The reserve overall champion at the Northern Irish National show and sale, a tup lamb from Andrew Fyffe's Fairywater flock from Crevenagh Road, Omagh, Co Tyrone, attracted the lead price of 5000gns.

The sale, staged at Ballymena Auction Mart, was led by Fairywater Columbo, a tup which earlier secured the male championship. A son of Mullan Armani, out of a dam by Knock Trident, he was bought by the Christopher and Martin Mullan, buying for their the Blue Gates flock from Limavady, Co Londonderry.

Second best amongst the ram lambs was a 2400gns bid for Robert Mulligan’s Brague Caesar, a son of Aman Bendigedig out of a dam by Llangwm Yorkie, from Banbridge, Co Down. Fourth in his class at the pre-sale show, he was knocked down to Messrs Simpson and Calvin for the Ballyhivistock flock from Ballymoney, Co Antrim.

Selling at the same price was Brian and George Hanthorn’s Mullan Charisma from Coolkill Road, Tynan, Co Armagh. This one is by Deveronvale Aftershock, out of a Haddo Ringleader-sired dam and was the pick of W and D McCabe, Muckamore, Antrim.

Just behind on 2200gns was Eamonn Conway's Paramor Craftsman, from Glenelly View, Plumbridge, Omagh and the second prize winner in the open, bred from a dam by the 42,000gns Tullylagan Tonka. He was bought by John Parke, Raphoe, Co Donegal

Leading the shearling trade at 4500gns was the pre-sale champion from Sean McCloskey, Barnault Road, Claudy, Co Londonderry. This was Glenroe Bacardi, a Bluehill Yogi son out of a dam by Brackenridge Transformer and was taken by a consortium of three breeders; John and Richard Currie, Tullagh, Ballymena, Henry and Robert Gamble, Springwell, and Andrew Fyffe, Fairywater.

Gimmers peaked at 3400gns for Jack and Beth Gault’s female champion from the Cherryvale flock from Carntall Road, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim. This was a Scotsman Ace daughter out of a dam by Duncryne Uber Coo, that was knocked down to Eamonn Vaughan for the Partridge Nest flock, Derbyshire.

Following her at 1450gns was an Alderview gimmer from Mark Patterson, Whitehall, Nutts Corner, Crumlin. This one, PTT1800124, is by Sportsmans Yaya and out of a dam by Ellen Valley Warlord. She was bought by T S and W R Cousins, Omagh.

Averages: 130 ram lambs £607.79 (-£41.14 for two fewer); 56 shearling rams £697.13 (-£51.73), 37 gimmers £681.08 (+£144.60 for five more).

Auctioneers: JA McClelland and Co.