The Kerryman (North Kerry)

Spud-Off competitio­n feels the effects of a long, cold winter

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THE effects of a cold, wet spring were felt at the parish heats of this year’s Spud- Off Mór competitio­n where entries were fewer and potatoes were smaller than usual. But this didn’t diminish the intensity of competitio­n and the pride in producing a good spud.

The Spud- Off Mór finals will be held next Sunday (July 8) in Begley’s pub in Baile na nGall, and in advance of the big event the parish heats of the annual competitio­n were held in pubs throughout West Kerry over the weekend.

The parish competitio­ns were held in the finest weather the country has seen since 1976, but they still felt the effects of the cold, wet, wintry weather that persisted until nearly the end of April this year. The bad weather meant potatoes that were planted early in the year struggled to survive and many growers delayed planting until far later than the traditiona­l deadline of St Patrick’s Day. In either case the outcome was similar and the potato crop in West Kerry is far behind what it should be for this time of year.

The result of all this was seen in a reduced number of entries in the parish heats because people either had no spuds at all to bring to the table or they didn’t want to embarrass themselves by turning up with a plateful of criocáns.

In Dún Chaoin there were only two entries, while both Baile an Fheirtéara­igh and Dingle had only one entry each. Other areas fared better and in Baile na nGall, where good potatoes are cherished, the judges had their work cut out for them on Saturday evening as they daintily sampled the entries in the Paróiste na Cille Cois Cnoic round of the competitio­n.

The best method for growing potatoes, the choice of ground and manure, the appropriat­e care and attention, are often a subject of debate – but rarely of agreement. However, a grower gains a certain authority on the matter by producing a winning spud.

On Saturday night Finbarr McCarthy’s British Queens were judged the best spuds in Paróiste na Cille Cois Cnoic and he revealed the secrets of his success to The Kerryman.

Finbarr, who works as a brewer with Heineken in Cork, reckons British Queens have a natural advantage in the Spud- Off competitio­n because they’re in their prime around the end of June/ early July. His potatoes were planted in garden compost beside his holiday home in Carraig on St Patrick’s Day and he thought they weren’t going to grow at all because no stalk was seen above ground for six or seven weeks. After that Finbarr didn’t go near the potatoes and when he dug them for the Spud- Off competitio­n they were buried in weeds, with thistles growing up between them. The ‘ laissez faire’ approach worked and Finbarr’s Queens were a country mile ahead of the second and third placed Queens grown by Gearóid Mac Gearailt and Packie Begley.

The Spud- Off finals will be held this Sunday in Begley’s pub in Baile na nGall, starting at 4pm with the Pláta Práta competitio­n for the best potato-based dish. The competitio­n is being judged by a panel of five tasters, including TV chef Karen Coakley (the Kenmare Foodie). The Pláta Práta competiton is open to profession­al chefs this year and anybody who wants to enter can do so by contacting Elaine on 086 1006046 before 5pm on this Friday.

Judging of the Spud- Off contest will begin at 5pm in Begley’s pub, and in between all that there will be a schools art competitio­n organised by Elouise Flannery from Dingle, a potato peeling contest and a competitio­n to guess to number of criocáns (small spuds) in a bag – the winner of which will receive the standard, and very useful, prize of a shovel.

Results of the Spud- Off parish heats: Dingle: Noel O’Neill (British Queens). Ventry: Micí Ó Conchúir (British Queens). Dún Chaoin: Nora Murphy (British Queens). Baile an Fheirtéara­igh: Breandán Ó Cíobháin (British Queens). Paróiste na Cille Cois Cnoic: Finbarr McCarthy (British Queens). Paróiste na Cille Cois Farraige: Josh Ó Breanáin (British Queens). Paróiste Mórach: Billy Corr (Kerr Pinks).

The Lios Póil heat was being held on Tuesday night.

 ?? Photo by Declan Malone ?? The champion potato growers of Paróiste na Cille Cois Cnoic and the wives who make it all possible. In first place was Finbarr McCarthy (centre) with his triumphant wife, Helen; Gearóid MacGearail­t, with wife Helen (left), came second and Packie and...
Photo by Declan Malone The champion potato growers of Paróiste na Cille Cois Cnoic and the wives who make it all possible. In first place was Finbarr McCarthy (centre) with his triumphant wife, Helen; Gearóid MacGearail­t, with wife Helen (left), came second and Packie and...

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