Irish National 2019 Celebrations in Belfast –
The Stormont Hotel in Belfast was packed out when fanciers and friends from across Ireland
celebrated the racing season at the annual dinner and presentation of prizes for the Irish National Flying Club held on Friday 29th November. On this special night Chairman Leonard McCavery welcomed another full house and introduced the top table. Special guests on this occasion were Mr David Black past President and wife Janice and Mrs Bessie Morrow wife of the late Bertie Morrow from East Down Combine who was a Committee member for several years. They were joined by Financial Secretary Trevor Topping and his wife Florence, with new President Clifford Browne. Leonard thanked all those who organizes the event and gathering up the trophies and preparing them for the night. He congratulated all the winners especially the King’s Cup winners, J Murtagh & Son from Ballyholland in Newry.
Leonard went on to thank all our sponsors including, Frazer Animal Feeds, Bamfords Top Flight, H Beattie & Son, Danny Dixon for Single Bird Challenge Diplomas, and British Homing World for results. He thanked all the committee members and all the other members who help out every year at race marking and clock centres. He paid a special tribute to secretary, Trevor Topping and his family for all their hard work throughout the year. The Chairman thanked the convoyer Jim McCrory and his team for all their help and patience in the face of some difficult race decisions and the effort in getting the convoy to the race point for release. He paid tribute to the Race Controllers David Black, Tom Marshall and Peter McKeown – this was the job nobody wants. He concluded by thanking the press team for race coverage and the management and staff of the Stormont Hotel for a lovely meal.
The Patron Ronnie Johnston was unable to be present at the function and we missed his details on the history of trophies and their winners, he did attend the hotel earlier and helped to set the trophies up. Also missing through illness was Malcolm Robinson from Bondhill and best wishes were sent for a speedy recovery. For years he has chased the big National prizes, ever present and last season lifted the De Scheemaecker Trophy for runner-up National Champion, best Average all National Races. This season he went one better and was due to collect the highly prized Erwin Trophy and National Champion award. His good friend Davy Strain from Ballyclare collected on his behalf.
In the absence of Ronnie Johnston the Secretary Trevor Topping came forward to arrange the presentation and fulfil the role of MC. As is customary with the Irish National Flying Club, the first prize to be presented was the Kings Cup by the previous year’s winner, Mr Michael Fitzpatrick from Gilford. This season’s winners J Murtagh & Son from Ballyholland were greeted with a standing ovation.
Irish National Flying Club - Trophy and Award Winners 2019
King George V Challenge Cup Saint Allouestre Grand National old bird race winner - J. Murtagh & Son, Ballyholland HPS. Vel. 1145. Gilliland Cup Saint Allouestre OB 1st IHU member after winner in Kings Cup race - J. Gillespie & Sons, Ballynahinch HPS. Vel.1113. Nelson Vase Saint Allouestre OB 1st RPRA member after winner in Kings Cup race - Donnelly Bros. Millvale HPS. Vel.1134. East Down Combine Cup Saint Allouestre OB 1st E.D.C. member in the Kings Cup race - J. Gillespie & Sons Ballynahinch HPS. Vel.1113. Ulster Federation Cup Saint Allouestre OB 1st Ulster Federation member in Kings Cup race - B. & H. Spence, Lagan Valley RPC.Vel.1053. NIPA Cup Saint Allouestre OB 1st NIPA member in Kings Cup race - J. Murtagh & Son, Ballyholland HPS. Vel.1145. Joe Cullen Memorial Cup Saint Allouestre OB 1st East Coast Federation member in the Kings Cup race - G. O’Reilly, Malahide & District RPC. Vel.1067. Billy Ingle Trophy Saint Allouestre OB 1st Irish South Road Federation member in the Kings Cup race - P. Rock & Son, Dublin North East RPC. Vel. 1062. S.L.F. Cup Saint Allouestre OB 1st South Leinster Federation member in the Kings Cup race - Cooley Bros. & Son, Newtown Kilpedder RPC. Vel. 1061
Duddy Extreme Distance Trophy Saint Allouestre OB. Furthest flying member in the King’s Cup open prizes - James Walker, Ballymoney HPS. 523 Miles, 18th Open Vel. 989. Harkness Rose Bowl Saint Allouestre OB. Best two bird average Kings Cup - P. Rock & Son, Dublin North East RPC. Vel.1044. Joe Doheny Cup Saint Allouestre OB Single Bird Challenge Kings Cup - S. & N. Lester, Laurelvale HPS. Vel.1086. Robinson Trophy Saint Allouestre OB. 14th position in Kings Cup - D. Scott Glenavy & District HPS. Vel.1042. McCloud Cup Saint Allouestre OB 1st Yearling in the Kings Cup - J. Gillespie & Sons Ballynahinch HPS. Vel. 1113.
