Charlie McManus 1st MAC from Talbenny –

Winners 02 Jun 2013
Charlie McManus 1st MAC from Talbenny –

The opening race of the cross channel programme started last Saturday, the NIPA birds were released in Talbenny (South Wales) at 8.30am in a Lt NW wind. Best bird locally was timed by Old Hand Charlie McManus in the Ballymena & Dist, his yearling Blue cock was timed at 12.42hrs recording velocity 1230 for the 218 miles. Ballymena & Dist had a big result, Charlie was followed by G & A Eagleson, J McNaghten & Son and R McFall & Son.

In the final week of the League Competition four lofts have now qualified for the Knock-Out stage starting at Talbenny. All eight lofts scored points in the Group 2, Steele & McNeill got through with a big result from Clonmel, it was always thought this would be the big competition of all four groups. The tie for 4th place in Group 3 & 4 was decided by the Rosscarbery Velocities. Last season’s Champion Loft Reid Bros & McCloy just like last season scraped through in the final race before the Knock-Out stage. All the interest now is on the competition for Talbenny, no League straight Knock-Out!. The competition for Talbenny was:-

Harry Boyd v J Millar & Son, Danny Dixon v Steele & McNeill, Alan Darragh v Allen McBride, J & N Simpson v Milliken & Barkley, Alistair Purvis v Jimmy Rock, George McDowell v Reid Bros & McCloy, Scott & Clements v Young McManus & Sons, Surgenor Bros v W & J Smyth.

The Quarter Final of the Champions League to be flown from Talbenny (2). J Millar & Son (Harryville) v D Dixon (Rasharkin), A Darragh (Cullybackey) v J & N Simpson (Broughshane), J Rock (Harryville) v Reid Bros & McCloy (Cullybackey), Young McManus & Sons (Ahoghill) v Surgenor Bros (Kells).

The club entry fees for the NIPA Cock & Hen Yearling Nat from Rosscarbery will be collected this Thursday evening at Cullybackey Centre between 8.30 and 9.30pm. One club cheque for each race, the birds will be race marked Friday at Cullybackey between 2.00 and 4.30pm. The Fermoy 5 Bird entry will be collected in Cullybackey on Thursday 13th June between 8.30 and 9.30pm, race marking on Friday 14th June between 4.00 and 6.00pm.

Mid Antrim Combine Talbenny (1) 97/1,369 – McFall & McManus Ballymena 1230, G & A Eagleson Ballymena 1202, J McNaghten & Son Ballymena 1202, R McFall & Son Ballymena 1201, A & N Young Ahoghill 1196, C Young Ahoghill 1192, McFall & McManus 1191, D Dixon Rasharkin 1190, Houston Bros Randalstown 1190, G & A Eagleson 1189, G & A Eagleson 1189, A Darragh Cullybackey 1186, Surgenor Bros Kells 1186, M Graham Ballymena 1175, McAlonan Bros Ballymena 1173, A Darragh 1172, Balmer T Young & Sons Ahoghill 1169, J Millar & Son Harryville 1168, J & N Simpson Broughshane 1168, Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 1167, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1167, J Millar & Son 1163, D Stevenson Ahoghill 1163, Russell Bros Cullybackey 1161, A Darragh 1161, J & N Simpson 1159, J Ramsey Harryville 1159, W & J Smyth Ballymena 1157, J Rock Harryville 1155, Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 1154.

Mid Antrim Combine Clubs Talbenny (1) –

Ballymena & Dist HPS 17/192 – McFall & McManus 1230, G & A Eagleson 1202, J McNaghten & Son 1202, R McFall & Son 1201, McFall & McManus 1191, G & A  Eagleson 1189, 1189, M Graham 1175, McAlonan Bros 1173, W & J Smyth 1157. Ballymena 2 Bird Club – J McNaghten & Son, G & A Eagleson. Charlie McManus off the McFall & McManus partnership win the first channel race of the season from Talbenny into a north west wind. Bred by the famous Paddy McManus of Ahoghill. (Charlie’s son) breeding is Van de Wiel & Carl Boeckx. Racing to the perch this yearling Blue cock wins the club by a massive 28ypm and is favourite for Combine & Section honours. Charlie claims his first win in style in the top club, Congratulations.

Ahoghill Flying Club 12/245 – A & N Young 1196, C Young 1192, Balmer Young & Sons 1169, D Stevenson 1163, A & N Young 1152, Young McManus & Sons 1150, 1148, M/M Robinson 1140, D Stevenson 1134, J Balmer 1115. Good day for the Young Brothers. Albert notches up his first win of the season with brother Tommy who celebrates his retirement with third place. Charlie keeps it in the family with a very well deserved runner-up spot. Young Bros 1st, 2nd & 3rd – what a result!

Randalstown HPS 13/141 – Houston Bros 1190, Stewart Bros 1167, 1144, 1144, 1141, Houston Bros 1125, S Murphy 1120, W & W Gilbert 1116, Houston Bros 1112, D Logan & Son 1087.

Cullybackey HPS 15/280 – A Darragh 1186, 1172, Reid Bros & McCloy 1167, Russell Bros 1161, A Darragh 1161, H & R McCloy 1153, A Darragh 1137, W Scott 1126, A Darragh 1122, S Steele 1121.

Kells & District 12/118 – Surgenor Bros 1186, 1142, G McDowell 1132, Surgenor Bros 1120, G McDowell 11098, Surgenor Bros 1099, A Barkley & Son 1088, B Swann & Son 1087. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – G McDowell 1132, 1109, B Swann & Son 1068, Mrs M Smyth 987, R Herron & Son 936.

Harryville HPS 15/226 – J Millar & Son 1168, 1163, J Ramsey 1159, J Rock 1155, R H Clements 1136, 1135, 1124, W Jackson 1111, R H Clements 1103, A McBride 1099.

Broughshane & District 5/60 – J & N Simpson 1168, 1159, 1142, 1135, D Houston & Son 1062, 1059.

Rasharkin & District 8/107 – Steele & McNeill 1154, H Cubitt 1145, J & D Surgenor 1138, Milliken & Barkley 1113, A C & T Tweed 1113, Steele & McNeill 1092. Danny Dixon – 1190, 1143.

 

Charlie McManus of Ballymena

Charlie McManus of Ballymena

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About the author

Willie Reynolds

Covering the sport in Ireland for several years, scribe for both BHW & RP and a number of local newspapers including the News Letter (Farming Life Supplement) each Wednesday. Secretary of Ballymena & District for a number of years and currently PO for the Mighty NIPA & INFC. Watch out for the many articles/news items penned by HOMER.

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