Farming Life - Wednesday 11/12/13

[willie reynolds]

Monster Prize-Night at Larne & District HPS -

The big Larne & Dist held the annual dinner and prize presentation last Friday evening in the local clubrooms at Glenarm Road, Secretary Willie Ferguson welcomed a good turn-out of members and friends. Prior to the meal he asked senior member Jim Agnew to say grace. After a very good four course meal well served by the staff President Owen Donnelly thanked all those involved with the night and all those who served the club well over the racing and show season. He congratulated the many winners in what was another season of top success for Larne & Dist members. Willie Ferguson said the members sent 14,200 birds during the NIPA race programme with on average 33 members competing for the £7,476 in pools and prizes. This year the overall Highest Prize-winner for the first time were Robert Crawford and Gary Crawford who collected £1,902 followed by Beggs & Hall £1,260 and in third place was the very consistent partnership and able helper Paul of the D & P Harvey team collecting £678. D & P Harvey have been racing just three seasons with Larne & Dist, 6th last year and 3rd this year for a team on the way up. The ever consistent Beggs & Hall topped the Mighty NIPA winning the H A Montgomery Cup from Tullamore in the young birds and then from Portland OB National a super race for two of the Old Hands in Larne & Dist. Jimmy Brown & Son won a Bronze & Silver Diploma with “Jimmy’s Delight” in 2011 – 36th Sect C & 199th Open NIPA St Malo; 2012 – 44th Sect C & 174th Open NIPA St Malo; 2013 – 17th Sect C & 52nd Open NIPA Portland. Sammy Burns won the Bronze Diploma in 2012 – 10th Sect C & 55th Open NIPA St Malo; 2013 – 9th Sect C & 35th Open NIPA Portland.

In the INFC programme there were wins for L & S O’Neill & Sons at Skibbereen OB, G K & I Moxham were the winners in the Sennen Cove Yearling Nat, and also best bird in the Penzance YB National. A S McNaghten was the winner in the Skibbereen YB, and the two big France results were S & S O’Toole in the St Allouestre Kings Cup and D & P Harvey in the Quimper Friendship National. On finishing I would like to thanks the club and officials for the invite to the prize night, Larne & Dist is still a hot-bed of racing in East Antrim.

Larne & District Cups & Trophies -

2013 OLD BIRD RACES:
Tullamore 20/04/2013 (Ferguson Mem. Cup) Winner - D. & P. Harvey;
Roscrea 27/04/2013 (Arklow Cup) Winner - Beggs & Hall;
Clonmel 04/05/2013 (Rainey Mem. Cup) Winner - R. & M. Robinson;
Fermoy 11/05/2013 (Joe Goodall Trophy) Winner - Beggs & Hall;
Rosscarbery O/B Inland National 17/05/2013 (Minnis Armstrong Mem. Cup) Winner – L & S O'Neill & Sons;
Roscrea Come back 17/05/2013 Winner - G, K, & I. Moxham;
Clonmel 25/05/2013 (Charity Cup) Winner - Crawford & Robinson;
Talbenny 01/06/2013 (McCluggage Cup) Winner - L. & S. O'Neill & Sons;
Talbenny 08/06/2013 (Magill Trophy) Winner - Crawford & Robinson;
Rosscarbery 15/06/2013 (D.Donnelly Mem. Cup) Winner - Crawford & Robinson;
Fermoy 5 Bird Championship Race 15/06/2013 (AVG Trophy) Winner - G, K, & I Moxham;
Penzance 24/06/2013 (Penzance Cup) Winner - Beggs & Hall;
Penzance Classic 24/06/2013 (1st OAP to Time in Penzance) Winner - A. S. McNaghten;
Fisherman’s Shield Winner – R. Maxwell;
Portland O/B Channel National 01/07/2013 (Best 2 Bird Average Portland 2013 & Old Bird Derby Cup) Winner - S. Burns;
Isa Robinson Trophy Winner – S. Burns;
McCluggage France Cup Winner - J. Brown & Son;
Best Single Bird Average 2nd Talbenny & Penzance 2013 (Snoddy Shield & Claim for RPRA Meritorious Award) Winner - D. & P Harvey;
Best Average 2 Talbenny Races & Bude 2013 (Ferguson Mem. Cup) Winner - Crawford & Robinson;
Best Average 2nd Talbenny & Portland 2013 (Baxter Mem. Cup) Winner - S. Burns;
Best Average all Old Bird Channel Races on NIPA Programme (Channel Average Cup) Winner - B. McCammon;
Best Average all Old Bird Races (Old Bird Average Cup) Winner - B. McCammon.

