Thanks to the very generous sponsorship of Suffolk Sheep Society we were once again able to sponsor vouchers towards purchase of Suffolk ram at any of our sales for Suffolk/ Cheviot Ewe Lamb Class at Tullow Ewe Breeders Club Competition. This proves a good opportunity to meet commercial farmers who will be our customers at our Club ram sales. We were pleased this year to welcome Brian & Gus Doyle as new Club Members.
The National Championships were held this year in the Hub in Cillian Hill, Kilkenny. Congratulations to the Club Members who exhibited at this event and especially to all who won Rosettes. Congratulations to John Stacey coming 1st in the Novice Ram Lamb class and 3rd in the Open Ram Lamb class, to Aeron Kealy for coming 1st in Novice Ewe Lamb Class and to Colin Watchorn on taking 2nd prize in this class also and also 5th prize in Novice Ram Lamb Class.
At Premier Show & Sale Roscrea 2018, Club members picked up some rosettes in the show and were active at the sale both selling and buying. Congratulation to John & Esther Gahan winning 2nd and 4th prize for their Shearling Ewes, Colin Watchorn winning 3rd prize in Ewe lamb Class, 3rd in Novice Ram lamb class and 5th in Open Ram Lamb Class and J & J Corcoran winning 4th prize in Novice Ram Lamb .We may be only a small club but we had 8 members showing and selling at Premier Sale.
At our club Premier Show & Sale in Tullow Judge Padraig Murphy from the Murbro Flock awarded Champion Sheep to a very strong shearling ram exhibited by Colin Watchorn. This ram sired by Cairness Temptation had earlier won the Shearling Class. Reserve Champion went to Alan Stanley for his ram lamb by Glyda Dare Devil winner of the Recorded Ram Lamb Class. Highest price of the day €800 went to John & Esther Gahan’s ram lamb by Ballynacanon Bale. Prices were up on average from 2017 prices.
Our 2nd Show & Sale was judged by Arthur O’Keeffe from Annakisha Flock. Champion Sheep went to Alan Stanley for his ram lamb by Glyda Dare Devil winner of the Recorded Class. Reserve Champion was awarded to John Stacey for his Open Class winner sired by Strathbogie Dynamite. Highest price of the sale went to Alan Stanley’s Champion selling to Pedigree Breeder Gabriel Conroy
Thanks very much to our two judges Padraig Murphy and Arthur O’Keeffe who took time out to judge our shows.
Having secured sponsorship from Quinns of Baltinglass it was agreed to spend some of the sponsorship money and banners and flyers. The banners were very impressive and made our presence known around the mart Premises on sales days.
A big thanks to our Chairman Jonathan who has put in a big effort promoting the club and to everyone who helped out at the sales.
Congratulation to the Club Members who entered Society Flock Competition 2018 which was judged by Andrew Wilson. Well done to all the winners:
Flock up to 30 Ewes – Reserve Flock – John & Esther Gahan – Barronstown Flock
Flock over 30 Ewes – Reserve Flock – S & S Gahan – Barrowlands Flock
Ewe lamb Class – Reserve – Colin Watchorn – Beechbrook Flock
Best Stud Rams – Winner of the Howard Peel Cup – S & S Gahan for Carragh Captivate
Many thanks to our customers for their continued support and congratulations to all our exhibitors for excellent standard of sheep presented at all our sales. Also a big thank you to Manager and Staff of Tullow Mart.
It was a great honour for our club to have Vera Roche one of the founder members of our Club recognised at Suffolk Hall of Fame Award in 2018. Vera along with her late husband Tom established the Roundwood Flock in 1962. Vera travelled all over Ireland to Shows with her Suffolk’s and was quite successful in the show ring.
Show & Sale Winners 2018
Premier Show & Sale
Shearling Class
Colin Watchorn
Recorded Class:
1st Alan Stanley
2nd Colin Watchorn
3rd S & S Gahan
4th Robert & Irene Sands
Open Ram Class
1st Alan Stanley
2nd S & S Gahan
3rd John & Esther Gahan
4th Robert & Irene Sands
Pairs Class
1st S & S Gahan
2nd Colin Watchorn
3rd Robert & Irene Sands
Champion Colin Watchorn
Reserve Champion Alan Stanley
2nd Show & Sale
Recorded Class:
1st Alan Stanley
2nd Colin Watchorn
3rd S & S Gahan
4th Robert & Irene Sands
Open Ram Class
1st John Stacey
2nd Alan Stanley
3rd Colin Watchorn
4th J & J Corcoran
Pairs Class
1st Colin Watchorn
2nd J & J Corcoran
3rd Alan Stanley
Champion Alan Stanley
Reserve Champion John Stacey
