By Sean Moriarty

A Kilcummin man’s success at the International Sheepdog Trials in Aberystwyth, Wales last year was celebrated on Saturday night in the Killarney Avenue Hotel.

PRESENTATION: Tom O'Sullivan was presented with a Waterford Crystal piece and a personalised Rams Horn Shepherds Crook by the Irish Sheepdog Society Chairman Eamonn Connell.

FAMILY PHOTO: Tom O'Sullivan is pictured with his wife Mairead and their two daughters Aoibhe and Kayleigh. Also included are Tom's parents Ulick and Nora O'Sullivan Tom's brother Donal and his partner Rachel Walsh Tom's three sisters Eileen Daly and her husband Sean Mags Beston and her husband Emmet and Noreen and her partner Keith Fleming.

Tom O’Sullivan, who was also one of the driving forces behind bringing the Irish National Sheepdog Trials to Fossa last August, was honoured by the Irish Sheepdog Society at the special function.

Tom and his border collie sheepdog North Hill Tess won the biggest prize in sheepdog trials in Wales last September.

“Tom was the first Kerry winner of the competition and only the fifth Irish person to take the coveted trophy. He joins Frank Cashen, Co. Wexford with Jan in 1997, Toddy Lambe, also from Wexford with Craig in 2004, Michael Gallagher, Co. Antrim with Cap in 2010, James P McGee, Co. Donegal with Glencregg Silver in 2014," his sister Noreen told the Killarney Advertiser.

“The International Supreme Championship Shield, one of the most coveted championships on the sheepdog trialling circuit is in circulation since 1947, and Tom is the latest of only five Irish men ever to have won the championship. Friends and family from near and far flocked to Killarney on Saturday night to celebrate. Trial enthusiasts travelled from as far as Wales, England and Northern Ireland to celebrate the event with Tom’s friends and family.”

Tom was presented with a beautiful Waterford Crystal piece and a personalised Rams Horn Shepherds Crook by the Irish Sheepdog Society Chairman, Eamonn Connell from Co. Westmeath and the secretary, Claire Somers Cashen from Co. Wexford.

Former Supreme Champion James P McGee travelled from Donegal and presented Tom with a crystal plaque from the North of Ireland Sheepdog Society.