Local MLA Ulster Unionist Robin Swann was the special guest at the Pigeon Moot for the Kells & District HPS held recently at Dunsilly Hotel in Antrim. As usual the Kells members arrive early to present the prizes for the racing season done and dusted before the arrival of guests and fanciers attending the Pigeon Moot. The official and members wish to thank all those who supported the annual event, MC Syd Collins Vice President of the Irish Nat FC, Robin Swann MLA, and panel members Cyril & Hilary Beattie from Tandragee and top Vet from Belgium Wim Boddaert. Also thanks to the Dunsilly Hotel for all their help and attention to detail with the Buffett. I hear the discussion was good craic over the evening and finally a small sale of birds to assist the charity. Birds were very kindly donated by Cyril/Hilary Beattie, Paddy McManus & Son, A & N Lewis, Blair & Rankin, Danny Dixon, D & R Turkington, Alan Hall, Jimmy Rock, A Barkley & Son, Brian Swann & Son, Gibson & Dickey, Scott & Clements, Diamond Bros, Thompson Bros, J & N Simpson, Mr & Mrs D Suitters, Diamond & Bond, plus a contribution to charity from Broughshane & District HPS. Charity is Barbour Children's Ward Royal Victoria Hospital, specialist children's ward, amount raised was £910 and cheque presentation was made by Kells & District officials Secretary Alan Shanks and Treasurer Mervyn Gregg to Robin Swann. Thanks also to all who attended the event.
In the racing season Kells members done well, total pay-out including Show Specials was just short of £1,230. Leading lofts were Surgenor Bros, Scott & Clements, Brian Swann & Son, George McDowell, McFarlane & Agnew, A Barkley & Son, T & M Morrow, Harry Boyd, Henry Turkington and T Shanks & Son. Surgenor Bros won 8 x 1sts, Scott & Clements 6 x 1sts, B Swann & Son 6 x 1sts, G McDowell 5 x 1sts and 2 wins each for T & M Morrow, McFarlane & Agnew and A Barkley & Son. Jeff Surgenor is still the loft to beat each week over the season he lifted 3 x MAC Diplomas, with one each for Scott & Clements, George McDowell and B Swann & Son who also won 1st NIPA Sect B from Roscrea. McFarlane & Agnew had the only bird home in the hard race from Penzance, just a fortnight earlier Surgenor Bros had the only bird home from Thuro. Alan Barkley & Son timed the only bird home from St Malo Old Bird Nat, late on the third day and this one wins the NIPA Silver Diploma.
NIPA Silver Diploma Winner 2014 – Alan Barkley & Son Kells, with GB07K-13739. 2012: St. Malo 72nd Open & 11th Sect B - Vel 1177, 2013: Portland 143rd Open & 14th Sect B - Vel 448, 2014: St. Malo 100th Open & 12th Sect B - Vel 293.
Surgenor Bros topped MAC in the opening old bird race from Tullamore and finished 2nd Sect B on velocity 1617, followed by Scott & Clements. George McDowell won from Roscrea and in the second race from this point Surgenor Bros were back on top, recording velocity 1250. They collect 1st MAC and finish 4th Sect B, followed again by Scott & Clements. From Clonmel the winner was T & M Morrow and this race was followed by Mallow, a fantastic card for Scott & Clements winning 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club, 1st MAC & 2nd Sect B. T & M Morrow were back on top in the Rosscarbery Inland Nat, on a fast day recording velocity 2073 the loft finished 2nd MAC & Sect B and 70th Open NIPA 632/5,669. Roscrea Comeback on the same day had B Swann & Son in pole position recording velocity 2025 to finish 1st MAC, 1st Sect B 122/2494 & 77th Open NIPA 677/15,107. Four 1st Combine wins in the opening 7 races was some start. Scott & Clements had the best two birds in the cross channel event from Talbenny well placed in Comb & Sect and finishing 43rd & 44th Open NIPA 797/10,852 and the winner from Dude was Surgenor Bros. On the same weekend the Yearling Nat was flown from Rosscarbery, George McDowell won Ylr Hen Nat and B Swann & Son had the best bird to win 1st Ylr Cock Nat and finish 74th Open NIPA 431/2171 on velocity 1585. At Clonmel the second time George McDowell was the winner doing 2012 finishing 67th Open NIPA 529/4389 and in the next week Fermoy 5 Bird the same loft took 1st & 2nd Club. It was same weekend as Truro, well done to Surgenor Bros who had the only bird, recording velocity 815 the loft finished 93rd Open NIPA 538/4,389. Mallow followed this race and best bird was timed by B Swann & Son, recording velocity 1148 to finish 4th Comb & 6th Sect B. Penzance had the same fate as Truro just one bird timed for McFarlane & Agnew on velocity 881. In Penzance the loft finished 142nd Open NIPA 535/4967 while in the duplicate OB Classic they finished 112th Open NIPA 397/2397. Roscrea Comeback on the same weekend had winners Surgenor Bros take 1st MAC, 3rd Sect B & 122nd Open NIPA 346/4113 followed by B Swann & Son. Final race was from St Malo in France, just one bird again this time to Alan Barkley & Son, what a good determined bird here time late on the final day to qualify for the NIPA Silver Diploma.
