Billy - king of the plough

THERE aren't many of us who would be willing to travel over 600 miles in one weekend in the name of sport, but for Billy Ritchie, ploughing champion, things don't get much more exciting than that.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Feb 2010, 14:13 BST
Updated 16th Feb 2010, 11:41 BST

An International winner for the first time at Bushmills last September, Billy was spurred on to four podium finishes recently - taking first place in three and the runner-up spot in one.

And in doing so the Moneymore man hit the road for more than 600 miles over three days in his quest for glory.

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“At the Ballycastle match on the Friday I thought I got off to a bad start but came in second place anyway,” said Billy.

“On Saturday we went to the Coleraine match in Limavady and won it and I came home with the intention of staying here.”

The bug had bit though and at 4am the next morning the Moneymore man was on the road again, this time making the 190 mile trip to the County Carlow match field.

“They’re huge big events with over 100 entries with 30 in your class,” claims Billy. But the local man wasn’t to be beaten and again took the number one spot.

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Next stop was the Wicklow/Wexford border on Monday afternoon and, you guessed it, he won that one too, albeit in some tough conditions.

“In southern Ireland the ploughing matches are some of the biggest in the world and there could be up to 50- or 60,000 people each day.

“Thankfully I got off to a good start and a good finish and was awarded the win.”

Although, talking to Billy you sense it’s as much about the fun on the road and the people he meets than taking home a new piece of silverware.

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“It’s a holiday for us, the best of times and you get to know a lot of people - we have friends all over Ireland,” he says, “and the atmosphere is brilliant at all the events.

“We’re a bunch of fellas all together who do what we love to do and it’s something nice for us to be involved in, especially at our age.”

Age or not, Billy doesn’t seem to be slowing anytime soon. And why should he?

28 recorded firsts throughout Ireland in 2007/08 and eight already this year would suggest the Moneymore man is far from hanging his plough up just yet.

Besides, from Tullamore to Portaferry there are too many people up and down the country who’s miss his good time attitude.

Related topics:BushmillsIrelandColeraine