The club had another successful season with good competition over the NIPA and INFC race programmes and yet again the loft to beat was Young McManus & Sons who won most races, collected most cups and were once again crowned as Highest Prize-winners. Paddy McManus has nothing but the best bloodlines and has had great success for many years, a top loft in the Mid Antrim area.
The leading lofts for the season were Young McManus & Sons (9x 1sts), J Smyth & Son (4 x 1sts), Mr & Mrs Robinson (2 x 1sts and 8 x 2nds), William Livingstone (1st Club St Malo), John Balmer (1st Club Talbenny), A & N Young (5 x 1sts).
Young McManus & Sons won from Roscrea (2) flown same day as Rosscarbery Nat, he scored 1st MAC 76/1657 on velocity 1657 and 2nd in Section B, and for good measure won Rosscarbery as well. John Balmer won 1st Club & 2nd MAC in Talbenny 91/1524 doing velocity 1435. Rosscarbery must be a favourite venue for Paddy McManus, he won the race flown on 6th June finishing 2nd & 3rd MAC 75/1803, 3rd MAC in Yearling Cock Nat 47/188 velocity 1092 and 2nd MAC in Yearling Hen Nat 44/177 velocity 1108. Charlie Young won the Sennen Cove Classic velocity 996, Mr & Mrs Robinson had the winner in the Monday race from Bude with runner-up J Smyth & Son and Young McManus & Sons had 1st Club in the Sunday Penzance on velocity 1092 with John Balmer runner-up. Paddy McManus won the Love Cup for Best Average Bude & Penzance. William Livingstone won 1st & 3rd Club St Malo (4th MAC), his second bird was the 1st Club winner in the opening race from Tullamore. Mr & Mrs Robinson finished runner-up in St Malo and Jimmy Smyth was 4th. Jimmy won the two big races in the young birds, 1st Club & 8th MAC in Talbenny Nat velocity 1505 and 1st Club in Rosscarbery Nat velocity 1641.
Looking at the Irish Nat FC races Chris Moore had the top five arrivals in the Skibbereen Old Birds, winner was doing velocity 1552. With new working hours and more time free at weekends Chris is looking forward to 2016, and he likes the distance races as well. Mr & Mrs Robinson had the best bird in the Grand National Kings Cup from Saint Allouestre finishing 11th MAC velocity 1093, Young McManus & Sons were runner-up and Charlie Young had three birds home in race time. Balmer T Young & Sons had the best bird in the fast Friendship Nat from Quimper.
Many thanks to Ahoghill for the invite and best of luck in the 2016 racing, Paddy McManus remains the loft to beat.
Rosie presents MAC Diploma to Paddy McManus, 1st & 2nd Roscrea (2).
Highest Prize-winners Young McManus & Sons with Ahoghill officials.
Winners from France, Lawrence Robinson (l) 1st St Allouestre and William Livingstone 1st St Malo.
Trophy winners and officials at Ahoghill Flying Club.
Rosie presents the Highest Prize-winner Cup to Young McManus & Sons at Ahoghill.
Secretary Tom Young welcomes new member Jimmy Letters. Chairman (l) Tom Young is included.
John Balmer & Rosie won 1st Club Talbenny.
Top winning lofts at Ahoghill Flying Club.