Friendship National Lamballe update Saturday 23.10hrs
Posted on July 14, 2018 - Update Saturday 14th July 2018 @ 23.10
Friendship National Lamballe - Sponsored by H. Beattie & Son.
100 pigeons have now been recorded in the race on checking the clock stations this is evening.
Any third day arrivals please contact your clock station manager to arrange clock checking.
Top five in the race subject to correction and change - 1 N Black & Son Dromara 1046, 2 J Hand Skerries 1013, 3 G O’Reilly Malahide 1009, 4 H Silcock Dromara 1007, 5 Mark Maguire & Son Millvale 1005. All positions subject to change.
Muckamore Station Lamballe – Arnold Thompson Ballyclare 944, W & L McCaw Ballymoney 779, W & L McCaw Ballymoney 656, Robin Duddy Ballyclare 638, Robin Duddy Ballyclare 637, Alan Darragh Cullybackey 637, Balmer Tom Young & Son Ahoghill 624, Arnold Thompson Ballyclare 619, Fred Simpson Doagh & Dist 604, W & L McCaw Ballymoney 549, Alan Darragh Cullybackey 480, Robin Duddy Ballyclare 443.
Lamballe Friendship National update Friday 23.15pm
Posted on July 13, 2018
Friendship National Lamballe - Update Friday 13th July 2018 @ 23.15
First day arrivals.
J Hand Skerries 17.32 & 18.13 381 miles - G O’Reilly Malahide 17.36
N Grant & Son Balbriggan 18.15 - P Rock & Son Skerries 18.25
F & J Crowe Gorey 18.27 & 19.47
N Black & Son Dromara 18.46 438 Miles - Mark Maguire & Son Millvale 18.57
H Silcock Dromara 19.11 - J Cullen Bray 19.15
Smyth Family Lofts Kircubbin 19.45 & 19.45 - T McClean Annaghmore 20.08
A Thompson Ballyclare 20.45 - F Moran Malahide 22.45
Hours of darkness 22.40 to 04.58hrs
Clock checking arrangements for second day arrivals - Banbridge, Muckamore and Lisburn 21.00
Balbriggan, Cork, Wicklow and Stillorgan contact your station manager.
Reported on Facebook
Josh Hand Skerries 5.30 and 6.13 - Fran & James Crowe Gorey 6.27
N Black Sons Dromara 6.45 - Smyth Family Loft ~ 2 birds together 7.45
H Silcock Dromara HPS 7.11
N Grant & Son Balbriggan 6.15 - Gerry O’Reilly Malahide 5.36
Tommy McClean Annaghmore 8.09
Friendship National Liberation Friday 13th July.
Posted on July 13, 2018
Friday 13th July 2018.
Friendship National Lamballe - Sponsored by H. Beattie & Son.
213 members have entered 900 pigeons in the race and are competing for £5563.00 in pools and prizemoney. The pigeons have been released at 06.30am into a light easterly wind.
Please note the release was Lamballe due to difficulties with the authorities at the release site in Brest.
R.P.R.A. code for Lamballe is 5022. Our next update will be this evening.
Friendship National Brest Race Marking.
Posted on July 8, 2018
Sunday 8th July 2018 @ 19:30
Friendship National Brest - Sponsored by H. Beattie & Son.
Race marking will take place on Tuesday 10th July 2018 times as printed in the race entry form booklet for a possible release on Friday.
Friendship Nat Lamballe - 13/07/18
-
willie reynolds
- Posts: 6810
- Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2008 4:44 pm
Re: Friendship Nat Lamballe - 13/07/18
Local birds timed in INFC Friendship National – Early Update
The final race from France was the Friendship National which was flown from Lamballe due to difficulties with the authorities at the release site in Brest. 900 birds were race marked in Lisburn last Tuesday and liberation was on Friday 13th July at 6.30am in a Lt Easterly wind. Some 16 birds were timed on the winning day and that number got up to 100 on the second day with helping conditions, it turned out the best of the season’s races from France. The only bird recorded into the Muckamore Station on the day was timed by Arnold Thompson a dedicated long distance loft from Ballyclare. Twice winner of the event Alan Darragh timed at 10.30am on the second morning into Cullybackey and had a second bird later in the day, Tom Young the Chairman in Ahoghill has had a great old bird season and timed on the second morning for 1st in Mid Antrim Combine. W & L McCaw from Ballymoney won the event from Sartilly in 1993 and will be pleased with three arrivals on the second day. The overall winner was N Black & Son of Dromara, former Kings Cup winners and twice National Champions, it was another Champion performance. Timed at 6.45pm flying 437 miles the Black Family win the Friendship Cup. Race was sponsored by H Beattie & Son. John Greenaway from Bondhill wins the Triple Award Diploma for 3 times in the result with same bird: 2016 – 38th Open INFC Quimper, 2017 – 2nd Open INFC Lamballe, 2018 – 83rd Open INFC Lamballe. Claims for any Merit Awards, or Triple Diploma awards in writing please to Secretary Trevor Topping. The Top 10 report will follow, send details to Homer and photo if possible.
