Farming Life - Wednesday 10/06/15

The News Letter, now in its fourth century of continuous publication, has come a long way since it first saw the light of day in 1737. On a visit to Northern Ireland, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth described the longevity of the newspaper as "an achievement in which the people of Northern Ireland can take great pride". Pigeon News is featured in the Farming Life supplement each Wednesday.
Post Reply
willie reynolds
Posts: 6785
Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2008 4:44 pm

Farming Life - Wednesday 10/06/15

Post by willie reynolds »

The NIPA Sennen Cove Classic turned out the biggest test to date, it was flown on its own for the first time and early in the cross channel season. Entry was better than expected and overall winner was Joe Brown of Blackwatertown who was a recent winner of the INFC Yearling National. When going to press the result was not ready.

Cullybackey Centre Sennen Cove Classic 47/240 – W & J Smyth Ballymena 1097, M/M M Sempey Ballymena 1071, D & H Kirkpatrick 1059, G Price Harryville 1046, A Darragh Cullybackey 1045, J Millar & Son Harryville 1023, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1018, A Darragh 1009, A Darragh 1007, H & R McCloy Cullybackey 1002.

Muckamore Centre Sennen Cove Classic 14/92 – T Fleming Muckamore 1095, McConville Bros Crumlin 1042, K Galloway 999, T Fleming 982, McConville Bros 971, J White Muckamore 965, K Galloway 937, D J Thompson Muckamore.

Coleraine Centre Sennen Cove Classic – D Dixon Ballymoney 1077, D Dixon 1077, Hanson & Harpur Coleraine Prem 1062, Diamond Bros Coleraine Prem 1050, D Coyles & Son Coleraine Prem 1041, D Coyles & Son 1038, D Coyles & Son 1030, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1027, Hanson & Harpur 997, R Montgomery Coleraine Prem 987.

Killyleagh Centre Sennen Cove Classic 23/98 – J Crossan Downpatrick 1063, C Healy Killyleagh Cent 1063, Plunkett Pollock & Nelson Ards 1044, Plunkett Pollock & Nelson 1034, P Murray Killyleagh & Dist 1031, J Crossan 1028, McComb Bros Killyleagh Cent 1028, N & A McCavera Killyleagh & Dist 1018, P Brown & Sons Corrigs 1011, N & A McCavera 987.

Foyle Centre Sennen Cove Classic – P Maxwell Jnr Foyle 894, P & M Healy Maiden City 790, P Maxwell Jnr 780, 540.

NIPA Race/Date
Sennen Cove Classic 07/06/15 wind Lt North

NIPA Sect A Clubs

Coalisland & District 13/124 – K Carolan 1101, S Hughes 1098, J Devlin 1081, G Quinn 1073, S Hughes 1070, A Grew 1060.

Coleraine Premier – Hanson & Harpur 1062, Diamond Bros 1050, D Coyles & Son 1041, 1038, 1030, T & J McDonald 1027.

Cookstown Social 7/60 – K Morton & Sons 1072, S Marshall 1062, G & S Smith 1049, V Thom 1039, Speirs & Campbell 1022, 998.

NIPA Sect H Clubs

Maiden City 2/9 – P & M Healy 790.

Omagh & District – A Hall 1035, 1035, 1020.

NIPA Sect B Clubs

Ahoghill Flying Club 6/24 – C Young 996, M/M Robinson 977, J Smyth & Son 923, A & N Young 863, 862, J Smyth & Son 859.

Ballymena & District 11/33 – W & J Smyth 1097, M/M M Sempey 1071, J Eagleson & Sons 1018, 937, 919, M/M M Sempey 915, J Harris 839.

Ballymoney 13/71 – D Dixon 1077, 1077, D & H Stuart 978, D Dixon 944, S & C McCook 893, A & M Boyle 826.

Dervock RPS 3/17 – D & H Stuart 978, A & M Boyle 826, D & H Stuart 803.

Harryville HPS 7/35 – G Price 1046, T Johnston & Son 998, MDC Magill 996, 996, T Johnston & Son 919, 915.

