Homer's Odyssey/BHW Plus - 10/07/09

[willie reynolds]

The Blue Riband Kings Cup has been an outstanding success with numerous birds (over 400) timed on the day from Wexford to Derry/Donegal, the winning velocity exceeded 1400ypm. It was the first time in three seasons that the race was able to be flown, bird flu two years ago and the weather last time resulted in the birds being returned to Ireland. The pressure was on this time even more so when the week previous all organisations in Ireland enjoyed a very successful Derby/National from St Malo. The Irish Nat FC released in France at 6.15am on Friday 3rd July in a Lt Westerly wind which is to turn Fresh South West en-route. 770 members sent 2,619 birds to Plaudren (Vannes) competing for £39,453 in pools and prizes.

The winner Tommy Moorehouse is a legend of the sport in Ireland and his story will be very interesting. Some 400 birds were recorded on the day making it one of the best races of all time. Tommy timed an early arrival at 2.18pm flying 388 miles and set the standard for the rest, he races in Rathnew close to Wicklow. Other famous lofts in this area include former National winners Gregory Bros and R Duffy & Partner.

1st Open & 1st South Sect T & T Moorehouse Rathnew (Dublin) 1416 Distance approx. 388 miles, 2nd Open & 1st North Sect Glen Buckley & Son Annaghmore 1390 Distance approx. 488 miles, 3rd Open & 2nd North Sect M Robinson Bondhill 1385, 4th Open & 2nd South Sect G OReilly Dublin 1382, 5th Open & 3rd North Sect R Russell Beechpark Social 1379, 6th Open & 4th North Sect J Kelly & Sons Dromore HPS 1379, 7th Open & 5th North Sect Capper Bros Bondhill 1378, 8th Open & 6th North Sect Adamson & Anderson Gilford 1367, 9th Open & 7th North Sect J Robinson Edgarstown1365, 10th Open & 8th North Sect R Williamson Bondhill 1365.

Muckamore Centre: A Darragh Cullybackey 1362, Mr & Mrs D Suitters Doagh & Dist 1362, W Reid Cullybackey 1359, W McClure Kells & Dist 1314, G F Lindsay Crumlin 1314, J Kirk Ballyclare 1307, R McIlroy & Son Carrick & Dist 1305, M Graham Ballymena 1299, M McGrandless Crumlin 1298, Savage Bros Castledawson 1295, H Boyd Randalstown 1288, R J Elliott Ballymoney 1285, A Darragh 1284, W Blair Ballymoney 1282, R Mills & Son Larne & Dist 1280, C & L Woodside Ballyclare 1277, W Gault & Son Kingsmoss 1272, Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 1258, C Young Ahoghill 1253, K Carolan Coalisland 1237, G Marshall Cookstown 1226, G McNeilly Ballyclare 1219, W McCaw Ballymoney 1215, M/M Magill Muckamore 1210, Reid Bros & McCloy 1205, R Duddy Ballyclare 1201, A Darragh 1200, Russell Bros Cullybackey 1199, T Shanks & Son Kells & Dist 1198, J Burrows Eastway 1187.

Mid Antrim Combine Plaudren/Vannes Kings Cup - A Darragh Cullybackey 1362, W Reid Cullybackey 1359, W McClure Kells & Dist 1314, M Graham Ballymena 1299, H Boyd Randalstown 1288, A Darragh 1284, Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 1258, C Young Ahoghill 1253, Reid Bros & McCloy 1205, A Darragh 1200, Russell Bros Cullybackey 1199, T Shanks & Son Kells & Dist 1198, W McClure 1180, J McNeill & Son Randalstown 1161, M Graham 1110, A Darragh 1107, Houston Bros Randalstown 1101, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1076, Stewart Bros 1046, McAlonan Bros Ballymena 1006, J Rock Harryville 952, T Shanks & Son 887.