INFC Friendship Nat Lamballe 213/900 – N Black & Son Dromara 1046, J Hand Skerries 1013, G O’Reilly Malahide & Dist 1009, H Silcock Dromara 1007, Mark Maguire & Son Millvale 1005, N Grant & Sons Balbriggan 972, T McClean Annaghmore 961, Smyth Family Loft Kircubbin 960, Smyth Family Loft 960, J Hand 953, A Thompson Ballyclare 944, P Rock & Son Skerries 929, F & J Crowe Gorey RPS 821, J Cullen Bray Inv 788, W & L McCaw Ballymoney 779, P Dunlop Edgarstown 758, P McFadden Monaghan 758, P Dunlop 749, F & J Crowe 738, F Moran Malahide & Dist 729, W G Neill Annaghmore 707, P Cairns Gilford 707, J Serplus Laurelvale 699, Pritchard Bros Annsborough 687, Donnelly Bros Millvale 675, C & H Beattie Gilford 673, W G Neill 673, W G Neill 673, P Cairns 670, J Dowey Laurelvale 669, W & L McCaw 656, C McManus Corrigs 645, Dowey Bros Laurelvale 640, G & C Topley 638, R Duddy Ballyclare 638, N Black & Son 637, R Duddy 637, A Darragh Cullybackey 637, R Williamson Bondhill 632, Balmer T Young & Son Ahoghill 624, N Black & Son 624, A Thompson 619, E Murtagh & Son Ind North 613, M Hughes Edgarstown 609, J Greenaway Bondhill 609, N Black & Son 605, F Simpson Doagh & Dist 604, S & W English Lisburn & Dist 602, Fulton & Dickson Ards 597, B McAvoy Drumnavaddy 593, G & C Topley 590, W Corrigan Loughgall 589, G Buckley & Sons Annaghmore 586, P Dunlop 584, Colman O’Hare & Son Newry & Dist 580, J & R Young Portavogie 576, N Black & Son 573, J Cleland Annsborough 573, H Gormley & Son Monaghan 570, G & P O’Dowd Ballybrack 567, R & A Gore Lagan Valley 560, P Swindell Newry City 554, M Robinson Bondhill 550, W & L McCaw 549, M Robinson 547, S O’Hara Monasterevin 547, R Williamson Bondhill 545, B & H Marshall Newtownbreda 540, P Rock & Son 538, Mal Maguire & Son Millvale 535, P Campbell & Sons Armagh 532, P & J Jones Skerries 528, P McFadden 518, A McAteer & Sons Ballyholland 515, Donnelly Bros Millvale 514, Donnelly Bros 508, Kenna & Finn Arklow United 508, G Swift Monaghan 507, Donnelly Bros 503, Lyons & Kennedy Hills & Maze 492, J Waring & Son Lisburn & Dist 484, A Darragh 480, J Greenaway Bondhill 477, T McClean 474, M Lavery Trim RPC 471, Gregory Bros Rathnew 465, G & C Topley 461, J Doheny Malahide & Dist 458, S McAllister & Sons Lagan Valley 457, C & G Quinn Drumnavaddy 447, D Coulter Glenavy & Dist 445, R Duddy 443, J Murtagh & Son Ballyholland 433, J Downey 433, C McManus 431, K O’Brien & Son Malahide & Dist 415, P Swindell 415, N Grant & Sons 397, P Rock & Son 393, S O’Hara Monasterevin RPC 392.
Muckamore Station Lamballe – Arnold Thompson Ballyclare 944, W & L McCaw Ballymoney 779, W & L McCaw Ballymoney 656, Robin Duddy Ballyclare 638, Robin Duddy Ballyclare 637, Alan Darragh Cullybackey 637, Balmer Tom Young & Son Ahoghill 624, Arnold Thompson Ballyclare 619, Fred Simpson Doagh & Dist 604, W & L McCaw Ballymoney 549, Alan Darragh Cullybackey 480, Robin Duddy Ballyclare 443.
Over the holiday period we had the sad news that Jackie Millar from Cromkill had passed away suddenly at Antrim Area Hospital, he had health problems over the last year. J Millar & Son were long time members in the Harryville HPS and also had a spell racing in Kells & District. Over the years they won many positions and usually timed winners up to and including Penzance which was probably the lofts favourite point. Jackie was a dedicated worker in the club over the many years of membership, and a dedicated member of Mid Antrim Combine. Sincere condolences to his son Derek, who is a member of the partnership, and his other children Rodney and Elaine, and the wider family circle. There was a large attendance at the funeral to Ballee New Cemetery last Friday and donations in lieu of flowers if desired should be made payable to Chest Heart & Stroke Association c/o Alan Francey Funeral Services, 94 Toome Road, Ballymena. BT42 2BU.
NIPA News Update - We have received very few claims for old bird inland and channel section fanciers awards anyone wishing to claim please do so as soon as possible, also we have now sent the information to the printers for all Old Bird open and section winners diplomas we require ALL section winners photographs of their pigeons for the Old Bird National from St Malo which will appear on your diplomas please forward these as soon as possible otherwise these will be printed with a photo of some other pigeon on them.
INFC Clubs Lamballe
Dromara – N Black & Son 1046, H Silcock 1007, N Black & Son 637, 624, 605, 573.
Skerries – Josh Hand 1013, 953, P Rock & Son 929, 538, P & J Jones 526, P Rock & Son 393.
Malahide & District – G O’Reilly 1009, F Moran 729, Joe Doheny 458, K O’Brien & Son 415.
Millvale – Mark Maguire & Son 1005, Donnelly Bros 675, Mal Maguire & Son 535, Donnelly Bros 514, 508, 503.
Balbriggan – N Grant & Sons 972, 397.
Annaghmore – Tom McClean 961, W G Neill 707, 673, 673, Glen Buckley & Sons 586, Tom McClean 474
Kircubbin HPS – Smyth Family Loft 960, 960.
Ballyclare & Dist – A Thompson 944, R Duddy 638, 637, A Thompson 619, R Duddy 443
Gorey RPS – F & J Crowe 821, 738.
Bray Invitation – James Cullen 788.
Ballymoney HPS 4/10 – W & L McCaw 779, 656, 549. Fantastic result for W & L McCaw, five birds send and three birds timed in the INFC result.
Dervock RPS 2/7 - W & L McCaw 779, 656, 549.
Edgarstown HPS 5/20 – P Dunlop 758, 749, M Hughes 609, P Dunlop 584.Well done Paul on a very impressive performance clocking 3/3 to take 16th, 18th, and 54th Open .Paul very rarely fails to time in the French races he has an outstanding record over the years a race to remember. Also well done to Mark Hughes in the result good going men.
Monaghan HPS – P McFadden 758, H Gormley & Son 567, P McFadden 518, G Swift 507.
Gilford & District – P Cairns 707, C & H Beattie 673, P Cairns 670.
Laurelvale – J Serplus 699, John Dowey 669, Dowey Bros 640, G & C Topley 638, 590, 461, John Dowey 433.
Annsborough – Pritchard Bros 687, James Cleland 573.
Corrigs – C McManus 645, 431.
Cullybackey HPS – A Darragh 637, 480.
Bondhill Social – Ron Williamson 632, John Greenaway 609, M Robinson 550, 547, Ron Williamson 545, John Greenaway 477.
Ahoghill Flying Club – Balmer T Young & Son 624.
Doagh & District HPS – Fred Simpson 604.
Lisburn & District – S & W English 602, J Waring & Son 484.
Newtownards – Fulton & Dickson 597.
Drumnavaddy Inv – B McAvoy 593, C & G Quinn 447.
Loughgall William Corrigan 589.
Newry & District – Colman O’Hare & Son 580.
Portavogie HPS – J & R Young 576.
Ballybrack RPC – G & P O’Dowd 567.
Lagan Valley – R & A Gore 560, S McAllister & Sons 457.
Newry City – P Swindell 554, 415.
Monasterevin RPC – S O’Hara 547, 392.
Newtownbreda – B & H Marshall 540.
Armagh HPS – P Campbell & Sons 532.
Ballyholland – A McAteer & Sons 515, J Murtagh & Son 433.
Arklow United RPC – Kenna & Finn 508.
Hillsborough & Maze 492.
