The inaugural Tuam autumn Limousin sale proved a highly successful one for Thomas and Shane O’Loughlin from Dunboyne in Co Meath, who not only came home with the championship, but also the top price.

This was a new sale set up by the Irish Limousin Cattle Society as a way to fill the market for western commercial farmers who run autumn-calving herds.

Similar to many others this year, trade at this autumn sale remained tough, with only the top few lots acquiring decent prices.

The O’Loughlins’ champion Royal County Mel was one of these bull and he hit the market at €5,000, the top price of the night. This July 2017-born bull is sired by Ampertaine Foreman, while the dam is Wilodge Vantastic-bred Drummin Jules ET. Carrying five stars on the terminal index, he was secured by Vincent McDonagh, Roscahill, Co Galway.

Given the task of judging the new sale was the brother and sister duo of Daniel and Rachel Moloney of the renowned Ardnacrusha herd. Two well-known young breeders, this highlights the society’s commitment to encouraging and educating the breeders of the future.

Reserve champion Templequain Marvel, which sold for €3,300. \ Alfie Shaw

The duo found their reserve champion in the form of Templequain Marvel. This June 2017-born bull was bred and exhibited by Thomas and Brendan O’Shea, Portlaoise, and is a son of Trueman Jagger.

Carrying five stars on the terminal and replacement indices, he was knocked down to a local farmer at €3,300.

Securing the second-top price of the sale were Limerick breeders Laurence and John Lynch with their second-prizewinning Portauns Magic.

This stylish young bull is a son of Bavardage, with the homebred dam a daughter of Ulm. With a replacement index of €141 and a terminal index of €160, the 14-month-old Magic was acquired by Peter Keane, Kinvara, Co Galway, for €3,600.

Portauns Magic, which sold for the second-top price of €3,600. \ Alfie Shaw

Matching the reserve champion’s price and selling for €3,300 was Wood Road Mitch ET. This second-prizewinner was bred by Noel Fennessy, Castleconnell, Co Limerick, and is a son of Gerrygullinane Glen. Five stars on a number of traits, he was knocked down to Anthony Ryan.

The first-prizewinning Clew Bay Maty was brought out by Westport breeder Padraic Golden.

This stylish September 2016-born bull is another son of Ampertaine Foreman, while the dam is a daughter of Goldies Terence. Another five-star bull, this one secured a bid of €3,200 from Patsy Fortune in Co Wexford.

The small entry of females forward saw both the champion and reserve go unsold. Securing the female championship was Ampertaine Foreman daughter Lisnageeragh Mary from Des Joyce, Co Galway. Securing the reserve plaudits was Green Hill Michelle, a daughter of Kilskeagh Hill 16 from Mary McLoughlin, Ballina, Co Mayo.