Strong demand for Limousin genetics ensured a buoyant trade for the breed society's bull and female sale at Dungannon, on Monday, where prices peaked at 6800gns and a further eight sold for more than 4000gns.

Bull sale averages were up by more than £400 and with a 97% clearance, with the heifers rising almost as much and for 87% of the numbers sold.

Sale leader was Kieran McCrory's May 2019-born bull, Bernish Pirlo from Co Tyrone. This Wilodge Cerberus son is out of Bernish Julifortune, an Ampertaine Elgin daughter and one of only 15 cows in the herd. Brother to the 22,000gns Bernish Memphis and the 7500gns Bernish Platini, Pirlo is also a full brother to overall champion at the Rising Stars Competition, Bernish Princess Juli.

Co Armagh breeder, Clive Richardson, Annaghmore, was the final bidder on Pirlo at 6800gns, which sold boasting two sets of the F94L myostatin gene, and a beef value of 46.

Second top price was 4700gns, given for Joan Gilliland's 19-month-old Ballyrobin Poser from Co Antrim. Equally well bred, Poser is a son of Ampertaine Elgin and out of Ballyrobin Frenchy, a Wilodge Vantastic daughter that has bred bulls to 20,000gns. He headed home with V Ferguson, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, who gets for his money a bull carrying the F94L and Q204 myostatins and a beef value of 34.

Selling at 4200gns was Deerpark Poseidon, a July 2019-born bull from C and R Mullholland, Craigavon, Co Armagh. He is by Ampertaine Abracadabra, out of the Ampertaine Elgin daughter, Deerpark Masie and sold to F McKendry, Ballymena, Co Antrim, with two sets of the F94L myostatin gene.

Two other bulls made 4200gns to include Mcparlands Power from MacParlim Genetics, Beleeks, Newry. This 18-month-old is by McParlands Nasper, a Foxhillfarm Jasper son and out of Cowporation Jilonka by Ampertaine Foreman. He also sold with two sets of the easy calving F94L myostatin gene, to P Hughes, Newry, County Down.

Later, the October 2019-born, Rathkeeland PeakyBlinders, from the Crawford Brothers, Maguiresbridge, made the same money selling to S Hayes, Dungannon. Sired by Powerful Irish and out of Curraghree Beyonce, a Grahams Samson daughter, he also changed hands with two sets of the F94L gene.

The Crawfords also topped the females at 5600gns with Rathkeeland Phillipa, an in-calf heifer by Sauvignon, out of Maybouy Madonna a Gleneagle Idol daughter. Phillipa sold in calf to Haltcliffe Nijinsky, to P Stewart, Garvagh buying for the Culnaman herd.

Hot on her heels was Johnstown Rosie, a 10-month-old heifer from Christopher Johnston, Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone, sold to T Shields, Kilkeel. She is by Ampertaine Magnum, and out of Ashmara Classygirl that goes back to the French sire, Rocky.

Averages: 31 bulls, £3570; 13 females, £2600

Auctioneers: Dungannon Farmers Marts