28 August 2003
Sad News for Irish Tractor Pullers

Tractor Pullers throughout Ireland are struggling to come to terms with the untimely death of "Paddy Conlisk" Paddy passed away suddenly on the 28th of August 2003, he was best known to Tractor Puller's, as the man who build and maintained the ITTPA Tractor Pulling Sled (Paddy's Anchor).

Paddy had the mind of a genius and he was the keystone of the ITTPA's formation in May 2000; he attended every Tractor Pulling event to date, his popularity was reflected by the thousands of friends and Tractor Pullers from all over Ireland who travelled to Kilconly, Tuam to pay their last respects at Paddy's funereal. Paddy is survived by, his wife Margaret, daughters Claire, and Sinead, Sons Padraig, Damian and Niall, and son-in-law James, he will be sadly missed by his family and his many friends, may he rest in peace.

Paddy Conlisk 1938 - 2003 RIP

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ITTPA West Cork Tractor Pulling June 2003

Clonakilty Agricultural Show saw a massive success as it hosted the West Cork leg of the Irish Tractor Pulling Championships; it was a busy day in Clonakilty where four classes were ran, with thousands of spectators turning out to support as over thirty competitors took part under ideal weather conditions.

The first class was the Under 5000kg class and first place went to Donal Egan from Banagher, Co. Offaly with his "Same Antarez" Donal was the only puller to achieve a Full Pull in the pull-off. He was followed closely by Noel Jennings from Bandon, Co. Cork who tuck second place in a Valtra 8650 with a pull of 95m.

The next class was the 5001kg - 6000 class, the largest class of the day, and the winner was Daniel O'Connell, also from Banagher, Co. Offaly in his Zetor 12245 with a pull of 77m. Anthony Doolin from Clonakilty, tuck second place in his New Holland TM125 with a pull of 75m.

Tadgh O'Driscoll, Ballinne, Co. Cork won the 6001kg -7500kg class with a pull of 80m in his Case CS 150. In second place was James Swanton, Bantry, Co Cork with a New Holland TM150 and a pull of 78m.

The final class of the day was the 7501kg - 9000kg class. The winner was Gerry O'Keefe, Bantry, Co. Cork, in a John Deere 7810 with two Full Pulls. A Full Pull got James Swanton Jr, Bantry, Co. Cork in a New Holland TN150 into the Pull Off where he came in second with a pull of 87m.

Kilconly Pull May 2003:

Tractor Pulling 2003

The (ITTPA) Irish Truck and Tractor Pulling Association hosted one of the major events of the Tractor Pulling season in Kilconly, Co. Galway on Sunday May 4th.

The persistent rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the sports' growing band of followers with a total of 49 entrants taking part in 4 categories. Several thousand enthusiasts braved the poor weather conditions to witness Irelands first Truck Pulling demonstration, which was very exciting, and the ITTPA would like to congratulate Gordon Conway from Harty International Transport who managed full pulls often only driving on the two back wheels as his truck did wheelie after wheelie down the 100 metre track.

Gordon Conway Irelands first Truck Puller

The new weight based classification system was put through its' paces and proved popular with the competitors, many of whom are tractor pulling veterans. The weight-based system, which replaces the horsepower classification system used since the sport's introduction to Ireland, has been adopted in order to come into line with Europe, following the IITPA's acceptance as members of the European Tractor Pulling Committee. All tractors are weighed on the day of competition and allocated to categories based on their weight.

The first winner of the day was Offaly man Daniel O'Connell, who won the 4001kg - 5000kg category in his Zetor 12245 with the only full pull of the category. In second place was Michael Keating in a Zetor 11441 with a pull of 85m, followed closely by Peter O Dea in a John Deere 3050 coming in at 84m.

JJ Walsh in his Valmet 8450

John Joe Walsh, Kilmaine, Co. Mayo beat out stiff competition to win the 5001kg - 6000kg category in a Valmet 8450. Padraic Walsh in the same tractor came in second with a pull of 94m.

Pa McHugh from Dunmore was the popular local winner of the hotly contested 6001kg - 7500kg class in his new Case CVX 150, with consistent full pulls. Robert Power, Wexford in a McCormick and Jonathon Healion, Offaly in a Case MX 110 tied for second place with pulls of 88m.

John Murphy from Ferns justified the long trip from Wexford with a win in the 7501kg - 9000kg category in a John Deere 7810 with a distance in the pull-off of 54m. The winner of the previous category, Pa McHugh, came in second at 45m.

The next pull will take place atthe Clonakilty Agricultural Show on Sunday the 8th of June, for more information contact Colm Concannon on 086 8142736.

2003 Classes run as follows:

0001 - 4000 KGs
4001 - 5000 KGs
5001 - 6000 KGs
6001 - 7500 KGs
7501 - 9000 KGs
9001 - upwards

The above system saves the show society or association, which is hosting a tractor pulling event, the cost of having to source and hire a Dynometer.

