The Irish Shorthorn Cattle Society hosted a spring sale in Roscommon over the weekend, achieving a clearance of under 60%. An average yard of cattle was met with average prices, with both males and females settling at €1,600.

The breed generally enjoys good prices for females, but last November’s premier sale in the same location looked to have taken the stronger better-quality heifers, leaving a yard of lesser quality for last weekend.

However, there were some highlights, in particular the sale of the overall female champion Rockville Lucy 425.

This stylish young heifer was brought out by long-time local exhibitor Anthony Dockery. Sired by former show bull Bushypark Ultra, she is out of Dovea Leader 2nd daughter Gavan Lucy. Securing the champion for the top sale price of €3,000 was Genevieve and Mark Cox.

Standing reserve in the female championship and selling for the second-top price was Ardnaskea Dreamer.

This roan heifer from Clare breeder Patrick Hehir is sired by Coolvin Dominator and out of homebred Ardnaskea Angel 4th.

With five stars on the replacement index across the breed, Dreamer was knocked down to new breeders Thomas and Luke Gibson at a price of €2,100.

Thomas Fox sold a number of lots at the sale, topping at €2,000. This price was paid for the second-prizewinning Bethlehem Patch 3rd. With five stars down the line, Patch 3rd is homebred on both sides, with the sire Bethlehem Breeze and dam Bethlehem Patricia.

Claiming the overall male championship on the day was Michael McKeon with Moygara Lord.

Born February 2018, this dark red bull carries five stars on a number of traits, with a calving ease figure of 3.9%.

Sired by the herd’s stock bull Ballylinney Eagle, he is out of the homebred cow Moygara Camellia. Having failed to meet his reserve, Lord left the ring unsold.

Taking the reserve male championship and top male price was Lismacool Cracker 273. This roan bull, exhibited by Padraig Flanagan, is a son of Brickeens Smasher and Lismacol Jenny. With four stars on the replacement index, he was knocked down at €1,700.

Heifers on the day ranged from €1,100 to €3,000 with 12 sold, while only two of the four bulls present sold to average €1,600.