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Hillsborough man clinches gold at
World Championships
David Gill and his wife Rosemary Mack.
LOCAL man David Gill fulfilled a lifelong
ambition last weekend when he won the World Ploughing Match in
Lithuania to become the World Ploughing Champion.
David, from Hillsborough, scooped the 'Golden
Plough' at the highest event in ploughing circles to become
World Champion; fulfilling a 30-year-old dream.
"It probably hasn't sunk in yet," said a
delighted David, who is a member of Hillsborough Ploughing
Society. "This is the result of 30 years work. I've been
competing at competition level for 30 years, it has been my goal
to' win this and to finally get there is unbelievable. I'm very,
very delighted."
 David
had to win the NI Championships in order to compete in the
competition. He said, "In all, 29 countries competed with only
the top people in conventional and the top in reversible
ploughing going forward to represent their country.
"David Wright from Magherafelt was third in
the reversible ploughing so its been a fantastic year. We have
worked extremely hard as a team, its been a huge team effort."
"The standard of ploughing is so high in
Northern Ireland, we have some of the best ploughmen in the
world; this is the ninth time we have held this title."
As well as winning the coveted Golden Plough,
a golden model of a horse and plough, David won two gold medals
and one silver at the event.
"The Hillsborough Ploughing Society have done
a tremendous job getting the equipment there and helping with
the financial burden. I'm proud to be holding the Golden Plough
for Northern Ireland once again."
Team Coach Ronnie Coulter from Hillsborough
commented, "I'm absolutely delighted, this is the best result
for Northern Ireland for 52 years, I'm very pleased for the
boys.
"David ploughed a stormer on both days and I
am delighted and proud to be part of it. Mercer Ward from
Hillsborough recently won the European Vintage Reversible
Championship in the Isle of Man so all in all its been an
eventful few weeks.
stacey.heaney@jpress.co.uk
Ulster Star
21/09/2007
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