Tipperary ploughmen get ready to make their mark
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Ray Clancy from Lorrha, who recently represented the county in Belgium, is one of those headed to Stradbally next month
North Tipperary ploughman Ray Clancy had a fine result at the recent European Vintage Ploughing Championships held in Hamont-Achel in Belgium. With a strong start on the Saturday, Sunday proved a tougher battle for the Lorrha man.
He’s headed to the National Ploughing Championships to compete in the Vintage Two Furrow Mounted Class in a few weeks in Stradbally, along with other competitors from the North Tipperary Ploughing Association including Lee Hogan in the Under 21 Conventional Class, Edel Burke Curtin in the Farmerette Conventional Class, and John Hannan in the Novice Conventional.
James Hough will represent the region in the Vintage Single Furrow Mounted Plough, and both Ethan Harding and Tom Duffy will take part in the Junior Conventional competition. Meanwhile, Trevor Hogan is back in the seat for the Vintage Classic Plough Class.
Tipperary is represented by two regions, and taking part for Tipperary South are James O’Brien in the U21 Conventional, Tom Lonergan in the Intermediate Reversible, Conor Halley in the National Novice Reversible, and Liam Morris in the Vintage Two Furrow Trailer Plough Class.
They will be joined by John O’Brien in the Intermediate Conventional and in the Vintage Two Furrow Mounted Class, Lorcan Bergin in the Senior Conventional, and both Noel Howley and Thomas Ryan in the Three Furrow Conventional. Evan Morrissey is representing in the Macra Two Furrow Conventional, and Ger Gleeson in the Standard Three and Four Furrow Reversible.
The countdown to the National Ploughing Championship was launched on Friday August 21; the annual ‘Electric Picnic for Farmers’ takes place from September 15 to 17.
The launch was also an opportunity to wish the very best of luck to John Whelan from Wexford and Eamonn Tracey from Carlow, who will represent Ireland at the World Ploughing Contest in Croatia on September 5 and 6.
They will be joined by Gary Simms as coach and Harry Mallon as judge, with the Irish team departing for Croatia on August 23rd as they prepare to defend Ireland’s World title successes.
Best of luck to all the Tipperary competitors!