The Irish Aberdeen Angus Association National calf show took place this year at the later date of the 22nd November in Thurles. The late date ensured an excellent display of calves,
with particularly strong numbers in the female sections.
Tasked with judging this year’s show was well known Owen Tunney of the Morpheus herd in England. While no easy task given the calibre of stock on show, he made quick work completing two young handler classes, 10 calf classes and five championships in less than four hours.
The day started with a bumper entry of young handlers across both the senior and junior classes. These classes were kindly sponsored by Animal Farmacy who provided a goodie back for each of the participants. Securing top spot in the senior section was Adam Kearney from Co Clare while the junior section was secured by Conor McCarthy from Co Limerick. A massive well done to all participants on putting on such a spectacle.
Onto the calf classes and it proved a day of dreams for Cappawhite breeder Dr Michael Sheahan who went on to secure the supreme Angus Beef Ireland championship for the third consecutive year.
Securing the top spot having come out of the Zurich junior female championship was
Luddenmore Ebony A679. This December 2024 born Drumhill Lord Highway daughter is a heifer’s calf which descends from the famous Hoff Ebony line. This win marked a super debut for the stylish young heifer.
Commenting on his champion judge Owen Tunney said “As soon as she came into the ring
early on you couldn’t see past her. She just has great legs, depth of body with a super Angus head and ears that just shout out to you to look at her and she will just make a lovely Angus cow”.
This year’s show also seen the introduction of the brand-new Joe Tighe Memorial cup which was awarded by the Tighe family to the days supreme champion. Joe was a stalworth of the breed having significant involvement in the setting up of the Angus producer groups in Ireland and established the well-known Tara herd in Co Meath. Coincidentally the very first bull sold by this year’s recipient, Luddenmore herd, was purchased by Joe many years ago.
Securing the Angus Beef Ireland reserve supreme champion and following the supreme out of the junior female championship, was Lemonfield Prudence B227 from the McCarthy family in Limerick. This February 2025 born heifer is sired by the home bred AI bull Lemonfield Uxas and out of the homebred dam Lemonfield Prudence X111.
Judge Owen Tunney said “She came out easy on top of her class, another beautiful Angus
female. Just giving away a bit of power to today’s champion but definitely a heifer you’d be
proud to own.”
In the ABI senior male championship, top placing went the way of Tara Jubilee Eric A072
from Malachy Tighe, Co Meath. This September 2024 born Stouphill Mr Perry son then went
on to top the Autumn Advantage bull sale at €8,400.
Standing reserve in this championship was Luddenmore Topnotch from Dr Michael
Sheahan, Cappawhite, Co Tipperary. This August 2024 is sired by the homebred
Luddenmore Ebony Boy.
Senior female championship went the way of Eustace and Deirdre Burke with Clontead
Mandy A448. This September 2024 born heifer is sired by Rawburn Boss Hogg and from the same line as the 2022 supreme champion.
Taking reserve honours here was again Luddenmore with Fleur A663. This August 2024
born heifer is again sired by Luddenmore Ebony Boy.
Liss Aberdeen Angus took top spot in the Zurich junior male section with their bull Liss
Megastar B417. This February born bull calf was bred and exhibited by John and Sean
McEnroe and sired by the homebred stock bull Liss Dingle V936.
Finally taking reserve in this section was Luddenmore Faeroe B688 from Dr Michael
Sheahan. This Carruthers Earl sired February calf is from the Fleur line.
This event would not be possible without our very generous sponsors. We are particularly
indebted to our gold sponsors Angus Beef Ireland and Zurich. We thank you for your
contribution to ensure the progression of the breed and ask our members to support
wherever possible.
Also, a massive thank you to Thurles mart for the super facilities, Catherine MacGregor on
the pictures and all involved in running such a successful, event.
Finally, we thank our judge Owen Tunney and his family for making the effort to travel over to Thurles for the weekend, it’s very much appreciated.