Muckamore 10/95 – T Fleming 1095, 982, J White 965, D J Thompson.

New Antrim Amalgamated – MDC Magill 996, 996, 885.

Randalstown HPS 7/52 – Stewart Bros 964, J Millar 947, Stewart Bros 945, Percy Son & Murphy 810, 800, H Boyd 790.

NIPA Sect E Clubs

Beechpark Social – G McEvoy 1067, D Mawhinney & Son 1045, G McEvoy 1027, R Bothwell 1019. Beechpark 2B – D Mawhinney & Son 1045, G McEvoy 1008, 974.

Blackwatertown HPS – J Brown 1125, Collins & Douglas 1097, R G & G Donaldson 976, 972, 915. See photo Joe Brown (l),winner of NIPA Sennen Cove Classic with Jennifer Douglas of Collins & Douglas partnership, who also had an early one in the classic. Great result for members of Blackwatertown club.

Edgarstown 11/64 – S & E Buckley 1097, R & J McCracken 1061, S Craig 1056, T & A Ford 1002, P Dunlop 971, R Cassells 966. Well done to Simon & Eric on winning the OB Classic, the partnership have been knocking on the door every week, great win men form a hard race.

Gilford & District – C & H Beattie, P Hoy, Rafferty & Toman, Fitzpatrick & Hyde.

Laurelvale – C Duke & Sons 1077, J Dowey & Sons 1066, 1066, G & C Topley 1044, Gillis & Radcliffe 1033, C Duke & Sons 1008.

Lurgan Social – B McNeice & Sons 1100, Furphy Bros 1076, K Henderson & Son 1049, B McNeice & Sons 1045, Houston & McDonald 992, K Henderson & Son 974.

Markethill – M McDowell & Son 1048, G Hewitt 1043, B & P Baird 866, 752.

Portadown & Drumcree 11/149 – A Fearon 1107, L Cullen 1071, A Fearon 1040, J Geary 928, Hagan & Rowney 760, S & N Haughian 731.

Wilton Cross – G Douglas 1044, M Rice 1029.

The Sennen Cove Classic was flown on its own on Sunday, the birds were held over on Saturday due to very poor weather and high winds. Birds were released at 7.00am in a Lt North wind and it turned out quite a test with a number of lofts failing to time an arrival. Best in Cullybackey Centre was W & J Smyth from Ballymena & District, they timed at 15.53hrs recording velocity 1097 for the 332 miles. This proved once again to be a favourite race for Billy and Joe, their 4 year old Blue cock was 2 nd Club last season from Penzance and has numerous other positions. Next best were Mr & Mrs Sempey from the same club doing velocity 1071 their yearling Blue w/f hen was in Talbenny the week previous. D & H Kirkpatrick had 1 st Cullybackey HPS (1059) and George Price was 1 st Harryville (1046).

The marking arrangements for the NIPA Rosscarbery Yearling Cocks & Hens Nat are as follows. Cullybackey HPS Clubrooms will be open on Tuesday 9th June between 8.30pm and 9.30pm to lift all the entry cheques from the local clubs. Birds will be race marked in Cullybackey on Friday 12th June between 2.00pm and 4.30pm, clocks will be ready after transporter leaves clubroom. For the Fermoy 5 Bird Classic entry fees etc will be collected on Tuesday 16 th June Cullybackey Clubrooms open from 8.30pm until 9.30pm. Birds will be race marked Friday 19 th June in Cullybackey from 4.00pm until 6.00pm. Clocks will be ready after transporter leaves clubroom.

Mid Antrim Combine Sennen Cove Classic 49/260 – W & J Smyth Ballymena 1097, D Dixon Rasharkin 1077, D Dixon 1077, M/M M Sempey Ballymena 1071, D & H Kirkpatrick 1059, G Price Harryville 1046, A Darragh Cullybackey 1045, J Millar & Son Harryville 1023, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1018, A Darragh 1009, A Darragh 1007, H & R McCloy Cullybackey 1002, T Johnston & Son Harryville 998, MDC Magill Harryville 996, MDC Magill 996, C Young Ahoghill 996, M/M Robinson Ahoghill 977, H & R McCloy 966, Stewart Bros Randalstown 964, A Darragh 962, A Darragh 961, D Houston & Son Broughshane 948, J Millar Randalstown 947, Stewart Bros Randalstown 945.

