two Results

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Day 2 of the National Ploughing Championships witnessed record crowds descend once more on the site in Ratheniska, Co. Laois. Todays attendance figures exceeded all expectations topping 90,000 and setting a new record in the history of the event. This brings the total figure for attendance this week up over170, 000 with a final day of ploughing tomorrow.  Reports form all commercial quarters have been extremely positive with trade being described by many exhibitors as “the busiest in five years”. Speaking at the announcement of the attendance figures, Ms Anna May McHugh stated “We anticipated large crowds again today but these figures go beyond all expectation and I am delight that the traffic management plan An Garda Síochána put in place is dealing so well with the numbers traveling. I would urge all visitors attending tomorrow to download and follow the Garda traffic plan on our website. Walking the site today, the atmosphere was tremendous and we are all looking forward to another day of ploughing and trade tomorrow”. 

 The much anticipated “tweetup” which was a first for the Championships took place with over 200 avid tweeters “meeting-up” to stage this #Ploughing event on Twitter. Also proving a great success again this year was the ever popular “Most Appropriately Dressed Lady” and “Most Appropriately Dressed Gent” competitions. Taking the top prize for the ladies was Sharon Foley from Borris Co. Carlow, who won a €500 voucher form the Wineport Lodge.  With many stylish men out in force also, Mark Flood from Kildare secured the title of “Most Appropriately Dressed Gent”, taking the prize of a tailored suit by Louis Copeland & Sons. 

 Today also witnessed the usual “pressing of the flesh” that goes hand in hand with the event. Most political parties, having taken large exhibit stands, ensured the tea and coffee continued to flow as their political representatives mingled with potential voters. Out and about today was Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Simon Coveney TD, who walked the site with great ease, visiting the stands and ploughing plots; meeting competitors, exhibitors and visitors alike. Also in attendance were Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD, Deputy Micheál MartinTD, Martin Ferris TD, Mairead McGuinness MEP, Marian Harkin MEP and a host of local representatives. Taking to the trackway today also were IFA presidential hopefuls Eddie Downey of Meath and Laois’s Jer Bergin, both vying to win over the voters. 

 With another action packed day of ploughing, hunt-chase, sheep dog trials, tractor building, fashion, sheep shearing, pony games and much more planned for tomorrow, large crowds are expected in county Laois once more. 

Class: VINTAGE 2 FURROW MOUNTED CLASS – WEDNESDAY, 25th SEPT.
County Plot No. Name Sheet 1 Gross Penalty Nett Place
Summary              
Cork West 201 John Keohane 165       1
Offaly 193 John McBryde 161       2
Wexford 198 Seamus Byrne 159       3
               
Full Result              
Dublin 184 Sean Boland 123        
Wicklow 185 Paddy Doyle 150       5
Sligo 186 Seamus McDaniel 116        
Cork East 187 Philip Cotter 139        
Westmeath 188 John Sweeney 134        
Galway 189 Joe Kelly 142        
Kildare 191 Peter O’Connell 139        
Antrim 192 James Adair 149        
Offaly 193 John McBryde 161       2
Tipperary North 194 Aidan Hogan 144        
Tipperary South 195 John Flannery 139        
Longford 196 Billy Stewart 127        
Roscommon 197 Sean Ward 136        
Wexford 198 Seamus Byrne 159       3
Waterford 199 Henry McGrath 134        
Clare 200 Walter Moroney 130        
Cork West 201 John Keohane 165       1
Laois 202 Tom Pender 131        
Meath 203 Oliver Smith 138        
Kilkenny 204 Tommy Cullen 125        
Fermanagh 205 Jack O’Brien 153       4
Class: SENIOR HORSE CLASS – WEDNESDAY, 25th SEPT.  
County Plot No. Name Sheet 1 Gross Penalty Nett Place
Summary              
Louth 152 Gerry King 161   5 156 1
Galway 159 Gerry Reilly 137     137 2
Cork East 166 JJ Delaney 136     136 3
               
