It was a weekend of dreams in Thurles for mother and son, Eustace and Deirdre Burke of the Clontead Aberdeen Angus herd. As part of the Irish Aberdeen Angus Extravaganza the pair went on to take the title of All-Ireland champion medium herd for the second year running on Saturday 8th October before their young heifer was tapped out as AXA supreme National calf show champion the very next day.
The Extravaganza proved a roaring success for the Association attracting record prices for its premier sale and the €10,000 prize fund for the National calf show attracting the best animals in the country.
This record prize fund for the Association would not have been possible if not for the generous sponsorship of AXA, Marteye, Angus Beef Ireland, FDC Group, Munster Bovine, Cormac Tagging, Irish Angus Producer Group/ABP, Agriland and Dovea Genetics.
Due to this hefty prize fund, eyes remained firmly on judge for the day Wanda Tilson who runs the renowned Wedderlie herd in Scotland alongside her mother and father. Following her judging of 11 classes and four championships, even more tension built on the build up to her tapping out the AXA supreme champion for 2022.
After much deliberation she eventually tapped out Clontead Mandy X363 as her supreme champion. As mentioned, this heifer was bred by Cork based Eustace and Deirdre Burke and marks the first time the duo has claimed the National calf show championship. Sired by Rawburn Boss Hogg N630, she is out of the homebred Clontead Miss Mandy S204 who herself is a Goulding Jumbo King K436 daughter.
Mandy X363 came out on top of a strong August and September 2021 born heifer class, before taken the senior heifer championship and eventually the AXA supreme championship.
The reserve supreme championship also headed to Co Cork, with Carbery Venice from Keith and Caroline Vickery taking the plaudits. This February 2022 born bull was again sired by Rawburn Boss Hogg N630 with the Carbery Sea Mist the dam. Venice took the February and March 2022 born bull class before taking the junior male championship on his way to the reserve supreme.
Standing senior male champion on the day was the winner of the first bull class into the ring, Droumdaniel Ultan from Eoin Lynch, Bantry, Co Cork. This August 2021 born bull is sired by the herds stock bull Westellen Black Bingo V865 and out of the Gigginstown Days of Thunder.
Taking the last section championship on the day was Edgeworthstown Lady Henn Y058 who stood as junior female champion. This February 2022 born heifer was bred by the Ferguson family from Co Longford. Sired by Lisduff Red Pepper R368 she is out of Edgeworthstown Lady Heidi R014.
Standing reserve senior heifer champion to the supreme was Jadam Lady Sandra X150 from Enda Kearney, Co Clare. This daughter of HF Alcatraz is out of Blackfied Lady Sanda P531 and had a phenomenal summer at the shows.
Reserve senior male champion went to Alan Gibbons with Carrowboy Uisce Beatha. This October born bull is a son of Stouphill Bomber and Marganure Lady Haze. This topped a super day for the Roscommon man who also took the reserve junior male championship with Carrowboy V.I.B. This April born bull calf was sired by Maine Dragon and out of Kilteevan Damsel.
