Saturday 03/07/21
Race marking for the King’s Cup St. Allouestre will take place on Sunday 4th July for a possible release on Wednesday. Marking times as in the previous post published below.
Weather reports received this evening indicate an improvement from Wednesday with high pressure building. Race marking and time allocations for the INFC King’s Cup race.
Covid -19 is still a cause for concern and everyone’s safety has to be respected. Please adhere to any requests at the marking and clock stations.
Times for race marking.
14:00 to 16:00 All south section and Individual south section members.
16: 30 to 18:30 East Down Combine, Ulster Fed., N.I.P.A. sections C, F, and G. Individual north section members.
19:00 to 20:30 N.I.P.A. sections A, B, D, E, H.
Please take care when completing your entry forms, especially when totaling them up.
Attach your payment to the entry form and put your membership number on the back of your cheque or bank draft. If the payment covers more than one member please put all membership numbers on the back of the cheque or draft and keep the entry forms together.
Payments will not be processed at the race marking to avoid queuing.
Any shortages will be removed from pool monies and any over payments will be added to pool monies. (This can be avoided by accurately completing your entry form and payment.) Any members paying by euro please remember to multiply the sterling grand total by 1.20 for the currency conversion.
Please keep your social distance at the marking centre. Any help to race mark the pigeons would be appreciated. Thank you for your co operation and please all act responsible when attending the marking centre and respect the facilities which have been kindly granted.
Catering will be available as usual.
Monday 05/07/21
Race marking for the Lamballe Friendship National will take place as planned on Tuesday 6th of July between 5.00 pm and 8.00 pm for possible release on Friday.
Please remember social distancing marking station.
Wednesday 07/09/21
St. Allouestre King’s Cup. Sponsored by Frazers Animal Feeds
Wednesday 7th July. The pigeons have been held over due to poor weather on the line of flight.
Our next update will be Thursday.
Thursday 08/07/21
Grand National St. Allouestre King’s Cup. Sponsored by Frazers Animal Feeds.
495 members have entered 2511 pigeons in the race and are competing for £29,055.00 in pools and prize money.
The pigeons have been released at 06:30 the wind at the release site was light westerly.
Stillorgan clock station is still using the Sallynoggin clubrooms contact Mags Curtis 0860532274.
Banbridge clock station is now at Frazers Animal Feeds premises contact David West 07759653317
Edgarstown Portadown and Coleraine Premier clubrooms are also temporary clock stations. Hours of darkness are 22:42 until 04:55. Our next update will be this evening.
St. Allouestre King’s Cup update Thursday 8th July @ 23.00
One pigeon has been reported on the first day. L, McCall Wicklow at 18.21.
Second day arrivals three hour clock checking rule applies please contact your station manager. This will be reviewed at 13.00 tomorrow afternoon.
Race closed this evening at 22.42 opening in the morning at 04.55. Our next update will be on Friday.
Friday 09/07/21
Friendship National Lamballe Friday 9th July 2021. Sponsored by H. Beattie & Son.
227 members have entered 1217 pigeons and are competing for £6,858.00 in pools and prize money.
St. Allouestre King’s Cup second day arrivals reported.
F. Moran Malahide 05:32, Capper Bros Bondhill 06:44, P. Lambert Arklow 07:20, T. McClean Annaghmore 07:45, John Greenaway Bondhill 8.29, Burns Bros Comber 08:57
Our next update will be this afternoon. 4.00pm Update as below
Clocking checking arrangements for second day King’s Cup and Friendship National first day arrivals. Three hour clock checking rule will not apply.
Banbridge Muckamore Lisburn Portadown & Coleraine clock stations will open this evening at 22:30 to 23:00 . Any member clocking an arrival in any of the races please contact your station manager.
Balbriggan Cork Wicklow Stillorgan & Kilkenny please contact your station manager for instructions.
Update of 2nd Day Arrivals in the Kings Cup - F Moran Malahide 2nd bird 09:07, J Sharkey Castlebellingham 10:40, S & N Lester Laurelvale 10:39, A Massey Wicklow 08:50, C McArdle & Sons Banbridge 14:36, D McElhone Eastway 12:45, Rev T A B Sawyers & Son Banbridge 15:03 & 15:51, Sean McLoughlin Crossgar 14:50, Stewart Bros Randalstown 13:52, A McAteer & Sons Ballyholland 12:30, J Trimble Annalong 17.03 . S & W English Lisburn 16:43, N Black & Son Dromara 16:35 & 16:59, P Dunlop Edgarstown 15:47 Overall race winner Liam McCall Wicklow velocity 934.
Kings Cup 2021 - 1st Open Liam McCall
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willie reynolds
- Posts: 6797
- Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2008 4:44 pm
-
willie reynolds
- Posts: 6797
- Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2008 4:44 pm
Re: Kings Cup 2021 - 1st Open Liam McCall
2021 Irish Grand National St Allouestre – Liam McCall wins for the second time
The Blue Riband of the sport in Ireland the Grand National Kings Cup was flown from St Allouestre in France on Thursday 8th July having been held over the day previous due to poor weather which had already delayed the race by the best part of a week. Due to Covid 19 the whole programme was cancelled in 2020 and despite the regulations for race marking etc we had a reasonable entry after missing a year, just short of the bird total in 2019.
495 members had entered a total of 2,511 pigeons to compete for the most coveted prize in pigeon racing in Ireland – the King George V Challenge Cup. They were also competing for a total of £23,650 in pools and prizemoney. When the results were announced it was Liam McCall of Wicklow who was the winner confirmed at the close of racing the first night. Best birds on the second morning were timed by Capper Bros, Tom McClean, and John Greenaway in the Portadown area and Fintan Moran from Malahide & District with two early arrivals winning the Harkness Rose Bowl for the best two bird average. From the same club in the Dublin area Joe Doheny was to win the Gold Medal with his Champion “The Beast” the first time a Gold Medal has been won in the South Section in over 40 years of racing for this award. The race was sponsored by Frazer Animal Feeds and we are very grateful to them for their continued sponsorship of this race.
1st South Section, 1st Open Liam McCall Wicklow South Road, Vel 934, Flying 377 miles, Winning £1122, and King George V Challenge Cup
The winners of the King’s Cup this year is Liam McCall Wicklow, he had won the cup in 2017 and his Hall of Fame winner ‘Red Laddie’s bloodlines were involved in the 2016 Kings Cup winner for Mr & Mrs Magill of Randalstown who fly in the Muckamore HPS. In 2017 he had the first bird clocked in the race, and he did the same again in 2021. This year his bird was timed at 6.21pm and the only difference a long wait to find out it was the only bird on the day, now aptly named “Home Alone”
Liam joined the Wicklow club in 1970 and raced the North Road. He got off to a great start and in 1972 he was 2nd Open from Malin Heads (175 miles). He first flew with the Irish National Flying Club in 2002 and again success came early as he won the Harkness Rose Bowl in 2003 from Messac, a race that saw only 21 birds recorded in race time and Liam had 3 of them to take 13th, 16th and 20th Open. The bird at 20th that year went on to win a Hall of Fame finishing 13th Open in 2004 and 25th Open in 2005. Liam’s Kings Cup winner here in 2017, called ‘Chloe’ after a special granddaughter also wins the Single Bird Challenge in that season. It was a five-year-old blue hen that won the IHUNFC from St Malo in 2015. She was sent to the King’s Cup sitting on a 6/7 day old, youngster. As Liam was working the pigeon was timed by Liam’s wife Gertie. The sire is from Liam’s own old family which is mainly Harkness and Gilmour & Beattie lines. The dam is a granddaughter of a bird from Joe Murphy from Fife, from his old Scottish National lines.
Liam sent me a little bit of info after he made contact, his 2021 Kings Cup winner is a 5-year-old Blue Cheq cock named “Home Alone” timed at 18.21hrs on the day of liberation and only bird on the day hence the name “Home Alone”. He was sent sitting 12-day old eggs same nesting condition as was sent to St Malo Derby in 2020. He was the lofts third bird home and finished 6th Club. He has been a steady racer over the years and has had, several positions, in the club. His sire is a Frank Sheader 100% Soontjen and the dam is bred from John Patterson stock Soontjen and Grondelaer. Before the Kings Cup he had four land races plus Talbenny (1) & (2) from South Wales. One of the land races was from Barleycove on 19th June some 190 miles to my lofts in Wicklow. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those fanciers who phoned from North and South to congratulate me, and to also say well done to everyone who timed in this very difficult race. My wife Gertie who is also the loft trainer timed our previous winner “Chloe” and the pleasure was all hers, four years later I had the pleasure to clock “Home Alone” to win our second Kings Cup. So, now, it’s one all, extra time is now in play.
Liam McCall now joins a unique list of double Kings Cup winners in what I call the modern era of competition and winning twice in such a short time with one complete season ruled out due to the Covid 19, this is a record that will take some beating. The famous double winners were McDowell Bros from Newtownards 1st Open Redon in 1953 velocity 790 and 1st Open Nantes 1973 velocity 825. Joe Doheny from Dublin had 1st Open Les Sables 1982 velocity 914 and 1st Open Redon 2002 velocity 913.
1st North Section, 2nd Open Capper Bros Bondhill Social, Vel 783, flying 481 miles, winning £3730 and the Nelson Vase 1st RPRA member after winner in King’s Cup and the NIPA Cup.
From Willie Capper. Capper Bros Bondhill. 1st North Section & 2nd Open Kings Cup 2021 Blue 2-year-old hen, all pooled and nominated. Sire the late Maurice Wilkinson blood lines, he was the INFC National Champion in 2013 and was the Kings Cup winner from Messac in 2005. Dam my own Soojten blood line, my second bird out of St Malo 2021 is same blood line, another loft steeped in long distance performance and always there in a big competition area. Simmo PO.
2nd North Section, 3rd Open Tom McClean Annaghmore, Vel 739, flying 480 miles, winning £1122.
Tom McClean is another of the top lofts and most consistent in the Portadown area flying in the Annaghmore HPS with other big stars. Only 3rd Open this time we can all remember he had 2nd in 2018 behind winner O Fitzpatrick & Son from nearby Gilford and added to that in the same season Tom was crowned INFC National Champion. Just to set the record correct the bird was a gift from Eamonn Quigley of Inch Island in County Donegal, a loft with an outstanding distance pedigree. It was the very best of the old Kenyon bloodlines mainly, bred down from his famous Madam Butterfly all the top lines of Smyth Bros of Ballymena. The No 1 hens dam flew France on two occasions for T & P Cassidy. The 3rd National winner also has a bit of Willy Clarbaut through a late bred purchased from Wilf Reed, and a C & L Woodside hen which will be Smyth Bros old bloodlines. The 4-year-old Blue Ch hen was sent 14 days on eggs he timed in at 7.45am on the second morning flying 480 miles to Portadown.
