The second old bird race of the season on Saturday 1st May was from Roscrea in Co. Tipperary. The strings were cut and the birds released at 9.30am in a light north wind variable en-route. Best pigeon clocked in the local area and winning 1st Mid Antrim Combine with 1833 birds competing was to the Service & Son partnership of Ballymena & District on 1535ypm. Robert and son Robin timed their 2 year old blue pied roundabout hen at 12.16pm for the 145 mile fly to their Drumtara lofts. This steady hen was purchased direct from Dave Stone of Derbyshire and is bred from "Eddy's Lad" and "Guardian Angel" Robert the Ballymena club chairman and Robin the club treasurer are both hard working club men and they will be delighted with their latest winner which also wins 1st Section B with 3801 birds. Runners up in the MA Combine for the second week in a row were Johnston Eagleson & Sons of Ballymena & Dist on 1524, with a 2 year old blue chequer Lambrechts x Heremans-ceusters cock. Around the other clubs Trevor Whyte topped Rasharkin on 1515, Young & McManus & Sons were the Ahoghill winners on 1510, this team had a great race with 7 birds in the top 11 of the MA Combine. Dennis Craig was the best Associate member on 1489, Stewart Brothers best in Randalstown 1482 and Sam Murphy won Kells for the second week on the trot on 1480. Mervyn Eagleson PO.
MAC Roscrea 56/1833- R Service & Son Ballymena 1535, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1524, T Whyte Rasharkin 1515, Young, McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1510, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1504, Young, McManus & Sons 1498, Young, McManus & Sons 1497, Young, McManus & Sons 1496, Young, McManus & Sons 1496, Young, McManus & Sons 1493 Young, McManus & Sons 1493, T Whyte 1492, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1490, D Craig Associate 1489, J Eagleson & Sons 1486, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1482, J Rock Associate 1482, Stewart Bros 1481, Young, McManus & Sons 1481, D Houston & Son Associate 1481, S Murphy Kells 1480, G Gibson Associate 1480, A McBride Associate 1479, J Eagleson & Sons 1478 J Eagleson & Sons 1478, J Eagleson & Sons 1478, J Rock 1476, S Crawford Kells 1475, Surgenor Bros Kells 1474, J Rock 1472, W & J Smyth Ballymena 1472, J Rock 1471, J Eagleson & Sons 1470, Mr & Mrs Robinson Ahoghill 1470, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1469, S Murphy 1469, J Eagleson & Sons 1469, F Barkley Rasharkin 1467, S Murphy 1467, Blair & Rankin 1467.
Old Bird Points Fancier of the Year - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 65, Young, McManus & Sons Ahoghill 57, J & M Milliken Rasharkin 22, J Rock Associate 18, T Whyte Rasharkin 17, R Service & Son Ballymena 15. Local clubs should supply a list of lofts to compete in the OB Knock-out and 4 lofts nominated for the Champions League.
Mid Antrim Combine Clubs Roscrea
Ballymena & District 8/346 – R Service & Son 1535, J Eagleson & Sons 1524, 1504, 1486, 1478, 1478, 1478, W & J Smyth 1472, J Eagleson & Sons 1470, Blair & Rankin 1469. Well done Robert and Robin, big early arrival. Club chairman Robert Service and son Robin who is the treasurer had the winner this week. They timed their 2 year old blue pied roundabout hen at 12.16pm for the 145 mile fly to their Drumtara lofts to win 1st Mid Antrim Combine 56/1833 and 1st Section B 113/3801. This steady hen was purchased direct from Dave Stone of Derbyshire and is bred from "Eddy's Lad" and "Guardian Angel" A well-deserved win for this partnership who have put so much hard work in to the Ballymena club since joining a couple of years ago. Runners up in the Club, Combine and Section were Johnston Eagleson & Sons with a 2 year old blue chequer Lambrechts x Heremans-ceusters cock.
Rasharkin & District 10/288 – T Whyte 1515, 1492, H Cubitt 1490, F Barkley 1467, H Cubitt 1467, J & M Milliken 1456. Danny Dixon – 1450.12, 1425.34.
Ahoghill Flying Club 11/370 – Young McManus & Sons 1510, 1498, 1497, 1496, 1496, 1493, 1493, 1481, Mr & Mrs Robinson 1456, J Smyth & Son 1466. Brooke Supplies 2 Bird Club – Mr & Mrs Robinson 1456, J Smyth & Son 1451.
Cullybackey HPS – Alan Darragh 1492, 1492, Gary Gibson 1480. Today’s Cullybackey HPS race from Roscrea was won by Mr Reliable Alan Darragh. Timing his Blue Pied Cock at 12 21 40 with a velocity of 1492.841
Harryville HPS 13/325 – D Craig 1489, J Rock 1482, A McBride 1479, J Rock 1476, L Mullan 1474, J Rock 1472, L Mullan 1472, J Rock 1471, 1465, K & K Kernohan 1465. Well done Denis Craig winning from Roscrea today with a Bulk Ceuster of Chris's Houston.
Randalstown HPS 8/198 – Stewart Bros 1482, 1481, 1457, John Millar 1440, 1422, 1402, J McNeill & Son 1401, 1399.
Broughshane & District HPS 6/198 – D Houston & Son 1481, T & M Morrow 1467, 1466, A Purvis 1447, 1427, 1426, Mrs V Gage 1420, M Neilly 1411.
Kells & District HPS 8/273 – Sam Murphy 1480, 1475, Surgenor Bros 1474, Sam Murphy 1469, 1467, Surgenor Bros 1463, H Turkington 1463, Sam Murphy 1458. Two in a row well done Sam Murph. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – S Murphy 1443, Surgenor Bros 1373, Gregg Bros 1371, B Swann & Son 1365, McFarlane & Agnew 1362. The officers and members of Kells & District extend their sympathy to the family circle of Wilfie Brown who has passed away after a long period of illness. He was a former Chairman of the Kells & Dist and son Billy was a former Secretary of the club and one time Secretary in the MAC. Brown Bros at the time racing to Mayben Park in the village were some racers and scored numerous top positions up to Highest Prize-winner, They were ever present when I first attended the local dinner and prize presentation, fantastic supporters as well. Homer.
