Tyrrellspass farmer to fly flag at World Sheepdog Trials

Eamonn Connell from Gneevebawn, Tyrrellspass, will represent Ireland at the prestigious World Sheepdog Trials next month. The trials, which are expected to attract some 30,000 spectators alongside 240 sheepdogs and their handlers from all over the world, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada and Finland, will be held at Gill Hall Estate, County Down on September 13-16.

Eamonn qualified for the World Trials at last year’s National Sheepdog Trials at which he took Reserve Champion in the singles and brace (two dogs together) competitions.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Eamonn who lived for many years in Newbristy, Moyvore, said he started trialling in 1997. He took a break when his children, Christopher and Megan, started showjumping – at which they represented Ireland.

Eamonn returned to competing six years ago and has won several competitions in Ireland and internationally. He was the first ever Brace Champion in Italy and a finalist at the European Nursery Trials for dogs under three years; he has also won many open trials.

“When I came back at it I had a few very good dogs, which makes the job a lot easier,” said Eamonn. “I was very lucky.”

Eamonn said that when he was growing up, his family always had good working dogs and he was from a strong hunting background. Before getting into sheepdogs, he trialled pointers and setters.

As well as competing, Eamonn judges competitions at home and abroad and holds training clinics at which people are advised on how to train their dogs and improve their scores. He is off to the USA in October to run training clinics and judge sheepdog trials there.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, interest in outdoor and country pursuits has risen, Eamonn observed. He did a demonstration at the Tinahely Agricultural Show in Wicklow last month. That used to be a small show, but this year there was an hour and a half queue to get in, he said.

Eamonn has appeared on national television, on Ear to the Ground (twice) and is to feature on Nationwide and on the Ray Darcy radio Show in the near future.

John McCullough, chairman of the World Trial Committee, said: “We’re delighted to have Eamonn representing Ireland at this year’s trials. Eamonn’s extensive experience and dedication will be a great source of inspiration and encouragement to other competitors and we’re looking forward to seeing him put on the great performance we know he’s more than capable of producing.”