2nd & 5th South Section and 4th & 10th Open Fintan Moran Malahide and District Vel 713 & 588, flying 408 miles, winning £1701 plus Harkness Rose Bowl for Best 2 Bird Average vel 644.
I covered Fintan in the 2018 season when he had a Top 10 finish in the Kings Cup also winning a Holl of Fame Diploma and the Single Bird challenge, he was one of the first to come through with details of his 4th & 10th Open collecting the coveted Harkness Rose Bowl for the Best 2 Bird average.
Firstly, I would like to congratulate Liam Mc Call on clocking the only bird on the day and winning his second kings Cup in such style within 4 years and Joe Doheny on winning the Gold Medal, absolutely wonderful performances by top fanciers.
The preparation for the 4th open 3yr old red cock started in late February when he was paired and let rear a pair of y/birds. He was privately trained and had 3 inland races, the furthest Castletown and last race Bude on the 19th June. He raced celibate up the land and sent to Bude sitting on eggs. For the King Cups he was given a few 50 miles tosses, thanks Cora, and sent sitting on a 12 day’s old y/bird. He was the first bird clocked the next day at 5.32am just as it was getting a little brighter. His breeding is steeped in the very best of the old, long distance English pigeons. His sire a 2009 red cock won 109Th open INFC Kings Cup Vannes 2011. The sire of the 2009 red cocks breeding are my old Billy Napper (Up North Combine) pigeons going back 30 years and responsible for many prize winners over the years up to France. The dam of the 2009 red cock was bred by Sid and Val Miles, Peasedown St John, and was a grandchild of 3 1st NFC Pau winners, Ashgrove King (Harding Bros. 1994); Little Darling (Miles and Dix 1987) and Rosemead Abigail (George Burgess 1988), the same bloodlines as in my 2018 INFC Hall of Fame winner Aoife M. The dam of the 4th open winner is bred from my Andy Parsons of Salisbury pigeons, being inbred to his No 1 stock cock ‘Dancer’ who is the sire and g/sire of multiple top national and classic prize winners up to Tarbes/Pau.
The preparation for the 10th open 2yr old check pied hen was that she was not paired up prior to racing and was privately trained and had 4 inland races, the furthest Castletown and last race Bude. She raced celibate down the land and was paired up for the first time for Bude and sent sitting on eggs. For the King Cups she was given a few 50 miles tosses and sent sitting on an 11 day’s old y/bird. Her breeding is also steeped in the very best of the old long distance English pigeons, her sire and dam being bred by Andy Parsons and her breeding is the old Eric Cannon / George Burgess and Keith Bush bloodlines, the dam being a half-sister to Andy’s 1st Section 5th open NFC Tarbes 2012. The full brother of this hen won East Coast Federation old bird of the year in 2016 for winning 7th open East Coast Federation Bude 2016 (1730 birds) and 5th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2016 (2,920 birds) when there were only 77 birds in race time.
For their valiant efforts, the birds win the coveted Harkness Rose Bowl for the best two bird average. I want to acknowledge the great work of the convoyers as both birds returned in immaculate condition and the INFC committee / helpers for all the work undertaken to facilitate racing in these challenging times. Finally, a big thank you to Aoife for helping during the year.
3rd North Section, 5th Open John Greenaway Bondhill Social, Vel 712, flying 480 miles, winning £874.
John Greenaway from Bondhill is another loft with many fantastic results at the distance over recent seasons, ever present. He lifted the Hall of Fame Diploma in 2002 and 2012, followed that up with the Gold Medal award in 2013 very few of those and was crowned INFC National Champion in 2016. See photo supplied by John, Blue cock on my right was 5th Open and 3rd North Section Kings Cup St Allouestre winning £874, which is a direct son of my Gold Medal winner “Iron Man” INFC 2013. His ‘Millennium Lady’ is the same lines, it won St Malo with the NIPA in 2000. Blue Checker in my left was 20th Open and 18th North Section Lambelle Friendship Nat bred down from my racer’s pedigree unknown. Thanks John Greenaway, and thanks to Simmo. Area PO.
4th North Section, 6th Open Burns Bros Comber Social, Vel 694, flying 480 miles, winning £734.
Big star of the County Down and best bird timed in the East Down Combine, Burns Bros are another loft dedicated to long distance racing. They win the Hall of Fame Diploma in 1994 and 2006 and followed up with the Gold Medal award in 1995. See photo Paddy Burns of Burns Brothers holding his arrival from this year’s Kings Cup. She was timed at 8.58am on second morning from an entry off four pigeons. She is a granddaughter of his great hen Dolly that flew France on four occasions and was his first Hall of Fame winner. This loft has won many prizes from France over the years only sending a small entry in all races. His most recent top positions have been 3rd Open Friendship National 2016, 8th Open Kings Cup 2017, 3rd Open East Down Combine St Malo Old Bird Derby 2020.
3rd South Section, 7th Open P Smith & Son Stillorgan, Vel 673, flying 399 miles, winning £1176.
Phil Smith from Stillorgan has been a committee member for several years and looks after the Stillorgan Clock Station with Mags Curtis, an outstanding loft at the distance he competes as well with the BBC and has had some good success including timing on the day flying 14 and a half hours when the Irish birds held over. Phil and Mark are successful racers and have won many 1sts, the Kings Cup bird was bred by Cyril Beattie of Portadown, his dad Henry of course won both the Kings Cup and Friendship Nat, the 3-year-old blue hen was sent of eggs 14 days. She was not rushed and well looked after and had only one race out of Castletown 90 miles before her first trip to France to win best in Stillorgan Station, 2nd East Coast Fed, 3rd South Sect and 7th Open INFC.
5th North Section, 8th Open S & N Lester Laurelvale, Vel 635, flying 475 miles, winning £137.
The last few seasons have been special for the father and son partnership of Stephen and Norman Lester from Laurelvale HPS in Portadown, in the NIPA Premier OB National from St Malo in France they won the Best 2 Bird Ave in 2018 with 13th & 22nd Open and in the 2019 season well placed again to hold on to the trophy with 14th & 20th Open. In the Kings Cup at 475 miles their 3-year-old bird finished 8th Open in the INFC and was race favourite to collect the Joe Doheny Cup for the Single Bird Challenge. This year in the Blue Riband they timed a two-year-old hen sent on chipping eggs Tommy Beckett, John McMullen and Jock Reid breeding, mother of pigeon is grandmother of 8th Open in 2019 race. Stevie has been one of the top French racers in County Armagh this past few years great success, top loft. Thanks to Steve McGarry for his help with this, and local PO Simmo.
4th South Section, 9th Open Pat Lambert Arklow United RPC, Vel 588, flying 373 miles, winning £400.
Pat Lambert of Arklow is another loft that has been scoring top results for many years. Hi Willie, my bird is a 3 year old hen which has flown consistently from the channel as both a yearling and 2 year old. This was her first attempt at France. Her sire flew the channel many times and was the only bird in the club from the Kings cup in 2011, he is from my family of Norman Thompson and Jackie Waring birds. Her dam was purchased from Ged Hinchliffe UK clearance sale to cross into my birds. She has bred many winners from 600 miles up into the Pennines. I'm only interested in flying the channel, especially France and before that Thurso on the North Road, regards Pat.
First Gold Medal for South Section -
Some 40 years ago I proposed the Gold Medal award for 4 Times in the Kings Cup prizes with the same bird, the first season a bird was able to qualify was in 1982 and I was pleased to be asked to present Gold Medals to G M Kirkpatrick and John McCartan. It looked like something that could be achieved with ease, but that has not been the case, it is a very difficult award to win, and the record shows just 13 award winners in 40 years, it’s a real test achieved by long distance Champions.
I am doing a little update and I need details of winner's to be included. Breeding details and racing record, how prepared and any other items of interest. You might not be aware but on our Website http://www.pigeonnetwork.com we have a special dedicated section for the INFC History, lots of interesting bits there including the Gold Medal. At the minute I am learning how to do updates on this site which has been changed in the last year. Your details will be added and be included in an article to BHW & RP. E-mail: homerbhw@gmail.com
Double Kings Cup winner Joe Doheny from the Malahide & District became the first loft in Southern Ireland to land the INFC Gold Medal bringing up the total number won to just 14, and each one, an individual champion. When he won the Hall of Fame Diploma in 2019 the following was published.
Our next winner is one of Ireland’s top National fanciers Joe Doheny of Malahide. Joe also races with the East Coast Federation with whom he has topped the Fed many times. Joe tells me he timed his first pigeon from France back in 1965 and since then has spent a lifetime putting together a family of pigeons to compete at the top level of national racing. His record can only be described as outstanding, racing only a small team of birds. The highest entry Joe would send to France would be a team of 6. His wins with the I.N.F.C. are as follows; Joe has won the Kings cup twice and was 2nd Open to Liam McCall in 2017. He is also the winner of the Miller Gold Cup twice and was runner up on three occasions. He also placed 2nd Open I.N.F.C YB Penzance and has been I.N.F.C Nat Champion twice, now adding a Hall of Fame to this already bulging CV.
Joe has named his Hall of Fame winner “THE BEAST” as he is the most protective pigeon on the nest Joe has ever had, sometimes marking Joe’s hand with his temper. “The Beast” is a cracking 6-year-old check cock with a very impressive racing career. As a young bird He had 3 races, as a yearling he flew Talbenny & Penzance. Then as a two-year-old he flew two channel races and was sent to the Friendship National, arriving home at midday on the 2nd day just outside the result. As a three-year-old he again had two channel races and was then sent to the Kings Cup finishing 65th Open. The following year as four-year-old he again had his two channel races and then onto the Kings Cup where he finished 67th open. As a 5yr old Joe gave him 4 inland races plus the Kings Cup returning at 7am on the fourth morning just outside the 3 days race time. This year as “The Beast” had three 25-mile tosses prior to racing plus four inland races and a Bude, he was then sent to the Kings Cup finishing 112th Open and gaining a place in history winning the Hall of Fame Diploma.
