Model Texels extend their winning streak
TEXELS underlined their dominance with an entry that was in excess of double their closest rival at the inaugural National Sheep Breeders Association Championships at Kilkenny.
While more than 200 sheep from the cream of the Texel flocks across the country competed, breeders from Wexford, Monaghan and Sligo took home the top awards made by judge Henry Gamble.
John Neville, the 2017 Grovite Texel All Ireland Supreme Championship breeder, continued his winning run for the Thornville flock at Brownstown, Murrintown, Co Wexford, taking home the awards for Overall Champion of the Show and Female Champion of the Show for his smashing ewe.
John’s rise has been all the more remarkable given that he rents the land to maintain his medium-sized breeding flock.
Close contenders in the quest for the championships were John, Colm & Michael McHugh of Cnoc Glas, Lisnashannagh, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.
They showed the Reserve Overall Champion, awarded to their Reserve Female Champion and also took home the honour for the Reserve Male Champion of Show.
The Male Champion of the Show was exhibited by Ronan Gallagher, of Carrowcarden, Enniscrone, Co Sligo, who received €3,400 at the turn of this year for an in-lamb ewe, that had been sired by the prolific Shannagh Won-O-Won – which was bought at the Texel Premier Sale at Blessington in 2015 and went on to breed females to £10,000 in the UK.
D & E McManamon of Der- rlahan, Newport, Co Mayo – winners of the 2015 Grovite Overall Championship – picked up six rosettes among the top three places in four classes at the show.