The Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society youth development final was held on 28 September at the Lough Allen Hotel and Spa, Moorlands Equestrian Centre.

A total of 37 young people aged between 8 years and 24 years from Ireland, England and Scotland competed at the annual national final, this year hosted by the Irish Aberdeen Angus Cattle Association.

Overall winner

The overall winner this year was Bryan O’Halloran from the Munster club. Bryan is a young Angus enthusiast who farms the Briarhill herd alongside his father in Co Cork.

Along with taking the honour of top youth in the senior section, Bryan also received a bursary award for an international trip of his choice.

Top spots

The Irish performed particularly well in this year’s finals claiming top spot in all sections.

Connacht Leinster club participant John Smyth took top spot in the intermediate section.

This is the first year for the new team of co-coordinators, who have taken on the management of the youth development programme.

The team is: Tina Russell - national co-ordinator; Niall Lynch – Ireland co-ordinator; Stephanie Dick – Scotland; Jess Musk – north of England; and Ruth Perry – south of England.

Each year, 13 workshops are held around the UK and southern Ireland and the young people compete for their place in the final.