Farming Life - Wednesday 18/07/12

[willie reynolds]

Malo in France. This loft is no stranger to the long distance results, highly successful over many years and the winner of the INFC Kings Cup in 2005 when the race was flown from Messac. His Kings Cup bloodlines were involved with this latest winner, a Cheq Pied 2year old hen sent sitting 14 days on eggs was timed at 14.57hrs flying 448 miles. Sire is a grand-son of “Mowo” his Kings Cup winner and the dam is a daughter of his good breeding hen “May” that contains Eddie McKnight’s Fred Bloor blood cross with Ronnie Williamson’s “Lady Helen” lines. The winner flew the Skibbereen Nat and Rosscarbery Nat and her final race before St Malo was the Fermoy 5 Bird Classic. My thanks to Wilton Cross Secretary Geoffrey Douglas who got me details and a photo in quick time.

NIPA Total Result St Malo 464/1408 –

1-1E M Wilkinson Wilton Cross 1455, 2-1G A McAteer & Son Ballyholland 1453, 3-2E R Williamson Bondhill 1451, 4-2G Donnelly Bros Newry City Inv 1450, 5-1D G Benson Lisburn & Dist 1447, 6-1C Kerri Hagans Horseshoe 1427, 7-2D J Greenaway Dromore 1405, 8-3G W McDowell & Son Milltown 1403, 9-2C M/M C Hayes Ballyclare 1379, 10-1A K Carolan Coalisland 1372, 11-1F K Ambrose Portavogie 1369, 12-4G Donnelly Bros 1366, 13-1B A Darragh Cullybackey 1362, 14-3E K Henderson & Son Lurgan Soc 1351, 15-3C J McGrugan & Son Doagh & Dist 1338, 16-2B W Livingstone Ahoghill 1337, 17-3B D Dixon Ballymoney 1332, 18-3D Russell Bros Dromara 1332, 19-4E P & D Stewart Edgarstown 1331, 20-5E W Neill Annaghmore 1327.

Best in each NIPA Section –

Sect A 31/92 – Kevin Carolan Coalisland 1372, Curry & Gilmore Ballymoney 1242, Terence McCrudden Coleraine & Co Derry 1166.

Sect B 79/208 – Alan Darragh Cullybackey 1362, William Livingstone Ahoghill 1337, Danny Dixon Ballymoney 1332.

Sect C 105/329 – Kerri Hagans Horseshoe 1427, M/M C Hayes Ballyclare 1379, J McGrugan & Son Doagh & Dist 1338.

Sect D 32/85 – Gary Benson Lisburn & Dist 1447, J Greenaway Dromore 1405, Russell Bros Dromara 1332.

Sect E 91/331 – Maurice Wilkinson Wilton Cross 1455, Ron Williamson Bondhill 1451, K Henderson & Son Lurgan Soc 1351.

Sect F 37/104 – Ken Ambrose Portavogie 1369, R Shaw Corrigs 1141, Ward & McIntosh Downpatrick 1137.

Sect G 38/150 – A McAteer & Son Ballyholland 1453, Donnelly Bros Newry City 1450, W McDowell & Son Milltown 1403.

Sect H 40/84 – J A Whiteside Omagh & Dist 1146, McGettigan Bros Maiden City 1134, Alan Hall Omagh & Dist 1114.

Lurgan Centre St Malo – M Wilkinson Wilton Cross 1455, K Henderson & Son Lurgan Soc 1351, T Fitzpatrick Wilton Cross 1184, R Bothwell Beeckpark 1156, M Wilkinson 1061, R Bothwell 1050, Cooper & McGrath Wilton Cross 1028, S Loughran & Son Wilton Cross 1004, B Carson & Son Lurgan Amat 941, G Douglas Wilton Cross 927.

Doagh Centre St Malo – M/M C Hayes Ballyclare 1379, J McGrugan & Son Doagh & Dist 1338, A & N Lewis Doagh & Dist 1288, D & J Campbell & Bigger Eastway 1285, Whiteside Bros Eastway 1280, S Rodney & Son Ballyclare 1256, S & A Leitch Doagh & Dist 1199, F Simpson Doagh & Dist 1182, C & L Woodside 1182, B & M Gilmore Ballyclare 1172.

