Key facts
- Seán Dunne from Co. Wicklow is the top-ranked junior shearer for the 2025/2026 season in New Zealand.
- He is the first non-national to achieve this title.
- Dunne has been competing for three years, with his father's encouragement.
- He has competed internationally in Ireland, the UK, France, and Norway.
- Dunne recently won first place in the intermediate category at the Shearfest national sheep shearing championships in Co. Galway.
Seán Dunne, a 20-year-old from Laragh, Co. Wicklow, has been named the top-ranked junior sheep shearer for the 2025/2026 season in New Zealand, marking a significant achievement as the first non-national to hold this title. Dunne comes from a family with a strong shearing background, inspired by his father Tom. He has been competing for three years, traveling internationally to countries including Ireland, the UK, France, and Norway, in addition to New Zealand. Dunne has completed two seasons in New Zealand, working for a contractor and learning from a world shearing champion. Rankings are determined by points accumulated across various competitions during the season. He expressed surprise at achieving the top title but stated he tried his best. Recently, Dunne also secured first place in the intermediate category at the Shearfest national sheep shearing championships in Mountbellew, Co. Galway. He plans to continue competing in Ireland and the UK.