The Blue Riband Grand National for young birds was flown from Penzance on Wednesday 3rd September, some 2,300 birds were competing for pools and prizes exceeding £17,500. The Irish Nat FC liberation was delayed due to low cloud in the release area, finally let go at 9.15am in a Lt SE wind. It was expected to be a hard race and that’s how it turned out, early arrivals in Cork City set the pace and the overall winner was among the first clocked around 1.15pm. The winner was Billy McCarthy of the Cork Federation who returned a velocity of 1318 flying approx. 175 miles. Just 93 arrivals were confirmed on the day with the local centre in Muckamore recording 16 game birds up till dark. It’s good to report a large number of birds were recorded on the second day, with some excellent results. Old Hand Vernon Thom from Cookstown was best in the local Muckamore Centre, he sent the Talbenny birds back and timed them early again, first bird at 17.02hrs records velocity 1193 for the 316 miles to finish 6th Open INFC. Next best with birds at 17.19hrs and 17.52hrs were Mr & Mrs Hayes from Ballyclare this loft was 2nd Open last year and won the 2 Bird Average. They were followed by the top two birds into Mid Antrim for Alan Darragh of Cullybackey at 18.42hrs and J McNeill & Son of Randalstown. Martin Graham from Ballymena & District had two birds on the day and timed another 5 on the second day, a super result getting 7 out of 10. First bird for Martin was also sent back after Talbenny and his result was one of the best ever in the local area. What about this for a result by Eamon Quigley of Inch Island in Donegal timing the furthest bird in the result at 10.46am on the second morning flying 350 miles recording velocity 649ypm to finish 20th South Sect & 148th Open INFC. Breeding of the bird is T & P Cassidy on the dam side and Cassidy & Nevin Bros on the other. Two lofts with a very long distance pedigree. Well done to Eddie McKnight of Harmony HPS on clocking 6 birds from 10 out of Penzance , 4 on the day and 2 next morning.
Muckamore Centre Penzance YB Nat – V Thom Cookstown 1193, M/M C Hayes Ballyclare 1166, M/M C Hayes 1021, A Darragh Cullybackey 1021, J McNeill & Son Randalstown 1017, V Thom 1014, M Graham Ballymena & Dist 1010, M Graham 1007, Spiers & Campbell Cookstown 1006, A Darragh 964, G F Lindsay Crumlin & Dist 927, Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 927, A Darragh 870, V Thom 858, C & L Woodside Ballyclare 855, A Thompson Ballyclare 832.
East Antrim Penzance YB Nat – Mr & Mrs C Hayes Ballyclare 1166, Mr & Mrs C Hayes 1090, C & L Woodside Ballyclare 855, A Thompson Ballyclare 832, F Simpson Doagh & Dist 739, R Duddy Ballyclare 698, R Duddy 698, C & L Woodside 683, Gregg Bros & McCandless Ligoniel 678, W Corbett & Son Ligoniel 635, R Glass Larne & Dist 634, R Duddy 628, J Burrows Eastway 626, C & L Woodside 620, L & S O’Neill & Sons Larne & Dist 619, Mr & Mrs C Hayes 599.
Mid Antrim Penzance YB Nat - A Darragh Cullybackey 1021, J McNeill & Son Randalstown 1017, M Graham Ballymena & Dist 1010, M Graham 1007, A Darragh 964, Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 927, A Darragh 870, M Graham 760, J & M Milliken Rasharkin 688, J Harris Ballymena 664, M Graham 656, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 649, W Jackson Harryville 623, Stewart Bros Randalstown 603, M Graham 563, Reid Bros & McCloy 545, M Graham 535, D Dixon Rasharkin 524, M Graham 515, T Johnston & Son Harryville 490.
Club Results Penzance –
Cookstown Soc 3/23 – V Thom 1193, 1014, Speirs & Campbell 1006, V Thom 858, G Marshall 716, V Thom 710, 668, G Marshall 658, Speirs & Campbell 623, V Thom 539. Super flying into Cookstown well done to all 3 who clocked in the YB Grand National Penzance 320mile average to the 3 competitor's. Jim and Tommy showing the darkness guy's that they can't be ruled out, great flying.
Sallynoggin – M Maguire & Son 1189, Brady & Burton 460. Well done Mick & Paul and John Brady 2nd Day birds - Brady & Burton 08.55, Brian Kavanagh & Grandson 12.37. Well done all.
Beechpark Social – S & J McCullough 1165, D Mawhinney & Son 1146, S & J McCullough 809, 637, Dando & Bennett 614, C Reynolds 502. Davy Mawhinney and Joe McCullough of Beechpark Social both had brilliant race from difficult Penzance Nat, Joe being 7th North Sect, 10 Open and Davy 9th North Sect, 12 Open. Congratulations to both from all fellow members.