The young bird season commenced with Area Liberations, from Mullingar the winners were Surgenor Bros and from Tullamore the next week it was Scott & Clements. The Scott & Clements team were to win three on the trot, 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the Tullamore mass release followed by Roscrea. It was a close finish from Clonmel with B Swann & Son doing velocity 1560 finishing 2nd MAC & 4th Sect followed by Scott & Clements. The Swann loft were in top form and won two in a row with 1st, 2nd & 3rd Fermoy finishing 4th, 5th & 6th MAC and 8th, 11th & 16th Sect B. The Premier YB Nat from Talbenny in South Wales was next another winner For Surgenor Bros finishing 176th Open NIPA, other birds were timed by A Barkley & Son and McFarlane & Agnew. On the same day we had the Roscrea Comeback, Scott & Clements took 1st Club on velocity 1704 finishing 2dn Comb & 3rd Sect. George McDowell timed the early bird from Fermoy (2) a favourite race doing velocity 1180 he finished 1st MAC & 2nd Sect B 77/1234. In the duplicate 5 Bird Championship B Swann & Son had another top result 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club with the winner doing velocity 1131 finishing 3rd Comb, 8th Sect B & 95th Open NIPA 260/1210. Final race was the Rosscarbery YB inl Nat, Surgenor Bros took 1st & 2nd Club with the winner doing velocity 1301 finishing 11th Comb & 27th Sect B.
Finally a quick look at racing with the Irish Nat FC, George McDowell had the top four in the Skibbereen Old Bird and McFarlane & Agnew were best in the Yearling Nat Sennen Cove.
North Coast Classic One Loft Sales - On Thursday 6th November at 8.00pm Part (4), also Chimney Corner. North Coast Classic sale Part (4) will have Ace Pigeon plus Gold Medal Pair, the first three have been a great success. These birds put up for the One Loft race are special, contact NCC Tel: 07548 607756 or E-mail: northcoastclassic@live.com
Jimmy Courtney of Muckamore HPS – After a lot of consideration over the last couple of years Jimmy who raced with great success at Nutts Corner has decided to leave the sport and the Entire Clearance Sale is to be held in Glenavy. Part (2) will follow on Saturday 8th November again at 3.00pm. Viewing for sale will be from 2.00pm. Jimmy was the top purchaser at the Glen Buckley & Son sale one of the top winning partnerships in Ireland their Soontjen family of birds winning 9 x 1st National at all distances Rosscarbery to Lamballe in France and Hall of Fame winners. Jimmy bought the absolute best at this sale, this is a superb team of Soontjen pigeons that ooze class and ALL Jimmy’s winning pigeons and breeders will be sold including 1st & 2nd Sect C in the Talbenny YB National. Accessories include Bricon ETS, 2 x 6 Bird Pads, T3 Clock, Bowls, Hampers etc. An up to date winning family – All for Sale! Remember the Date for Glenavy – 8th November 2014 at 3.00pm. Auctioneer Wesley Sawyers of Banbridge. Tel Mobile 07831 560399, Work (028) 4062 2939, Home (028) 4062 6861.
Jim Sinton of Muckamore – After many seasons in the sport Antrim fancier Jim Sinton has decided to call it a day, small number of stock/racers mainly Soontjen birds from McKinstry Bros of Dromara and Busschaert through good friend Tommy Cotter. These, and usual accessories will be sold from his home at Molina Road included a couple of wicker hampers and 2 x T3 Clocks. No reasonable offer refused, a few of the birds are still left. Contact Jim Tel: 028 94 468240 or John Lavery Tel: (028) 94 467396.