Rosscarbery in Co Cork was the decision of the NIPA Committee for the race in Ireland on the same day as the OB Classic, favourite win 1 st Open is the loft of P & J Boal from Dromore and I hear this same bird won 1 st Open earlier in the year from Corrin with 26,000 birds competing.

NIPA Race/Date
Rosscarbery 07/06/15, wind Lt NW

NIPA Sect A Clubs

Coalisland & District 12/224 – E Grew 1352, S Hughes 1342, S & L Drain 1336, W Bleeks & Son 1334, K Murphy 1332, B Morgan 1329.

Coleraine Premier HPS – Hanson & Harpur 1334, J L Madden 1318, Hanson & Harpur 1315, 1315, J L Madden 1312, Hanson & Harpur 1297.

Coleraine & County Derry – T McCrudden 1318, 1318.

Cookstown Social 8/212 – J McCormick 1346, G & S Smith 1346, 1346, 1345, 1328, 1328.

Castledawson – Lynn & Leacock 1215, S McFlynn 1214, Lynn & Leacock 1189.

Dungannon – S McConnell 1299, K Shannon 1273, G & H Boyd 1272.

Windsor Social 19/309 – T Stewart 1279, W & W Murdock 1262, C Morrow & Son 1261, W & W Murdock 1246, K Glass 1243, 1243.

NIPA Sect H Clubs

Amelia Earhart 11/64 – S Campbell 1198, 1178, N Doherty 1178, W & D Hamilton 1135, E Quigley 1118.

Derry & District 12/64 – A McCrudden 1212, S Duffy 1178, A McCrudden 1158, S Duffy 1127, T Mullan & Son 1120, S Duffy 1071.

Foyle RPS – B Page 1218, P Maxwell 1121, 1111. Well done Billy.

Limavady – W McIlmoyle 1263, 1243, R Witherow 1216.

Londonderry PRS 3/32 – L Flanagan & Son 1183, Wick & Murray 1181, L Flanagan & Son 1157, Wick & Murray 1150, L Flanagan & Son 1141.

Maiden City 15/104 – R Lyle 1266, Concannon Bros 1254, P McLaughlin 1243, B Ogilvie 1199, R & G Martin 1187, J Boyle 1183.

Mourne & District – D Booth 1294, T Booth 1258, D Booth 1236.

Omagh & District – A Hall 1246, K Armstrong 1230, A Kelly 1228, 1221, 1219, A Hall 1196.
NIPA Sect B Clubs

Ahoghill Flying Club 11/179 – Young McManus & Sons 1347, 1346, J Smyth & Son 1333, Young McManus & Sons 1298, 1291, 1291.

Ballymena & Dist 16/267 – J Eagleson & Sons 1323, Blair & Rankin 1319, J Eagleson & Sons 1316, M/M Sempey 1315, G & A Eagleson 1304, M/M Sempey 1297.

Ballymoney 19/455 – J Connolly 1330, 1311, J Hutchinson & Son 1306, A & M Boyle 1296, 1296, D Dixon 1294.

Ballymoney West Combine 8/134 – J Hutchinson & Son 1306, D Gage 1285, R J Elliott 1252, J McDowell & Sons 1233, Curry & Gilmore 1227, L Neill 1225, Brown & Stewart 1194.

Dervovk 9/278 – J Hutchinson & Son 1306, A & M Boyle 1296, 1296, D & G McMullan 1290, J Hutchinson & Son 1288, D Devenney 1285.

Broughshane & District 5/75 – A Purvis 1299, 1299, J Simpson 1290, D Houston & Son 1273, J Simpson 1263, D Houston & Son 1261.

