Averages increased at the recent Charolais sale staged at Swatragh Livestock Market, when 30 bulls cashed in at £4163, up £623 on the year, achieving a 75% clearance rate, whilst the five heifers balanced out at £3140.

The reserve overall champion went on to top the sale at 9600gns for P and V McDonald of Newry, Co. Down. This 21-month-old bull, Glencoe Ragnarok is a son of Whitecliffe James, out of Beechdale Lupin, and sold to W McVey of Carnlough, Co. Antrim.

The overall champion, Killadeas Robert, had to settle for the second top price of 7000gns for S and D Bothwell of Ballina Mallard, Co. Fermanagh. This 18-month-old bull is the result of the sire, Killadeas Orlando onto Killadeas Nell, which witnessed the hammer fall to B Lappin, Portadown, Co. Armagh.

Not far behind on 6800gns was the 14-month-old bull, Brogher Standout, which stood reserve junior champion in the pre-sale show for T Phair in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. He is another boy by Whitecliffe James, and out of Brogher Olga. The final bidders were T Butler, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim.

The same buyers went to 6100gns for Kenaghan Superman from L Ruddy of Strabane, Co. Tyrone. This 14-month-old bull is a son of Doonally New and out of Whinfort Mia.

Reserve intermediate champion, Ovill Ronaldo from the O’Kane Bros of Dungiven, Co. Londonderry, achieved 6000gns. This 17-month-old is sired by Sportsmans Linesman, out of Sagesse Florienne, and sold to D Rafferty, Carrickmore, Co. Tyrone.

On the female front, it was the champion, Carnview Rihanna, that also went on to top the sale at 4800gns for J McGuigan of Maghera, Co. Londonderry. This 19-month-old heifer is a daughter of Oldstone Egbert, out of Edenhurst Eliza, and was snapped up by P and B Caraher, Newry, Co. Down.

LEADING awards

Bull, born on or before July 8, 2020 – 1 and reserve senior, E Johnston and Sons' Gallion Rocky, by Liscally Eti; 2, A Armstrong's Tanhill Rumpus, by Woodpark Elgin; 3, A Armstrong's Tanhill Rector, by Woodpark Elgin.

Bull, born July 15 to Oct 10, 2020 – 1, senior and overall reserve male champion, P and V McDonald's Glencoe Ragnarok, by Whitecliffe James; 2, R McWilliams' Stranagone Ryder, by Jumper; 3, S and D Bothwell's Killadeas Rodger, by Battleford Laser.

Bull, born Oct 23 to Nov 28, 2020 – 1, intermediate and overall male champion, S and D Bothwell's Killadeas Robert, by Killadeas Orlando; 2, reserve intermediate, O’Kane Bros' Ovill Ronaldo, by Sportsmans Linesman; 3, P Quigley's Rossavalley Rascal, by Blelack Digger.

Bull, born Dec 1 and 31, 2020 – 1, W Short's Woodpark Ronan, by Barnsford Ferny; 2, SP Bradley's Slievemore Rolex, by Westcarse Houdini; 3, S McCaughey's Fymore Revolution, by Doonally New.

Bull, born Jan 2 to Feb 16, 2021 – 1 and reserve junior, T Phair's Brogher Standout, by Whitecliffe James; 2, S and D Bothwell's Killadeas Samuel, by Battleford Laser; 3, T Phair's Brogher Shane, by Maerdy Ignition.

Bull, born after Feb 17, 2021 – 1 and junior champion, Devine Bros' Browhill Sam, by Goldstar Othello; 2, L Ruddy's Kenaghan Superman, by Doonally New; 3, L Ruddy's Kenaghan Starsky, by Clenagh Jasper 2.

Heifer, born after June 17, 2020 – 1 and female champion, JJ McGuigan's Carnview Rihanna, by Oldstone Egbert; 2 and reserve female, JJ McGuigan's Carnview Ruth, by Balthayock Hamish; 3, P and V McDonald's Glencoe Rosy, by Glencoe Maximus.