Kings Cup Grand National - Friday 03/07/15

[willie reynolds]

Saint Allouestre King’s Cup Race Marking.
Posted on June 28, 2015
Monday 29th June 2015 @ 20:45
Weather reports received today (Monday) for Friday appear favourable to race.
Race marking will take place as planned on Tuesday 30th June.
Would all Northern based members please ensure that the race entry form is completely filled in and DARD bird register number is entered and the declaration that all pigeons have be vaccinated against PMV1 is signed.
Southern based members please ensure your Southern Irish Homing Union region number is entered on the race entry form and the declaration that all pigeons have be vaccinated against PMV1 is signed. Thank you for your cooperation.

Grand National Saint Allouestre King’s Cup Liberation
Posted on July 3, 2015
Update Friday 3rd July 2015 @ 06:30
Grand National Saint Allouestre King’s Cup sponsored by Frazers Animal Feeds
766 members have entered 2833 pigeons in the King’s Cup race and are competing for £36,850.00 in pools and prizemoney.
The pigeons have been released at 06:15 into a light east south easterly wind. On route the wind will turn to south south-easterly. I wish you all a successful race and our next update will be this evening.

Provisional top ten in todays race subject to change.
1 H & C Thorpe Boyne Valley 1632, 2 B Morgan Coalisland 1550, 3 D Barry Boyne Valley 1514, 4 N Weir Loughgall 1505, 5 J O’Brien Laytown 1503, 6 T Moran & Mooney Stillorgan 1498, 7 S Fitzgerald Oldcastle R P C 1490, 8 M Ewbanks Banbridge 1484, 9 J Downing Stillorgan 1484.6, 10 Fleming Bros Crumlin 1484.0.
Second day arrivals Lisburn 18:30 Banbridge 16:30 to 17:00 Muckamore 18.00, Wicklow 17:00 Balbriggan 20.00 Stillorgan 20.00 Cork contact station manager.

350 first day arrivals recorded. Hours of darkness 22.47 to 04.49
MUCKAMORE CENTRE TIMES
FLEMING BROS - CRUMLIN - 3.53PM - 1484
D McCLELLAND - BALLYCLARE - 4.03PM - 1476
V THOMPSON - BALLYCLARE - 4.14PM - 1447
J LINDORES & SON & NICHOLSON - WEST BELFAST - 4.08PM
A THOMPSON - BALLYCLARE - 4.21PM - 1433
J BRANIFF - FORTFIELD - 4.12PM - 1421
HOUSTON BROS - RANDALSTOWN - 4.37PM - 1405
A THOMPSON - BALLYCLARE - 4.40PM - 1390
S BONES - MUCKAMORE - 4.48PM - 1360
A THOMPSON - BALLYCLARE - 5.25PM – 1296

Balbriggan station
H Thorpe 1632
D Barry. 1514
J O Brien. 1503
S Fitzgerald. 1490
Mr & Mrs K Guildea &Son 1441
Parkin & Cairns 1413
Parkin & Cairns. 1292
B & P McEvoy. 1290
F Moran. 1278
D Coleman. 1244
Last I heard 33 birds home in station
Congratulations Herbie super performance

Feds & Combine News Update Kings Cup -

East Coast Federation St Allouestre 110/550 – H & C Thorpe Boyne Valley 1632, D Barry Boyne Valley 1514, J O’Brien Laytown & Dist 1503, Moran & Mooney Stillorgan 1498, J Dowling Stillorgan 1484, M/M K Guildea & Son Balbriggan 1441, E Barnes & Son Ballybrack 1424, Parkin & Cairns Castlebellingham 1290, R Fox Ballybrack 1393, Parkin & Cairns 1292, B & P McEvoy Castlebellingham 1290, F Moran Malahide & Dist 1278, D Coleman Castlebellingham 1244, R Fewings Rathnew 1238, G O’Reilly Malahide & Dist 1157, F Moran 1139, B & P McEvoy 1131, A Kelly Skerries 1127, J Doheny Malahide & Dist 1093, A Morgan Boyne Valley 1087. Well done H & C Thorpe and all in the result.

The fastest bird into the Newry area was a 3 year old Dark Cheq hen belonging to Gary Hughes and Son. This hen, sent sitting on eggs, has been named \'Cantona\' by the Hughes\'s who are keen Man Utd fans! Cantona is a Hutchinson Bros Soontjen of Ashfield origin. This year she was also 14th Open, 4th Section out of Bude, flying against 5,744 birds. These bloodlines have been very successful for Gary and Jordan, winning from 85 miles to 462 miles and a bird they bred was Kieran Byrne and Sons\' Blue Riband winning pigeon last year. Gary\'s son Jordan has started racing his own team this year and has taken a keen interest in the channel races. Entering only a few races, he has been 5th Section Talbenny, and was well up the result in the Yearling National Sennen Cove, taking 3 positions. Jordan timed his own Red Cheq pigeon from the Kings Cup – only its 4th race, at 8.28pm.

