The shearling ewe Matt’s Attendant from Matthew Burleigh’s Matt’s Flock in Co Fermanagh was named champion in the Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club’s Christmas show and export sale held at Dungannon Farmers Mart on December 16.

Judge Dermot Goss from Dundalk described the champion shearling ewe as “stylish and smart, with a good carcase. It simply stood out,” he said.

Matt’s Attendant went on to take the top price on the day in the sales ring, with Omagh-based Kenny Preston’s closing bid of 1,000gns.

For Matthew Burleigh, it was very much a continuation of winning ways having just returned from a successful outing at the premier in-lamb sale in Carlisle where Matt’s Beauty, a ewe lamb, won its class and was also named reserve champion. It later went on to fetch 2,600gns in the Carlisle sales ring.

Back to the Dungannon sale and the reserve champion title went to Patrick Brolly’s Munreary Twig who went on to sell to 300gns to Brian Mathews from Co Offaly.

The ewe lamb class winner was Lot 37, from Comber-based K and A McCarthy’s Ballycreelly flock. The pedigree ewe, a Belgian import from the well-known flock of Marc Baerle ARR/ARR, was purchased by F Harbinson from Limavady for 500gns.

Elizabeth McAllister’s in-lamb shearling ewe Artnagullion Ace was sold to Conor Hugh for 800gns, while Wade McCrabbe from Donegal paid 700gns for Kevin McCarthy’s in-lamb shearling ewe Ballycreelly Amber.