Full Result              
Kildare 151 Philip Jacob 111     111  
Louth 152 Gerry King 161   5 156 1
Monaghan 153 Noel Hand 107     107  
Louth 154 Joe Doherty 115     115  
Galway 155 Joe Fahy 122     122 6
Wicklow 156 Billy Molloy 99     99  
Cork West 157 John O’Donovan 123     123 5
Kildare 158 Godfrey Worrell       0  
Galway 159 Gerry Reilly 137     137 2
Wexford 160 Eamon Murphy 106     106  
Longford 161 Bernard Casey 107     107  
Wexford 162 Michael O’Brien       0  
Wicklow 163 Kevin Doran 99     99  
Kerry 164 Moss Trant 100     100  
Monaghan 165 Eugene Hand 125     125 4
Cork East 166 JJ Delaney 136     136 3
County Plot No. Name Sheet 1 Gross Penalty Nett Place
Summary              
Cork West 146 Gerry O’Driscoll 89       1
Avondue 147 David Murphy 87       2
Longford 140 Eoin Kelly 86       3
               
Full Result              
Longford 140 Eoin Kelly 86       3
Offaly 141 Gerard Mahon 76        
Imokilly 142 Kevin McGrath 58        
Kilkenny 143 John Conway 83       4
Kerry 144 Christopher McCarthy 77        
Wexford 145 Brian Hennessy 81        
Cork West 146 Gerry O’Driscoll 89       1
Avondue 147 David Murphy 87       2
Tipperary North 148 Ethan Harding 67        
Laois 149 Eoin Lacey 63        
Westmeath 150 Michael Halpin 61        
Class: FARMERETTE CONVENTIONAL CLASS – WEDNESDAY, 25th SEPT.
County Plot No. Name Sheet 1 Gross Penalty Nett Place
Summary              
Monaghan 138 Joanne Deery 104       1
Cork West 133 Rose Nyhan 100       2
Longford 135 Cynthia Geelan 94       3
               
Full Result              
Laois 127 Anna Marie McHugh 93       4
Roscommon 128 Georgina Spain          
Wicklow 129 Christine O’Hara 73        
Offaly 130 Laura Grant 87       7
Kilkenny 131 Michelle Hartley 92       5
Kerry 132 Martina Flynn 89       6
Cork West 133 Rose Nyhan 100       2
Westmeath 134 Bernie McCarthy 67        
Longford 135 Cynthia Geelan 94       3
Cork East 136 Lisa Ring 82       8
Sligo 137 Lorna Harte 77       9
Monaghan 138 Joanne Deery 104       1
               

Results

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Day One 

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Class: 3 FURROW CONVENTIONAL MATCH CLASS – TUESDAY, 24th SEPT.  
County Plot No. Name Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Gross Penalty Nett Place  
Summary                  
Waterford 54 James Pendergast 90 94 184     1  
Laois 42 Eamon Meade 83 89 172     2  
Monaghan 47 Kieran McGee 76 87 163     3  
                   
Full Result                  
Laois 42 Eamon Meade 83 89 172     2  
Louth 43 Brendan Byrne 69 74 143     5  
Tipperary North 44 Ciáran Milne 51 61 112        
Donegal 45 Donal Deeney 49 58 107        
Cork East 46 Jim Barrett 59 72 131        
Monaghan 47 Kieran McGee 76 87 163     3  
Sligo 48 Paul O’Brien 52 68 120        
Westmeath 49 Andrew Ennis 52 56 108        
Roscommon 50 Paddy Beirne 74 80 154     4  
Offaly 51 Michael Connolly 60 77 137        
Limerick 52 Pat O’Riordan 52 63 115        
Cavan 53 Cecil McCullagh 54 62 116        
Waterford 54 James Pendergast 90 94 184     1  
Kerry 55 Colm Dineen 64 76 140        
                   
                   
Summary                  
Waterford 54 James Pendergast 90 94 184     1  
Laois 42 Eamon Meade 83 89 172     2  
Monaghan 47 Kieran McGee 76 87 163     3  
                   