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March 2003

The ITPA requested membership of the ETPC (European Tractor Pulling Committee) and were invited to attend the ETPC spring meeting in Rotherham.

The request for membership was strongly objected to, by the newly formed ITPO (Northern Ireland Tractor Pulling Organisation) who clamed that they should control Tractor Pulling in Ireland. The ITPA said that they had no objection to the ITPO representing Northern Ireland but made it clear that the ITPO had no claim or control over anything in the Republic of Ireland the ITPA also explained that the ITPO was a newly formed Organisation formally known as the Irish Tractor Pullers Club who had previously operated only in the North of Ireland and were unknown in the Republic Of Ireland.

The ITPA delivered a presentation to the committee, outlining all the ITPA's achievements since its formation in May 2000, and it's plans for the future. The presentation also included a detailed report on the status of Ireland as an independent European country, and Northern Irelands status as a part of the United Kingdom.

The ETPC held a closed vote, and the result was that the ITPA was accepted as Guest Members to the ETPC.

The ITPA welcomed the decision of the members and informed the ETPC that they planned to change their name from the ITPA to the ITTPA (Irish Truck & Tractor Pulling Association) for the future.

Next Stop Holland: September 2002

Jonathan Healion and Michael Hayden from Tullamore Co. Offaly are to be the first ever Irish Competitors to take part in the European Tractor Pulling Championships which is on in Bakel, Holland Next weekend September 7th and 8th. Only hours after winning their JFC All Ireland Tractor Pulling Championship titles they agreed to go all the way and try for the European Title.

Michael Hayden & Jonathan Healion

Colm Concannon of the ITPA (Irish Tractor Pulling Association) said this is the icing on the cake, with only 3 years behind us and after another very successful day at the 2002 JFC All Ireland Tractor Pulling finals on Sunday to have 2 tractor's pulling in the European Championships was a dream come through, he added that after speaking to Peter van Eekelen President of the NTTO (National Tractor and Truck Pulling Organization Holland) about the European Rules and what kind of opposition we could expect to meet he felt very confident that Jonathan and Michael would do us proud.

The European rules and classes are slightly different, Jonathan and Michael will be pulling in the "7.5 Ton Farm Stock Class" where the tractor must be a standard farm tractor with the original engine and diesel pump, there's no limited to the horse power but the tractor cannot exceed 7.5 ton weight with the driver on board, for more detailed information visit http://www.tractorpulling.com/schedule/ec.html

Jonathan who drives a truck for the family run transport business "Liam Healion and Sons" will drive his own Truck when they set sail from Rosslare next Thursday.

It was a busy day in Kilconly Tuam on Sunday for the JFC All Ireland Tractor Pulling Championships with a field of 47 competitors spread over 6 classes.

In the under 105 class, reigning champion James Geoghan in his Valmet 8000 retained the title, showing in the process that he only needs the one pull, getting a full pull on his first attempt. Coming in second was Mike O'Donnell in a John Deere 3140 with a distance of 48.5 metres.

Good sportsmanship won the day in the heavily competed 106 -125hp class. The initial field of 13 was whittled down to a pull-off between 3 drivers - Donal Egan in a 110hp Same Antarez, and Jonathon Healion and Michael Hayden both driving Jonathon's Case MX 110. The Antarez failed to catch the Case in the pull-off, getting only as far as the 65m mark, while both drivers achieved full pulls in the Case. Michael then graciously decided that rather than force a further pull-off he would concede victory to the tractors owner, Jonathon Healion, Spollenstown, Co. Offaly.

Also heavily competed was the 126 - 145 class, with Fred Murray, Mullingar, emerging the winner in a New Holland TM135 with a distance of 86m. Gerry White came a close second in the same tractor with a distance of 80m.

Michael Hayden, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, achieved the only full pull in the 146 - 165 class, this time in his own New Holland TM150. Dan Gorman came in second in the same tractor, showing great consistency by getting 88m in both his pulls.

In the 165 - 185hp class, Eoin Maher took the title home to Enfield, Co Meath in his 180hp John Deere 7810. Coming in second was Galway man Patrick McHugh who had postponed his honeymoon to take part in the competition. He wasn't too disappointed with second place, seeming happy enough just to show off his new bride and his new Case MX 170.

Tony O'Sullivan, all the way from Gorey, Co. Wexford took an easy victory in the Open Class in his John Deere 7810, achieving a full pull on his first attempt.

Tractor Pulling Results: from 21th July event (Ballina).

Duties and commitment to the job had to come first for many north-western want to be tractor pullers, the glorious sunshine called for urgent baleing and silage making to be done around Ballina last Sunday, nevertheless it proved to be a very successful event and 4 classes were ran.

