The Mourne Blackface Breeders’ 71st annual show and sale was held at Hilltown Saleyard on Friday 16 October.

It was a day to remember for Rian O’Hare who broke the existing sale record, selling his ram lamb to a new society high of £12,000. The ram lamb, which was sired by a ram sold by Matthew McConville for £4,500 at the same sale last year, was knocked down to a Co Down breeder.

The show and sale saw a large turnout of exhibitors with 27 shearlings and 116 ram lambs offered for sale.

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John A Friel took the reins on judging the presale show. Kieran Downey came out on top, taking overall champion with a ram lamb.

Reserve champion of the show was Martin Kelly’s shearling ram.

The society does not wish to disclose sale prices out with the new record but expressed their delight at the consistent trade throughout the sale.

Further show results include:

  • 1st placed shearling – Martin Kelly.
  • 1st placed pair of shearlings – Seamus Fegan.
  • Champion shearling – Martin Kelly.
  • Reserve champion shearling – Danny Joe Grant.
  • 2nd reserve shearling – Seamus Fegan.
  • 1st placed ram lamb – Kieran Downey.
  • 1st placed pair of ram lambs – Branagan Bros.
  • Champion ram lamb – Kieran Downey.
  • Reserve champion ram lamb – Branagan Bros.
  • 2nd reserve ram lamb – Seamus Fegan.
  • Best locally bred sheep – Seamus Fegan.
  • Best wool sheep – Seamus Fegan.
  • Best pen – Branagan Bros.