Banner county takes home the silverware

It was like 1992 all over again, with a team from Co Clare coming to the heart of Co Cork football territory, and taking home the trophies.

This time, it was equine and bovine quality from the Banner County that won, at the Carbery Show in Skibbereen — which has six senior football teams within 20 miles.

The Cork County Beef Bull Championship went to exhibitor Paul Marsh of Bodyke, adding to the village’s 1947 Clare hurling championship.

Also beating the best that Co Cork could offer was Tom Foley from Kildysart, adding the Cork County Yearling Gelding or Filly Championship to his village’s Clare senior football championship of 1889.

As for Skibbereen, the town had its own battle to win to stage the show after months of rainfall. Organisers admitted they had to consider cancellation, but the weather relented enough last week to allow the event go ahead successfully.

Other successful exhibitors in the main classes were as follows.

EQUINE

Champion Foal: Ray Cahalane, Union Hall.

Young Horse Champion: Seamus Lehane, Clonakilty.

Irish Draught Mare: Denis Dullea, Bandon.

Half Bred or Irish Draught Mare and Foal: Denis Dullea, Bandon.

Irish Draught Foal: Sean Scannell, Ballyvourney.

Connemara Pony: Judy Cuddy, Midleton.

Best Pony, Gelding, or Filly, 1-2 years under 138 cm: Michelle Griffin, Bantry.

Miniature Pony: Áine O’Donovan, Dunmanway.

Best Donkey: Anthony McCarthy, Drimoleague.

BOVINE

Shorthorn Champion: Jimmy O’Donovan, Schull. Reserve: Jimmy O’Donovan, Schull

Jersey Champion: Richard and Avril Helen, Clonakilty. Reserve: Richard & Avril Helen.

Junior Friesian Champion: Jerry and Diarmuid Murphy, Innishannon. Reserve: Claire Kirby, Ballinascarthy.

Pedigree Friesian Cow: Joe Collins, Lissarda.

Best Udder of Show: Robert and Sylvia Helen.

Carbery Group Dairy Class: Jerry Hegarty, Skibbereen.

YMA Showmanship League under-16: Claire Kirby, Ballinascarthy.

Belgian Blue Champion: John Cahalane, Castlehaven. Reserve: Richard and Fidelma Stanley, Bandon.

Hereford bull: Michael O’Keeffe, Newmarket.

Charolais Champion: Richard Murphy, Banteer. Reserve: Dermot Kelleher, Inchigeela.

Champion Limousin: Paul Marsh, Bodyke, Co Clare. Reserve: Frank Buckley, Kildinan.

Champion Aberdeen Angus: Albert de Cogan, Castlemartyr. Reserve: C John Tait, Midleton.

Simmental Cow: Tony O’Leary, Ballincollig.

Commercial Champion: James McSweeney, Toames. Reserve: David and Darragh Sheehy, Baltimore.

CANINE

Best dog in Show: Emily Murphy, Ladysbridge