Four Times in the Result in the Kings Cup Old Bird Grand National - Won by the following:
1982 Season - G M Kirkpatrick, Ballymacbrennan
1979 - 119th, 1980 - 83rd, 1981 - 62nd, 1982 - 14th
1982 Season - J McCartan, Annalong
1979 - 84th, 1980 - 97th, 1981 - 149th, 1982 - 17th
1992 Season - W Catherwood & Sons, Ballynahinch
1988 - 26th, 1989 - 133rd, 1991 - 7th, 1992 - 48th
1993 Season - M Conlon & Sons, Banbridge
1990 - 26th, 1991 - 14th, 1992 - 89th, 1993 - 68th
1994 Season - Ron Williamson, Bondhill Soc
1989 - 22nd, 1992 - 126th, 1993 - 113th, 1994 - 147th
1995 Season - F Scott & Son, Dromore HPS
1992 - 31st, 1993 - 67th, 1994 - 62nd, 1995 - 8th
1995 Season - Gordon Kirkpatrick, Ballymacbrennan
1991 - 47th, 1992 - 79th, 1993 - 49th, 1995 - 77th
1995 Season - Burns Bros, Comber Social
1992 - 114th, 1993 - 73rd, 1994 - 95th, 1995 - 188th
2011 Season - J Waring & Son, Lisburn & District
2005 - 24th, 2006 - 53rd, 2010 - 25th, 2011 - 163rd
2012 Season - Rev T.A.B. Sawyers & Son, Banbridge
2005 - 107th, 2010 - 134th, 2001 - 58th, 2012 - 41st
2012 Season - N Black & Son, Dromara
2009 - 241st, 2010 - 153rd, 2011 - 200th, 2012 - 52nd
2013 Season - John Greenaway, Bondhill Soc
2010 - 145th, 2011 - 241st, 2012 - 34th, 2013 - 159th
2018 Season - A McAteer & Sons, Ballyholland
2015 - 107th, 2016 - 27th, 2017 - 162nd, 2018 – 47th
2021 Season – J Doheny, Malahide & District
2016 – 62nd, 2017 – 60th, 2019 – 112th, 2021 – 39th
Mid Antrim Combine – Tough Kings Cup
The Irish National Flying Club held their Kings Cup Grand National race from St. Allouestre in France on Thursday 8th July. The birds were released in a light westerly wind at 6.30am. The race turned out a real endurance test with only 42 game birds making it to their lofts over the course of three-day event. Of the 42 arrivals only three of them were recorded in the Mid Antrim Combine and the best of these was timed by Stewart Brothers of Randalstown who clocked at 13.50pm on the second day. Their 3-year-old dark chequer hen sitting on eggs due to hatch had a 501 mile fly to the lofts situated at The Grange just a few miles outside Randalstown. The winning hen had 4 inland races and 1st Talbenny and was then well tossed before being sent to the Kings Cup. This Lambrecht hen was purchased in a kit of young birds from Jackie Steele of Rasharkin in 2018 and is bred from Jackie's No1 pair. The sire is the "38 Cock" he is sire of 1st Open NIPA Mullingar for Bertie Blair of Ballymena & Dist and is also sire of Jackie's own "Isla" 3 x 1st Section B as a young bird in 2018. A full sister to the "38 Cock" bred 1st Open NIPA Fermoy for J & M Milliken of Rasharkin. The Dam of the Kings Cup hen is "27" and she is also the dam of "Isla" The Stewart Brothers partnership consisting of 69-year-old Ian and his 66-year-old brother Eric have had many top National results over the years including the winning of two Hall Of Fames with the INFC in 2006 and 2009 along with 9th & 10th Open Penzance YB National and 10th Open Penzance Old Hens National in 2010. Their best position in the INFC Kings Cup prior to this season was 15th Open in 1999. This seasons 7th North Section and 13th Open INFC result just betters it and I'm sure many more top results will follow for the brothers.
Next best in the Combine was top National flyer Martin Graham of Ballymena & District clocking at 16.31pm on the second day after the 504 miles fly to his superb lofts on the Old Cullybackey Road. Martins’ hen which has been named "Wee Fiona" finished 12th North Section and 19th Open National and also wins the Duddy Extreme Distance Trophy for Saint Allouestre O.B. Furthest flying member in the King’s Cup open prizes. Martin's national record grows each season and only a week ago he was placed 50th, 100th & 110th Open in the NIPA St Malo OB National. He's had countless Top 20 national positions with his top wins being 1st Open INFC Sennen Cove Yearling National with Denman in 2018, 1st Open NIPA Skibbereen OB Inland National in 2004 and 2nd Open NIPA Lamballe OB Derby in 2003. Martin timed a 2-year-old chequer pied hen sitting 17 days on eggs due to the delay in race marking for the Kings Cup. Breeding on the sire's side is a son of Ronnie Williamson's "Golden Wonder" when paired to Martin's Famous "The Big Hen" while the dam is a daughter of "The Big Hen" this making Martin's bird a double granddaughter of "The Big Hen" The Breeding of "The Big Hen" is Norman Thompson (Walkinshaw) crossed with one of Martin's original Wildermersch cocks and she is now responsible for 59 (Fifty-Nine) NIPA & INFC National prize-winners for Martin. Another top result and his best Kings Cup finish to date.
The only other fancier to time an arrival in the Combine was Robert Alexander of Ballymena & Dist who timed his 4-year-old dark pied hen at 11.07am on the third morning flying 504 miles. The hen had just paired up 2 days before basketing and was having it's first ever channel race. Sire is an old Kenyon cock from William McKillen (Ballymena & Dist at the time). This cock contains all the old bloodlines of the famous Smyth Brothers of Ballymena who were twice 1st Open in INFC National races. The dam is bred down from stock obtained from another top distance loft Harry McCloy of Cullybackey. The hen finished 21st North Section and 30th Open National and is Robert's best performance to date. Well done all three of you. Mervyn Eagleson PO.
Mid Antrim Combine St. Allouestre Kings Cup - Stewart Bros Randalstown 585, Martin Graham Ballymena & District 532, Robert Alexander Ballymena & District 368.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds – Press Officer INFC
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Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
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Photo Captions
INFC Banner on top
Liam and Gertie McCall holding “Home Alone” the only bird on the day and the winner of this year’s Irish Kings Cup National with the INFC from France.
On the perch, the INFC Kings Cup winner “Home Alone” timed by Liam McCall of Wicklow.
A look back to 2017, Liam McCall (l) collects the Kings Cup from the previous season winners Mr & Mrs Magill of Muckamore HPS.
The 2017 Kings Cup winner for Liam McCall “Chloe” 1st Open INFC St Allouestre.
South Leinster Fed Montage for 2020 season, the Kings Cup winner “Home Alone” is middle left.
W R Capper of Bondhill, 1st North Sect & 2nd Open INFC Kings Cup winning Nelson Vase and NIPA Cup.
Tommy McClean of Annaghmore, 2nd North Sect & 3rd Open INFC St Allouestre. Holding the hen that was 3rd Open Kings cup and shortly after that photo was taken clocked a blue white flight cock to win 1st Open in the Friendship National Lamballe.
Fintan Moran of Malahide & District holding the 4th Open and Aoife with the 10th Open winners.
The 4th Open Kings Cup winner for Fintan Moran of Malahide & Dist.
The 10th Open Kings Cup winner for Fintan Moran, won Harkness Rose Bowl for Best 2B Ave with 4th Open bird, vel 644.
John Greenaway of Bondhill Social, 3rd North Sect & 5th Open INFC St Allouestre.
“Iron Man” won the Gold Medal & Diploma for John Greenaway of Bondhill.
Paddy Burns of Burns Brothers holding his arrival from this year’s Kings Cup, winning 4th North Sect & 6th Open INFC.
Phil and Mark Smith from Stillorgan, 2nd East Coast Fed, 3rd South Sect & 7th Open INFC St Allouestre.
3-year-old blue hen bred by Cyril Beattie and winner for P Smith & Son, Stillorgan.
S & N Lester from Laurelvale on a great run from France, 5th North Sect & 8th Open Kings Cup.
The winning bird for Pat Lambert of Arklow United RPC, 4th South Sect & 9th Open Kings Cup.
“The Beast” INFC Hall of Fame winner and now a Gold Medal winner for Joe Doneny, first South Sect winner in over 40 years.
Former Kings Cup winner Joe Doheny wins the Hall of Fame for the first time from Mrs Bessie Morrow at INFC presentation, “The Beast” has now won the Gold Medal.
Stewart Bros (Eric left with Ian) from Randalstown with their 1st Mid Antrim Combine winner in the Kings Cup St Allouestre.
The Blue Riband of the sport in Ireland the Grand National Kings Cup was flown from St Allouestre in France on Thursday 8th July having been held over the day previous due to poor weather which had already delayed the race by the best part of a week. Due to Covid 19 the whole programme was cancelled in 2020 and despite the regulations for race marking etc we had a reasonable entry after missing a year, just short of the bird total in 2019.
495 members had entered a total of 2,511 pigeons to compete for the most coveted prize in pigeon racing in Ireland – the King George V Challenge Cup. They were also competing for a total of £23,650 in pools and prizemoney. When the results were announced it was Liam McCall of Wicklow who was the winner confirmed at the close of racing the first night. Best birds on the second morning were timed by Capper Bros, Tom McClean, and John Greenaway in the Portadown area and Fintan Moran from Malahide & District with two early arrivals winning the Harkness Rose Bowl for the best two bird average. From the same club in the Dublin area Joe Doheny was to win the Gold Medal with his Champion “The Beast” the first time a Gold Medal has been won in the South Section in over 40 years of racing for this award. The race was sponsored by Frazer Animal Feeds and we are very grateful to them for their continued sponsorship of this race.
1st South Section, 1st Open Liam McCall Wicklow South Road, Vel 934, Flying 377 miles, Winning £1122, and King George V Challenge Cup
The winners of the King’s Cup this year is Liam McCall Wicklow, he had won the cup in 2017 and his Hall of Fame winner ‘Red Laddie’s bloodlines were involved in the 2016 Kings Cup winner for Mr & Mrs Magill of Randalstown who fly in the Muckamore HPS. In 2017 he had the first bird clocked in the race, and he did the same again in 2021. This year his bird was timed at 6.21pm and the only difference a long wait to find out it was the only bird on the day, now aptly named “Home Alone”
Liam joined the Wicklow club in 1970 and raced the North Road. He got off to a great start and in 1972 he was 2nd Open from Malin Heads (175 miles). He first flew with the Irish National Flying Club in 2002 and again success came early as he won the Harkness Rose Bowl in 2003 from Messac, a race that saw only 21 birds recorded in race time and Liam had 3 of them to take 13th, 16th and 20th Open. The bird at 20th that year went on to win a Hall of Fame finishing 13th Open in 2004 and 25th Open in 2005. Liam’s Kings Cup winner here in 2017, called ‘Chloe’ after a special granddaughter also wins the Single Bird Challenge in that season. It was a five-year-old blue hen that won the IHUNFC from St Malo in 2015. She was sent to the King’s Cup sitting on a 6/7 day old, youngster. As Liam was working the pigeon was timed by Liam’s wife Gertie. The sire is from Liam’s own old family which is mainly Harkness and Gilmour & Beattie lines. The dam is a granddaughter of a bird from Joe Murphy from Fife, from his old Scottish National lines.
