There were many doubts over the Munster Irish Angus branch’s sale in Kilmallock last weekend given the recent uncertainty similar sales have seen in recent weeks.
Following the heavy rainfall witnessed in the south over the previous three days leading to the sale, this uncertainty was reinforced. However, although back slightly, the branch’s premier sale fared a lot better than most. Average price dropped by a mere €40 to €2,570, with a 79% clearance, back from 85% in 2016.
Calving ease index on the €uro-Star index played a vital role in sales, with those under two per cent finding it much easier to find homes on the day. Topping trade was the December 2015-born Cloughoulamore M Black Jack.
Bred and exhibited by Jerry and Amy O’Sullivan, Millstreet, Co Cork, this Cornamuckla Lord Hardy son met a flying trade before the hammer finally fell at €3,650. Five stars on replacement with four on the terminal, he sold with a calving figure of 1% to Knockeevan Farm, Clonmel.
This makes it two weeks in a row the easy-calving, short-gestation Cornamuckla Lord Hardy has sired the sale topper, with a €4,000 bid at the Irish Angus premier the week before.
Gurtavoher Napoleon from John Barlow secured the overall championship on the day under judge John Farrell, before later securing the second-highest price of €3,200. Sired by stock bull Castlelough Midnight Brandy, he is out of a Goulding Jumbo King-bred daughter and found a new home with Jim Chawke, Croom, Co Limerick.
The reserve male championship was awarded to Cahirmee Major from Richard and Lisa Smith. This five-star bull was sired by Pineville Johnny but failed to meet his reserve on the day.
Flurry of bids
John Murphy, Banteer, was next in line when his first prize winning Mercury Narcos was met with a flurry of bids before the hammer finally fell at €3,050. This January bull is sired by Friarstown Paddy Pershore, who also sired the champion the year before for Murphy. Carrying five stars on the terminal index and four stars on the replacement, he sold to Michael O’Flynn, Dromcollogher, Co Limerick.
The last of the day’s pre-sale show first prize winners, Brookfield Max from Clive Jennings, claimed a price tag of €3,000. This stylish well-made Beryl Jamey son is out of Caulry K675 Pam, herself purchased at the Elite sale in 2014 for €3,250.
Three bulls hit the €2,800 price tag. First in was the October-born Killernan Miltown from Martin Hehir, Malbay, Co Clare. This Nightingale El Paso son was out of Bor Nugget daughter Cappanavamogue Cora and sold to Killarney-based farmer Michael Lucey.
Pat and Margaret Hayes, Kilteely, Co Limerick, also hit the €2,800 mark for Kildromin N576 Lord Evergreat. Sired by herd stock bull Cooltomin John 1035, Evergreat carried five stars on the terminal index combined with a calving figure of only 1%. He sold to Crecora-based Anthony Shire.
The youngest bull present, Mercury Nice Tinge from John Murphy, was the last to hit the price tag. Just a year old the week previous, Nice Tinge carried five stars on both the terminal and replacement indexes with a calving figure of 1.9%. Standing second in his class to the overall champion, he sold to Michael Stokes, Charleville.
Females on the day were met with a flying trade with the only two present, both owned by Denis Twomey, Causeway, Co Kerry, selling to average €2,650. Topping trade at €2,700 was the female champion Tubridmore Polly R570. Sired by Aynho Rossiter Eric, she is out of homebred Tubridmore Polly K421.
Just behind her, taking the reserve championship, was Tubridmore Leanie. Sired this time by Young Dale Touchdown, she is out of embryo-bred Tubridmore Ebony ET and sold at €2,600. Successful buyer for both lots was Pat Gleeson, Birr, Co Tipperary.
Other top prices
Tubridmore Moses sired by Coneyisland Legend from Denis Twomey sold at €2,750.Carker Mike sired by Clooncolligan Hercules from Sean Cronin sold at €2,750.Shelton Nathan sired by Knockadrinan Bell man from Seamus Shelton sold for €2,750.Cloontubrid Noel sired by Tubridmore Gizmo from John Carmody sold for €2,650.Clonkeen Norman sired by Cahirmee Harry from Breda Crowley sold at €2,600.
