Ballymena & District HPS 2013 -

[willie reynolds]

Photos on all the boards to follow. HOMER.

Ballymena & District HPS: It was a ding dong battle all show season between two lofts for the Show Shield and was not decided until the final classes last Monday evening. Entry again exceeded 100 birds judged by two ace racers visiting from Cullybackey, Sammy Steele who had such a good young bird season and young Harry McCloy who will never forget his result in the Premier OB National winning 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the Mid Antrim Combine from Portland, something I don’t believe was ever done before. The two main contenders in the final events done well but the top winners on this occasion were different. Willie Smyth with just one bird in the Colour Class took the Red Card and BIS for the second week while Tom McAlonan took the Red Card in the Card Winners, he has had a good show season with at least 4 x 1sts. G & A Eagleson done enough to lift the Show Shield and despite a last rush from Brian Herbison it was W & W Gilbert who won the Visitor Trophy. The MDC Magill partnership had a very successful season and were runner-up for the Show Shield, both top lofts never missed a night. Sammy Steele won the raffle, the judges done well in this all year. Many thanks to all those who supported the series all year, those who supported the raffle and a special thanks to the judges. Results: Card Winners (66 Birds) – 1st McAlonan Bros, 2nd W & N Gilbert, 3rd, VHC & Commended B Herbison, 4th & Reserve G & A Eagleson, HC MDC Magill. Red, Mealy & Grizzle Class (44 Birds) – 1st W & J Smyth, 2nd & 4th MDC Magill, 3rd, Reserve & HC G & A Eagleson, VHC B Herbison, Commended McAlonan Bros.

Ballymena & District HPS: The local club were pleased that “The King” Tom Cotter agreed to come out of retirement and place the cards at the annual show for Eye-sign, a subject that Tom has dedicated himself to since he started the birds. He selects his breeding pairs by the eye and although not racing at present, when he did he had some record. Achieved Top Prize-winner in two clubs he raced in - Harryville HPS and Randalstown HPS, I covered his top results many times. He was able to remind me that the Ballymena & Dist was where he first started when at school, who knows at some stage in the future he might consider a come-back with the Big Club. Just over 100 birds were penned, W & J Smyth was to win 1st in the Old Birds plus Best in Show, and the Young Bird winners were G & A Eagleson who are having a best ever Show Season. George said he did not have eye-sign birds, he is the up and coming show man, and he can race a bit as well. Last season he won the Mid Antrim Combine Bird of the Year. The raffle was won by Brian Herbison. Old Bird Eye-sign (58 Birds) – 1st W & J Smyth, 2nd McAlonan Bros, 3rd & Commended G & A Eagleson, 4th & Reserve MDC Magill, VHC B Herbison, HC M/M M Sempey. Young Bird Eye-sign (43 Birds) – 1st, 2nd, 4th & VHC G & A Eagleson, 3rd W & N Gilbert, Reserve MDC Magill, HC M/M M Sempey, Commended B Herbison. The final show will be for Card Winners and a Colour Class for Red’s, Mealy’s and Grizzles.

Ballymena & District HPS: On Monday evening the judges travelled in from Rasharkin & Dist, Secretary Jackie Steele and another top racer Danny Dixon. Over 100 birds were penned in the two classes, Mr & Mrs Sempey had the Red Card in Young Pairs plus Best in Show and G & A Eagleson cleaned up in the Late Bred class taking the top five places. Danny Dixon won the raffle. Results: Young Pairs (88 Birds) – 1st & Commended M/M M Sempey, 2nd, 3rd, Reserve & HC MDC Magill, 4th G & A Eagleson, VHC W & N Gilbert. Late Breds (22 Birds) – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & Reserve G & A Eagleson, VHC & Commended MDC Magill, HC McAlonan Bros. Classes next week Monday 9th December are Eye-sign Old Bird & Young Bird.

Ballymena & District: On Monday evening the classes were Old Pairs and Fancy, judges travelled down from the North Coast, Ballymoney Secretary Derek McMullan and John Edgar Secretary of the NI Show Racers Society. Old Pairs (80 Birds) – 1st, 2nd & VHC MDC Magill, 3rd & 4th W & N Gilbert, Reserve & HC B Herbison, Commended G & A Eagleson. Fancy (39 Birds) – 1st McAlonan Bros, 2nd W & N Gilbert, 3rd B Herbison, 4th, Reserve & Commended G & A Eagleson, VHC MDC Magill, HC M/M M Sempey. The Red Card winners were the same lofts as the week previous, Tom McAlonan won the Fancy class with a nice Blue Pied hen from his distance family while MDC Magill won the Old Pairs with a Blue Pair in fact nest-mates top Soontjens which looked the part. MDC took the Best in Show and are making a big charge for the Show Shield. Derek McMullan won the raffle. Classes next week Monday 2nd December are Young Pairs & Late Bred.

