The Irish Conker Championships

The eighth annual Irish Conker Championship was held in Freshford, Co Kilkenny, on 28 October.

Shaun Mitchell (right) winning the sixth round.

The Conker Festival built around the Championship is now a two day event that attracts visitors from all over the country. The hard work that gores into organising it is well worth the effort when you see the joy on people's faces when they have smashed their opponents' nut.

Local man Joe O'Neill is one of the main organisers and is also a referee.

Last year I entered the under-17s and after winning six rounds I was through to the final with Sarah O'Neill. Sarah was a very tough opponent but after a few hits cracks started to appear in her conker and after that I smashed her conker to victory.

This year I went down to defend my title in the u-17s and once again I was successful in reaching the final with last year's runner up, Sarah. But on this occasion she was successful in taking the title from me.



Shaun Mitchell.