Munster Fed Perth National - 26/06/21

[willie reynolds]

Well, apologies for delay in report of our Perth, Scotland, Munster Federation, OPEN, and, NATIONAL race, which took place on 26th -June -2021. (But, unfortunetly, I still have some velocities and result not to hand).

Weather first thing in the morning was not favourable for an early liberation, and so, our feathered friends, were held until 11-45am,
(something personally, I do NOT agree with), MY personal opinion is that all birds get a decent chance to home on the day, not just the few warriors Lucky enough to avoid any troubles they may come across on route home, BOP attacks, etc.

That being said, all involved did the best they could and our birds were liberated at 11-45am, with wind at race point north westerly, turning to a helping east north east wind on route through Scotland to the coast.
With great hope and anticipation fanciers from Roscommon, Mayo, Sligo, Galway, Clare, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, Wicklow, Waterford Tipperary, Offaly, Cork, Limerick and Kerry, dare budged from their gardens from late afternoon onwards, watching everything that moved, from a piece of paper, blowing in the wind, to a swallow, sparrow, finch butterfly. Many hearts skipped manies a beat me thinks.
Through the "Pigeon Grapevine", came the news, shortly after 6pm that there were birds in the Country, with earliest recordings being in the galway loft of Ralph Wheatley 6-15-54, flying just over 306 miles, and the Roscrea loft of Joey Donnovan 6-22-27. flying over 295 miles, giving great hope of the longer flyers, (Possibly) getting a day bird into Cork and Kerry.

As the minutes ticked by and hearts were fluttering, next came news of some very steady and consistent fanciers in St Mary's Limerick, clocking birds either side of 7pm. Firstly, a great bird by the quite, unassuming loft of Ger Walters 6-55-38, flying 331 miles 291 yards for a velocity of 1353-49 yds per minute, (46mph) and then Liam Fitzgerald, few miles further at 335 miles 1461 yds at 7-03-05 for a velocity of 1349-19yds.

Ger is a great Club man, and very helpful around the Club on Race marking nights in particular, and it was marvelous when news filtered through that Ger would indeed WIN 1st Open Munster Federation, with no one begrudging Ger the Win, A big congratulations to Ger. It transpired that Liam hot on Ger's heels was a very close and gallant 2nd, and indeed Liam was first to congratulate Ger. Liam is also a great Club man and no stranger to success with the birds, (feathered that is), and indeed has served on many Federation Committees over the years.


Third Open went to Joey Donovan on 1308-40 yds. Next in 3rd St Mary's and 4th Open the loft of Michael Slattery, 1277-96 yds (No introduction needed) with his super Mealy cock, (bred by Jimmy Quilligan Tralee), which was 3rd Club week earlier from Monaghan AND previous week to that this same Cock was 1st Club, 2nd Federation and 2nd yearling National Mauchline, showing what a truly superb pigeon he is, be it 100 mile race or 332 mile race, super flying, well done Sla.
First Section A and 5th Open, the Supreme loft of Nicky Hayes and David Hayes, the lads are having a season some of us mere peasants can but dream of, not only being 5th Open, but for good measure absolute outstanding flying to clock 3 more birds ON THE NIGHT, for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Section A, and indeed 5th, 8th and 11th Open. Velocities of 1269-68, 1190-39, 1142-95 and 943-29yds per minute. Exceptional flying lads well deserved, Congratulations

Next, in 6th Open the new to racing, and, having a marvelous season was, 4th Club St Mary's Robert Quinlivan, whose birds have been knocking on the Club and federation door all season, 1255-10yds, congratulation Robert

Another fancier, no stranger to success in 5th Club St Marys and 7th Open, that of Jim Purcell, Jim is a constant in the Club and fed results and is always to the fore from the channel, velocity 1216yds.

NOT to be doing a "Steve Collins", (throwing bouquets at myself)
but, for me, this Perth was the race of my life, (so far, having twice previously, clocked 3 birds from Scotland), both occassions Girvan 286miles, Perth to me is 381 miles 357 yds, hence I was not filled with confidence about clocking on the night, (with late lib), BUT I was as confident as one can be, (bearing in mind, Scotland is Scotland), that I would clock.

