The Irish Vendéen Sheep Society this year held its annual national finals at Clonmel Agricultural show. While wet conditions hampered judging in 2016 in Galway, the same couldn’t be said for this year, with sheep panting from the heat. Judge Neil Howie of the Lyham Flock in Northumberland made the journey across the Irish Sea to judge this year’s competition, which this year comprised of over 60 sheep.

After just over two hours judging, he found his champion in the form of a senior ewe from the Quintrent flock of Conor and Cheryl O’Brien. This four-year-old is from French AI and out of a dam who was shown with great success as a shearling.

The O’Briens are far from strangers on the showing scene, having accumulated the title of show flock of the year on numerous occasions.

Conor and Cheryl also secured the reserve male championship with their shearling first prize winner. This young ram was out of French AI ram 7262, while the dam was of Johnson breeding.

The reserve champion also came with a wealth of Quintrent breeding, having being bred by the O’Brien duo. This senior ram was exhibited by Ciaran Coughlan of the Noggus flock and since his purchase has clocked up a number of top accolades including the ram lamb and reserve male champion at last year’s Tullamore Show.

This one’s sire is Quintrent Niall.

Reserve female championship was awarded to John and Stephen Lynch of the Ballinascraw flock for their shearling ewe champion.

Results

Senior ram

1 Ciaran Coughlan.

2 John & Stephen Lynch.

Shearling ram

1 Conor and Cheryl O’Brien.

2 Ciaran Coughlan.

Ram lamb

1 Conor & Cheryl O’Brien.

2 Andrew Gilmore.

Senior ewe

1 Conor & Cheryl O’Brien.

2 Andrew Gilmore.

Shearling ewe

1 John & Stephen Lynch.

2 John & Stephen Lynch.

Ewe lamb

1 Conor & Cheryl O’Brien.

2 Ciaran Coughlan.