Ahoghill Flying Club presented the prizes for the 2014 racing season at a function held in their own clubrooms on Friday 20th March, a good number of members were present, and plenty of food and minerals for all concerned.
Chairman Tom Young welcomed those present and was assisted in the presentation by brother Albert the hard working long time Secretary who had the paperwork complete including diplomas won. Young McManus & Sons remain the loft to beat, they were Highest prize-winner collecting a fantastic 18 x 1sts, 15 x 2nds and 16 x 3rds plus numerous other positions in the Top 6, followed by Jimmy Smyth & Son, John Balmer, Chris Moore, Mr & Mrs Robinson, T & G Balmer, Charlie Young, J Orr & Son, A & N Young, William Livingstone and Balmer Young & Sons.
Paddy McManus had most cups and trophies and record Top Prize-winner 22 seasons on the trot, included with that 2 x 1sts in Mid Antrim Combine and 2 x 1st NIPA Sect B. A few highlights racing in MAC, Young McManus & Sons had 3rd Roscrea 94/2359, 1st Bude 76/706 plus 1st Sect B & 19th Open NIPA 727/8754, 2nd Truro 42/819 winning velocity here was 894. In young birds the loft scored 2nd & 3rd Tullamore plus 14th & 15th Open NIPA 126/3349, 1st & 2nd Tullamore (2) plus 1st Sect B in the NIPA, 2nd Roscrea 87/2419. William Livingstone had the only bird in the hard Old Bird Nat from St Malo, timing on the second day to finish 10th Sect & 73rd Open NIPA on velocity 474. Jimmy Smyth & Son had the best club bird in the Talbenny YB National. Racing with INFC A & N Young, M/M Robinson and Charlie Young finished 2nd, 3rd & 6th MAC in Yearling Nat Sennen Cove. Young McManus & Sons also won the Top Prize-winner in the sponsored Brooke Supplies 2 Bird Club.
A good season of competition enjoyed by the members in Ahoghill, very much at home in the clubrooms at the car park of Ahoghill Community Centre. Best of luck with the racing in 2015, Paddy McMannus will no doubt be the loft to beat again.
Top award winners during racing in 2014 in Ahoghill Flying Club.
From (l) Chairman Tom Young, Paddy McManus and Secretary Albert Young.
William Livingstone (l) won the OB Nat from St Malo, only bird in club.
Jimmy Smyth (l) best in the Talbenny YB Nat with Secretary Albert Young.
Top Prize-winners Young McManus & Sons with Diplomas won in MAC and NIPA Sect B.
Mid Antrim Combine AGM -
There was a full attendance of Delegates from all member Clubs at the AGM of the Mid Antrim Combine held in the Harryville HPS Clubrooms on Wednesday 18th March. Chairman Robert Service welcomed the members and then asked Secretary George McDowell to read the minutes of the previous AGM. These were passed without question and no matters arising, the Accounts were duly passed as well, surplus for the year was £175, down from £210 the year previous. All offices were declared vacant and it was proposed re-election. Chairman Robert Service (Harryville) and Secretary George McDowell (Kells & Dist), have given many years of dedicated service to the local fancy.
With a change to the NIPA Cross Channel programme it was necessary to make a decision about the Champions League. At least three options were available and the members decided to stick with the usual format. Inland Racing with 4 Sections and the Top 4 lofts qualify for the Knock-out. Thatâs 16 lofts competing in Talbenny, 8 in Sennen Cove Classic, 4 in Bude and the final as usual in Penzance. It was also agreed that the Sennen Cove Classic would be included in all Averages, thatâs Old Bird, Cross Channel, B Eagleson Memorial Cup and Combined Average. With a decline in membership, now standing around 130 Lofts, it was agreed that from next season 2016 the fees would rise by £1.00 up to £3.00 per loft. Club membership fees for this season should be sent to George McDowell, thatâs £2.00 per loft.
News from the NIPA was that new measurements will not be required for Bude and new appointments for 2015 include Convoyer Paddy McNeice and Race Controller Ivan Mawhinney, both have done the jobs before.
Club Reports â
Kells & District HPS have a meeting arranged for this Thursday 26th March at 8.00pm for the paying of fees, and collect Race Sheets, Vaccination Forms and Clocks for the new season. All Race Sheets need returned two weeks before racing, the opening race is planned for Tullamore on Saturday 11th April. Ballymena & District have been working on clocks for the past two weeks, just need Unikon and Bricon completed, a pile of work required before the new season. The local training will start weather permitting on Tuesday 31st March, contacts are the following: Tom McAlonan Tel 07561 417232, Harry Richmond Tel 07796 304926, Homer Tel 07538 238364. Harryville HPS have some rings left, contact Robert Service Tel: 07707 455174.
