Carlow man Eamonn Tracey has retained his World Ploughing Championship title after competing at the World Ploughing Contest in Vestbo, Denmark.
Tracey won first place for Ireland after facing off tough competition in the Conventional class.
Ireland won second place in the Reversible class, with John Whelan from Co. Wexford securing a silver victory.
Both seasoned ploughmen, Tracey has represented Ireland on an international level 10 times, and Whelan has competed seven times in the World Ploughing Contest. Both men have been previous World Champion Ploughing winners in their respective classes.
NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said that 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,” she said.
Huge congrats to World Ploughing Champion Eamonn Tracey and John Whelan on his silver medal position! pic.twitter.com/zBJnwWlf4U
— National Ploughing (@NPAIE) October 5, 2015
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General Secretary of the World Ploughing Organisation Anna Marie McHugh said that Ireland has always been highly respected in terms of producing ploughmen to compete on the world stage.
“However, Eamonn and John are held in particularly high esteem not only in Ireland but across the international ploughing community.
“Given the high level of competition here in Denmark throughout the contest, this is another great result for both men and further enhances their reputation as masters in their field.”
The Irish team were coached by Joe Slattery from north Tipperary and joined by Judge Brian Mahon from Offaly. Kverneland were the sponsors of the victorious Irish team again this year.
