1st North Section, 1st Open, D Irvine Harmony, Vel 1476, Flying 246 miles, winning £303 and the Tom Marshall Trophy
The winner of this year’s Skibbereen Young Bird National is Dennis Irvine of the Harmony club, in Ballynahinch in Co Down. Dennis lives in Derriaghy and raced in the Fortfield club in the Ulster Fed until this year when he switched to the newly formed Harmony club. It has been a very successful move for Dennis as he has had a great year’s racing and what a way to finish it off by winning 1st North section, 1st Open Irish National Flying Club. The winning pigeon is a blue white flight hen sent sitting on a 10 day old youngster. Breeding is Hereman-Ceusters with the dam being bought at the Dublin Show from Syndicate Lofts. The sire is from Gordon Parker, Hillsborough and Maze and contains a lot of Hereman-Ceusters from Syndicate Lofts with a touch of ‘Drum’ from Marije Vinks added. This bird had been showing a bit of form having been 15th Open NIPA from Fermoy two weeks prior to this race. She was also 3rd section, 5th Open in the NIPA 5 Bird race on the same day. Training is with John Abernethy two or three times a week especially at the beginning of the season but as the races get longer Dennis tends to train just on either the Tuesday or Wednesday. This bird had every race this year except for the weekend of the Talbenny race when she was rested. Feeding is Tilburg from Henry McLaughlin, Coalisland. This was a super race for Dennis with three other birds in the result taking 48th, 68th and 138th North section.
2nd North section, D Calvin Bondhill, Vel 1461, Flying 230 miles, winning £722
We move to the Bondhill club for 2nd North section to the lofts of David Calvin, a loft that has been in tremendous form all year. A few weeks prior to the Skibbereen National David was 1st section, 13th Open NIPA Talbenny and then in the week before the National he was 3rd section, 3rd Open, 6th section, 6th Open, 7th section, 7th Open and 11th section, 20th Open NIPA Roscarberry. The pigeon timed here is a mealy cock that was racing to the perch. The breeding is Van Lock who was an uncle of Luc Gearing. David has been working on this family for 13 years with a very odd cross and by this stage they are very much his own family. They are mostly reds and mealies and the base hen was a mealy hen responsible for many winners at club, NIPA and National level. This turned out to be a super race for David with three other birds in the result taking 31st, 132nd and 138th North section. David uses a mixture of private training and transporter training with Ron Williamson two or three times a week. Feeding is all from Frazers Animal Feeds. David has a great record at National level and has had many great results particularly from the Young Bird Channel National from Penzance.
3rd & 4th North section, Mr & Mrs G Delaney Dromore, Vel 1434.77 & 1434.77, Flying 234 miles, winning £865
Mr and Mrs Gerald Delaney Dromore, another well known pigeon partnership are 3rd and 4th North section and what a terrific record they have from this race. They have won the North section five times from this race. In a record that goes back for years they were 1st Open NIPA in 1980 from Skibbereen and then the following week won 1st Open Irish National Flying Club from the same race point. Gerald and Pat were 4th section from Roscarberry with the NIPA the week before this year’s National race so the loft was in form. Both pigeons are Willy Jacobs x Jan Grondelaers, which they bred themselves at the Oroory Hill Stud. Both birds arrived together and were timed on the same second. The pigeon taking third North section is a chequer hen while the bird at fourth section is a blue w/f cock. They were both sent to this race sitting on big young birds. The Delaneys hadn’t planned on sending to this race this year as their young birds weren’t right on the darkness this year so were well up their wing. As a result they hadn’t been out following the Roscarberry race until the Thursday morning when they were let out for a bath. They showed such good form that they decided to send and are glad they did. Gerald and Pat had five birds in the result altogether at 3rd, 4th, 52nd, 100th and 156th North section. These young birds had only three races this year with their first race being from Clonmel. Prior to this they had four tosses to the border and four tosses to Ardee. After this they had very little training. Feeding is all from Frazers Animal Feeds and they are given Natural Herbal Products from Blue Sky, Newry plus Frazer products. They are never given any antibiotics.