Class: INTERMEDIATE CONVENTIONAL CLASS – TUESDAY, 24th SEPTEMBER                
County Plot No. Name Sheet1 Sheet1 Sheet2 Sheet2 Gross Place
Summary                
Laois 10 Padraig Brandon 52 50 50 54 206 1
Galway 5 Eamon Burke 48 46 48 53 195 2
Laois 2 Alan Davis 47 47 48 52 194 3
                 
Full Result                
      A B A B    
Limerick 1 John Molyneaux 36 35 44 46 161  
Laois 2 Alan Davis 47 47 48 52 194 3
Cork East 3 Dave Mulcahy 48 47 46 51 192 5
Cork East 4 Dermot O’Flynn 44 48 48 53 193 4
Galway 5 Eamon Burke 48 46 48 53 195 2
Galway 6 Pat Higgins 46 44 46 52 188 8
Kerry 7 Thomas Healy 31 38 36 41 146  
Kilkenny 8 Cathal Brady 36 36 41 43 156  
Kildare 9 Dominic Dunne 31 35 40 46 152  
Laois 10 Padraig Brandon 52 50 50 54 206 1
Waterford 11 Thomas Kirwan 42 42 40 45 169  
Waterford 12 Philip Murphy 39 35 40 40 154  
Longford 13 Martin Reilly 43 38 42 42 165  
Mayo 14 Gerry Sheridan 40 34 41 44 159  
Tipperary North 15 John Slattery 40 39 45 49 173  
Kilkenny 16 Tommy Cuddihy 38 38 40 43 159  
Kilkenny 17 Thomas Hartley 42 38 44 50 174  
Limerick 18 Gary O’Riordan 22 28 35 39 124  
Louth 19 Enda McKeown 39 39 43 47 168  
Donegal 20 Roger McKinney 37 39 41 46 163  
Cork West 21 Jim Grace 43 49 45 52 189 7
Louth 22 Eamonn McKeown 42 40 43 49 174  
Cork West 23 DJ Keohane 45 46 49 52 192 5
Waterford 24 Maurice Walsh 37 37 41 46 161  
Donegal 25 Harry Mallon 32 35 36 43 146  
Louth 26 Pat McKeown 39 40 40 47 166  
Class: INTERMEDIATE REVERSIBLE CLASS – TUESDAY, 24th SEPT.  
County Plot No. Name Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Gross Penalty Nett Place  
Summary                  
Laois 79 Patsy Condron 116 117 233   233 1  
Laois 78 Karl Davis 106 108 214   214 2  
Kerry 72 Tommy McCarthy 99 95 194   194 3  
Cork East 74 Paddy Harrington 92 102 194   194 3  
                   
Full Result                  
Kerry 72 Tommy McCarthy 99 95 194   194 3  
Tipperary South 73 Ger O’Meara 73 85 158   158    
Cork East 74 Paddy Harrington 92 102 194   194 3  
Waterford 75 Conor Butler 80 88 168   168    
Limerick 76 Colin Ruttle 87 97 184   184    
Laois 78 Karl Davis 106 108 214   214 2  
Laois 79 Patsy Condron 116 117 233   233 1  
Tipperary South 80 John Casey 69 87 156   156    
Tipperary North 81 John Cahalan 97 94 191   191 5  
Laois 82 Seamus Duggan 91 92 183   183    
Kerry 83 Patrick Boyle 57 77 134 5 129    
Waterford 84 Richard Houlihan 83 93 176   176    
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 

 
Class: STANDARD 3FURROW CONVENTIONAL CLASS – TUESDAY, 24th SEPT.  
County Plot No. Name Sheet 1 Gross Penalty Nett Place
Summary              
Wexford 62 Patrick Cooley 90       1
Kilkenny 58 Ned Conway 80       2
Cork West 61 Matthew Coakley 78       3
               
Full Result              
Carlow 56 Ian Bolger 72       5
Wicklow 57 Cecil Hughes 66        
Kilkenny 58 Ned Conway 80       2
Longford 59 Emmet Duffy 69        
Kildare 60 Kieran Dunne 76       4
Cork West 61 Matthew Coakley 78       3
Wexford 62 Patrick Cooley 90       1