North South Federation Kings Cup – G Hughes & Son Newry & District 1457, Mal Maguire & Son Millvale 1379, Sands & Rice Ballyholland 1313, Sands & Rice 1282, A McAteer & Sons Ballyholland 1271, Mal Maguire & Son 1266, S & A Swindell Newry City 1222, M Gillen Newry & Dist 1220, P & C Swindell Newry City 1205, S & A Swindell 1197, R Williamson Newry & Dist 1194, Sands & Rice 1157, C O’Hare & Son Ballyholland 1138, S Curran Newry & Dist 1136, Donnelly Bros Millvale 1124.

Mid Antrim Blue Riband Kings Cup -

The INFC Blue Riband for the old birds, the Grand Nat Kings Cup was flown last Friday from St Allouestre in France. Liberation on 3rd July was at 6.15am in a Lt South Easterly wind. Pre-race predictions were for a fast race and it turned out that way with all prizes filled on the day. Randalstown completed the OB Classic double after Hugh Boyd won 1st Sect, 1st Comb and 3rd Open NIPA St Malo the week previous. This time the club result was even better with Houston Bros 1st Combine, Hugh Boyd 3rd Combine and the new partnership of Noel Percy and Sam Murphy having their best result to date finishing 4th Combine. Danny Dixon was the MAC runner-up, Sammy Steele had 1st Cullybackey, former YB Nat winner Wesley Jackson had 1st Harryville, former OB Derby winner T Shanks & Son had 1st Kells and Young McManus & Sons had 1st Ahoghill Flying Club. Good to see Harry McCloy well placed after his recent trouble and new member Billy Ramsey had the only bird in Ballymena & District in the longest race of the year flying 510 miles to Glarryford.

Randalstown HPS finished the old bird season in good style from France, in the NIPA St Malo National Old Hand Hugh Boyd timed an early arrival on the day to take 1st Club, 1st MAC, 1st Sect B and a fantastic 3rd Open NIPA. That would be nearly good enough for any club, but just one week later in the INFC Blue Riband Kings Cup the club had an even better result from St Allouestre. This time the club had three early arrivals on the day following liberation at 6.15am on Friday 3rd July. Houston Bros recorded velocity 1405 flying 497 miles to finish 1st Club, 1st MAC, 26th North Sect & 38th Open INFC 766/2833. They were followed by the new partnership of Percy Son & Murphy and Hugh Boyd, finishing 3rd & 4th in the Mid Antrim Combine.

The Blue Riband Kings Cup was flown from Saint Allouestre in France on Friday 3rd July the INFC released just short of 3,000 birds competing for £33,856 in pools and prizes at 6.15am in a helping Lt SE wind. Birds were reported in all parts of Ireland and all prizes were filled on the day a bit unusual for this prestigious event. James Walker from Ballymoney scored a best ever result, he is a lot more interested in the longer races due to his shift work arrangements with Michelin. James timed his bird at 17.09hrs recording velocity 1408 for the 523 miles finishing a good 27th in the North Sect and 37th Open INFC. Club-mate Danny Dixon who races to Ballymacaldrick Lofts in Dunloy was next best and takes the runner-up place in Mid Antrim Combine.

The best bird in the Muckamore Centre was timed by Fleming Bros of Crumlin & District, they recorded velocity 1484 for the 487 miles and finished well placed on 4th North Sect & 10th Open INFC, a good end to the old bird season for one of the top lofts in the Antrim Area.

Muckamore Centre St Allouestre – Fleming Bros Crumlin & District 1484, D McClelland Ballyclare 1476, V Thompson Ballyclare 1447, Lindores Son & Nicholson West Belfast 1434, A Thompson Ballyclare 1433, J Braniff Fortfield 1421, J Walker Ballymoney 1408, Houston Bros Randalstown 1405, A Thompson Ballyclare 1390, Percy Son & Murphy 1390, S J G Bones Muckamore 1360, D Dixon Ballymoney 1342, L & S O’Neill & Sons Larne & Dist 1326, A McNaughton Cushendall 1316, H Boyd Randalstown 1311.

Mid Antrim Combine St Allouestre – Houston Bros Randalstown 1405, D Dixon Rasharkin 1342, H Boyd Randalstown 1311, Percy Son & Murphy Randalstown 1310, S Steele Cullybackey 1249, Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 1198, W Jackson Harryville 1167, Reid Bros & McCloy 1120, A Darragh Cullybackey 1119, T Shanks & Son Kells 1101, B Swann & Son Kells 1065, Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1040, A Darragh 1040.

