INFC Single Bird Challenge –

INFC Single Bird Challenge – Much Coveted Trophy

In 2003 the Irish National Flying Club introduced into their race programme a very special award to be known as the Single Bird Challenge writes Irish Rover.

The Kings Cup was the chosen race and each member had to select a single pigeon with an entry fee of £5. This to me is the ultimate challenge with every member on a level playing field. This award was the brainchild of David Black now INFC Chairman. In the early year of the competition the entry was just over 200 pigeons.

The Committee of the INFC decided that the club would sponsor the race and the entry fee. The entry for the past two years has been in excess of 500. The winner also receives the magnificent Doheny Cup presented to the club by double Kings Cup winner Joe Doheny. The first three pigeons in the Single Bird Challenge each receive a Framed Diploma sponsored by Wesley Sawyers of Sawyers & Co, Estate Agents, Banbridge.

The first winner of the Single Bird Challenge was the outstanding loft of McCracken Bros of Banbridge.  Messac was the National race-point – 732 members sent 1981 birds liberated at 6.00am. The McCracken Bros pigeon won 3^rd North Sect & 3^rd Open INFC on a velocity of 628ypm, collecting in pools and prize-money of £6,229. Second in the Single Bird Challenge was N Black & Son of Dromara winning 8^th Open INFC and £1,400 while John Ramsey & Son of the Glen Invitation finished 3^rd in the Challenge and 10^th Open INFC plus £1,400.

The 2003 National proved to be very hard with only 21 birds in the race time and yet the Top 3 in the Single Bird Challenge finished in the Top 10 of the Open result. The 2003 winner for McCracken Bros was none other than the famous “Lucy”. This outstanding hen was to win the coveted Hall of Fame Diploma three times an Open INFC prize-winner in the Blue Riband Kings Cup. In 2002 15^th Open INFC Redon, 2003 3^rd Open INFC Messac and 2004 105^th Open INFC Messac.

The 2004 Single Bird Challenge was again flown from Messac on 1^st July – 712 members sent 2025 birds liberated at 7.00am in a South West wind and yet only 134 were recorded in race time (three days). The Challenge winner was Hugh Gilligan of Stillorgan winning 3^rd South Sect & 24^th Open INFC. C & L Woodside of Ballyclare were 2^nd in the Challenge and 26^th Open INFC, 3^rd and 62^nd in the INFC Open went to the Holywood loft of R & R Russell.

On to 2005 and the race-point again Messac – 703 members sent 2048 birds liberated at 6.30am into a light South West wind. Winner of 1^st Single Bird Challenge, 17^th North Sect & 19^th Open INFC were Malachy Maguire & Son of Newry. Second in the Challenge was the top National loft of Liam McCall winning  4^th South Sect & 25^th Open INFC  and 3^rd in the Challenge was the popular Harry Silcock of Dromara who finished 32^nd Open INFC.  The second bird was to win the Hall of Fame Diploma a super Red cock raced by Liam McCall of Wicklow. In 2003 20^th Open INFC Messac, 2004 13^th Open INFC Messac and in 2005 25^th Open INFC Messac. An outstanding pigeon the three OB Nationals from Messac that this bird was placed to win the Hall of Fame all proved to be very hard races.

In 2006 the INFC moved to Vannes for the Kings Cup – 675 members sent 2163 birds liberated at 6.15am into a light North East wind. The Single Bird Challenge winner was Gary Benson of Lisburn and this remarkable hen was 12^th Open INFC. This is a super hen as with this result in 2006 she also won the Hall of Fame Diploma. In 2004 51^st Open INFC Messac, 2005 44^th Open INFC Messac and then in 2006 12^th Open INFC Vannes. She improved her position in three successive years. Second in the Challenge was Ronnie Williamson of Bondhill in 15^th Open INFC and close up in 3^rd place was his club-mate Malcolm Robinson winning 17^th Open INFC.

The Kings Cup races in 2007 and 2008 were cancelled for various reasons and it was not until 2009 that the Single Bird Challenge was resumed. The winner that year from Vannes was Jim Robinson, Edgarstown and his Single Bird Challenge winner finished 9^th Open INFC. Former Kings Cup winner Alan Darragh from Cullybackey was Challenge runner-up finishing 11^th Open INFC and Tommy McClean a recent Triple Crown Award winner was 3^rd in the Challenge to finish 30^th Open INFC. From Vannes 2009 – 770 members sent 2619 birds liberated at 6.15am into a light Westerly wind.

On to 2010 and Vannes again the race point – 741 members sent 2512 birds, the convoy was liberated at 7.30am into a light North wind. The Single Bird Challenge winner was the outstanding National loft of Paul Dunlop Edgarstown and Paul’s hen finished 13^th Open INFC. Bobby Gray of Kingsmoss was 2^nd with his Single Bird entry placed 27^th Open INFC. Former Kings Cup winner Maurice Wilkinson of Wilton Cross was 3^rd in the Challenge and 43^rd Open INFC. Fot the second year in susseccion the National Club enjoyed a very successful race.

2011 and the Single Bird Challenge and Joe Doheny Cup went to the South Sect loft of Anthony Morgan of Trim in County Meath, with just a two bird entry his Challenge pigeon was 3^rd Open INFC. The Shankill & District loft of Brown & Anderson was runner-up finishing 14^th Open and Geoffrey Douglas a former Kings Cup winner from Wilton Cross was 3^rd finishing 22^nd Open INFC. Vannes 2011 – 820 members sent 2702 pigeons.

The 2012 Single Bird Challenge was flown from Vannes – 794 members entered 2783 birds. This was to turn out a very bad race with only 71 birds home in race time (three days). The Single Bird Challenge saw the closest finish in the history of the race.  1^st Willie Neill of Annaghmore finished 2^nd Open INFC on velocity 1002ypm and runner-up in the Challenge C Quinn of Milltown was 3^rd Open INFC recording velocity 1001ypm. The South Sect loft of F & J Crowe of Gorey took 3^rd in the Challenge and finished 12^th Open INFC.  The Challenge winner was “Champion Ivy” bred and raced by Willie Neill. This Red Cheq hen went on to win the coveted Hall of Fame Diploma. The three races were from Vannes – 2010 82^nd Open INFC, 2011 111^th Open INFC and 2012 2^nd Open INFC with cash winnings in excess of £3,000. The 2^nd pigeon is also out of the top drawer winning cash awards in excess of £4,500 and also collected an INFC Merit Award twice in the Open prize list from the Kings Cup.

The entry for the 2013 Single Bird Challenge will be in excess of 500, this event is very special!

Irish Rover.