 

Class: UNDER-28 CONVENTIONAL CLASS SENIOR GRADE – TUESDAY, 24th SEPT.
County Plot No. Name Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Gross Penalty Nett Place
Summary                
Cork West 30 Kieran Coakley 105 111 216     1
Laois 29 Brendan Greene 94 103 197     2
Longford 33 Sean Monaghan 100 97 197     2
                 
Full Result                
Offaly 27 Kevin Egan 65 77 142      
Tipperary South 28 John O’Brien 80 85 165     5
Laois 29 Brendan Greene 94 103 197     2
Cork West 30 Kieran Coakley 105 111 216     1
Carlow 31 Sean Tracey 67 81 148      
Kilkenny 32 John Doody 82 91 173     4
Longford 33 Sean Monaghan 100 97 197     2
Wexford 34 James Curtis 61 64 125      
Class: UNDER-28 CONVENTIONAL CLASS JUNIOR GRADE – TUESDAY, 24th SEPT.
County Plot No. Name Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Gross Penalty Nett Place
Summary                
Cork East 39 Cian Keohane 85 100 185     1
Kildare 38 David Owen 77 78 155     2
Kerry 37 Cormac O’Connor 69 65 134     3
                 
Full Result                
Westmeath 35 Raymond Halpin 43 47 90      
Clare 36 Sinead Corbett 73 57 130     4
Kerry 37 Cormac O’Connor 69 65 134     3
Kildare 38 David Owen 77 78 155     2
Cork East 39 Cian Keohane 85 100 185     1
Sligo 40 William Hall 61 60 121     5
Mayo 41 Jarlath Colleran 54 56 110      
Leitrim 338 Andrew McGovern 50 48 98      

 

Class: UNDER-28 REVERSIBLE CLASS – TUESDAY, 24th SEPT.
County Plot No. Name Sheet 1 Gross Penalty Nett Place
Summary              
Cork West 71 Ger Coakley 117       1
Wexford 69 Eric Wickham 114       2
Offaly 63 Dermot Ryan 101       3
               
Full Result              
Offaly 63 Dermot Ryan 101       3
Kildare 65 Cormac Ryan 42        
Cork East 66 Jamie O’Sullivan 75        
Westmeath 67 Brendan Halpin 61        
Laois 68 Thomas Cushin 76        
Wexford 69 Eric Wickham 114       2
Kilkenny 70 Daniel O’Dwyer 78       4
Cork West 71 Ger Coakley 117       1

 

Class: UNDER – 40 HORSE CLASS – TUESDAY, 24th SEPT.  
County Plot No. Name Sheet 1 Gross Penalty Nett Place
Summary              
Louth 89 David King 142   5 137 1
Cork West 86 Gerard Collins 136   5 131 2
Cork East 91 Jeremiah Delaney 128   5 123 3
               
Full Result              
Kildare 85 Patrick Commane 97     97  
Cork West 86 Gerard Collins 136   5 131 2
Galway 87 Pat Quinn 118   5 113 4
Wicklow 88 Toni Doran 96   5 91  
Louth 89 David King 142   5 137 1
Galway 90 Caroline Fahey 111   5 106  
Cork East 91 Jeremiah Delaney 128   5 123 3

 

Class: VINTAGE 2 FURROW TRAILER CLASS – TUESDAY, 24th SEPT.  
County Plot No. Name Sheet 1 Gross Penalty Nett Place
Summary              
Waterford 96 Liam Prendergast 160       1
Carlow 93 Bertie Murray 158       2
Kerry 94 Aeneas Horan 153       3
               
