Four corners of Ireland represented at Irish stock fencing championships
Twelve pro teams and five novice teams fought it out for top honours at the 2026 Irish Stock Fencing Championships at the Clonmel Show.
Public relations officer Arthur Harvey said: "We had four teams from across the water."
The main competition was won by Rory and Duncan Sampson from Scotland, taking first overall, and Toby Arundale and John Morgan from Wales taking a close second.
"We also had Sam Gardner and James John from Wales and last year's defending pair of Stuart Miles and Peter Redwell.
"The competition was interesting to watch with the different methods being used to get to a finished fence.
"Our Irish teams did very well in the face of the experience from across the pond," Harvey said.
He added that the committee was "delighted to see new blood coming through" with Cathal Brennan and partner from Sligo as well as Ian McGrath from Carlow; Brendan Kelly, Roscommon and Fionn O'Connor from Meath.
"The four corners of Ireland were ably represented.
"The level of interest in taking part is growing year-by-year as well as the skills.
"The first Irish team home was defending number ones, Jack Bennett from Kerry and Henry Evans from Belfast, with second place going to Mattie Cummins from Offaly and Padraic Carroll from Laois."
The novice competition was won by Karen Moynihan and Chloe Dennehy, with Conor Donaghy and Sean Harte coming in second by half a point, Harvey said.
Karen and Chloe had the honour of lifting the Alan McCluskey memorial trophy donated by his family.
"It was great to see ladies competing in the novice section, and hopefully we can build on this next year.
"The novice section is gaining in stature for people with farm experience or a little more.
"They used Tornado's new system of I posts which are steel posts. These are becoming more popular on the fencing scene.
"We had five teams in this competition," Harvey said.
The competition was judged by Malcom Blackwell from Tornado.
In his remarks at the prize-giving, he commended the "great show" they put on as well, as the finished fences that were on show with only half a point separating first and second.
"This is the first year we had a fencing village alongside the competition and it was a great success.
"Hopefully it will be bigger and better next year, thanks to all those who showcased.
"There will be fencing demonstrations at the Tullamore Show on August 9 by some of Ireland's best fencers and hopefully more dates after that to be announced," Harvey said, as he expressed thanks to the championships' many sponsors.
