Winners of gold and bronze last July at the World Ploughing Contest in Canada, John Whelan (Wexford), and Eamon Tracey, (Carlow) were dominant in their respective classes at Ratheniska, Co Laois, securing their places on the team for the world contest in Bordeaux, France, next year.

NEARLY 180,000 people attended the three-day National Ploughing Championships which ended at Mogeely, Co Cork, last evening.