A County Limerick farmer scooped the top prize at yesterday's Virginia Show.

The sash was placed over the cow belonging to P & D Frawley of Portea who also received a cheque for 2,000 euro for claiming the most coveted prize of the day.

Shane McEntee TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture opened the show, describing it as one of the premier shows in the country, with more than 490 classes across a range of competitions.

The Minister said "this is the 71st show, and attracts a large audience from the North East region and across the country. This show not only features some of Ireland's finest livestock, but also has a wide selection of competitions for garden produce, home cooking, arts and crafts with a high standard of entries.

"The show has a number of coveted prizes in the livestock section including the Baileys champion cow, and Gunne Carnaross Mart All Ireland Weanling Championship. This is the 29th year of loyal sponsorship by Baileys and Glanbia Ingredients in Virginia for one of the most prestigious competitions for Holstein Friesian breeders in the country".

The Minister commented that he was confident that with all stakeholders in the Agrifood sector working together, the target of increasing the value of exports from the industry to twelve billion euro by 2020 would be achieved, and that this would have a positive impact on family farm income. Minister McEntee welcomed the generous local sponsorship provided by a host of local sponsors.

He also said, "Virginia show has grown to become one of the largest shows in the country. This is due the hard work of the local organising committee under the President Sean Farrelly. The organisers have shown great initiative and enterprise again this year in the quality of the programme for the day".

Major results:

Baileys Results 2012

Heifer in Milk Award

1st John & Gary Hurley, Clonpaddin Gus Fame, Co Wicklow

2nd C Dowling & Neil Garrigan, Baldonnel Sprite Sylvia, Co Dublin

3rd Jim Allen Cunniamstown Queen 1199, Co Monaghan

4th Jack Cooney, Lisselan Romero Lucy, Bailieboro

Dry Cow Award 2012

1st Padraic Greenan, Greenlea Shottle Roxy, Monaghan

2nd John Hurley, Clonpaddin GWY Fanta, Co Wicklow

3rd T R Kelly, Monamore Comfort 26, Drogheda

Baileys Cow 2012

P & D Frawley, Ridgefield Dundee Portea, Co Limerick

Reserve Champion

Eugene and Sean Murphy, Dalevalley OTI J Lulu EX 95, Co Cork

Honourable Mention

Richard Whelan, Addishottle EX 92, Co Meath

4th Tom and Mena Murphy, Co Kilkenny

5th Cyril Dowling and Mervyn Eagar, Baldonnell Goldwyn Sharon, Dublin 22

Best EBI: Richard Whelan, Ardboy Shottle Snowdrop, Co Meath

Best Protein: Richard Whelan, Addishottle EX 92, Co Meath

Grovite Aberdeen Angus All Ireland Championship

Overall Champion: Albert de Coogan, Co Cork

Reserve: Matthew Goulding, Tralee

Gunne Carnaross All Ireland Male Weanling Champion

Martin Harold, Letterkenny

Gunne Carnaross All Ireland Female Weanling Champion

Pearse McNamee, Convoy

25th Liffey Meats Champion Super Beef Bullock

Pearse McNamee, Convoy

Fleetwood All Ireland Art Competition

|Dermot O'Grady, Foulksmills, Co Wexford