The beautiful town of Clogher in County Tyrone provided the backdrop to this year’s All Ireland Limousin Heifer and Bull Derby Finals.
The Derby, being hosted this year by the Northern Ireland Limousin Club in conjunction with the Clogher Valley Agricultural Show Society and sponsored by Teemore Engineering and Ulster Bank, saw an entry of 11 Bulls and 11 Heifers from the whole island whose breeders sought success in this much-coveted competition.
Paul Sykes, Breed Development Officer Irish Limousin Cattle Society presents Bryan McElroy with the Challenge Shield watched by Elizabeth Rodgers, Secretary and John Gordon,
The weather on the day was ideal for showing and did justice to the top class animals being shown. It also ensured that a huge crowd gathered to see the Derby unfold. The Derby judge was Peter Henshall, a well known and highly respected breeder and judge coming from the Ringway Herd, Lockerbie, Scotland. The sheer quality of animals in front of him made his task an unenviable one but he set about it with characteristic determination and professionalism.
The entrants were as follows:
Heifers
Erne Cinderella owned by Raymond Crawford
Mullary Chantelle owned by Michael Molloy
Ardlea Culum owned by Dan Tynan
Wood Road Clara owned by Noel Fennessy
Millbrook Celine owned by William Smith
Culnagechan Celine owned by Derek Hume
Robineed Cindy owned by D. Robinson
Ardlea Coillte owned by Dan Tynan
Clydevalley Dally owned by R S Clyde
Carricaldreen Duchess owned by Peter Murphy
Ashmara Duchess owned by Neil Martin
Bulls
Brookland Dynamite owned by John Hickey
Carmorn Dauphin owned by Francis McAuley
Carrickaldreen Dallywag owned by Peter Murphy
Fedneyhouse Doherty owned by TJ Adams
Culnagechan Douglas owned by Derek Hume
Fedneyhouse Dannyboy owned by TJ Adams
Bradden Bridge Denman owned by Gareth McGuinness
Millgate Dennis owned by Michael Loughran
Wood Road Donald owned by Noel Fennessy
In the Heifer category, he awarded first place to an outstanding heifer, Millbrook Celine, owned by William Smith. Second place went to Erne Cinderella owned by Raymond Crawford. Third place went to Mullary Chantelle owned by Michael Molloy while fourth place went to Ashmara Duchess owned by Neil Martin. Fifth was awarded to Clydevalley Dally owned by RS Clyde and sixth was awarded to Culnagechan Celine owned by Derek Hume.
Millbrook Celine All Ireland Derby Heifer Champion
Erne Cinderalla 2nd prize Heifer Derby.L-R Raymond Crawford, Herbie Crawford, Peter Henshall, Ann Caldwell
Ann Calwell presents Michael Molloy and Mullary Chantelle with their third place plaque in the Ulster Bank All-Ireland Heifer Derby
In the Bull category, first place went to a very deserving Carrickaldreen Dallywag owned by Peter Murphy. Second was awarded to Wood Road Donald owned by Noel Fennessy. Third place was awarded Culnagechan Douglas owned by Derek Hume while fourth went to Brookland Dynamite owned by John Hickey. Fifth was awarded Carmorn Dauphin, owned by Francis McAuley and sixth went to Millgate Dennis owned by Michael Loughran.
Carrickaldreen Dallywag All Ireland Derby Male Champion
Noel Fennessy from Co Limerick with Wood Road Donald, second in the Teemore Engineering All-Ireland Bull Derby, being congratulated by Nicky Johnston
Culnagechan Douglas was third in the Teemore All-Ireland Bull Derby for Derek Hume. Gary Hume who showed the bull receives his award from Nicky Johnston
The Irish Limousin Cattle Society is thankful to all entrants from across the country as a whole and offers its congratulations to each. The outstanding quality of all animals on show is a testimony to the strength of the breeding capability which exists throughout the country. This capability is reinforced by standards of breeding excellence brought to bear by each breeder. This was highly evident at the final.
Overall, the biggest winner on the day was the Limousin breed as its strength of versatility was very evident. The effort put in by each of the breeders culminated in a highly successful day for all concerned and the event was a highly potent showcase for the numerous qualities of the Limousin breed
We also offer our thanks to Brian McElroy and Lizzie Rodgers of the Northern Irish Limousin Club whose untiring efforts ensured the event was a resounding success. Finally, thanks must go to Willie Wilson and all the Clogher Valley Agricultural Show Society for hosting the All Ireland Heifer and Bull Derby. The show provided an ideal setting.