Club Results INFC Kings Cup
Boyne Valley – H Thorpe 1632, D Barry 1514, A Morgan 1087, D Mullen 964, J C Lynch 953.
Coalisland & District – B Morgan 1550, Garry Morgan 1371, B Morgan 1097.
Loughgall – N Weir 1505, S Corrigan 1355, J Capper 1175, W Corrigan 1109, N Weir 1105.
Laytown & District – J O’Brien 1503.
Stillorgan – Moran & Mooney 1498, J Downing 1484.
Crumlin & District – Fleming Bros 1484, K Galloway 1129.
Bondhill Social – R Williamson 1482, Capper Bros 1431, D Calvin 1409, 1211, 1209, R Williamson 1122, M Robinson 1093.
Monaghan 10/34 – P Tierney 1477, G Swift 903, J Graham 619, Cooney Bros 588, B Corley 527, Allister & Kruger 476. Well done Peter, Top 20 finish!
Annaghmore – J & E Calvin 1459, G Buckley & Sons 1443, W G Neill 1426, P Boyd 1342, W G Neill 1307, G Buckley & Sons 1216, B & M McGilly 1204, G Buckley & Sons 1199, T McClean 1193, A Cherry 1094, H Cordner 1088, R Telford 1047.
Edgarstown 10/35 – T & A Ford 1459, S & E Buckley 1425, M Hughes 1413, P & D Stewart 1383, G & T Ritchie 1358, R Bell & Sons 1351, 1342, M Hughes 1078. Well done to Tommy Ford on winning the biggest race of the season, also to all who clocked. In the Kings Cup “Champion Katie” won 16th Open, 9th North Sec, 1st Club plus second in the Single Bird Challenge winning a Diploma.
Beechpark Social – R Bothwell 1453, 1177, Dando & Bennett 1146, D Mawhinney & Son 1071. Congratulations to Dando & Bennett on winning the very much sought after and difficult to win Hall of Fame award.
Lagan Valley – A & R Milliken & Brady 1452, 1452, S McAllister & Sons 1388, 1387, B & H Spence 1169, H Elliott & Son 1149, B & H Spence 1117, Smyth & Adams 1080.
Balbriggan – M/M K Guildea 1441, N Grant & Sons 982, C Reid 928, P J Corcoran & Son 865.
West Belfast – J Lindores Son & Nicholson 1434, S Jordan 1030.
Ballybrack – E Barnes & Son 1424, R Fox 1393, P Kennedy & Son 1073, O Donovan 910.
Fortfield – J Braniff 1421.
Castlebellingham – Parkin & Cairns 1413, 1292, P & B McEvoy 1290, D Coleman 1244, P & B McEvoy 1131, D Coleman 1083, McKeown & McEvoy 970, N Briscoe 909, A & M McAuley 890.
Ballymoney 8/29 – J Walker 1408, D Dixon 1342., W & L McCaw 687, W McCaw 594, A Gage 586, J Walker 554, W McCaw 407. James Walker had the best bird in the local club recording his arrival at 17.09 hrs on the day flying 523 miles.
Dervock RPS 4/17 – J Walker 1408, W & L McCaw 687, W McCaw 594, J Walker 554, W McCaw 407.
Randalstown 8/20 – Houston Bros 1405, H Boyd 1311, Percy Son & Murphy 1310, H Boyd 719, 584.
Wheatfield – J & D Braniff 1385, 1276, 1174.
Armagh – P Tennyson 1378, G & A Campbell 1034.
Gilford & District – T Wilson 1375, Dillon & Morrow 1314, Fitzpatrick & Hyde 1044.
Dungannon – K Shannon 1374, C Reid 1365, G & H Boyd 1028.
Arklow United RPC 15/57 – J Annesley & Sons 1366, G & M Doyle 1319, Kenna & Finn 1234, M & J O’Reilly 897, P Lambert 814, T Hobbs 527, P Lambert 502, T Kavanagh 490, B & N Costello 455, E E & S Kavanagh 452.
Muckamore – S J G Bones 1360.
Blackwatertown – J Brown 1358, Collins & Douglas 1317, R G & G Donaldson 1142, 1082.
Grosvenor – S O’Halloran & Son 1340, P O’Neill & Son 1227, M Black 1079.
Markethill – G Hewitt 1322.
Wilton Cross – C J & B Ferris 1287, T Bell.
Malahide & District – F Moran 1278, G O’Reilly 1157, F Moran 1139, J Doheny 1093, 1068, G O’Brien & Daughters 1039, B Harris 914.
Cullybackey – S Steele 1249, Reid Bros & McCloy 1198, 1120, A Darragh 1119, 1040.
Portadown & Drumcree – Sloan & Reid & Sons 1239, Matchett Bros 1173, A McDonald 1132, Hagan & Rowney 896. Congratulation to Francie and all who clocked from St Allouestre.
Rathnew – R Fewings 1238.
Corrigs 4/14 – W B Shaw 1217, 992, 662, 555.
Cookstown Social – G Marshall 1215.
Harryville – W Jackson 1167.
Andersonstown – P & K Braniff 1140, O & M Monaghan 1015.
Skerries 11/41 – A Kelly 1127, P Rock & Son 1041, T Fay 917, B Walton 852, P Rock & Son 633, 529, Walton Family 527, P Rock & Son 445. Well done Art, having a great year on the channel.
Kells & District – T Shanks & Son 1101, B Swann & Son 1065.
Ahoghill Flying Club – M/M Robinson 1093, Young McManus & Sons 1040, C Young 644, 592, 513.
Shankill & District – J Wallace & Son 1079.
Laurelvale – A Neill 1024.
Bray South End – Fitzpatrick & Hughes 1017, E O’Toole & Sons 994, J Cowap 973.
Amelia Earhart – E Quigley 1005.
Gorey RPC - Paddy McCabe 528, James Whittaker 494, Paddy McCabe 418, Fran & James Crowe 379.

