Cups & Trophy History -

[willie reynolds]

Harkness Rose Bowl – Best 2 Bird Average in the Kings Cup Grand National
List in not complete
1974 Nantes Not Won
1975 Rheims Grattan Bros West Belfast
1976 Rennes ???
1977 Rennes J F McAllister Ballymena
1978 Rennes W B Shaw Newcastle
1979 Rennes V Thompson Ballyclare
1980 Les Sables Spence Bros Lisburn
1981 Les Sables ???
1982 Les Sables Not Won
1983 Les Sables Not Won
1984 Lerwick Reid Bros Cullybackey
1985 Lerwick J Crossan Downpatrick
1986 Jersey Kirkwood Bros Lisburn
1987 Jersey McCabe Bros Antrim
1988 Rennes S S Cairns Gilford
1989 Rennes J Patience Dollingstown
1990 Rennes Belshaw & Anderson Dunmurry
1991 Rennes T Marshall & Son Newtownbreda
1992 Rennes Smyth Bros Ballymena
1993 Rennes N Black & Sons Dromara
1994 Rennes N Black & Sons Dromara
1995 Rennes J Patience Dollingstown
1996 Rennes N Black & Sons Dromara
1997 St Nazaire L Magee & Son Hills & Maze
1998 Rennes N Thompson Dunedin
1999 Redon W & A Ferguson Portadown
2000 Redon M Robinson Bondhill
2001 No Race
2002 Redon Not Won
2003 Messac L McCall Wicklow SR
2004 Messac Myles & McConnell Dunedin
2005 Messac T Cairns & Son Glengormley
2006 Vannes Burns Bros Comber Social 1140
2007 No Race
2008 No Race
2009 Plaudren-V G O’Reilly & Son Malahide & Dist 1363
2010 Plaudren/V C O’Hare & Son Ballyholland 1152
2011 Plaudren/V N Black & Sons Dromara 1131
2012 Plaudren/V G O’Reilly & Son Malahide & Dist 920
2013 St Allouestre Rev TAB Sawyers Banbridge HPS 1121
2014 Quimper J Cullen Bray Invitation 749


Sid Collins (l) presents the Harkness Rose Bowl to the winner in 2013 Wesley Sawyers.





Henry Beattie & Son Trophy - Winners
2002 Fougeres J Cleland, Annsborough
2003 Fougeres A Darragh, Cullybackey
2004 Fougeres Not won
2005 Picauville A Darragh, Cullybackey
2006 Portland S G Briggs, Lisburn & Dist 1109
2007 Portsmouth R Williamson, Bondhill 1044
2008 Quimper M Hughes, Edgarstown 608
2009 Picauville Mal Maguire & Son, Millvale 911
2010 St Malo Donnelly Bros, Newry City 1081
2011 St Malo F & J Crowe, Gorey 959
2012 Quimper P & C Swindell, Newry City 989
2013 Quimper K Carolan, Coalisland 1042
2014 Quimper J Cullen, Bray Invitation 362


Sid Collins (l) presents the Henry Beattie & Son Trophy to the winner in 2013 Kevin Carolan.

[willie reynolds]

2 Bird Average O/B - History

The Irish National Flying Club annual dinner is due to be held at the end of November and I thought it was time to look back at the history of the Harkness Rose Bowl.

It was in 1971 that Bob Harkness asked me to purchase a new cup that the Harkness Family then presented to the INFC. I purchased a Rose Bowl and it became known as the Harkness Rose Bowl presented to the fancier with the Best 2 Bird average from the INFC Kings Cup. It was up for competition in the 1972 season won by Harry Stockman of Ballynahinch in a race from Nantes, 15th and 20th Open on 675 and 660. The Kings Cup winner was Tommy Cairns of Monkstown on 771, he went on to win the Rose Bowl in 2005 from Messac, 3rd & 17th Open. Harry Stockman at that time flew only Harkness pigeons and it was very appropriate that Harry should be the first winner of this trophy.

The best result that can be achieved to win Rose Bowl is 1st & 2nd and, believe it or not, Jackie Patience of Lurgan won 1st & 2nd Open from Rennes in 1995. Jackie had previously won the Rose Bowl in 1989 from Rennes, 2nd & 6th Open on 1071 and 1056 when the Kings Cup winner was R Carson & Son of Banbridge. The only other loft to win the Rose Bowl was Stephen Cairns of Gilford who took 5th & 6th Open in 1998, getting two birds together, the Kings Cup winner of that season was Allan McDonald of Portadown. Jackie Patience twice and Stephen Cairns are the only two fanciers to win the Rose Bowl with both birds in the first six of the Open result.

N Black & Son of Dromara won 6th & 7th Open in 1993, 1st & 8th Open in 1996, and 7th & 8th Open in 1974 all races from Rennes and became the first loft to win the Rose Bowl, two years in succession. The Black Family were to win the Rose Bowl for the fourth time in 2011 from Vannes when the loft finished 8th & 10th Open.