The under 105 class was won by Michael Clarke, Cloghans in a Deutz Agriplus 95 HP. Coming in second in that class was Nathan Tuffy, also in a Deutz Agriplus 95, who played a stormer pulling back the sled all day. Derek Reap took in the honours in the 106 - 125 class in a John Deere 6610. (115 HP) PJ Weir from Knockanillaun won the 126 - 145 class with his Case MX135 (135 HP) in what was to prove the first step in a Weir brothers double header. The big excitement of the day came when Brian Weir in the same Case MX135 beat off stiff competition from two heavyweights, a 190 hp Lamborghini 190 and a 185 HP JCB Fastrack.

Tractor Pulling Results: from 5th May event.

Kilconly Crossroads Festival was the venue for this year's first Tractor Pulling event held last Sunday 5th of May. Spectators and competitors from counties as far away as Tipperary, Offaly, Westmeath and Roscommon made the way to the north Galway village.

There were 32 entries, with only 2 in the lower class 105 HP and under. The winner of this class was David Scanlon in a Case Styer 95 HP, David achieved a full pull on his first attempt which earned him the prise of € 250 Euro and a place to take in the All Ireland Final in September 15th.

The next class was 106 - 125 HP with 18 entries and not without controversy, on the first round 11 tractors achieved a Full Pull, after recalibration of the sled these pulled again and Nigel Healion from Tullamore Co. Offaly, in a Case MX110 (110HP) pulled the furthest @ 78.5 Meters, but after some suspicions Nigel's Case was tested on the dynometer, a machine for testing the HP of a tractor, unfortunately for Nigel his Case registered (130HP) which meant a pull of 58 meters would take the € 250 Euro which went to fellow Offaly man Daniel O' Connell in a Zetor 12245 (115HP), Nigel being a good sport accepted his defeat and agreed to enter to pull in the next class.

There were no entries for the 125 - 145, and the next class was 146 - 170 HP with 9 entries. Despite Nigel Healion's Case MX110 being at an enormous disadvantage against the tractors in this class he managed come in 4th but the prise went to Mayo man JJ Walsh in a Valmet 8450 (160 HP)

That left 2 tractors remaining a Case MX240 (240 HP) and a John Deere 7810 (180 HP) both of which pulled in the open class, it seemed like there was to be no stopping these two giants as they stemmed along the 100 Meter track, maximum adjustments had to be made to the sled which to the amazement of onlookers did manage to stall Gerry O' Keefe driving Ray Platt's (180 HP) John Deere 7810, despite a 60 HP advantage, lack of a complete set of front weights and suspensions the (240 HP) Case MX240 came to a jumping stop at 64 meters, a full 6 meters short of Gerry O' Keefe. Rays final comments were "well that made the 3 hour drive from Roscrea Co. Tipperary in his new John Deere well worth while".

The next Tractor Pulling event will take place on Sunday the 9th June in Clonakilty, Co. Cork at the Clonakilty Agricultural Show, those interested in taking part need just turn up with their tractors before 12 pm on the day, or for more information visit the (ITPA) Irish Tractor Pulling Association website www.tractorpulling.net or if your interested in holding a Tractor Pulling event in your area contact Colm Concannon 086 8142736 for full details.  

Tractor Pulling News 29/4/2002

Tension begins to rise, as we get closer to the first event of the 2002 Tractor Pulling Championships. Next Sunday the 5th May, will kick off the first event of the year, to be held at the ITPA (Irish Tractor Pulling Association) hometown of Kilconly, Tuam, Co. Galway.

There's a lot of mixed feeling in the air after the purposed changes in the Horse Power classes, seasoned Tractor Puller and last years All Ireland champion 75- 95 HP class, James Geoghagan, has expressed his concerns, regarding the changes to the lower end of HP classifications. James pointed out that the purposed 95 - 120 HP class would leave 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder Tractors competing against one another, he added that the 95 - 115 class was the most popular class of the last two years, and with almost every make of tractor being available in 100HP, its the most popular tractor in Ireland, to put 100HP tractors pulling against 120HP Tractors could result in a dropout in the lower classes.

The ITPA would like to thank James for his valued comments, and have decided to add an additional class to rectify this possibility, however they have also stated that there needs to be at least 4 - 5 tractors entered in a class before that can run, otherwise the tractors may have to move up to the next class. The HP classes will now run as follows:

75 - 105
106 -125
126 - 145
146 - 170
171 - 195
196 - and over

The purpose built all weather track, built for the 2001 All Ireland is in perfect shape, despite some heave showers over the last week, and the ITPA are comfortable that the event will run smoothly. Competitors interested in taking part at the Kilconly Crossroads Festival Tractor Pulling event on Sunday 5th May, need just show up with their tractors before 12pm on the day, or for more info, contact: Colm Concannon Tel: 086 8142736

Below is a photo of the all weather track at Kilconly venu for the 2002 All Ireland tractor Pulling set for Sunday September 15th.