The best bird into the East Antrim area was timed into Doagh & Dist by Mr & Mrs Davy Suitters, a small team loft ever present in the long distance results. They were runner-up in the Muckamore Centre just pipped in a photo finish doing velocity 1362.4. East Antrim M/M D Suitters Doagh & Dist 1362, J Kirk Ballyclare 1307, R McIlroy & Son Carrick & Dist 1305, R Mills & Son Larne & Dist 1280, C & L Woodside Ballyclare 1277, W Gault & Son Kingsmoss 1272, G McNeilly Ballyclare 1219, R Duddy Ballyclare 1201, J Burrows Eastway 1187, T Cairns & Son Glengormley 1151, G McNeilly 1135, G McNeilly 1123, G McNeilly 1122, J Kirk 1117, D & J Armstrong & Son Carrick & Dist 1099, P R Wilson Kingsmoss 1081, D Tweedie Doagh & Dist 1075, J & S Graham Kingsmoss 1062, A Thompson Ballyclare 1058, A Thompson 1033, R S Jackson & Son Carrick Soc 1029, M/M D Suitters 1002, C & L Woodside 1001, R Gray Kingsmoss 990.

City of Derry Federation Eamon Quigley Maiden City 1156, Pat Cregan Maiden City 1094. Eamon Quigley had the best bird in the recent St Malo Nat with the NIPA and has the best bird again from France. The loft timed at 20.11hrs flying 549 miles into Donegal to record velocity 1156. From the same club Pat Cregan timed his only entry at 20.38hrs flying 536 miles to record velocity 1094. I had some news of a third bird on the day, Pat McLaughlin will pen the local report.

NIPA Sect B

Cullybackey A Darragh 1362, W Reid 1359, A Darragh 1284, Reid Bros & McCloy 1258, 1205, A Darragh 1200, Russell Bros 1199, A Darragh 1107.

Kells W McClure 1314, T Shanks & son 1198, W McClure 1180, T Shanks & Son 887.

Crumlin G F Lindsay 1314, M McGrandless 1298, M & B McConville 1123, J & A Galloway 972.

Ballymena M Graham 1299, 1110, McAlonan Bros 1006.

Randalstown H Boyd 1288, J McNeill & Son 1161, Houston Bros 1101, Stewart Bros 1076, 1046.

Ballymoney 7/30 R J Elliott 1285, W Blair 1284, W McCaw 1215, 875, W Blair 813, S Laverty 805, W McCaw 788.

Ahoghill C Young 1253.

Dervock IPS 3/11 W McCaw 1215, 875, S Laverty 805, W McCaw 788.

Muckamore M/M R Magill 1210, 1122.

Harryville J Rock 952.

NIPA Sect D:

Glenavy & Dist Hps - 1st & 2nd D Coulter 1188, 1152, 3rd & 4th J Harkness 1095, 1034, 5th D Scott 968, 6th J Harkness 822.

Davy Coulter times a Jan Arden, chequer hen and a blue cock bred by H. Elliott of Lisburn to take 1st & 2nd. Well done to all whom timed.

NIPA Sect E:

Beech Park - 1st R Russell 1379, 2nd C Reynolds, 3rd & 4th R Russell 1063, 5th B Carson & son. Congratulations to Robert who follows his super 2nd Open NIPA St Malo National with an outstanding 5th Open INFC Vannes Kings Cup, not far behind is the very consistent C Reynolds who was 159th Open, with the Carson loft also in the frame again, well done.
Gilford & Dist HPS - 1st Adamson & Anderson 1367, 2nd & 3rd C & R Moffett 1138, 1065, 4th S Fiddes 1030, 5th Adamson & Anderson 875, 6th D Campbell & dtr.

Wilton Cross HPS - 1st G Douglas 1354, 2nd M Rice 1316, 3rd M Wilkinson 1305, 4th Furphy & Cairns 1299, 5th M Wilkinson 1289, 6th G Douglas 1213, 7th Toland & Lynch 1180.

Monaghan Cooney Bros 1163, J Graham 1112, S OBrien 966, N Johnston (2).

