Highest Prize-winner was once again Surgenor Bros who are indeed the loft to beat, under strong pressure from runner-up C & D Jackson one of the most improved lofts in Mid Antrim. They were followed by Harry Boyd, George McDowell, B Swann & Son, Gregg Bros, and Henry Turkington who timed the only bird in the St Malo Old Bird National. This turned out a very difficult race for local lofts, Henry was second best in the Cullybackey Centre behind W & J McLean and 2nd in Sect B behind J & N Lamb. Only six arrivals in Section B, Henry finished 26th Open NIPA on velocity 546, just 48 birds in race time. We move from the Premier OB Nat to the Premier Talbenny YB Nat and another fantastic result put up by the top loft, Geoff Surgenor was to win, 1st Club, 1st Sect B & 1st Open NIPA and the McKeown Cup recording velocity 1328. The big early bird into Mid Antrim, and a well-deserved result for a loft that has dominated for several seasons. He has named his winning Blue hen “Christine” after the wife of Davy Jackson from whom he got the Van Loon parents, which in turn were bred by Pete Norton.
Davy Jackson himself was to win the club in the opening two young bird races, Area Liberations from Mullingar which included the Coleraine birds. In the second race the loft was to win the NIPA Diploma 130/3804 on velocity 1370, Geoff and Davy are looking forward to Ladies Night.
Old Birds: Tullamore – G McDowell vel 1771, Gowran Park (1) – H Boyd vel 1336, Fermoy – Surgenor Bros vel 1796, Gowran Park (2) – Surgenor Bros vel 1643, Rosscarbery Nat – G McDowell vel 1977, Fermoy (2) – H Boyd vel 1140, Talbenny (1) – H Boyd vel 1415, Fermoy 5 Bird – Surgenor Bros vel 1446, Talbenny (2) – C & D Jackson vel 1257 (2nd Sect B), Dunmanway – B Swann & Son vel 1253 (3rd Sect B), Ylr Hen Nat – Surgenor Bros vel 1659 (2nd Centre & 2nd Sect B), Ylr Cock Nat – G McDowell vel 1539, Penzance – H Boyd vel 1164, St Malo Nat – H Turkington vel 546 (2nd Centre & 2nd Sect B).
Young Birds: Area Lib (!) Mullingar – C & D Jackson vel 1188, Area Lib (2) Mullingar – C & D Jackson vel 1370 (1st Open), Tullamore – Surgenor Bros vel 1499 (Top 5), Gowran Park – Surgenor Bros vel 1788 (Top 5), Fermoy – Surgenor Bros vel 1399 (2nd Sect B), Fermoy (2) – Surgenor Bros vel 1498 (1st Sect B), Talbenny Nat – Surgenor Bros vel 1328 (1st Open), Dunmanway – Gregg Bros vel 1679, Rosscarbery Nat – Gregg Bros vel 1104 (1st Centre & 1st Sect B).
George McDowell was best in the INFC Skibbereen OB National vel 1137. In the NIPA season Surgenor Bros had 9 x 1sts, George McDowell 4 x 1sts, Harry Boyd 4 x 1sts, C & D Jackson 4 x 1sts, Gregg Bros 2 x 1sts, B Swann & Son 1 x 1st and Henry Turkington 1 x 1st. The club would like to thank all sponsors over the season including Thompson Millar of Sizzlers Takeaway in Kells who sponsor the 2 Bird competition. 1st C & D Jackson 63 Points, 2nd Surgenor Bros 61 Points, 3rd B Swann & Son 24 Points.
Remember the annual Open Show is Boxing Day as usual, this year Wednesday 26th December.
Cups and trophies were presented as follows:
Surgenor Bros won – Highest Prize-winner, H Smyth Cup (3rd & 4th OB Races), Logan Cup (3rd & 4th YB Races, Old Bird Knock-Out, Old Bird Inland Ave, Young Bird Ave, Young Bird Knock-Out, YB Points Cup, NIPA Talbenny YB Nat, Young Bird of the Year, and 3 x Cullybackey Centre Diplomas sponsored by Harryville HPS. Fermoy 5 Bird, Dunmanway Yearling Hen Nat and the unforgettable Talbenny YB National.
C & D Jackson won – R Service Cup 1st & 2nd OB Races & 1st & 2nd YB Races, Transporter Cup (2nd Talbenny), Sizzlers 2 Bird Cup, Best Ave Talbenny (1) & (2), and INFC Skibbereen YB.
Harry Boyd won – McKitterick Cup (2nd Fermoy), Campbell Cup (1st Talbenny), and Penzance Cup. George McDowell won – M Smyth Cup (1st 2 OB Races, Old Bird Inland Average, D Graham Memorial Cup (Highest INFC Points), T Shanks Cup (Old Bird of the Year), and Cullybackey Centre Diploma for Rosscarbery Inl Nat. Gregg Bros won – YB Inland Average, Nan McFarlane Salver (Dunmanway), Adair Cup (Ave Talbenny & Rosscarbery YB Derbies), J Wright Cup (Ave 2 x YB Nats & Dunmanway), and Cullybackey Centre Diploma for Rosscarbery YB Nat. Henry Turkington won – NIPA St Malo Nat, C Duncan Trophy (Lowest winning Velocity), G Herron Cup (1st Bird France), and Cullybackey Centre Diploma for St Malo OB National.
Another season of top success for the Mid Antrim based Kells & District HPS, I have included some photos of the 2001 presentation, big changes.
Top winners of Kells & Dist with trophies, cups and Cullybackey Centre Diplomas.
George McDowell (r) presents awards to Highest Prize-winner Geoff Surgenor.
C & D Jackson with trophies won in Kells & District.
Gregg Bros won the last two young bird races in Kells.
Henry Turkington had the only bird from France, 2nd Sect B St Malo.
George McDowell (l) collects the Cullybackey Centre Diploma from Harry Boyd.
Davy Jackson (l) won Area Lib from Mullingar, with Harry Boyd.
Highest Prize-winner for Surgenor Bros, most awards in Kells & Dist.
Harry Boyd with cups won for Fermoy, Talbenny & Penzance.
