County Roscommon man gives it welly at National Ploughing Championships
Eoghan and Shane Donlon from Castlerea show off their winnings from the welly throwing competition at the National Ploughing Championships. Pic: Stephen Conneely Irish Times
Castlerea man Shane Donlon claimed an unusual sporting honour at this year’s National Ploughing Championships after winning a welly-throwing competition on the opening day of the Ploughing at Screggan, County Offaly.
Shane took home a free T-shirt and plenty of bragging rights after launching the welly high and far enough to secure victory at the popular event.
Speaking after his win to Stephen Conneelly of The Irish Times Mr Donlon said he had to be careful after feeling a slight pull during his first attempt. “I threw it the first time and I could feel a little tweak in the hamstring, so I said: ‘I’m not going to be ripping that with this craic’,” he said.
He adjusted his approach before giving the final throw his best effort. “The second one, I just took it easy and the third one, I said I’ll go for the sign,” he told The Irish Times. His son, Eoghan, was there to watch the winning moment.
The Donlon family said they were making the most of their day at the Ploughing, where the crowds and attractions meant there was plenty to see. “There’s so much to do here,” Mr Donlon said. “You’d nearly want the two days if you wanted to see everything.”
