PUP OF THE YEAR 2015 PUP OF THE YEAR
Winner of the Irish Pup of the Year title was Conor Cahill and partner Mary Kilroy’s homebred Akita Roycon Raising Hell. Nineteen months old, he had qualified by winning the puppy stakes at Deise in June last year under Irish all-breeds judge Andrew Beare, after several runner-up placings. By GB Ch Redwitch Born This Way ex Mamoru Supernova, he won the CC under Meg Purnell-Carpenter at Crufts this year from yearling. Apart from the accolade of POTY, they also took home €200, a rosette and a trophy to keep.

PUP OF THE YEAR 2015 PUP OF THE YEAR
Winner of the Irish Pup of the Year title was Conor Cahill and partner Mary Kilroy’s homebred Akita Roycon Raising Hell.

PUP OF THE YEAR '15 PUP OF THE YEAR & RUNNER-UP
The final two contenders for the title, Conor Cahill and Mary Kilroy’s Akita Roycon Raising Hell and David and Morag Connolly’s Border Collie Nahrof Blurred Lines at Huntly.

PUP OF THE YEAR '15 PUP OF THE YEAR
Final judge Leif Herman Wilberg makes his final decision to crown the 'The Pup Of The Year 2015'

PUP OF THE YEAR '15 RUNNER-UP
Runner-up was David and Morag Connolly’s Border Collie Nahrof Blurred Lines at Huntly, an 18-month-old Australian import. ‘Roo’ was the puppy group winner last year at Southern Counties where she also won the RCC. She won €100, a trophy and rosette. With them are Mary Davidson of sponsor Royal Canin, Carol Mulcahy who sent her through to the final, judge Leif Herman Wilberg, CCC president John J Walsh, Joan Walsh, hard working secretary for the whole weekend, and Paul Scanlon of ODI. Carol had given the winner the runner-up placing at the puppy stakes at CCC National last year.

PUP OF THE YEAR '15 RUNNER-UP
The Runner-up, David and Morag Connolly’s Border Collie Nahrof Blurred Lines at Huntly moving for the last time before final judge Leif Herman Wilberg makes his final decision.

PUP OF THE YEAR '15 RUNNER-UP
Final judge Leif Herman Wilberg congratulates David Connolly.

PUP OF THE YEAR '15 Finals Judge Selection
Before the finale Kieron Moloney had the job of selecting the finals judge from two envelopes – taking the level of applause from each side of the room, he chose the envelope with Leif Herman Wilberg’s name and thus it was Leif who finally crowned Ireland’s 2015 Pup of the Year after individual assessment in front of the guests and supporters.

PUP OF THE YEAR '15
Leif Herman Wilberg waiting in the wings to see if his name was selected.

PUP OF THE YEAR '15
Leif Herman Wilberg takes a bow before the audience and competitors after being selected as the finals judge.

PUP OF THE YEAR '15 THIRD
There were four Shetland Sheepdog puppies competing and Emilio Castillo and Patrick Fortune’s blue merle Edglonian Blue Fortune was the only one through to the finale, one of the last three called in, and he finished third, taking home €50, a trophy and rosette. They are seen with Mary Davidson, judge Leif Herman Wilberg, John J Walsh, Joan Walsh and Paul Scanlon.

PUP OF THE YEAR '15 FOURTH
Christopher Aiken handled his Scottish Terrier Lomondview Cappuccino, bred and owned with his mum and dad Clifford and Eileen, to take fourth place and win a plaque and rosette. Also pictured are Christopher’s fiancée Karen Murphy, Mary Davidson, Leif Herman Wilberg, Joan Walsh and Paul Scanlon.

PUP OF THE YEAR '15 FIFTH
David Shields handled the Italian Spinone Afterglow Hashtag Scandal at Bessalone, owned by Irene Glen and Sue and Sally Knowles, to take fifth spot.

PUP OF THE YEAR '15 SIXTH
Sandra and Roger Williams’ Miniature Smooth Dachshund Wilmerella Wells Fargo collected the prize for sixth overall.

PUP OF THE YEAR '15 SEVENTH
The second of the Akitas, Craig Bannon and Niamh Carroll’s Cannonbar Stings Like A Bee, was seventh overall under Leif Herman Wilberg.

PUP OF THE YEAR '15 EIGHTH
Taking eighth spot was the Bulldog Sardavbullies Numero Uno, owned by Sarah Scully and handled by Beefy Cameron.

PUP OF THE YEAR '15NINTH
One of the two Shih Tzus qualified, Gillian and Carol Gibson’s Virtulvilage Vain, was called in for the finale, and finished ninth under Leif Herman Wilberg.

PUP OF THE YEAR '15 TENTH
Nicola Murphy’s English Toy Terrier Penmarlam Never Ending Love finished tenth overall and they are seen with Mary Davidson and Leif Herman Wilberg.

PUP OF THE YEAR '15 ELEVENTH
Barbara Evans (left) owns the Giant Schnauzer Silbertraum Silver Frame, who finished eleventh, handled by Lauren Whan. Also pictured are the Matthews, who bred her, and the offcial party.

PUP OF THE YEAR '15
Following the judging, Leif Herman Wilberg addressed the guests and supporters.

PUP OF THE YEAR '15
Mary Davidson, breeder manager Ireland of Royal Canin, who sponsored the three events over the weekend, is seen with final judge Leif Herman Wilberg and Joan Walsh, secretary of Combined Canine, who still looks fresh despite four or five long hard days setting up and running the ‘Easter Classic’ weekend.