Ballybofey man ‘delighted’ with win at the National Sheep Dog Trials

James P McGee from Ballybofey took home a win at the National Sheep Dog Trials in Roscommon at the weekend.

James won the singles title on Saturday along with his Border Collie, Roeldog Becca. He will now captain the Irish team heading to the International Sheep Dog Trials in Wales next month.

He is also qualified for the World Sheep Dog Trials in Scotland next year.

“I was delighted to get the title,” said James. “A lot of time and effort went into the national trials.”

He will be joined in Wales by fellow Donegal teammates James Pat McDaid, Allistair Lyttle, James McLaughlin, Francis Mongan and young handler Noah Callaghan.

Some 150 competitors took part in the three-day national trials. The dogs and handlers completed a 15 minute trial, where judges looked out for handlers’ control of the dog and the dog’s ability to complete the challenges. Each winner from over the three days battled it out on the last day, where James and Roeldog Becca won overall.

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Roeldog Becca was born in the Netherlands, hence her unique name. James has another dog, Airgid Gold who also qualified for the two international competitions.

James won his first championship title in 2005, also with a dog called Becca. He placed second in the National Sheep Dog Trials last year, which were held in Clonmany.