CLYDA TAKES TOP HONOURS AT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Jun 26, 2025

The Connollys Redmills All Ireland Suffolk Championships took place at Teagasc, Athenry on Saturday June 21st 2025

As the sun delivered its glow over a packed June show ring, it was the tremendous Clyda gimmer from Susan O’Keeffe who judge, Lesley Liggett tapped as his Supreme Champion. A ram lamb from the Mullinvale flock of Darragh McMenamin took the Reserve Champion rosette.

The Supreme Champion continues her family tradition of success, being from the famous L30 line in the Clyda flock. She is sired by Ballinatone BT Buddy and out of a Castleisle Kilteskin Prince dam who is also maternal sister to Clyda President. This line breeds success having won 4 Female of the Year titles and Supreme Championships at the National Championships for the Clyda flock and 2 Supreme Championships at the Society’s Premier Show & Sale.

Darragh McMenamin’s ram lamb Mullinvale Dazzler came out on top in the open ram lamb class and ultimately was awarded Reserve Overall Champion. This powerful lamb is by the £40,000 Frongoy Flamboyant with his dam being a Glenroe ewe by Limestone Red Rum.

Judging kicked off under a blazing sunshine with a large entry of just under 150 sheep entered into 9 classes in total. A large crowd was present as judge Lesley Liggett, Carony, commenced his task.

First up was the Shearling Ram and upwards class which was won by James O’Connell, Knockogan, with Finnvale Bugatti. A son of Salopian Pure Gold, he was purchased at Blessington 2023 for 2,000gns. P.J. McMonagle, Aughnakeeragh, took second place with his stock ram Ballynacannon Cut Above, sired by the 16,000gns Rempstone Rassie.

The Aged ewe class was dominated by the Clyda flock of Susan O’Keeffe, taking first and second places. In 1st place was a homebred ewe by the 10,000gns Blackbrae AB President and a powerful Cairness ewe. This ewe went on to be Reserve Female Champion. Her maternal sister was placed 2nd in the same class. This particular ewe is by Castleisle Kilteskin Prince and has had a stellar show career herself. She has won Female of the Year and Supreme Champion in 2022 and 2023. She is also dam of the £5,000 ram lamb sold at Ballymena 2024.

The Shearling ewe class saw a huge entry and was won by the outstanding Clyda gimmer who went on to become the Supreme Champion and Female of the Year. Taking second place honours in this class was Charlie Bourke, Connview. This ewe is by Claycrop Classy Boy and an Oakbridge ewe by Solwaybank King William.

The New Breeders class saw a large entry and is open to breeders who have been members of the Society for 3 years or less. Dominating this class was Charlie Bourke taking first and second place with lambs by Limestone Double Diamond and his Oakbridge ewe. Mayo Healthcare were kind sponsors of this class.

The Novice ram lamb class was won by Barney Carroll, Cregmore. This lamb is by Limestone Bugatti and a Kirriemuir ewe. A much admired lamb, he went through to the Open ram lamb class and took second place, ultimately claiming Reserve Male Champion behind Mullinvale Dazzler. Shane Brady’s Milldam flock took second place in this class with a strong ram by Finnvale Bazooka and a Milldam ewe.

In the Novice ewe lamb class, Charlie Bourke took 1st place with a stylish lamb by Limestone Double Diamond with her dam being an Oakbridge ewe by Solwaybank King William. Second place in this class was taken by the same flock with a sister of the 1st prize winner.

The Trimmed ewe lamb class was won by John A Doherty, Malinhead. This strong lamb is by Crewelands Dancing Brave and a Limestone Red Rum dam. She is a sister to Malinhead Canonball and the ewe lamb that was Reserve Champion at the 2023 Championships. In second place was Philip Lynch’s ewe lamb by Shannagh Bossman and a Ballinatone BT Buddy ewe.

The Untrimmed ewe lamb class was won by Charlie Bourke’s ewe lamb from the Novice class. In second place was Malinhead, with a ewe lamb by Duncan’s Cantona and a ewe by Crewelands Dancing Brave. Her dam is a sister to the 1st prize trimmed ewe lamb.

There were two Young Handlers classes this year with both keenly contested. First up was the Under 13 class which was won by Bobby Thompson from the Ballinatone stable. James Molloy from the flock of the same name was in second place. Thomas Duffy of Kells was awarded 3rd place.

In the Under 16 class, it was Paddy McMonagle of Beltanyview who came out on top. In second place was Ben Whyte of Keenoge Suffolks with Daniel Grady of Demense Suffolks awarded 3rd place.

The South of Ireland Suffolk Society would like to commend Teagasc on their hosting of a fantastic Sheep 2025 event. We would like to extend special thanks to our sponsor Connolly’s Redmills for their continued support of our Society. We wish to thank all who helped toward making the event the success it was and wish all members the best of luck in the remainder of the show and sales season.