Aughrim Sheep Breeders’ 57th annual show and sale

ALMOST 2,000 top quality stock turned out at the Aughrim Sheep Breeders’ 57th annual show sale in Carnew Mart.

The results of this successful show were as follows: Best pen of ten Cheviot Hogget ewes. First prize went to John Kelly Jnr, Knockananna and sold for €280/head. Tom Dunne, Hollywood won second prize and Billy Heffernan claimed third.

Best pen of ten Cheviot ewes, two years and upwards: First prize went to James Fox, Sugarloaf Farm – these ewes fetched €275/head. James also claimed second prize and third went Brendan Byrne, The Ballagh. Best pen of ten Suffolk x Hogget ewes: Patrick Kenny, Tomriland, Roundwood, took first prize for his pen of ewes, which sold for €330/head. The runner-up prize went to Charles Fenton, Donard, while third prize also went to Patrick Kenny.

Best pen of ten Suffolk ewes, two years old and upwards. First prize went to Gary O’Loughlin, Aughrim, with his ewes fetching €165/head. Michael Shannon of Mucklagh claimed second. Best pen of ten broken-mouthed ewes. First prize went to Peter Behan, Drummin, Ballinglen, with his ewes making €146/head. Second prize was claimed by Tom Dunne, Hollywood.

Best pen of ten cull ewes. First prize to Charles Fenton, Donard with his ewes making €218/head. Brendan Byrne, Ballagh, Tinahely claimed second prize in this class. Best pen of ten Suffolk x ewe Lambs. This prestigious class drew a large entry, with first prize going to Peter Behan, Drummin, Ballinglen, with his 60kg ewe lambs selling for €275/head. Second prize went to Damien O’Toole, Rathangan. Peter Behan also took home third prize. Liam Dunne, Kirikee won fourth and Seán O’Neill claimed fifth.

Best pen of ten Fat Lambs. First prize went to Peter Behan, Drummin, Ballinglen, with his fat lambs making €169/head. Michael Shannon took second prize and Mervyn Griffin claimed third. Best pen of ten store lambs. First prize went to the young farmers Sean and Danny Byrne, their lambs sold for €133/head, second prize went to Thomas Doyle and third was won by Michael O’Neill.

Best pen of 10 Cheviot ewe lambs. First prize in this class went to Mervyn Griffin, Kilballyowen, his lambs sold for €220/head. Second prize went to Brendan Byrne, Ballagh, Tinahely, while third prize went Philip Hobson. Best pen of ten Cheviot Werther lambs or ram lambs. First prize went to Peter Behan, these lambs sold for €169/head. Second prize went to a Carlow man Hasley Jones and third prize went to Sean O’Neill. Best pen of ten ‘Genuine Mountain Cheviot’ ewes, two years and upwards. First prize went to Breda Devitt-Durkin, Moneymeen and second prize went to Gary O’Loughlin, while William Heffernan claimed third spot.

Best ram, any breed. First prize went to Tom Dunne, Hollywood and second prize went to Peter Behan, while third prize went to David Connolly.

Overall champion pen of ewes and the late Philip & James O’Neill Cup. This prize was awarded to John Kelly Jnr, Knockananna. Reserve Champion Pen of Ewes for the Liam & Thomas Keenan Cup was won by Paddy Kenny, Tomriland, Roundwood. The overall champion pen of lambs for the Andy O’Neill Memorial Cup went to Peter Behan, Drummin.

 Reserve Champion Pen of lambs, the teps of Michael Eoin Fogarty Cup. The winner in this class was Mervyn Griffin, Kilballyowen.

Most points gained in all classes for the TJ Doyle Memorial Cup went to Peter Behan. Reserve points gained in all classes for the Mary Walsh Cup went to Tom Dunne, Hollywood. Sean O’Neill, chairman of the Aughrim Sheep Breeders Association, thanked sincerely all those who exhibited and those who bought sheep on the day.

The committee would like to thank their sponsors, the judges and stewards for supporting this annual event.