Newtown Dog Show and Fun Day
Spring is here so it is the time of year when our four-legged friends start looking forward once again to the Newtown Dog Show and Family Fun Day. The event, now in its 11th successful year, will again be held in Barry's Field, Newtown, on Bank Holiday Monday, May 2.
This year the organising committee has announced that all funds raised will be split equally between two local groups, Burgess/Duharra Camogie Club and Arra Rovers Football Club, both of whom have such a positive impact upon the lives of the local community.
Competition will take place in 11 show classes this year. The 11 classes are: Best Large Breed, Best Terrier, Best Working/Utility Dog or Bitch, Best Small Dog/Bitch; Best Gundog/Bitch; Best Rescue Dog/Bitch; Best Puppy under nine months; Best Veteran Dog/Bitch over six years; Best Dog; Best Bitch; Best Child Handler (for owners 12 years and younger).
Beautiful crystal trophies will be presented to the Overall Show Champion and Reserve Champion, with the Martin McCarthy Perpetual trophy also being presented to the Show Champion. Rosettes will be award for first to fourth places in each class. Entry costs €4 per class and €10 for entry to three classes.
There was a record number of entries across the various classes in the last event before the pandemic, and two show rings will be available again this year to ensure that the event runs smoothly on the day.
To get competition off to a prompt start, the show committee has decided that registration for entries will commence at 11.30am, with the show itself starting at 1pm.
A draw for a tractor trailer of logs and a car trailer of logs will take place on the day, so watch out for the cards being sold for same throughout the two parishes, with lines again only €2 each, and three lines for just €5.
Sponsors and backers, both old and new, have again been generous in their support and there will be lots of games, stalls, draw prizes and activities for all the family, as well as refreshments both on-site and in the village in both Barry's Coffee Dock and the Skyfarmers Bar/Restaurant.
CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT
All the usual favourites will be at the show again, especially with children's entertainment in mind.
As before, entry to Barry's Field for the show will be free and it is hoped that the bucket collection at the gate will again be generously supported for the benefit of the two very deserving causes, the local camogie club and soccer club.
Burgess/Duharra Camogie Club caters for 100 girls from U6 to adult senior level, fielding teams in ten different grades. The club is very committed to promoting a sense of identity and pride of place in our young people by representing their community at both local and county level.
The club celebrated the winning of three county underage titles at Under 12, 14 and 16 levels in 2021. The club has been very successful in various grades in recent years, notably at senior level where its teams have won eight county titles in the past decade, setting up a record of seven titles in-a-row.
In 2017, the club's second Munster title was achieved with a splendid victory over the Clare champions but, unfortunately, the team lost out by just one point to the Connacht champions, Sarsfields, in the All Ireland semi-final.
The seniors made up for some of that disappointment in not reaching the All Ireland Final when they later won two All Ireland Sevens competition in Kilmacud.
The proceeds from the last Dog Show in 2019 greatly helped both the senior and underage teams towards their increased training and match expenses, and hopefully the same financial support will be forthcoming this year for the show.
With all the club's success comes major financial commitments, and, in that respect, the funding raised from the Dog Show greatly helps to alleviate some of the ever-increasing cost of registrations, insurance, County Board levy, hurleys, sliotars and other necessary playing equipment.
Meanwhile, Arra Rovers FC is also a thriving local club that has been in existence for well over the last 30 years. The club began in 1986 with a single senior team. In 2002 the juvenile part of the club was started with initially only one team (U10) and now today it has teams covering all ages, ranging from U8 to U16 and youths, and it also has a ladies team. The club caters for players from numerous parishes, primarily Portroe, Newtown and Ballywilliam, but has always welcomed players from other parishes in North Tipperary. As Arra Rovers are ever expanding, they rely on fundraising to sustain, build and develop the club's future for generations to come.
BOOKING STALLS
Even at this late stage, the show committee is happy to hear from anyone who would like to discuss booking the limited remaining space for their stalls. Please telephone committee member Paul Henry of the camogie club (087-2034561) or Dermot O'Halloran of the soccer club (086-6012390).
Mark your diaries for Bank Holiday Monday, May 2, to ensure you don't miss out on the great fun day for the whole family, including your four-legged friend.
The camogie club and soccer club would welcome and greatly appreciate your support. So get those pooches pampered, brushed and spruced up, ready to show them off on their big day, and keep your fingers crossed for another sunny Newtown Dog Show.