[willie reynolds]

Feds & Combine News Update -

East Coast Federation St Allouestre 110/550 – H & C Thorpe Boyne Valley 1632, D Barry Boyne Valley 1514, J O’Brien Laytown & Dist 1503, Moran & Mooney Stillorgan 1498, J Dowling Stillorgan 1484, M/M K Guildea & Son Balbriggan 1441, E Barnes & Son Ballybrack 1424, Parkin & Cairns Castlebellingham 1290, R Fox Ballybrack 1393, Parkin & Cairns 1292, B & P McEvoy Castlebellingham 1290, F Moran Malahide & Dist 1278, D Coleman Castlebellingham 1244, R Fewings Rathnew 1238, G O’Reilly Malahide & Dist 1157, F Moran 1139, B & P McEvoy 1131, A Kelly Skerries 1127, J Doheny Malahide & Dist 1093, A Morgan Boyne Valley 1087. Well done H & C Thorpe and all in the result.

The fastest bird into the Newry area was a 3 year old Dark Cheq hen belonging to Gary Hughes and Son. This hen, sent sitting on eggs, has been named \'Cantona\' by the Hughes\'s who are keen Man Utd fans! Cantona is a Hutchinson Bros Soontjen of Ashfield origin. This year she was also 14th Open, 4th Section out of Bude, flying against 5,744 birds. These bloodlines have been very successful for Gary and Jordan, winning from 85 miles to 462 miles and a bird they bred was Kieran Byrne and Sons\' Blue Riband winning pigeon last year. Gary\'s son Jordan has started racing his own team this year and has taken a keen interest in the channel races. Entering only a few races, he has been 5th Section Talbenny, and was well up the result in the Yearling National Sennen Cove, taking 3 positions. Jordan timed his own Red Cheq pigeon from the Kings Cup – only its 4th race, at 8.28pm

North South Federation Kings Cup – G Hughes & Son Newry & District 1457, Mal Maguire & Son Millvale 1379, Sands & Rice Ballyholland 1313, Sands & Rice 1282, A McAteer & Sons Ballyholland 1271, Mal Maguire & Son 1266, S & A Swindell Newry City 1222, M Gillen Newry & Dist 1220, P & C Swindell Newry City 1205, S & A Swindell 1197, R Williamson Newry & Dist 1194, Sands & Rice 1157, C O’Hare & Son Ballyholland 1138, S Curran Newry & Dist 1136, Donnelly Bros Millvale 1124.

Blue Riband Kings Cup -
The INFC Blue Riband for the old birds, the Grand Nat Kings Cup was flown last Friday from St Allouestre in France. Liberation on 3rd July was at 6.15am in a Lt South Easterly wind. Pre-race predictions were for a fast race and it turned out that way with all prizes filled on the day. Randalstown completed the OB Classic double after Hugh Boyd won 1st Sect, 1st Comb and 3rd Open NIPA St Malo the week previous. This time the club result was even better with Houston Bros 1st Combine, Hugh Boyd 3rd Combine and the new partnership of Noel Percy and Sam Murphy having their best result to date finishing 4th Combine. Danny Dixon was the MAC runner-up, Sammy Steele had 1st Cullybackey, former YB Nat winner Wesley Jackson had 1st Harryville, former OB Derby winner T Shanks & Son had 1st Kells and Young McManus & Sons had 1st Ahoghill Flying Club. Good to see Harry McCloy well placed after his recent trouble and new member Billy Ramsey had the only bird in Ballymena & District in the longest race of the year flying 510 miles to Glarryford.

Randalstown HPS finished the old bird season in good style from France, in the NIPA St Malo National Old Hand Hugh Boyd timed an early arrival on the day to take 1st Club, 1st MAC, 1st Sect B and a fantastic 3rd Open NIPA. That would be nearly good enough for any club, but just one week later in the INFC Blue Riband Kings Cup the club had an even better result from St Allouestre. This time the club had three early arrivals on the day following liberation at 6.15am on Friday 3rd July. Houston Bros recorded velocity 1405 flying 497 miles to finish 1st Club, 1st MAC, 26th North Sect & 38th Open INFC 766/2833. They were followed by the new partnership of Percy Son & Murphy and Hugh Boyd, finishing 3rd & 4th in the Mid Antrim Combine.

The Blue Riband Kings Cup was flown from Saint Allouestre in France on Friday 3rd July the INFC released just short of 3,000 birds competing for £33,856 in pools and prizes at 6.15am in a helping Lt SE wind. Birds were reported in all parts of Ireland and all prizes were filled on the day a bit unusual for this prestigious event. James Walker from Ballymoney scored a best ever result, he is a lot more interested in the longer races due to his shift work arrangements with Michelin. James timed his bird at 17.09hrs recording velocity 1408 for the 523 miles finishing a good 27th in the North Sect and 37th Open INFC. Club-mate Danny Dixon who races to Ballymacaldrick Lofts in Dunloy was next best and takes the runner-up place in Mid Antrim Combine.

