Farming Life - Wednesday 26/06/13

[willie reynolds]

The annual Yearling Nat was due to be flown on 12th June but was put back due to poor weather conditions, the race was flown one week later with an entry of 4,400 birds similar to recent seasons, competing for almost £35,000 in pools and prizes. This is always one of the top highlight of the old bird racing season, liberation on Wednesday 19th June was at 8.30am in a Light NW wind and helping conditions in Ireland. First reports indicate it was one of the very best races, flown on a fantastic day with 1,000 day birds recorded and all positions claimed. Joe Brown from Lurgan had a great race having four birds in the clock before 16.50hrs and the first one timed at 16.13hrs declared the overall winner doing velocity 1151 flying just over 300 miles. It’s always been a favourite race for Mr & Mrs McNeilly of Doagh & District, Brian and Elaine timed their first bird at 16.45hrs flying 324 miles to record velocity 1149 to take 2nd Open INFC. Kevin Rooney Son & Daughter from Annalong had the first arrival in the East Down Combine, they timed at 15.40hrs and recorded velocity 1145 for the 279 miles for 3rd Open INFC. Owen Kirwan from Goery in Wexford won 1st South Sect on velocity 1137 to finish 4th Open INFC and Grattan Bros from Eastway were 5th Open on velocity 1134 with the second bird into East Antrim.

Provisional Top 10:-
1. Joe Brown Blackwatertown West End 1151.46
2. Mr & Mrs B McNeilly Doagh 1149
3. K Rooney & Son & Daughter Annalong 1145
4. O Kirwin Gorey 1137
5. Grattan Bros Eastway 1134
6. S Leonard & Son Arklow 1132
7. E Kennedy & Son Newtownkilpeddar 1129.6
8. Joe Brown Blackwatertown West End 1129.5
9. W & J Bollard Finglas 1126
10. N Grant & Son Balbriggan 1125.49

The INFC Yearling Nat was flown from Sennen Cove last Wednesday having been put back for one week due to the weather, 4,400 birds were competing and over 1,000 birds were recorded on the day. Released at 8.30am in a Lt NW wind and with helping conditions at the home end, it was one of the best races for many years.

It’s always been a favourite race for Mr & Mrs McNeilly of Doagh & District, Brian and Elaine timed their first bird at 16.45hrs flying 324 miles to record velocity 1149 to take 2nd Open INFC. A second bird for the loft was not far behind and wins 6th North Sect & 11th Open INFC on velocity 1125, the two birds lift a tidy £660. Grattan Bros from Eastway are another big National loft and they were well placed again, next best in the local Muckamore Centre and finishing 4th North Sect & 5th Open INFC on velocity 1134. Former National winners G K & I Moxham were best in Larne, Connor Bros had 1st Kingsmoss, Arnold Thompson had 1st Ballyclare, he had another great card in one of his favourite races , , followed by S & A Leith had 1st Doagh & District, and three lofts from Ballyclare all top distance lofts Robin Duddy, Andy Gault and former Nat Champions C & L Woodside.

East Antrim Combined Sennen Cove Ylr Nat –Mr & Mrs B McNeilly Doagh & Dist 1149, Grattan Bros Eastway 1134, Mr & Mrs B McNeilly 1125, G K & I Moxham Larne & Dist 1117, Connor Bros Kingsmoss 1102, A Thompson Ballyclare 1098, S & A Leitch Doagh & Dist 1096, R Duddy Ballyclare 1093, A Gault Ballyclare 1071, C & L Woodside Ballyclare 1070, A Thompson 1070, W Gault & Son Kingsmoss 1070, S & A Leitch 1045, A Gault 1037, R Duddy 1020, A Thompson 1019, A Thompson 1017, A Thompson 1016, A & N Lewis Doagh & Dist 1015, R Duddy 1015, A Thompson 1011, Mr & Mrs B McNeilly 1007, R Duddy 1000, D & J Campbell & Bigger Eastway 996, D & J Campbell & Bigger 994, B & M Gilmore Ballyclare 988, A Gault 981, R Duddy 973, D & R Turkington Doagh & Dist 971, A Thompson 967, J & R Blair Ballyclare 965, Arthurs & George Ballycarry & Dist 954.