IRISH NATIONAL FLYING CLUB Races:
INFC Old Bird Inland National Skibbereen 28/05/2013 (Nancy Donnelly Cup) Winner – L. & S. O'Neill & Sons;
INFC Yearling National Sennen Cove 12/06/13 (Bobby Rainey Mem. Cup) Winner - G, K, & I. Moxham;
INFC KINGS CUP National France Cup St Allouestre (Margaret Mehaffey Men Cup) Winner - S & S O'Toole, Sons & Dtr;
INFC FRIENDSHIP National Quimper 12/07/13 (Atkinson Cup) Winner - D. & P. Harvey;
INFC Y/B Channel National Penzance 11/09/2013 (Bamber Shield) Winner - G, K, & I. Moxham;
INFC Y/B Inland National Skibbereen North 22/09/2012 (Henry Corken Memorial Cup) Winner - A. S. McNaghten.

2013 YOUNG BIRD RACES:
Navan 20/07/2013 (Joe. Lennon Sen Memorial Cup) Winner - Baxter & Holden;
Mullingar 27/07/2013 (McLaughlin Cup) Winner - Ed. McAuley;
Tullamore 03/08/2013 (Presidents Cup) Winner - Beggs & Hall;
Roscrea 10/08/2013 (Dempsey Cup) Winner - N. Ferguson & Son;
Clonmel 16/08/2013 (Town Hall Cup) Winner - C. Campbell & Son;
Fermoy 24/08/2013 (Gibson Shield) Winner - A. S. McNaghten;
Talbenny National 31/08/2013 (Best 2 Bird Average & Young Bird Derby Cup) Winner - R. & M. Robinson
J. Lennon Jun. Mem. Cup Winner - Crawford & Robinson;
Tullamore Come back 31/08/2013 (Surgenor Cup) Winner - Beggs & Hall;
Mallow 06/09/2013 Mallow 5 Bird A.S.McNaghten (McCluggage Young Bird Cup) Winner - Beggs & Hall;
Rosscarbery Derby 15/09/2013 Best 2 Bird Average Rosscarbery Y/Bird & Highways Trophy Winner - Beggs & Hall;
McLaughlin Mem. Cup Winner - D.& P. Harvey;
Best Average 2 Talbenny's , Bude & Penzance (Reggie Anderson Mem Trophy) Winner - Beggs & Hall;
Best Average all Young Bird Races & Young Bird Average Cup Winner - Crawford & Robinson;
Best Average Young Bird Derby Races Talbenny & Rosscarbery (Barry McWilliams Memorial Cup) Winner - D. & P. Harvey.

2013 OLD BIRD & YOUNG BIRD RACES
Best Average all Old & Young Bird Races on NIPA Programme & Combined Average Cup Winner - B. McCammon ;
Best Average all Inland Races on NIPA Programme & Combined Inland Average Cup Winner - A.S McNaghten;
Best Points all Old & Young Bird Races on NIPA Programme (Holden Mem. Cup) Winner - Beggs & Hall;
Best Average Old & Young Bird Derby Races from Rosscarbery (Longmore Cup) Winner - A. S. McNaghten;
Best Average all National Races on NIPA Programme (T. & D. Mills Memorial Trophy) Winner - B. McCammon;
Best Average Old Bird Inland Races (Royal Tara School of Dancing) Winner - A. S. McNaghten;
Champion Old Bird – Inland Best Single Bird Points Total (John Lee Memorial Cup) Winner - Crawford & Robinson;
Champion Old Bird – Channel Best Single Bird Points Total (Civic Week Cup) Winner - Beggs & Hall;
Champion Young Bird Best Single Bird Points Total (Robert Mills sen. Memorial Trophy) Winner - A. S. McNaghten;
Winter Shows 2012 (Show Trophy) Winner - D. & P. Harvey;
Champion Novice (Novice Trophy) Winner - R.W. & L. Donnell;
Old Bird Knock-out Competition Winner - Crawford & Robinson;
Young Bird Knock-out Competition Rosscarbery Yearling Cock & Rosscarbery Yearling Hen Winner - N. Ferguson & Son;
Reihill McKeown Cup Winner - A. S. McNaghten ;
Dillon Bass Trophy Winner - L &S O'Neill & Sons.