Cullybackey – A Darragh 1328, 1328, Reid Bros & McCloy 1324.

Crumlin & District 4/43 – McConville Bros 1353, Fleming Bros 1319, 1297, McConville Bros 1258, G F Lindsay 1244, 1210.

Harryville HPS 10/167 – R H Clements 1308, MDC Magill 1303, J Rock 1303, R H Clements 1300, L Mullan 1299, R H Clements 1299.

Kells & District 13/256 – B Swann & Son 1351, Scott & Clements 1345, 1340, B Swann & Son 1331, Surgenor Bros 1329, Scott & Clements 1324. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – Scott & Clements 1345, T & M Morrow 1300, H Boyd 1299, B Swann & Son 1289, Scott & Clements 1287.

Muckamore – J White 1392, A & E Bell 1392, 1382.

Rasharkin & District 12/149 – H Cubitt 1298, T Kaczynski 1295, J & D Surgenor 1295, Steele & McNeill 1280, T Kaczynski 1278, J & D Surgenor 1275.

NIPA Sect E Clubs

Armagh – G & A Campbell 1368, 1344, I Parkes & Son 1322.

Beechpark Social 14/277 – D Mawhinney & Son 1367, G McAvoy 1329, S & J McCullough 1328, D Mawhinney & Son 1322. Beechpark 2B – H Lynch & Son 1321, K Downey 1297, C Reynolds 1292.

Bleary – R Adamson 1381, R Adamson 1363, D Thompson & Son 1359, R Adamson, D Lunn, D Thompson & Son.

Bondhill – D Calvin 1403, 1374, 1372.

Edgarstown – M Hughes 1341, P Hope 1338.

Gilford & District – C & H Beattie 1353, O’Dowd & McDonald 1352, 1345, 1341, 1332.

Laurelvale – A Craig 1396, 1359, 1353.

Loughgall – N Weir 1383, 1374, 1371.

Lurgan Social 10/200 – J Douglas & Son 1385, 1367, R Higginson 1355, Furphy Bros 1352, J Douglas & Son 1343, E Wright & Son 1338.

Markethill 8/169 – A Humphries & Son 1375, Hyde Bros 1337, K & R Black 1309, 1309, J & H Muldrew & Cummings 1294, K & R Black 1289.

Monaghan 13/242 – S O’Brien 1357, P McFadden 1320, J Graham 1319, S O’Brien 1307, J Graham 1305, Cooney Bros 1296.

Portadown & Drumcree – M Livingstone 1341, Hagan & Rowney 1337, M Livingstone 1307, Hagan & Rowney 1307, A McDonald 1300, Hagan & Rowney 1299.

Wilton Cross – C J & B Ferris 1365, 1365, M Matchett 1364, G Douglas 1358, 1357, D Carville & Son 1347.

INFC Skibbereen OB Inland National -

1st North Section McComb Bros Killyleagh Central, Vel 1346; Flying 247 miles, winning £450

1st North section and winner of a Framed Diploma is the Killyleagh lofts of McComb who were 2nd North section in this race in 2010. The sire is a De Klak latebred bred by D Croskery & Son, Annsborough and was purchased at their club’s development sale in 2012. This bird was raced and has won 1st club on seven separate occasions including 1st East section, 28th Open East Down Combine Skibbereen Old Bird Classic. He was put in the stock loft after receiving an injury and has bred numerous winners. The dam is from their good friends Caskey & Adair, Crossgar. This hen is from their top class Soontjens stock and has produced winners every year including daughter and granddaughter winning East Down Combine Opens.
The North section winner here has himself bred winners for other fanciers. He has numerous club positions and his nestmate was twice 1st Club and was also 2nd Section F from Roscarbery in 2014 with the NIPA in similar conditions to this race. The North section winner has now been named ‘Tommy’s Boy’ after their father.

