The Republic of Ireland ploughing team has claimed top honours again on the international stage, this time at the European Ploughing Championships.
Organised by the European Ploughing Federation, the two-day event focused on reversible ploughing, took place on Friday and Saturday (September 6-7) in Mamirolle, France.
Liam O’Driscoll from Co. Cork was named the European Champion, while he was joined on the podium by John Whelan who claimed second position overall.
The team was coached by Gary Ireland, who were also joined in France by Joe Slattery who was a judge for the championships.
European Ploughing Championships
Liam O’Driscoll, ploughing with a Massey Ferguson tractor and Kverneland plough, was the clear overall winner at this year’s European Ploughing Championships following strong performances on both days.
The west Cork man finished the opening day leading the competition with 219 marks and followed that up with another table-topping performance on the second day with 207 marks, meaning that he finished up on a total of 426 marks.
Wexford’s John Whelan with his New Holland tractor and Kverneland plough was the only other competitor to finish up on over 400 marks and claimed second place.
He was in third position after the first day of ploughing with 200.5 marks and built on that tally with a further 201 marks on day two to complete the championships with 401.5 marks.
Marco Angst from Switzerland took third place on the podium with a final score of 384.5 marks.
James Coulter from Northern Ireland was in fifth place (325 marks), while his teammate Adrian Jamison finished in sixth position (305 marks).
Ploughing
It marks yet another international success for Team Ireland who have now taken the top two positions at the European Ploughing Championships for three years in a row.
The National Ploughing Association (NPA) extended its congratulations to Liam and John on their achievement, while well wishes have also been flooding in from across the country.
Last month, two Irish ploughmen claimed top honours at the 69th World Ploughing Contest in Tartu, Estonia.
In a remarkable performance, Eamonn Tracey from Co. Carlow and Jer Coakley from Co. Cork, who represented the Republic of Ireland ploughing team, were both named world champions in their classes.
Attention will now turn to the National Ploughing Championships which will take place in Raheniska, Co Laois from September 17-19.