The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Spud-Off competition feels the effects of a long, cold winter
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.