Liam sent me a little bit of info after he made contact, his 2021 Kings Cup winner is a 5-year-old Blue Cheq cock named “Home Alone” timed at 18.21hrs on the day of liberation and only bird on the day hence the name “Home Alone”. He was sent sitting 12-day old eggs same nesting condition as was sent to St Malo Derby in 2020. He was the lofts third bird home and finished 6th Club. He has been a steady racer over the years and has had, several positions, in the club. His sire is a Frank Sheader 100% Soontjen and the dam is bred from John Patterson stock Soontjen and Grondelaer. Before the Kings Cup he had four land races plus Talbenny (1) & (2) from South Wales. One of the land races was from Barleycove on 19th June some 190 miles to my lofts in Wicklow. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those fanciers who phoned from North and South to congratulate me, and to also say well done to everyone who timed in this very difficult race. My wife Gertie who is also the loft trainer timed our previous winner “Chloe” and the pleasure was all hers, four years later I had the pleasure to clock “Home Alone” to win our second Kings Cup. So, now, it’s one all, extra time is now in play.
Liam McCall now joins a unique list of double Kings Cup winners in what I call the modern era of competition and winning twice in such a short time with one complete season ruled out due to the Covid 19, this is a record that will take some beating. The famous double winners were McDowell Bros from Newtownards 1st Open Redon in 1953 velocity 790 and 1st Open Nantes 1973 velocity 825. Joe Doheny from Dublin had 1st Open Les Sables 1982 velocity 914 and 1st Open Redon 2002 velocity 913.
1st North Section, 2nd Open Capper Bros Bondhill Social, Vel 783, flying 481 miles, winning £3730 and the Nelson Vase 1st RPRA member after winner in King’s Cup and the NIPA Cup.
From Willie Capper. Capper Bros Bondhill. 1st North Section & 2nd Open Kings Cup 2021 Blue 2-year-old hen, all pooled and nominated. Sire the late Maurice Wilkinson blood lines, he was the INFC National Champion in 2013 and was the Kings Cup winner from Messac in 2005. Dam my own Soojten blood line, my second bird out of St Malo 2021 is same blood line, another loft steeped in long distance performance and always there in a big competition area. Simmo PO.
2nd North Section, 3rd Open Tom McClean Annaghmore, Vel 739, flying 480 miles, winning £1122.
Tom McClean is another of the top lofts and most consistent in the Portadown area flying in the Annaghmore HPS with other big stars. Only 3rd Open this time we can all remember he had 2nd in 2018 behind winner O Fitzpatrick & Son from nearby Gilford and added to that in the same season Tom was crowned INFC National Champion. Just to set the record correct the bird was a gift from Eamonn Quigley of Inch Island in County Donegal, a loft with an outstanding distance pedigree. It was the very best of the old Kenyon bloodlines mainly, bred down from his famous Madam Butterfly all the top lines of Smyth Bros of Ballymena. The No 1 hens dam flew France on two occasions for T & P Cassidy. The 3rd National winner also has a bit of Willy Clarbaut through a late bred purchased from Wilf Reed, and a C & L Woodside hen which will be Smyth Bros old bloodlines. The 4-year-old Blue Ch hen was sent 14 days on eggs he timed in at 7.45am on the second morning flying 480 miles to Portadown.
2nd & 5th South Section and 4th & 10th Open Fintan Moran Malahide and District Vel 713 & 588, flying 408 miles, winning £1701 plus Harkness Rose Bowl for Best 2 Bird Average vel 644.
I covered Fintan in the 2018 season when he had a Top 10 finish in the Kings Cup also winning a Holl of Fame Diploma and the Single Bird challenge, he was one of the first to come through with details of his 4th & 10th Open collecting the coveted Harkness Rose Bowl for the Best 2 Bird average.
Firstly, I would like to congratulate Liam Mc Call on clocking the only bird on the day and winning his second kings Cup in such style within 4 years and Joe Doheny on winning the Gold Medal, absolutely wonderful performances by top fanciers.
The preparation for the 4th open 3yr old red cock started in late February when he was paired and let rear a pair of y/birds. He was privately trained and had 3 inland races, the furthest Castletown and last race Bude on the 19th June. He raced celibate up the land and sent to Bude sitting on eggs. For the King Cups he was given a few 50 miles tosses, thanks Cora, and sent sitting on a 12 day’s old y/bird. He was the first bird clocked the next day at 5.32am just as it was getting a little brighter. His breeding is steeped in the very best of the old, long distance English pigeons. His sire a 2009 red cock won 109Th open INFC Kings Cup Vannes 2011. The sire of the 2009 red cocks breeding are my old Billy Napper (Up North Combine) pigeons going back 30 years and responsible for many prize winners over the years up to France. The dam of the 2009 red cock was bred by Sid and Val Miles, Peasedown St John, and was a grandchild of 3 1st NFC Pau winners, Ashgrove King (Harding Bros. 1994); Little Darling (Miles and Dix 1987) and Rosemead Abigail (George Burgess 1988), the same bloodlines as in my 2018 INFC Hall of Fame winner Aoife M. The dam of the 4th open winner is bred from my Andy Parsons of Salisbury pigeons, being inbred to his No 1 stock cock ‘Dancer’ who is the sire and g/sire of multiple top national and classic prize winners up to Tarbes/Pau.
The preparation for the 10th open 2yr old check pied hen was that she was not paired up prior to racing and was privately trained and had 4 inland races, the furthest Castletown and last race Bude. She raced celibate down the land and was paired up for the first time for Bude and sent sitting on eggs. For the King Cups she was given a few 50 miles tosses and sent sitting on an 11 day’s old y/bird. Her breeding is also steeped in the very best of the old long distance English pigeons, her sire and dam being bred by Andy Parsons and her breeding is the old Eric Cannon / George Burgess and Keith Bush bloodlines, the dam being a half-sister to Andy’s 1st Section 5th open NFC Tarbes 2012. The full brother of this hen won East Coast Federation old bird of the year in 2016 for winning 7th open East Coast Federation Bude 2016 (1730 birds) and 5th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2016 (2,920 birds) when there were only 77 birds in race time.
For their valiant efforts, the birds win the coveted Harkness Rose Bowl for the best two bird average. I want to acknowledge the great work of the convoyers as both birds returned in immaculate condition and the INFC committee / helpers for all the work undertaken to facilitate racing in these challenging times. Finally, a big thank you to Aoife for helping during the year.
3rd North Section, 5th Open John Greenaway Bondhill Social, Vel 712, flying 480 miles, winning £874.
John Greenaway from Bondhill is another loft with many fantastic results at the distance over recent seasons, ever present. He lifted the Hall of Fame Diploma in 2002 and 2012, followed that up with the Gold Medal award in 2013 very few of those and was crowned INFC National Champion in 2016. See photo supplied by John, Blue cock on my right was 5th Open and 3rd North Section Kings Cup St Allouestre winning £874, which is a direct son of my Gold Medal winner “Iron Man” INFC 2013. His ‘Millennium Lady’ is the same lines, it won St Malo with the NIPA in 2000. Blue Checker in my left was 20th Open and 18th North Section Lambelle Friendship Nat bred down from my racer’s pedigree unknown. Thanks John Greenaway, and thanks to Simmo. Area PO.
4th North Section, 6th Open Burns Bros Comber Social, Vel 694, flying 480 miles, winning £734.
Big star of the County Down and best bird timed in the East Down Combine, Burns Bros are another loft dedicated to long distance racing. They win the Hall of Fame Diploma in 1994 and 2006 and followed up with the Gold Medal award in 1995. See photo Paddy Burns of Burns Brothers holding his arrival from this year’s Kings Cup. She was timed at 8.58am on second morning from an entry off four pigeons. She is a granddaughter of his great hen Dolly that flew France on four occasions and was his first Hall of Fame winner. This loft has won many prizes from France over the years only sending a small entry in all races. His most recent top positions have been 3rd Open Friendship National 2016, 8th Open Kings Cup 2017, 3rd Open East Down Combine St Malo Old Bird Derby 2020.
3rd South Section, 7th Open P Smith & Son Stillorgan, Vel 673, flying 399 miles, winning £1176.
Phil Smith from Stillorgan has been a committee member for several years and looks after the Stillorgan Clock Station with Mags Curtis, an outstanding loft at the distance he competes as well with the BBC and has had some good success including timing on the day flying 14 and a half hours when the Irish birds held over. Phil and Mark are successful racers and have won many 1sts, the Kings Cup bird was bred by Cyril Beattie of Portadown, his dad Henry of course won both the Kings Cup and Friendship Nat, the 3-year-old blue hen was sent of eggs 14 days. She was not rushed and well looked after and had only one race out of Castletown 90 miles before her first trip to France to win best in Stillorgan Station, 2nd East Coast Fed, 3rd South Sect and 7th Open INFC.
5th North Section, 8th Open S & N Lester Laurelvale, Vel 635, flying 475 miles, winning £137.
The last few seasons have been special for the father and son partnership of Stephen and Norman Lester from Laurelvale HPS in Portadown, in the NIPA Premier OB National from St Malo in France they won the Best 2 Bird Ave in 2018 with 13th & 22nd Open and in the 2019 season well placed again to hold on to the trophy with 14th & 20th Open. In the Kings Cup at 475 miles their 3-year-old bird finished 8th Open in the INFC and was race favourite to collect the Joe Doheny Cup for the Single Bird Challenge. This year in the Blue Riband they timed a two-year-old hen sent on chipping eggs Tommy Beckett, John McMullen and Jock Reid breeding, mother of pigeon is grandmother of 8th Open in 2019 race. Stevie has been one of the top French racers in County Armagh this past few years great success, top loft. Thanks to Steve McGarry for his help with this, and local PO Simmo.
4th South Section, 9th Open Pat Lambert Arklow United RPC, Vel 588, flying 373 miles, winning £400.
Pat Lambert of Arklow is another loft that has been scoring top results for many years. Hi Willie, my bird is a 3 year old hen which has flown consistently from the channel as both a yearling and 2 year old. This was her first attempt at France. Her sire flew the channel many times and was the only bird in the club from the Kings cup in 2011, he is from my family of Norman Thompson and Jackie Waring birds. Her dam was purchased from Ged Hinchliffe UK clearance sale to cross into my birds. She has bred many winners from 600 miles up into the Pennines. I'm only interested in flying the channel, especially France and before that Thurso on the North Road, regards Pat.
First Gold Medal for South Section -
Some 40 years ago I proposed the Gold Medal award for 4 Times in the Kings Cup prizes with the same bird, the first season a bird was able to qualify was in 1982 and I was pleased to be asked to present Gold Medals to G M Kirkpatrick and John McCartan. It looked like something that could be achieved with ease, but that has not been the case, it is a very difficult award to win, and the record shows just 13 award winners in 40 years, it’s a real test achieved by long distance Champions.
