Pauline Scott Local competitors featured strongly among the winners at this year’s County Ploughing Championships which was held on the Leonard family farm at Ardmullen, Kiltoom, on Saturday last. Cool weather and the change of date effected numbers somewhat, but organisers were well pleased with the enthusiasm shown by those in attendance on the day. Well-known former Roscommon footballer Gerry O’Malley was on hand to perform the official opening of the event, while local parish priest Fr. John Cullen blessed the site. Highlights of the event included the sheepdog demonstration by Con McGarry and Barra O’Brien, while visitors also flocked to the live farm run by Agri Aware. Among those present at that stand was RTÉ’s Darragh McCullagh. Local winners on the day included Patrick O’Boyle from Kiltoom, who won the prize for the youngest competitor. John Morris from Mountplunkett, Lecarrow, came second in the three furrow senior confined competition and his neighbour Enda Connaughton came third in that competition. Paddy Shaughnessy from Lisphelim won the vintage single furrow confined event, while James Coffey from Lecarrow, who previously hosted the event, came second in the confined horse competition. Local woman Christine Joyce from Curraghboy was the proud owner of the reserve champion in the dog show. Organisers this week thanked the event’s sponsors 1 Base 4 Building and had a special word of thanks for Joe McGrath and Shane Curran. They also thanked Hodson Bay Hotel for sponsoring the event. The event would not be possible without the help of local volunteers and this year’s event enjoyed great support from the local community, including members of local IFA branches and also St. Brigid’s GAA Club.
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