Co. Cork exhibitors Paul Murphy and Emma Behan are having a dream year across Ireland's busy dairy show calendar.

The duo is quickly filling their trophy cabinet in what is their first year of exhibiting under their own prefix.

Their prize cow, Coolroehouse Abbott Ann, was crowned Supreme Champion at the 14th edition of the Emerald Expo back in April for the second year running.

She then went on to claim the title of Senior Champion Cow at the Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock show earlier this month.

And just over a week later, she clinched the prestigious 2026 Diageo Baileys Champion Cow title, which has well and truly cemented her legacy in the history books.

Coolroehouse Abbott Ann has picked up more than just major trophies this year too, as has another one of the exhibitors' cows, Cedarmore Hurricane Tory.

A dream come true

Paul and Emma were met with whirlpool of emotions when Coolroehouse Abbott Ann was tapped out during the week.

The competition is one of the hardest to win, with some breeders working their whole lives for a chance to clinch the title, often referred to as the 'all-Ireland' of dairy shows.

For Paul and Emma, they managed to win the renowned competition in the first year with their own cow, which they described as 'a dream come true'.

Paul said: "It's quite special to have like, first time bringing your own cow to the show, and to win it, it's just unbelievable."

Emma noted they are used to being at the show working with other people and their cows, saying they have loved every minute of it.

But said: "It hits different when you've put all the time and effort in.

Paul said that the idea of them winning the Baileys Cow Competition probably will not sink in for another week or two.

Judge

With such tight competition at such a show, Agriland caught up with Marcel Egli from Switzerland, who was the judge on the day, to see what set Coolroehouse Abbott Ann out from the others.

The Swiss judge has an impressive resume, as he has taken to the centre of the ring officiating dairy shows in Switzerland, Germany, France, Austria, Spain, Denmark, and the UK, and is a member of the European Holstein and Red Holstein Confederation (EHRC) Judges Panel.

Egli said: "When she came into the ring, for me it was game over."

He explained he likes a well-balanced, mobile cow that can work everywhere and have very few faults.

Elgi added that the champion cow does not need to be the biggest of the group, as long as she is well proportioned.

He also is looking for a good mammary system, with a preference for high and wide udders which produce a lot of milk.

Elgi said the show did not disappoint, and as Coolroehouse Abbott Ann ticked all of his boxes, he left happy with his choice.