32 County Champion Of Champions Held At Donemana, Strabane, Co Tyrone

We started off from Portdaown yesterday morning at 8.30am, with Mickey Quinn and his son Michael joining us at our house, The morning was bright and clear and no rain in sight at this stage. We stopped off at the Motorway Restuarant near Dungannon for our breakfast and was joined there by Janet Duke ,Tracy Gill,and Deidre and Patsy Mc Coy. After a good breakfast was had by all, and plenty of packing in for the rest of the day, we all headed on our journey to Barrontop Donemana , with trailers and dogs in toe. As we came in sight of Barrontop the heavens opened and the rain came down in bucketfulls. When we arrived in the field at Barrontop, it just looked like the end of the world, because I have never seen rain like it, belting down, and continued all day and on the way home again. There were a few small intervals from the the rain, but only a few. Was I not glad I wore my boots. However, the inclement weather did not dampen the spirits of the show goers who turned out in large numbers. George Mc Gerrigle owner of Barrontop was there helping everybody to get parked safely. Barrontop is a childrens paradise and caters for all childrens,parties and groups all year round with play areas,animal farm,pony and tractor rides, and indoor play area.

There was a good turn out of Terriers, Lurchers ,Whippets, Hounds and Gun Dogs at this show. It was nice to meet some old friends and also some new ones. I met up with Catherine Slevin,husband Matt and of course their little son Luke. Luke is such a nice talkative little boy and a credit to his parents.. Luke you are a star, and I hope you enjoyed your day at Barrontop despite the rain. Concepta Melaugh was there, with her daughter and her little grandaughter Bailey Melaugh. Concepta is always good for a laugh and a laugh we had, By the way Concepta, Big John is eating his words. He went into the pairs class he gave me grief on and won it. You can imagine Concepta what I called him. Sure we women are always right. The Wright family were there from Donegal as was the Farrell family and Gregg Murphy.The Lynch brothers, Gerard and Kieran and son Michael from Strabane.

There were so many other people with families I spoke to on the day,too many to mention and all lovely friendly people out to enjoy the final show of the season at Barrontop. Miles do not keep the Canine folk apart, as some of the folk on the the day travelled from Tipperary, Cork, Donegal,Dublin, Naas Co Dublin, Monaghan,Portadown, Lurgan and Armagh. What a mix , What an interesting sport to be involved in and such a pleasure.

The racing started at approximately 1 oclock. As the weather was so bad at the show on Sunday it was impossible for the ring helpers to write down results. I managed to get a few results at ringside, but if you pm me or email me I will edit them in on this report.

Here are the Racing results I got.

Overs

Pat Lee with " If Only )

Reserve

Shane Gilmartin with Joey

Unders

Fiona Devlin with Diva

Reserve

Nigel Greer with Sunshine

Whippets

Gavin and Ryan Wright with Bolt

Reserve

Michael Quinn with Blue

Terriers ?

Congratulations to all the winners,and well done.

Showing

*Overall Champion Lurcher

Fiona Devlin with Maverick

Reserve

Darren Martin with Missy

*Overall Champion Terrier

Matt Slevin

Reserve

Terry Moore

*Champion Whippet

Davy Best

Reserve

Janet Duke

3/ Jason Dunwoodie

Congratulations to all the winners and well done.

*Overall Best in Show*

Davy Best with Penny

Reserve

Matt Slevin with Mutley

A Big congratulations to both of these men Davy and Matt, and 2 top dogs here. A car load of trophies going back to Annaghmore, Portadown, and Slaney Valley down there in the County Wexford. Well done to both.

Lurcher Pups

Michael Quinn with Mo Chara

Reserve

Mickey Quinn

This is the Mighty Quinns from Lurgan in County Armagh, Father and son combination here and a force to be reckoned with. Mickey and and Michael brought home a car load of trophys to lugan yesterday. Poor Paula, Mickys wife is worn out shinning up all the Silver.Paula will be glad to see the end of the show season so she gets a rest from shinning the Silver. Well done Michael and Mickey.

Terrier Pups ?

Whippet Pups

Tracy Gill with Ash

Reserve

John Mc Stay with Patch

Congratulations Tracy and John and well Done. Tracy Ash is a beautiful pup and a very worthy winner. Well done to both.

*Overall Champion Puppy

*Robert Moore with Gadget.