Full Result              
Wicklow 92 Tommy Pierce 143        
Carlow 93 Bertie Murray 158       2
Kerry 94 Aeneas Horan 153       3
Wexford 95 Jim Rochford 140        
Waterford 96 Liam Prendergast 160       1
Tipperary South 97 Colm O’Donnell 126        
Kildare 98 Bobby Owen 152       4
Cork West 99 Patrick O’Sullivan 150       5
Longford 100 Charles Stewart 106        
Meath 101 Tommy McCabe 120        
Cork East 102 Denis Hennessy 130        
Down 103 Neil Scott 147        
Down 104 David Grattan 126        
               

 

Day Two

Day 2 of the National Ploughing Championships witnessed record crowds descend once more on the site in Ratheniska, Co. Laois. Todays attendance figures exceeded all expectations topping 90,000 and setting a new record in the history of the event. This brings the total figure for attendance this week up over170, 000 with a final day of ploughing tomorrow.  Reports form all commercial quarters have been extremely positive with trade being described by many exhibitors as “the busiest in five years”. Speaking at the announcement of the attendance figures, Ms Anna May McHugh stated “We anticipated large crowds again today but these figures go beyond all expectation and I am delight that the traffic management plan An Garda Síochána put in place is dealing so well with the numbers traveling. I would urge all visitors attending tomorrow to download and follow the Garda traffic plan on our website. Walking the site today, the atmosphere was tremendous and we are all looking forward to another day of ploughing and trade tomorrow”. 

 The much anticipated “tweetup” which was a first for the Championships took place with over 200 avid tweeters “meeting-up” to stage this #Ploughing event on Twitter. Also proving a great success again this year was the ever popular “Most Appropriately Dressed Lady” and “Most Appropriately Dressed Gent” competitions. Taking the top prize for the ladies was Sharon Foley from Borris Co. Carlow, who won a €500 voucher form the Wineport Lodge.  With many stylish men out in force also, Mark Flood from Kildare secured the title of “Most Appropriately Dressed Gent”, taking the prize of a tailored suit by Louis Copeland & Sons. 

 Today also witnessed the usual “pressing of the flesh” that goes hand in hand with the event. Most political parties, having taken large exhibit stands, ensured the tea and coffee continued to flow as their political representatives mingled with potential voters. Out and about today was Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Simon Coveney TD, who walked the site with great ease, visiting the stands and ploughing plots; meeting competitors, exhibitors and visitors alike. Also in attendance were Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD, Deputy Micheál MartinTD, Martin Ferris TD, Mairead McGuinness MEP, Marian Harkin MEP and a host of local representatives. Taking to the trackway today also were IFA presidential hopefuls Eddie Downey of Meath and Laois’s Jer Bergin, both vying to win over the voters. 

 With another action packed day of ploughing, hunt-chase, sheep dog trials, tractor building, fashion, sheep shearing, pony games and much more planned for tomorrow, large crowds are expected in county Laois once more. 

Class: VINTAGE 2 FURROW MOUNTED CLASS – WEDNESDAY, 25th SEPT.
County Plot No. Name Sheet 1 Gross Penalty Nett Place
Summary              
Cork West 201 John Keohane 165       1
Offaly 193 John McBryde 161       2
Wexford 198 Seamus Byrne 159       3
               
Full Result              
Dublin 184 Sean Boland 123        
Wicklow 185 Paddy Doyle 150       5
Sligo 186 Seamus McDaniel 116        
Cork East 187 Philip Cotter 139        
Westmeath 188 John Sweeney 134        
Galway 189 Joe Kelly 142        
Kildare 191 Peter O’Connell 139        
Antrim 192 James Adair 149        
Offaly 193 John McBryde 161       2
Tipperary North 194 Aidan Hogan 144        
Tipperary South 195 John Flannery 139        
Longford 196 Billy Stewart 127        
Roscommon 197 Sean Ward 136        
Wexford 198 Seamus Byrne 159       3
Waterford 199 Henry McGrath 134        
Clare 200 Walter Moroney 130        
Cork West 201 John Keohane 165       1
Laois 202 Tom Pender 131        
Meath 203 Oliver Smith 138        
Kilkenny 204 Tommy Cullen 125        
Fermanagh 205 Jack O’Brien 153       4
Class: SENIOR HORSE CLASS – WEDNESDAY, 25th SEPT.  
County Plot No. Name Sheet 1 Gross Penalty Nett Place
Summary              
Louth 152 Gerry King 161   5 156 1
Galway 159 Gerry Reilly 137     137 2
Cork East 166 JJ Delaney 136     136 3
               
