Farming Life - Wednesday 17/07/13

[willie reynolds]

Hard Kings Cup from St Allouestre –
Rab’s Delight wins 1st Open for Ron Williamson

The Blue Riband race for the INFC the Kings Cup Grand National was flown on Friday 5th July from Saint Allouestre a new point close to the previous one at Vannes. 2,332 birds were race marked at the Lisburn Centre on the Tuesday and the liberation on Friday was at 7.00am in a Lt North Easterly wind. It turned out a hard race which was won in the Portadown area by one of the stars of the sport Ronnie Williamson of Bondhill. This loft has won almost everything with over 50 x 1st Open NIPA and had twice been 2nd Open in the Kings Cup event. His bird was timed at 18.37hrs flying 480 miles to record velocity 1212.

Ron's 2013 INFC King's Cup winner has been named Rab's Delight after his late father. Rab's Delight flew the INFC Inland National Skibbereen, then the INFC Yearling National Sennen Cove, returning home hawked. He was paired up and sent to the King's Cup sitting on 14-day eggs. His increased willingness to exercise well indicated to Ron that he had recovered from his hawk attack. Ron extends his thanks to his daughter Claire and Gerry Creaney for the part they played in the preparation. The bloodlines are that of Ron's Champion “Lady Helen” with the inclusion of Gregg Bros & McCandless' National winning stock and Maurice Wilkinson's King's Cup winning lines.

Locally the Muckamore Centre had 11 day birds and a further two dozen by lunch time on the second day, which had overall some 300 birds recorded across Ireland and all positions filled. The big early arrivals in Muckamore included B & M Gilmore from Ballyclare recording velocity 1138 for the 494 miles to finish 8th North Sect & 9th Open INFC and an early bird at 6.00am on the second morning from their entry of 4. They were followed by E & D McClurkin of the Ligoniel & Dist, former Nat Champions C & L Woodside also from Ballyclare, Billy McCaw from Ballymoney who timed around 21.05hrs flying 523 miles winning a Hall of Fame Diploma for the second time in just three seasons. J & N Simpson of Broughshane & District were best in Mid Antrim with a bird on the day. For Crumlin & District J & N Lamb had a bird late on the first day for a top performance, Thompson Bros had an arrival at 08.47am on the second morning flying 488 miles. The Lamb loft had already topped the Sect B in the Fermoy 5 Bird.

Muckamore Centre St Allouestre – B & M Gilmore Ballyclare & Dist 1138, E & D McClurkin Ligoniel & Dist 1131, C & L Woodside Ballyclare & Dist 1116, W McCaw Ballymoney 1093, J & N Simpson Broughshane 1087, Speirs & Campbell Cookstown 1079, J Braniff Fortfield 1069, J Burrows Eastway 1049, N Sharpe Kingsmoss 1038, H Boyd Randalstown 996, J & N Lamb Crumlin & Dist 988, A Thompson Ballyclare & Dist 888, K Carolan Coalisland 884, B & M Gilmore 859, J Connolly Ballymoney 846, A Thompson 842, A Thompson 818, N Sharpe 814, J Cassidy Londonderry 788, A Darragh Cullybackey 784, J McGrugan Doagh & Dist 783, M Graham Ballymena 780, W Ramsey Harryville 778, R Duddy Ballyclare & Dist 771, Thompson Bros Crumlin 728, A Thompson 724, W Bleeks Coalisland 721, C Moore Ahoghill 701, M/M D Suitters Doagh & Dist 699, Grattan Bros Eastway 689, W Ramsey 689, A Gault Ballyclare & Dist 681, C & L Woodside 675, C & L Woodside 674, McManus & Mullan Ligoniel & Dist 672, D & S Graham Kingsmoss 627, R J Elliott Ballymoney 606, R Duddy 604, A Gault 593, D Jackson & Son Harryville 561, G F Lindsay Crumlin 559.

Northsouth Federation St Allouestre – JJ McCabe Newry & Dist 1165, Mark Maguire & Son Newry & Dist 1138, P & C Swindell Newry City 1077, S Kane Newry & Dist 1074, JJ McCabe 1030, J Murtagh & Son Ballyholland 1013, Donnelly Bros Newry City 978, Mal Maguire & Son Newry & Dist 964, P & C Swindell 955, P & C Swindell 932.