Robert you have a beautiful pup and well deserved winner, and may you go on to win many more shows. Congratulations and well done.

2/ Michael Quinn with Mo Chara

3/ Tracy Gill with Ash

A few random results I managed to get.

Shane Farrell from Donegal had a win with his beautiful Whippet. Shane is another rising star, and keen young sportsman.

Liam Toner ( Young Man) was there also, and I am sure he had a win, He never fails) The rain was so heavy, I did not even get down to Peter Morgan and John Heslip, but no doubt Peter and John had a few wins on the day with their terriers , and the same too goes for Liam Black, Michael Lynch, Conor Gamble, and all the rest of the good terrier men.

Smooth Under Bitch

Chrissy Loughran with Tipp

Smooth Dog under 23

Steven Dummigan with Dash

Collie Cross

Steven Dummigan with Blue

Whippet Cross

1/ Fiona Devlin with Diva

2/ Lisa Dummigan

Vetern Lurcher

Chrissy Loughran with Sam

Lamping Class

3/ Chrissy Loughran

John Gibson had a win with his Hound pup. Well done John.

My wee Star Bailey Melaugh ( Concepta and Tommy Melaughs little grandaughter) won the beagle pup with her beautiful beagle pup Meg. A big congratulations wee woman and well done.

Vetern Whippet

John Mc Stay with Silver.

Whippet Pairs

John Mc Stay

A Big Congratulations to all the winners above and well done to all. If it had not of been for the weather, I would of got more results. Rain Rain go away.

And now for the main attraction of the day. The 32 Counties Results. Here we go:

*Terriers

Matt Slevin

Reserve

John Heslip

Lurchers

Gregg Murphy

Reserve

Fiona Devlin

Whippets

Davy Best with Penny

Reserve

Paul Reynolds with Chieftan

Congratulations and well done to above named winners of the 32 County Champion of Champions. It takes a lot to qualify for these competitions, and what a result in the end. So proud of you all and may you all go on to win many more top Championships.

And Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank Barry Holland and Joe Boggs, committe and helpers Nykila Love, Kayleigh Love, and Stacy Love for running this show so well in adverse and terrible weather conditions. George Mc Gerrigle, the owner of Barrontop Fun Farm had his heart in the right place as usual. While we were out in the rain, George was inside preparing Stew for us all when the show was over.George many thanks for your kindness, hospitality and beverages and I can honestly say It was most welcome and very thoughtful on a cold and rainy day. Thanks for the invite and we really enjoyed it. Many thanks to the Judges, Ian Greer,Nigel Greer, Joe Boggs, Sheamus Kearney. Matt Slevin,and another Judge whose name I did not get. You all conducted your duties with great efficency. Judging is not an easy task at anytime, but you carried out your remitts on the day firm, but fair. Many thanks to you all on behalf of the club.

And Finally,finally, I could not end without thanking our resident photographer Deidre Mc Coy for taking our photographs all year, and bringing much enjoyment when we look at ourselves on Facebook and the Hunting Life. Many thanks Deidre, you do a great job and you are also a good friend.

And I always save the best to last. This accolade goes to the North West Terrier,Lurcher, and Whippet Club for their presentataion of Galway Crystal to myself for my contribution and write ups to their shows this year. I can honestly say I enjoyed every minute of it. I appreciate this thought and gift from the bottom of my heart, and will treasure this beautiful gift for the rest of my life. You also extended your thoughtfulness to my colleagues Deidre Mc Coy for her photography, and Janet Duke for promoting Whippets and Whippet shows in Northern Ireland and further afield. On behalf of these two ladies and myself I wish to extend our sincere thanks.

A special presentation was made to the Man of the Day, Terry Moore, founder member of the North West Terrier, Lurcher, and Whippet Club, and a life long member for his work with the club over the years. Terry,you are one of natures gentlemen and a most worthy recepient of this award. Terry congratulations, and may you continue to lead a happy and healthy life.

To conclude now, I would like to wish all of the Canine fraternity a Happy Hunting ground for the rest of the season, and thank you all for your friendship and companionship at the shows during the year.and I look forward to meeting up with you all again in the new year Please God..

PS. Dont forget the last Whippet show of the year at Dunsilly Kennells, Belfast this Sunday 16th September 12.

Thanks for another very informative report Margaret, great reading and a very well done to all those that made the day, the organisers, exhibitors and last but not least the judges, well done all.