Good weather adds to festive atmosphere at ploughing match

A large crowd of competitors and spectators turned out for a successful ploughing match held in Coreagh, Kilbeggan on Saturday last, March 28.

The event took place on the lands of Paddy Rowan and, according to Westmeath Ploughing Association secretary, Jack Kearney, conditions could hardly have been better.

“Saturday was a lovely day, the weather was brilliant and it held up all day,” he said.

Proceedings began at 12 noon, and competitors first completed their opening splits, which were judged over the course of an hour. Ploughing then continued for a further two and a half hours, till the event wrapped up at approximately 4pm.

Jack said he was particularly pleased with the numbers, noting that more than 40 competitors took part across a range of classes.

“It was a great turnout,” he said. “In fairness, ploughing matches are normally held on a Sunday, and this one was on a Saturday when people are still working, so to get that number was brilliant.”

Competitors travelled from across the country to take part.

“We had lads from the north and boys from the south, from the four corners of the country,” he said.

In total, there were 12 classes on the day, including the Loy class, a traditional style of ploughing carried out with a spade.

Jack explained that the competition also plays an important role in qualification for higher-level events, as participants are required to compete both within their own counties and at matches elsewhere.

“If you want to plough for your county, you have to qualify in your own county match and then go and plough in another county as well,” he said. “You don’t have to win, but the idea is that you’re always putting your best foot forward in competition.”

Three-furrow: Andrew Ennis, Castlepollard; Junior: Gerry Byrne; Senior: Denis Dunne; Westmeath: Christy Carton; Farmerette: Edel Curtin; Horse Class: Gerry North; Pedestrian: Gavin Duffy; Two-furrow mounted: Oliver Smith; Reversible: John Bracken; Two-furrow-dray: Paddy Connolly; Single furrow: James Hough; Classic: Paddy Doyle.

Qualified

Those who qualified for Westmeath were: 1, Christopher Carton, Kilbeggan; 2nd (tie) Paul Daly, Kilbeggan, Gerald Halpin, Castlepollard; 4, Andrew Ennis, Castlepollard. U-21: Charlie Burke, Kilbeggan; U-28 Jack Harney, Moate; horse-drawn ploughing: Jerry North; 2, Xenia North. Loy: Amy Daly, Chloe Daly and John Daly, all Kilbeggan.