For the last number of seasons the Ahoghill Flying Club have presented the awards for the racing season in the local clubrooms, the week after Blackpool Rosie and myself were invited out to present the awards. It was fish suppers all round well appreciated by all those in attendance, the AGM had been arranged for after the presentation.
Racing was again to the highest standard and leading the way, the man to beat each week Paddy McManus. This loft has dominated for as long as I can remember Highest Prize-winner for something like 25 seasons and this year 5 x 1sts in the Mid Antrim Combine and winner of the Les Mairs Old Bird Fancier of the Year for the first time.
The leading lofts were - Young McManus & Sons, Mr & Mrs Robinson, J Smyth & Son, J Orr & Son, T & G Balmer, John Balmer, Balmer T Young & Son, and William Livingstone. Show Specials were presented to Balmer T Young & Son, T & G Balmer, Chris Moore, William Livingstone, Jimmy Orr & Son and John Balmer. Total pay-out for the club was over £500. Talbenny YB Nat Special presented by Noel Percy was won by Jimmy Smyth & Son.
As I had mentioned Young McManus & Sons won 5 x 1sts in the Mid Antrim Combine – in Old Birds 1st & 2nd Tullamore, 1st Fermoy Comeback, 1st Talbenny (2), 1st Corrin (2). In Young birds the loft had 1st & 2nd in the Rosscarbery National. Other top places in the OB season included Young McManus & Sons 3rd Mullingar, Mr & Mrs Robinson 3rd Talbenny (1), Young McManus & Sons 2nd Fermoy 5 Bird, and T & G Balmer 3rd Bude.
The season’s race winners were as follows:-
Old Birds: Mullingar – Young McManus & Sons, Tullamore – Young McManus & Sons, Gowran Park – M/M Robinson, Gowran Park (2) – Young McManus & Sons, Corrin – Young McManus & Sons, Rosscarbery Nat – Young McManus & Sons, Fermoy Comeback – Young McManus & Sons, Talbenny (1) – M/M Robinson, Fermoy 5B – Young McManus & Sons, Talbenny (2) – Young McManus & Sons, Rosscarbery Ylr Cock Nat – Young McManus & Sons, Rosscarbery Ylr Hen Nat – Young McManus & Sons, Bude – T & G Balmer, Corrin (2) – Young McManus & Sons, Fermoy – Young McManus & Sons, Penzance – M/M Robinson.
Young Birds: Mullingar (1) – J Smyth & Son, Mullingar (2) – J Smyth & Son, Tullamore – Young McManus & Sons, Roscrea – Young McManus & Sons, Gowran Park – Young McManus & Sons, Fermoy (1) – M/M Robinson, Talbenny Nat – J Smyth & Son, Roscrea – M/M Robinson, Fermoy – J Smyth & Son, Fermoy 5B - , Rosscarbery Nat – Young McManus & Sons.
INFC: Sennen Cove Ylr Nat – Chris Moore, Kings Cup St Allouestre - Gordon Jackson 649, William Livingstone 640.
Mid Antrim Combine for the first time had a Knock-Out competition for each individual loft, In the Old Bird Young McManus & Sons were best in the final from Penzance by Gary Gibson. All in all another top season for Ahoghill and especially Paddy McManus, thanks once again for the invite.
Officals and members of Ahoghill Flying Club at the prize presentation.
Highest Prize winner Paddy McManus (r) with Secretary Tom Young.
1st & 2nd in the Kings Cup St Allouestre, Gordon Jackson (l) and William Livingstone.
Mrs Pat Ramsey presents MAC & NIPA Diplomas to Paddy McManus.
Rosie presented the Ahoghill awards, Secretary Tom Young (l) and Paddy McManus.
Danny Dixon presents the L Mairs Memorial Cup to Paddy McManus