Jack Millar and son Derek from the Harryville HPS in Ballymena had the best bird in the INFC Yearling Nat flown from Sennen Cove last Wednesday on a perfect flying day. Liberation was at 8.30am in a Lt NW wind and with helping conditions at the home end a good race was expected. It indeed turned out one of the best for many years with over 1,000 birds recorded on the day across Ireland in one of the top races of the year. J Millar & Son timed at 5.07pm to record velocity 1124 for the 329 miles to the lofts at Cromkill on the main Antrim Road. Former winner of the race Alan Darragh was next best taking 1st Cullybackey (1076), followed by Danny Diixon 1st Ballymoney (1075) and G & A Eagleson 1st Ballymena & District (1074). J Millar & Son win 1st in the Mid Antrim Combine and will be even more pleased with 7th North Sect & 12th Open INFC 800/4,474. The Champions League Final to be flown from Penzance is Alan Darragh (Cullybackey) v Jimmy Rock (Harryville).

Mid Antrim Combine Sennen Cove Ylr Nat – J Millar & Son Harryville 1124, A Darragh Cullybackey 1076, D Dixon Rasharkin 1075, G & A Eagleson Ballymena 1074, Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 1073, M Graham Ballymena 1073, Mr & Mrs Robinson Ahoghill 1070, A & N Young Ahoghill 1069, Mr & Mrs Robinson 1068, J Rock Harryville 1065, A Darragh 1047, D Houston & Son Broughshane 1028, M Graham 1026, McFarlane & Agnew Kells 1017, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1015, A Darragh 1012, A Darragh 1005, A Barkley & Son Kells 1004, A Darragh 1004, S McKendry Cullybackey 1002, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 999, Reid Bros & McCloy 993, A Darragh 991, A Darragh 987, Mr & Mrs Robinson 972, H & R McCloy Cullybackey 967, J & J Greer Cullybackey 960, J Millar & Son 953.

Northsouth Federation Sennen Cove 28/182 – T Gordan Ballyholland 1972, P Doran Millvale 1023, Mal Maguire & Son Newry & Dist 974, Havern Bros Ballyholland 961, Donnelly Bros 949, K Byrne & Sons Newry & Dist 947, P Murtagh Ballyholland 943, K Sands Ballyholland 935, J Murtagh Ballyholland 935, K Byrne & Sons 912.

East Coast Federation Sennen Cove Ylr Nat – E Kennedy & Son Newtown Kilpeddar 1129, N Grant & Sons Balbriggan 1125, R Fewings Rathnew 1123, E Kennedy & Son 1115, P Arthur Jun Boyne Valley 1113, R Matthews Sallynoggin 1103, A Kelly Skerries 1082, J Barnes Ballybrack 1076, McKeown & McEvoy Castlebellingham 1067, N Grant & Sons 1067.

South Leinster Fed Sennen Cove Ylr Nat – O Kirwan Gorey 1137, S Leonard & Son Arklow Utd 1132, P Lucas Arklow Utd 1093, Neary & Burke Gorey 1089, D O’Neill Arklow Utd 1072, EE & S Kavanagh Arklow Utd 1043, Cullen & Burke Arklow Utd 1002, S Leonard & Son 993, P Doyle Arklow Utd 988, S Leonard & Son 980.

Irish SR Federation Sennen Cove Ylr Nat – W Bollard & Son Finglas 1126, D Cummins & Son Finglas 1124, J & M Pintos Ballymun 1084, D Brown Northside 1077, McCabe & Byrne Dublin North County 1057, D Cummins & Son 1056, T McLoughlin & Son Finglas 1048, Norris & O’Callaghan Northside 1027, L Donnelly & Son Finglas 1012, N & N Smith Greenhills 999.