The annual NIPA Ladies Night will be held in the Templeton Hotel in Templepatrick on Friday 14th November with tickets available from Fred Russell Tel: (028) 92 693913. All cups and trophies need returned to INFC immediately, to Ronnie Johnston who will retire from dinner duties this year, Tom Marshall or Trevor Topping. Tickets price at £28 is unchanged from last year available from the Secretary Trevor Topping or Ronnie, and rooms are available at the hotel for over-night stay. Venue again is the Stormont Hotel in Belfast, on Friday 28th November for the Irish Nat FC Night of the Year.
Show Scene for local lofts –
Coalisland & District Annual Shows - 3rd Nov Old Cocks, 10th Nov Old Hens, 17th Nov Young Cocks, 24th Nov Young Hens, 1st Dec Old Pairs, 8th Dec Young Pairs. All Handling Classes - Penning 6.45pm to 7.30pm.
Lurgan Social - 1st A Neill, 2nd K Henderson, 3rd D Lyness, 4th K Henderson, Reserve J Douglas, VHC D Lyness , HC A Neill, Commended D Lyness. Best YB D Lyness. Thanks to judges Michael Conlon and Dessie Breen. Next week’s show any age cock or hen with special for best YB and also special for best Pied or white flight. 1st, 4th & Commended Kevin Douglas, 2nd, VHC & HC B McNeice, 3rd Kevin Henderson, Reserve D Lyness. Best Pied won by Kevin Douglas. Thanks to judge C Ferris. Next Week AA Cock or Hen with Special for Best Young Bird.
For the second week the local Ballymena & Dist classes were dominated by the same loft as the week previous, not as many cards this time for W & N Gilbert but 1st in the two classes with a full brother and sister and Best in Show for the Dark Cheq cock. Just short of 120 birds were penned for the judges who travelled in from Randalstown, Murphy & Percy had a great young bird season in 2014. Willie Gilbert has had a fantastic start to his spell as Show Secretary, best of luck in Dublin this weekend, next time the birds are judged in the hand.
Ballymena & District HPS: Old Cocks T/W (65 Birds) – 1st & Special W & N Gilbert, 2nd & Commended G & A Eagleson, 3rd Russell Bros, 4th W & N Gilbert, Reserve & VHC B Herbison, HC M/M M Sempey. Old Hens T/W (51 Birds) – 1st, 3rd, 4th, Reserve, VHC & Commended W & N Gilbert, 2nd & HC Russell Bros. Judges – Murphy & Percy (Randalstown). Raffle was won by Sam Murphy. Monday – Young Cocks & Young Hens Handled.
Kells & District: Show season will start this week, Wednesday 5th November is for Old Cocks T/W, followed by OH, YC, YH, Mated Pairs, Pieds/Eye-sign. The Annual Open Show will take place on Boxing Day, Friday 26th December, more details later.
Cullybackey HPS: Young Cocks T/W – 1st & BIS J & J Greer, 2nd & Commended N & S Anderson, 3rd T McFall, 4th & HC Russell Bros, Reserve A Darragh, VHC Cochrane Bros. Young Hens T/W – 1st Cochrane Bros, 2nd & HC T McFall, 3rd Blair & Rankin, 4th N & S Anderson, Reserve J & J Greer, VHC & Commended Russell Bros. Cullybackey HPS started the season with classes for Young Birds Through Wires, J & J Greer had 1st in the Young Cocks and Best in Show, Cochrane Bros took the Red Card in the Young Hens. The judge was Allen McBride from Harryville, classes this Saturday are Old Cock & Old Hen Through Wires.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
http://www.pigeonnetwork.com
Photo Captions
Willie Gilbert won both Old Bird Classes in Ballymena on Monday night, with judges Sam Murphy (l) and on (r) Noel Percy.
Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann collects cheque from Kells Officials Alan Shanks (l) Secretary and Mervyn Gregg (r) Treasurer.
Robin Swann MLA presents the awards at Kells & District HPS prize night in Dunsilly Hotel in Antrim.
Robin Swann MLA presents Top Prize-winner award to Jeff Surgenor at Kells & District.