Not a lot of birds registered in the Mid Antrim Combine, just two fantastic birds on the day J & N Simpson of Broughshane & District and Hugh Boyd of Randalstown the birds finished 21st & 54th Open INFC. Former winner Alan Darragh was at 7.59am on the second morning taking 1st Cullybackey, around the same time Martin Graham had 1st Ballymena & District. Billy Ramsey timed two birds to take 1st & 2nd in Hasrryville, Chris Moore won his new club Ahoghill and further arrivals were recorded by D Jackson & Son and Charlie Young who enjoys this race.

Mid Antrim Combine St Allouestre – J & N Simpson Broughshane 1087, H Boyd Randalstown 996, A Darragh Cullybackey 784, M Graham Ballymena 780, W Ramsey Harryville 778, C Moore Ahoghill 701, W Ramsey 689, D Jackson & Son Harryville 561, C Young Ahoghill.

Best in Muckamore B & M Gilmore recorded the early bird in East Antrim keeping up a big long distance tradition for the Ballyclare & District with C & L Woodside well placed with two birds, Arnold Thompson with four birds, Robin Duddy and Andy Gault. E & D McClurkin from Ligoniel were runner-up in the Muckamore Centre and other good birds included Jimmy Burrows 1st Eastway, Norrie Sharpe 1st Kingsmoss, and J McGrugan & Son 1st Doagh & Dist. East Antrim is a hot-bed in the longer races be it old birds or young birds, Ballyclare & Dist have a proud record.

East Antrim Combined St Allouestre – B & M Gilmore Ballyclare 1138, E & D McClurkin Ligoniel & Dist 1131, C & L Woodside Ballyclare 1116, J Burrows Eastway 1049, N Sharpe Kingsmoss 1038, A Thompson Ballyclare 888, B & M Gilmore 859, A Thompson 842, A Thompson 818, N Sharpe 814, J McGrugan & Son 783, R Duddy Ballyclare 771, A Thompson 724, M/M D Suitters Doagh & Dist 699, Grattan Bros Eastway 689, A Gault Ballyclare 681, C & L Woodside 675, C & L Woodside 674, McManus & Mullan Ligoniel 672, J & S Graham Kingsmoss 627,
R Duddy 604, A Gault 593,

Race/Date
Saint Allouestre 05/07/13

Irish Clubs Saint Allouestre –

Arklow United RPC - The most prestigious race on this seasons race calander, the Irish National Flying Club's OB National was flown from St Allouestre in Northern France on Friday July 5th. This Blue Riband event attracted an entry of 2,332 birds entered by 656 members the cream of the Irish fancy competing for the highest accolade within the sport of pigeon racing in Ireland plus £32,316 in prize money and pools. The convoy was released at 7.00am into a Lt NE wind and was light and variable on route. The first arrival in the Arklow United was a bird to the lofts of Joe Maghery who lifted 1st Club, 1st Federation, 1st Channel Club, 5th South Sect & Open at 370 miles. The Club and Federation winner is now named "Bernie's Boy having been bred by top lady fancier Bernie Cochrane from Co Down. Another noteworthy performance was achieved by club member Pat Lambert who recorded four of his five race entries with Sheldon Leonard & Son also making the result sheet. Result – Joe Maghery 1166, 2, 3, 5, 6 Pat Lambert, 4 S Leonard & Son.

Newry & District 9/45 – JJ McCabe 1165, Mark Maguire & Son 1138, S Kane 1074, JJ McCabe 1030, Mal Maguire & Son 964, R McKelvey 709, S Curran 576.

Ballyclare & District – B & M Gilmore 1138, C & L Woodside 1116, A Thompson 888, B & M Gilmore 859, A Thompson 842, 818, R Duddy 771, A Thompson 724, A Gault 681, C & L Woodside 675, 674, R Duddy 604, A Gault 593.

Ligoniel & District – E & D McClurkin 1131, McManus & Mullan 672.

