The Irish Vendéen Sheep Society hosted its all-Ireland finals at the midlands showground last weekend in less than favourable conditions. However, the weather didn’t dampen spirits or affect attendance, with over 60 sheep competing for the coveted title.

There could only be one winner though and this year the title was collected by local breeder Ciaran Couglan. Ciaran is well-known in breeding circles and just last month collected the national hall of fame award for the Vendéen breed. Even with all his success to date, this will go down as one of his most memorable days, as it is the first overall all-Ireland win for the Noggus flock.

Overall champion from Ciaran Coughlan and reserve overall from Cheryl O'Brien

Judge Norbit Kyle chose his champion as the senior stock ram from the Noggus flock, Quitrent Obo. Originally bred by Cheryl O’Brien, Obo was purchased at the society premier in 2017 and has secured a number of major wins already. Along with topping the breed at the NSBA championships earlier this month, the French-bred ram was also male champion at the all-Ireland finals last year.

Taking the female and reserve overall titles were Cork breeders Conor and Cheryl O’Brien. Their shearling ewe is again a prominent figure on the show scene, also standing reserve to Obo in Kilkenny for the NSBA championships.

Another sheep French-bred on both sides, this yearling is out of French AI 7380. This was also the sire behind the duo’s shearling ram. This ram went on to be awarded the title of reserve overall male before the day was out.

The last major championship awarded on the day was the reserve overall female. This one went the way of Longford breeder John Lynch for his ewe lamb class winner.

Female and reserve overall champion from Cheryl O'Brien.

Results

Senior ram:

1st Ciaran Coughlan.

2nd Andrew Gilmore.

3rd Ena Nagle.

4th Mark and Audrey Crowe.

Senior ewe:

1st Conor and Cheryl O’Brien.

2nd Ena Nagle.

3rd Conor and Cheryl O’Brien.

4th Ena Nagle.

5th Ciaran Coughlan

Shearling ram:

1st Conor and Cheryl O’Brien.

2nd Conor and Cheryl O’Brien.

3rd Brendan and Carmel Rooney.

4th John Lynch.

5th Michael McGrath.

Shearling ewe:

1st Conor and Cheryl O’Brien.

2nd John Lynch.

3rd Ena Nagle.

4th Conor and Cheryl O’Brien.

5th Shay Kennedy.

Ram lamb:

1st John Lynch.

2nd Conor and Cheryl O’Brien.

3rd Ciaran Coughlan.

4th John Lynch.

5th Brendan and Carmel Rooney.

Ewe lamb:

1st John Lynch.

2nd Conor and Cheryl O’Brien.

3rd John Lynch.

4th Ciaran Coughlan.

5th Ena Nagle.