IHFA Awards Night

The IHFA Awards Night took place at the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, Co. Laois on Friday 25th of January. This year the awards were presented by the Chief Executive of the National Dairy Council, Zoe Kavanagh. Among the awards presented were the All Ireland Awards for 2018, covering ten classes; the IHFA Gold and Diamond Awards; the YMA Awards, which include Club of the Year, President’s Medal, Hall of Fame and Photography Competition.

IHFA Gold and Diamond Awards
IHFA Gold and Diamond Awards were presented by Donal O’Riordan, FBD Insurance, to Peadar Healy, William Carey, James Kelly, Micheal Spillane, John S. Greene, Sandy Moore and Paul Hannan on the night. FBD are sponsors of the Gold and Diamond Awards. A Gold Award is presented for a cow who has produced 3,000kg of protein in her lifetime. A Diamond Award is presented for a cow who has produced 3,000kg of protein in her lifetime and is Classified Excellent on Conformation. A full list of Gold and Diamond Awards recipients will be published in the IHFA Spring Journal due to be distributed in April 2019.

YMA Awards at IHFA All Ireland Awards 2018

Doireann Mulhall (right)

President’s Medal
The winner of the President’s Medal 2018 is Doireann Mulhall, Carlow Kilkenny Club. This award is at the discretion of IHFA President following interview with the candidates. Doireann was nominated by the Carlow Kilkenny Club of which she is a distinguished member with tremendous service over many years of active involvement. Doireann is an accomplished YMA participant with many successes to her name most recently winning the Final of her Showmanship League class. Having been involved from a very young age, Doireann has risen through the ranks along the way, adding to her range of skills and knowledge. Doireann has also served National YMA with distinction, serving on the National Committee, most recently as Assistant Co-Ordinator and both she and Chairperson Stacey O’ Sullivan did a tremendous job in helping to run the National Calf Show last year. Congratulations to Doireann.

Hall Of Fame
The winner of the Hall of Fame Award 2018 is Richard Hamilton, Gurteen Agricultural College. Richard was nominated by the Laois Offaly Club and the following is a quote from that nomination;  “The Laois Offaly Club is honoured to nominate Richard for the Hall of Fame Award in recognition of his dedication, help and support to all Young Members. He is always around to show his support for the club and keeping the club strong by introducing new members from the Gurteen College, as he always invites students along to the club events. He gives up plenty of his time to our club and it would be a real way to thank him for all the work he has put in over the years for the club show and Tullamore Show. He is a true asset to the club and he is a wholesome, genuine and engaging character.”

Club of the Year
The winner of the YMA Club of the Year is the Carlow Kilkenny Club. Based on participation and performance in the various YMA events and activities throughout the year, this is an award for teamwork, co-operation and no shortage of skills and talents.

Photography Competition

by Stephen Shannon, Ballinascarthy, Co. Cork

The winner of the Photography Competition is Stephen Shannon with his winning entry. Well done to Stephen who has taken part in this competition previously and on this occasion his photo capturing a picturesque setting as the herd grazes amidst illuminating sunshine. From Ballinascarthy in west Cork, Stephen is very involved on the Ballydehob Herd at home in addition to pursuing third level studies in Agricultural Science at UCD. Congratulations to Stephen.

CLASS 1 – ALL IRELAND HEIFER BORN AFTER 1ST JAN ‘18

Champion – Greenlea Unix Aiko, Padraic Greenan, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan

Reserve – Knockbrown Hagley Eileen, David O’Sullivan, Bandon, Co. Cork

Hon. Mention – Sprucegrove Dougal Colleen, Sprucegrove & Keypoint Holsteins, Co. Mayo

CLASS 2 – ALL IRELAND HEIFER BORN BETWEEN 1ST JULY & 31ST DEC ‘17

Champion – Hallow Solomon Supra, Philip & Linda Jones, Gorey, Co. Wexford

Reserve – Hallow High Octain Dawn, Philip & Linda Jones, Gorey, Co. Wexford

Hon. Mention – Sprucegrove Awesome Peggy, Keypoint Holsteins (& W. Cunningham), Co. Galway

CLASS 3 – ALL IRELAND HEIFER BORN BETWEEN 1ST JAN & 30TH JUNE ‘17

Champion – Dalevalley Dorman Cosmo ET, Catherine & Ivan Grier, Ramelton, Co. Donegal

Reserve – Hallow CM Beemer Frost, Philip Jones & Conor Morley, Gorey, Co. Wexford

Hon. Mention – Chapelhill Solomon Prosecco ET, Tadhg Bourke (& G. Nicholson), Adare, Co. Limerick

CLASS 4 – ALL IRELAND HEIFER IN MILK BORN BETWEEN 1ST JAN & 31ST DEC 2016

Champion – Ortongrange Doorman Arangatang, John Moore, Rhode, Co. Offaly

Reserve – Lisnalty Megasire Rituel, Paul Hannan, Crecora, Co. Limerick

Hon. Mention – Blarney Mogul Pledge ET, Noel Murphy, Blarney, Co. Cork

CLASS 5 – ALL IRELAND 3 YEAR OLD COW IN MILK BORN BETWEEN 1ST JAN – 31ST DEC 2015

Champion – Laurelelm Fever Daffodil 6, Rickey & John Barrett, Ballinhassig, Co. Cork

Reserve – Mirah AXN Elle, Michael Freeney, Oranmore, Co. Galway

Hon. Mention – Sprucegrove Apples Peggy, Aidan & Seamus Foody, Ballina, Co. Mayo

CLASS 6 – ALL IRELAND 4 YEAR OLD COW IN MILK BORN BETWEEN 1ST JAN & 31ST DEC ‘14

Champion – Laurelelm Fever Brilliant, Rickey & John Barrett, Ballinhassig, Co. Cork

Reserve – Hallow Atwood Grace, Philip & Linda Jones, Gorey, Co. Wexford

Hon. Mention – Laurelmore Fra Hattie, John Barrett Jnr., Togher, Co. Cork

CLASS 7 – ALL IRELAND 5 YEAR OLD COW IN MILK BORN BETWEEN 1ST JAN & 31ST DEC ‘13

Champion – Kilwarden Gold Bonnie ET, Brochan Cocoman, Kill, Co. Kildare

Reserve – Robinview Ares Roxy, Noel Murphy & Michael McGrath, Blarney, Co. Cork

Hon. Mention – Laurelelm Jerrick Daffodill, Rickey & John Barrett, Ballinhassig, Co. Cork

CLASS 8 – ALL IRELAND MATURE COW IN MILK BORN ON OR BEFORE 31ST DEC ‘12

Champion – Drumlina Atwood Megan, Boyd, Greenan, O’Neill, Timlin & Moore, Co. Monaghan

Reserve – Milliedale Dusk Rhapsody, Donal Neville, Croagh, Co. Limerick

Hon. Mention – Ardnasalem Jenny ET, Patrick Colton, Emyvale, Co. Monaghan

CLASS 9 – ALL IRELAND IRISH PURE FRIESIAN HEIFER IN MILK

Champion – Firoda FOE Twin, Peadar Healy, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny

Reserve – Firoda KKG Twain 3, James Ward, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny

Hon. Mention – Firoda FZZ Karen, Peadar Healy, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny

CLASS 10 – ALL IRELAND IRISH PURE FRIESIAN COW IN MILK

Champion – Carrickbrack PDY Meg, John Allen, Convoy, Co. Donegal

Reserve – Firoda VML Twink 2, Peadar Healy, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny

Hon. Mention – Mountain Bounty Dixie ET, Michael Spillane, Fethard, Co. Tipperary