Broughshane loft tops Mid Antrim in OB Nat –
The NIPA faced with a terrible weather forecast for Saturday made a mid-week decision to bring the Inland Nat forward by one day and got the best race of the season to date. Some fanciers were unable to compete due to working conditions, it really is impossible to cater for everyone and some miss out. Birds were race marked on Thursday and released in Rosscarbery at 9.15am in a Lt NE wind on Friday 17th May. The best bird locally was recorded by J & N Simpson in Broughshane at 3.30pm flying 256 miles to record velocity 1201, timing a 3 year old Jan Aarden hen. It was a close finish for the runner-up place with Alan Darragh 1st Cullybackey (1188) for 5 wins on the trot, George McDowell 1st Kells (1187) the MAC winner last week, W & J Smyth 1st Ballymena (1187) and T & M Morrow Kells on 1186. The above lofts fill the top positions in the Mid Antrim Combine with 620 birds competing.
Mid Antrim Combine Rosscarbery 72/620 – J & N Simpson Broughshane 1201, A Darragh Cullybackey 1188, G McDowell Kells 1187, W & J Smyth Ballymena 1187, T& M Morrow Kells 1186, J & N Simpson 1183, D Dixon Rasharkin 1181, B Swann & Son Kells 1178, D & H Kirkpatrick Cullybackey 1172, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1172, K & K Kernohan Harryville 1172, D Dixon 1162, Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1161, W & J Smyth 1160, A Darragh 1160, Young McManus & Sons 1158, G Gilmour Ballymena 1158, A Darragh 1158, Steele & McNeill Rasaharkin 1157, B Swann & Son 1157, B Swann & Son 1156, J Millar & Son Harryville 1155, D Dixon 1154, A Darragh 1154.
Mid Antrim Combine Clubs Rosscarbery –
Broughshane & Dist 3/23 – J & N Simpson 1201, 1183, A Purvis 1130, D Houston & Son 1101, A Purvis 970. J & N Simpson top the club and the Cullybackey Centre with a Jan Aarden hen timed at 15.30hrs flying 256 miles.
Cullybackey HPS 11/108 – A Darragh 1188, D & H Kirkpatrick 1172, A Darragh 1160, 1158, 1154, 1151, Reid Bros & McCloy 1146, 1142, A Darragh 1141, Reid Bros & McCloy 1109, A Darragh 1109, Russell Bros 1106.
Kells & District 8/92 – G McDowell 1187, T & M Morrow 1186, B Swann & Son 1178, 1157, 1156, T & M Morrow 1139, Scott & Clements 1137, 1137. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – G McDowell 1187, T & M Morrow 1186, B Swann & Son 1157, 1129, G McDowell 1114.
Ballymena & Dist 14/84 – W & J Smyth 1187, 1160, G Gilmour 1158, M/M M Sempey 1143, R McFall & Son 1120, G Gilmour 1116, M/M M Sempey 1100, G & A Eagleson 1100, 1090, Blair & Rankin 1086. The ever consistent partnership of W & J Smyth take the Red Card in the first Nat race from Rosscarbery. With a beautiful sunny day and a light north east wind this yearling widowhood cock put in a great performance to win 1st Club and 4th Centre doing velocity1187. The cock was 5th Club last week and was strongly fancied. Congratulations on your first win of the season.
Ballykeel Invitation – K & K Kernohan 1172, M/M M Sempey 1143, K & K Kernohan 1116, M/M M Sempey 1100. K & K Kernohan 1078, M/M M Sempey 1066.
Randalstown HPS 9/68 – Stewart Bros 1172, J Millar 1153, H Boyd 1147, Stewart Bros 1139, D Logan & Son 1119, J Millar 1111, FJ & G Dickey 1111, 1110. J Millar 1106, D Logan & Son 1104.
Harryville HPS 10/68 – K & K Kernohan 1172, J Millar & Son 1155, J Rock 1120, 1117, G Price 1117, K & K Kernohan 1116, J Millar & Son 1116, L Mullan 1110, B Ramsey 1094, J Millar & Son 1084. Keith Kernohan from Ballykeel has his first winner of the year timed at 15.37hrs, the 2 year old Cheq cock is from Paddy Vermeerbergen Van Reet paired to a Ponderosa Van Loon inbred to Beach Boy. This line has now produced 13 x 1sts for himself and others, sire and g/sire to top winners in both Club & Combine.
Ahoghill FC 9/94 – Young McManus & Sons 1161, 1158, J Smyth & Son 1150, A & N Young 1142, Young McManus & Sons 1137, 1137, 1134, 1133, 1126, J Balmer 1126. Seven in the top 10 for Paddy McManus including the winner.
Rasharkin & District 8/95 – Steele & McNeill 1157, 1145, Milliken & Barkley 1130, Steele & McNeill 1119, Milliken & Barkley 1117, J & D Surgenor 1106, W McFetridge 1090, H Cubitt 1085, 1047, A C & T Tweed 1037. Steele & McNeill win with a Kevin van Gaskel widowhood cock, this cock was runner up last week and wins for the second time, previously winning Talbenny last season. Danny Dixon – 1181.052, 1162.088, 1154.546, 1130.732. Race kindly sponsored by Finvoy Tyre Services.
