Herefords among stars at sodden Royal Meath Show
Despite the competition of what turned out to be a tremendous All-Ireland hurling final between Tipperary and victors Kilkenny on Sunday, and the typically miserable Irish weather, the crowds of exhibitors, competitors and general public turned out in force for the 69th Royal Meath Show at the Porchfields in Trim. It was a special year for the Hereford Society as it is celebrating its centenary, and to commemorate this, a special presentation of a plaque was made to each winner, sponsored by Rosemary Swan of the Hereford Society, who is also chairperson of the Royal Meath Show. The winners in this section were: Special Hereford Heifer Calf Championship, Sean McKieran, Corlismore House, Ballinagh, Co Cavan; Reserve, Phil Smyth, Ardmulchan, Navan; Special Hereford Bull Calf Champion, Sam and Nigel Heatrick, Annariagh, Glaslough, Co Monaghan; Reserve, Hugh Lynch, Kilgolagh, Finea, Mullingar; Female Champion, Sean and Nigel Heatrick; Reserve, Sean McKieran; Bull Champion, JJ Farrell, Trillick A, Temple, Co Longford; Overall Champion, JJ Farrell; Overall Reserve, Sean and Nigel Heatrick. Other cattle results were: Simmental Champion, Garrett Behan, Cloneygowan, Ballyfin, Portlaoise, Co Laois; Reserve, Derek Costello, Barnattin, Kilineer, Drogheda, Co Louth; Belgian Blue Champion, Gerry Duggan; Reserve, Billy Dunne, Errill, Co Laois; Aberdeen Angus Champion, GA & D Reynolds, Bunlahy, Ballinalee, Co Longford; Reserve, Tom Reynolds, Knockadrinan, Johnston Bridge, Bornacoola, Co Leitrim. Royal Meath Show Aberdeen Angus Calf Championship was won by the Champion and Reserve above; Charolais Champion, Martin Clyne, Tully, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford; Reserve, Kieran Gillick, Lislea, Virginia; Limousin Champion, William Smith, Millbrook, Oldcastle; Reserve, Gerard Greenan, Moyatra, Castleshane, Co Monaghan; Commercial Cattle Champion, Stanley Bros, Rahard, Carnaross; Reserve, George Hegarty, Dublin Road, Longford. Friesians Champion and Reserve, Jerome Smith, Aughaloora, Kilnaleck, Co Cavan; Shorthorn Champion, PJ, C & M Kelly, Ricketstown, Rathvilly, Co Carlow; Reserve, Kenny Smyth, Smythfarm, St Margaret's, Co Dublin. Sheep section: Charolais Champion, Richard Allen, Uppertown, Dunlavin; Reserve Champion, Bernard Casey, Oldhill, Drumlish, Co Longford; Texel Champion, Alex and Ornaith Clarke, Navan; Reserve, Kenneth Bird, Dunlever, Trim; Suffolk Champion, JJ Corcoran, Foxhurst, Brownstown, Kilcloon; Reserve, Eamon Duffy, Ethelstown, Kells. Goat Section: Champion and Reserve Champion, Brendan McConnell, Halltown, Robinstown, Navan. The Horse Champion was Dr Pat Wall, Kells, with The Fighter Pilot, bred by Thomas Donaghey, Castleblayney. Young handler of the show went to Chloe McCann, Freffans, Trim. In the Home Industries section, the Royal Show Boiled Fruit Cake went to Bernadette Everitt, Culmullen, Drumree, and the National Dahlia Society Silver and Bronze medals went to Patsy McGuinness, Judemar, Connaught Street, Athboy. The organising committee has extended thanks to all attendees who braved the weather, as well as all the judges, stewards, and helpers who "worked like troopers in the rain", and the exhibitors who travelled from near and far to be part of the show.