I am doing a little update and I need details of winner's to be included. Breeding details and racing record, how prepared and any other items of interest. You might not be aware but on our Website http://www.pigeonnetwork.com we have a special dedicated section for the INFC History, lots of interesting bits there including the Gold Medal. At the minute I am learning how to do updates on this site which has been changed in the last year. Your details will be added and be included in an article to BHW & RP. E-mail: homerbhw@gmail.com
Double Kings Cup winner Joe Doheny from the Malahide & District became the first loft in Southern Ireland to land the INFC Gold Medal bringing up the total number won to just 14, and each one, an individual champion. When he won the Hall of Fame Diploma in 2019 the following was published.
Our next winner is one of Ireland’s top National fanciers Joe Doheny of Malahide. Joe also races with the East Coast Federation with whom he has topped the Fed many times. Joe tells me he timed his first pigeon from France back in 1965 and since then has spent a lifetime putting together a family of pigeons to compete at the top level of national racing. His record can only be described as outstanding, racing only a small team of birds. The highest entry Joe would send to France would be a team of 6. His wins with the I.N.F.C. are as follows; Joe has won the Kings cup twice and was 2nd Open to Liam McCall in 2017. He is also the winner of the Miller Gold Cup twice and was runner up on three occasions. He also placed 2nd Open I.N.F.C YB Penzance and has been I.N.F.C Nat Champion twice, now adding a Hall of Fame to this already bulging CV.
Joe has named his Hall of Fame winner “THE BEAST” as he is the most protective pigeon on the nest Joe has ever had, sometimes marking Joe’s hand with his temper. “The Beast” is a cracking 6-year-old check cock with a very impressive racing career. As a young bird He had 3 races, as a yearling he flew Talbenny & Penzance. Then as a two-year-old he flew two channel races and was sent to the Friendship National, arriving home at midday on the 2nd day just outside the result. As a three-year-old he again had two channel races and was then sent to the Kings Cup finishing 65th Open. The following year as four-year-old he again had his two channel races and then onto the Kings Cup where he finished 67th open. As a 5yr old Joe gave him 4 inland races plus the Kings Cup returning at 7am on the fourth morning just outside the 3 days race time. This year as “The Beast” had three 25-mile tosses prior to racing plus four inland races and a Bude, he was then sent to the Kings Cup finishing 112th Open and gaining a place in history winning the Hall of Fame Diploma.
Four Times in the Result in the Kings Cup Old Bird Grand National - Won by the following:
1982 Season - G M Kirkpatrick, Ballymacbrennan
1979 - 119th, 1980 - 83rd, 1981 - 62nd, 1982 - 14th
1982 Season - J McCartan, Annalong
1979 - 84th, 1980 - 97th, 1981 - 149th, 1982 - 17th
1992 Season - W Catherwood & Sons, Ballynahinch
1988 - 26th, 1989 - 133rd, 1991 - 7th, 1992 - 48th
1993 Season - M Conlon & Sons, Banbridge
1990 - 26th, 1991 - 14th, 1992 - 89th, 1993 - 68th
1994 Season - Ron Williamson, Bondhill Soc
1989 - 22nd, 1992 - 126th, 1993 - 113th, 1994 - 147th
1995 Season - F Scott & Son, Dromore HPS
1992 - 31st, 1993 - 67th, 1994 - 62nd, 1995 - 8th
1995 Season - Gordon Kirkpatrick, Ballymacbrennan
1991 - 47th, 1992 - 79th, 1993 - 49th, 1995 - 77th
1995 Season - Burns Bros, Comber Social
1992 - 114th, 1993 - 73rd, 1994 - 95th, 1995 - 188th
2011 Season - J Waring & Son, Lisburn & District
2005 - 24th, 2006 - 53rd, 2010 - 25th, 2011 - 163rd
2012 Season - Rev T.A.B. Sawyers & Son, Banbridge
2005 - 107th, 2010 - 134th, 2001 - 58th, 2012 - 41st
2012 Season - N Black & Son, Dromara
2009 - 241st, 2010 - 153rd, 2011 - 200th, 2012 - 52nd
2013 Season - John Greenaway, Bondhill Soc
2010 - 145th, 2011 - 241st, 2012 - 34th, 2013 - 159th
2018 Season - A McAteer & Sons, Ballyholland
2015 - 107th, 2016 - 27th, 2017 - 162nd, 2018 – 47th
2021 Season – J Doheny, Malahide & District
2016 – 62nd, 2017 – 60th, 2019 – 112th, 2021 – 39th
Mid Antrim Combine – Tough Kings Cup
The Irish National Flying Club held their Kings Cup Grand National race from St. Allouestre in France on Thursday 8th July. The birds were released in a light westerly wind at 6.30am. The race turned out a real endurance test with only 42 game birds making it to their lofts over the course of three-day event. Of the 42 arrivals only three of them were recorded in the Mid Antrim Combine and the best of these was timed by Stewart Brothers of Randalstown who clocked at 13.50pm on the second day. Their 3-year-old dark chequer hen sitting on eggs due to hatch had a 501 mile fly to the lofts situated at The Grange just a few miles outside Randalstown. The winning hen had 4 inland races and 1st Talbenny and was then well tossed before being sent to the Kings Cup. This Lambrecht hen was purchased in a kit of young birds from Jackie Steele of Rasharkin in 2018 and is bred from Jackie's No1 pair. The sire is the "38 Cock" he is sire of 1st Open NIPA Mullingar for Bertie Blair of Ballymena & Dist and is also sire of Jackie's own "Isla" 3 x 1st Section B as a young bird in 2018. A full sister to the "38 Cock" bred 1st Open NIPA Fermoy for J & M Milliken of Rasharkin. The Dam of the Kings Cup hen is "27" and she is also the dam of "Isla" The Stewart Brothers partnership consisting of 69-year-old Ian and his 66-year-old brother Eric have had many top National results over the years including the winning of two Hall Of Fames with the INFC in 2006 and 2009 along with 9th & 10th Open Penzance YB National and 10th Open Penzance Old Hens National in 2010. Their best position in the INFC Kings Cup prior to this season was 15th Open in 1999. This seasons 7th North Section and 13th Open INFC result just betters it and I'm sure many more top results will follow for the brothers.
Next best in the Combine was top National flyer Martin Graham of Ballymena & District clocking at 16.31pm on the second day after the 504 miles fly to his superb lofts on the Old Cullybackey Road. Martins’ hen which has been named "Wee Fiona" finished 12th North Section and 19th Open National and also wins the Duddy Extreme Distance Trophy for Saint Allouestre O.B. Furthest flying member in the King’s Cup open prizes. Martin's national record grows each season and only a week ago he was placed 50th, 100th & 110th Open in the NIPA St Malo OB National. He's had countless Top 20 national positions with his top wins being 1st Open INFC Sennen Cove Yearling National with Denman in 2018, 1st Open NIPA Skibbereen OB Inland National in 2004 and 2nd Open NIPA Lamballe OB Derby in 2003. Martin timed a 2-year-old chequer pied hen sitting 17 days on eggs due to the delay in race marking for the Kings Cup. Breeding on the sire's side is a son of Ronnie Williamson's "Golden Wonder" when paired to Martin's Famous "The Big Hen" while the dam is a daughter of "The Big Hen" this making Martin's bird a double granddaughter of "The Big Hen" The Breeding of "The Big Hen" is Norman Thompson (Walkinshaw) crossed with one of Martin's original Wildermersch cocks and she is now responsible for 59 (Fifty-Nine) NIPA & INFC National prize-winners for Martin. Another top result and his best Kings Cup finish to date.
The only other fancier to time an arrival in the Combine was Robert Alexander of Ballymena & Dist who timed his 4-year-old dark pied hen at 11.07am on the third morning flying 504 miles. The hen had just paired up 2 days before basketing and was having it's first ever channel race. Sire is an old Kenyon cock from William McKillen (Ballymena & Dist at the time). This cock contains all the old bloodlines of the famous Smyth Brothers of Ballymena who were twice 1st Open in INFC National races. The dam is bred down from stock obtained from another top distance loft Harry McCloy of Cullybackey. The hen finished 21st North Section and 30th Open National and is Robert's best performance to date. Well done all three of you. Mervyn Eagleson PO.
Mid Antrim Combine St. Allouestre Kings Cup - Stewart Bros Randalstown 585, Martin Graham Ballymena & District 532, Robert Alexander Ballymena & District 368.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds – Press Officer INFC
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Photo Captions
INFC Banner on top
Liam and Gertie McCall holding “Home Alone” the only bird on the day and the winner of this year’s Irish Kings Cup National with the INFC from France.
On the perch, the INFC Kings Cup winner “Home Alone” timed by Liam McCall of Wicklow.
A look back to 2017, Liam McCall (l) collects the Kings Cup from the previous season winners Mr & Mrs Magill of Muckamore HPS.
The 2017 Kings Cup winner for Liam McCall “Chloe” 1st Open INFC St Allouestre.
South Leinster Fed Montage for 2020 season, the Kings Cup winner “Home Alone” is middle left.
W R Capper of Bondhill, 1st North Sect & 2nd Open INFC Kings Cup winning Nelson Vase and NIPA Cup.
Tommy McClean of Annaghmore, 2nd North Sect & 3rd Open INFC St Allouestre. Holding the hen that was 3rd Open Kings cup and shortly after that photo was taken clocked a blue white flight cock to win 1st Open in the Friendship National Lamballe.
Fintan Moran of Malahide & District holding the 4th Open and Aoife with the 10th Open winners.
The 4th Open Kings Cup winner for Fintan Moran of Malahide & Dist.
The 10th Open Kings Cup winner for Fintan Moran, won Harkness Rose Bowl for Best 2B Ave with 4th Open bird, vel 644.
John Greenaway of Bondhill Social, 3rd North Sect & 5th Open INFC St Allouestre.
“Iron Man” won the Gold Medal & Diploma for John Greenaway of Bondhill.
Paddy Burns of Burns Brothers holding his arrival from this year’s Kings Cup, winning 4th North Sect & 6th Open INFC.
Phil and Mark Smith from Stillorgan, 2nd East Coast Fed, 3rd South Sect & 7th Open INFC St Allouestre.
3-year-old blue hen bred by Cyril Beattie and winner for P Smith & Son, Stillorgan.
S & N Lester from Laurelvale on a great run from France, 5th North Sect & 8th Open Kings Cup.
The winning bird for Pat Lambert of Arklow United RPC, 4th South Sect & 9th Open Kings Cup.
“The Beast” INFC Hall of Fame winner and now a Gold Medal winner for Joe Doneny, first South Sect winner in over 40 years.
Former Kings Cup winner Joe Doheny wins the Hall of Fame for the first time from Mrs Bessie Morrow at INFC presentation, “The Beast” has now won the Gold Medal.
Stewart Bros (Eric left with Ian) from Randalstown with their 1st Mid Antrim Combine winner in the Kings Cup St Allouestre.