Annaghmore – T McClean 1120, 996, H Cordner 933, W G Neill 913, G Buckley & Son 877, W G Neill 796, 641, 639, 620, J & E Calvin 614, R Telford 614, T McClean 609.
Cullybackey HPS – A Darragh 1021, 964, Reid Bros & McCloy 927, A Darragh 870, Reid Bros & McCloy 545.
Randalstown HPS – J McNeill & Son 1017, Stewart Bros 603.
Ballymena & District 6/30 – M Graham 1010, 1007, 760, J Harris 664, M Graham 656, Blair & Rankin 649, M Graham 563, 535, 515.
Edgarstown – P & D Stewart 993, G & C Simmons 918, T & A Ford 836, S Roycroft & Son 812, 601, G & C Simmons 586, R Bell & Sons 584, 550, S Roycroft & Son 497, J Whitten & Son 493.
Portadown & Drumcree – A McDonald 948, Larkin Bros 947, G Matchett & Sons 673, J Gordon 581, Hagan & Rowney 557, Larkin Bros 495, G Matchett & Sons 461.
Skerries RPC 7/80 – K Wilde 844, P & J Jones 734, P Rock & Son 728, 665, 507, 505. Well done Kit showing us all the way with only 1 bird away.
Rasharkin & District 2/4 – J & M Milliken 688.
Harryville HPS – W Jackson 623, T Johnston & Son 490.
Ballymoney HPS 5/30 - D Dixon 524, Curry & Gilmore 474. Danny Dixon times one of the only two birds in race time to win the YB National from Penzance. His winner this week is a Blue Cheq Wildemeersch hen.
Bray Southend 11/50 – B McCann & Sons 524. Only bird in race time.
Corrigs & District 2/5 – Benson Bros 477, W B Shaw 471.
Mid Antrim Combine – Claims for 2014 Season
Claims for the following awards should be made to the MAC Secretary George McDowell on or before Saturday 4th October, all cups and trophies to be returned as well.
Old Bird Inland Average, Cross Channel Average, Old Bird Ave, Eagleson Memorial Cup best average Talbenny, Bude, Thuro and Penzance, Old Bird of the Year, Young Bird Ave, New North Cup best average Bude & Talbenny YB, Combine Average, Young Bird of the Year.
Social Night for Kells & District - Kells & Dist HPS have another Social Evening planned to take place in the Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim on Friday 24th October, pay at the door. Included Raffle and small Charity Sale, always a great night. Prior to the main event the Kells & Dist HPS will present the prizes for the year. More details later, with guests etc.
East Down Combine Open Talbenny YB Derby 62/328 –
1-W1 J Patterson Ballylesson 1343, 2-W2 Mackey & Lockhart Ballylesson 1331, 3-W3 K & B McConaghie & Son Ballylesson 1305, 4-E1 Angus Son & McConkey Donaghadee 1276, 5-W4 C & D Smyth & Sons Ballylesson 1270, 6-W5 G Lyttle Comber Social 1268, 7-W6 Mackey & Lockhart 1239, 8-W7 J Kirk & Son Drumaness Mills 1227, 9-E2 D Croskery & Son Annsborough 1224, 10-E3 D Croskery & Son 1222, 11-W8 B & H Marshall Newtownbreda 1221, 12-W9 Mackey & Lockhart 1216, 13-W10 T Marshall & Son Newtownbreda 1216, 14-W11 G Lyttle 1211, 15-W12 Mackey & Lockhart 1204, 16-E4 R McDowell & Son Annsborough 1201, 17-W13 Kincaid & McCann Dundonald 1200, 18-E5 McCormick & Muckle Millisle & Dist 1196, 19-E6 R McDowell & Son 1196, 20-E7 M Croskery Annsborough 1194.
East Down Combine Clubs Talbenny Derby
Corrigs & District 5/33 – P Brown & Son 1231, G & P Brown 1216, 1210, P Brown & Son 1147, G & P Brown 1142, P Brown & Son 1103.
Annalong – K Rooney, Son & Daughter 1177, 1155, 1131, H McDowell 975, 944, J Trimble & Son 926.
Ballynahinch HPS – S & P Logan 1096.
