The final NIPA race of the season was the Skibbereen YB National from County Cork. Birds were released at 9.30am on Saturday 11th September in a light westerly wind. The race turned out an erratic event with large gaps between arrivals and many birds homing after dinner time and the following day. Danny Dixon of Dunloy topped Mid Antrim Combine after timing at 15.26pm to record 1314. The blue hen is bred down from the best of Gary Gibson's Stickers-Donckers stock and is also an aunt to D C & P McArdle's of Armagh 1st Open Skibbereen YB National winner this week. Next best in the area was the Rasharkin winner's John & Mark Milliken on 1246 followed by the Harryville Centre winner's Ken & Keith Kernohan on 1159. The sire of their winner is direct from Vermeerbergen/Wilms and is closely related to "Dali" and "Salvador " The dam is from father and daughter mating and is related to multiple winners. Keith said a bit of luck with this bird as it was lost in a training toss before racing as was thankfully reported by Albert Cousins. Other local club winners included last week’s Talbenny 1st Section winner Gary Gibson of Cullybackey, the Ahoghill Centre winners Mr & Mrs Robinson on 1134, Davy Houston & Son again best in Broughshane, John Miller with another winner in Randalstown and last week's Tullamore 1st Combine winners Robert Service & Son with the top two positions in Ballymena & Dist. Please submit claims for Bird of the Year, both Old Bird and Young Bird.All the NIPA races including 5 Bird and Penzance Classic, 15 Points for 1st down to 1 Point for 15th. Claims require Club Result sheets with Ring Number of the bird included to Mervyn if possible. Mervyn Eagleson PO
Mid Antrim Combine Skibbereen YB National 22/145 - D Dixon Rasharkin 1314, 1288, 1270, J & M Milliken Rasharkin 1246, D Dixon Rasharkin 1221, 1166, 1166, G Gibson Associate 1149, Mr & Mrs Robinson Ahoghill 1134, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1133, Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1133, D Houston & Son Associate 1128, D Dixon Rasharkin 1127, J Rock Associate 1124, J Miller Randalstown 1111, R H Clements Associate 1110, J & M Milliken Rasharkin 1105, D Dixon Rasharkin 1085, J & M Milliken Rasharkin 1066, R Service & Son Ballymena 1059, R Service & Son Ballymena 1059, Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1056, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1047.
Ballymena Area Clubs Skibbereen
Rasharkin & District – J & M Milliken 1246, 1105, 1066. Danny Dixon – 1314, 1288, 1270, 1221, 1166, 1166, 1127, 1085.
Harryville HPS 9/43 – K & K Kernohan 1159, J Rock 1124, K & K Kernohan 1117, R H Clements 1110, K & K Kernohan 1069, L Mullan 1051, S Crawford 1040, L Mullan 957, A McBride 956, 945, K & K Kernohan 894. The Ballykeel based Kernohan loft top the Harryville Centre from Skibbereen.
Ahoghill Flying Club – Mr & Mrs Robinson 1134, J Smyth & Son 1133, Young McManus & Sons 1133, 1056, J Smyth & Son 1047, Young McManus & Sons 1034, J Smyth & Son 948, 921, C Moore 921, Young McManus & Sons 920.
Broughshane & District 1/4 – D Houston & Son 1128, 980.
Cullybackey – G Gibson 1149, C & R McIntyre 1104, 1102, 1097, J & J Greer 1086, C & R McIntyre 1083, G Gibson 1039, 986, J & J Greer 894, G Gibson 888, 883.
Randalstown HPS 3/17 – John Millar 1111, 1036, Stewart Bros 866.
Ballymena & District HPS 2/16 – R Service & Son 1059, 1059, Blair & Rankkin 1019, R Service & Son, R Service & Son. Last week’s Tullamore Combine winners Robert Service & Son made it three club wins on the trot. Sire of their winning Blue Pied hen is their old Soontjen cock that is sire of 12 x 1sts. Dam is a gift hen from Jimmy Rock of Harryville HPS. This pair have already bred 1st prize-winners, a great line.