Gerry O’Reilly & Son from Malahide have won the coveted Harkness Rose Bowl twice in four years, 4th & 26th Open in 2009 and then 1st & 8th Open in 2012, both races from Vannes. Way back in 1975 Grattan Bros were the first Belfast loft to win the Rose Bowl, that year the INFC flew the Kings Cup from Rheims and only 19 birds were recorded in race time. The partners won 5th & 9th Open on 532 and 494 and Kings Cup winner that year was Sammy Topping of Donacloney with Red Ch Pied hen “Donacloney Queen” which I was later to sell at public auction.

The Beattie Family always had a great interest in the Friendship National andf Henry was always looking for ways to increase the birdage. It was in 2001 that Cyril Beattie and I went to Tyrone Crystal and purchased the most beautiful trophy to be known as the Henry Beattie & Son Trophy, the late Henry Beattie, himself a former Kings Cupo winner, decided it would be awarded to the loft with the Best 2 Bird Average from the Friendship Nat. The first winner in 2002 was the top National loft of Jamesd Cleland, Annsborough. In 2003 it was won by former Kings Cup winner Alan Darragh of Cullybackey who won it for a second time in 2005. In 2004 when the race was flown from Fougeres it was not won. It has only been won by a South Sect loft once and that was in 2011 for F & J Crowe of Gorey. The late Henry Beattie did achieve his objective, the birdage went from 300 plus to over 1,000.

These are two of the most coveted trophies within the INFC, and for the first time in the history of the Club, both trophies in 2014 have been won by the same fancier, Jimmy Cullen of Wicklow. Jimmy is a super Nat flyer and a former Kings Cup winner in 1992 from Rennes. In one of the most difficult National seasons in the history of the INFC, to win both Average Cups in the same season is MAGIC! Irish Rover.

[willie reynolds]

De Scheemaecker Trophy

Noel De-Scheemaecker has been a great friend to the Irish National Flying Club and has made a number of visits to Ireland. During one of his visits to Tom Marshall he suggested that he would like to present a trophy to the INFC and when put to the INFC Committee it was accepted. Noel suggested that the trophy be an Average Trophy and selected Penzance Young Bird. The De-Scheemaecker Trophy was to be awarded to the fancier with the Best 2 Bird Average from the YB Grand Nat, usually flown from Penzance. The first winners were Kelly Bros of Malahide in 1992 followed by Martin & Fred Russell in 1993. The De-Scheemaecker is very difficult to win and after 20 years no fancier has managed to win it twice and no member of the East Down Combine of Ulster Federation has managed to win it! Annaghmore have won it twice through Willie Neill in 2005 and then Glen Buckley & Son in 2006. The Mid Ulster Area had a good record in winning the trophy with Ronnie Williamson of Bondhill collecting the award in 2007 followed by Davie Calvin of the same club in 2008. The trophy has gone to the South Sect five times, the last being in 2012 when the winner was Derek Cummins of Finglas. The De-Scheemaecker Trophy was won last year by Mr & Mrs Colin Hayes of Ballyclare and he came ever so close to winning it for the second time with only Jeff Greenaway finishing ahead of the Hayes loft. Jeff enjoyed another great season and is again Sect D Fancier of the Year and at the highest level the loft won three INFC trophies.

1992: Kelly Bros, Malahide –
1993: M & F Russell, Dromore –
1994: W McIlroy, Ballymena & Dist –
1995: T Boyle, Dublin –
1996: Strecker Family, Malahide –
1997: J Eagleson & Sons, Harryville –
1998: J Brown, Dollingstown –
1999: Higginson & McMeekin, Kingsmoss –
2000: Not won
2001:
2002: S Corrigan, Loughgall –
2003: T Wilson, Gilford –
2004: Livingstone Bros, Harryville –
2005: W G Neill, Annaghmore –
2006: G Buckley & Son, Annaghmore – Vel 1006
2007: R Williamson, Bondhill – Vel 759
2008: D Calvin, Bondhill – Vel 1092
2009: Donnelly Bros, Newry City – Vel 962
2010: S McLaughlin & Sons, Glenavy & Dist – Vel 1260
2011: J Kelly & Sons, Dromore – Vel 1290
2012: D Cummins, Finglass RPC – Vel 1386
2013: Mr & Mrs C Hayes, Ballyclare & Dist – Vel 1440
2014: J Greenaway, Dromore – Vel 1138






Mr & Mrs Hayes were winners in 2013, presentation by Syd Collins.


Jeff Greenaway was winner in 2014, presentation by Brendan McLaughlin.

[willie reynolds]

The Irish National Flying Club membership, are not short of special awards that they can fly for during a racing season. The Duddy Trophy was first flown for in 2009 having been presented to the club by Robin Duddy, the YB National winner of 1990. Robin made sure that the winner would be a fancier of the highest class as he set out the criteria as follows. 3 Bird Nomination for each National Race - Sennen Cove Yearling Nat and the Penzance YB Grand Nat always two difficult National races from across the channel.

The Duddy Trophy was first flown for in 2009 and won by a former Kings Cup winner, Geoffrey Douglas of Wilton Cross. The following year the trophy was won by the top East Down Combine lofts of Doley Croskery & Son of Annsborough. In 2011 another outstanding National loft collected the trophy, L Magee & Son of Lisburn & District. The domination of the North Sect came to an end in 2012 when Eddie Barnes & Son of Ballybrack were successful. Arnold Thompson of Ballyclare & Dist brought the trophy back North in 2013 and again this is an outstanding National loft.

