Sheer class at sheep shearing event

SOME of the world’s top shearers will be attempting to beat the Irish record of 20.3 seconds for shearing a sheep in the Clik Pour-on Speed Shear Challenge at the All Ireland Shearing Championships, in Clonbur, Co Galway, on Sunday.

There are hopes that world champion, David Fagan from New Zealand, will be in Clonbur to defend the record which he set in Kilkenny seven years ago. He also holds the world record of 18.6 seconds.

The Speed Shear is a top attraction at the championships. Leading shearers such as George Graham (Wexford), Willie Jones (Antrim), Ivan Scott (Donegal), Nicky Benyon (Wales), Hamish Mitchell (Scotland) and Troy Shirley (NZ) will compete.