Ronnie Johnston Challenge Cup Skibbereen OB Inland National - Dobbs Bros. Blackwater RPC.Vel.1521. Gerald Delaney Trophy Skibbereen OB for Best section winning velocity after winning section - T. McLoughlin & Son, Finglas RPC. Vel. 1411. Framed Diploma Skibbereen OB for Lowest section winning velocity - S. Ogle, Drumnavaddy Invitation HPS. Vel. 1358
Friendship Cup Lamballe OB Friendship National - P. Rock & Son Dublin North East R.P.C. Vel. 869. British Barcelona Club Trophy Lamballe OB for 2nd position in the Friendship National - P. Rock & Son Dublin North East RPC. Vel. 867. John Millar Logistics Trophy Lamballe OB for 1st member in the section not winning the open - P. Swindell, Newry City HPS. Vel. 851. Henry Beattie & Son Trophy Lamballe OB for Best two bird average Friendship National - P. Rock & Son, Dublin North East RPC.Vel.868. Irvine Trophy Best Average OB. Nationals Lamballe and Saint Allouestre - P. Rock & Son Dublin North East RPC.Vel. 960.
Nelson Corry Trophy Sennen Cove OB Yearling National - J. McLoughlin, Blanchardstown RPC.Vel. 1543. James McGrugan Memorial Cup Sennen Cove Yearling National for Section winner not winning the open - G. McNeilly, Ballyclare & District HPS.Vel. 1542. Sam Buckley Memorial Cup for Best two bird average Sennen Cove Yearling National - P. Doran, Individual South Vel. 1456. Charles Ingle Memorial Trophy for 10th Open position Sennen Cove Yearling National - M. Hughes, Edgarstown HPS. Vel. 1439
J.M.K. McGugan Perpetual Cup Penzance YB Channel Grand National - K. Henderson & Son, Lurgan Social HPS.Vel.1389. William Erwin Memorial Cup Penzance for 1st South Section in Channel YB National - J. Byrne, Newtown Kilpedder RPC.Vel.1381. De-Scheemaecker Trophy Penzance YB for Best two bird average in Channel YB National - K. Henderson & Son, Lurgan Social HPS. Vel. 1338
Tom Marshall Trophy Skibbereen YB Inland National - E. Kennedy & Son, Newtown Kilpedder RPC. Vel. 1796. Framed Diploma Skibbereen Y.B. Inland National Middle section winner - S. Duran, Blanchardstown RPC.Vel. 1779. Framed Diploma Skibbereen Y.B. Inland National North section winner - I. Gibb & Sons, Glenavy & District HPS. Vel. 1751
Average Cups & Trophies
J. Gilmour Memorial Cup Best average Saint Allouestre OB and Sennen Cove Yearling Nationals - Donnelly Bros, Millvale HPS. Vel.1199. A. Darragh Cup Best average Sennen Cove Yearling and Lamballe Friendship Nationals - P. Rock & Son, Dublin North East Vel. 1012. Jarvis Cup Best Average Penzance and Skibbereen YB Nationals - J. Byrne Newtown Kilpedder RPC.Vel.1501. Rhead Trophy Best Average Saint Allouestre OB and Penzance YB Nationals - Russell Bros, Dromara HPS.Vel. 1115. Diamond Cup Best Average Saint Allouestre OB, Sennen Cove Yearling and Penzance YB –Russell Bros, Dromara HPS.Vel.1149.
Harkers Trophy Best Average Sennen Cove Yearling and Penzance YB Nationals - Mr & Mrs B. McNeilly, Doagh & District HPSS.Vel. 1364.
Robin Duddy Trophy for Best Average Sennen Cove Yearling and Penzance Y B National.
(Three bird Nomination) - G. Adair, Harmony HPS.Vel.996.
Charles Hunniford Memorial Trophy for Best average (North Section) Skibbereen OB. & YB Nationals - J. & D. Braniff, Wheatfield HPS. Vel.1512. The New North Cup for Best Average Sennen Cove Yearling, Saint Allouestre Kings Cup, Lamballe Friendship, and Penzance Young Bird National - J. Murtagh & Son, Ballyholland HPS.Vel. 979.
