World Ploughing Championships

County Carlow’s ploughing master, Eamonn Tracey from Bagenalstown, was in fine form ahead of this week’s National Ploughing Championships as he took second place in his class at the World Championships held in York, England. Indeed, such is Eamonn’s high standing in ploughing that coming second in the world championships was actually even a bit of a comedown. He’d previously won the Conventional Class title at the world championships of both 2014 and 2015, but was this time narrowly beaten into second place by the new champion, Andrew Mitchell from Scotland.

However, Eamonn says he’s not too disappointed or downheartened himself, as he’s still proud to have secured two world titles and a runner-up spot in the space of three years. Meanwhile, there was other success for Ireland at the World Championships too, as John Whelan from neighbouring County Wexford came third in the Reversible Class. Like Eamonn, he too is a previous World Champion in his class. This was Eamonn’s 11th time to represent Ireland internationally in ploughing, while for John, it was his eighth time in the World Ploughing contest.

On to the Nationals

Both men are now back in action this week at the National Ploughing Championships at Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly, where they are hot favourites to win their respective classes once again. The Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association, Anna May Mc Hugh, has congratulated both men on their success on the world stage. She said, “this is a fantastic win for both men and Irish Ploughing as a whole. Since winning the Nationals last year to qualify to compete in the World Ploughing Contest, the men have been working extremely hard preparing and now all their efforts have paid off. They have made their country extremely proud, congratulations and a very well done to them both and all of their families.”