Cullybackey Centre St Malo 52/141 – A Darragh Cullybackey 1361, W Livingstone Ahoghill 1337, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1303, M/M Robinson Ahoghill 1302, C Moore New Antrim 1297, J Rock Harryville 1278, J Rock 1220, A Barkley & Son Kells 1177, C Moore 1154, J & N Simpson Broughshane 1147, T Picken & Son New Antrim 1107, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1105, A Barkley & Son 1071, A Darragh 1015, D Houston & Son Broughshane 1010, A & N Young Ahoghill 993, B Ramsey Harryville 848.

Coleraine Centre St Malo – D Dixon Ballymoney 1332, D Devenney Ballymoney 1278, Curry & Gilmore Ballymoney 1242, W Blair Ballymoney 1196, T McCrudden Coleraine & co Derry 1166, W Blair 1161, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1076, J Hutchinson & Son Ballymoney 998, D Gage Ballymoney 995, D Dixon 792, R J Elliott Ballymoney 772, J McCool Limavady 748, Gage Bros Ballymoney 743, Hanson & Harpur Coleraine Prem 738, H Crawford Limavady 731, R Montgomery Coleraine Premier 729, D & H Stuart Ballymoney 684, S Laverty Ballymoney 682, J McCandless Coleraine & Co Derry 669.

Muckamore Centre St Malo – Stewart Bros Randalstown 1159, J & A Galloway Crumlin & Dist 1075, G K Porter Glenavy & Dist 1065.

NIPA Race/Date
St Malo (France) 29/06/12

It was a hard fly from St Malo in France for the Coleraine area only seven day arrivals one of which was to Terence McCrudden of the County Derry RPS at 7.01pm flying 497 miles to record velocity 1166. Liberation was at 6.30am in a south, south west wind. R & J Parke had the only bird into the Windsor Social, they timed at 8.06pm with a bird flying just short of 500 miles. Danny Dixon from Ballymoney was best in the Coleraine Centre having timed in at 5.10pm, his bird was flying into Dunloy at 484 miles. Next best in Ballymoney was David Devenney followed by Curry & Gilmore and two birds for Willie Blair.

Coleraine Triangle St Malo – T McCrudden Coleraine & Co Derry 1166, R & J Parke Windsor Social 1076, Hanson & Harpur Coleraine Prem 738, R Montgomery Coleraine Prem 729, J McCandless Coleraine & Co Derry 669, Diamond Bros Coleraine Prem 282.

NIPA Sect A Clubs

Coalisland & District 6/26 – K Carolan 1372, R Corey 1052, K Carolan 1005.

Coleraine Premier – Hanson & Harpur 738, R Montgomery 729, Diamond Bros 282. It was hard going in the Coleraine Premier, no birds on the day and just two early on the second day. Jimmy Hanson timed at 7.30am followed at 7.45am by new member Rab Montgomery who is up now with the big boys. Rab sent two birds for the first time and had both home on the second day, what a result.

Coleraine & County Derry – T McCrudden 1166, J McCandless 669. Well done to both lofts, two good birds into Coleraine.

Cookstown Social – G Marshall 1073, Speirs & Campbell 1026, G Marshall 937, B & S McConnell 923, K Morton 921, Speirs & Campbell 732.

Dungannon & District – K Shannon 1048, 1034, 771, 689. Great finish to a super old bird season.

Windsor Social – R & J Parke 1076. Well done to Roy & Jason in timing their sole entry from St Malo on the day. The 3 year old Blue w/f cock is Hanson & Harper breeding and was sitting 10 days on eggs. This year the cock had flown both races from Talbenny, both races were difficult.

Only one bird that I know of made it into Derry on the day writes Billy Knox. That bird belonged to Maiden City fanciers, McGettigan Bros. John and Edward (no not Jedward), fly into Burndennet, which is about ten miles from Derry. They clocked a yearling hen last night at 7.20 pm. A cracking fly, and a super result for the partnership. The hen flew Talbenny last year and was sitting an eight or nine day old young bird. I will get full details later and update as much as I can over the next couple of days. I will post as updated results in the topic folder. I will also try to get a couple of photos if I can, so watch this space.

A few more birds that I know of have made it into the city this morning. The times are approximate though as information is dripping through slowly.

Martin Healy, another Maiden City flyer clocked this morning at 6.50 am. Noel Mc Grotty from the Foyle club, clocked at around 7.15 am, while Colm McConomy from the Derry & District clocked at around 8.00am. The last that I heard of, was Billy Page, again from the Maiden City who clocked at around 11.45am. All very game pigeons to come through the weather this morning. Martin and Noel's birds couldn't have been far away last night. I know Billy's bird returned badly busted and covered in blood, another super game pigeon. Again, I will update later and get a few photos.

