Guests included sponsors Derek & Geraldine McDowell, Brian Hayes from the Bridge Garage who covered the Single Bird Nomination for the last number of years with other sponsorship, local scribe Homer and Rosie and also present Hubert Logan and wife Jean dedicated member since 1963 he was Treasurer for many years and has just retired from his role as Ring Secretary.
The leading lofts were – Alan Darragh, Gibson & O’Neill, Mr & Mrs Martin Sempey, Chris McIntyre, McAlonan Bros and J & J Greer. Alan Darragh after a few seasons in Ahoghill came to the fore winning Russell Family Cup in 1986 and has won every year since bar 2008 when the Champion Loft award was won by Gary Gibson. Over 30 x times Highest Prize-winner for Alan Darragh, and up to date has been the loft to beat.
The 2017 season I believe was the most competitive for a long time and although Alan Darragh won most of the NIPA races some 13 were shared out among other lofts. The new partnership of Gibson & O’Neill had early success in the opening race from Mullingar winning 1st & 2nd in the Mid Antrim Combine racing as Associate Members. In old birds they also won the Rosscarbery OB Inland Nat, Fermoy Comeback on the same day, and then 2 weeks later Fermoy 5 Bird. McAlonan Bros racing in the club since 1962 and back again after a short spell in Ballymena won Talbenny (2) and Alan Darragh after winning four inland races on the trot won the cross channel events at Talbenny (1) and Bude. The loft had a good result in the Rosscarbery Yearling Nat winning 1st Cullybackey Centre in Yearling Hen and 2nd Cullybackey Centre in Yearling Cock and the Harryville HPS sponsored Centre Diplomas. New President Sammy Steele had a fantastic result from Penzance winning 1st Club Penzance on velocity 1387 and also 1st Club in the Old Bird Classic flown in duplicate.
Moving to the young birds Mr & Mrs Sempey had 1st & 2nd in the Millingar (1) Area Lib and Alan Darragh won Mullingar (2). The mass liberation from Tullamore was won by McAlonan Bros and then Mr & Mrs Sempey were to win two races on the trot with the same bird, over 500 birds competing in both Roscrea and Gowran Park. Alan Darragh won Fermoy (1) and Roscrea (2) and then on the same weekend Fermoy (2) and Fermoy 5 Bird. Chris McIntyre had a young bird season to remember winning both YB Nationals, 1st Club Talbenny doing velocity 1314 and the Harryville sponsored Diploma for 3rd Centre, and then 1st Club Rosscarbery doing velocity 1098.
Racing with the Irish Nat FC was dominated again by Alan Darragh winning nost of the races although Gibson & O’Neill had the best bird in the Old Bird Skibbereen winning 1st MAC doing velocity 1546. Alan Darragh won the Sennen Cove Yearling Nat on velocity 1260 with Reid Bros & McCloy 2nd and 3rd. In the Blue Riband Grand Nat from St Allouestre Alan Darragh was 1st Club on velocity 843, Reid Bros & McCloy were 2nd and Alan Darragh 3rd. The YB Grand Nat was a difficult race as well just 66 bird’s home and only 2 birds home in Mid Antrim, Alan Darragh had 1st Club doing velocity 945 and then finally Skibbereen another 1st Club doing velocity 999.
The Bridge Garage Nominations were won by Alan Darragh and M/M Sempey. The late Len Russell is still a big miss, ever present at the annual Prize Night & Dinner winning his share at both racing and the shows. He passed away just before racing in 2016 and his memory will live on with two new cups presented to the club for competition in 2018. His sisters donated the first one and wife Benina the other who will the first winners be, what they will be awarded for will be decided later.
Alan Darragh as usual collected most of the Silver up for grabs in 2017 which as I have already mentioned included the famous Russell Family Cup for Highest Prize-winner which had been presented to the club by Len’s late mother. He also won G Glenholmes Mem (Bude & Penzance), W Allen (Most Points OB), Reid Bros Cup (Kings Cup & Penzance YB), Norman Blaney Mem ((Talbenny, Bude & Penzance), Coronation Cup (Cross Channel Ave OB), Club Shield (Most Points YB), Patton Plane Sales (1st Talbenny), B Herbison (Bude), B Law (Penzance & Talbenny YB), S Herbison (5B Fermoy YB) Moore Cup (Bude & St Allouestre), and Straham Cup (2nd Area Lib).
Chris McIntyre won – A Darragh Cup (Best Ave all Derbies), H Jackson Cup (Talbenny & Rosscarbery YB), John Blaney Mem (Talbenny YB), James Anderson (Best Ave St Malo & Rosscarbery YB), Herbison Perputal (Rosscarbery YB), J Rock (OB Knock-out), Armstrong Cup (YB Ave), Robinson & Livingstone (Rosscarbery YB), and R McIlwaine (Rosscarbery YB).
Gibson & O’Neill won – Spence Cup (OB Inland Ave), A G McCullough (Rosscarbery OB Nat), O’Kane Cup (OB Ave), J Wheatcroft (5B Fermoy OB), and Harkness Cup (Ave Fermoy & Fermoy 5B).
Sammy Steele won – J Blaney (Penzance & OB Derby), Sandy Reid (2B Ave Penzance), Tom Livingstone (OB Classic), and Sam Moore (Penzance Old Bird). J & J Greer won – G Irwin Cup (YB Knock-out). McAlonan Bros won – George McCloy Cup (2nd Talbenny).
Another good crowd and great night at Cullybackey HPS, competition has never been better. Good luck to all lofts in the new season and many thanks once again for the invite.
Cullybackey officials and prize winners in the 2017 season.
The winners of the cups and trophies at the Cullybackey prize night in Toast.
Alan Darragh wins the Russell Family Cup for Highest prize-winner with officials Sammy Steele, Neil Anderson and Edrick Davidson.
Mrs McDowell presents the Harryville sponsored Diplomas for Cullybackey Centre to Alan Darragh and Chris McIntyre.
New cups in memory of the late Len Russell presented by his two sisters and wife Benina.
Presentation made to Hubert and Jean Logan on their retirement prior to becoming Honorary Members.
Chris McIntyre, Cullybackey HPS with his winning cups for - young bird derbies, young bird averages,
old bird knockout cup, and best averages for all derbies including two 1st club derby winners. His first full season racing.
Gary Gibson and Martin O'Neill runner up for Highest Prize-winner, presentation by Geraldine McDowell.
Martin and Elke Sempey moved up to 3rd Highest Prize-winner in just their second season racing in Cullybackey.
Presentation by Brian Hayes of Bridge Garage.
Club President Sammy Steele collects Penzance Cup from Jennifer McCloy.