Local Clubs INFC Yearling Nat
Arklow United RPC – S Leonard & Son 1132, P Lucas 1093, D O’Neill 1072, EE & S Kavanagh 1043, Cullen & Burke 1002, S Leonard & Son 993.
Harryville HPS – J Millar & Son 1124, J Rock 1065, J Millar & Son 953.
Portadown & Drumcree – G Matchett 1114, A McDonald 1014, G Matchett 990, L Cullen 985, B Creaney 977, G Matchett 965.
Boyne Valley RPC 8/50 – P Arthur 1113, B P McEvoy 982, 973, D Corrigan 942, J Sharkey 929, J Mulroy 908.
Edgarstown – P Dunlop 1100, P & D Stewart 1028, W & K Stewart 1014, D Love 1013, W & K Stewart 1011, P Dunlop 1003.
Gilford & District – Rafferty & Toman 1084, Adamson & Anderson 1043, 1042, D Breen 975, Adamson & Anderson 974, C & R Moffett 970.
Cullybackey HPS – A Darragh 1076, Reid Bros & McCloy 1073, A Darragh 1047, 1012, 1005, 1004, S McKendry 1002, Reid Bros & McCloy 993, A Darragh 991, 987, H & R McCloy 967, J & J Greer 960.
Ballymoney HPS 8/49 – D Dixon 1075, J Walker 1072, Curry & Gilmore 864, D Dixon 792, 779, 558, 468, W & L McCaw 453.
Ballymena & District HPS – G & A Eagleson 1074, M Graham 1073, M Graham 1026, Blair & Rankin 999, M Graham 911, T R Alexander & Son 910, J McNaghten & Son 845, M Graham 841, M/M M Sempey 758.
Dervock RPS 3/16 – J Walker 1072, W & L McCaw 453.
Ahoghill Flying Club – M/M Robinson 1070, A & N Young 1069, M/M Robinson 1069, J Smyth & Son 1015, M/M Robinson 972.
Tandragee – T McKinstry 1068, Dillon & Morrow 1004, Dillon & Morrow, Moody Bros, T McKinstry, T McKinstry. 3 in a row for big Tommy, well done.
Loughgall - McGeary Bros 1067.
Dromore HPS – J Greenaway 1064, 1021, 1010, B & M McCorriston 1007, J Kelly & Sons 983, B & M McCorriston 981.
Bondhill - Capper Bros 1058, M Robinson 1046, Capper Bros 1046, M Robinson 1039, 1009, B & A Beattie 1002.
Wilton Cross – M Wilkinson 1039, 1035, 1015, G Douglas 902, E Lynn 862, S Loughran & Son 856.
Corcreeney – T Wilson 1034, J Carson 1006, E McKnight 980, R Adamson 968, E McKnight 934, T Wilson 864.
Crumlin & District – G F Lindsay 1030, J & N Lamb 1008,
Beech Park Social – H Lynch & Son 1029, G McEvoy 1027, 1012, S & J McCullough 1008, Dando & Bennett 979, D Mawhinney & Son 930.
Broughshane & District – D Houston & Son 1028.
Kells & District HPS – McFarlane & Agnew 1017, A Barkley & Son 1004.
Armagh 10/70 - E & M Curran 1012, G & A Campbell 1005, D C & P McArdle 966, P Campbell & Sons 952, D C & P McArdle 919, M Bruce & Sons 831.
Stillorgan 10/97 – J & D Douglas 989, M/M Curtis Sons & Daughters 829, Byrne & Mooney 829, 825, T Moran 795, M/M Curtis Sons & Daughters 762.
Newry & District 10/54 – Mal Maguire & Son 974, K Byrne & Sons 947, 912, J J McCabe 886, 882, 851.
Monaghan Allister & McPhillips 871, P Tierney 944, P McFadden 922, R Mulligan, J Graham, P McFadden.

Ballymoney & Coleraine lofts Ylr National

Always very hard getting the extra miles up into the far North West, the races are usually well supported and it’s a top prize to be best in the local area. The INFC Yearling National was delayed for one week and flown from Sennen Cove on Wednesday 19th June with liberation at 8.30am in a Light North West wind. Danny Dixon timed the early arrival flying to his Ballymacaldrick Lofts in Dunloy, taking 1st Ballymoney on velocity 1075, 3rd in the Mid Antrim Combine, 31st North Sect & 47th Open NIPA, Danny was flying 342 miles. His latest winner was a Blue cock, the best of his Fran van Wildemeersch bloodlines. James Walker was next best on 1072 his bird flying 350 miles, 1st Dervock and runner-up in Ballymoney.