Trim RPC – M Lavery 471.
Rathnew – Gregory Bros 465.
Glenavy & District – D Coulter 445.
Beechpark Social - Dando & Bennett 387.
5 Birds for the winners N Black & Sons Dromara, 4 for Donnelly Bros Millvale and 3 birds each for P Rock & Son Skerries former Kings Cup winners, W G Neill Annaghmore, R Duddy Ballyclare, W & L McCaw Ballymoney former Friendship Nat winners just sent 5 birds, Paul Dunlop Edgarstown and G & C Topley Laurelvale sent six and put 3 yearlings in the result.
The final race from France was the Friendship National which was flown from Lamballe due to difficulties with the authorities at the release site in Brest. 900 birds were race marked in Lisburn last Tuesday and liberation was on Friday 13th July at 6.30am in a Lt Easterly wind. Some 16 birds were timed on the winning day and that number got up to 100 on the second day with helping conditions, it turned out the best of the season’s races from France. The only bird recorded into the Muckamore Station on the day was timed by Arnold Thompson a dedicated long distance loft from Ballyclare. Twice winner of the event Alan Darragh timed at 10.30am on the second morning into Cullybackey and had a second bird later in the day, Tom Young the Chairman in Ahoghill has had a great old bird season and timed on the second morning for 1st in Mid Antrim Combine. W & L McCaw from Ballymoney won the event from Sartilly in 1993 and will be pleased with three arrivals on the second day. The overall winner was N Black & Son of Dromara, former Kings Cup winners and twice National Champions, it was another Champion performance. Timed at 6.45pm flying 437 miles the Black Family win the Friendship Cup. Race was sponsored by H Beattie & Son. John Greenaway from Bondhill wins the Triple Award Diploma for 3 times in the result with same bird: 2016 – 38th Open INFC Quimper, 2017 – 2nd Open INFC Lamballe, 2018 – 83rd Open INFC Lamballe. Claims for any Merit Awards, or Triple Diploma awards in writing please to Secretary Trevor Topping. The Top 10 report will follow, send details to Homer and photo if possible.
INFC Friendship Nat Lamballe 213/900 – N Black & Son Dromara 1046, J Hand Skerries 1013, G O’Reilly Malahide & Dist 1009, H Silcock Dromara 1007, Mark Maguire & Son Millvale 1005, N Grant & Sons Balbriggan 972, T McClean Annaghmore 961, Smyth Family Loft Kircubbin 960, Smyth Family Loft 960, J Hand 953, A Thompson Ballyclare 944, P Rock & Son Skerries 929, F & J Crowe Gorey RPS 821, J Cullen Bray Inv 788, W & L McCaw Ballymoney 779, P Dunlop Edgarstown 758, P McFadden Monaghan 758, P Dunlop 749, F & J Crowe 738, F Moran Malahide & Dist 729, W G Neill Annaghmore 707, P Cairns Gilford 707, J Serplus Laurelvale 699, Pritchard Bros Annsborough 687, Donnelly Bros Millvale 675, C & H Beattie Gilford 673, W G Neill 673, W G Neill 673, P Cairns 670, J Dowey Laurelvale 669, W & L McCaw 656, C McManus Corrigs 645, Dowey Bros Laurelvale 640, G & C Topley 638, R Duddy Ballyclare 638, N Black & Son 637, R Duddy 637, A Darragh Cullybackey 637, R Williamson Bondhill 632, Balmer T Young & Son Ahoghill 624, N Black & Son 624, A Thompson 619, E Murtagh & Son Ind North 613, M Hughes Edgarstown 609, J Greenaway Bondhill 609, N Black & Son 605, F Simpson Doagh & Dist 604, S & W English Lisburn & Dist 602, Fulton & Dickson Ards 597, B McAvoy Drumnavaddy 593, G & C Topley 590, W Corrigan Loughgall 589, G Buckley & Sons Annaghmore 586, P Dunlop 584, Colman O’Hare & Son Newry & Dist 580, J & R Young Portavogie 576, N Black & Son 573, J Cleland Annsborough 573, H Gormley & Son Monaghan 570, G & P O’Dowd Ballybrack 567, R & A Gore Lagan Valley 560, P Swindell Newry City 554, M Robinson Bondhill 550, W & L McCaw 549, M Robinson 547, S O’Hara Monasterevin 547, R Williamson Bondhill 545, B & H Marshall Newtownbreda 540, P Rock & Son 538, Mal Maguire & Son Millvale 535, P Campbell & Sons Armagh 532, P & J Jones Skerries 528, P McFadden 518, A McAteer & Sons Ballyholland 515, Donnelly Bros Millvale 514, Donnelly Bros 508, Kenna & Finn Arklow United 508, G Swift Monaghan 507, Donnelly Bros 503, Lyons & Kennedy Hills & Maze 492, J Waring & Son Lisburn & Dist 484, A Darragh 480, J Greenaway Bondhill 477, T McClean 474, M Lavery Trim RPC 471, Gregory Bros Rathnew 465, G & C Topley 461, J Doheny Malahide & Dist 458, S McAllister & Sons Lagan Valley 457, C & G Quinn Drumnavaddy 447, D Coulter Glenavy & Dist 445, R Duddy 443, J Murtagh & Son Ballyholland 433, J Downey 433, C McManus 431, K O’Brien & Son Malahide & Dist 415, P Swindell 415, N Grant & Sons 397, P Rock & Son 393, S O’Hara Monasterevin RPC 392.
Muckamore Station Lamballe – Arnold Thompson Ballyclare 944, W & L McCaw Ballymoney 779, W & L McCaw Ballymoney 656, Robin Duddy Ballyclare 638, Robin Duddy Ballyclare 637, Alan Darragh Cullybackey 637, Balmer Tom Young & Son Ahoghill 624, Arnold Thompson Ballyclare 619, Fred Simpson Doagh & Dist 604, W & L McCaw Ballymoney 549, Alan Darragh Cullybackey 480, Robin Duddy Ballyclare 443.
Over the holiday period we had the sad news that Jackie Millar from Cromkill had passed away suddenly at Antrim Area Hospital, he had health problems over the last year. J Millar & Son were long time members in the Harryville HPS and also had a spell racing in Kells & District. Over the years they won many positions and usually timed winners up to and including Penzance which was probably the lofts favourite point. Jackie was a dedicated worker in the club over the many years of membership, and a dedicated member of Mid Antrim Combine. Sincere condolences to his son Derek, who is a member of the partnership, and his other children Rodney and Elaine, and the wider family circle. There was a large attendance at the funeral to Ballee New Cemetery last Friday and donations in lieu of flowers if desired should be made payable to Chest Heart & Stroke Association c/o Alan Francey Funeral Services, 94 Toome Road, Ballymena. BT42 2BU.