East Down Combine Open Skibbereen (1) YB Derby 85/1059 –
1-W1 Mackey & Lockhart Ballylesson 1797, 2-W2 B C & T Foulis & Gill Dundonald 1793, 3-W3 B Hogg & Sons Newtownbreda 1788, 4-W4 T Marshall & Son Newtownbreda 1785, 5-W5 J Young & Partners Dundonald 1785, 6-W6 J Young & Partners 1785, 7-W7 R Irwin Dundonald 1778, 8-W8 R Hunter Ballynahinch 1769, 9-W9 B C & T Foulis & Gill 1758, 10-W10 W Hayes & Son Ballynahinch 1757, 11-W11 J Abernethy Ballynahinch 1755, 12-W12 G Lyttle Comber Social 1753, 13-W13 T Horner & Sons Crossgar 1744, 14-W14 McCartan & Woodsides Crossgar 1733, 15-W15 McCartan & Woodsides 1733, 16-W16 J Patterson Ballylesson 1728, 17-W17 Cowan & McCartney Dundonald 1725, 18-E1 R Moore & Son Bangor 1722, 19-W18 J Young & Partners 1721, 20-W19 B Hogg & Sons 1719.
East Down Combine Clubs Skibbereen (1) Derby
Ballynahinch HPS – R Hunter 1769, W J Hayes & Son 1757, J Abernethy 1755, 1710, R Hunter 1699, S & P Logan 1688.
Ballywalter SPC 6/46 – J Orr & Son 1608, Palmer & McKay 1574, J Orr & Son 1566, Palmer & McKay 1559, S Regan 1543, 1512.
Dundrum HPS – J Maguire & Partners 1561, S Foster Connor & Parry 1561, J Maguire & Partners 1505, 1444, S Foster Connor & Parry 1371, 1370.
Annalong – L McCavery 1540, McLoughlin Bros 1537, K Rooney, Son & Daughter 1536, L McCavery 1500, K Rooney, Son & Daughter 1487, J Trimble & Son 1481.
East Down Combine Open Skibbereen (2) YB Derby 59/733 –
1-W1 McCartan & Woodsides Crossgar 1342, 2-E1 Gordon Bros & Sons Cloughey 1331, 3-E2 Gordon Bros & Sons 1331, 4-E3 Harper & Young Cloughey 1330, 5-E4 W McMaster & Son Ballywalter 1325, 6-W2 M Foulis Dundonald 1297, 7-W3 W White & Son Newtownbreda 1291, 8-W4 G Lyttle Comber Social 1291, 9-W5 C & D Smyth & Sons Ballylesson 1290, 10-W6 B Hogg & Sons Newtownbreda 1286, 11-W7 M & A Johnston Ballylesson 1287, 12-E5 D Croskery & Son Annsborough 1286, 13-W8 J Young & Partners Dundonald 1284, 14-W9 B Hogg & Sons 1282, 15-W10 Cowan & McCartney Dundonald 1281, 16-W11 M Foulis 1281, 17-W12 Mackey & Lockhart Ballylesson 1275, 18-W13 C & D Smyth & Sons 1274, 19-W14 B Hogg & Sons 1274, 20-W15 M Foulis 1274.
East Down Combine Clubs Skibbereen (2) YB Derby
Crossgar HPS – McCartan & Woodsides 1342, 1265, 1261, T Horner & Sons 1260, S & K Duke 1260, McCartan & Woodsides 1259.
Ballywalter SPC 5/42 – W McMaster & Son 1325, 1219, 1175, D & W Carlisle & Son 1146, S Regan 1099, 1088.
Ballylesson HPS – C & D Smyth & Sons 1290, M & A Johnston 1287, Mackey & Lockhart 1275, C & D Smyth & Sons 1275, 1253, M & A Johnston 1238.
Ballynahinch HPS – J Abernethy 1253, 1181, 1127.
Annalong – J Newell 1200, K Rooney Son & Daughter 1182, 1075, J Newell 1065, 1059, K Rooney Son & Daughter 1000.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
http://www.pigeonnetwork.com
Tommy McClean of Annaghmore 1st & 2nd Talbenny Nat and Penzance Nat with grand children Zak and Tami.
Beechpark members who scored in Penzance, Joe McCullough (r) and Davy Mawhinney.
Cookstown Trio return clocks for Penzance, from (l) Gerald Marshall, Vernon Thom and Jim Speirs.
Eamonn Quigley Inch Island, Co. Donegal second morning Penzance 350 miles.
Wesley Jackson former YB Nat winner 1st Harryville from Penzance.
Martin Graham from Ballymena & Dist, super card from Penzance.
Alan Darragh from Cullybackey, 1st MAC Penzance.
Darwin Stuart Ballymoney, best in Coleraine Centre in races from Fermoy & Rosscarbery.
Anthony McNeill had 1st Randalstown HPS from Penzance.
Muckamore Centre Manager Bobby Bethel (l) with Colin Hayes from Ballyclare.