The fifth young bird race of the season was from Gowran Park in County Kilkenny. The NIPA released their 11,694 birds on Monday 16th August at 10.45am in light westerly winds. At the home end the wind was north westerly, and the race turned out another tough test for the young birds. Johnston Eagleson & Sons of Ballymena & District clocked the best bird in the local area at 14.20pm to win 1st Mid Antrim Combine and 1st Section B on 1296ypm. Their winner a blue chequer hen was 9 minutes clear in the town. The sire is Van Den Bulck and was purchased from Trevor Simpson of York and is a grandson of both "Kittel" and "Best Kittel" while the Lambrecht dam and her nestmate were purchased in a kit of 6 young birds from Jackie Steele of Rasharkin in 2020. She has won numerous prizes and her nestmate won 2 x1st in the old bird season including 3rd Combine Fermoy. Sire is a son of Jackie's good 38 cock and dam a sister to his famous 02 hen. The Eagleson loft has now topped the Combine on three occasions this season. Next best and runners up in both the Combine and Section were Mr & Mrs Robinson of Ahoghill on 1275 followed by John Miller of Randalstown on 1250 who was winning for the fifth race on the trot. Keith & Ken Kernohan had the best two birds in Harryville HPS both doing velocity1241, their winner was bred from the best of their Vermeerbergen stock. Davy Houston & Son topped Broughshane doing 1239, Surgenor Bros best in Kells 1238, Trevor Whyte had the best two birds in Rasharkin & District 1220 and Gary Gibson had the top two in Cullybackey on 1217. Mervyn Eagleson PO.
Mid Antrim Combine Gowran Park 30/626 - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1296, Mr & Mrs Robinson Ahoghill 1275, John Miller Randalstown 1250, D Houston & Son Associate 1239, Surgenor Bros Kells 1238, J Rock Associate 1237, A McBride Associate 1223, T Whyte Rasharkin 1220, R H Clements Associate 1218, W & J Smyth Ballymena 1218, G Gibson Associate 1217, T Whyte Rasharkin 1203, A McBride Associate 1201, G Gibson Associate 1195, A McBride Associate 1191, Young & McManus Ahoghill 1189, R H Clements Associate 1188, G Gibson Associate 1187, T & M Morrow Associate 1183, J Rock Associate 1181.
Ballymena Area Clubs Gowran Park
Ballymena & District HPS 5/64 – J Eagleson & Sons 1296, W & J Smyth 1218, Blair & Rankin 1161, J Eagleson & Sons 1119, Blair & Rankin 1110, Reynolds & McCormick 1110, J Eagleson & Sons 1098, Blair & Rankin 1086.
Ahoghill Flying Club 6/110 – Mr & Mrs Robinson 1275, Young McManus & Sons 1189, J Smyth & Son 1154, 1138, Young McManus & Sons 1121, Mr & Mrs Robinson 1113, T & G Balmer 1082, Mr & Mrs Robinson 1082, C Moore 1080, A Shiels 966. Brooke Supplies 2 Bird Club – C Moore 1080.
Randalstown HPS 2/66 – J Millar 1250, 1132, 1112, Stewart Bros 1102, 1090, J Millar 1089, Stewart Bros 1040, 998.
Harryville HPS 8/158 – K & K Kernohan 1241, 1241, J Rock 1237, A McBride 1223, R H Clements 1218, W & D Rodgers 1215, A McBride 1201, K & K Kernohan 1198, A McBride 1191, R H Clements 1188.
Broughshane & District HPS 4/48 – D Houston & Son 1239, T & M Morrow 1183, D Houston & Son 1108, T & M Morrow 1092, Smyth & Wylie 1008, 999, 958.
Kells & District 4/67 – Surgenor Bros 1238, A Barkley & Son 1091, Surgenor Bros 1075, 1066, 1058, 1026, H Turkington 1021, McFarlane & Agnew 955. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – A Barkley & Son 1091, Surgenor Bros 1026, McFarlane & Agnew 955. I have had the very sad news that Alan Barkley has passed away suddenly at RVH Belfast, long-time member of the Kells & District and the loft has raced for 50 years. The loft were not only top racers, but Alan was dedicated to the Show Scene and was Show Secretary for numerous seasons and ran the Open Show. He also supported all the local clubs and was ever present aa the many Open Shows, although they are in decline, and A Barkley & Son won many cards up to Best in Show and Best Opposite Sex. He also made himself available to judge locally and was a regular visitor to Ballymena & District, he will be sadly missed. As a mark of respect, the local club won’t be sending birds to the next race. A graveside Service was held at Connor New Cemetery last Saturday. Donations if desired for Royal Victoria Hospital I.C.U c/o James Stevenson & Son, 30 Cushendall Road, Ballymena. Sincere condolences to wife Rae and, the entire family circle at this sad time
Rasharkin & District HPS 7/167 – T Whyte 120, 1203, J & M Milliken 1159, F Barkley 1128, 1105, W McFetridge 1083. Danny Dixon – 1160, 1139. Congratulations to Trevor Whyte taking top spots from a Tough race from Gowran park
Cullybackey HPS – Gary Gibson 1217, 1195, J & J Greer 1187, Gary Gibson 1155.