NIPA News Update - We have received very few claims for old bird inland and channel section fanciers awards anyone wishing to claim please do so as soon as possible, also we have now sent the information to the printers for all Old Bird open and section winners diplomas we require ALL section winners photographs of their pigeons for the Old Bird National from St Malo which will appear on your diplomas please forward these as soon as possible otherwise these will be printed with a photo of some other pigeon on them.
INFC Clubs Lamballe
Dromara – N Black & Son 1046, H Silcock 1007, N Black & Son 637, 624, 605, 573.
Skerries – Josh Hand 1013, 953, P Rock & Son 929, 538, P & J Jones 526, P Rock & Son 393.
Malahide & District – G O’Reilly 1009, F Moran 729, Joe Doheny 458, K O’Brien & Son 415.
Millvale – Mark Maguire & Son 1005, Donnelly Bros 675, Mal Maguire & Son 535, Donnelly Bros 514, 508, 503.
Balbriggan – N Grant & Sons 972, 397.
Annaghmore – Tom McClean 961, W G Neill 707, 673, 673, Glen Buckley & Sons 586, Tom McClean 474
Kircubbin HPS – Smyth Family Loft 960, 960.
Ballyclare & Dist – A Thompson 944, R Duddy 638, 637, A Thompson 619, R Duddy 443
Gorey RPS – F & J Crowe 821, 738.
Bray Invitation – James Cullen 788.
Ballymoney HPS 4/10 – W & L McCaw 779, 656, 549. Fantastic result for W & L McCaw, five birds send and three birds timed in the INFC result.
Dervock RPS 2/7 - W & L McCaw 779, 656, 549.
Edgarstown HPS 5/20 – P Dunlop 758, 749, M Hughes 609, P Dunlop 584.Well done Paul on a very impressive performance clocking 3/3 to take 16th, 18th, and 54th Open .Paul very rarely fails to time in the French races he has an outstanding record over the years a race to remember. Also well done to Mark Hughes in the result good going men.
Monaghan HPS – P McFadden 758, H Gormley & Son 567, P McFadden 518, G Swift 507.
Gilford & District – P Cairns 707, C & H Beattie 673, P Cairns 670.
Laurelvale – J Serplus 699, John Dowey 669, Dowey Bros 640, G & C Topley 638, 590, 461, John Dowey 433.
Annsborough – Pritchard Bros 687, James Cleland 573.
Corrigs – C McManus 645, 431.
Cullybackey HPS – A Darragh 637, 480.
Bondhill Social – Ron Williamson 632, John Greenaway 609, M Robinson 550, 547, Ron Williamson 545, John Greenaway 477.
Ahoghill Flying Club – Balmer T Young & Son 624.
Doagh & District HPS – Fred Simpson 604.
Lisburn & District – S & W English 602, J Waring & Son 484.
Newtownards – Fulton & Dickson 597.
Drumnavaddy Inv – B McAvoy 593, C & G Quinn 447.
Loughgall William Corrigan 589.
Newry & District – Colman O’Hare & Son 580.
Portavogie HPS – J & R Young 576.
Ballybrack RPC – G & P O’Dowd 567.
Lagan Valley – R & A Gore 560, S McAllister & Sons 457.
Newry City – P Swindell 554, 415.
Monasterevin RPC – S O’Hara 547, 392.
Newtownbreda – B & H Marshall 540.
Armagh HPS – P Campbell & Sons 532.
Ballyholland – A McAteer & Sons 515, J Murtagh & Son 433.
Arklow United RPC – Kenna & Finn 508.
Hillsborough & Maze 492.
Trim RPC – M Lavery 471.
Rathnew – Gregory Bros 465.
Glenavy & District – D Coulter 445.
Beechpark Social - Dando & Bennett 387.
5 Birds for the winners N Black & Sons Dromara, 4 for Donnelly Bros Millvale and 3 birds each for P Rock & Son Skerries former Kings Cup winners, W G Neill Annaghmore, R Duddy Ballyclare, W & L McCaw Ballymoney former Friendship Nat winners just sent 5 birds, Paul Dunlop Edgarstown and G & C Topley Laurelvale sent six and put 3 yearlings in the result.
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willie reynolds
- Posts: 6810
- Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2008 4:44 pm
Re: Friendship Nat Lamballe - 13/07/18
IRISH NATIONAL FLYING CLUB - FRIENDSHIP NATIONAL Lamballe
The final race from France was the INFC Friendship National which was flown from Lamballe due to difficulties with the authorities at the release site in Brest. The birds were race marked in Lisburn last Tuesday and liberation was on Friday 13th July at 6.30am in a Lt Easterly wind. Some 16 birds were timed on the winning day and that number got up to 100 on the second day with helping conditions, it turned out the best of the season’s races from France. Despite the difficult races from France earlier the numbers were slightly up from last year when 201 members sent 875 birds. This time 213 members sent 900 birds and were racing for £5,563 in pools and prizemoney with the Friendship National sponsored once again by H Beattie & Son.
A number of lofts timed more than one arrival, none better that the overall winners N Black & Son with 5 birds in the result. There were 4 for Donnelly Bros of Millvale and 3 birds each for P Rock & Son Skerries former Kings Cup winners, W G Neill Annaghmore, R Duddy Ballyclare, W & L McCaw Ballymoney former Friendship Nat winners just sent 5 birds, Paul Dunlop Edgarstown, and G & C Topley Laurelvale sent six and put 3 yearlings in the result. Many congratulations to all that timed, and what about the National Champion of 2016, John Greenaway from the Bondhill Social. He wins the Triple Award Diploma for 3 times in the result with same bird: 2016 – 38th Open INFC Quimper, 2017 – 2nd Open INFC Lamballe, 2018 – 83rd Open INFC Lamballe. Claims for any Merit Awards, or Triple Diploma awards in writing please to Secretary Trevor Topping.