Ballymena & District: For week 4 the old birds were judged handled, judges were the ace racers from Kells & District Jeff Surgenor and Davy Scott. MDC won the BIS for the second time, their Cheq Pied cock was the sire of the Young Hen winner of BIS last week for Dennis Craig. The old hen winner was a Dark Cheq, Tom McAlonan was telling me she was the winner of three races cross channel. With the weather not getting much better the entry was down a little. Willie Gilbert won the Raffle. Old Cocks Handled (40 Birds) – 1st MDC Magill, 2nd, 3rd & 4th G & A Eagleson, Reserve McAlonan Bros, VHC, HC & Commended W & N Gilbert. Old Hens Handled (37 Birds) – 1st McAlonan Bros, 2nd MDC Magill, 3rd & Commended G & A Eagleson, 4th M/M M Sempey, Reserve & VHC W & J Smyth, HC W & N Gilbert. Classes next week Monday 25th November are Old Pairs & Fancy.

Ballymena & District: For the third show on Monday night the pens were well filled with another entry of over 100 birds, judges had travelled in from Ahoghill Secretary Albert Young and his brother Tom. Two of the clubs good racers were successful with Dennis Craig 1st in the Young Hens and BIS, while George Eagleson collected his third Red Card winning a class each week to date. His Blue Cheq cock also won the class T/W two weeks earlier. Young Cocks Handled (55 Birds) – 1st & VHC G & A Eagleson, 2nd W & N Gilbert, 3rd MDC Magill, 4th M/M M Sempey, Reserve D Craig, HC J Letters, Commended B Herbison. Young Hens (60 Birds) – 1st & BIS D Craig, 2nd, Reserve & VHC W & J Smyth, 3rd B Herbison, 4th McAlonan Bros, HC M/M M Sempey, Commended W & N Gilbert. The raffle was won by D Magill, classes next week Monday 18th November are OC & OH Handled.

Ballymena & District: Over 100 birds were penned for the second show on Monday night, the old birds Through the Wires, Roy Balmer (Cullybackey) judged Old Hen with winner G & A Eagleson Best in Show. Harryville fanciers George Price and Davy Gordon placed the cards in Old Cocks won by visitor W & N Gilbert. Dennis Craig won the raffle, next Monday YC & YH Handled. Old Hens T/W (52 Birds) – 1st & 2nd G & A Eagleson, 3rd B Herbison, 4th & Reserve MDC Magill, VHC McAlonan Bros, HC W & J Smyth, Commended M/M M Sempey. Old Cocks T/W (53 Birds) – 1st W & N Gilbert, 2nd McAlonan Bros, 3rd, 4th & Reserve MDC Magill, VHC B Herbison, HC M/M M Sempey, Commended D Craig.

Ballymena & District: The show season commenced on Monday night 28th October with classes for Young Cocks and Young Hens Through the Wires. We look forward over the coming weeks to seeing the usual clan of members and friends. Those who show will be taking part in the Ring Nomination during racing. Just short of 100 birds were penned in the Young Bird classes for the judges who travelled in from Cullybackey, N & S Anderson and young James Greer. G & A Eagleson penned the winner in the Young Cock while M D C Magill had the Red Card in the Young Hens and Special for Best in Show. The raffle was won by George Bell and classes next Monday 4th November are Old Cock and Old Hen Through Wires. Results: Young Cocks T/W (42 Birds) – 1st G & A Eagleson, 2nd M D C Magill, 3rd G Bell, 4th W & J Smyth, Reserve & HC W & N Gilbert, VHC G Connolly, Commended B Herbison. Young Hens T/W (41 Birds) – 1st & Special M D C Magill, 2nd & Reserve M D C Magill, 3rd, VHC & Commended McAlonan Bros, 4th B Herbison, HC W & J Smyth.

Ballymena & District: The show season will commence on Monday 28th October with classes for Young Cocks and Young Hens Through the Wires, penning from 7.00pm. We look forward to seeing the usual clan of members and friends. Other local clubs should send their details in for inclusion, there might be some changes to the usual nights. Clubs should also forward details of the annual prize nights so we can make arrangements to cover the publicity.

[willie reynolds]

Ballymena & District will host the Annual Mid Antrim Open Show to be held in their own clubrooms at Fountain Place in Ballymena on New Year’s day Wednesday 1st January. Penning is from 12 Noon until 2.00pm a 3 in 1 for Old Bird and Young Bird. All birds from the local NIPA Sect B area, will be made welcome, an Open Show for Mid Antrim birds. All the usual Specials including Best in Show, Best Opposite Sex, Most Points and Best YB. All club members should supply prizes and any help would be appreciated. The Annual Dinner & Presentation of prizes will be held in the Tullyglass House Hotel on Saturday 11th January. After a very successful racing season a big crowd is expected, if you wish to order tickets contact Martin Graham Tel: (028) 2563 7929 or Mobile: 07835 099155. Homer will be taking bird photos in the Ballymena & Dist Clubrooms on Wednesday 11th December from 7.00pm, deposit required for each bird. Tel: 07538 238364.