President’s Cup for Best Average Saint Allouestre Kings Cup, Sennen Cove Yearling,
Penzance YB and Skibbereen YB Nationals - Donnelly Bros, Millvale HPS.Ve1.1154.
De-Scheemaecker Trophy for Runner up best Average all races - D. Scott, Glenavy & District HPS.Vel.948.
Erwin Trophy for Best Average in all races - M. Robinson, Bondhill Social HPS.Vel. 951.
HALL OF FAME DIPLOMA WARDED FOR A PIGEON THREE TIMES IN THE KING’S CUP PRIZES WON BY
G. Benson, Lisburn & District HPS. Blue Checker Pied hen GB13L-08642 - 2016, 34th Open St Allouestre, 2018, 32nd Open St Allouestre, 2019, 66th Open St Allouestre.
E. E. & S. Kavanagh, Arklow United RPC. Blue Checker hen IHU14S-12671 - 2017, 89th Open St Allouestre, 2018, 37th Open St Allouestre, 2019, 77th Open St Allouestre.
Parkin & Cairns, Castlebellingham RPC. Blue hen IHU14S-79432 - 2016, 58th Open St Allouestre, 2017, 19th Open St Allouestre, 2019, 34th Open St Allouestre. J. Doheny, Malahide & District RPC. Blue Checker cock GB13V-03179 - 2016, 62nd Open St Allouestre, 2017, 60th Open St Allouestre, 2019, 112th Open St Allouestre. P. Dunlop Edgarstown HPS. Blue Checker hen GB15E-01001 - 2017, 141st Open St Allouestre, 2018, 69th Open St Allouestre, 2019, 54th Open St Allouestre.
TRIPLE AWARD DIPLOMA AWARDED FOR A PIGEON THREE TIMES IN THE FRIENDSHIP NATIONAL PRIZES WON BY
Glen Buckley & Sons, Annaghmore HPS.
Blue hen GB15A-31904
2017, 4th Open Lamballe, 2018, 53rd Open Lamballe, 2019, 40th Open Lamballe.
LADIES PRIZES WON BY - Dobbs Bros, Blackwater RPC; J. McLoughlin, Blanchardstown RPS; J. Murtagh & Son, Ballyholland; P. Rock & Son, Dublin North East RPC; E. Kennedy & Son, Newtown Kilpedder RPC; K. Henderson & Son, Lurgan Social.
FRAMED DIPLOMAS SPONSORED BY DANNY DIXON, DUNLOY FOR SAINT ALLOUESTRE SINGLE BIRD CHALLENGE - 1st S. & N. Lester, Laurelvale HPS; 2nd Burgess & Brennan Bangor HPS; 3rd Dando & Bennett, Beechpark Social RPC.
King’s Cup Merit Awards 2019 –
Awarded for a pigeon twice in the Kings Cup prizes won by –
T. Marshall & Son, Newtownbreda HPS. - Black cock IHU15N-05656 - Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2018 42nd Open, Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2019 82nd Open.
P. Lambert, Arklow United RPC. – “Woodbank Belle” Blue Checker hen IHU12S-061766 –Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2017 96th Open, Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2019 91st Open.
M. Graham, Ballymena & District HPS. - Blue cock GB16B-01004 - Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2018 59th Open, Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2019 122nd Open.
J. Doheny, Malahide & District RPC. - Blue Checker cock GB14V-02869 – Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2017 97th Open, Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2019 124th Open.
J. Cullen, Bray Invitation RPC. - “Princess Aimee’s Blue Son” Blue cock GB12S-16391 - Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2018 26th Open, Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2019 120th Open.
G. O’Reilly, Malahide & District RPC. - “Little Black” Black cock IHU14S-102932 - Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2018 36th Open, Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2019 150th Open.
D. & R. Turkington, Doagh & District HPS. - “Bertie’s Boy” Red cock GB16D-12335 - Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2018 48th Open, Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2019 143rd Open.
Malachy Maguire & Son, Millvale HPS. - “No Surprise” Blue Checker hen GB15E-17574 - Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2018 22nd Open, Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2019 4th Open.
Malcolm Robinson Bondhill Social HPS. - Blue Checker hen GB16B-02135 - Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2018 4th Open, Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2019 29th Open.
G. Buckley & Sons, Annaghmore HPS. - Blue Checker hen GB15H-39339 - Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2017 26th Open, Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2019 67th Open.
Sefton Thompson, Crumlin & District HPS. - Blue Checker hen GB14C-05801 - Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2017 106th Open, Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2019 87th Open.
