There were few highs in Carrick-on-Shannon at the opening Angus sale for the Midland and Western Livestock Improvement Society at the weekend.

This sale has struggled over the last number of years due to the fact that over 50 bulls are usually presented at the Irish Angus elite sale in December, attracting many good bulls and customers which would have usually attended in February.

That said, the youngest class of bulls on show was one of the best seen at the sale in a long time. This class contained both the champion and reserve, along with a number of other top-quality bulls.

Many breeders’ expectations and reserves weren’t met, resulting in a less than 60% clearance rate

Trade peaked at €4,000 for the day’s Irish Angus and reserve overall champion Drumcarbin Richie. Bred and exhibited by Shane McKiernan, Ballinagh, Co Cavan, Richie is a son of easy-calving sire Netherton Americano, with a host of home-bred animals on the dam’s side. Carrying five stars down the line, Richie heads north for pedigree breeding.

This topped an exceptionally dull sale, with only six bulls passing the €2,500 mark.

For this reason, many breeders’ expectations and reserves weren’t met, resulting in a less than 60% clearance rate. A total of 38 Angus bulls sold to an average price of €2,000.

Overall championship

Securing the overall championship was Shankill Manix U163 from Pat and Finbarr Cahill. This November 2018-born bull is a son of former Tullamore senior champion Drumhill Lord Harry. On the dam side, his pedigree featured Maine Dragon and Cashelane Bart. Tapped out by judge Albert De Cogan, this five-star terminal bull was one of the many which failed to reach his reserve.

Securing the second-top price was the second-prizewinner Gallaway Richard. Brought out by Michael Kiernan, Carrigallen, Co Leitrim, Richard is a son of Goulding Man Oh Man. With Friarstown Ideal Pete and Priestown Jupiter also in the back breeding, he was a bull in demand and was knocked down at €3,300.

Aberdeen Angus and overall champion Shankill Manix from Finbarr and Pat Cahill, with Shane Kilcran awarding the cup.

Hitting a price of €3,000 was the first bull into the ring Lecarrow Rocky. This first-prizewinning bull was born in January 2018 and brought out by Pat Murphy, Claremorris, Co Mayo. Sired by Netherton Americano, his pedigree also includes Luddenmore Fionn and Belvin Patriarch.

Three bulls hit the €2,700 mark. First at the money was John McEnroe with Liss Mars U807. This April 2018-born bull is a son of Mogeely Lord Harrow, with The Moss Black Angus also in the lineage. Mars carried five stars on both the terminal and replacement indices.

The small offering of Hereford bulls saw five sold to average less then €2,000

Next in line and generating much interest was Coraghy Ralph from Thomas O’Harte, Clones, Co Monaghan. This August 2018-born bull was the result of an embryo crossing of the US bull SAV Harvester and the Canadian show cow DMM Blackcap Essence 7Y. The double-five-star bull was eventually knocked down to a pedigree breeder in Co Wexford.

Matching him at the money was the first-prizewinner Dillon Royal from John and Cathy Farrell, Curraghroe, Co Roscommon. Born in August 2018, this four-star bull is a son of the herd’s senior stock bull Duibhgiolla Mario, with the dam sired by Coneyisland Legend.

Hereford bulls

The small offering of Hereford bulls saw five sold to average less then €2,000. Top of these was Stonekey 1 Jombo, which sold for €2,400. This March 2018-born bull was brought out by Matthew Moran and is a son of Lisnaeanpoll 1 Frank.