2nd North Section O & M Monaghan Andersonstown, Vel 1345, Flying 248 miles, winning £471

2nd North section this year is Owen and Michael Monaghan from Andersonstown. They also race in Colin HPS. Owen and Michael were 4th North section in the Skibbereen Young Bird National in 2013. The pigeon timed here is a three-year-old Van der Rhee x Vandenabeele hen racing on widowhood. As a yearling she 1st club, 10th section, 30th Open Roscrea with the NIPA and she was also 7th section 19th Open Yearling Hens race with the NIPA in the same year. The hen had been coming well in training all year and had all inland races except for Roscarbery. Training is mostly private training with an occasional transporter toss. Feeding is Versele Laga Super Star. The pigeon has been named ‘Proud Mary’ after Owen’s sister whose birthday was the day of the race. Owen and Michael had a great race here with a further six pigeons in the result at 82nd, 92nd, 172nd, 209th, 288th and 296th North section.

3rd North Section Whiteside Bros Eastway, Vel 1344, flying 255 miles, winning £762

3rd North section are Whiteside Bros Eastway. The partnership was originally Billy and Frankie but when Frankie passed away on 26th May 2012 Billy decided to retain the partnerships’ name. The pigeon timed is a blue yearling cock racing roundabout. The breeding is Janssen x Huybrect from good friend John White of Muckamore. The pigeon timed here at 3rd North section was 34th Open Roscarbery with the NIPA the Saturday before. This was the fifth race in a row that he was first bird to the loft. His nest mate won £560 in the club’s breeder buyer last year. Billy trains with both Jackie Scates and Mark Johnston. Feeding is from Robert and June Kirkwood as well as Frazers and is usually Gem Widowhood mix and Vanrobaeys. Billy asked me to pass on his congratulations to McComb Bros on winning the North section here.

4th North Section A Bradley Dromara, Vel 1342, Flying 241 miles, Winning £250

Alister Bradley of the Dromara club is 4th North section here improving on his 6th North section in the Skibbereen Young Bird National last year. The pigeon timed is a blue yearling hen racing on roundabout. The sire was a Red Belgium cock and the dam a blue tipped hen obtained from Jason Smyth Ligoneil, through Tom Marshall Newtownbreda. The hen was a steady racer last year and was just out of the money in the Skibbereen Young Bird National. She was steady again this year without winning any prizes before the National. Alister was training before racing but following a few peregrine attacks decided to reduce the number of training tosses to just an odd toss now and again. He prefers now to fly the birds at home. Feeding is a Natural widowhood mix from his mentor and friend Tom Marshall.

5th North section B & M McCorriston, Vel 1341, Flying 236 miles, winning £247

5th North section goes to B & M McCorriston of Dromore with a yearling pied hen racing on widowhood which Mo’s granddaughter has now called ‘Minnie’. The sire is a Van Wildemeersch from the late Bertie Fletcher while the dam is from Billy Hayes from Ballynahinch and contains the breeding of Jim Moreland of Dromore. A pigeon the same way bred as the pigeon at 5th North section was 1st club, 1st section, 17th Open Talbenny on the Saturday after the Skibbereen National. Another brother was 4th Open Sennen Cove Yearling National in 2010.
‘Minnie’ had only two training tosses and two races from Roscrea and Pilmore Beach before the National. However the birds are flown around the house and sometimes the widowhood hens will fly for two hours. Mo feeds Frazers corn, mainly breed and wean and a widowhood mix.

The committee of the Irish National Flying Club would like to thank all those who helped at the marking station and all who helped at the clock centres. Thanks to Clifford Browne for his help in completing this report and to all who helped with photographs.

Photo Captions

Sennen Cove winner Joe Brown with Jennifer Douglas.

Jimmy Hanson from Coleraine Premier won both weekend races.

Sean Campbell 1st Amelia Earhart from Rosscarbery.

Weekend winners in Ballymena from Sennen Cove, 1st W Smyth (r) with M/M Sempey.

McComb Bros of Killyleagh, 1st North Sect in the INFC Skibbereen.
Post Reply

Return to “NEWS LETTER/FARMING LIFE - First published in 1737 www.newsletter.co.uk”