The highly anticipated FBD National Young Members Association (YMA) Finals returned to Cillin Hill Mart, Co. Kilkenny this year on July 21-22.

The event, now in its 33rd edition, follows months of hard work for young dairy enthusiasts around the country, with some of the best calves and handlers in Ireland battling it out in the ring.

The FBD National YMA Finals features handlers and calves who qualified through regional competitions held in June and July.

In addition to the calf and handling competition, the event includes a clipping competition and Ag Analysis competition.

This year, FBD were the title sponsors for the FBD National YMA Finals alongside class sponsors AgriNet and Volac.

David Clarke Livestock sponsored the clipping competition, and Alltech sponsored the Ag Analysis competition, with BG Hoof Care also sponsoring the showmanship championship.

Alison Lawrie from Ayrshire in Scotland judged the showmanship classes, while Michael Yates from Castle Douglas in Scotland took to the ring for the calf classes.

YMA finals

The clipping competition kicked off events on Tuesday, with club members competing either as individuals or pairs.

Competitors had 90 minutes as an individual or 70 minutes as a pair to fully clip and prepare a calf for the show ring.

The team of Zoe Greenan and Hannah Greenan from the Breffni/Oriel club took the top spot in the team clipping.

Sinead O'Sullivan from the Cork club took top honours in a tough individual clipping competition.  

In the Ag Analysis competition, Adam Doran, Kane Boal and Megan Boal took home gold for the Galway club.

Pippa Cashman from the Cork club came out on top in the novice handler A section of the showmanship competition, while Roisin Cronin from the Kerry club won the novice handler B, and Benedikt Schloglmann from Slaney won the novice handler C section.

Georgie Hynes from the Cork club took gold when it came to junior handler, while Kate Jones from Slaney won the intermediate handler category.

Jennifer Harty of the Kerry club won the senior handler category in the showmanship competition, while Pauric Coleman from the Carlow/Kilkenny club took gold when it came to mature handlers.

In the showmanship championship, Georgie Hynes took gold, Jennifer Harty was named reserved, while Pauric Coleman received honourable mention.

Calf classes

On Wednesday, the show kicked off with coloured breed calf classes.

The Hynes Family from Co. Cork cleaned up across this section, with their January-2026-born calf, Rathard Ghost Kohana taking the top spot in the junior calf category.

Reserve also went to the Hynes family for Rathard Classic Khassidy, while Honourable Mention went to Gerard O'Sullivan's Rathard Goldorak Tilly.

The Hyne's Rathard Sting Kaela took the top spot in the colour Breed Intermediate Calf, with Thomas Cahill's Tonemace Lemon Urchin 1209 named as reserve, and Michael Freeney's Mirah Victorious Shiloh getting honourable mention.

The Hynes family also won the colour breed senior calf class with Rathard Choco Kalani.

Rathard Choco Kalani went on to win the title of overall colour breed champion, with Rathard Sting Kaela taking reserve and Rathard Ghost Kohana taking honourable mention, a clean sweep for the Hynes family.

Seven Holstein classes followed over the course of the evening, with large entries throughout.

The winners of each class are as follows;

Holstein calf born on or after March 1, 2026;

Euro Ruby Rouge, owned by Daniel and Emer Curtin;
Gageboro Rager Elsie, owned by Sean Kelly;
Dondale 3023 Rozline Roxy, owned by Kevin Doran.

Holstein calf born in February 2026;

Drumshanny Lee Slaney, owned by Trevor Williamson;
Rathard Armour Essence, owned by Peter Hynes;
Dondale 2953 Rozline Judy, owned by Kevin Doran.

Holstein junior calf born in January 2026;

Rathard Skick Acclaim, owned by Rathard & Delasheen Holsteins;
Hallow Wj Candey Spirit ET, owned by Will Jones;
Leagh Good Vibes Only ET, owned by Enda Doran.

Holstein intermediate calf born between November 1 and December 31, 2025;

Bourkeholme Prosecco, owned by Eamonn McLoughney;
Euro Legit Sharon, owned by Daniel and Emer Curtin;
Drumshanny Leo Jodie Red, owned by Trevor Williamson.

Holstein senior calf born between August 1 and October 31 2025;

Akeragh Sidekick Aideen 2334, owned by Daniel and Emer Curtin;
Jones Chief Diamond, owned by Jones Holsteins;
Ellys LSM Bullseye Lustre, owned by Stephen McLoughlin.

Holstein summer yearling born between March 1 and July 31, 2025;

Jones Pazzle Lisamaree, owned by Jones Holsteins;
Slatabogie Acetylene Veronared, owned by Enda Doran;
Ellys Evergreen Lustre, owned by Stephen McLoughlin.

Holstein mature calf born January 1 and February 28, 2025;

Leagh Dropbox Hanina ET, owned by Enda Doran;
Slatabogie Alpha Mahogany Imp, owned by Stephen McLoughlin;
Tubbertoby Barolo Fifey, owned by Paul, Marguerite, and Matthew Flanagan.

Daniel and Emer Curtin's Akeragh Sidekick Aideen 2334 was crowned the overall Holstein Champion on the day.

Jones Chief Diamond from Jones Holsteins was named as reserve champion, while Bourkeholme Prosecco from Eamonn McLoughney took honourable mention.

In the red and white championship, Drumshanny Leo Jodie Red from Trevor Williamson was crowned the Champion.

Reserve went to Drumshanny Lee Slaney from Trevor Williamson, while Enda Doran's Slatabogie Acetylene Veronared was named honourable mention.

Awards

The Breffni Oriel Friesian Breeders Club YMA perpetual trophy for best calves was awarded to the Kildare club on the day.

Meanwhile, the Barrett Family perpetual trophy for handling went to Georgie Hynes.

The Michael O'Sullivan perpetual trophy for teamwork and team spirit went to Ashling Murphy from the Cork club.

And the Denis Barrett Auctions and Pedigree Sales perpetual trophy for sportsmanship went Georgia Greenan of the IHFA.