Ploughmen go west for world glory
Wexford man Willie John Kehoe will be taking part for the first time, while Carlow man John Tracey will be ploughing for the seventh time having been runner-up four times.
Team manager and reserve ploughman is John Tracey's son Eamon, who has twice taken part in the event and has a gold medal to his credit for his success in the grassland competition in 1999.
The Irish judge this year will be Jimmy Grainger, a Kildare man who is a past Chairman of the National Ploughing Association.
Willie John is a son of Martin Kehoe, a three times world champion and national champion a record 13 times. Minister of State Liam Aylward, wishing the team well, said Ireland had an exemplary record on the world ploughing stage, providing two world champions in Charlie Keegan, Wicklow, 1964, and Martin Kehoe in 1994, 1995 and 1999.
The NPA has gone to the huge and expensive logistical task of sending tractors and ploughs to Ontario to give team members every opportunity to do well. A downside, however, is the equipment will not arrive home until mid-September, leaving them little time to prepare for the national championships in Ballinabrackey, Co. Meath, from September 23 to 25.