Portadown Inv FC 5/16 birds - 1st & 2nd A fearon 1154, 905, 3rd R & G & G Donaldson, Hagan & Rowney 565.

NIPA Sect F:

Ards Hps - 1st fulton & Dickson 1289, 2nd McGimpse bros 1253, 3rd Fulton & Dickson, 4th & 5th J & I Moore.

Kircubbin Hps - 1st Arthurs & Smyth 704.

NIPA Sect G:

Newry & Dist HPS - 1st M Maguire & son 1360, 2nd S Curran 1311, 3rd K Byrne & sons 1308, 4th thru 7th M Maguire & son 1223, 1134, 1127, 1083.

Northsouth Federation - 1st M Maguire & son 1360, 2nd & 3rd H Walsh & son 1330, 1323, 4th S Curran 1311, 5th K Byrne & sons 1308, 6th T Mooney & son 1268, 7th thru 10th M Maguire & son 1223, 1134, 1127, 1083.

Drumnavaddy Inv 1st McDowell bros 1283, 2nd M EW Banks 1237, 3rd E McAlindan 1203, 4th S Ogle 1068, 5th M EW Banks 905, 6th McDowell bros 882, 7th L F & B McGrath 655, 8th G & I McBride (2nd day).

ECF.

Malahide & Dist RPC - 1st & 2nd Gerry O'Reilly 1382, 1343, 3rd J Carey 1280, 4th Gerry O'Reilly 1268, 5th J Cullen 1258, 6th Gerry O'Reilly 1233, 7th T Speers 1228, 8th & 9th Gerry O'Reilly 1218, 1055, 10th T Speers 982.

Skerries RPC - 1st & 2nd P Rock & son 1327, 1324, 3rd Art Kelly 1296, 4th & 5th Paddy Rock & son 1274, 1248, 6th David Mooney 1195, 7th, 8th & 9th Art Kelly 1191, 992, 949, 10th Paddy Rock & son 940.

Sallynoggin HPS - 1st Andrew Lacey, 2nd Greg McGlinn.

Single Bird Challenge Co-Ordinator David Black has indicated the winner is Jim Robinson of Edgarstown and others well placed will include A Darragh Cullybackey, R Topping & Son Lisburn, M OReilly Lisburn, D & J Armstrong & Son Carrick, M Graham Ballymena, J Waring Lisburn, Burgess & Brennan Bangor, S Shields Largymore.