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willie reynolds
- Posts: 6797
- Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2008 4:44 pm
Re: Kings Cup 2021 - 1st Open Liam McCall
INFC Kings Cup Grand National St Allouestre –
Clubs, Feds & Combines Update
Let me now review the premier race of the old bird racing season in Ireland, now named the Kings Cup Grand National which turned out a great success for Liam McCall of Wicklow who was to win the event for the second time. Despite the regulations for race marking etc we had a very reasonable entry with 495 members sending 2,511 birds just a few short of the race when it was last flown in 2019. Liam had won the Blue Riband event in 2017 (first bird clocked) and this year had the only bird on the day at 6.21pm to lift the Kings Cup for the second time to his loft in Rathnew sitting looking out to sea, what a location. Fintan Moran from Malahide & District timed two early arrivals on the second day to finish 4th & 10th Open and win the coveted Harkness Rose Bowl for the Best 2 Bird Average. Former Kings Cup winner’s, N Black & Sons timed three arrivals and others who timed two birds included A McAteer & Sons from Ballyholland and Rev T A B Sawyers from Banbridge both Gold Medal winners themselves, and N Grant & Sons from Dublin North County. Just 42 birds were recorded in race time and Joe Doheny was to win a Gold Medal timing his Champion “The Beast” which in 2019 had won the Hall of Fame Diploma.
Some 40 years ago I proposed at the AGM the Gold Medal award for 4 Times in the Kings Cup prizes with the same bird, the first season a bird was able to qualify was in 1982 and I was pleased to be asked to present Gold Medals to G M Kirkpatrick and John McCartan. It looked like something that could be achieved with ease, but that has not been the case, it is a very difficult award to win, and the record shows just 13 award winners in 40 years, it’s a real test achieved by long distance Champions and Joe Doheny wins the first Gold Medal awarded in the South Section.
Mid Antrim Combine – Tough Kings Cup
The Irish National Flying Club held their Kings Cup Grand National race from St. Allouestre in France on Thursday 8th July. The birds were released in a light westerly wind at 6.30am. The race turned out a real endurance test with only 42 game birds making it to their lofts over the course of three-day event. Of the 42 arrivals only three of them were recorded in the Mid Antrim Combine and the best of these was timed by Stewart Brothers of Randalstown who clocked at 13.50pm on the second day. Their 3-year-old dark chequer hen sitting on eggs due to hatch had 501 miles fly to the lofts situated at The Grange just a few miles outside Randalstown. The winning hen had 4 inland races and 1st Talbenny and was then well tossed before being sent to the Kings Cup. This Lambrecht hen was purchased in a kit of young birds from Jackie Steele of Rasharkin in 2018 and is bred from Jackie's No1 pair. The sire is the "38 Cock" he is sire of 1st Open NIPA Mullingar for Bertie Blair of Ballymena & Dist and is also sire of Jackie's own "Isla" 3 x 1st Section B as a young bird in 2018. A full sister to the "38 Cock" bred 1st Open NIPA Fermoy for J & M Milliken of Rasharkin. The dam of the Kings Cup hen is "27" and she is also the dam of "Isla" The Stewart Brothers partnership consisting of 69-year-old Ian and his 66-year-old brother Eric have had many top National results over the years including the winning of two Hall of Fames with the INFC in 2006 and 2009 along with 9th & 10th Open Penzance YB National and 10th Open Penzance Old Hens National in 2010. Their best position in the INFC Kings Cup prior to this season was 15th Open in 1999. This seasons 7th North Section and 13th Open INFC result just betters it and I'm sure many more top results will follow for the brothers.
Next best in the Combine was top National flyer Martin Graham of Ballymena & District clocking at 16.31pm on the second day after the 504 miles fly to his superb lofts on the Old Cullybackey Road. Martin hen which has been named "Wee Fiona" finished 12th North Section and 19th Open National, and also wins the Robin Duddy Extreme Distance Trophy for Saint Allouestre O.B. Furthest flying member in the King’s Cup open prizes. Martin's national record grows each season and only a week ago he was placed 50th, 100th & 110th Open in the NIPA St Malo OB National. He's had countless Top 20 National positions with his top wins being 1st Open INFC Sennen Cove Yearling National with “Denman” in 2018, 1st Open NIPA Skibbereen OB Inland National in 2004 and 2nd Open NIPA Lamballe OB Derby in 2003. Martin timed a 2-year-old chequer pied hen sitting 17 days on eggs due to the delay in race marking for the Kings Cup. Breeding on the sire's side is a son of Ronnie Williamson's "Golden Wonder" when paired to Martin's famous bird "The Big Hen" while the dam is a daughter of "The Big Hen" this making Martin's bird a double granddaughter of "The Big Hen" The Breeding of "The Big Hen" is Norman Thompson (Walkinshaw) crossed with one of Martin's original Van Wildemeersch cocks and she is now responsible for 59 (Fifty-Nine) NIPA & INFC National prize-winners for Martin. Another top result and his best Kings Cup finish to date.
The only other fancier to time an arrival in the Combine was Robert Alexander of Ballymena & District who timed his 4-year-old dark pied hen at 11.07am on the third morning flying 504 miles. The hen had just paired up 2 days before basketing and was having, it's first ever channel race. Sire is an old Kenyon cock from William McKillen (Ballymena & Dist at the time). This cock contains all the old bloodlines of the famous Smyth Brothers of Ballymena who were twice 1st Open in INFC National races. The dam is bred down from stock obtained from another top distance loft Harry McCloy of Cullybackey, racing the famous old bloodlines of the Reid Bros. The hen finished 21st North Section and 30th Open National and is Robert's best performance to date. Very well done all three of you keeping the flag flying for the Mid Antrim area. Mervyn Eagleson PO.
INFC Kings Cup Grand Nat St Allouestre 495/2511 race sponsored by Frazers Animal Feeds – L McCall Wicklow South Road 934, Capper Bros Bondhill 783, T McClean Annaghmore 739, F Moran Malahide & Dist 713, John Greenaway Bondhill 712, Burns Bros Comber Social 694, P Smith & Son Stillorgan 673, S & N Lester Laurelvale 635, P Lambert Arklow United RPC 588, F Moran Malahide & Dist 588, D McElhone Eastway 586, J Sharkey Castlebellingham 585, Stewart Bros Randalstown 585, Massey & Duffy Newtown Kilpedder 567, A McAteer & Sons Ballyholland 566, J McMaw Carrick Social 558, A Thompson Ballyclare 540, C McArdle & Sons Banbridge 533, Martin Graham Ballymena 532, Sean McLoughlin Crossgar 527.
INFC South Section St Allouestre 156/551 - L McCall Wicklow South Road 934, F Moran Malahide & Dist 713, P Smith & Son Stillorgan 673, P Lambert Arklow United RPC 588, F Moran Malahide & Dist 588, J Sharkey Castlebellingham 585, Massey & Duffy Newtown Kilpedder 567, D Corrigan Boyne Valley 510, G O’Reilly Malahide & Dist 295, N Grant & Sons Dublin North County 287.
INFC North Section St Allouestre 339/1904 - Capper Bros Bondhill 783, T McClean Annaghmore 739, John Greenaway Bondhill 712, Burns Bros Comber Social 694, S & N Lester Laurelvale 635, D McElhone Eastway 586, Stewart Bros Randalstown 585, A McAteer & Sons Ballyholland 566, J McMaw Carrick Social 558, A Thompson Ballyclare 540, C McArdle & Sons Banbridge 533, Martin Graham Ballymena 532, Sean McLoughlin Crossgar 527, Rev T A B Sawyers & Son Banbridge 508, S & W English Lisburn & District 500, N Black & Son Dromara 496, N Black & Son 489, John Trimble & Grandson Annalong 464.
Muckamore Starion St Allouestre – D McElhone Eastway 588, Stewart Bros Randalstown 585, J McMaw Carrick Social 558, A Thompson Ballyclare 540, Martin Graham Ballymena 532, Robert Alexander Ballymena 368.
NIPA (INFC) St Allouestre Kings Cup St Allouestre - Capper Bros Bondhill 783, T McClean Annaghmore 739, John Greenaway Bondhill 712, S & N Lester Laurelvale 635, D McElhone Eastway 586, Stewart Bros Randalstown 585, A McAteer & Sons Ballyholland 566, J McMaw Carrick Social 558, A Thompson Ballyclare 540, C McArdle & Sons Banbridge 533, Martin Graham Ballymena 532, Rev T A B Sawyers & Son Banbridge 523, Rev T A B Sawyers & Son 508, S & W English Lisburn & District 500, N Black & Son Dromara 496, N Black & Son 489, R Alexander Ballymena 368, Mark Maguire & Son Millvale 347, N Black & Son 339, W Catherwood & Sons Harmony 325, Tadhg Kelly Coalisland 315, A Cherry Annaghmore 278, A McAteer & Sons Ballyholland 277.
(INFC Grand National King’s Cup) – East Down Combine Saint Allouestre. Burns Bros Comber Social HPS 6th INFC 4th North Sect 1st EDC Vel 694.97, Sean Mc Loughlin Crossgar HPS 20th INFC 13th North Sect 2nd EDC Vel 527.22, J Trimble & G/Son Zack Annalong HPS 28th INFC 20th North Sect 3rd EDC Vel 464.40, Gordon Bros & Sons Killyleagh Central HPS 38th INFC 27th North Sect 4th EDC Vel 280.48 Congratulations to Burns Bros (Paddy) on winning the EDC from Saint Allouestre.
East Coast Federation (Dublin) St Allouestre INFC - 1 F Moran Malahide & District 713.47, 2 P Smith & Son Stillorgan 673.32, 3 F Moran Malahide & District 588.04, 4 J Sharkey Castlebellingham 585.86, 5 D Corrigan Boyne Valley 510.26, 6 G O'Reilly Malahide & District 295.11, 7 J Doheny Malahide & District 280.48.
Irish South Road Federation St Allouestre – N Grant & Sons Dublin North County 287, N Grant & Sons 262.
East Antrim Combined St Allouestre - Davy McElhone Eastway 588, Jeff McMaw Carrick Social 558, Arnold Thompson Ballyclare 540.
Mid Antrim Combine St Allouestre - Stewart Bros Randalstown 585, Martin Graham Ballymena 532, Robert Alexander Ballymena 368.
INFC Clubs Saint Allouestre Kings Cup
Wicklow South Road – Liam McCall 934.
Bondhill – Capper Bros 783, John Greenaway 712.
Annaghmore – Tom McClean 739, A Cherry 278. Brilliant Tommy great days racing, Tommy's 3rd Open Kings Cup hen was bred by Eamon Quigley in Inch Island Donegal. Tommy phoned me this morning to tell me he says that's this hen’s 3rd time out of France brilliant Tommy well done again. Eamon Quigley.
Malahide & District – Fintan Moran 713, Fintan Moran 588, Gerry O’Reilly 295, Joe Doheny 280.
