Homer’s Odyssey INFC race review 2022 –
Over the last number of years, I have returned to the INFC race programme to feature results and reports for the various Clubs, Federations and Combines. After each race we report on the event covering the Top 10 and where Skibbereen is concerned it’s the Top 5 of each Section, ie. South, Middle and North. I lost a lot of text and photos covering the entire season with a fault on the memory disk, but I will include as much as possible in each report which will cover all six INFC National races. We start as usual with the Old Bird Skibbereen and the big story that the 1st Open winner was Derek Walsh from County Waterford who won the event for the second time having had success in 2021 and was able to make it three wins on the trot by also winning the Young Bird Skibbereen in 2021. The race was sponsored by Bamfords Topflight with race winner Derek Walsh and best SLF getting 5 bags of mixture. J F McCabe & Son NIPA, P & K McCarthy Ulster Fed, McCartan & Woodsides EDC, M & U Gorman ECF and L Donnelly & Son Jun ISRF getting 3 bags of mixture each. Publication of result was sponsored by BHW. Some extra info for John F McCabe & Sons, the bird they timed has been named “Rita’s Boy” has previously scored 29th Open & 22nd Section NIPA 26,521 birds, 41st Open & 4th Section NIPA 21,930 birds, 68th Open & 11th Section NIPA 1,101 birds, 94th Open & 4th Section NIPA 22,021. In this race from Skibbereen 1st in the North Section & 7th Open INFC. They only see him on a good headwind, very consistent.
Alan Darragh best in the INFC Skibbereen OB Nat – Seven times National winner Alan Darragh had the best three birds in the Mid Antrim Combine from the INFC Skibbereen Inland National. The birds were released on Wednesday 1st June at 9.00am in a light northerly wind. Alan's 4-year-old blue cock timed at 14.55pm finishes 63rd north section and 84th Open INFC. Last season the cock won 1st club in the NIPA Skibbereen Inland National, and this season 4th club Fermoy and 6th club just four days ago from Talbenny. Mervyn Eagleson PO.
INFC Skibbereen OB Nat Open 282/2435 – Derek Walsh Tower Invitation 1418, 1418, 1390, 1388, Bolger Family Blackwater RPC 1379, 1369, John F McCabe & Son Newry & Dist 1338, I Rollins & Son Holls & Maze 1333, J Greenaway Hills & Maze 1330, S G Briggs Lisburn & District 1330, 1330, Keegan & Darling Donnycarney 1329, L Donnelly & Son Finglass 1329, Keegan & Darling 1328, J Gregory & Sons Colin 1328, 1328, Hurley & Haughney Barrow Valley 1328, J Gregory & Sons 1328, D McElhone Eastway 1327, J & D Braniff Wheatfield 1325.
South Section Skibbereen 28/224 - Derek Walsh Tower Invitation 1418, 1418, 1390, 1388, Bolger Family Blackwater RPC 1379, 1369.
North Section Skibbereen 196/1814 - , John F McCabe & Son Newry & Dist 1338, I Rollins & Son Holls & Maze 1333, J Greenaway Hills & Maze 1330, S G Briggs Lisburn & District 1330, 1330, J Gregory & Sons Colin 1328, 1328, J Gregory & Sons 1328, D McElhone Eastway 1327, J & D Braniff Wheatfield 1325, M/M Stevenson Dromara 1325, Owen Markey Ballyholland 1323, J Greenaway Hills & Maze 1321, T McClean Annaghmore 1321, G Buckley & Sons Annaghmore 1320, J Greenaway Bondhill 1320, J Greenaway Hills & Maze 1318, Owen Markey 1317, J & D Braniff 1317, D Calvin Bondhill 1314.
Muckamore Centre Skibbereen – D McElhone Eastway 1327, J & D Braniff Wheatfield 1327, 1317, D McElhone 1308, D & J Campbell Eastway 1307, G McKenna Eastway 1406, D & M & G Ferguson Wheatfield 1305, D & J Campbell 1304, Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel 1303, D & J Armstrong & Son Carrick Soc 1302, Bingham & Seaton 1301, J & D Braniff 1301, Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel 1300, G McKenna 1292, J & D Braniff 1291, D & J Campbell 1289, A Darragh Cullybackey 1285, Bingham & Seaton 1284, D & J Campbell 1280, A & N Lewis Doagh & Dist 1279.
