The opening pigeon race of the season was flown from Tullamore in County Offaly on Saturday 16th April. The NIPA liberated the 13,511 birds at 10.30am in a southerly wind. The best bird in the local area was recorded was by Trevor Whyte of Rasharkin who timed at 12.19pm for the 125 mile fly to his lofts. Trevor recorded his best ever result winning 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 1st Section B and 1st Open NIPA 511/13511 on velocity 2011. His winning 2 year old dark pied Lambrechts cock was sitting eggs 10 days has won good prizes in the past including last season 2nd club (bblm) & 12th Combine from Roscrea. Sire of the winner was bred by clubmates W & J McLean and the dam was bred by clubmates John & Mark Milliken. Trevor would like to thank good friend Paddy McManus for tossing his birds and for all the help and advice he has given him. Next best in the Combine was Neil & Steven Anderson of Cullybackey on 1995 who finished 2nd Section B and 3rd Open NIPA. Other local club winners included Sam Murphy with the top four in Kells on 1988 and Jimmy Smyth & Son with the top 3 in Ahoghill on 1980. Bertie Blair was best in Ballymena & District and had the best bird in the town on 1931, Stewart Bros had the top 2 positions in Randalstown on 1907 and Marcus Morrow had the two best birds in Broughshane on 1897. Mervyn Eagleson PO.
Mid Antrim Combine Tullamore 51/1200 -
Trevor Whyte Rasharkin 2011, N & S Anderson Cullybackey 1995, S Murphy Kells 1988, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1980, S Murphy Kells 1979, T Whyte Rasharkin 1954, F Barkley Rasharkin 1953, S Murphy Kells 1946, S Murphy Kells 1942, A Darragh Cullybackey 1941, F Barkley Rasharkin 1936, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1931, D Dixon Rasharkin 1929, Surgenor Bros Kells 1928, J Rock Associate 1926, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1922, W McFetridge Rasharkin 1919, J Rock 1912, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1912, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1908, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1907, A Darragh Cullybackey 1906, S Crawford Harryville 1905, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1905, J Rock 1904, D Dixon Rasharkin 1903, F Barkley Rasharkin 1902, F Barkley Rasharkin 1900, T & M Morrow Broughshane 1897, T & M Morrow Broughshane 1896, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1893, F Barkley Rasharkin 1890, A Darragh Cullybackey 1889, A Darragh Cullybackey 1887, S Murphy Kells 1887, S Crawford Associate 1886, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1886, Surgenor Bros Kells 1882, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1878, A Darragh Cullybackey 1874.
All the local clubs with opt out members were invited to nominate 4 lofts to represent the club in the seasons MAC Champions League, bar Harryville all have done so. The competition starts next week, and it would be nice to have all clubs included. Homer.
Mid Antrim Combine Clubs Tullamore
Rasharkin & District HPS – T Whyte 2011, 1954, F Barkley 1953, 1936, W McFetridge 1919, R J & W J Reid 1860. Well done Trevor Whyte top spot in the race from Tullamore, cracking velocity of 2011 for the 124 miles.
Cullybackey HPS 9/234 – N & S Anderson 1995, A Darragh 1941, 1906, J & J Greer 1893, A Darragh 1889, 1887, 1874, 1862, N & S Anderson 1853, A Darragh 1853, 1845, J & J Greer 1808. Well done to N & S Anderson on a great win today in Cullybackey, clocking their Blue hen at 12.21hrs to win 1st Club with a velocity of 1995.789 Well done to all in the result today.
Kells & District HPS 9/205 – S Murphy 1988, 1979, 1946, 1942, Surgenor Bros 1928 S Murphy 1887, Surgenor Bros 1882, S Murphy 1870. Sizzlers 2 Bird - 1st - A Barkley & Son – 1825, 2nd - B Swann & Son – 1820, 3rd - Gregg Brothers – 1814, 4th - Surgenor Bros – 1801, 5th - Surgenor Bros – 1798.
Ahoghill Flying Club 8/220 – J Smyth & Son 1980, 1912, 1886, Mr & Mrs Robinson 1831, A Shiels 1824, C Moore 1814, 1813, T & G Balmer 1772, Balmer Young & Son 1751, Mr & Mrs Robinson 1747. Brooke Supplies 2 Bird – M/M Robinson 1831, Balmer Young & Son 1639.
Ballymena & District HPS 5/99 – Blair & Rankin 1931, J Eagleson & Sons 1922, 1908, Blair & Rankin 1878, J Eagleson & Sons 1857, 1867, 1856, 1815, Reynolds & McCormick 1660, R Alexander 1224. Good result for Bertie Blair timed the winner at 12.24hrs recording velocity 1931 for the 126 miles. Bertie Blair had the Ballymena & District winner and also the best bird in the town timing at 12.24pm. His winner a 2-year-old blue chequer Lambrecht cock was sitting on eggs.
Harryville HPS 8/224 – D Magill 1927, J Rock 1926, 1912, S Crawford 1905, J Rock 1904, K & K Kernohan 1893, L Mullen 1889, G Price 1888, S Crawford 1886, D Magill 1884. First win at the new loft for secretary Daniel Magill. Winner bred by my uncle Chris best of his bulks. Due to ill health founder member in Harryville Matt Wray has to give up his birds, some 40 birds need moved to new home. Over many years Matt recorded a host of top places through to France and the top distance events and has a good record of supplying winners to various lofts in Ireland. In recent times Ballymoney fancier James Walker had a top result in the Kings Cup. John McConaghie is looking after things, give him a call on Mobile 07753 268216.
Randalstown HPS 6/125 – Stewart Bros 1907m 1905, J Millar 1861, Stewart Bros 1835, J Millar 1810, 1799, N Percy & Son 1797, Houston Bros 1780.
Broughshane & District – T & M Morrow 1897, 1896, A Purvis 1850, D Houston & Son 1845, 1844, A Purvis 1783.
NIPA Sect B Tullamore 92/2406 – T Whyte Rasharkin 2011, N & S Anderson Cullybackey 1995, S Murphy Kells & Dist 1988, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1980, S Murphy 1979, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1962, T Whyte 1954, F Barkley Rasharkin 1953, T & J McDonald 1950, R & J Parke Windsor 1948.
NIPA Open Tullamore 511/13,530 – 1-1B T Whyte Rasharkin 2011, 2-2B N & S Anderson Cullybackey 1995, 3-1E S West Loughgall 1991, 4-1A L Hanson & Son Coleraine Prem 1990, 5-3B S Murphy Kells 1988, 6-2E J & E Calvin Annaghmore 1981, 7-4B J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1980, 8-5B S Murphy Kells 1979, 9-3E N Weir Loughgall 1975, 10-2A B Morgan Coalisland 1973.
Trevor Whyte of Rasharkin holding his 1st Open NIPA winner from Tullamore.