The traditional St. Patrick’s Day Ploughing Match organised by the Fermanagh and Tyrone Ploughing Society takes place on Saturday next, March 16, at the Rash Estate (kindly granted), Omagh.

The fixture is expected to bring in competitors from all across the northern half of Ireland, from counties Donegal, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Londonderry, Armagh, Antrim and Down.

There are classes for world-style 12-inch (open and confined), Hydraulic vintage 10-inch (open and confined) trailer class, multi-furrow (three- and four-furrow).

There are prizes for the Champion of the Field, the Best Back and Best Overall, as well as the Youngest Ploughing competition in the under-25 years class. The ploughing will be judged on merit.

This year’s judges are Sam Bowman, Magherafelt; William Purcell, Chief Steward of the Northern Ireland Ploughing Association, Coleraine; Leonard Bell, Finn Valley; and John McKinney, Lagan.

The ploughing match is being overseen by the officials and office bearers of the Fermanagh and Tyrone Ploughing Society: President, Jill Brown-Ellis; Chairman, Johnny Alexander; and Secretary, Albert Hetherington.

Mr. Hetherington (telephone 028 388658, or 079 7759 7197) would like entries received by March 11, if possible, to make the necessary site preparations.

The Cups and Trophies will be presented at a social evening in the Bridge Inn, Trillick on Saturday, April 20.