It was the day of dreams for the Kearney family in Kilfenora, Co Clare who claimed this years Growvite supreme All-Ireland championship.
The finals this year headed to Dualla show in Co Tipperary and welcomed breeders from all corners of the country, both exhibiting and spectating.
Standing centre stage at this year’s event was Seonaid McLaren of the noted Netherton herd. This marks the third generation of the McLaren family to judge this prestigious event.
She found her champion in the form of the junior cow Jadam lady Sandra X150 from Enda and Adam Kearney. This home bred two-year-old first calved cow was sired by HF Alcatraz and out of Blackfield Lady Sandra P531 and show alongside her January born heifer calf.
Having come out of the strongest and most impressive class of the day which seen eight first calved cow and calf pairs compete she went on to claim the intermediate championship before taking the coveted supreme championship.
No stranger to success, Lady Sandra was also tapped out reserve overall champion at the 2022 Tullamore show.
This topped an exceptional day for the Claire family who as well as claiming the prestigious All-Ireland took a host of other prizes on the day.
First up Adam Kearney secured pole position in the young handlers before his older sister Nicole secured the red rosette in the senior young handlers. Along with this Jadam Lady Sandra A164 took first place in the heifer calf born December 2023 to March 2024. This stylish young heifer is a full sister to the days overall champion. She then paired up with her ET full sister, also born in January 2024, to take home the champion pair of the day.
If that wasn’t enough, the young lady Sandra A164 also went on to claim the reserve junior championship.
Standing as reserve intermediate and reserve supreme champion was Gurtavoher Venice from local Tipperary breeders the Barlow family. This rising two-year-old bull is a son of the herds stock bull Clooncarne Pellet and the homebred dam Gurtavoher Naples. This bull also has previous success having claimed a red rosette at Tullamore two weeks previous and a number of titles when shown as a calf last year.
Taking the senior male championship was Corlismore Tomohawk from Albert and Jennifer DeCogan, Castlemartyr, Co Cork. This son of NCBC bull HW Farghal is out of Corlismore P Lady. The four-year-old is no stranger to success having won numerous championships throughout the country in 2024.
Claiming the overall junior championship was Tara Elliot Eric Z992 from Malachy Tighe, Batterstown, Co Meath. This September 2023 born bull is a son of popular AI bull HF Rebel and Luddenmore Ellen Erica V403.
Last of the championship accolades was the reserve senior championship, which was secured by Kerins Normandy from Bernard Kerins, Ballymote, Co Sligo. This eight-year-old Priestown Tornado daughter is out of a Lawsons Ford Bagatelle cow.
Taking first place in the December 2023 to end of March 2024 born bull class was Ballykilroe Duncan A975. This February born bull is sired by Morpheus Kodiak and out of a Rathmooney bred cow. He was bred and exhibited by Eoin Robinson, Ballinagore, Co Westmeath.
In the senior heifer class coming up trumps was John Mullooly and family with Lavalley Lady J Carmel Y455. This December 2022 born heifer is sired by Keirsbeath Karma and is out of a Bohey Jasper bred dam.
Luddenmore Frances Z597 from Dr Michael Sheahan secured the red ticket in the 2023 heifer class. This Stylish heifer is sired by the herds imported stock bull Carruthers Earl.
Taking red in the autumn heifer calf class was albert and Jennifer DeCogan with Mogeely Jody Z917. This Keirsbeath karma daughter is out of a homebred Wedderlie Blackbox cow.
Finally taking the last class for calf born on or after 1st April 2024 was Millbawn A Jody from Conor Craig, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford. This young calf was sired by Intelagri Matteo.
The Irish Aberdeen Angus Association would like to pay massive thanks to our long running sponsors Univet who make these finals possible.
Also, a massive shout out to Dualla Show for all their work pre and post event its very much appreciated. Finally, many thanks to our judge, exhibitors, and spectators for making it the show it was!
