Last week I was invited out to Ahoghill for the annual presentation of awards for the last racing season, the club are still coming to terms with the loss of long time secretary Albert Young. Racing was of the usual highest standard the charge lead as usual by Paddy McManus, last season he achieved Highest Prize-winner for the 24th season that takes a bit of work.
The leading lofts were – Young McManus & Sons, Mr & Mrs Robinson, J Smyth & Son, D Lowry, J Orr, J Balmer, W Livingstone, C Young, T & G Balmer, Balmer T Young & Son, C Moore.
Mid Antrim Combine was topped 6 times in the Old Bird racing – Paddy won at Roscrea (2), Fermoy 5 Bird, Rosscarbery Ylr Hen Nat, and Corrin. Jimmy Orr won 1st MAC & 1st Sect B with a big result in Penzance and William Livingstone who has just recently joined INFC has 1st MAC in the Sennen Cove Yearling National. In the NIPA Young McManus & Sons won the R Harkness Cup for 1st Open NIPA in the Roscrea (2).
The season’s race winners were as follows:-
Old Birds: Mullingar – Young McManus & Sons, Tullamore – Young McManus & Sons, Roscrea (1) – Young McManus & Sons, Fermoy (1) – Young McManus & Sons, Fermoy (2) – Mr & Mrs Robinson, Roscrea – Young McManus & Sons, Rosscarbery Nat – Young McManus & Sons, Talbenny (1) – Mr & Mrs Robinson, Talbenny (2) – Mr & Mrs Robinson, Fermoy 5 Bird – Young McManus & Sons, New Bude – Mr & Mrs Robinson, Rosscarbery Ylr Hen Nat – Young McManus & Sons, Rosscarbery Ylr Cock Nat – A & N Young, Penzance – J Orr, Fermoy Comeback – Young McManus & Sons, Corrin – Young McManus & Sons, Saint Malo Nat – W Livingstone.
Young Birds: Mullingar (2) – J Smyth & Son, Tullamore – Young McManus & Sons, Roscrea – J Orr & Son, Gowran Park (1) – J Smyth & Son, Fermoy (1) – J Balmer, Gowran Park (2) – Young McManus & Sons, Fermoy (2) – Young McManus & Sons, Talbenny Nat – D Lowry, Rosscarbery Nat – Young McManus & Sons.
INFC Races: Skibbereen – Mr & Mrs Robinson, Sennen Cove Yearling – W Livingstone, Penzance YB – Young McManus & Sons.
The officers and members of Ahoghill Flying Club
Highest Prize-winner Paddy McManus
Cross Channel race winners Lawrence Robinson (l) and Jimmy Orr.
John Balmer won the young bird Fermoy.
The top two race winners in Ahoghill, L Robinson (l) and P McManus.
William Livingstone 1st INFC Ylr Nat and 2 birds timed in St Malo.