Mid Antrim Show Scene –

Ballymena & District: Classes next week Monday 16th December are Card Winners and the class for Reds, Mealy’s and Grizzles. This will be the final week on the Winter Series, many thanks to all those involved, those who brought birds and supported the raffle and the judges who gave up their time.

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. The local fancy should please note that Brian Herbison Feeds will be closing for two weeks over Christmas and the New Year, I will have the dates next week.

Ahoghill Flying Club: Old Cocks T/W – 1st, 4th & Reserve C Moore, 2nd & VHC W Livingstone, 3rd & Commended A & N Young, HC R Lowry. Old Hens T/W – 1st, 3rd & VHC R Lowry, 2nd T & G Balmer, 4th & HC M/M Robinson, Reserve A & N Young, Commended W Livingstone. Raffle was won by Rebecca Lowry. Young Cocks Handled – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & Reserve C Moore, VHC & HC M/M Robinson, Commended R Lowry. Young Hens Handled – 1st A & N Young, 2nd & 3rd M/M Robinson, 4th & Reserve W Livingstone, VHC & Commended T & G Balmer, HC D Stevenson. Old Cocks Handled – 1st M/M Robinson, 2nd J Orr, 3rd T & G Balmer, 4th, Reserve & HC C Moore, VHC D Stevenson, Commended J Orr. Old Hens Handled – 1st, 2nd, Reserve & VHC C Moore, 3rd W Livingstone, 4th D Stevenson, HC & Commended T & G Balmer.

Kells & District HPS: Mated Pairs (92 Birds) – 1st & 3rd B Swann & Son, 2nd & 4th Surgenor Bros, Reserve & Commended J Getty, VHC A Barkley & Son, HC Scott & Clements. Judges – N Percy and F Dickey (Randalstown). Next Week – OB & YB Eye-sign and Pieds. The annual Open Show will take place as usual, Boxing Day which is Thursday 26th December, full details next week.

Cullybackey HPS: Reminder that Cullybackey Open Show is to be held on Saturday 21st December in the Cullybackey club rooms. The classes are the following: Old and young birds T/W, Old and young birds handled, Old and young birds Eye-sign and Fancy T/W.Penning is from 11 to 1 and the sponsors are: Brian Herbison Concrete and pigeon supplies, H. Beattie and sons pigeon feed, Bridge Service Station Cullybackey , Frazers Animal Feeds and C + D McDowell Accounting Penny bridge. Cullybackey HPS takes no responsibility for pigeons lost during show. J. Greer and E. Davidson (club sec).

NFC Charity Show Update – Irish National Flying Club will be holding their 36th Annual Show and there will be racing, show racers and fancy birds all in attendance. Show will be at Lisburn Leisure Centre Complex on Sat 14th Dec 2013, open from 9.00am. A big effort has been put in this year , Show Manager Sammy Briggs has arranged a large number of Trade Stands, and Ronnie Johnston has once again gathered a vast array of gift birds to be sold in the Charity Sale in the afternoon.

INFC Merit Awards Presentation -

The Merit Awards Presentation will take place on Friday 3rd January in the Dunsilly Hotel Antrim with a 6.30pm start. Tickets for the evening are £10 which includes supper. Guests for the night are John Tyerman from Bracklesham Bay, Ian Crammond from Fontwell and Derek Partridge of Manchester. Derek is a former Manchester City footballer and has spent over 30 years at the club in various guises. He has offered a signed City jersey and other Man City memorabilia for the raffle on the night. John Tyerman got into pigeons as a boy through his grandfather in Dumfries and has raced pigeons nearly all his life except when he was away for 4 years in Hong Kong. He is a founder member and past President of the London and South East Classic club, and has served on the National Flying Club committee for 9 years. He has been a member of the British Barcelona Club for over 30 years and is currently serving as President. John tells me that they now have over 1300 members and 33 are from Ireland. John has had ‘reasonable’ success in racing and has cultivated a family of the old Carmichael/Kirkpatrick and Eric Canton pigeons which have won many positions in Classic, National and International races flying in 500/600 miles events. He is also a winner of the Central Southern Tarbes Classic (520 miles) – only 4 day pigeons and then twice winner (2011 and 2013) of the Barcelona Challenge One Loft race, flying 625miles to the lofts in France.
John and Ian have both promised birds for auction on the night and these will be available for collection at the Blackpool Show.
The panel for the moot is John Tyerman, Derek Partridge and W & L McCaw of Dervock Gold Medal winners with the INFC. This has become another very popular night with the INFC, worth a visit.

