The south of Ireland branch of the Suffolk Sheep Society aptly staged its 2014 National Championships at the Golden Shears World Sheep Shearing and Wool Handling Championships in Gorey last weekend. The north Wexford town was a hive of activity, with over 300 shearers from 27 different counties attracting an audience in the region of 30,000 people over the course of the four-day event.

In the Suffolk ring, Susan O’Keeffe, Mallow, made it three years in a row by lifting the John Joe Mitchell Memorial Cup for her supreme champion shearling ewe, a daughter of Cairness Gala Star.

Incidentally, the champion female hails from a winning line as she is a daughter of Susan’s 2012 supreme champion ewe. Reserve champion female went to Arthur O’Keeffe for an outstanding untrimmed January-born ewe lamb sired by Rookery Classic. This ewe also took first prize in the untrimmed ewe lamb class.

Not stopping there, Arthur also bred and exhibited the supreme male champion, a shearling ram sired by Deveronside Destroyer. The reserve male champion came from Seamus Browne’s Errigal flock in Co Donegal.

Meanwhile, Declan Mangan, Tuam, Co Galway, took first prize in the novice ram lamb class, while Elizabeth Browne from Co Donegal brought home the red rosette for her novice ewe lamb. This lamb was also selected as the winner of the trimmed ewe lamb class.

For the first time, a young handlers’ class was introduced which saw Peter Boland, Clonmel and Aisling O’Mahony, Ballygarvan, Co Cork, taking top honours.

Offaly breeder takes home the top price of €3,600

The last of the Hereford Society spring sales took place in Nenagh and despite a smaller than usual crowd (when compared with other Hereford sales this spring), organisers were more than pleased with the 88% clearance.

Prices started at €1,900, with a top price of €3,600 given for a son of Killeaney Pompeii, exhibited by Joe Deverell, Ballyaville, Geashill, Co Offaly. The overall average on the day was a satisfactory €2,550.

In the ring, the championship went to Davina and David Lewis, Glosterberg, Brosna, Birr, Co Offaly, for their bull, Glosterberg 263. A son of Kilsunny Goliath, he is out of the dam Glosterberg 245th and sold for €2,800 to Mr Nolan, Bridgetown, O’ Briens Bridge, Co Clare.

In reserve was Creaghpoll 1 James, exhibited by WA & IH Jones, Creagh House, Keenagh, Co Longford. Also by Kilsunny Goliath, he is out of the dam Creaghpoll 1 Pauline and went on to make €2,700 in the ring. The buyer was Sean Hunt, Coole East, Athea, Co Limerick.

Meanwhile, Joe Deverell, Ballyaville, Geashill, Co Offaly, went home smiling when his entry, Ballyaville Geordie, sold for the top price €3,600 to Michael Oxley, Clonfert, Maynooth, Co Kildare. He is a Killeaney Pompeii son, out of the dam Ballyaville Vita.

Not stopping there, Joe also took home €2,800 for his first prize winner, Ballyaville Gary, bought by Tony Ryan, Carrigal, Carrigatoher, Nenagh, giving him an overall average of €3,200.

Meanwhile, Patsy Smith, Tullyinchin, Mountain Lodge, Cootehill, Co Cavan, sold his bull, Borin Dan, for €2,850. By Corlismore Pompeii and out of the dam Borin Winkle, he was purchased by Kieran McCabe, Ballinamult, Co Waterford.

The National Hereford Show will take place at Tullamore Show on Sunday, 10 August, followed by the autumn sales which kick off in Tullamore on 10 October and Kilmallock on 24 October. Contact 044 93 48855 or email irishhereford@gmail.com