NCC One Loft Race (Coleraine) â
We have had more entries arrived over the last few dayâs. Top one loft competitors Cookstown Sizzlers (WDW 2014 winners, NCC 2013 winners), Harmony Lofts ventures, Harry Jennings, J Hall & Son (NCC 2010 winners), Bill Kelly, S Graham, J & N Lamb, S Thompson, Adrian MâKeown and another of the Craichead Syndicate Pat Maher are now in residence. These youngsters are in the Quarantine Section and will start a five day canker treatment on Monday. Our ybâs are in 5 different age groups in different sections and are enjoying their freedom daily in this nice spell of weather we are having at the moment. Sean is taking a random selection of the youngsters up to Armand Scheers on Friday 28th for him to do a health check.
Sale Breeder/Buyer etc â
Bleary are running a Young Bird Sale in the Banbridge Legion on Thursday 2 April at 8.00pm. Bleary HPS are a club that are planning to further develop the existing club with plans to upgrade its new premises. They would like to thank all those who have wished them every success for the future and who have also given young birds for the sale (many outstanding birds from top fanciers). Wesley Sawyers will be the auctioneer for the night. Could we welcome you the pigeon fanciers to come along for what is hoped to be an enjoyable evening. For more details please contact Rodney Adamson Tel: 07764 277446 or Darren Thompson Tel: 07596 503112.
The annual Breeder Buyer run by Coleraine Premier member Russell McAlary, will take place on Saturday 28th March at 8pm with viewing from 7pm in the Coleraine Premier. Anyone can enter this Breeder/Buyer but youngsters can only be flown through the local Coleraine Clubs ie, Coleraine Premier HPS, Windsor Social, County Derry. This local event has grown considerably every year with Russell working tirelessly obtaining top class youngsters from top lofts. Anyone looking to enter a youngster feel free to contact Russell McAlary. * The Coleraine Premier BB on the 28th March if you like to enter into it PM or Tel: 07543 970493.
Markethill HPS Annual BREEDER/BUYER - THIS PAID OUT OVER ** £1,000** Last year. Race will be flown from Talbenny on 29-08-15. The race is open to anyone in the NIPA, EDC, or Ulster Federation. DATE OF SALE. FRI 27th March - PENNING to start at 19.00 Sale to start 20.00. VENUE: Laurelvale Club Rooms - All usual breeder/Buyer rules will apply. Please phone 07716 585335 for any further information.
Breeder/Buyer Charity Sale -To be held on Thursday 26th March 2014 in Banbridge RBL at 8.00pm in aid of Blue Dove Hospice, Newry. 50% total proceeds go to Blue Dove Hospice, 50% goes to prize money. Pigeons donated by leading lofts in Northern and Southern Ireland. 1st-50% divided between Breeder and Buyer, 2nd-30% divided between Breeder and Buyer, 3rd- 20% divided between Breeder and Buyer. Race to be flown in the INFC Penzance Young Bird National 2014. All Young Birds donated must be in pens on night of the sale. In the event of Only 2 birds times divided 60% 40% - Only 1 bird timed divide 50% 50%. No Birds timed in race TOTAL proceeds will be donated to the above charity. If you wish to enter a young bird in this sale please contact Eddie McAlinden Tel: 077718 13198, Wesley Sawyers Tel: 07831 560399 or Diamond Carson Tel: 07813 265311.
Ballymacarrett HPS - Squeaker Sale with proceeds in aid of club funds in Newtownbreda on Monday 30th March at 8.00pm. Birds donated by Harmony Lofts, Roy Irwin NCC, Jim Braniff, John Hall, John Hollinger, plus many more â Approx. 30 birds.
Mourne & District HPS will be holding a squeaker sale in the Rocking Chair Bar, Derry on Wednesday the 8th of April viewing from 6.30pm, birds for sale from a fantastic list of members, see pigeonnetwork.com
Windsor Social club are holding their Annual Breeder/Buyer sale on Thursday 16th April 2015. This event is open to Coleraine Triangle clubs only. All birds must be in the pens on the night and may only be purchased by members of the Triangle clubs. Penning between 7.00 and 8.00pm.
Good supporters of the NCC, John Lamb (l) and Jim Braniff.
Dublin NCC Courier Dave Ward (l) and Terence McCrudden who had Ace Bird 2014.
Ryan Barr, supporter and sponsor at NCC.