5th North section J Smyth & Sons Drumnavaddy, Vel 1433, Flying 229 miles, winning £246
5th North section is Joe Smyth and his sons David and Andrew from the Drumnavaddy club, just outside Banbridge in Co Down. This is another loft that has enjoyed a terrific years racing with 16 x 1st prizes in their club, with 6 of these coming in the young bird season. The pigeon at 5th North section here is a Blue Bar hen sitting on a 3/4 day old youngster. The breeding is mainly Soontjens from Frank Sheader’s ‘Docherty’ lines, with a touch of Mick McMurchie’s breeding added. The Sheeder Soontjens have produced many winners for the Smyth family including this year’s winner of the NIPA Old Bird Roscarberry. The hen timed here was a consistent youngster taking a few prizes in the club but they noticed she was very keen in the days approaching this race. She had six races prior to the National as the Smyths only start at the third race as they like to ensure they are well trained before racing. They have another bird in the result taking 108th North section. Training is mostly on their own to Dundalk with one or two tosses to Balbriggan with Ronnie Williamson. Feeding is Champion Supreme, Diet200 and Jet corn all from Beatties.
A new trophy was presented at the AGM of Mid Antrim Combine, the T Shanks & Son Memorial Cup was to be won each season by the Old Bird of the Year. It has been won for the first time by Steele & McNeill of Rasharkin & Dist, an ace racer in the 2014 season. It was also agreed that the trophy which had been awarded for Bird of the Year up to 2013 when won by G & A Eagleson of Ballymena & District would in future go to the Young Bird of the Year. Jimmy Rock was a good winner here getting double points when winning the NIPA Talbenny YB National with “Rockies Boy”.
Winner for Steele & McNeill was a yearling cock “Super Mario“ the sire a direct Ad Van Berkel while the dam a top Van Loon was from good friend Danny Dixon of Ballymacaldrick Lofts in Dunloy. This hen won 3 x 1sts before going to stock. In 2014 “Super Mario“ won - 1st Club, 1st Mid Antrim, 1st Section B, & 11th Open Rosscarbery Old Bird National; 1st Club & 4th Mid Antrim Rosscarbery; 1st Club & 4th Mid Antrim Fermoy; 1st Club & 7th Mid Antrim Roscrea and 3rd Club & 21st Mid Antrim Skibbereen.
Coleraine Triangle St Malo – Paul O’Connor Coleraine Prem vel 725.
Best in the Coleraine Triangle - Blue hen 5 year old old now named “Portland Lil” clocked @9.04 St. Malo winning 1st Club, 1st Section & 9th Open NIPA, also winner of Portland Nat last year clocked @10.56pm on liberation day only bird in race time in Coleraine Premier for Paul O’Connor. This is now her 10th time in the clock in cross channel events. Dam a Chris Houston (Ballymena) Busschaert Johnston Eagleson & Sons line. Sire Busschaert of Diamond Bros (Coleraine). Paul said he was unable to clock on a hard day until he got pigeons from Chris Houston. The loft won Penzance last week with another Chris Houston Busschaert. Paul O’Connor of Coleraine Premier only bird in the club last two seasons. Only bird on the day from Portland in 2013 timed at 10.56pm and only bird in race time again from St Malo timed at 9.05am on the second day, just two arrivals in the Coleraine Centre .
Blue (h) GB09C-39683 “Portland Lil” In 2013: 1st Club, 11th Sect A & 92nd Open NIPA Portland OB Nat 482/1,697 – Vel 763; 2014: 1st Sect A & 9th Open NIPA St Malo OB Nat 404/1,304 – Vel 725. NIPA Bronze Diploma winner. Raced by Paul O’Connor, Coleraine Premier
New Shows – A new venture has been agreed between Donacloney and Milltown that they arrange a series of shows for fund raising, to be held on a Tuesday starting 4th November. Its 50p per bird with cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd, opening night will be AA Cock or Hen with Special for Best Young Bird. A Xmas Show is planned, the weekly show will be in Lavery’s Bar. Good local night out and plenty of craic, more details will follow.
Cullybackey HPS – At a recent meeting the local club confirmed the Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena would be the venue for the annual dinner and prize night, Friday 24th October. All cups and trophies should be returned by this Saturday 18th October. Shows will take place as usual on a Saturday evening starting 1st November, the date for the annual Open Show will be Saturday 20th December.
Ballymena & District – Classes for the show season will be confirmed at a meeting of the Events Committee to be held in the local clubrooms at Fountain Place (tonight) Tuesday 14th October starting at 8.00pm. First show will be Monday 27th October with classes for Young Cock and Young Hen T/W, the annual Open Show will be as usual on New Year’s Day.