INFC Kings Cup Plaudren 770/2,619 1st T & T Moorehouse Rathnew 1416 ABCD OPQR £1,547, 2nd G Buckley & Son Annaghmore 1390 DEF LMN £2,469, 3rd M Robinson Bondhill 1385 ABCDE IJKLM £1,311, 4th G OReilly & Son Malahide & Dist 1382 ABCD OPQR £611, 5th R Russell Beechpark Soc 1379 £309, 6th J Kelly & Sons Dromore HPS 1379 ABCDEF IJKLMN £1,798, 7th Capper Bros Bondhill 1378 CDE KLM £711, 8th Adamson & Anderson Gilford 1367 ABCD IJKLM £494, 9th J Robinson Edgarstown 1365 ABC IJKL £309, 10th R Williamson Bondhill 1365 ABCDEF IJKLMN £1,282, 11th A Darragh Cullybackey 1362 £64, 12th Mr & Mrs D Suitters Doagh & Dist 1362 ABCDEF IJKLMN £1,043, 13th Mal Maguire & Son Millvale 1360 ABCDEF IJKLMN £846, 14th R Bell & Sons Edgarstown 1359 £45, 15th W Reid Cullybackey 1359 ABCDEF IJKLMN £784, 16th P Dunlop Edgarstown 1357 ABCDE IJKLM £361, 17th W Corrigan Loughgall 1356 E M £196, 18th G Douglas Wilton Cross 1354 £58, 19th R Bell & Sons Edgarstown 1349 £45, 20th J Greenaway Bondhill 1349 DE LM £232, 21st M Buckley Annaghmore 1349 CDE KLM £263, 22nd H Cordner Annaghmore 1347 ABCE IJKM £235, 23rd R Williamson Bondhill 1345 ABCDE IJKLM £293, 24th M Buckley Annaghmore 1345 LM £139, 25th A Hughes & Sons Largymore 1343 ABCDE IJKLM £293, 26th G OReilly & Son Malahide & Dist 1343 ABCD OPQR £259, 27th C Coates Lisburn & Dist 1340 IJKLM £166, 28th J Sharkey Boyne Valley 1336 ABCDEF OPQRST £887, 29th R Bothwell Lurgan Amat 1335 ABCD IJKL £185, 30th T McClean Annaghmore 1334 ABCDEF IJKLMN £692, 31st R Williamson Bondhill 1333 ABCDE IJKLM £288, 32nd S Mallon Ballyholland 1331 ABCDEF IJKLMN £644, 33rd M OReilly & Son Lisburn & Dist 1330 D L £118, 34th H Walsh & Son Millvale 1330 ABCDEF & Nom IJKLMN & Nom £3,331, 35th P Rock & Son Skerries 1327 ABCDE OPQRST £605, 36th D Dalton & Son Finglas 1327 D OPQR £166, 37th T Marshall & Son Newtownbreda 1325 ABCDE IJKLM £288, 38th P Rock & Son Skerries 1324 ABCDEF OPQRST £1,996, 39th W Neill Annaghmore 1324 ABCD IJKL £180, 40th R J Keown Annsborough 1323 ABCDE IJKLM £288, 41st O Dunbar Gorey RPS 1323 ABCDEF OPQRST £649, 42nd H Walsh & Son Millvale 1323 ABCDEF IJKLMN £546, 43rd S Corrigan Loughgall 1317 ABCDEF IJKLMN £538, 44th M Rice Wilton Cross 1316 ABCDEF IJKLMN £538, 45th N Black & Son Dromara 1315 ABCD IJKL £145, 46th W McClure Kells & Dist 1314 DEF LMN £434, 47th G F Lindsay Crumlin 1314 ABCDEF IJKLMN £478, 48th N Black & Son Dromara 1311 ABCDEF IJKLMN £449, 49th S Curran Newry & Dist 1311 ABCDE IJKLM £185, 50th A Spence Markethill 1309 ABCDEF IJKLMN £417, 51st K Byrne & Sons Newry & Dist 1308 ABC IJKLM £131, 52nd A Hughes & Sons Largymore 1307 ABCE IJKLM £153, 53rd J Kirk Ballyclare 1307 ABCEF IJKLMN £393, 54th R Williamson Bondhill 1305 ABE IJKLMN £253, 55th J McLoughlin & Sons Ind South 1305 ABE OPQRST & Nom £519, 56th R McIlroy & Son Carrick & Dist 1305 IJKLM £107, 57th M Wilkinson Wilton Cross 1304 E IJKLMN £230, 58th P McCullough & Daughter Downpatrick 1301 E IJKMN £230, 59th M Graham Ballymena 1299 E IJKM £121, 60th Furphy & Cairns Wilton Cross 1299 £53, 61st M Robinson Bondhill 1298 IJK £62, 62nd M McGrandles Crumlin 1298 IJ £53, 63rd J Cleland Annsborough 1297 IJ £53, 64th A Kelly Skerries 1296 OPQRST £252, 65th R Topping & Son Lisburn & Dist 1296 £46, 66th W & K Stewart Edgarstown 1296 £46, 67th Savage Bros Castledawson 1295 £46, 68th A Hughes & Sons Largymore 1292 £46, 69th M Wilkinson Wilton Cross 1289 £46, 70th Fulton & Dickson Newtownards 1289 £46, 71st J Kelly & Sons Dromore HPS 1289 £46, 72nd McCartan & Woodsides Crossgar 1288 £46, 73rd H Boyd Randalstown 1288 £46, 74th J Duffy & Son Rathnew 1287 OPQRST £224, 75th J Butler Banbridge 1286 £46, 76th R J Elliott Ballymoney 1285 £46, 77th A Darragh Cullybackey 1284 £46, 78th W Blair Ballymoney 1284 £46, 79th McDowell Bros & Son Drumnavaddy 1283 £46, 80th J Carey Malahide & Dist 1283 OPQRST £204, 81st O Jackson Bondhill 1281 £46, 82nd R Mills & Son Larne & Dist 1280 £46, 83rd O Jackson Bondhill 1280 £46, 84th C & L Woodside Ballyclare 1277 £46, 85th J Ramsey & Son Grosvenor 1276 £46, 86th P Rock & Son Skerries 1274 OPQRS £110, 87th T Mooney & Son Millvale 1268 £46, 88th G OReilly & Son Malahide & Dist 1268 OPQR £73, 89th E Marshall Killyleagh Cent 1267 £46, 90th M OReilly & Son Lisburn & Dist 1267 £46, 91st R Benson Derriaghy 1264 £41, 92nd J Ramsey & Son Grosvenor 1263 £41, 93rd J Nash Ind South 1262 OPQRS £105, 94th R Williamson Bondhill 1261 £41, 95th Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 1258 £41, 96th J Cullen Malahide & Dist 1257 £30, 97th M & U Gorman Balbriggan 1255 S £76, 98th Gallagher Bros Annsborough 1253 £41, 99th C Young Ahoghill 1253 £41, 100th McGimpsey Bros Newtownards 1253 £41,