Comber Social – Burns Bros 694. Paddy Burns of Burns Brothers holding his arrival from this year’s Kings Cup. She was timed at 8.58am second morning from an entry of four pigeons. She is a Granddaughter of his great hen Dolly. This loft has won many prizes from France over the years only sending a small entry in all races. His most recent top positions have been 3rd Open Friendship National 2016, 8th Open Kings Cup 2017, 3rd Open East Down Combine St Malo 2020. Congratulations to Burns Bros (Paddy) on winning the EDC from Saint Allouestre this year.
Stillorgan – P Smith & Son 673.
Laurelvale – S & N Lester 635.
Arklow United RPC – Pat Lambert 588.
Eastway – Davy McElhone 586.
Castlebellingham – J Sharkey 585.
Randalstown HPS – Stewart Bros 585.
Newtown Kilpedder – Massey & Duffy 567.
Ballyholland – A McAteer & Sons 566, 277.
Carrick Social – Jeff McMaw 558.
Ballyclare & District – Arnold Thompson 540.
Banbridge – C McArdle & Sons 533, Rev T A B Sawyers & Son 523, 508.
Ballymena & District HPS – Martin Graham 532, Robert Alexander 368.
Crossgar HPS – Sean McLoughlin 527.
Drumnavaddy Invitation - Rev T A B Sawyers & Son 523, 508.
Edgarstown – Paul Dunlop 518. Well done Paul the only man to time in the club from a very hard race his winner has the best of Paul’s old distance lines tracing back to his OB Derby winner in 1991 Paul’s record from these races are second to none.
Boyne Valley – D Corrigan 510.
Lisburn & District – S & W English 500.
Dromara – N Black & Son 496, 489, 339.
Annalong – John Trimble & Grandson 464.
Bray Invitation – James Cullen 425.
Millvale – Mark Maguire & Son 347.
Newry & District H.P.S - Mark pictured below holding his prize bird being the only bird timed in Race Time in Newry & District timing at 10:03am on the 3rd day. This pigeon has multiple open positions for Mark and is down from the Maguire Family distance bloodlines. Well Done Mark Maguire & Son.
Harmony HPS – W Catherwood & Sons 325.
Coalisland & District – Tadhg Kelly 315.
Dublin North County – N Grant & Sons 287, 262.
Killyleagh Central – Gordon Bros & Sons 286.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds – Press Officer INFC
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: homerbhw@gmail.com
http://www.pigeonnetwork.com
http://www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
http://www.niparacingpigeons.co.uk
http://www.infc.co.uk
www.elimarpigeons.com
Photo Captions Clubs, Feds & Combines
INFC Banner/logo
Liam and Gerti McCall holding “Home Alone” the only bird on the day and the winner of this year’s Kings Cup Grand National with the INFC from France. It was a pleasure for me to verify the winner as clock station manager yesterday, congratulations again from your many friends and the St Leinster Federation committee. Eamonn O’Brien.
“Home Alone” only bird on the day for Liam McCall of Wicklow and wins for the loft the Blue Riband Kings Cup for the second time.
The fantastic loft of Liam McCall in Wicklow, home of two Kings Cup winners.
W R Capper of Bondhill Social, best in the NIPA and recent Kings Cup positions of 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th Open INFC.
Tommy McClean of Annaghmore holding the hen that was 3rd open Kings Cup and shortly after that photo was taken, he clocked a blue w/f cock to win 1st open in the INFC Friendship National.
Harkness Rose Bowl was won by Fintan Moran of Malahide & District, best 2 Bird Average in the Kings Cup. Red Cheq (c) IHU18S-075725 winner of 2nd South Sect & 4th Open INFC Kings Cup Grand Nat Saint Allouestre 495/2511 for Fintan Moran of Malahide & District. Velocity 713 flying 408 Miles.
Cheq Pied (h) IHU19S-063561 winner of 5th South Sect & 10th Open INFC Kings Cup Grand Nat Saint Allouestre 495/2511 for Fintan Moran of Malahide & District. Velocity 588 flying 408 Miles.
Wesley Sawyers from Banbridge holding 21st and 24th Open INFC Kings Cup in 2021.
Paul Dunlop had the only bird home in the Portadown based Edgarstown HPS.
John Greenaway from Bondhill well placed again in a major race from France. See photo supplied by John, Blue cock on my right was 5th Open and 3rd North Section Kings Cup St Allouestre winning £874, which is a direct son of my Gold Medal winner “Iron Man” INFC 2013. His ‘Millennium Lady’ is the same lines, it won St Malo with the NIPA in 2000. Blue Checker in my left was 20th Open and 18th North Section Lambelle Friendship Nat bred down from the racer’s.
“Iron Man '' won the Gold Medal & Diploma for John Greenaway of Bondhill Social.
S & N Lester had the only bird home in Laurelvale, another loft with an excellent record from France.
Stewart Bros of Randalstown (Eric left with Ian) with their 1st Mid Antrim Combine in the Kings Cup.
Martin Graham from Ballymena & District holding “Wee Fiona” 19th Open in the Kings Cup.
Robert Alexander had the second bird home into Ballymena from the seasons very difficult Kings Cup race from St Allouestre in France flying over 500 miles.
Mark Maguire & Son timed early on the 3rd day to record the only bird home in both Millvale and Newry & District.
Jeff McMaw (r) receiving his NIPA Bronze France Diploma from Carrick Soc secretary George Robinson from a few years back.
The Hall of Fame winner for Arnold Thompson of Ballyclare & District.
All photos published in Elimar Pigeons under Irish Nat FC plus all results in 2021.
Clubs, Feds & Combines Update
Let me now review the premier race of the old bird racing season in Ireland, now named the Kings Cup Grand National which turned out a great success for Liam McCall of Wicklow who was to win the event for the second time. Despite the regulations for race marking etc we had a very reasonable entry with 495 members sending 2,511 birds just a few short of the race when it was last flown in 2019. Liam had won the Blue Riband event in 2017 (first bird clocked) and this year had the only bird on the day at 6.21pm to lift the Kings Cup for the second time to his loft in Rathnew sitting looking out to sea, what a location. Fintan Moran from Malahide & District timed two early arrivals on the second day to finish 4th & 10th Open and win the coveted Harkness Rose Bowl for the Best 2 Bird Average. Former Kings Cup winner’s, N Black & Sons timed three arrivals and others who timed two birds included A McAteer & Sons from Ballyholland and Rev T A B Sawyers from Banbridge both Gold Medal winners themselves, and N Grant & Sons from Dublin North County. Just 42 birds were recorded in race time and Joe Doheny was to win a Gold Medal timing his Champion “The Beast” which in 2019 had won the Hall of Fame Diploma.
Some 40 years ago I proposed at the AGM the Gold Medal award for 4 Times in the Kings Cup prizes with the same bird, the first season a bird was able to qualify was in 1982 and I was pleased to be asked to present Gold Medals to G M Kirkpatrick and John McCartan. It looked like something that could be achieved with ease, but that has not been the case, it is a very difficult award to win, and the record shows just 13 award winners in 40 years, it’s a real test achieved by long distance Champions and Joe Doheny wins the first Gold Medal awarded in the South Section.
Mid Antrim Combine – Tough Kings Cup
The Irish National Flying Club held their Kings Cup Grand National race from St. Allouestre in France on Thursday 8th July. The birds were released in a light westerly wind at 6.30am. The race turned out a real endurance test with only 42 game birds making it to their lofts over the course of three-day event. Of the 42 arrivals only three of them were recorded in the Mid Antrim Combine and the best of these was timed by Stewart Brothers of Randalstown who clocked at 13.50pm on the second day. Their 3-year-old dark chequer hen sitting on eggs due to hatch had 501 miles fly to the lofts situated at The Grange just a few miles outside Randalstown. The winning hen had 4 inland races and 1st Talbenny and was then well tossed before being sent to the Kings Cup. This Lambrecht hen was purchased in a kit of young birds from Jackie Steele of Rasharkin in 2018 and is bred from Jackie's No1 pair. The sire is the "38 Cock" he is sire of 1st Open NIPA Mullingar for Bertie Blair of Ballymena & Dist and is also sire of Jackie's own "Isla" 3 x 1st Section B as a young bird in 2018. A full sister to the "38 Cock" bred 1st Open NIPA Fermoy for J & M Milliken of Rasharkin. The dam of the Kings Cup hen is "27" and she is also the dam of "Isla" The Stewart Brothers partnership consisting of 69-year-old Ian and his 66-year-old brother Eric have had many top National results over the years including the winning of two Hall of Fames with the INFC in 2006 and 2009 along with 9th & 10th Open Penzance YB National and 10th Open Penzance Old Hens National in 2010. Their best position in the INFC Kings Cup prior to this season was 15th Open in 1999. This seasons 7th North Section and 13th Open INFC result just betters it and I'm sure many more top results will follow for the brothers.
Next best in the Combine was top National flyer Martin Graham of Ballymena & District clocking at 16.31pm on the second day after the 504 miles fly to his superb lofts on the Old Cullybackey Road. Martin hen which has been named "Wee Fiona" finished 12th North Section and 19th Open National, and also wins the Robin Duddy Extreme Distance Trophy for Saint Allouestre O.B. Furthest flying member in the King’s Cup open prizes. Martin's national record grows each season and only a week ago he was placed 50th, 100th & 110th Open in the NIPA St Malo OB National. He's had countless Top 20 National positions with his top wins being 1st Open INFC Sennen Cove Yearling National with “Denman” in 2018, 1st Open NIPA Skibbereen OB Inland National in 2004 and 2nd Open NIPA Lamballe OB Derby in 2003. Martin timed a 2-year-old chequer pied hen sitting 17 days on eggs due to the delay in race marking for the Kings Cup. Breeding on the sire's side is a son of Ronnie Williamson's "Golden Wonder" when paired to Martin's famous bird "The Big Hen" while the dam is a daughter of "The Big Hen" this making Martin's bird a double granddaughter of "The Big Hen" The Breeding of "The Big Hen" is Norman Thompson (Walkinshaw) crossed with one of Martin's original Van Wildemeersch cocks and she is now responsible for 59 (Fifty-Nine) NIPA & INFC National prize-winners for Martin. Another top result and his best Kings Cup finish to date.
The only other fancier to time an arrival in the Combine was Robert Alexander of Ballymena & District who timed his 4-year-old dark pied hen at 11.07am on the third morning flying 504 miles. The hen had just paired up 2 days before basketing and was having, it's first ever channel race. Sire is an old Kenyon cock from William McKillen (Ballymena & Dist at the time). This cock contains all the old bloodlines of the famous Smyth Brothers of Ballymena who were twice 1st Open in INFC National races. The dam is bred down from stock obtained from another top distance loft Harry McCloy of Cullybackey, racing the famous old bloodlines of the Reid Bros. The hen finished 21st North Section and 30th Open National and is Robert's best performance to date. Very well done all three of you keeping the flag flying for the Mid Antrim area. Mervyn Eagleson PO.
