The tough trade witnessed at some of the pedigree sales in recent weeks was replicated at the Irish Limousin Cattle Society sale in Athenry on Thursday.

While trade started well for older more able bulls, the later younger bulls proved harder sold. That said, overall clearance rate still hit 81%, with an average price of €2,716.

This average price is well back, with the average in recent years settling around the €3,200 mark.

Trade was led by the day’s senior champion Roundhill Marlo 2, which auctioneer Denis Barrett dropped the hammer for at €4,300. Bred by Tim and Doreen Corridan, this Kaprico Eravelle son goes back on a Heinz-bred mother from the successful Giroflee line.

Tapped out by judges Shannon and Aidan Kinahan as senior champion, Marlo also carries a line of stars and a calving index of only 5.7%. This bull was the pick of Owain Llyr from Wales.

The Roundhill outfit also took the reserve junior championship in the pre-sale show with Roundhill Midas. This October 2017-born bull is sired by Dollar, with the dam again going back to Heinz. A five-star replacement bull, he was knocked down at €2,900.

Ballymulavil Maxwell, one of the first lots through the ring, got the sale off to a flying start when he sold for €4,100.

Bred by John Connor from Claremorris, Co Mayo, the June 2017-born bull is a son of Queenshead Altea, with the dam going back to Milbrook Tanko. A page of stars and a calving index of only 4.1% meant this third-prizewinner was in high demand.

Also in the highlights was the day’s junior champion Millburn Miller. Bred and exhibited by Richard O’Beirne, Tuam, Co Galway, Miller is a November 2017 son of Plumtree Fantastic. With five stars on the terminal index and a calving index of 5.5%, this bull hit the market at €3,900 and was secured by a UK buyer.

Last of the championships was the reserve senior, which went the way of Rutland Matric from Noel Ruttledge, Ballina, Co Mayo. This Fieldson lfy son has a calving index of 6.8% and was knocked down at €2,400.

A further 12 bulls made between €3,000 and €3,700 at the sale. The second-prizewinner Montclare Mac from Michael Montgomery was next in line when he sold for €3,700.

This five-star terminal bull is a son of the well-known Wilodge Cerberus, with Castleview Ultan and Jars also in the back breeding. Born September 2017, this bull was the pick of Joseph Kelly, Kilrush, Co Clare.

Three bulls hit the €3,500 mark. First at the money was Keltic Master from Teleri Thomas, Enfield, Co Meath. This five-star terminal bull’s pedigree features Cameos, Homebres Visitor and Sundalke Invader.

A common feature throughout the sale was buyers’ need for a low calving index. Master has a figure of only 4%, which helped him quickly rise to his final selling price.

Matching Ms Thomas at the money was the second offering from Richard O’Beirne. His November 2017-born bull Millburn Mayweather is a son of Plumtree Fantastic, with the dam out of Mas Du Clo. This bull also carries five stars on the terminal index, with a calving figure of 4.9%.

Finally, Mr O’Beirne also sold his last offering, Millburn Mourinho, for €3,500. This November 2017-born bull is out of Bavardage, with the dam Sympa daughter Millburn Felicity.

With five stars down the line, he was purchased by John McDonnell, Curragboy, Co Roscommon.

A further three bulls shared the €3,400 price tag. First up was the second-prizewinning Meelickaduff Mojo from the Hester family in Castlerea. This five-star son of Malibu carries the lowest calving index of any bull catalogued at just 2.8%.

Also hitting €3,400 was the first-prizewinning Galbally Major from Trevor Masterson, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. This 19-month-old son of Ampertaine Commander is out of Emerson daughter Galbally Imelda. This bull boasts a low calving figure of 4.7%, with five stars down the line.

Last at the money was the Mullary Intrepid son Oldtown Monster from William Hogan, Thurles, Co Tipperary. This five-star terminal bull carries a calving index of 4.8% and was placed third in the pre-sale show.