1st Open N Black & Son Dromara, Vel 1046 Flying 437 miles, winning £379 and the Friendship Cup
N Black & Son, Dromara are previous Kings Cup winners and double National Champions. The loft has also won three Hall of Fames, a Gold Medal and last year won the French Diploma. The loft has had a dream finish to the old bird season being 3rd Open NIPA St Malo, also 23rd and 31st Open Kings Cup. In the last six French races the loft has been 6th, 7th, 3rd, 23rd and 1st. With father Norman passing away two years ago the name N. Black & Son will never be changed, the partnership consists of brothers Alan, Ian and David. The two year old Blue Cheq hen now named ”Margaret”, after the brother’s late mother who played such a big part with the birds, was timed at 6.46 flying twelve hours and sixteen minutes. The loft timed four other birds to be 36th, 41st, 46th and 57th Open from an entry of 16 birds. “Margaret” was sent to the race on a one day young bird after sitting six days overdue, she was given three different chipping eggs to make sure she didn’t leave the eggs. A natural young bird she was not raced but was well trained on John Abernethy’s transporter up to sixty miles. As a yearling she had two inland races and the Yearling National, this year she had Corrin 182mls, Tallbenny 187mls and the comeback Fermoy 176mls. Normally we would train the bird three or four times a week but this year because they were exercising so well around the loft they only had a couple of training spins, the hens would fly two hours plus every afternoon even in the very hot temperatures. The loft has been cultivating the same family of pigeons for nearly forty years the base pigeons coming from Russell Bros, Jim Moreland, John McMullan and George Casement. “Margaret” is from the good pair and is the fifth generation from the base pair of the loft, the sire of the pair is a brother to “Annie Mary” 4th and 8th King’s Cup while the hen of the pair is a daughter of David’s father-in-law H. Silcock’s “Pinehill Lass” 29th and 35th King’s Cup. Along with 10th Kings Cup the pair has bred a lot of National prize winners plus a lot of good breeders. It was also a great one two for the family of birds as 2nd North section is David’s father in law Harry Silcock.
2nd & 10th Open, Josh Hand Skerries Vel 1013 & 953, Flying 381 miles, winning £278, and the British Barcelona Club Trophy, John Millar Logistics Cup 1st member in the Sect not winning the Open and H Beattie & Son Trophy for Best 2 Bird Ave
Runner-up Josh Hand from the Skerries north of Dublin was just having his third race from France and first time sending to the Friendship Nat, what a result best in the East Coast Fed, 1st South Sect and for good measure the 2 Bird Average. The first pigeon timed at 17.32hrs was a 2 year old Cheq hen sent sitting on newly hatched youngsters was a gift bird bred by good friends Gerry O’Reilly and sons of Malahide. She had a couple of races this year and was trained well weekly by James Boland and Eric Kennedy in local transporters. Josh says “Thanks very much to Gerry & the lads and well done to them this year clocking as they always do out of France in style”. The 2nd bird for the loft timed at 18.13hrs on the day was a 2 year old Blue hen bred from stock obtained from N. Black & Sons of Dromara, she was sent sitting eggs and the same training went into her as well. Also the health and welfare of birds were being looked after by Donal Barry, another person who needs thanked for his help. Josh says “Many thanks again for giving me a chance to obtain these birds Davy and Alan, your help is greatly appreciated. I would like to congratulate the winners N Black and sons on winning the Friendship National and their other performances from the French races, also thanks to everyone who rang and texted to say well done and thanks to all the fliers I torment with questions relating to racing pigeons, they know who they are. Mainly thanks to the Missis and kids for putting up with my madness in the back garden. This is my first year sending to France so I am over the moon especially after sending to the other two French races and there being no joy”. Feeding is Versele Laga from Sandyhill and Natural from Herbie Thorpe, well done Josh – what a result.
3rd Open G O’Reilly Malahide & District, Vel 1009, Flying 381 miles, winning £108
Gerry O’Reilly assisted by sons Niall and Derek races in the Malahide & Dist again north of Dublin, they take 3rd Open INFC and this is another loft regarded among the best in Irish long-distance racing that have already won almost everything available. Blue Riband Kings Cup in 2012 with “Champion Riverview Red”, Millar Gold Cup from St Malo in 2015, 1st East Coast Fed St Malo, Harkness Rose Bowl in 2009 and 2012, 5 x Merit Awards and in the Friendship Nat a Triple Award Diploma. This Blue Cheq hen scored in 2011 – 36th Open St Malo, 2012 – 93rd Open Quimper and 2013 – 62nd Open Quimper. The lofts latest winner a 2 year old Blue Cheq cock was timed at 17.36hrs on the day, he was previously a winner of 9th Club & 96th East Coast Federation in 2017. He was privately trained and sent to two inland races before being sent to the race. He did not race as a young bird but flew the channel as a yearling. Now the breeding it’s the very best of the old Cheetham bloodlines from James Anderson of Cullybackey who himself won the Friendship Nat from Beauvais in 1980, for many years the O’Reilly Family would call with James and they still keep in touch.
4th Open H Silcock Dromara, Vel 1007, Flying 436 miles, winning £299
4th Open is Harry Silcock, Dromara the loft was also 10th Open in this race two years ago. Although Harry is the front man daughter Janice does all the work with his grandson Andrew doing all the planning, there is also a great rivalry with the N. Black & Son team. The loft timed a two year old Blue Cheq hen at 7.11pm flying 12hrs 41 mins. She was sent sitting on a day old young bird having been sitting seven days overdue, she was given a new chipping egg three times to keep her sitting. A darkness young bird she had one race from Gowran Park 129 mls. As a yearling she had two inland races Corrin 182 mls and Skibbereen 236 mls. This year she had Corrin, Tallbenny 186 mls and the comeback Fermoy 175 mls, she also had a few 60 ml training spins and was flew with the young birds every day. Bred by N. Black & Son she is a granddaughter of “Rocky” 5th and 8th King’s Cup, “Big Darren” Gold Medal winner and the “44” hen winner of 6th King’s Cup.
5th Open Mark Maguire & Son Millvale, Vel 1005, Flying 427 miles, winning £576
Another loft that has enjoyed an outstanding season racing from France Mal Maguire & Son were placed in both the NIPA St Malo and INFC Kings Cup St Allouestre, this time its Mark Maguire & Son who have the early arrival timing their bird at 18.57hrs flying 427 miles into Newry County Down. The 2 year old Dark Cheq hen contains the best of the long list of Champions raced to the Yew Tree lofts in the City of Newry, she has been named “Wee Dolly” after Mark’s late grandmother. Breeding of "Wee Dolly" is Walkingshaw, Van Geel and the Black Brothers of Dromara. She was privately trained and previously raced in the two Talbenny’s and Penzance. Malachy said “Wee Dolly" was sent on the 'short sit' as we feel this is equally as good as 17 or 18 days. Another pure Maguire, earlier the family scored 5th Open NIPA St Malo OB Nat and then one week later 7th Open in the INFC Kings Cup St Allouestre.
