The pre-sale show was judged by the ever popular County Monaghan based Michael McHugh who commented on the high standard in every class. A low turnout of hogget rams was testimony to the success of last years sales, Ciaran Coughlan from Febane in Offaly emerged the winner that sold later for €640. Next up was the 5star/5star ram lamb class Cheryl O'Brien emerging with the winner in a strong show class. The open ram lamb class again saw the red ribbon go to Cork breeder Cheryl O'Brien. In the females it was a worthwhile day for Cavan breeder Andrew Gilmore getting a clean sweep of first, second and third places in the shearling ewe class that later went on to sell for an average of €750. Ewe lamb classes went to David McMahon from Monaghan in the double 5-star class with Brendan and Carmel Rooney from Sligo taking the open class. A new addition to the premier sale this year was a novice class for breeders who have become breeders inside the last 3 years. Novice winner was David McMahon and his able young handler Jordan with Cork based breeder Tim Stevens awarded runner up in this section.
Champion on the day went to the open ram lamb winner Cheryl O'Brien that would later go on to sell for €1000 to Wicklow breeder Tom Medlycott. Reserve champion this year went to the ewe lamb of Brendan and Carmel Rooney who achieved a sale price of €920. Top price on the day went to Longford breeder John Lynch for his second-place ram lamb in the production class which sold for €1100. Overall, the clearance was back but the double 5-star lambs achieved the best average on the day of €800, the lambs from the open class had an average of €650 and the hogget rams had also had average of €650. In the female section the hogget ewes averaged €750 and ewe lamb averaged just under €600.
The sales committee have a number of regional sales in the weeks and months ahead.