Firstly, in 6th Club St Mary's and 9th Open not even seeing where he came from, my very good blue "McCormack Cock", (as the sire was kindly given to me by Mike McCormack), this is definitely the best racing cock I have had the pleasure to race, always and ever a very reliable cock to knock on the door, also coming out of the very hard Mauchline race 2020, and indeed a record into Kerry winning his 4th Federation card, clocking at 9-13-17, velocity 1180-60yds.
Who'd have believed, that, like buses, 6 minutes later, (while on phone to my good friend Jimmy), I looked up, and my good Cq pied hen was on the Aviery, (whom Jimmy bred the mother), I clocked at 9-21-09 velocity 1164-48yds, for 7th Club And 10th Open, this hen had previously been in both very difficult Mauchline races 2020 and 2021, I also clocked my good '19 big mealy hen for a velocity of 842-43yds, a steady pigeon who was having her first night out training or racing in 3 seasons. To say, I was over the moon is an understatement. Jimmy himself, also clocked a very good yearling blue pied cock for 3rd Club and 27th Open.

In 12th Open and 1st Club Shannonside was the very good loft of Buttler & Dobbs clocking in limerick at 8-23 vel 1129-51yds, followed closely in 13th Open by the partnership of Matt and Eugene Fitzgerald, another loft, no strangers to success 1128-26yds

Fourth section A, 14th Open and first Club Carrick was Willie Foran on 1125-20 yds, followed in 15th Open by Paddy and Emmet Naughton 1122-89yds.
16th and 18th Open, 1st & 2nd Club Youghal was great flying into the south east, flying 355 miles 502 yds by Peter Mangan 1118-84 and 1089-37yds, ahead of Paddy Kelly, (whom had great returns) in 3rd club and 19th Open Munster federation on 1072-68yds.

Taking 1st Club, Tralee RPC (only day bird) and 17th Open Fed, and also dublicating in 5th Open West Of Ireland Fed the very well known loft of Beryl and Mick Woodyard, who clocked at 9-25-04, flying 361 miles 1422 yds for a velocity of 1097-77yds.

In 20th Open, also clocking another day bird in 24th the loft of Pa Cusack St Marys velocity 1028-54, and 981-67yds. Christy McGrath 2nd Club Carrick, 993-19yds and David Quinlavan 952-70yds St Mary's had the only other day birds into the Munster Federation.

There were several very good second day birds whom were very, very close to home as darkness set in, on the night.
Finishing off the Munster Federation result was in 1st and 2nd 2 bird Club, Dee and Kevin Francis O'Carroll, while 3rd 2 bird Club and 1st Dungarvan RPC was the partnership of O'Brien Brothers.
A big Congratulations to Ralph Wheatley winnng West Of Ireland Pigeon Federation on 1379-097yds, and indeed will be very high up on the National result, (I would think), 2nd and 3rd West Federation the ultimate Scottish Specialist loft of George Guillfoyle.

George is always and ever to the fore in these Channel races, fair dues, to cap it, George was also 15th and 18th Fed, velocities of 1155-75, 1146-787 yds/min. In 4th, 12th and 13th Open was Andrew Beverage on 1123-378yds, while, as previously mentioned Mick and Beryl Woodyard in 5th Open, while the loft of Brian Dalton took 6th and 7th Open, and 16th ahead of Tommy Murray who was 8th, 10th, 11th and 14th Open, in 9th Open was Michael O. Halloran, completing the result in 17th Open was Ray Callopy.

UNFORTUNATELY, I only have scant details from Cork Federation where the "FOREVER YOUNG" Jimmy Willis of Mallow had yet another outstanding Scottish race, taking 1st and 3rd Fed ahead of Ger Fahy in 2nd.

4th and 8th Cork Fed was Denis Anthony Wall, while 5th and 6th was the loft of Krzysztof Luciewicz, in 7th Fed in only his first season racing was Kenneth O'Donoghue with his very good yearling hen, while the ever consistant Timmy Hennessys Lofts was 9th ahead of another Mallow loft of Charlie Sheehan in 10th while Billy McCarty was 11th, apologies as I have no velocities for Cork.

For a 300 to 400 mile race, the returns were very good, in comparison to the shorter mauchline Race, and great credit is due to all involved in making it a good race. All eyes now, will be firmly fixed on the "Grand National" of North Road Racing, when our feathered friends will be treking it from the very difficult race point of Frazerburgh, Scotland, the very very best of luck to all who will be sending. (Pictures to Follow) Kevin Francis O'Carroll. PO.