101st W Gault & Son Kingsmoss 1252 £41, 102nd Burns Bros Comber Soc 1251 £41, 103rd P Rock & Son Skerries 1248 S £61, 104th J Murtagh & Son Ballyholland 1246 £41, 105th E Campbell Balbriggan 1245 S £61, 106th Walker Bros Largymore 1244 £41, 107th A McAteer & Sons Ballyholland £41, 108th G & A Campbell Armagh 1241 £41, 109th K Carolan Coalisland 1237 £41, 110th M Ewbanks Drumnavaddy 1237 £41, 111th G OReilly & Son Malahide & Dist 1233 £39, 112th Ward & McIntosh Downpatrick 1230 £41, 113th T Speers Malahide & Dist 1229 £39, 114th J McNally & Son Annsborough 1226 £37, 115th G Marshall Cookstown 1226 £37, 116th H Cordnor Annaghmore 1225 £37, 117th Mal Maguire & Son Millvale 1223 £37, 118th S G Briggs Lisburn & Dist 1221 £37, 119th P Dunlop Edgarstown 1220 £37, 120th F Black & Son Downpatrick 1220 £37, 121st W Catherwood & Sons Ballynahinch HPS 1220 £32, 122nd G McNeilly Ballyclare 1219 £32, 123rd M Shaw Armagh 1219 £32, 124th G OReilly & Son Malahide & Dist 1218 £34, 125th Ingle Bros & Son Ind South 1217 S £56, 126th Gallagher Bros Annsborough 1217 £32, 127th W McCaw Ballymoney 1215 £32, 128th P & J Snell Rathnew 1213 £34, 129th K Tompsett Comber Soc 1213 £32, 130th G Douglas Wilton Cross 1213 £32, 131st J Kelly & Sons Dromore HPS 1211 £32, 132nd C Lyons Hills & Maze 1210 £32, 133rd J Gillespie & Sons Ballynahinch Soc 1210 £32, 134th M/M Magill Muckamore 1210 £32, 135th Fulton & Dickson Newtownards 1210 £32, 136th R & H Trimble Ballynahinch HPS 1205 £32, 137th Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 1205 £32, 138th E McAlinden & Sons Drumnavaddy 1203 £32, 139th J Gillespie & Sons Ballynahinch Soc 1202 £32, 140th R Duddy Ballyclare 1201 £32, 141st A Darragh Cullybackey 1200 £32, 142nd Russell Bros Cullybackey 1199 £32, 143rd T Shanks & Son Kells & Dist 1198 £32, 144th A McAteer & Sons Ballyholland 1197 £32, 145th G & J OHare Crossgar 1196 £32, 146th R Mooney Skerries 1195 £34, 147th Parkin & Cairns Castlebellingham 1194 S £56, 148th A Kelly Skerries 1191 £34, 149th N Grant & Sons Balbriggan 1191 £34, 150th D Beattie Charlemont 1190 £32, 151st Gregory Bros Rathnew 1190 £34, 152nd D Coulter Glenavy 1188 £32, 153rd J Burrows Eastway 1187 £32,

