Joe Doheny - Twice Irish National Winner
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To write about the numerous families, strains and dynasties of long distance and marathon racing pigeons of the past and the present I have adopted the approach of 'writing from a distance' so to speak. By that phrase I mean that after my first piece on the Stichelbaut Strain which I researched via the internet and via other aspects of the media of information I concluded early in this series of mainly brief insights that I would not personally encounter if it was at all feasible any of the living creators of pigeon families, etc. I believe that this did not create any problems for many of the articles related to many great masters long since dead. In fact it may have prevented any possibility of falling into the snare of undue influence, adding an objectivity to my enterprise. Although I must say that during my research I have consulted with others striving at all times to remain accurate. This has not been easy in fact at times most difficult arising from the vulnerability of human nature. With this piece of I believe important revelatory background information I now would like to introduce an Irish master at the distance namely Joe Doheny of Dublin who has won the Irish National Open twice. First in 1982 when he was awarded the much sought after King's Cup from Le Sables, France, and again recapturing that trophy in 2002 from Redon, France. Thus Joe Doheny has entered the elite by being one of a few double winners due to apparent excellent managerial ability.

In an article in one of the sport's stud books in 1979 Joe Doheny stated that he wanted to maintain a high standard of performance at long distance racing. An objective which he surely has achieved based upon an environment whereby his pigeons feel at home and fly because they love their abode and their master. He has admitted before that his system of management is based upon commonsense and simplicity. A system which has produced the goods for Joe in his many years of commitment to the sport. The basis of his many successes is the truth that his birds really fly to get home where they know they are loved and humanely cared for.

Joe Doheny in his club has been the top prize winner on many occasions and his family of pigeons have won at the sprints and at the middle distances. But success generates jealousy and because of it moves were a- foot to place the maestro in a position where his winning ways would have been eliminated. Thankfully this was not realized. However it was a decision made by him in the early 1980s that he would try his outpost with his birds to reach the peak of condition for the longer distances which bore fruit for the Dubliner. Thus by the time of the 1982 National Doheny had his candidates in tip top form, in fact all of his racing stock for prior to the big event his pigeons reaped 2nd Open South Road Federation from Penzance as well, as being 1st in the Old Bird Derby from Sartilly. The birds were up in a N.W. wind in the race for the Blue Riband of Irish pigeon racing and at 4.45 a.m. on the second day of the race Joe Doheny timed his brave little Nancy to win at 514 miles with a velocity of 914 y.p.m. In the three days of the race not many birds returned for it was one of the toughest races for sometime.

Nancy was a five-year-old red hen raced very lightly before the National. Her pedigree is impeccable including Bob Dunlop bloodlines. But Joe Doheny's success was not to end there for based upon his astute mind and a well tried and perfected managerial system the Kings Cup was to be won again by his loft. This was the 2002 National from Redon in France in which the Liffey-sider became a member of an elitist club of twice Irish National Winners. His courageous blue bar known as Tiny won with the velocity being in the 900 y.p.m. range. Proof of another hard fly which is always to be expected into Ireland.

Joe Doheny is to be commended for his success as a pigeon racer. He has made his mark in the history of the sport in the Emerald Isle based upon the technique of moulding a strain capable of competing against the best. I tend to believe that there exists another national winner in his care.

by: Liam O Comain