Jack Millar and son Derek from the Harryville HPS in Ballymena had the best bird in the INFC Yearling Nat flown from Sennen Cove last Wednesday on a perfect flying day. Liberation was at 8.30am in a Lt NW wind and with helping conditions at the home end a good race was expected. It indeed turned out one of the best for many years with over 1,000 birds recorded on the day across Ireland in one of the top races of the year. J Millar & Son timed at 5.07pm to record velocity 1124 for the 329 miles to the lofts at Cromkill on the main Antrim Road. Former winner of the race Alan Darragh was next best taking 1st Cullybackey (1076), followed by Danny Diixon 1st Ballymoney (1075) and G & A Eagleson 1st Ballymena & District (1074). J Millar & Son win 1st in the Mid Antrim Combine and will be even more pleased with 7th North Sect & 12th Open INFC 800/4,474. The Champions League Final to be flown from Penzance is Alan Darragh (Cullybackey) v Jimmy Rock (Harryville).

Mid Antrim Combine Sennen Cove Ylr Nat – J Millar & Son Harryville 1124, A Darragh Cullybackey 1076, D Dixon Rasharkin 1075, G & A Eagleson Ballymena 1074, Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 1073, M Graham Ballymena 1073, Mr & Mrs Robinson Ahoghill 1070, A & N Young Ahoghill 1069, Mr & Mrs Robinson 1068, J Rock Harryville 1065.

Club Results Sennen Cove Ylr National
Harryville HPS – J Millar & Son 1124, J Rock 1065, J Millar & Son 953.
Cullybackey HPS – A Darragh 1076, Reid Bros & McCloy 1073, A Darragh 1047, 1012, 1005, 1004, S McKendry 1002, Reid Bros & McCloy 993, A Darragh 991, 987, H & R McCloy 967, J & J Greer 960.
Ballymoney HPS 8/49 – D Dixon 1075, J Walker 1072, Curry & Gilmore 864, D Dixon 792, 779, 558, 468, W & L McCaw 453.
Ballymena & District HPS – G & A Eagleson 1074, M Graham 1073, M Graham 1026, Blair & Rankin 999, M Graham 911, T R Alexander & Son 910, J McNaghten & Son 845, M Graham 841, M/M M Sempey 758.
Dervock RPS 3/16 – J Walker 1072, W & L McCaw 453.
Ahoghill Flying Club – M/M Robinson 1070, A & N Young 1069, M/M Robinson 1069, J Smyth & Son 1015, M/M Robinson 972.
Broughshane & District – D Houston & Son 1028.
Kells & District HPS – McFarlane & Agnew 1017, A Barkley & Son 1004.

Herbison Feeds (Ballymena) - July Holidays: Opening Sat 6th July from 9.00am until 12 Noon then closed for Summer Holidays until Monday 22nd July. Pass the word around and get stocked up! A reminder as well that Race Sheets and Vaccination Forms need placed with the local clubs two weeks prior to racing, the opening race for young birds has been arranged for Saturday 20th July. All clubs will be making arrangements to allocate rings for the various ETS Systems, give them some help by getting things done early without a last minute rush. The Premier OB National for the NIPA is due to be flown from St Malo (France) this Friday 28th June, IHU members will be competing for the famous Millar Gold Cup. With the INFC, the Grand Nat Kings Cup is due to be flown from Nort-sur Erdre on Friday 5th July with race marking on the previous Tuesday. This new race point is some 554 miles to Ballymena lofts. The Friendship Nat from Quimper on Friday 12th July will complete the old bird racing for 2013. The NIPA birds were race marked last Saturday evening for Penzance, the same thing happened last season due to the weather, liberation was planned for Monday, birds were released at 10.45am in a Lt NW wind. Full details and results in next report.

Photo Captions -

Brian and Elaine McNeilly from Doagh finished 2nd & 11th Open in Yearling Nat.

Grattan Bros from Eastway were well placed in Sennen Cove National.