Judging this year's Growvite Texel all-Ireland championships at Athlone Show on Sunday 21 June was George Wilkinson of the Arkle Texel Flock in England.
An experienced judge and breeder, George had his work cut out, with a tremendous show of Texel sheep.
Getting proceedings under way was a strong aged ram class, which was won by John and Michael Donohoe with Seaforde Hezza Lord, a son of the 36,000gns Auldhouseburn Gazza.
The aged ewe class featured an exceptional display of sheep, with David Craig taking first place with a daughter of Mellor Vale Déjà Vu.
In the shearling ram class, Martin and Ciara Walsh secured first place with their purchase from the 2025 Blessington sale sired by Silverhill Helpful. This ram is a prime example of the quality expected at the upcoming Blessington sale on 14 and 15 August.
Female champion
The shearling ewe class was one of the largest of the day, producing the female and reserve overall champion. The winner here was Neville Myles, presenting a daughter of Glenside Guardsman and the 2024 all-Ireland champion NVI2302690.
The lamb classes began with the novice ram class, won by Adam Heffernan with Tullig Jagerbomb, a son of Duncryne Hakuna Matata. This ram also placed second in the open class and is entered for the Blessington Premier Sale.
Kenny's Jackpot
The open senior ram class was among the strongest of the day, producing the male and overall champion for Tom and Thomas Kenny.
Doing the business for the Tribesmen was Kenny’s Jackpot, a son of Knockhill I’m The Man, the flock's stock ram purchased at the Blessington Premier Sale in 2025 for €3,000.
This standout ram enjoyed further success when he was awarded the overall interbreed champion of the show later in the day.
The junior ram class was won by John Redmond with RJG2607916, a son of the 2023 all-Ireland champion Drumcon His Royal Highness.
This lamb is a maternal brother to the 2023 reserve male champion and matched his brother’s achievement by taking the reserve male champion title. He will also be presented at the premier sale in August.
In the senior ewe lamb class, Jimmy Garvin secured first place with a daughter of Hillcrest Ironman, out of the first-prizewinning ewe lamb from the 2024 national championships.
The junior ewe lamb class was won by John Redmond with a daughter of Drumcon His Royal Highness and Knockhill Fairlady. This lamb is a sister to both last year’s record-priced ewe lamb and the aforementioned Knockhill I’m The Man.
Reserve female champion went to the novice ewe lamb winner, exhibited by James Kelly junior, a daughter of the premier sale purchase Silverhill Handson.
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