Kilkenny Mart Saturday 8th June 2019

Captured by the oldest Flock in the Country
On Saturday last, 9th May, the newly formed The Irish Suffolk Sheep Society under the Chairmanship of Kilkenny man Richard Moore enjoyed great success at the National Sheep Championships held in Kilkenny Mart.

With over 80 entries from across the country, Judge John Donoghue, from Ballybur Kilkenny, a highly respected and seasoned judge whom established the Ballybur Suffolk Flock in 1968 found himself confronted with seven large classes.  After careful selection of naturally presented sheep in all classes, which he described as animals with outstanding potential for the commercial market he choose the Supreme Champion of the Show and 1st prize winner in the Shearling Ram Class from the oldest Flock in Ireland, the “County Flock “ owned by Pat Rossiter from Wellington Bridge in Co. Wexford.  A Shearling Ram bred from the “Ballyhine Flock” of Michael Clarke Barrington Wexford. This ram sired by Cloontagh Chieftain. Anne Mitchell, Secretary of the Society was proud to present Pat with the John Joe Mitchell Memorial Cup.

The Reserve Champion came from West of the Shannon, Jimmy Rooney of the 

“Benswskin Flock “Grange Co. Sligo brought the Green White and Gold Reserve Champion Rosette to Sligo.  Jimmy’s January born Ram lamb captured Reserve Champion, Male Champion Reserve Champion and first in the Ram lamb class. A twin lamb sired by Finn Vale Three out of a home bred ewe by Baileys Godsend.

Further success was enjoyed by Pat Rossiter’s brother Greg from the “Bannow Flock” with winning the Female Champion and the Reserve Female Champion Class. 

Greg’s Shearling Ewe was deemed both Female Champion and 1st prize winner in the Shearling Ram Class; a single, sired by Finnvale Fury of of a ewe by Islandmore General while his Ewe Lamb sired by Finnvale Fury out of a ewe by Collessie the Spot was Reserve Female Champion and 1st Prize Winner in the Ewe Lamb Class

Results from all classes:

Class 1 Shearling Ram
1st Pat Rossiter; 2nd Richard Moore; 3rd Michael Purcell.

Class 2 Aged Ewe
1st Richard Moore; 2nd Jimmy Rooney; 3rd Jimmy Rooney.

Class 3 Shearling Ewe
1st Greg & Clem Rossiter; 2nd Greg & Clem Rossiter; 3rd Greg & Clem Rossiter.

Class 4 Novice Ram Lamb
1st Marian Murphy; 2nd Michael Murphy: 3rd Marian Murphy.

Class 5 Open Ram Lamb
1st Jimmy Rooney; 2nd Michael Murphy; 3rd Marian Murphy.

Class 6 Novice Ewe Lamb 
1st John Martin; 2nd John Martin; 3rd Michael Toolan.

Class 7 Open Ewe Lamb 
1st Greg & Clem Rossiter; 2nd Matt Pearse; 3rd John Martin.

Supreme Champion of the Show:
Pat Rossiter

Reserve Supreme Champion of the Show:
Jimmy Rooney

Female Champion:
Greg & Clem Rossiter

Reserve Female Champion:
Greg & Clem Rossiter

Male Champion:
Jimmy Rooney

Reserve Male Champion:
Pat Rossiter.

A warm and sincere thanks to our Judge John Donoghue and also to our ring stewards and to everyone whom worked tirelessly to make the NSC such a successful event for the Irish Suffolk Sheep Society. A g g big thank you to our sincere and dedicated sponsors: Greenvale Animal Feeds, SJCU Tuam.  Chanelle Pharma Loughrea for their sponsorship of the Supreme Champion.