6th Open N Grant & Sons Balbriggan RPC, Vel 972, Flying 388 miles, winning £237
We move to the Balbriggan club, just north of Dublin for our 6th Open bird, to the lofts of N Grant & Son. Noel Grant was a stalwart of the Irish National Flying club and served on the committee for many years. When he passed away in 2010 his son Adrian decided to retain the partnership’s name and in his first year racing on his own Adrian was 9th Open in the Yearling National and 10th Open in the same race in 2013. Just a couple of weeks back the loft had a dream result to win 1st Open in the ECF St Malo and the highly prized Millar Gold Cup. From Lamballe the loft timed at 18.13hrs on the day of liberation flying 388 miles, the 2 year old Blue cock was sent on 3 day old youngsters. He had 5 inland races and private training before going to France. Sire of this cock is a g/son of Noel Gaffney’s good hen, 3 times France, was best of the late Henry Beattie stock and the dam is a hen purchased from James Cleland of Annsborough, and contains the very best of his long distance bloodlines.
7th Open T McClean Annaghmore, Vel 961, Flying 447 miles, winning £376
Tom McClean from the Annaghmore HPS is another loft with a very good distance record in a club full of top racers, just the previous weekend he finished runner-up with a bird early on the second morning from Saint Allouestre. In the Friendship Nat his yearling Black Pied hen was timed on the day at 20.09hrs flying 447 miles. She was racing Roundabout and before France had 3 or 4 races in Ireland and was the 3rd bird home to the loft in the INFC Yearling Nat from Sennen Cove. Both the sire and dam were bred by Ken Hines and contain the very best of his long distance bloodlines.
8th & 9th Open Smyth Family Loft Kircubbin, Vel 960 & 960, Flying 433 miles, winning £62
Smyth Family Lofts from Kircubbin had the joy of two birds at the same time clocked at 19.45hrs and flying 433 miles. 1st bird has been named “Maddie” 2 year old Mealy hen. Sire Red Cheq bred by Paul Swindell of Newry from a Son of ‘RJ’ (Dave Goddard) & Dtr of ‘Portavogie Lass’ (Ken Ambrose). Dam is ‘Gaby’ Blue bred by Smyth Family Loft themselves from Son ‘Open Hen’ & ‘Golden Gaby’ (Gordon Bros) & Dtr of ‘Tom’ (Andre Roodhooft). ‘Maddie’ was sent to Lamballe on her first eggs of the year sitting the 7 day eggs - All Alone.
2nd bird has been named “Penny” 2 year old Dark Velvet. Sire Dark Cheq was bred by Paul Swindell from his Infamous “Red Bull” & “Dutch Hen’”(Barcelona Duivin Lines) making this cock a half-brother to ‘Extreme Heat’ 4th Open Quimper 2013 for Paul Swindell. Dam the “Show Hen” bred by Paul Swindell from ‘Black Velvet’ Golden Boy / Black Supreme & Best of Tom Marshall.
Penny’s first eggs of the season were due on the day of basketing the 10/7/18, but Bernard introduced chipping eggs on Sun 8/7/18 early and then put a well fed 5/6 day old youngster on the morning of basketing to which she was very smitten with!
Both hens were flown for their first race of the Year from Fermoy Comeback on the 16/6/18. After that both birds were privately trained from 40/50 Miles on alternate days up until Friday 6/7/18. They are fed Natural Mixtures All Round and Finesse Wizard plus Depurative from my good friend Tom Marshall (Marshall Animal Feeds). Usual treatments prior to basketing – Respiratory, Canker & Worms and usual Supplements in their water; including ROPA B, Impact & Aviform 11 in 1! Natural Grit and Pink Vita Mineral available 365 Days of the Year. Bernard would like to thank everyone for their phone calls and messages of Congratulations! “Your support was very much appreciated”!
I would like to thank all who helped with photographs for this report, all those fanciers who supplied text and info on their birds and some details of preparation for the race. Thanks also to all who helped at the Marking Centre and the various Clock Stations, and all those involved at the Clock Checking, and thanks again to H Beattie & Son for their sponsorship of this race.
Willie Reynolds - INFC Press Officer
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683 - Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: homerbhw@gmail.com
http://www.infc.co.uk
http://www.pigeonnetwork.com
http://www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
Photo Captions
INFC Banner Image
Alan and David Black of N Black & Son, Dromara. Alan (l) holding “Margaret”, 1st Open INFC Friendship National, Lamballe and David holding “Jean”, 1st Section, 3rd Open NIPA, St. Malo.
“Margaret”, 1st Open INFC Friendship National, Lamballe. Bred and raced by N. Black & Son, Dromara HPS.
Not long after timing from INFC Friendship National, from left John Myles, Roy Clarke holding the winner Margaret, David Black, Alan Black, Rodney Malcolmson (Celebrity Guest), Gareth Black and Bobby Stevenson.
Josh Hand from Skerries 2nd & 10th Open INFC and Best 2 Bird Ave from Lamballe.
Gerry O’Reilly from Malahide & District with his sons Niall and Derek, winners of 3rd Open INFC.
Harry Silcock holding 4th Open INFC Friendship National Lamballe with daughter Janice and grandson Andrew.
Mark Maguire (l) holding “Wee Dolly” winner of 5th Open Lamballe while Malachy holds her dam, "Newry Queen", a previous winner of the Friendship National.
Adrian Grant (N Grant & Son) from Balbriggan holding his 6th Open INFC Lamballe winner.
Tom McClean of Annaghmore holding his yearling Black Pied hen, 7th Open INFC Lamballe.
Bernard Smyth (Smyth Family Lofts) holding his two birds timed from Lamballe.
“Maddie” 2 year old Mealy hen, first bird timed by Smyth Family Lofts in Kircubbin.
“Penny” 2 year old Dark Velvet finished 6th North Sect & 10th Open INFC for Smyth Family Lofts.
The final race from France was the INFC Friendship National which was flown from Lamballe due to difficulties with the authorities at the release site in Brest. The birds were race marked in Lisburn last Tuesday and liberation was on Friday 13th July at 6.30am in a Lt Easterly wind. Some 16 birds were timed on the winning day and that number got up to 100 on the second day with helping conditions, it turned out the best of the season’s races from France. Despite the difficult races from France earlier the numbers were slightly up from last year when 201 members sent 875 birds. This time 213 members sent 900 birds and were racing for £5,563 in pools and prizemoney with the Friendship National sponsored once again by H Beattie & Son.
A number of lofts timed more than one arrival, none better that the overall winners N Black & Son with 5 birds in the result. There were 4 for Donnelly Bros of Millvale and 3 birds each for P Rock & Son Skerries former Kings Cup winners, W G Neill Annaghmore, R Duddy Ballyclare, W & L McCaw Ballymoney former Friendship Nat winners just sent 5 birds, Paul Dunlop Edgarstown, and G & C Topley Laurelvale sent six and put 3 yearlings in the result. Many congratulations to all that timed, and what about the National Champion of 2016, John Greenaway from the Bondhill Social. He wins the Triple Award Diploma for 3 times in the result with same bird: 2016 – 38th Open INFC Quimper, 2017 – 2nd Open INFC Lamballe, 2018 – 83rd Open INFC Lamballe. Claims for any Merit Awards, or Triple Diploma awards in writing please to Secretary Trevor Topping.