Carrick & District Open Show – The Carrick & Dist Open Show will be held on New Year’s Day in their own clubrooms, that’s Wednesday 1st January 2014. Penning of birds is from 1pm – 2pm. Usual classes with prizes for all card winners, plus BIS & BOS awards. There will also be a Breeder/Buyer sale with the race to be flown from 2nd Fermoy. For those interested to participate and enter a youngster please contact Mr R Reid Tel: (028) 93 362051. All fanciers very welcome.
Doagh Open Show – An Open Show 3 in 1 for Old Birds is taking place in the Doagh Orange Hall on Saturday 21st December penning from 12.00pm until 2.00pm at £2 per pen. Top National judges are in attendance, tea, sandwiches etc. and all proceeds to the Doagh Cultural Society for the Building Fund. Lot of prizes for the winners, keep this date free.

Coalisland & District: Local Ace Mickey Hamilton placed the cards in the most recent show for Old Pairs Handled, Karl Murphy was the winner again, that’s 4 Red Cards over the 5 shows to date, 2nd in the other one. Well done Karl, top show man and racer. Old Pairs Handled (78 Birds) – 1st, 3rd, HC & Commended K Murphy, 2nd Kevin Carolan, 4th Sean Hughes, Reserve & VHC Brendan Morgan. Next week’s show Young Pairs Handled , penning 7pm.
Lurgan Social: The latest show for AA Cock or Hen T/W was judged by H McCartney, the Red Card winner was Brown & Shaw from Dromore. Result – 1st Brown & Shaw, 2nd D & B Lyness, 3rd C Reynolds, 4th K Henderson, Reserve & HC M Rice, VHC A Mallon, Commended Kevin Douglas. Next week AA Cock or Hen T/W with Special for Best Young Bird.
Eastway HPS: Young Cocks T/W – 1st J Walker & Son, 2nd Whiteside Bros, 3rd M & T Griffith, 4th & HC J Dawson & Son, Reserve D & J Campbell & Bigger, VHC G McKenna. Young Cocks Handled – 1st D & J Campbell & Bigger, 2nd J Walker & Son, 3rdR Francey & Son, 4th & HC J Burrows, Reserve G McKenna, VHC J Dawson & Son. Judges S Jones and R Jones.

Rasharkin & District: The second show for the local club was for the Young Birds, judged Through Wires, Handled and Eye-sign by the judges who had travelled down from the Coleraine Premier. NIPA Committee member Jimmy Hanson, Secretary Leslie Madden and Russell McAlary had the task of placing the cards. Best in Show was A C & T Tweed, with Best Opposite Sex won by Jackie Steele, both lofts shared the Show Points Cup after a tie over the two shows. The W & J McLean team has the Special for Best Young Bird T/W. Many thanks to Herbison Feeds, for sponsorship of the Best in Show award. Results: Young Bird T/W – 1st & HC P McDonald, 2nd J & D Surgenor, 3rd Steele & McNeill, 4th, Reserve, VHC & Commended H Cubitt. Judge Russell McAlary. Young Bird Handled – 1st W & J McLean 2nd & 3rd P McDonald, 4th & VHC T Kaczynski, Reserve H Cubitt, HC J & M Milliken, Commended A C & T Tweed. Judge Jimmy Hanson. Young Bird Eye-sign – 1st W & J McLean, 2nd & Reserve P McDonald, 3rd & VHS Steele & McNeill, 4th T Kaczynski, HC W McFetridge, Commended A C & T Tweed.

Ballymoney HPS: The show season started last Friday evening with a 3 in 1 for Young Birds, the judges travelled down from Coleraine ace racers involved with the North Coast Classic Sean Diamond and Paul O’Connor. Just over 100 birds were penned, D & G McMullan collected the Red Card in Through Wires and Eye-sign while Danny Dixon had 1st in the Handled class. Results: Young Bird T/W – 1st D & G McMullan, 2nd D Dixon, 3rd S & C McCook, 4th & Reserve L Neill, VHC Curry & Gilmore, HC Brown & Stewart, Commended D Gage. Young Bird Handled – 1st, 3rd & VHC D Dixon, 2nd & HC D & G McMullan, 4th D Gage, Reserve J Connolly, Commended Brown & Stewart. Young Bird Eye-sign – 1st & 4th D & G McMullan, 2nd & Commended D Dixon, 3rd & Reserve D Gage, VHC Curry & Gilmore, HC J Connolly. This Friday 13th December, a 3 in 1 Show for Old Birds.