154th P Brien Ind South 1186 £34, 155th P & J Snell Rathnew 1184 £34, 156th S Milligan & Daughter Tyrella 1184 £32, 157th W McClure Kells & Dist 1180 £32, 158th T Walsh Kilkenny 1180 £31, 159th R Williamson Bondhill 1180 £32, 160th Toland & Lynch Wilton Cross 1180 £32, 161st J Greenaway Bondhill 1179 £32, 162nd C Reynolds Beechpark Soc 1178 £32, 163rd S Wilson & Son Dromore HPS 1177 £32, 164th M Hughes Edgarstown 1170 £32, 165th J McLoughlin Andersonstown 1170 £30, 166th D Donaldson Rathnew 1169 £31, 167th B Chambers Dundrum 1169 £30, 168th T Kenny Shankill 1169 £31, 169th D & B Lyness Lurgan Soc 1168 £30, 170th F & J Crowe Gorey RPS 1168 £31, 171st D McNabb & Partners Tyrella 1167 £25, 172nd J Robinson Edgarstown 1166 £25, 173rd Cooney Bros Monaghan 1163 £26, 174th M/M G Braniff Colin 1162 £25, 175th P Kennedy & Sons Stillorgan 1162 £26, 176th J McNeill & Son Randalstown 1161 £25, 177th Ward & McIntosh Downpatrick 1161 £25, 178th M Conlon & Sons Banbridge 1159 £25, 179th A Fearon Portadown Inv 1155 £25, 180th P & J Snell Rathnew 1153 £26, 181st A & R Milliken Lagan Valley 1153 £25, 182nd W Catherwood & Sons Ballynahinch HPS 1152 £25, 183rd D Coulter Glenavy 1152 £25, 184th T Cairns & Sons Glengormley 1151 £25, 185th Agar Bros Portavogie 1150 £25, 186th R Duffy & Partner Rathnew 1150 £26, 187th S Marshall Cookstown 1148 £25, 188th M/M E Spence Hillfoot 1146 £25, 189th R Topping & Son Lisburn & Dist 1142 £25, 190th T Marshall & Son Newtownbreda 1141 £25, 191st E Quigley Ind South £26, 192nd C & R Moffett Gilford 1139 £25, 193rd B McNeice & Sons Lurgan Soc 1138 £25, 194th D Croskery & Son Annsborough 1137 £25, 195th D & C McArdle Armagh 1135 £25, 196th G McNeilly Ballyclare 1135 £25, 197th J Cleland Annsborough 1134 £25, 198th Mal Maguire & Son Millvale 1134 £25, 199th C McManus Corrigs 1132 £25, 200th R Bell & Sons Edgarstown 1129 £20,