1st Open N Black & Son Dromara, Vel 1046 Flying 437 miles, winning £379 and the Friendship Cup
N Black & Son, Dromara are previous Kings Cup winners and double National Champions. The loft has also won three Hall of Fames, a Gold Medal and last year won the French Diploma. The loft has had a dream finish to the old bird season being 3rd Open NIPA St Malo, also 23rd and 31st Open Kings Cup. In the last six French races the loft has been 6th, 7th, 3rd, 23rd and 1st. With father Norman passing away two years ago the name N. Black & Son will never be changed, the partnership consists of brothers Alan, Ian and David. The two year old Blue Cheq hen now named ”Margaret”, after the brother’s late mother who played such a big part with the birds, was timed at 6.46 flying twelve hours and sixteen minutes. The loft timed four other birds to be 36th, 41st, 46th and 57th Open from an entry of 16 birds. “Margaret” was sent to the race on a one day young bird after sitting six days overdue, she was given three different chipping eggs to make sure she didn’t leave the eggs. A natural young bird she was not raced but was well trained on John Abernethy’s transporter up to sixty miles. As a yearling she had two inland races and the Yearling National, this year she had Corrin 182mls, Tallbenny 187mls and the comeback Fermoy 176mls. Normally we would train the bird three or four times a week but this year because they were exercising so well around the loft they only had a couple of training spins, the hens would fly two hours plus every afternoon even in the very hot temperatures. The loft has been cultivating the same family of pigeons for nearly forty years the base pigeons coming from Russell Bros, Jim Moreland, John McMullan and George Casement. “Margaret” is from the good pair and is the fifth generation from the base pair of the loft, the sire of the pair is a brother to “Annie Mary” 4th and 8th King’s Cup while the hen of the pair is a daughter of David’s father-in-law H. Silcock’s “Pinehill Lass” 29th and 35th King’s Cup. Along with 10th Kings Cup the pair has bred a lot of National prize winners plus a lot of good breeders. It was also a great one two for the family of birds as 2nd North section is David’s father in law Harry Silcock.
2nd & 10th Open, Josh Hand Skerries Vel 1013 & 953, Flying 381 miles, winning £278, and the British Barcelona Club Trophy, John Millar Logistics Cup 1st member in the Sect not winning the Open and H Beattie & Son Trophy for Best 2 Bird Ave
Runner-up Josh Hand from the Skerries north of Dublin was just having his third race from France and first time sending to the Friendship Nat, what a result best in the East Coast Fed, 1st South Sect and for good measure the 2 Bird Average. The first pigeon timed at 17.32hrs was a 2 year old Cheq hen sent sitting on newly hatched youngsters was a gift bird bred by good friends Gerry O’Reilly and sons of Malahide. She had a couple of races this year and was trained well weekly by James Boland and Eric Kennedy in local transporters. Josh says “Thanks very much to Gerry & the lads and well done to them this year clocking as they always do out of France in style”. The 2nd bird for the loft timed at 18.13hrs on the day was a 2 year old Blue hen bred from stock obtained from N. Black & Sons of Dromara, she was sent sitting eggs and the same training went into her as well. Also the health and welfare of birds were being looked after by Donal Barry, another person who needs thanked for his help. Josh says “Many thanks again for giving me a chance to obtain these birds Davy and Alan, your help is greatly appreciated. I would like to congratulate the winners N Black and sons on winning the Friendship National and their other performances from the French races, also thanks to everyone who rang and texted to say well done and thanks to all the fliers I torment with questions relating to racing pigeons, they know who they are. Mainly thanks to the Missis and kids for putting up with my madness in the back garden. This is my first year sending to France so I am over the moon especially after sending to the other two French races and there being no joy”. Feeding is Versele Laga from Sandyhill and Natural from Herbie Thorpe, well done Josh – what a result.
3rd Open G O’Reilly Malahide & District, Vel 1009, Flying 381 miles, winning £108
Gerry O’Reilly assisted by sons Niall and Derek races in the Malahide & Dist again north of Dublin, they take 3rd Open INFC and this is another loft regarded among the best in Irish long-distance racing that have already won almost everything available. Blue Riband Kings Cup in 2012 with “Champion Riverview Red”, Millar Gold Cup from St Malo in 2015, 1st East Coast Fed St Malo, Harkness Rose Bowl in 2009 and 2012, 5 x Merit Awards and in the Friendship Nat a Triple Award Diploma. This Blue Cheq hen scored in 2011 – 36th Open St Malo, 2012 – 93rd Open Quimper and 2013 – 62nd Open Quimper. The lofts latest winner a 2 year old Blue Cheq cock was timed at 17.36hrs on the day, he was previously a winner of 9th Club & 96th East Coast Federation in 2017. He was privately trained and sent to two inland races before being sent to the race. He did not race as a young bird but flew the channel as a yearling. Now the breeding it’s the very best of the old Cheetham bloodlines from James Anderson of Cullybackey who himself won the Friendship Nat from Beauvais in 1980, for many years the O’Reilly Family would call with James and they still keep in touch.
4th Open H Silcock Dromara, Vel 1007, Flying 436 miles, winning £299
4th Open is Harry Silcock, Dromara the loft was also 10th Open in this race two years ago. Although Harry is the front man daughter Janice does all the work with his grandson Andrew doing all the planning, there is also a great rivalry with the N. Black & Son team. The loft timed a two year old Blue Cheq hen at 7.11pm flying 12hrs 41 mins. She was sent sitting on a day old young bird having been sitting seven days overdue, she was given a new chipping egg three times to keep her sitting. A darkness young bird she had one race from Gowran Park 129 mls. As a yearling she had two inland races Corrin 182 mls and Skibbereen 236 mls. This year she had Corrin, Tallbenny 186 mls and the comeback Fermoy 175 mls, she also had a few 60 ml training spins and was flew with the young birds every day. Bred by N. Black & Son she is a granddaughter of “Rocky” 5th and 8th King’s Cup, “Big Darren” Gold Medal winner and the “44” hen winner of 6th King’s Cup.
