Third-oldest bull proves to be Prince of pageantry — and prices
LAVALLY Prince, the thirdoldest bull listed, scored on the double for his Co Roscommon breeder when he was judged Champion of the Show and sold for the leading price for a bull at the Irish Angus Society Elite Show and Sale at Carrick-on-Shannon on Saturday.
The 21-month-old, exhibited by John and Mary Mullooly from Lavally, Strokestown sold for €5,400 to the South Eastern Cattle Breeding Society at Dovea, Thurles to top the sale of bulls.
He was Reserve Intermediate Champion at Strokestown and champion Angus at the Elphin Show earlier this year.
The four star on both the terminal and replacement indices, he was bred by the sire Liss Brendan M and dam Lavally Honey, a full sister of Lavally Angie.
Show judge Derek Lovell from Bandon chose Patrick Mulligan’s Ballydacker Norman, a September 2017-born bull, from the herd at Hollygrove, Ballygar, Co Galway for Reserve Champion. Bred by the sire Mogeely Joe and dam Ballydacker Kira, he has four and three stars for terminal and replacement with a replacement value of €91 and sold for €3,500.
The trade for bulls was tough, with a scarcity of buyers for the large entry on offer, resulting in the clearance rate failing to match last year, while 31 bulls sold for an average of €2,608, it was back from the €3,000 average recorded at last year’s sale.
Mr Lovell showed his experience as a judge, completing the seven classes for bulls and heifers, plus championship in each category in less than two-and-a-half hours, thus ensuring that the sale got under way on time, which was quite an achievement.
“A great show of animals,” was his summary on completion of the task.
Auctioneer Francis McGowan conceded that the going was “tough” for the bulls, and buyers were scarce, but the heifers met with a livelier trade Above: Tom Mullaney with Lavally Prince, Champion Bull at the Irish Angus Cattle Society Elite Show and Sale at Carrick-on- Shannon, with exhibitor John Mullooly from Lavally, Co Roscommon receiving the trophy from vice president of the IACS John O’Sullivan, judge Derek Lovell and Anthony Flaherty from sponsors Connolly’s Red Mills. as reflected in the prices achieved.
Second-highest price for the bulls was €4,600, which the well-known Cork Angus breeder Albert de Cogan of Castlemartyr paid for the 11-month-old first prize winner, Laheens Reputation from the herd of Cathal Duignan, Laheen House, Eslin Bridge, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim.
The bull carries all the stars possible for both terminal and replacement indices within the Angus breed and has a replacement value of €130.
Next highest was €3,600 for Millbawn Prizeman, a 20-month-old bull, exhibited by Amanda Bogan, Coolarty, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford.
Cathal and JJ McCormack from Steil, Tulsk, Castlerea, Co Roscommon sold Steil Parlo for €3,500 and received €3,150 for Steil Phonsie 355.