The best bird in the Muckamore Centre was timed by Fleming Bros of Crumlin & District, they recorded velocity 1484 for the 487 miles and finished well placed on 4th North Sect & 10th Open INFC, a good end to the old bird season for one of the top lofts in the Antrim Area.

Muckamore Centre St Allouestre – Fleming Bros Crumlin & District 1484, D McClelland Ballyclare 1476, V Thompson Ballyclare 1447, Lindores Son & Nicholson West Belfast 1434, A Thompson Ballyclare 1433, J Braniff Fortfield 1421, J Walker Ballymoney 1408, Houston Bros Randalstown 1405, A Thompson Ballyclare 1390, Percy Son & Murphy 1390, S J G Bones Muckamore 1360, D Dixon Ballymoney 1342, L & S O’Neill & Sons Larne & Dist 1326, A McNaughton Cushendall 1316, H Boyd Randalstown 1311.

Mid Antrim Combine St Allouestre – Houston Bros Randalstown 1405, D Dixon Rasharkin 1342, H Boyd Randalstown 1311, Percy Son & Murphy Randalstown 1310, S Steele Cullybackey 1249, Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 1198, W Jackson Harryville 1167, Reid Bros & McCloy 1120, A Darragh Cullybackey 1119, T Shanks & Son Kells 1101, B Swann & Son Kells 1065, Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1040, A Darragh 1040.

Club Results St Allouestre –
Crumlin & District – Fleming Bros 1484, K Galloway 1129.
Ballymoney 8/29 – J Walker 1408, D Dixon 1342., W & L McCaw 687, W McCaw 594, A Gage 586, J Walker 554, W McCaw 407. James Walker had the best bird in the local club recording his arrival at 17.09 hrs on the day flying 523 miles.
Dervock RPS 4/17 – J Walker 1408, W & L McCaw 687, W McCaw 594, J Walker 554, W McCaw 407.
Randalstown 8/20 – Houston Bros 1405, H Boyd 1311, Percy Son & Murphy 1310, H Boyd 719, 584.
Muckamore – S J G Bones 1360.
Cullybackey – S Steele 1249, Reid Bros & McCloy 1198, 1120, A Darragh 1119, 1040.
Harryville – W Jackson 1167.
Kells & District – T Shanks & Son 1101, B Swann & Son 1065.
Ahoghill Flying Club – M/M Robinson 1093, Young McManus & Sons 1040.
Ballymena & District HPS – Billy Ramsey.

Tommie Cotter -
We had the very sad news this week that Tom Cotter had passed away at home in Cullybackey after a short period in hospital. The King as he enjoyed being called was an ace racer going back many years, winning top prizes in all the clubs he raced in including Harryville, Randalstown and Ahoghill. Not only could he race a bit, he enjoyed the Show Season and was often called to judge at the various local events. In 2013 he covered the Eye-sign Class at the Ballymena & District, he was a big follower of this subject and enjoyed the debate and craic big time. The King will be sadly missed, sincere condolences to his partner Rosemary and the girls Alicia and Amanda, and the entire Family Circle.

Photo Captions –
Fleming Bros of Crumlin & Dist had the best local bird home in the Kings Cup.
Houston Bros from Randalstown had 1st MAC in the Kings Cup.
Noel Percy (l) and Sam Murphy from Randalstown, well placed in the Kings Cup.
Hugh Boyd from Randalstown had top results in both races from France.
Photo Caption – The late Tommie Cotter (l) at Ballymena with President Billy Smyth.

[willie reynolds]

IRISH NATIONAL FLYING CLUB
Kings Cup – Saint Allouestre

2015 has been a much better year for racing pigeons than 2014 and while the entry for the King’s Cup race was only very slightly up on last years, returns were much improved with over 350 birds on the day and many more on the second day. While last year’s King’s Cup race had the highest entry since 1996 and this year’s increase I think there is a movement in Ireland to a return to distance racing. With the good returns this year from all three French races there will be a lot more experienced pigeons about for 2015, which can only be a good thing.

The birds were liberated at 6.15am on Friday 3rd July in a light east, south-easterly wind which was to turn south, south-easterly on route. We knew therefore that this was going to be a fast race and those who had gone to work on the Friday faced a race of their own to get home in time for the birds arriving. 766 members had entered a total of 2,833 pigeons to compete for the most coveted prize in pigeon racing in Ireland – the King George V Challenge Cup. They were also competing for a total of £33,856 in pools and prizemoney. When word of early times began to filter through it became apparent that the early times were Herbie Thorpe in Ashbourne racing in the Boyne Valley club and Brendan Morgan in Coalisland who timed at 1.55pm and 3.30pm respectively. When the results were announced it was Herbie Thorpe who was the clear winner on a record velocity of 1632. The Harkness Rose Bowl for the best two bird average was won by Milliken and Brady from Lagan Valley who timed two birds almost together to take 19th and 20th Open. There was only one Hall of fame winner this year - Dando and Bennett Beach Park whose bird was 196th Open in 2013, 18th Open last year and 171st this year. The Joe Doheny Cup for the Single Bird Challenge was won by John Downing. The race was sponsored by Frazer Animal Feeds and we are very grateful to them for their continued sponsorship of this race.