There were many doubts over the Munster Irish Angus branch’s sale in Kilmallock last weekend given the recent uncertainty similar sales have seen in recent weeks.
Following the heavy rainfall witnessed in the south over the previous three days leading to the sale, this uncertainty was reinforced. However, although back slightly, the branch’s premier sale fared a lot better than most. Average price dropped by a mere €40 to €2,570, with a 79% clearance, back from 85% in 2016.
Calving ease index on the €uro-Star index played a vital role in sales, with those under two per cent finding it much easier to find homes on the day. Topping trade was the December 2015-born Cloughoulamore M Black Jack.
Bred and exhibited by Jerry and Amy O’Sullivan, Millstreet, Co Cork, this Cornamuckla Lord Hardy son met a flying trade before the hammer finally fell at €3,650. Five stars on replacement with four on the terminal, he sold with a calving figure of 1% to Knockeevan Farm, Clonmel.
This makes it two weeks in a row the easy-calving, short-gestation Cornamuckla Lord Hardy has sired the sale topper, with a €4,000 bid at the Irish Angus premier the week before.
Gurtavoher Napoleon from John Barlow secured the overall championship on the day under judge John Farrell, before later securing the second-highest price of €3,200. Sired by stock bull Castlelough Midnight Brandy, he is out of a Goulding Jumbo King-bred daughter and found a new home with Jim Chawke, Croom, Co Limerick.
The reserve male championship was awarded to Cahirmee Major from Richard and Lisa Smith. This five-star bull was sired by Pineville Johnny but failed to meet his reserve on the day.
Flurry of bids
John Murphy, Banteer, was next in line when his first prize winning Mercury Narcos was met with a flurry of bids before the hammer finally fell at €3,050. This January bull is sired by Friarstown Paddy Pershore, who also sired the champion the year before for Murphy. Carrying five stars on the terminal index and four stars on the replacement, he sold to Michael O’Flynn, Dromcollogher, Co Limerick.
The last of the day’s pre-sale show first prize winners, Brookfield Max from Clive Jennings, claimed a price tag of €3,000. This stylish well-made Beryl Jamey son is out of Caulry K675 Pam, herself purchased at the Elite sale in 2014 for €3,250.
Three bulls hit the €2,800 price tag. First in was the October-born Killernan Miltown from Martin Hehir, Malbay, Co Clare. This Nightingale El Paso son was out of Bor Nugget daughter Cappanavamogue Cora and sold to Killarney-based farmer Michael Lucey.
Pat and Margaret Hayes, Kilteely, Co Limerick, also hit the €2,800 mark for Kildromin N576 Lord Evergreat. Sired by herd stock bull Cooltomin John 1035, Evergreat carried five stars on the terminal index combined with a calving figure of only 1%. He sold to Crecora-based Anthony Shire.
The youngest bull present, Mercury Nice Tinge from John Murphy, was the last to hit the price tag. Just a year old the week previous, Nice Tinge carried five stars on both the terminal and replacement indexes with a calving figure of 1.9%. Standing second in his class to the overall champion, he sold to Michael Stokes, Charleville.
Females on the day were met with a flying trade with the only two present, both owned by Denis Twomey, Causeway, Co Kerry, selling to average €2,650. Topping trade at €2,700 was the female champion Tubridmore Polly R570. Sired by Aynho Rossiter Eric, she is out of homebred Tubridmore Polly K421.
Just behind her, taking the reserve championship, was Tubridmore Leanie. Sired this time by Young Dale Touchdown, she is out of embryo-bred Tubridmore Ebony ET and sold at €2,600. Successful buyer for both lots was Pat Gleeson, Birr, Co Tipperary.
Other top prices
Tubridmore Moses sired by Coneyisland Legend from Denis Twomey sold at €2,750.Carker Mike sired by Clooncolligan Hercules from Sean Cronin sold at €2,750.Shelton Nathan sired by Knockadrinan Bell man from Seamus Shelton sold for €2,750.Cloontubrid Noel sired by Tubridmore Gizmo from John Carmody sold for €2,650.Clonkeen Norman sired by Cahirmee Harry from Breda Crowley sold at €2,600. 
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