Photo Caption – George McDowell from Kells holding the Mid Antrim winner from Fermoy.
Last weekend the local birds were in Clonmel County Tipperary for the fourth race of the old bird season, poor weather conditions delayed the liberation on Saturday. The big convoy was released at 12.15pm in a West NW wind and with showers en-route a fairly stiff race was expected. Birds came through well considering the conditions, early arrivals were well split up and most lofts had a few missing at dark. Kells & Dist lofts dominated the local result for Mid Antrim the race winner George McDowell timed at 16.13hrs just short of four hours for the 199 miles. Harry Boyd was next best with two birds at the same time. Mr & Mrs Sempey win two in a row in the Ballymena & Dist and Jimmy Rock has the big result in Harryville with three in the top four including the winner. Winner for George McDowell was a 2 year old Blue hen, Cooremans x Jacob on Widowhood, one of the MAC seven in the Rosscarbery YB Nat finishing 140th Open. The sire was purchased at a sale in Blackpool and the dam a top Jacob from Gerald Delaney won 6 x 1sts racing.
Cullybackey Centre: Details for the Rosscarbery Inl Nat race marking are as follows. Entry fees etc. with club cheque collect Wednesday 15th May from 8.30 – 9.30pm at the Cullybackey club rooms. Birds will be race marked 2.00 – 4.30pm on Friday 17th May. All clocks ready after lorry leaves Cullybackey. Roscrea will be the comeback race at the week-end, birds must be in the Cullybackey Centre before 7.00pm Friday 17th May. Race marking for Roscrea is at the local clubs.
Mid Antrim Combine Fermoy 103/2,551 – G McDowell Kells 1473, H Boyd Kells 1468, M/M M Sempey Ballymena 1467, H Boyd Kells 1467, G McDowell 1464, Scott & Clements Kells 1458, J Rock Harryville 1455, H Boyd Kells 1455, T & M Morrow Kells 1453, G McDowell 1451, Scott & Clements 1450, B Swann & Son Kells 1447, A Purvis Broughshane 1447, T & M Morrow 1442, Surgenor Bros Kells 1442, Surgenor Bros 1441, A Darragh Cullybackey 1439, G & A Eagleson Ballymena 1439, A Darragh 1438, B Swann & Son 1436, H Boyd Kells 1436, Mrs M Smyth Kells 1435, W & J Smyth Ballymena 1435, G Gilmour Ballymena 1434.
Mid Antrim Combine Clubs Fermoy –
Kells & District 12/263 – G McDowell 1473, H Boyd 1468, 1467, G McDowell 1464, Scott & Clements 1458, H Boyd 1455, T & M Morrow 1453, G McDowell 1451. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – B Swann & Son 1447, H Boyd 1436, H Turkington 1424, Scott & Clements 1421, Surgenor Bros 1377.
Ballymena & District 19/359 – M/M M Sempey 1467, G & A Eagleson 1439, W & J Smyth 1435, G Gilmour 1434, W & J Smyth 1434, M/M M Sempey 1419, 1416, 1412, M Graham 1409, McFall & McManus 1408. Ballymena 2 Bird – G & A Eagleson, G Gilmour D, W & J Smyth ABCD, D Craig ABC & Nom. Mr & Mrs Sempey make it 2 wins in a row timing their bird at 16.16hrs flying 201 miles, 6 minutes clear off the club. This Roundabout Blue w/f hen was in the prizes as a young bird in the Talbenny Derby last year. Bred by fellow clubmates W & J Smyth the breeding is Vandenabeele & Cooremans. Martin and Elke are having an exceptional year. Congratulations to both of you.
Ballykeel Invitation – M/M M Sempey 1467, 1419, 1416, 1412, 1408, K & K Kernohan 1385.
Harryville HPS 16/425 – J Rock 1455, 1417, G Price 1413, J Rock 1406, J Millar & Son 1406, 1403, J Rock 1388, K & K Kernohan 1385, B Ramsey 1380, R H Clements 1379.
Broughshane & District 5/128 – A Purvis 1447, J & N Simpson 1428, 1421, D Houston & Son 1413, A Purvis 1413, D Houston & Son 1339. Hat-trick of wins for the Aughafatten Lofts and second win for the Soontjen cock.
Cullybackey HPS 17/515 – A Darragh 1439, 1438, Reid Bros & McCloy 1414, D & H Kirkpatrick 1408, T Picken & Son 1401, Russell Bros 1386, Reid Bros & McCloy 1383, B Herbison 1382, 1377, S McKendry 1375.
Rasharkin & District 10/199 – H Cubitt 1427, Steele & McNeill 1374, H Cubitt 1370, A C & T Tweed 1364, Steele & McNeill 1362, Milliken & Barkley 1341, 1343, A C & T Tweed 1330, P McDonald 1296, W & J McLean 1282. First win of the season goes to Harold Cubitt timing a widowhood cock bred from Jos Thone stock from clubmate Danny Dixon. Race kindly sponsored by Finvoy Tyre Service (180 Finvoy Road, Ballymoney).
Randalstown HPS 12/262 – J Millar 1427, F J & G Dickey 1409, D Logan & Son 1404, Houston Bros 1404, 1396, Stewart Bros 1389, Houston Bros 1388, 1388, S Murphy 1381, H Boyd 1373.
Ahoghill Flying Club 12/400 – C Young 1406, J Smyth & Son 1402, Young McManus & Sons 1402, J Smyth & Son 1397, C Young 1393, Young McManus & Sons 1382, Balmer Young & Sons 1380, M/M Robinson 1377, Young McManus & Sons 1376, 1370. Best birthday wishes to Old Hand Cowan Balmer the Mayor of Gracehill.
Photo Caption – George McDowell from Kells holding the Mid Antrim winner from Fermoy.