Full Result              
Kildare 151 Philip Jacob 111     111  
Louth 152 Gerry King 161   5 156 1
Monaghan 153 Noel Hand 107     107  
Louth 154 Joe Doherty 115     115  
Galway 155 Joe Fahy 122     122 6
Wicklow 156 Billy Molloy 99     99  
Cork West 157 John O’Donovan 123     123 5
Kildare 158 Godfrey Worrell       0  
Galway 159 Gerry Reilly 137     137 2
Wexford 160 Eamon Murphy 106     106  
Longford 161 Bernard Casey 107     107  
Wexford 162 Michael O’Brien       0  
Wicklow 163 Kevin Doran 99     99  
Kerry 164 Moss Trant 100     100  
Monaghan 165 Eugene Hand 125     125 4
Cork East 166 JJ Delaney 136     136 3
County Plot No. Name Sheet 1 Gross Penalty Nett Place
Summary              
Cork West 146 Gerry O’Driscoll 89       1
Avondue 147 David Murphy 87       2
Longford 140 Eoin Kelly 86       3
               
Full Result              
Longford 140 Eoin Kelly 86       3
Offaly 141 Gerard Mahon 76        
Imokilly 142 Kevin McGrath 58        
Kilkenny 143 John Conway 83       4
Kerry 144 Christopher McCarthy 77        
Wexford 145 Brian Hennessy 81        
Cork West 146 Gerry O’Driscoll 89       1
Avondue 147 David Murphy 87       2
Tipperary North 148 Ethan Harding 67        
Laois 149 Eoin Lacey 63        
Westmeath 150 Michael Halpin 61        
Class: FARMERETTE CONVENTIONAL CLASS – WEDNESDAY, 25th SEPT.
County Plot No. Name Sheet 1 Gross Penalty Nett Place
Summary              
Monaghan 138 Joanne Deery 104       1
Cork West 133 Rose Nyhan 100       2
Longford 135 Cynthia Geelan 94       3
               
Full Result              
Laois 127 Anna Marie McHugh 93       4
Roscommon 128 Georgina Spain          
Wicklow 129 Christine O’Hara 73        
Offaly 130 Laura Grant 87       7
Kilkenny 131 Michelle Hartley 92       5
Kerry 132 Martina Flynn 89       6
Cork West 133 Rose Nyhan 100       2
Westmeath 134 Bernie McCarthy 67        
Longford 135 Cynthia Geelan 94       3
Cork East 136 Lisa Ring 82       8
Sligo 137 Lorna Harte 77       9
Monaghan 138 Joanne Deery 104       1
               

 

Day Three

 

Ratheniska is set to host the National Ploughing Championships again in 2014 as the event returns to Co. Laois for a second year. With record attendance figures this year, organisers made the announcement at the close of business today. Speaking after the announcement, Managing Director, Ms Anna May McHugh said “We are delighted to be staging the event here again next year. Feedback form landowners, the local community and the wider public has been very positive and all were enthusiastic to see a return. Speaking also with many of the exhibitors and visitors over the past few days, all were very vocal about their wishes to have it staged here again. I think the site has proved very popular for several reasons including its central location and surrounding road & rail network. By and large most people have been travelling to and from the site with relative ease and the minimum of traffic delays. This has certainly helped the event in being such a success this year and we hope to repeat this again in 2014”.

 Early light showers starting off, the weather soon picked up with sunny spells breaking through just in time for the arrival of An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD. Making his first port of call to the plots, the Taoiseach met with several of Irelands top Ploughmen before attending several agricultural stands such as Beet Ireland, Macra na Feirne, ICMSA, IFA and Lely Ireland. Stepping out on the trackway between stands, the Taoiseach was joined by 57, 000 visitors throughout the day, bringing the total attendance figure for the 2013 National Ploughing Championships to approximately 228,000. This is a new record in the history of the event breaking all attendance figures previously set.