That brings us up to date, 2014 and the South Sect win the trophy for the second time., the winners Noel Grant & son from Balbriggan. The Grant’s fly a very, very good pigeon and have been to the INFC Nat Dinner many times.

Robin Duddy Trophy
2009: G Douglas, Wilton Cross – Vel 994
2010: D Croskery & Son, Annsborough HPS – Vel 961
2011: L Magee & Son, Lisburn & Dist – Vel 1121
2012: E Barnes & Son, Ballybrack RPC – Vel 1257
2013: A Thompson, Ballyclare & Dist – Vel 1159
2014: N Grant & Son, Balbriggan RPC – Vel 1140




N Grant & Son from Balbriggan were winners in 2014.

Triple Crown Award

The latest award the members of the INFC fly for is known as the Triple Crown Award, to win this award a single pigeon must be an Open prize-winner from Penzance YB Grand National, Sennen Cove Yearling National and finally the Kings Cup OB Grand National as a two year old racer. The first year that the award could be won was 2009 and immediately it was to cause controversy. It could have been my mistake as I had put the idea of this award to the Committee and had it accepted.
The brilliant Annaghmore loft of Glen Buckley & Son won 134th Open INFC Grand Nat YB in 2008 with a lovely Blue w/f hen “64”. The following year she was sent to the INFC Sennen Cove Yearling Nat and went on to win 29th Open. Glen had the hen in great form and it was decided to send her to the Kings Cup flown from Vannes and “64” won 1st North Sect & 2nd Open INFC plus pools and prize money of £2,500. I had her down as a Triple Crown award winner but the INFC Committee would not approve it as they decided it should be consecutive years. Three seasons on the trot. Glen was offered the £100 prize but would not accept it and decided to try again.

In 2009 we had two Triple Crown award winners, Tommy McClean of Annaghmore Blue hen “49” winning 49th Open Sennen Cove YB Nat, 5th Open Sennen Cove Yearling Nat then 138th Open Vannes Kings Cup. J McLoughlin & Son of Blanchardstown scored with Cheq Pied (h) “57” in YB Nat Sennen Cove 49th Open 223rd Open in the Yearling Nat Sennen Cove and then 55th Open Vannes Kings Cup.

The 2010 season saw three Triple Crown awards and believe it or not Glen Buckley & Son did not take long to win the award they missed out on in 2009. Blue w/f (h) “64” won 134th Open Sennen Cove YB Nat, 29th Open Sennen Cove Yearling Nat and 201st Open Kings Cup Vannes. The hen that was 2nd Open Kings Cup in 2009 went back and won the award that was so richly deserved.

Willie Neill of Annaghmore, the same club as Glen won his award with a Blue hen “06”. 89th Open Sennen Cove YB Nat, 62nd Open Sennen Cove Yearling Nat and then 53rd Open Vannes Kings Cup. This brilliant hen was in the first 100 of all three National races.

Former Kings Cup winner Ronnie Williamson of Bondhill won the third award of 2010, his Blue Pied (h) “63” won 32nd Open Sennen Cove YB Nat, 194th Open Sennen Cove Yearling Nat and then finally 72nd Open Vannes Kings Cup. Did you notice? - All 3 winners were Hens!

The East Down Combine won their first Triple Crown award when the EDC Secretary Sammy Duke clocked his Blue Cheq (h) “38” to win 75th Open Penzance YB Nat, 83rd Open Sennen Cove Yearling Nat, 94th Open Vannes Kings Cup. This was the second winner to be in the first 100 Open positions in all three National races. Willie Corrigan from Loughgall collected his award with the first cock to win the Triple Crown. His Blue (c) “63” was 135th Open Penzance YB Nat, 126th Open Sennen Cove Yearling Nat, 143rd Open Vannes Kings Cup.

No Triple Crown Award was won in 2012 but the following season 2013 saw two awards won and by two former Kings Cup winners. Geoffrey Douglas of Wilton Cross timed Blue (c) “69” to win 186th Open Penzance YB Nat, 259th Open Sennen Cove Yearling Nat, and then 86th Open St Allouestre Kings Cup. Joe Doheny from Malahide scored with his Blue Cheq (h) “30”, 61st Open Penzance YB Nat, 133rd Open Sennen Cove Yearling Nat and 203rd Open St Allouestre Kings Cup.
In 2014 once again, no Triple Crown Award was won, it has been in the race programme for six years and only nine have been won – 7 hens and 2 cocks. Irish Rover.

Triple Crown Award
2009: J McLoughlin & Sons, Blanchardstown; T McClean, Annaghmore.
2010: G Buckley & Son, Annaghmore; W G Neill, Annaghmore; R Williamcon, Bondhill.
2011: S & K Duke, Crossgar; W Corrigsn, Loughgall.
2012: Not won.
2013: G Douglas, Wilton Cross; J Doheny, Malahide & Dist.
2014: Not won.