1st South Section, 1st Open H & C Thorpe Boyne Valley, Vel 1632, Flying 426 miles, Winning £3,695, King George V Challenge Cup, and J Cullen Memorial Cup for 1st East Coast Fed member

The winners of the King’s Cup this year are Herbie and Caitlin Thorpe, Boyne Valley, a club that can now boast two consecutive King’s Cup winners as lat year’s winners B & P McEvoy are also members of this competitive club. While last year’s winner recorded a velocity of 654, Herbie’s winning velocity was 1632. Having been 34th Open in the Yearling National last year Herbie was determined to improve upon that this year. He attended the Irish National Flying Club prize night last year with the McEvoys and said that he would like to go back this year this year to collect a trophy himself. Well they don’t come any better than this Herbie! Herbie started to race pigeons as a young lad 27 years ago in the Dublin North East club, as they had a successful junior section.

This year’s King’s Cup winner is a two-year-old pied hen sent to the race sitting on a three-day-old youngster. She had been raced on the roundabout until after the Skibbereen National at the end of May and then paired with this race in mind. The sire is from Gerry McCourt and is out of his ‘Rocket’ hen, winner of the Young Bird of the Year Award in the Irish South Road Fed in 1998, while the dam is from Davy Hutchinson, Ashfield, a former National winner himself, and is down from ‘The Imprezza’. She had seven inland races this year including, 1st club Owenahincha (173 miles), Bude, and Penzance when she was 3rd club. She was timed in the Yearling National last year but was just outside the prizes. She was trained every day when racing inland and then rested until the Bude race. She received no further training after that. Feeding is Versele Laga PLX and they are given as much as they want as they are worked hard. Herbie is well known in the Boyne Valley area as he runs his own transporter and he was overwhelmed by the messages of congratulations he received following the race. Herbie told me that he is indebted to his loft manager and friend Kenneth McMorrow for all his help. He also receives great support from his partner Gill and his kids. I believe Caitlin has become an expert with the scraper.


Herbie Thorpe, Boyne Valley - 1st South Sect & 1st Open INFC Kings Cup

1st North section, 2nd Open Brendan Morgan, Coalisland, Vel 1550, Flying 488miles, winning £605 and the Nelson Vase for the 1st RPRA member after the winner of the King’s Cup and the NIPA Trophy for 1st NIPA member

In 1st North section, 2nd Open is Brendan Morgan of the Coalisland club timing at 3.30pm for the 488 miles fly. Brendan is a relative newcomer to the sport having just started to race in 2011, although he had pigeons back in the 90s when he was a young lad. He used to visit club mate on race days to wait for the pigeons and he got the bug to race again. When Mickey Hamilton went out of pigeons Brendan got pigeons from him and these have done very well including 5th and 6th Open NIPA Talbenny and 21st Open NIPA Bude in 2014. He followed that up this year with 4th Open NIPA Bude and 96th Open St Malo the week before the King’s Cup. Brendan said that Mickey was very good to him not only with the pigeons he gave him but also with the good advice he provided. Brendan had a very consistent season in 2014 and was just pipped for the section Fancier of the Year in the old birds.

The pigeon winning the North section here and taking 2nd Open is a two-year-old smokey hen, racing roundabout. Prior to basketing for this race she saw her cock for 20 minutes, which is longer than he would normally show them. The sire is a Lefre Dhaenen which was bought at a sale in Lisburn while the dam, a Busschaert was bought at a sale in the Grosvenor club in Belfast on behalf of the late Frank Toner. This two-year-old hen got every race this year except Bude and St Malo and she was in Roscrea on the day of the St Malo race. She was given seven tosses before the first race and no further training after that as the birds are flown around the house mornings and evenings. She had always been a steady racer and her brother won from Mallow last year. When Brendan got back from the clock station he had another bird home to take 197th Open, although he lost an hour with this one as his system doesn’t have a continuous timing facility. He followed this up with 18th Open in the Friendship National a week after the King’s Cup.


Brendan Morgan of Coalisland, 1st North Sect & 2nd Open INFC

2nd South section, 3rd Open D Barry Boyne Valley, Vel 1514, flying 419 miles, winning £1,492, the Gilliland Cup for the first IHU member after the winner.