NIPA Skibbereen OB Nat INFC - John F McCabe & Son Newry & Dist 1338, I Rollins & Son Holls & Maze 1333, J Greenaway Hills & Maze 1330, S G Briggs Lisburn & District 1330, 1330, J Gregory & Sons Colin 1328, 1328, J Gregory & Sons 1328, D McElhone Eastway 1327, J & D Braniff Wheatfield 1325, M/M Stevenson Dromara 1325, Owen Markey Ballyholland 1323, J Greenaway Hills & Maze 1321, Tom McClean Annaghmore 1321, G Buckley & Sons Annaghmore 1320, John Greenaway Bondhill 1320, J Greenaway Hills & Maze 1318, Owen Markey 1317, J & D Braniff 1317, D Calvin Bondhill 1314.
Irish SR Federation Skibb INFC – Keegan & Darling Donnycarney 1329, L Donnelly & Son Finglas 1329, Keegan & Darling 1328, Tom Nelson Ballymun 1309, 1309, 1309, 1308, Keegan & Darling 1282, L Donnelly & Son 1267, 1267, 1259, 1252, S Duran Blanchardstown 1251, L Donnelly & Son 1241, Keegan & Darling 1241, T Nelson 1236, L Donnelly & Son 1220, K Timmons Boyne Valley 1218, Tom Kavanagh Drogheda & Dist 1206.
East Coast Federation Skibb INFC – M & U Gorman Balbriggan 1297, B & P McEvoy Castlebellingham 1274, Devine & Hamli 1269, M/M K Guildea & Son Balbriggan 1234, Patric Arthur Boyne Valley 1228McKeown & McEvoy Castlebellingham 1227, J Tyndall & Son Shankill 1155.
Mid Antrim Combine INFC Skibbereen OB Nat – Alan Darragh Cullybackey 1285, A Darragh 1257, A Darragh 1257, D Dixon Rasharkin 1257, Gary Gibson Cullybackey 1255, D Dixon 1249, D Dixon 1245, Gary Gibson 1244, Alan Darragh 1233, M/M Robinson Ahoghill 1233, Sam Murphy Kells 1230, D Houston & Son Broughshane 1222, Sam Crawford Associate 1222, D Dixon 1218, Sam Murphy 1215, Sam Murphy 1213, Alan Darragh 1203, Gary Gibson 1188, D Dixon 1187, D Dixon 1177, M/M Robinson 1123, D Dixon 1123, Alan Darragh 1122, D Dixon 1115, M/M Robinson 1110, Alan Darragh 1110, G & A Eagleson Ballymena 1100, Gary Gibson 1096, Gary Gibson 1089, D Dixon 1079, A Purvis Broughshane 1069, Gary Gibson 1064, Sam Murphy 1017, Sam Murphy 1012.
East Antrim Combined Skibbereen OB Nat – D McElhone Eastway 1327, D McElhone 1308, D & J Campbell Eastway 1307, G McKenna Eastway 1306, D & J Campbell 1304, Bongham & Seaton Ligoniel 1303, D & J Armstrong & Son Carrick Soc 1302, Bingham & Seaton 1301, 1300, G McKenna 1292, D & J Campbell 1289, Bingham & Seaton 1284, D & J Campbell 1280, A & N Lewis Doagh & Dist 1279, A & T Agnew Ballyclare 1278, J Burrows Eastway 1276, D McElhone 1276, D & J Campbell 1273, A & T Agnew 1267, D & J Armstrong & Son 1263, Bingham & Seaton 1262, E Arthurs Ballycarry & Dist 1262, D & J Armstrong & Son 1261, J Burrows 1260, A & T Agnew 1259, Bingham & Seaton 1257, A & N Lewis 1257, Mr & Mrs G Robinson Carrick Soc 1257, A & N Lewis 1257.
