Irish Ploughing team sees success on the global stage
The ploughing competitions are underway at the National Ploughing Championships at Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly. Picture: Larry Cummins
Ireland’s global sporting reputation is being strengthened not only by its rowers, swimmers, athletes and boxers, but also by competitive ploughmen winning major events.
Last weekend John Whelan from, Ballycullane, Co. Wexford, representing the Republic of Ireland, took second place overall behind Mathieu Comoreche of France in the reversible class at the World Ploughing Championship in Croatia.
Whelan’s teammate Eamonn Tracey, from Garryhill, Co Carlow, the holder of six world titles, was sixth overall in the conventional category which was won by Matej Sinic of Slovenia.
Northern Ireland’s Andrew Gill was fourth in the same competition while his teammate David Wright, a former world champion from Magherafelt, Co Derry, was also fourth in the reversible contest.
Gill is from Dromore, Co. Down, the birthplace of Harry Ferguson, the inventor whose tractor revolutionised farming worldwide, and Wright is vice-chairman of the Northern Ireland Ploughing Association.
Some 51 competitors from 26 countries competed in conventional and reversible ploughing on stubble ground and grassland at the contest.
The National Ploughing Association congratulated the Republic’s John Whelan and Eamonn Tracey on their performances.
It also thanked judge Harry Mallon and coach Gary Simms, both from Donegal, for being part of the success.
Organised by the World Ploughing Organisation with Anna Marie McHugh, NPA assistant managing director, as general secretary, the contest is held annually in different countries.
The latest achievements of Irish ploughmen came two weeks after former world champion Jer Coakley from Clonakilty, Co Cork, won his fourth European reversible title in Switzerland.
Teammate Dan Donnolly, another past European champion from Kilumuckridge, Co Wexford, finishing fourth.
Denis Keohane, Ballinascarthy, Co Cork, a National Ploughing Association life member, presented Jer Coakley with an award to mark his achievement on his return home.
Adrian Jamison from Ballycastle, Co Antrim, chairman of the Northern Ireland Ploughing Association, was fifth overall in the reversible class with Jack Wright from Magherafelt in 13th place.
Ploughmen from the Republic and Northern Ireland are traditionally strong contenders for honours in world and European ploughing contests and have won many titles in recent years.
Their recent performances have provided a big morale boost for the 95th national ploughing championships, which begins in Screggan, Co Offaly, next Tuesday and continues until Thursday.
It will feature 351 leading ploughing competitors across 34 conventional and reversible classes.
NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said each very year it is inspiring to see the incredible talent and dedication from competitors of all ages.
“Ploughing remains at the very heart of the championships, and it is wonderful to see such skill and passion on display,” she said.
Early indications are that the weather will be a mixture of sunny intervals and light rain for ploughing week, which President Catherine Connolly will officially open.
People intending to travel to the event are being advised, however, to check Met Éireann and other weather forecasts nearer the time and to dress accordingly.
Following the event, the ploughing focus will turn towards the 82nd Northern Ireland International Championships, which will take place on September 25-26 at Hillsborough, Co Down.