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

Jim Whiteside from Omagh & Dist -

Jim Whitesides section winner from St Malo is a blue cock bred in 2009 by his good friend and fellow club mate Allen Kelly. The mother is a good breeding grizzle hen containing the virgo kirkpatrick lines the sire was a red cock who had won 2 firsts for Allen before being killed by a peregrine, Rainstorm and Mr Gallant, George Busschaert breeding, Jims section winner is a cousin to Allens own 1st Section winner from St Malo in 2010. All the above pigeons were sourced from Allens good friend the late Eddie Wright, Fountain Head Lofts. Jims blue cock has always been a consistent racer, being clocked several times in the past from channel events. The cock was sent sitting 10 days and well fancied. For good measure Jim timed the second of his 3 entries to be 8th section H the next morning. Jim has raced only a few races over the past number of years but is one of the most consistent lofts in Omagh and District HPS being one of the clubs founding members. Jim has been clocking pigeons from France since the early 70's his loft dedicated to the long distance events.

NIPA Sect H Clubs

Derry & District – C McConomy.

Limavady 5/5 - J McCool 748, H Crawford 731.

Londonderry PRS 1/2 – Derek Simpson 613.

D Simpson holding his winner in the OB Nat from St Malo in the Londonderry RPS. The Simpson Grizzle cock contains all the old French bloodlines of George Barr Ballymena and has already had several cards flying in the channel races out to Penzance. The Members of the Londonderry would like to take this opportunity in congratulating Derek on his excellent result from St Malo.

Omagh & District 4/10 – Jim Whiteside 1146, Alan Hall 1114.

Strabane – G McCauley 717.

Rock Flying Club – Eamon Quigley 707.

The St Malo National was flown Friday 29th June, birds released at 6.30am in a helping SS Westerly wind, winners made good time but returns at the far end were few and far between. In the local Nat Centres, Danny Dixon was 1st Coleraine (1332), Alan Darragh 1st Cullybackey (1361) and Stewart Bros 1st Muckamore (1159). Cullybackey done reasonably well with 17 day arrivals, Coleraine had 7 day birds and Muckamore 3. The race was won by Maurice Wilkinson from Wilton Cross in Lurgan, he timed at 14.57hrs flying 448 miles doing velocity 1455. After such a difficult cross channel season the Premier OB Nat from St Malo in France will be regarded as quite successful with around 230 day arrivals. A change in the rules at the AGM made just 140 positions available for a prize, thankfully the recent NIPA Committee meeting decided that the cut off point for the various awards would be the same as the season previous at 200. It should be at least 200 prizes every year and the major race of the old bird season needs special funding or sponsorship.

Alan Darragh from Cullybackey completed a probably best ever old bird season by having the best bird from St Malo, he timed his 4 year old Blue cock at 16.43hrs recording velocity 1362 for the 474 miles. This bird had already won 1st Combine and had flown the race last season. He wins 1st Club, 1st Combine, 1st Sect B & 13th Open NIPA with 1,400 birds competing. Next best was William Livingstone of Ahoghill timing his 2 year old Dk Ch Pied hen at 16.56hrs followed by J & J Greer Cullybackey, M/M Robinson Ahoghill, Chris Moore 1st New Antrim (1297), Jimmy Rock 1st & 2nd Harryville (1278) his winner was pure Jacobs, Alan Barkley & Son 1st & 2nd Kells (1177) just two birds away and both on the day, and J & N Simpson 1st Broughshane & Dist (1147) another loft that has had a fantastic old bird season. Danny Dixon who races to lofts at Dunloy was best in the Coleraine Centre and will be well pleased with 1st Club in Ballymoney, 3rd Combine & Sect and 17th Open NIPA. Stewart Bros from Randalstown won the Muckamore Centre and finish 10th Comb, 13th Sect & 85th Open NIPA.

Mid Antrim Combine St Malo 54/154 - A Darragh Cullybackey 1361, W Livingstone Ahoghill 1337, D Dixon Rasharkin 1332, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1303, M/M Robinson Ahoghill 1302, C Moore New Antrim 1297, J Rock Harryville 1278, J Rock 1220, A Barkley & Son Kells 1177, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1159, C Moore 1154, J & N Simpson Broughshane 1147, T Picken & Son New Antrim 1107, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1105, A Barkley & Son 1071, A Darragh 1015, D Houston & Son Broughshane 1010, A & N Young Ahoghill 993, B Ramsey Harryville 848.

