Cavan man defends title in turkey pluck off

The much anticipated head to head between two titans of the turkey-plucking world took place yesterday morning, April 16 at a farm in England, with Cavan man Vincent Pilkington claiming victory over the British challenger to claim the title of fastest plucker.

Vincent from Cootehill is renowned as having held one of the longest standing records in the Guinness Book of Records, the title for the fastest plucker of a single turkey in one minute 30 seconds, which he achieved live on RTE television back in the 1980s. That record has lasted over three decades and counting.

His rival Paul Kelly, owner of of Kelly Turkeys holds the record for fastest pluck of three turkeys.

A meeting in the middle was arranged between the pair earlier this year after Vincent, through this newspaper, laid down a challenge as to who would be champion-of-champions at plucking two turkeys.

The pluck-off took place at Paul’s home, Little Claydons Farm, Howe Green, near Chelmsford, where two 17lb white hen turkeys were specially picked before been plucked by each contestant.

Vincent won in a time of 11 minutes 08.33 seconds- with Paul finishing 33 seconds behind him.

Expressing his delight at winning the challenge, Vincent wasn’t surprised the plucking time was a lot slower than his original Guinness record time.

“Remember I’m retired now, but I still like to keep my hand in helping local farmers with plucking their turkeys at Christmas. It paid off today,” remarked Vincent.

Paul meanwhile admitted he came out second best on this occasion, and congratulated Vincent whom he first met when they competed in the world plucking championships in Sussex in the early 1980s, and again when Vincent used to help Kelly Turkeys with plucking during the 1990s.

However gracious, Paul still took the opportunity to needle the victor saying: “despite his age Vincent's still got some life in him. I went easy on him this time”, he laughed.