Blessington was once again the venue for the South of Ireland Suffolk Sheep National Championships, with over 90 sheep on show from the four corners of the country. Judge for the day was well-known breeder PJ Howard from Clare, the Suffolk Sheep Society national hall of fame recipient for 2017.

Females once again dominated the proceedings with a shearling ewe from Arthur O’Keeffe taking the overall title, a very smart homebred ewe sired by Cairness Casper. Taking the reserve overall spot was the male champion, a ram lamb sired by Shannagh Resolve from Wm J & R Wilson.

Following the show, an elite sale of some 25 ram lambs took place. The aforementioned male champion sold for €1,500, heading to Germany to join the flock of Mr Hass later in the year. Matching this price was the third prize ram lamb from John A Doherty – he found a new home in Co Mayo with James Cuffe’s flock.

Two more rams sold at the €1,000 mark to the west of Ireland. The reserve male champion from Patrick O’Keeffe sold to Mr Kenny, with PJ McMonagle selling his best to a Mr Burke.

One of the positives of the sale was seeing three of the four top-priced rams being sired by Irish-bred rams. A small selection of females was also on offer, with Colin Watchorn taking the top price of €420 for his ewe lamb.

Full results

Class 1 shearling ram and upwards

1 Sean O Connor NRF:15:00395.

Class 2 aged ewe

1 Susan O’Keeffe BYD:13:031F.

2 Philip Lynch CZK:15:00808.

3 Susan O’Keeffe BYD:14:01768.

Class 3 shearling ewe

1 Arthur O’Keeffe R15:16:05309.

2 Arthur O’Keeffe R15:16:05310.

3 Thomas Kenny SPJ:16:62973.

Class 4 novice ram lamb

1 PJ McMonagle CFP:17:02205.

2 Lexi and Alan Kilpatrick PWW:17:00057.

3 Michael Clarke LWW:17:00214.

Class 5 ram lamb sired by an Irish-bred ram

1 Wm J & R Wilson 78A:17:06017.

2 Patrick O’Keeffe NBK17:05615.

3 John A Doherty CFN:17:02633.

Class 6 open ram lamb

1 Wm J &R Wilson 78A:17:06009.

2 Philip Lynch CZK17:00877.

3 Susan O’Keeffe BYD:17:02209.

Class 7 novice ewe lamb

1 Richard Thompson TDL:17:02281.

2 Jeffrey and Robert Thornton PWU:17:03883.

3 Colin and Jonathan Watchorn PXL:17:00296.

Class 8 ewe lamb

1 Arthur O’Keeffe R15 :17:05515.

2 Susan O’Keeffe BYD 17:02217.

3 Wm J &R Wilson 78A:17:06021.

Female and supreme champion

Arthur O’Keeffe’s shearling ewe R15:16:05309.

Male and reserve supreme champion

Wm J &R Wilson’s ram lamb 78A:17:06017.

Reserve male champion

Patricia O’Keeffe’s ram lamb NBK:17:05615.

Reserve female champion

Arthur O’Keeffe’s ewe lamb R15:17:05515.