A GROUP of Clonakilty students are over the moo-n after winning the 2026 Certified Irish Angus School’s Competition at an awards ceremony in Croke Park last Friday.

For Sacred Heart Secondary School Leaving Certs, Niamh O’Sullivan (Ballygurteen), Ellen O’Neill (Ballineen), Lucy Kirby (Barryroe) and Ciara O’Driscoll (Ballinacarriga) it was what they had been working tirelessly towards since 2023 when they were in Transition Year.

And they’re now so motivated by their experience that three of the four hope to study agricultural-related courses at third level.

The Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition, run by Certified Irish Angus and its processor partners, ABP and Kepak, aims to encourage second-level students to understand the considerable care and attention required to produce and market the highest-quality beef for consumers.

Calling themselves the ‘Angus Advocates’ their project looked at increasing awareness of the Certified Irish Angus brand; highlighting why the beef sector is so important to the Irish economy and examining how farmers can increase profits on their farms by breeding Angus cattle.

Research areas included understanding the impact of CBV (commercial beef value) on animal performance figures, and highlighting how the Angus breed helps increase the reproductive efficiency of a farm.

As part of the project they also created an educational tool for consumers around their mascot Éire the Angus.

The team had many hurdles to clear to take the title in the highly contested competition and were announced as one of five finalists in April 2024.

It was at that stage, the group received  five Angus calves to rear on Lucy’s family farm. The girls named them Tóirneach, Réalt, Inis, Bua and Ériu. Each letter of their names comes from the word Tribe, chosen as their sire is Drumcrow Tribesman. Day-to-day they helped out with their rearing as much as possible before  they were sent for slaughter last summer.

Highlights included presenting their project at the National Ploughing Championships, Dáil Éireann, and the European Parliament. They also hosted a gala event, ‘A Taste of Certified Irish Angus’ at Fernhill House Hotel, attended by over 150 guests, raising over €5,000 for Cancer Connect, explained Lucy.

Their prize included a trophy and €2,000 grant for third level education.

‘Winning meant to much to us,’ said Niamh. ‘It was also brilliant for our school community and all of West Cork.’

Ellen and Ciara added: ‘The standard was so high, so to hear our names being called out was fantastic. And we’re so grateful for all the support we got along the way.’

That support included their mentor and teacher Mary O’Riordan who said the students showed massive commitment and were very deserving of the win.

Charles Smith, general manager of Certified Irish Angus, said the Clonakilty students  demonstrated ‘remarkable talent and limitless potential’.

‘Their passion for the sector, strong farming ability and engaging personalities set them apart from the beginning. The platform they created to help consumers better understand the Certified Irish Angus brand, and the value of the Angus breed for efficiency on Irish farms showcased real understanding and innovation. Their approach highlights how new ideas and fresh perspectives can help to shape the next generation of Irish agriculture,’ he said.

Minister of State Michael Moynihan was equally impressed with the standard. ‘The professionalism and insight shown by the students today highlight the strength of talent developing in schools,’ he said.

The Certified Irish Angus Schools’ competition in association with ABP and Kepak, challenges students to rear five Irish Angus calves for beef production for two years. It aims to promote the Certified Irish Angus brand while communicating the care and attention required to produce quality beef for consumers.

The Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition is celebrating its twelfth year in 2026 and farming experts are currently judging the next batch of potential entrants from a pool of 53 shortlisted schools.