The Republic of Ireland ploughing team came out on top over the weekend with Dan Donnelly from Co. Wexford winning the European Reversible Championships and fellow county man John Whelan coming in Reserve Champion.

Organised by the European Ploughing Federation, the 40th EU championships took place over two days (Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2), focusing on reversible ploughing in Retford, UK.

The competition was tight, with the gap between Donnelly and Whelan a mere two points following two days competition where Whelan, with a New Holland tractor and Kverneland plough took the win on day one, with 218 points.

He followed up day two with 213.5 points, bringing his total for the weekend to 431.5. Whelan is a four times reversible world ploughing champion.

Donnelly used a John Deere tractor and Kverneland plough. He received 215 points on day one and took the win on day two with 218.5 points, claiming the overall title and 433.5 points. This marks Donnelly's third win at the reversible championships.

In the European Vintage Championships, James Stafford from Co. Wexford placed third in the European Vintage Classic Class, with his Massey Ferguson 35 and Kverneland Hydrein plough.

Oliver Smyth placed second overall in the European Vintage Mounted Class, with his Fordson Dexta tractor and Ransome TS59 plough.

Aeneas Horan from Co. Kerry came second on day two of the competition in the Vintage Mounted Trail Class and placed third overall, with a 1944 Fordson N tractor and Ransome RSLD plough.

The competition marks yet another international success for Team Ireland who have now taken the top two positions at the European championships for four years in a row.

Attention will now turn to the national championships which will take place in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly from September 16-18 this year.