NIPA Sect B Clubs

Ahoghill Flying Club 6/17 – W Livingstone 1337, M/M Robinson 1302, J Smyth & Son 1105, A & N Young 993.

Ballymena & Dist 8/15 – G Barr 670, McAlonan Bros 575, Blair & Rankin 568, Richmond Bros 528.

Ballymoney – D Dixon 1332, D Devenney 1278, Curry & Gilmore 1242, W Blair 1196, 1161, J Hutchinson & Son 998, D Gage 995, D Dixon 801, R J Elliott 781, Gage Bros 753. Danny wins the first of the three big races out of France, his winning Blue Cheq hen is off his Keith Morgan birds.

Ballymoney West Combine – Curry & Gilmore 1242, W Blair 1196, J Hutchinson & Son 998, D Gage 995, R J Elliott 781, Brown & Stewart 319.

Dervock RPS – D Devenney 1278, J Hutchinson & Son 998, D & H Stuart 690, S Laverty 689.

Broughshane 4/16 – J & N Simpson 1147, D Houston & Son 1010.

Cullybackey 8/30 – A Darragh 1361, J & J Greer 1303, A Darragh 1015, 727, 579, Reid Bros & McCloy 546, Russell Bros 497.

Harryville 5/15 – J Rock 1278, 1220, B Ramsey 848.

Kells & District 8/15 – A Barkley & Son 1177, 1071, B Swann & Son 610. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – B Swann & Son 610.

New Antrim Amal 4/17 – C Moore 1297, 1154, T Picken & Son 1106.

Randalstown 4/11 – Stewart Bros 1159, H Boyd 476.

Rasharkin & District 6/18 – A C & T Tweed 804, H Cubitt 679. Danny Dixon – 1332.544, 792.738.

NIPA Sect E Clubs

Beechpark Social – S & J McCullough 1302, G McEvoy 1293, S & J McCullough 1252, R Bothwell 1050, B Carson & Son 941, C Reynolds 611. Beechpark 2 Bird Club - S & J McCullough 1302, G McEvoy 1293, S & J McCullough 1252. Congratulations to Joe and Shirley on completing the Laytown Hat- trick, Bude Penzance and St Malo, very well done indeed.

Blackwatertown West End – E McKnight 640. Eddie clocks on the second morning and wins the club with a Mealy cock that has an impressive résumé; he was 9th Open Penzance Classic and 15th Open Penance in 2010, and 9th Open St Malo Derby in 2011. Very well done Eddie, great result.

Edgarstown 13/36 – P & D Stewart 1331, J Robinson 1273, Buckley Buckley & Craig 1192, T & A Ford 1041, P Dunlop 1010, G & S Simmons 825.

Gilford & District – J & D Breen 1182, D Campbell 1065.

Laurelvale – S & N Lester 1263, 1229, J Funston 1219, G & C Topley 1162, J Funston 1153, W Gillis & Sons 1036.

Lurgan Amateur – B Carson & Son 941.

Lurgan Social – Kevin Henderson 1351, J Douglas & Son, B McNeice & Son.

Monaghan – Cooney Bros 1060.

Portadown Inv – A Fearon 1303, 1293, A McDonald 1162. A great result for the Chairman Aidan Fearon timing 2 of his 3 entries and taking the top 2 positions. Congratulations to Allan McDonald who takes the Channel and Combined Averages.

Tandragee 4/13 – Moody Bros 1223, 1196, T McKinstry 1124, A Craig 933.

Wilton Cross – M Wilkinson 1455, T Fitzpatrick 1184, M Wilkinson 1061, Cooper & McGrath 1028, S Loughran & Son 1004, G Douglas 927. Congratulations to Maurice on topping the NIPA in the Premier Race of the OB season from St Malo in France a distance of 448 miles. The 2 year old hen was sitting eggs 14 days having flown the Rosscarbery Nat, Skibbereen Nat and the 5 Bird Fermoy Classic.

