Sun shines for ploughmen of Listooder during annual match

Sun shines for ploughmen of Listooder during annual match

21 December 2011

LISTOODER and District Ploughing Society held its 122nd annual ploughing match in Killyleagh on Saturday.

The site, provided by Graham Furey, offered excellent ploughing conditions for competitors, with spectators also enjoying sunny weather conditions.

In the World Style Class, Listooder member Andrew Gill, reigning Northern Ireland Under 25 champion, beat his father William to take the class win and Champion of the Field.

In a keenly fought battle in the Vintage Senior Class, Jackie Moore from Bangor tipped Listooder’s own Wilfie Gill by just one point to take the class win and be crowned Vintage Champion.

In the Intermediate Class Listooder’s Stephen Aiken fended off Eric Sherlock from Drumlough to win the class.

The novice class was won by 14 year-old Dillon McGarry from Downpatrick. The Horse Class went to 16 year-old Christopher Hanna, with Wesley Hanna from Cookstown taking the Style and Appearance prize.

Martin Gill, chairman of Listooder Ploughing Society, said he was delighted with the turnout at the match.

“Listooder has a long and proud tradition in ploughing and is recognised as one of the leading ploughing societies in the country,” he said. “I want to welcome all the competitors, judges and spectators from across the country and hope they were able to enjoy a high standard of ploughing in all the classes.”

Mr. Gill thanked all those involved in the organising of the match, congratulated the prize winners, and paid tribute to the Societies’ sponsors. He also looked forward to the annual prizegiving and dinner dance in Ballynahinch Rugby Club on Friday, February 10.

Northern Ireland Ploughing Association Chairman, Mr. Wilson Holden, who was judging at the match, also congratulated Listooder on another successful match.

Full results

12” World Style Class, 1st Andrew Gill, 2nd William Gill; Vintage Senior, 1st Jackie Moore, 2nd Wilfie Gill, 3rd James Adair, 4th Mark Taggart, 5th Ivan Watson; Vintage Intermediate, 1st Stephen Aiken,

2nd Eric Sherlock, 3rd Graham McKee, 4th William Johnston, 5th Jimmy Fitchie, 6th David Gratten; Vintage Novice, 1st Dillon McGarry, 2nd John Jackson, 3rd Jeffrey Cush, 4th Gary Gratten, 5th J G Murray; Horses Class, 1st Christopher Hanna, 2nd Wesley Henry; Horses – Style & Appearance, 1st Wesley Henry, 2nd Christopher Hanna; Youngest Competitor, Dillon McGarry; Oldest Competitor, William Johnston; Best Pulling Horses, Wesley Henry; Best Unled Horses, Wesley Henry; Best Work with Ransomes, Jackie Moore; Best Vintage Hydraulic, Wilfie Gill;

County Down Vintage, Jackie Moore; Reserve Vintage Champion, Wilfie Gill; Vintage Champion, Jackie Moore; Best Society Member, Andrew Gill;

County Down Champion, Andrew Gill; Reserve Champion, William Gill;

Champion of the Field, Andrew Gill.