INFC Kings Cup Grand Nat St Allouestre 495/2511 race sponsored by Frazers Animal Feeds – L McCall Wicklow South Road 934, Capper Bros Bondhill 783, T McClean Annaghmore 739, F Moran Malahide & Dist 713, John Greenaway Bondhill 712, Burns Bros Comber Social 694, P Smith & Son Stillorgan 673, S & N Lester Laurelvale 635, P Lambert Arklow United RPC 588, F Moran Malahide & Dist 588, D McElhone Eastway 586, J Sharkey Castlebellingham 585, Stewart Bros Randalstown 585, Massey & Duffy Newtown Kilpedder 567, A McAteer & Sons Ballyholland 566, J McMaw Carrick Social 558, A Thompson Ballyclare 540, C McArdle & Sons Banbridge 533, Martin Graham Ballymena 532, Sean McLoughlin Crossgar 527.
INFC South Section St Allouestre 156/551 - L McCall Wicklow South Road 934, F Moran Malahide & Dist 713, P Smith & Son Stillorgan 673, P Lambert Arklow United RPC 588, F Moran Malahide & Dist 588, J Sharkey Castlebellingham 585, Massey & Duffy Newtown Kilpedder 567, D Corrigan Boyne Valley 510, G O’Reilly Malahide & Dist 295, N Grant & Sons Dublin North County 287.
INFC North Section St Allouestre 339/1904 - Capper Bros Bondhill 783, T McClean Annaghmore 739, John Greenaway Bondhill 712, Burns Bros Comber Social 694, S & N Lester Laurelvale 635, D McElhone Eastway 586, Stewart Bros Randalstown 585, A McAteer & Sons Ballyholland 566, J McMaw Carrick Social 558, A Thompson Ballyclare 540, C McArdle & Sons Banbridge 533, Martin Graham Ballymena 532, Sean McLoughlin Crossgar 527, Rev T A B Sawyers & Son Banbridge 508, S & W English Lisburn & District 500, N Black & Son Dromara 496, N Black & Son 489, John Trimble & Grandson Annalong 464.
Muckamore Starion St Allouestre – D McElhone Eastway 588, Stewart Bros Randalstown 585, J McMaw Carrick Social 558, A Thompson Ballyclare 540, Martin Graham Ballymena 532, Robert Alexander Ballymena 368.
NIPA (INFC) St Allouestre Kings Cup St Allouestre - Capper Bros Bondhill 783, T McClean Annaghmore 739, John Greenaway Bondhill 712, S & N Lester Laurelvale 635, D McElhone Eastway 586, Stewart Bros Randalstown 585, A McAteer & Sons Ballyholland 566, J McMaw Carrick Social 558, A Thompson Ballyclare 540, C McArdle & Sons Banbridge 533, Martin Graham Ballymena 532, Rev T A B Sawyers & Son Banbridge 523, Rev T A B Sawyers & Son 508, S & W English Lisburn & District 500, N Black & Son Dromara 496, N Black & Son 489, R Alexander Ballymena 368, Mark Maguire & Son Millvale 347, N Black & Son 339, W Catherwood & Sons Harmony 325, Tadhg Kelly Coalisland 315, A Cherry Annaghmore 278, A McAteer & Sons Ballyholland 277.
(INFC Grand National King’s Cup) – East Down Combine Saint Allouestre. Burns Bros Comber Social HPS 6th INFC 4th North Sect 1st EDC Vel 694.97, Sean Mc Loughlin Crossgar HPS 20th INFC 13th North Sect 2nd EDC Vel 527.22, J Trimble & G/Son Zack Annalong HPS 28th INFC 20th North Sect 3rd EDC Vel 464.40, Gordon Bros & Sons Killyleagh Central HPS 38th INFC 27th North Sect 4th EDC Vel 280.48 Congratulations to Burns Bros (Paddy) on winning the EDC from Saint Allouestre.
East Coast Federation (Dublin) St Allouestre INFC - 1 F Moran Malahide & District 713.47, 2 P Smith & Son Stillorgan 673.32, 3 F Moran Malahide & District 588.04, 4 J Sharkey Castlebellingham 585.86, 5 D Corrigan Boyne Valley 510.26, 6 G O'Reilly Malahide & District 295.11, 7 J Doheny Malahide & District 280.48.
Irish South Road Federation St Allouestre – N Grant & Sons Dublin North County 287, N Grant & Sons 262.
East Antrim Combined St Allouestre - Davy McElhone Eastway 588, Jeff McMaw Carrick Social 558, Arnold Thompson Ballyclare 540.
Mid Antrim Combine St Allouestre - Stewart Bros Randalstown 585, Martin Graham Ballymena 532, Robert Alexander Ballymena 368.
INFC Clubs Saint Allouestre Kings Cup
Wicklow South Road – Liam McCall 934.
Bondhill – Capper Bros 783, John Greenaway 712.
Annaghmore – Tom McClean 739, A Cherry 278. Brilliant Tommy great days racing, Tommy's 3rd Open Kings Cup hen was bred by Eamon Quigley in Inch Island Donegal. Tommy phoned me this morning to tell me he says that's this hen’s 3rd time out of France brilliant Tommy well done again. Eamon Quigley.
Malahide & District – Fintan Moran 713, Fintan Moran 588, Gerry O’Reilly 295, Joe Doheny 280.
Comber Social – Burns Bros 694. Paddy Burns of Burns Brothers holding his arrival from this year’s Kings Cup. She was timed at 8.58am second morning from an entry of four pigeons. She is a Granddaughter of his great hen Dolly. This loft has won many prizes from France over the years only sending a small entry in all races. His most recent top positions have been 3rd Open Friendship National 2016, 8th Open Kings Cup 2017, 3rd Open East Down Combine St Malo 2020. Congratulations to Burns Bros (Paddy) on winning the EDC from Saint Allouestre this year.
Stillorgan – P Smith & Son 673.
Laurelvale – S & N Lester 635.
Arklow United RPC – Pat Lambert 588.
Eastway – Davy McElhone 586.
Castlebellingham – J Sharkey 585.
Randalstown HPS – Stewart Bros 585.
Newtown Kilpedder – Massey & Duffy 567.
Ballyholland – A McAteer & Sons 566, 277.
Carrick Social – Jeff McMaw 558.
Ballyclare & District – Arnold Thompson 540.
Banbridge – C McArdle & Sons 533, Rev T A B Sawyers & Son 523, 508.
Ballymena & District HPS – Martin Graham 532, Robert Alexander 368.
Crossgar HPS – Sean McLoughlin 527.
Drumnavaddy Invitation - Rev T A B Sawyers & Son 523, 508.
Edgarstown – Paul Dunlop 518. Well done Paul the only man to time in the club from a very hard race his winner has the best of Paul’s old distance lines tracing back to his OB Derby winner in 1991 Paul’s record from these races are second to none.
Boyne Valley – D Corrigan 510.
Lisburn & District – S & W English 500.
Dromara – N Black & Son 496, 489, 339.
Annalong – John Trimble & Grandson 464.
Bray Invitation – James Cullen 425.
Millvale – Mark Maguire & Son 347.
Newry & District H.P.S - Mark pictured below holding his prize bird being the only bird timed in Race Time in Newry & District timing at 10:03am on the 3rd day. This pigeon has multiple open positions for Mark and is down from the Maguire Family distance bloodlines. Well Done Mark Maguire & Son.
Harmony HPS – W Catherwood & Sons 325.
Coalisland & District – Tadhg Kelly 315.
Dublin North County – N Grant & Sons 287, 262.
Killyleagh Central – Gordon Bros & Sons 286.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds – Press Officer INFC
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: homerbhw@gmail.com
http://www.pigeonnetwork.com
http://www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
http://www.niparacingpigeons.co.uk
http://www.infc.co.uk
www.elimarpigeons.com
Photo Captions Clubs, Feds & Combines
INFC Banner/logo
Liam and Gerti McCall holding “Home Alone” the only bird on the day and the winner of this year’s Kings Cup Grand National with the INFC from France. It was a pleasure for me to verify the winner as clock station manager yesterday, congratulations again from your many friends and the St Leinster Federation committee. Eamonn O’Brien.
“Home Alone” only bird on the day for Liam McCall of Wicklow and wins for the loft the Blue Riband Kings Cup for the second time.
The fantastic loft of Liam McCall in Wicklow, home of two Kings Cup winners.
W R Capper of Bondhill Social, best in the NIPA and recent Kings Cup positions of 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th Open INFC.
Tommy McClean of Annaghmore holding the hen that was 3rd open Kings Cup and shortly after that photo was taken, he clocked a blue w/f cock to win 1st open in the INFC Friendship National.
Harkness Rose Bowl was won by Fintan Moran of Malahide & District, best 2 Bird Average in the Kings Cup. Red Cheq (c) IHU18S-075725 winner of 2nd South Sect & 4th Open INFC Kings Cup Grand Nat Saint Allouestre 495/2511 for Fintan Moran of Malahide & District. Velocity 713 flying 408 Miles.
Cheq Pied (h) IHU19S-063561 winner of 5th South Sect & 10th Open INFC Kings Cup Grand Nat Saint Allouestre 495/2511 for Fintan Moran of Malahide & District. Velocity 588 flying 408 Miles.
Wesley Sawyers from Banbridge holding 21st and 24th Open INFC Kings Cup in 2021.
Paul Dunlop had the only bird home in the Portadown based Edgarstown HPS.
John Greenaway from Bondhill well placed again in a major race from France. See photo supplied by John, Blue cock on my right was 5th Open and 3rd North Section Kings Cup St Allouestre winning £874, which is a direct son of my Gold Medal winner “Iron Man” INFC 2013. His ‘Millennium Lady’ is the same lines, it won St Malo with the NIPA in 2000. Blue Checker in my left was 20th Open and 18th North Section Lambelle Friendship Nat bred down from the racer’s.
“Iron Man '' won the Gold Medal & Diploma for John Greenaway of Bondhill Social.
S & N Lester had the only bird home in Laurelvale, another loft with an excellent record from France.
Stewart Bros of Randalstown (Eric left with Ian) with their 1st Mid Antrim Combine in the Kings Cup.
Martin Graham from Ballymena & District holding “Wee Fiona” 19th Open in the Kings Cup.
Robert Alexander had the second bird home into Ballymena from the seasons very difficult Kings Cup race from St Allouestre in France flying over 500 miles.
Mark Maguire & Son timed early on the 3rd day to record the only bird home in both Millvale and Newry & District.
Jeff McMaw (r) receiving his NIPA Bronze France Diploma from Carrick Soc secretary George Robinson from a few years back.
The Hall of Fame winner for Arnold Thompson of Ballyclare & District.
All photos published in Elimar Pigeons under Irish Nat FC plus all results in 2021.