3rd Open goes to another member of the Boyne Valley club, Donal Barry. Originally from Cork, Donal started racing there in 1973 and has been racing on and off since. Donal now lives in Ratoath, in Co Meath, north of Dublin. The pigeon timed here is a two-year-old hen sent sitting on a four-day-old youngster. She had flown through to Penzance as a young bird and to the Yearling National last year. This hen wasn’t raced this year at all but she had been trained constantly on her own from Cork (150 miles) four times and two weeks prior to the King’s Cup from Arklow (55 miles) three times a day for five days. The week before basketing she was rested and wasn’t let out of the loft at all. The sire is a direct son of N Black & Son’s ‘Rocky’, when paired to his half sister. The dam is off the Lloyd Bros of Wrexham’s great Busschaert hen, ‘Number 13’, who has bred many winning birds for them including 4th North Coast Classsic One loft race. Donal is a firm believer of regularly testing his pigeons to make sure that they are in the best condition possible, and he doesn’t believe in blind treating the pigeons for various ailments if they don’t need it. To this end Donal went about setting up his own testing laboratory which is now fully licensed and regulated with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.


Donal Barry of Boyne Valley, 2nd South Sect & 3rd Open INFC

2nd North section, 4th Open N Weir Loughall, Vel 1505, Flying 480 miles, winning £1245 and the McCloud Cup for 1st Yearling in the King’s Cup result

4th Open goes to the Loughall lofts of Nelson Weir. This loft has been in tip top form all year having won section E in the NIPA three times including twice on the same day from Roscarberry and Roscrea when he was 1st and 2nd Open NIPA from Roscrea. The pigeon timed here is a blue yearling cock that was 49th Open NIPA St Malo the week before this race, so that was over 900 miles in 8 days. Nelson said that he was in such good form on returning from St Malo that he just had to go back. He has now been called ‘Just a Boy’ as he is still so young. His sister, another yearling, was 25th Open Friendship National on the Friday just following the King’s Cup. Breeding is very much their own old breeding which is from Tracey Andrews, Brighton. A pigeon similarly bred to this one was 2nd in the Penzance Jubilee Classic with the NIPA in 2012. The cock at 4th Open here won twice as a young bird. He was raced roundabout for the earlier part of the season and then was down on eggs for the French races. Nelson doesn’t usually train the birds much after the racing starts as they exercise well at home. Feeding is a Versele Laga widowhood mix. Nelson said his daughter Cindy has been a great help this year and she does most of the scraping


Nelson Weir of Loughgall, 2nd North Sect & 4th Open INFC

3rd South section, 5th Open J O’Brien Laytown & District, Vel 1503, Flying 427 miles, winning £1766

3rd South section, 5th Open goes to Jason O’Brien of the Laytown & District club, a wonderful result for Jason as this is the first time he clocked a pigeon from France. Jason has been racing on and off since 1984. He went to Denmark in 1996 and returned in 2000 and has been racing since. The pigeon timed is a two-year-old blue cheq w/f cock sent sitting on a five-day- old youngster. This year he had two inland races, then 2nd Talbenny where he was 2nd club. After that he was trained from Malahide (20 miles), where Jason works and he was able to let the birds up in threes and fours. The sire is from Burns Bros, Comber and is from their ‘Dolly’ lines. The dam is from the late Peter McEnteggart, Drogheda and is from his French lines. The bird wasn’t raced as a young bird but was trained to Arklow (65 miles). Last year he was in the Yearling National but just missed out on the prizes. This year Jason noticed that he was in great form coming up to the French races and opted for this race to send him to. Feeding is Beattie’s Number One and Versele Laga Star Plus. Jason asked me to thank all the fanciers who called to congratulate him and to pass on his congratulations to the winner, Herbie Thorpe.


Jason O\'Brien of Laytown & District, 3rd South Sect & 5th Open INFC

4th South section, 6th Open Moran & Mooney Stillorgan, Vel 1498, flying 401 miles, winning £457

We go to the Stillorgan club in Dublin for 4th South section, 6th Open to the lofts of Terry Moran & Paul Mooney. This is the first year that Tony and Paul have been in partnership and this was a wonderful start to that partnership. The day of the race was actually Terry’s birthday and he reckons he won’t get any better birthday presents than this. He had just got home from work and was settling down to a cup of tea in the back garden when the pigeon arrived and it was fortunate he was home as the bird didn’t register as it went in so he had to drop his tea and run to catch it to put it over the pad again. The pigeon timed is a blue yearling cock sent sitting 14 days on eggs. The breeding is Lindelauf through Richard Budd from Burton on Trent and these birds have done well for them this year. He had all the inland races except for the Skibbereen National this year plus Talbenny. Terry and Paul trained the birds with Andy Kelly to Baltinglass (35 miles). The week before the King’s Cup they were 16th and 49th Open East Coast Fed from St Malo. The birds started off on the widowhood but as they were short of hens they were paired up after a few weeks and stock birds were used to mate with the racers.


