John finishes runner-up in world ploughing event for fourth time
Competing at Bellechasse, Switzerland, against the best ploughmen of 28 nations, John finished second to Martin Kirnstedter, Austria, having previously been runner-up in 1973, 1974 and 1980.
He also took first place and won the gold medal for grassland ploughing against strong opposition to enhance his achievement.
John will now bring home both the gold medal and the Massey Ferguson Silver Rose Bowl, which is awarded annually to the overall runner-up.
Speaking from National Ploughing Association headquarters following the finals, Anna May McHugh, managing director, said John had come up trumps yet again.
“He is an amazing ploughman when you consider that it is just thirty years since he was world runner-up for the first time and here he is topping the world ranking again,” she said.
Mrs McHugh said his achievement was a huge boost for ploughing in the country, in the run-up to the national championships at Ballacolla, Co Laois, on September 24, 25 and 26. John will now go on to represent Carlow in the nationals.
The Irish team of John Treacy and Seán Keating, Wexford, Jimmy Grainger (judge) and John’s son Eamon as team manager will arrive home from Switzerland tomorrow.
