In pictures: YFCU have another successful year at the Balmoral Show

They began with their annual sheep shearing and wool handling competition that took place on Wednesday 13th May 2026 in the Sheep Shearing Pavilion.

Sponsored by Ulster Wool and Lister Shearing Equipment Limited, this competition consisted of two sections for the sheep shearing - novice and advanced and one section of the wool handling competition.

Competitors sweated it out in a tough contest with fellow club members cheering them on.

The awards for the men’s novice sheep shearing competition went to Peter Og Morgan (Spa YFC) in first place, Matthew Ross (Newtownstewart YFC) in second place and Kyle Pinkerton (Newtownstewart YFC) in third place.

The awards for the men’s advanced sheep shearing competition went to Fraser Caldwell (Clanabogan YFC) in first place, Iain Wilson (Gleno Valley YFC) in second place and Philip Buchanan (Gleno Valley YFC) in third place.

The awards for the wool handling competition went to Leah Maxwell (Lylehill YFC) in first place, Caroline McConnell (Lylehill YFC) in second place and Eimer Skelly (Garvagh YFC) in third place.

Thursday is always a busy day at the Balmoral Show for YFCU and this year began with their stock judging competition which took place on the cattle lawn.

Vice president James Morrison thanked Fane Valley for their continued support in sponsoring the competition, and Marks and Spencer for providing the white coats.

The six judges were Jane McCollum, Stephen McCollum, David Connolly, Geoffrey Rodgers, Andre Patton and Andrew Patterson. It was the judges' task to put the members’ stock knowledge to the test over three sections: beef, dairy and sheep. The winners were

Dairy stock judging (junior category)

First place, David Hamilton (Donaghadee YFC)

Second place, Evie Morrison (Lisbellaw YFC)

Third place, Philip McMullan (Moycraig YFC)

Dairy stock judging (senior category)

First place, Kirsty Wallace (Lylehill YFC)

Second place, William McCormick (Moycraig YFC)

Third place, Steven Mitchell (Annaclone and Magherally YFC)

Beef stock judging (junior category)

First place, Kerrie Hayes (Spa YFC)

Second place, Laura Neill (Spa YFC)

Third place, Robbie Linton (Ahoghill YFC)

Beef stock judging (senior category)

First place, Lucy Rodgers (Spa YFC)

Second place, Jessica McConnell (Holestone YFC)

Third place, Craig Robson (Holestone YFC)

Sheep stock judging (junior category)

First place, Andrew Molyneaux (Donaghadee YFC)

Second place, Mia Sloane (Rathfriland YFC)

Third place, Jane Fenton (Glarryford YFC)

Sheep stock judging (senior category)

First place, Hanna Miskimmin (Ballywalter YFC)

Second place, Sophie McAllister (Lisnamurrican YFC)

Third place, Peter McAreavey (Crumlin YFC)

Following the stock judging was the five-a-side football finals, supported by SONI Ltd and refereed by John Ewing and Peter Wilson.

Teams across the province took part in the county heats last month with the top six female and top six male teams making it through to the final at Balmoral Show.

Referees were impressed with the sportsmanship displayed by YFCU members and found that they showed great respect throughout the game.

The awards for the men’s section of the competition went to Randalstown YFC in first place, Moneymore YFC in second place and Kyle Pinkerton Holestone YFC in third place.

The awards for the women’s section of the competition went to Moneymore YFC in first place, Spa YFC in second place and Lisnamurrican YFC (A) in third place.

Also on Thursday, YFCU held their much-anticipated machinery handling event.

Held in association with Johnston Gilpin and Company, this event brought a large crowd of spectators to the cattle lawn.

Two members from clubs in each of the six counties were selected from county heats to make up the teams.

Those who previously completed the machinery handling heats with the highest points took part in the final of competition.

Points were awarded for successfully making it through the course and driving around the posts; however, teams were penalised for a variety of reasons, including not complying with safety regulations, touching markers, and causing unnecessary damage to the ground.

This competition was designed to test both the drivers’ tractor skills and safety knowledge. YFCU worked closely with judges William Richmond and Selwin Graham from CAFRE, who assisted with the planning and design of the course to test the competitors’ tractor skills and safety knowledge.

Matthew Gilbert represented Johnston Gilpin and Company during the competition and was photographed with the award winners.

First place was awarded to Co Armagh YFC, second place went to Co Antrim YFC and third place went to Co Londonderry YFC.

It was then time for the famous YFCU tug of war competition (proudly associated with Thompsons Feeding Innovation) that saw hundreds of people come to the Cattle Lawn to cheer on the 19 competing teams.

This event consisted of three sections, which were female, male novice and male advanced.

Members across Northern Ireland showcased their strength in this thrilling contest.

Thanks went to Barrie Barr for his help and advice, along with Vernon Hurst, Pat Kernan and Hugh McFetteridge who refereed and helped to steward the event and to Thompsons Feeding Innovation for providing the winning teams with medals.

Tug o war competition

Novice Section

First place, Mountnorris YFC

Second place, Kilraughts YFC

Third place, Straid YFC

Advanced section

First place, Lisnamurrican YFC

Second place, Glarryford YFC

Third place, Randalstown YFC

Ladies section

First place, Lisnamurrican YFC

Second place, Spa YFC