Clonmel show was all go around the sheep section this past weekend with a number of breed societies using the racecourse showgrounds for their annual all-Ireland finals. One such breed was the Belclare, which saw stiff competition throughout the six classes and championship. Taking centre of the ring under the glorious sunshine was Kildare man Graham Murphy, who found his champion in the senior ewe class.

This particular senior ewe was the property of Declan, Mark and Joe Miley and stands as a sheep that has never been beaten, clocking up wins at Athlone, Galway and the all-Ireland last year as a ewe lamb. She is sired by the Knockcroghery flocks current stock ram and out of a homebred dam who also claimed the overall title three years ago.

This topped a great week for the Miley outfit who also secured the overall Charollais all-Ireland title at Athlone the previous week.

Reserve honours went to Richard and John Lalor for their ram lamb Rathkenty Caesar. This ram was already placed first at the nationals as well as Athlone the previous week but came out in force at the all-Irelands to secure the reserve supreme championship.

Sired by last year’s Tullamore shearling champion, Caesar’s full brother won the same class at the all-Irelands last year before placing top of the shearling again this year for new owner Sonny Williams.

Topping a successful day, another full sister to the reserve champion also went on to collect the red ribbon in the ewe lamb class for the Lalors.

Full results

Senior ram

1 Richard and John Lalor.

2 Eunan and Mark Bannon.

3 Liam Delaney.

Shearling ram

1 Sonny Jennings.

2 Declan and Joe Miley.

3 Richard and John Lalor.

Ram lamb

1 Richard and John Lalor.

2 Richard and John Lalor.

3 Declan and Joe Miley.

Senior ewe

1 Declan and Joe Miley.

2 Declan and Joe Miley.

3 L Barrett.

Shearling ewe

1 Declan and Joe Miley.

2 Declan and Joe Miley.

3 Liam Delaney.

Ewe lamb

1 Richard and John Lalor.

2 Declan and Joe Miley.

3 L Barrett.