201st K Carolan Coalisland 1128 £25, 202nd Mal Maguire & Son Millvale 1127 £25, 203rd W McVeigh Ballynahinch HPS 1126 £25, 204th Rev Sawyers Banbridge 1126 £25, 205th M & B McConville Crumlin 1123 £25, 206th G McNeilly Ballyclare 1123 £25, 207th M/M Magill Muckamore 1122 £25, 208th Graham Bros Balbriggan 1122 £26, 209th G McNeilly Ballyclare 1122 £25, 210th G & T Ritchie Edgarstown 1120 £25, 211th J Linden & Son Downpatrick 1118 £25, 212th J Kirk Ballyclare 1117 £25, 213th Gibson Bros Dromore WE 1116 £25, 214th M Croskery & Son Annsborough 1116 £25, 215th R Bothwell Lurgan Amat 1115 £20, 216th P Ward Clontarf RPC 1114 £26, 217th J Graham Monaghan 1112 £26, 218th R Gregory Rathnew 1110 £26, 219th M Graham Ballymena 1110 £20, 220th A Meehan Ind South 1108 £26, 221st A Moore Portavogie 1108 £20, 222nd A Darragh Cullybackey 1107 £20, 223rd E Matthews Enniscorthy 1104 £26, 224th A Lacey Sallynoggin 1104 £26, 225th G Daly & Son Ind South 1102 £26, 226th Houston Bros Randalstown 1101 £20, 227th W Catherwood & Sons Ballynahinch HPS 1099 £20, 228th D & J Armstrong & Son Carrick Soc 1099 £20, 229th J Waring & Son Lisburn & Dist 1099 £20, 230th Walker Bros Largymore 1097 £20, 231st G McGlinn Sallynoggin 1097 £26, 232nd M/M P Braniff Colin 1096 £20, 233rd J Harkness Glenavy 1095 £20, 234th P Cregan Maiden City 1094 £20, 235th J Nelson Nilltown 1092 £20, 236th G & J OHare Crossgar 1087 £20, 237th J Ringland Dundrum 1086 £20, 238th J Capper Loughgall 1086 £20, 239th M Robinson Bondhill 1084 £20, 240th Mal Maguire & Son Millvale 1083 £20, 241st B McNeice & Sons Lurgan Soc 1082 £20, 242nd N Black & Son Dromara 1081 £20, 243rd P R Wilson Ballyclare 1081 £20, 244th P J Corcoran & Son Balbriggan 1080 £26, 245th L McCall Wicklow SR 1077 £26, 246th M/M P Braniff Colin 1076 £20, 247th Stewart Bros Randalstown 1076 £20, 248th D Tweedie Doagh & Dist 1075 £20, 249th M Croskery Annsborough 1072 £20, 250th J Waring & Son Lisburn & Dist 1072 £20. End of Prizes. J Doheny Malahide & Dist 1068 £6, H Gilligan Sallynoggin 1068 £6, G OReilly & Son Malahide & Dist 1062 £6, B W Hoey Ind South 1024 £6.

Mother's Pride Earns His Crust

On Friday the 3rd of July the Blue Ribbon of Pigeon Racing, the Old Bird National Kings Cup was flown from Vannes-Plaudrin, France a distance of 372 miles to Gorey. The Loft of Owen Dunbar entered 2 candidates for this the ultimate test of a pigeons strength and stamina when 770 fanciers from all over Ireland, North and South, entered almost 2900 birds. The Pigeons were liberated at 6.15am into a south wind and with heavy rain showers forecast, fanciers were expecting a steady race. Owen who works in the local firm, Weatherglaze Systems was in work at 14.35 when he got a phone call from his mother Catherine (75) to say she had clocked a yearling checker cock at 14.30. That was approximately 2 hours earlier than Owen had expected his birds. 372 miles flown in 8 hours 15 months for a velocity of 1325 ypm or approximately just under 50mph, some going for a pigeon that only weighs ounces. When the clocks were checked at the clock centre in Wexford the result showed that Owen's pigeon now known as "Mother's Pride" had won 1st Club Gorey, 1st Channel Club and 1st Federation, its not known at the time of going to press what positions in the South Section or Open, Owen's pigeon will win, but it is expected to finish in the top 40/50 Open and 10/20 South Section. This yearling cock had earlier flown in the yearling national from Sennen Cove on Widowhood but was not timed until late on the day. For the Kings Cup he was repaired to his hen and sent sitting week old pot eggs. The blood lines of this pigeon are Jim Biss x Van der Weggen both these pigeons were gift birds to Owen from his cousin Owen Kirwan who is no stranger to winning pigeon races having won First Open, Yearling National from Sennen Cove last year.

Homer.
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