Flying into the NW - St Malo 29/07/12

[willie reynolds]

Well folks, that’s it for another year, as far as old birds go anyway. The final race of the N.I.P.A. old bird programme saw the birds competing in the Blue Riband event which is the St. Malo old bird National.

The birds were released on Friday 29th June at 6.00 am in St. Malo, in a south westerly wind and for everyone competing, the long wait had started. As with every year, many try but few succeed.

Sixty eight birds were sent from the Derry centre this year, and at the time of writing the article, only nine very game and very courageous birds had made it home.

The first bird home this year, and the only day bird in Derry, belongs to the partnership of Mc Gettigan Bros who fly in the Maiden City club. John and Edward live about ten miles from Derry in the village of Burndennet, which is on the way to Strabane. The partnership also timed from St.Malo last year, and with four entries this year, expectations were high. Sure enough they clocked their yearling hen at 7.20 pm to win their club, the Derry Fed and also, second section. The hen was sitting an eight day old young bird, and last year had flown Talbenny for the partnership. A really outstanding fly for John and Edward and very well deserved indeed.

With no other day birds, attentions turned to Saturday, when we had a few early morning arrivals. And it was no surprise at all, to see just who had clocked the next morning, as all three fanciers are no strangers when it comes to clocking from the big one. The first next day arrival belonged to French ace Martin Healy, who clocked at 6.50 am to take second in the Maiden City club as well as second bird in Derry. Martin’s pigeon was down off his double French hen. Close behind we have the old master Noel Mc Grotty, who timed at 7.13 am. Noel takes first in the Foyle club, and is the third bird in Derry. Shortly after 8.00 am Colm Mc Conomy clocked his bird, which had flown St. Malo last year as well. Colm takes first spot in the Derry and District club and is the fourth bird in Derry. A super fly by these three fanciers, as their birds couldn’t have been far from home after the first day.

As the second day progressed, news of the other game birds that had made it home, started to filter through. Gerry Mc Cauley from the Strabane club was next to clock, closely followed by another well known channel flyer Eamon Quigley who wins the Rock club. Next in was Derek Simpson who wins the Londonderry club, followed closely by Billy Page, another member from the Maiden City club. The last arrival that I know of was a second pigeon for Martin Healy, who must be over the moon to get two from his seven entries.

A mention also, for John Mc Cool from the Limavady club who also timed early on the second morning. I don’t have John’s velocity as yet, but I do know that Johns winner is the pigeon that won the Section for him from Bude two weeks ago. Another super channel pigeon.

Congratulations to everyone who clocked and those who won their individual clubs. A special word of congratulation to the Mc Gettigan Bros partnership, a super fly and a very special yearling hen. And here’s to next year, when we all get to try again.

The running order for the Derry centre then looks like this;
1st Mc Gettigan Bros ( Maiden City ) 1134, 2nd P + M Healy ( Maiden City ) 778, 3rd Noel Mc Grotty ( Foyle ) 756, 4th Colm Mc Conomy ( Derry and District ) 726, 5th Gerry Mc Cauley ( Strabane ) 717, 6th Eamon Quigley ( Rock ) 701, 7th Derek Simpson ( Londonderry ) 613, 8th Billy Page ( Maiden City ) 611, 9th P + M Healy ( Maiden City ) 535.

billyknox@btinternet.com