Kells & District HPS – The now annual Social Evening is 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. MC Syd Collins will conduct an Interview with Cyril & Hilary Beattie on their pigeon racing successes and experiences, presentation by top vet organised by Cyril & Hilary on diseases, nutrition, etc. Charity Auction of 2015 YB’s put up by top local fanciers - Diamond Bros, Jimmy Rock, J & N Simpson, D & R Turkington, Blair & Rankin, Brian Swann & Son, A Barkley & Son, Scott & Clements, Thompson Bros, Alan Hall, Mr & Mrs Suitters, Danny Dixon, Gibson & Dickey, and others being organised, raffle and if time permits open forum as well, as a couple of presentations. Just confirmed Wim Boddaert pigeon fancier and Vet for Versele-Laga will be the vet giving a talk, etc, he bred both first and second in the NCC 2014 Final, a hard race. Lost in recent storm: GB14D-01081 & GB14D-01256 – contact Mobile 07503 483328.
Pigeon Fayre at Ballyclare - Northern Ireland Winter Fayre on Saturday, 18th October at the Six Mile Leisure Centre, Ballynure Road, Ballyclare, County Antrim, BT39 9YU. Opens 9.00am-4.30pm approx.
At this event fanciers can purchase any of their requirements prior to the breeding season and avail themselves of new stock for sale from various stalls. They can also enjoy the banter and craic that this event is getting famous for as it is getting bigger and better each year.
The response to this event has been great with a number of stalls booked to date including, (please note this list can change at any time):
Gem Supplements (Robert Kirkwood); NCC One-Loft Race; NIPA - Unikon ; Harmony Lofts (John & Viv Abernethy) ; Tom Cairns (Wooden Products ); G & R Couriers; Who Dares Wins One Loft Race; Andy Milliken (Pigeon Lofts, Nest-boxes etc.); Blaris Lofts (Harry Jennings & Son); Henry McLaughlin (Paloma Corn); Summit Lofts (Joe Brown ); Benzing ETS; Blue Sky Products; Oroory Hill Stud (Mr & Mrs Delaney); B & G Cochrane / H McAvoy; Telford Bros (Downpatrick ); Anisan; Novara Stud; plus others. Also Sensational Sale on behalf of a top loft, confirmed as Part (2) Entire Clearance Sale for Norrie Sharpe. Not to be missed! A great day out, for all the family. Bring the kids and they can enjoy the pool while you browse at the Fayre.
Sale Season – Yet another top loft has decided to leave the sport, Stephen Cairns of Gilford & District will have a Complete Clearance Sale in two parts to be held in the Banbridge British Legion on Thursday 16th October and Thursday 23rd October. Both Auctions will commence at 8.00pm with birds on view from 7.00pm. Auctioneer is Wesley Sawyers Tel: (028) 4062 6861 or Mobile: 07831 656399. Ronnie Johnston will be based as usual in Newtownbreda HPS Clubrooms on a Monday night. The birds of Seamus Killen & Son of Kircubbin will be for sale on Monday 20th October birds on view at 6.30pm with the sale KO at 7.30pm. Some outstanding distance pigeons including top Kenyon and Walkingshaw bloodlines, should be a good crowd for this. One week later on Monday 27th October what might be the final sale in Ireland for Frank Sheader due to his health. Frank has enjoyed much success in Ireland and he said this Soontjen draft will be special. Tel Ronnie (028) 9048 3625 or Frank Sheader Tel: 01944 710384. New Kid on the Block Steve McGarry has the Winter Fayre in Ballyclare this Saturday 18th October which includes the final part of the Norrie Sharpe Clearance Sale, one week later on Saturday 25th October in Chimney Corner Part (3) of the North Coast Classic sale, the first two have been a great success. These birds put up for the One Loft race are special, as usual Steve McGarry Sales are on-line first. Tel: Steve 07737 275820.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
http://www.pigeonnetwork.com
Dennis Irvine of Harmony HPS in Ballynahinch (l), 1st Open INFC Skibbereen with John Abernethy.
Monty and Daniel Magill from Ballymena & Dist, RPRA Meritorious Award winners.
Steele & McNeill of Rasharkin & Dist, won MAC Old Bird of the Year.
Paul O’Connor of Coleraine Premier holding his Bronze Diploma winner.
“Portland Lil” best in Coleraine Centre from Portland and St Malo.