The Fanciers Combine – The £50 Nomination in the Penzance race and the Penzance OB Classic was won by K Henderson & Son of Lurgan Social, Ring Number GB09L 00243 recorded velocity 1380. The £50 Nom in the OB Nat St Malo was won by the 1st Open winner Maurice Wilkinson of the Wilton Cross HPS in Lurgan. His bird GB10X 20438 recorded velocity 1455.

Millisle Loft wins East Down St Malo OB Derby -

Liberation in St Malo was at 6.30am on Friday 29th June in a Fresh SW wind. The overall winner and 1st in the East Sect was R Strain & Son of Millisle & District recording velocity 1429, the bird was on its first cross channel race. They were just ahead of two birds for Tom Marshall & Son of Newtownbreda 1st & 2nd in the West Sect and winners of this race for the last three seasons. They got very close again.

Jim Savage (Benzing E.T.S Clocks) will be doing demonstrations and updates in Ballylesson H.P.S on Tuesday 17th July at 7.00pm, 57 Upper Mealough Road, Carryduff BT8 8LR. Doagh & District H.P.S on Wednesday 18th July at 7.00pm, McConnells Bar, 4 Main Street Doagh. Many Great Summer offers on Benzing G2 Clocks and Pads. Contact: 07789231086.

East Down Combine St Malo OB Derby 81/260 –

1-1E R Strain & Son Millisle & Dist 1429 abcde DE £277, 2-1W T Marshall & Son Newtownbreda 1426 abcde £102, 3-2W T Marshall & Son 1350 abcde ABCDE £151, 4-3W S & K Duke Crossgar 1326 abcde ABCDE £117, 5-2E Gallagher Bros Annsborough 1321 abcd ABCD £100, 6-4W McCartan & Woodsides Crossgar 1299 abcde ABCDE £77, 7-3E Gallagher Bros 1285 abcd ABCD £74, 8-5W G & J O’Hare Crossgar 1281 £21, 9-4E McComb Bros Killyleagh Cent 1278 d D £47, 10-5E R Watson & Son Killyleagh Cent 1274 abcde ABC £79, 11-6E R Strain & Son 1266 abcde DE £75, 12-7E P Trimble Annalong 1259 abc ABC £33, 13-8E R Watson & Son 1242 abcde ABC £55, 14-6W T Marshall & Son 1236 abcden ABCDEFN £253, 15-9E B Jennings & Son Annsborough 1227 £20, 16-7W G & J O’Hare 1221 £16, 17-10E D Croskery & Son Annsborough 1210 abcd ABCD £42, 18-8W L & H Fields Hillfoot 1202 abcde ABCDE £47, 19-9W S & K Duke 1192 abcde ABCDE £47, 20-10W McCartan & Woodsides 1187 abcde ABCDEN £103, 21-11W G & J O’Hare 1178 £12, 22-11E Morrow Bros Killyleagh Cent 1151 d £21, 23-12W T Marshall & Son 1144 abcde £22, 24-13W W Catherwood & Son Ballynahinch 1143 abcde ABCDEF £97, 25-14W McCartan & Woodsides 1122 abcde ABCDE £40, 26-12E H & A Keenan & Partners Cloughey 1120 abcde £40, 27-15W T Marshall & Son 1077 abcde £21, 28-13E T & S Phillips Bangor 1071 abcd £25, 29-16W D Walsh Crossgar 1071 EF £60, 30-14E J & J Hollinger Millisle & Dist 1052 abcde £34, 31-15E E & A Rogan Newcastle 1026 £14, 32-16E Gallagher Bros 1008 abc £19, 33-17E Gallagher Bros 1002 £14, 34-18E Gordon Bros & Sons Cloughey 993 e E £31, 35-19E McCormick & Gray Cloughey 982 en EF £121, 36-20E Gordon Bros & Sons 967 e E £30, 37- J Trimble & Son Annalong 945 e F £45, 38-17W J McGreevy Crossgar 944 £11, 39- H & A Keenan & Partners 942 e £18, 40-18W A Cousins & Sons Ballylesson 918 £11. End of Open Prizes. 19W W D Moore Comber Soc 900 £1, F Black & Sons Downpatrick 897 e £9, 20W J McGreevy 860 £1, M Jennings Annsborough 720 F £21.

East Down Combine Clubs

Crossgar – S & K Duke 1326, McCartan & Woodsides 1299, G & J O’Hare 1281, 1211, S & K Duke 1192, McCartan & Woodsides 1187.

Ballynahinch – W Catherwood & Sons 1143.