Terry Moran of Moran & Mooney, Stillorgan - 4th South Sect & 6th Open INFC

5th South section, 7th Open S Fitzgerald Oldcastle, Vel 1490, flying 462 miles, winning £931 and the Billy Ingle Trophy for 1st Irish South Road Federation pigeon in King’s Cup

5th South section 7th Open is Stephen Fitzgerald of the Oldcastle club in Co Cavan. I think that this is the first time that a pigeon from Co Cavan has featured in a National result and with a few fanciers there showing an increased interest in National racing I’m sure it won’t be the last. The pigeon timed is a yearling hen sent sitting on a ten-day-old youngster, which was given to her on her return from Penzance. This was only her third race ever as she wasn’t raced as a young bird. Her first race was from Pilmore Beach and then she had Penzance before being sent to the King’s Cup. While not raced as a young bird she was well trained. Stephen likes to train them from the east coast and would take them to Drogheda (45 miles), Balbriggan (50 miles), Dublin (60 miles) and Bray (70 miles). She had the same again this year prior to the Pilmore Beach race, including some single tosses. The sire is Van Loon and the dam is Flor Ingle, both from Ken Perry, Northside RPC. Stephen originally raced in the Northside club before moving to Cavan. Feeding is 60% barley and 40% racing mix before racing, with the racing mix increased as the racing progresses. The birds are hopper fed from Penzance with sunflower seeds and peanuts added.


Stephen Fitzgerald of Oldcastle in Co Cavan, 5th South Sect & 7th Open INFC

3rd North section, 8th Open M Ewbanks Banbridge, Vel 1484.80, flying 470 miles, winning £2,093

We move to the Banbridge club for 3rd North section, 8th Open to Mark Ewbanks. Mark is another one of a batch of and coming fanciers who is making a name for himself in pigeon circles. The pigeon timed here now known as ‘Hannah’, is a five-year-old hen racing on roundabout. This one is from Mark’s number one stock pair. The sire is a Soontjens x Van loon from clubmate P Byrne, while the dam is Mark’s good hen that was timed twice on the day from the King’s Cup including 17th Open, before being put to stock. Her sire is a grandson of R Carson & Son’s Dinard winner. He is also a grandson of Jim Biss’ ‘Bend’, Pau Grand National winner. There is also Davy Hutchinson, Ashfield Soontjens lines here too. This is her third time in the King’s Cup. In 2012 having been 2nd club, 54th Open NIPA Bude, she went on to take 22nd Open King’s Cup. In 2013 she returned from the race badly hawked and just out of the result. In 2014 she was given a year off and put back on the road this year to take 8th Open. This year she was given inland races up to and including Roscarberry, and then Bude when she was 1st club, 201st Open NIPA. It was then that Mark knew she was bang on form. After Bude she received a couple of tosses from Skerries with Timmy Mawhinney on Saturdays. Feeding is a high fat diet and protein is added when Mark thinks they need it.


Mark Ewbanks of Banbridge, 3rd North Sect & 8th Open INFC

6th South section, 9th Open, J Downing Stillorgan, Vel 1484.64, flying 395miles, winning £383

We go back to the Stillorgan club to the lofts of John Downing for our bird at 6th South section, 9th Open. This bird is a two-year-old blue hen sent sitting 10 days on eggs. This bird was a gift bird from John’s neighbour Peter Kennedy of the Shankill club in Dublin. Unfortunately Peter passed away three weeks ago. The pigeon, now called ‘Kennedy’ as a fitting tribute to Peter, is the winner of the Single bird Challenge. The dam is an extreme distance hen while the sire is from Carson Lyons, Hillsborough, and flew France four times for Peter. Although quite late bred this two-year-old hen had two or three races as a young bird. Last year she flew Penzance and was 13 hours on the wing but she returned so fresh that John knew she had something about her. That was her only channel race before the King’s Cup. This year she had six inland races as far as Skibbereen. John trained the birds prior to the first race and then they were just flown at home. She had one 10 mile toss two days before basketing for the King’s Cup and flew north to south into a head wind. Feeding is Beattie’s Champion Supreme from Bill Davies with a few peanuts added for a few days before the race.


John Dowling and family from Stillorgan 6th South Sect & 9th Open Kings Cup

4th North section, 10th Open Fleming Bros Crumlin, Vel 1484.09, flying 487 miles, winning £533

4th North section, 10th Open are Jimmy and Ian Fleming, racing as Fleming Bros from Crumlin, Co Antrim. The Crumlin club has a super record from French racing and was the home of such well known National racers Bob Harkness and Kirker Porter. Jimmy and Ian themselves come from a family steeped in Irish National Flying club success as their father won the Friendship National in 1973 and also a Young Bird National in 1953. They have been NIPA section B Fanciers of The Year in five out of the last seven years and were second Open NIPA young bird Talbenny a couple of years ago. The pigeon timed here is a two-year-old cheq hen sent sitting on eggs 13 days and with her first flight half way up. Her sire was purchased from Geoff Kirkland while the dam is Huybrecht x Deweerdt from E & A Morris from Liverpool Fed. This year the hen had four inland races and the first Talbenny. She was in Roscrea on the Saturday before basketing as Jimmy and Ian felt she needed a toss. Always a steady racer she was in the top two or three birds to the loft in a few races. She was trained very little with just a couple of ten mile tosses. Feeding is Versele Laga widowhood throughout the racing season.
I would like to all who helped with photographs. I would also like to thank all those who helped at the marking station and the clock centres, and Frazer Animal Feeds for their sponsorship of this race.


Fleming Bros of Crumlin, 4th North Sect & 10th Open INFC Kings Cup.

Brendan McLoughlin
INFC Press Officer