G. & J. O’Hare, Crossgar HPS. - Blue Checker hen IHU15N-13783 - Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2017 94th Open, Saint Allouestre King’s Cup 2019 155th Open.
Friendship National Merit Awards 2019 –
Awarded for a pigeon twice in the Friendship National prizes won by –
F. & J. Crowe, Gorey RPC. - “Lady Sarah” Blue hen IHU16S-042363 - Lamballe Friendship National 2018 19th Open, Lamballe Friendship National 2019 35th Open.
Fulton & Dickson, Newtownards HPS. - “Ards Last Chance” Blue hen GB15A-15404 –Lamballe Friendship National 2018 49th Open, Lamballe Friendship National 2019 24th Open.
Fintan Moran, Malahide & District RPC. - “Twilight” Blue Checker hen IHU15S-19522 -Lamballe Friendship National 2018 20th Open, Lamballe Friendship National 2019 6th Open.
Bamber & T. Young & Son, Ahoghill HPS. - Blue hen GB17A-02584 - Lamballe Friendship National 2018 40th Open, Lamballe Friendship National 2019 37th Open.
Dowey Bros, Laurelvale HPS. - “Dowey’s Delight” Dark Checker hen GB17L-10822 -
Lamballe Friendship National 2018 33rd Open, Lamballe Friendship National 2019 27th Open.
J. Serplus, Laurelvale HPS. - Red Checker hen GB17L-10942 - Lamballe Friendship National 2018 23rd Open, Lamballe Friendship National 2019 19th Open.
Pritchard Bros, Annsborough HPS. - Blue Checker hen IHU16N-00360 - Lamballe Friendship National 2018 24th Open, Lamballe Friendship National 2019 29th Open.
W. & L. McCaw, Ballymoney HPS. - Blue Checker cock GB16B-12920 - Lamballe Friendship National 2018 31st Open, Lamballe Friendship National 2019 45th Open.
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Johnny Murtagh (l) winner of the Kings Cup with James Cleland from Castlewellan who bred “Annie”
Kevin Henderson & Son from Lurgan Social, 1st Open INFC Penzance YB Grand National and J M K McGugan Cup.
Janice Black presents the Corry Cup 1st Yearling National to Joey McLoughlin of Blanchardstown.
David Black (l) presents the Friendship Nat Cup to Paddy Rock & Son Dublin North East, they also won 2B Ave in Lamballe and the Kings Cup.
Skibbereen Old Bird National was won by Dobbs Bros of Blackwater RPC.
J Gillespie & Son from Ballynahinch won Gilliland Cup, EDC Cup and McCloud Cup for 1st Yearling in the Kings Cup.
Donnelly Bros from Millvale won Nelson Vase, Presidents Cup and Jack Gilmour Memorial Cup.
Eric Kennedy & Son from Newtown Kilpedder won the Marshall Trophy for YB Skibbereen.
D Scott from Glenavy & Dist was runner up for National Champion, also 14th Open in Kings Cup and Lamballe.
Bessie Morrow presents Merit Award winner in the Kings Cup with Diploma.
Bessie Morrow presents the Merit Awards for birds twice in the Friendship National.
The Single Bird Challenge in the Kings Cup was won by S & N Lester of Laurelvale.
James Walker from Ballymoney won the Duddy Trophy, 523 miles in Kings Cup.
Davy Strain collects the National Champion award on behalf of Malcolm Robinson from Bondhill Social.
Russell Bros from Dromara won the Rhead Cup and Diamond Cups.
Gerald Adair of Harmony HPS won the Duddy 3 Bird Nomination covering Ylr Nat and Penzance YB Grand National.
Gary Benson from Lisburn & Dist wins his second Hall of Fame Diploma.
Former Kings Cup winner Joe Doheny wins the Hall of Fame for the first time.
Parkin & Cairns from Castlebellinghan win the Hall of Fame.
Paul Dunlop from Edgarstown collects his Hall of Fame Diploma from Bessie Morrow.
The Murtagh Family from Ballyholland, celebrate with last season’s winner Michael Fitzpatrick from Gilford.
“Kevins Pride” winner of Penzance YB Grand National for K Henderson & Son.
“Annie” winner of Kings Cup Grand Nat for J Murtagh, bred by James Cleland.
INFC Patron Mr Ronnie Johnston setting up the presentation with Robert Topping.
J Murtagh & Son Ballyholland, INFC Kings Cup winners with INFC President Clifford Browne.