5th Open Mark Maguire & Son Millvale, Vel 1005, Flying 427 miles, winning £576
Another loft that has enjoyed an outstanding season racing from France Mal Maguire & Son were placed in both the NIPA St Malo and INFC Kings Cup St Allouestre, this time its Mark Maguire & Son who have the early arrival timing their bird at 18.57hrs flying 427 miles into Newry County Down. The 2 year old Dark Cheq hen contains the best of the long list of Champions raced to the Yew Tree lofts in the City of Newry, she has been named “Wee Dolly” after Mark’s late grandmother. Breeding of "Wee Dolly" is Walkingshaw, Van Geel and the Black Brothers of Dromara. She was privately trained and previously raced in the two Talbenny’s and Penzance. Malachy said “Wee Dolly" was sent on the 'short sit' as we feel this is equally as good as 17 or 18 days. Another pure Maguire, earlier the family scored 5th Open NIPA St Malo OB Nat and then one week later 7th Open in the INFC Kings Cup St Allouestre.
6th Open N Grant & Sons Balbriggan RPC, Vel 972, Flying 388 miles, winning £237
We move to the Balbriggan club, just north of Dublin for our 6th Open bird, to the lofts of N Grant & Son. Noel Grant was a stalwart of the Irish National Flying club and served on the committee for many years. When he passed away in 2010 his son Adrian decided to retain the partnership’s name and in his first year racing on his own Adrian was 9th Open in the Yearling National and 10th Open in the same race in 2013. Just a couple of weeks back the loft had a dream result to win 1st Open in the ECF St Malo and the highly prized Millar Gold Cup. From Lamballe the loft timed at 18.13hrs on the day of liberation flying 388 miles, the 2 year old Blue cock was sent on 3 day old youngsters. He had 5 inland races and private training before going to France. Sire of this cock is a g/son of Noel Gaffney’s good hen, 3 times France, was best of the late Henry Beattie stock and the dam is a hen purchased from James Cleland of Annsborough, and contains the very best of his long distance bloodlines.
7th Open T McClean Annaghmore, Vel 961, Flying 447 miles, winning £376
Tom McClean from the Annaghmore HPS is another loft with a very good distance record in a club full of top racers, just the previous weekend he finished runner-up with a bird early on the second morning from Saint Allouestre. In the Friendship Nat his yearling Black Pied hen was timed on the day at 20.09hrs flying 447 miles. She was racing Roundabout and before France had 3 or 4 races in Ireland and was the 3rd bird home to the loft in the INFC Yearling Nat from Sennen Cove. Both the sire and dam were bred by Ken Hines and contain the very best of his long distance bloodlines.
8th & 9th Open Smyth Family Loft Kircubbin, Vel 960 & 960, Flying 433 miles, winning £62
Smyth Family Lofts from Kircubbin had the joy of two birds at the same time clocked at 19.45hrs and flying 433 miles. 1st bird has been named “Maddie” 2 year old Mealy hen. Sire Red Cheq bred by Paul Swindell of Newry from a Son of ‘RJ’ (Dave Goddard) & Dtr of ‘Portavogie Lass’ (Ken Ambrose). Dam is ‘Gaby’ Blue bred by Smyth Family Loft themselves from Son ‘Open Hen’ & ‘Golden Gaby’ (Gordon Bros) & Dtr of ‘Tom’ (Andre Roodhooft). ‘Maddie’ was sent to Lamballe on her first eggs of the year sitting the 7 day eggs - All Alone.
2nd bird has been named “Penny” 2 year old Dark Velvet. Sire Dark Cheq was bred by Paul Swindell from his Infamous “Red Bull” & “Dutch Hen’”(Barcelona Duivin Lines) making this cock a half-brother to ‘Extreme Heat’ 4th Open Quimper 2013 for Paul Swindell. Dam the “Show Hen” bred by Paul Swindell from ‘Black Velvet’ Golden Boy / Black Supreme & Best of Tom Marshall.
Penny’s first eggs of the season were due on the day of basketing the 10/7/18, but Bernard introduced chipping eggs on Sun 8/7/18 early and then put a well fed 5/6 day old youngster on the morning of basketing to which she was very smitten with!
Both hens were flown for their first race of the Year from Fermoy Comeback on the 16/6/18. After that both birds were privately trained from 40/50 Miles on alternate days up until Friday 6/7/18. They are fed Natural Mixtures All Round and Finesse Wizard plus Depurative from my good friend Tom Marshall (Marshall Animal Feeds). Usual treatments prior to basketing – Respiratory, Canker & Worms and usual Supplements in their water; including ROPA B, Impact & Aviform 11 in 1! Natural Grit and Pink Vita Mineral available 365 Days of the Year. Bernard would like to thank everyone for their phone calls and messages of Congratulations! “Your support was very much appreciated”!
I would like to thank all who helped with photographs for this report, all those fanciers who supplied text and info on their birds and some details of preparation for the race. Thanks also to all who helped at the Marking Centre and the various Clock Stations, and all those involved at the Clock Checking, and thanks again to H Beattie & Son for their sponsorship of this race.
Willie Reynolds - INFC Press Officer
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683 - Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: homerbhw@gmail.com
http://www.infc.co.uk
http://www.pigeonnetwork.com
http://www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
Photo Captions
INFC Banner Image
Alan and David Black of N Black & Son, Dromara. Alan (l) holding “Margaret”, 1st Open INFC Friendship National, Lamballe and David holding “Jean”, 1st Section, 3rd Open NIPA, St. Malo.
“Margaret”, 1st Open INFC Friendship National, Lamballe. Bred and raced by N. Black & Son, Dromara HPS.
Not long after timing from INFC Friendship National, from left John Myles, Roy Clarke holding the winner Margaret, David Black, Alan Black, Rodney Malcolmson (Celebrity Guest), Gareth Black and Bobby Stevenson.
Josh Hand from Skerries 2nd & 10th Open INFC and Best 2 Bird Ave from Lamballe.
Gerry O’Reilly from Malahide & District with his sons Niall and Derek, winners of 3rd Open INFC.
Harry Silcock holding 4th Open INFC Friendship National Lamballe with daughter Janice and grandson Andrew.
Mark Maguire (l) holding “Wee Dolly” winner of 5th Open Lamballe while Malachy holds her dam, "Newry Queen", a previous winner of the Friendship National.
Adrian Grant (N Grant & Son) from Balbriggan holding his 6th Open INFC Lamballe winner.
Tom McClean of Annaghmore holding his yearling Black Pied hen, 7th Open INFC Lamballe.
Bernard Smyth (Smyth Family Lofts) holding his two birds timed from Lamballe.
“Maddie” 2 year old Mealy hen, first bird timed by Smyth Family Lofts in Kircubbin.
“Penny” 2 year old Dark Velvet finished 6th North Sect & 10th Open INFC for Smyth Family Lofts.