Belclare Sheep

The Hogget ram and upwards class got proceedings underway for the day and as has been the case for most of the season the younger generation dominated proceedings. Kilcock breeder John Murphy who is in his first season of showing Belclares supplied the winner of this first class. His super ram, Rathkenty Calypso a son of Rathkenty Beethoven was winning in Mullingar for the second year having taken the ram lamb class last year. Richard and John Lalor from Co Tipperary supplied the second prize winning ram, with their homebred hogget ram Rathkenty Caesar a son of Rathkenty Alabama. Local breeders Eunan and Mark Bannon produced Slanemore Hill Brow a 2016 born son of Rathkenty Apocalypse to take the third-place rosette.

Richard and John Lalors Rathkenty flock took the second class of the day, the ram lamb class, with a Rathkenty Debussey, a smart looking son of Rathkenty Alabama. Second place also went the way of the Lalor brothers, with another son of Rathkenty Alabama, Rathkenty Dubawi collecting the blue rosette. Ciaran Coughlan, better known for successfully breeding and showing Vendeen sheep, made his debut in the Belclare showring when his tight skinned ram lamb Glen View Devil was awarded the third prize. This January born lamb is a son of Coolgarragh Charlie.

The Hogget ewe and upwards class, was also dominated by the younger generation. Richard and John Lalors Rathkenty Circe, sired by Rathkenty Alabama was also winning at the show for the second consecutive year having been successful as a ewe lamb in 2017. The Lalors also supplied the second placed ewe, another hogget this time by Rathkenty Beethoven. Third prize went to a hogget ewe of Eunan and Mark Bannons, sired by Rathkenty Apocalypse.

There was a fine display of ewe lambs for the final class of the day and this class supplied the Lalors Rathkenty flock with their third winner of the afternoon. Rathkenty Dame, a sharp daughter of Rathkenty Alabama took the red rosette while the other Rathkenty ewe lamb, also sired by Rathkenty Alabama took the blue rosette. Third prize went to Co. Offaly breeder Ciaran Coughlan with a daughter of Coolgarragh Charlie.

Judge John Brooks had one final task for the day when the four first prize winners entered the ring for the championship. Richard and John Lalors hogget ewe Rathkenty Circe was selected as the Supreme Champion while John Murphys hogget ram Rathkenty Calypso was selected as the Reserve Champion.