 The highlight of today, and the week for most ploughing enthusiasts came with the announcement of Irelands two representatives for the World Ploughing Championships in 2014. Congratulations must go to John Whelan of Wexford competing in the Reversible Class and Eamon Tracey of Carlow competing in the Conventional Class. Both will take to the fields of France next September 5th and 6th in Bordeaux, once more representing their country with pride. 

Day 1 NPC 2013

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Opening day of the National Ploughing Championships saw larger than anticipated numbers descending on the 800 acre site in Ratheniska, Co Laois with over 81,000 passing through the turnstiles. This represents an increase of just over 29,000 on last year’s figure of 52,000 for the same day. With good weather forecast and positive traffic reports, large visitor numbers are expected again tomorrow.

Prior to officially opening Ireland’s largest tradeshow and agricultural event, President Michael D. Higgins took to the trackway to meet several exhibitors before traveling out to the plots to witness the ever popular sport of competitive ploughing. Taking the time to meet some of Ireland’s most respected ploughmen, President Higgins witnessed first-hand the competitive spirit that has resulted in Ireland’s incredible successes of late on the world ploughing stage in Canada. Some of this success also appears to have rubbed off on the local Ploughmen of Laois with the county securing 2 first place winners, 3 second place winners and 1 ploughman taking a third placing; an all-round successful day for the county.

With crowds thronging the 22 kilometres of trackway, reports indicate that business on day one of the event was extremely successful for the 1400 exhibitors taking stands. Numerous exhibitors using the allure of celebrity figures, drew the attention of the visiting public; all eager to meet sporting legends such as Paul O’Connell, John “The Bull” Hayes, Alan Quinlan, Lar Corbett, Joe Canning, Pádraic Maher, Anthony Daly, Darren O’Neill and Mark Rohan, to name a few.

Speaking at the close of Day 1, Ms Anna May McHugh stated “The weather over the past few weeks has resulted in excellent ground conditions under foot, making it very pleasant for both exhibitor and visitor alike. However, the dry conditions have made it slightly more difficult for competitors from a ploughing perspective. This is something they will have to accommodate for over the coming days”. Referring to the large attendance numbers, Ms McHugh continued “We are delighted with the increased visitor number reported today. This is partially due to the staging of the event in a central location, fair weather and a well organised traffic management plan put in place by An Garda Síochána”.

Visitors to the National Ploughing Championships tomorrow can expect another action packed day for all the family with some of the highlights including the ever popular “Most Appropriately Dressed Lady” and “Most Appropriately Dressed Gent” competitions which are kindly sponsored by Wineport Lodge and Louis Copeland & Sons which takes place at 3pm in the Fashion Marquee. Those attending the Fashion Shows throughout the day are also encouraged to complete an entry form for the “Grand Audience Prize” which is a voucher to the value of €500 kindly sponsored by Thomas Cook Holidays. Also taking place tomorrow is the National Ploughing Championships “Tweetup”. All avid tweeters are welcome to attend this #Ploughing event in front of the Band Stand at 2pm.

World Champion Ploughmen

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world-ploughing6

 Today Simon Coveney, TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine has congratulated the newly crowned World Champion Ploughmen who arrived into Dublin Airport this morning.
 
‘I’d like to extend my sincere congratulations to John Whelan and Eamonn Tracey following their exceptional achievements over the weekend. They have competed at the very highest level of world ploughing and won gold and bronze between them. Both have displayed a huge amount of talent and dedication to complete this extraordinary achievement.’
 
The World Ploughing Championships took place in Alberta, Olds, Canada .John Whelan from Wexford and Eamonn Tracey from Carlow won Gold and Bronze in their competitive classes.
 
Minister Coveney concluded ‘This is an very proud day for both the winners and the whole team including coach  Brian Ireland and all those involved in this industry across the country.’