Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine Simon Coveney TD has congratulated the newly crowned World Champion Ploughmen who arrived into Dublin Airport this morning.
“I’d like to extend my sincere congratulations to John Whelan and Eamonn Tracey following their exceptional achievements over the weekend. They have competed at the very highest level of world ploughing and won gold and bronze between them. Both have displayed a huge amount of talent and dedication to complete this extraordinary achievement.”
The World Ploughing Championships took place in Alberta, Olds, Canada. John Whelan from Wexford and Eamonn Tracey from Carlow won Gold and Bronze in their competitive classes.
Minister Coveney concluded: ‘This is an very proud day for both the winners and the whole team including coach Brian Ireland and all those involved in this industry across the country.”
More than 57 competitors from 29 countries took part in the 60th world ploughing championships in Canada. Irish woman Anna Marie McHugh was recently appointed general secretary of the World Ploughing Organisation – the first woman to hold this role.
McHugh spoke of her delight at the results: “Both John and Eamonn have done themselves, their families and Irish ploughing proud. The competition at world level is intense; to come out on top twice by winning gold and bronze is beyond our expectations. We look forward to the welcome back home. I am immensely pleased to have had the opportunity to be present here among the other Irish supporters and the world ploughing organisation for such a wonderful occasion.”
A homecoming celebration is took place today at 12pm in Carlow.
World Ploughing Bronze medal winner Eamonn Tracey and 2013 World Ploughing Reversible Champion John Whelan with NPA managing director Anna May McHugh
World Ploughing Bronze medal winner Eamonn Tracey and 2013 World Ploughing Reversible Champion John Whelan at the homecoming today in Carlow
New World Ploughing Champion, Wexford’s John Whelan on his triumphant arrival to his homecoming today in Carlow. John won Gold for Ireland at the World Ploughing Contest in Canada on Sunday
———–
Main picture New World Ploughing Champion, Wexford’s John Whelan with his wife Margaret on his triumphant arrival to his homecoming today in Carlow. John won Gold for Ireland at the World Ploughing Contest in Canada on Sunday. Picture: Alf Harvey, supplied from NPA
Wexo———–
This story was updated at 15.11 with photographs of the celebrations in Carlow this afternoon