Ballymoney HPS 8/20 – W McCaw 1093, J Connolly 846, R J Elliott 606. One bird on the day and two arrivals on the second day. Billy McCaw times his Dark Cheq "Greystone Dawn" to win Ballymoney again flying 523 miles this hen was the only bird in race time in last year’s Kings Cup flying 531 miles. This is her fourth time in the clock from France and will win a "HALL OF FAME" award. This will be his second Hall of Fame award in two years, some racing. John Connolly had another good result having won the NIPA Portland OB Nat the previous week.

Dervock RPS 3/7 – W McCaw 1093. Only bird in race time.

Boyne Valley RPC 10/30 – B P McEvoy 1091, 981, Joe Sharkey 902, Ned Briscoe.

Broughshane & District – J & N Simpson 1087.

Edgarstown – P Dunlop 1050, J Robinson 1037, R Bell & Sons 2nd day, P Dunlop 07.51, R Bell & Sons 08.20, P Dunlop 10.04, W & K Stewart 11.33.

Eastway – J Burrows 1049, Grattan Bros 689.

Kingsmoss – Norrie Sharpe 1038, 814, J & S Graham 627.

Randalstown – H Boyd 996.

Crumlin & District – J & N Lamb 988, Thompson Bros 728, G F Lindsay 559.

Glenavy & District – I Gibb & Sons 974, D Coulter 681.

Beechpark Social – Dando & Bennett 886, 680. John had to wait a few years to break his duck in the club and now makes it a super double from the 2 longest races, although this comes as no surprise to the members as he was 3rd Open INFC Kings Cup a few years back, well done D&B.

Cullybackey – A Darragh 784.

Doagh & District – J McGrugan & Son 783, M/M D Suitters 699.

Ballymena & District – M Graham 780.

Harryville HPS – W Ramsey 778, 689, D Jackson & Son 561.

Portadown & Drumcree – D J Gordon 749, Sloan & Reid 579.

Blackwatertown WE – George Owens 705, RGG Donaldson 591, Mark Brown 582.

Ahoghill Flying Club - C Moore 701, C Young.

Larne & District – S & S O’Toole Sons & Daughter - 523.

Derry City Update – The best bird timed into the local area was by John Cassidy of the Londonderry RPC on the second morning at 8.34am flying 525 miles into the City of Derry. Recording velocity 788 the loft finish 102nd North Section and 122nd Open INFC Kings Cup. The yearling Blue Cheq hen was not raced as a young bird and this year she was flown to Talbenny (1), trained up and sent to France on her first young birds three days old. Sire was from their old Spangle/Harper lines and the dam was bred by good friend Martin Healy. Eamon Quigley although living in Donegal and the longest flyer in Ireland races in the Derry City competition, another loft with a great interest in distance racing. His 4yo hen flying 533 miles, was timed at 11.14am on the Saturday morning recording velocity 707 to finish 24th South Sect & 176th Open INFC. Breeding was the top distance lines - sire Jan Arden Invisible Spirit a gift from Danny Dixon of Dunloy. Dam was T & P Cassidy Madam Butterfly lines – Kenyon/Logan. Bred in 2009, she won Penzance 2010, only bird on the day in City of Derry Federation. Stock for two years and brought out this year. She has bred a yearling to fly last year's Kings Cup, arriving on the 5th morning. Very well done to both Derry lofts.

The highly prizes Gold Medal was won by John Greenaway of Bondhill four times in the INFC Kings Cup prize list while three Hall of Fame Diplomas were awarded these for three times in the INFC Kings Cup. Winners here were Malcolm Robinson of Bondhill, C & L Woodside of Ballyclare and Billy McCaw of Ballymoney. PO Brendan McLaughlin will have the full race report shortly.

* Doagh & District will be running their Golden Ring Nom this year again. There will be two races Talbenny as young birds and Penzance as old birds, it is £20 a ring nom and open to NIPA Section B & C fanciers only. Closing date is Monday after second Young Bird race. There will be £500 for each race winner. Lost: In the local Doagh area by new start Blue GB13E 38054, Tel: 07985 575399.

Photo Captions -

Ron Williamson from Bondhill holding the Kings Cup winner from St Allouestre.

"Rab's Delight" the INFC Kings Cup winner for Ron Williamson of Bondhill.

Cyril & Hilary Beattie of Gilford, 2nd Open INFC plus the Nelson Vase.

John Greenaway of Bondhill wins the Gold Medal for 4 times in the prizes with the same bird.