Growing numbers in the breed led the Irish Angus Munster branch to up the number of sales held this year in Kilmallock to three. While an April premier and May sale would usually be ran, an extra sale date was added on April 29 also.

In total, 57 bulls were catalogued, of which 43 were present. Buyers had a clear idea of the price they were willing to pay, with 25 of the 31 bulls sold making between €2,000 and €3,000.

Topping trade was Denis Twomey, Causeway, Co Kerry, with Tubridmore Noah. This February 2016-born bull is out of NCBC sire Friarstown Ideal Pete, while the dam is DMM Distinction-bred Greenvalley Urbane. Carrying five stars on the terminal index, he sold for €3,250 to Cahir man John Hynes.

Securing the second-top price of €3,200 was reserve champion Killernan Niall. Bred and exhibited by Martin Hehir, Miltown Malbay, Co Clare, Niall was sired by Scottish bull Nightingale El Paso.

This January 2016-born bull carried five stars on a number of traits including carcase weight, carcase conformation and the terminal index. Successful buyer was John Collins, Croagh, Co Limerick.

Judge Derek Lovell of the Knockbrown Angus herd selected Mercury New Tinge as overall champion. Bred by John Murphy, Banteer, Co Cork, this March 2016-born bull is the first son of the herd’s new stock bull Luddenmore Just the Business.

Having failed to meet his reserve on the day, he went home unsold.

Michael O’Riordan, Macroom, Co Cork, realised €3,150 for his Netherton Americano son Cooldaniel Matie.

Born November 2015, Matie carried five stars on the terminal index alongside a calving figure of only 1.6%. After a flurry of bids, Liam and Peter Figlash from Carrick-on-Suir were triumphant.

Ryan’s Marshall was next in the money selling for €3,000. Bred by Ger Ryan, Ballyhooly, Co Cork, this son of Dovea bull Lisduff Dandy also sees Edmundo of Ballinulty and Shankill Max in the back breeding. William Brodrick, Charleville, Co Cork, was the successful bidder.

Prices ranged from €1,600 to €3,250, with 31 bulls selling to average €2,360.