The Southern Zwartbles Sheep Society held its annual all-Ireland championships in Clonmel over the weekend where close to 100 sheep fought it out for the title of supreme champion.

Coming out on top for the fourth year running, this time under judge Cyril Cromie of the Fort flock, was Jim Croke of the Tullymain flock. His homebred ewe Tullymain D-66 first secured the female championship before going all the way to secure the supreme championship. Sired by Welsh bred ram Kenny, D-66 is out of an imported ewe. This also marks the fifth year in a row the flock has won the shearling ewe class after only being formed in 2012.

Following close on the heels of D-66 was the reserve female champion and inevitably the reserve supreme champion Allstar Dainty from Jimmy Smith. This ewe is no stranger to success having secured the overall breed championship at Tullamore show last year. Sired by homebred Allstar Autos, Dainty is out of a Scottish imported ewe.

In the male section of the championships, Johnathan Workman secured the champion sash for his stock ram Barrmurie Ceizer. This ewe was purchased at Carlisle last year for 600gns and has since gone on to secure a number of red rosettes for the young show man.

Hilltop Ted followed close behind to secure the reserve male title for Denny Lyons. This homebred ram is out of stock ram Clarke Tiger and out of Cumbria-born ewe Skyhigh. This marked Ted’s forth first prize placing this summer.

Early ewe lamb

1 Martha Smith.

2 Jonathan Workman.

3 Denny Lyons.

Early ram lamb

1 Denny Lyons.

2 Colin Stephens.

3 Peter Howard.

Late ewe lamb

1 Noel Alley.

2 Jimmy Smith.

3 Johnathan Workman.

Late ram lamb

1 Jim Croke.

2 Jimmy Smith.

3 Maria Smith.

Shearling ewe

1 James Croke.

2 Jimmy Smith.

3 Johnathan Workman.

Shearling ram

1 John Powell.

2 Noel Alley.

Aged ewe

1 Jim Croke.

2 Jimmy Smith.

3 John Powell.

Aged ram

1 Johnathan Workman.

2 Jim Croke.

3 Linda Walsh.