Broken arm wasn't going to stop Limerick's Liam from showing his calf at Cappamore Show!

IF EVER a person encapsulates the spirit of Cappamore Show it is young Liam Sheehy who wasn’t going to let the small matter of a broken arm stop him from showing his calf in the ring.

Two years ago the show was in serious jeopardy due to Storm Betty and a couple of years ago there was a deluge on the night before the agricultural event. The committee said on both occasions that “the show must go on”.

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Liam, aged 10, from Cappamore, espouses that view as having his arm in a sling was not going to stop him taking part in the confined calf class for local children on Saturday. It can be hard to manage a boisterous calf with two arms not to mind one!

“I was playing Gaelic football on Wednesday night when I broke it,” Liam tells the Leader on Saturday..

“I was in goals. The ball bent my hand back but I still saved the shot,” he says with an impish grin. The son of Diarmuid and Mary has pedigree breeding of his own as dad was a talented senior footballer for Limerick.

Liam wasn’t concerned about going to hospital after his accident. His only worry was would he be able to show his quiet calf owned by relation Brian Sheehy.

Liam didn’t just show the calf, he was up with his cousins at 6am to wash it and have it looking a million dollars. All the work was worth it as Liam came second in the class for local children.

The young man who won the Ollie Moore perpetual trophy was Tom Earlie, age 13, from Cappamore (pictured below).

“It’s my first year showing,” he smiles proudly.

The son of Simon and Breda said the Belgian Blue calf, owned by Liam Berkery, was born on March 10.

What is his secret to cattle showing success, asks the Leader. “Keep the calf’s chin up, make sure you’re smiling and enjoy it,” said Tom.

It’s not bad life advice either.

There were no concerns about storms or rain clouds as the sun peaked through the clouds in sweltering temperatures. It was a mix of Coachella and Cappamore as denim mini skirts and stringy tops mixed with county jerseys. 

The Leader spotted Tipperary, Cork, Clare, Kerry and, of course, Limerick tops. Young Oscar Ryan (pictured below) wore the latter as he sat in the cab of a Kubotu tractor.

The man on the tannoy announced at 1.34pm that there were 1,500 vehicles in the car-park. At the show jumping ring a man was heard utter, “There is some crowd here this early”.  

You’d need to let out a bark to get near the dog showing ring as it was five deep. 

The crowds were thronged around the music stage too with line dancing to waltzing on the dance floor. Everywhere you looked was man or beast.

Tummies were beginning to rumble and there was plenty to satisfy appetites from chargrilled burgers to Delhi street food. The pub was doing a roaring trade with cold drinks a blessed relief from the heat.

Show chairman John McCarthy said they start planning in the dead of winter.

“When you get a day like this, it just makes it all so worthwhile. It’s down to great patrons, great sponsors, great committee and a great community spirit - this is what it's all about,” said John.

Like so many on the committee, his late father, Jimmy, was steeped in the show.

“We continue doing it for the people that have gone before us. This legacy has been handed to us and it's a pleasure to be able to continue it. We're very lucky to have a lot of young people in the committee,” said John.

Amid all the attractions, what’s his favourite part of the day?

“The end of the day,” he smiles.

“You're always worried (during the day). In the evening when you can have a cup of tea or a couple of drinks, a bit of background music and can relax - that's definitely my favourite part because we know then we have our job done,” said John.

It was a job well done.

Another John, John Hassett, show secretary, said it is a celebration of rural life for one and all to enjoy.

“It's wonderful to see all the families here - they’re bringing horses, cattle and dogs for showing. 

“There's a great buzz here today - isn't it fantastic that Cappamore is a great showcase for everything that goes on in East Limerick. You have Murroe Scouts, Doon Men’s Shed, to mention just two, it isn’t all about Cappamore,” said John, who  owns the showgrounds in Ballyvoreen as well as being show secretary.

He takes great pride in seeing thousands of people chewing the fat replacing his cattle chewing the cud for the day.

“Next week I'll worry about grass. I plan my farming year around the show - when I'll cut silage, when I'll graze cattle etc. I think it’s fantastic that we can give an open space to the community and showcase the very best of County Limerick,” said John.

There were concerns that numbers might be down due to Oasis playing in Croke Park but they rolled with it and need not have worried. One talented young child chose a combination of an Oasis concert and Cappamore Show for his lego display entry.

Judging by Saturday’s massive attendance, one and all hopes the show will Live Forever…