Newry City Combined Skibbereen OB Nat – John F McCabe & Son Newry & Dist 1338, Owen Markey Ballyholland 1323, Owen Markey 1317, J J McCabe Newry & Dist 1303, John F McCabe & Son 1301, C O’Hare & Son Ballyholland 1299, Mark Maguire & Son Millvale 1286, G Hughes & Son Newry & Dist 1285, Donnelly Bros Millvale 1275, John F McCabe & Son 1275, 1271, 1270, Mal Maguire & Son Millvale 1269, Owen Markey 1268, C O’Hare & Son 1267, Donnelly Bros 1261, Owen Markey 1260.
INFC Clubs Skibbereen
Tower Invitation RPC – Derek Walsh 1418, 1418, 1390, 1388. 1297.
Blackwater RPC – Bolger Family 1379, 1369, 1300, 1267, 1266.
Newry & District - John F McCabe & Son 1338, J J McCabe 1303, John F McCabe & Son 1301, 1301, G Hughes & Son 1285, John F McCabe & Son 1275, 1271, 1270.
Hillsborough & Maze – I Rollins & Son 1333, J Greenaway 1330, 1323, 1318, I Rollins & Son 1306, Lyons & Kennedy 1297, I Rollins & Son 1289, I Rollins & Son 1268, J Greenaway 1265, J Kelly & Sons 1263, J Greenaway 1260, 1258.
Lisburn & District – S G Briggs 1330, 1330, L Magee & Sons 1274, S G Briggs 1265, D Ferguson 1263.
Donnycarney – Keegan & Darling 1329, 1328, 1282, 1242.
Finglass – L Donnelly & Son 1329, 1267, 1267, 1259, 1252, 1241, 1220.
Colin HPS – J Gregory & Sons 1328, 1328, 1328, 1308, 1305, Johnston Bros 1285, 1257.
Barrow Valley RPC – Hurley & Haughney 1328, Donal Begley 1303, J J Hurley 1301, Donal Begley 1299, Joe Brennan 1271, J J Hurley 1270.
Eastway – D McElhone 1327, 1308, D & J Campbell 1307, G McKenna 1306, D & J Campbell 1304, G McKenna 1292, D & J Campbell 1289, D & J Campbell 1280, J Burrows 1276, D McElhone 1276, D & J Campbell 1273, J Burrows 1260.
Wheatfield – J & D Braniff 1327, 1317, DMG Ferguson 1305, J & D Braniff 1301, 1291, 1273.
Dromara – Mr & Mrs Stevenson 1325, Russell Bros 1289.
Ballyholland – Owen Markey 1323, 1317, C O’Hare & Son 1299, Owen Markey 1268, C O’Hare & Son 1267, Owen Markey 1260,
Annaghmore HPS – Tom McClean 1321, G Buckley & Sons 1320, Tom McClean 1261.
Bondhill Social – John Greenaway 1320, Davy Calvin 1314, 1294, John Greenaway 1284, Capper Bros 1275, 1272, John Greenaway 1264.
Ballymun – Tom Nelson 1309, 1309, 1309, 1308, 1236.
Lurgan Social – R Adamson 1309, Higginson & Johnston 1284, 1272, J Curran 1264, John Barr 1263.
Gilford & District – Rafferty & Toman 1307, 1307, C & H Beattie 1293, Rafferty & Toman 1267.
Wicklow South Road – T Smyth 1306, Healy & Byrne 1305.
Grosvenor – P & K McCarthy 1306, O Farrelly 1278, J & L Smyth 1274, 1273, P & K McCarthy 126.
Drumnavaddy Inv – McGrath & McParland 1306, S Ogle 1304, W McDowell & Son 1302, C & G Quinn 1278, McGrath & McParland 1269, S Ogle 1266, J Brush 1259.
Edgarstown – G & C Simmons 1305, R Bell & Sons 1295, R G & G Donaldson 1292, 1286, P Hope 1262, 1260.
Crossgar HPS – McCartan & Woodsides 1305, 1275, 1261.
Ligoniel & District – Bingham & Seaton 1303, 1301, 1300, 1284, 1262, 1257.
Carrick Social – D & J Armstrong & Son 1302, 1263, 1261, M/M Robinson 1257.
Balbriggan – M & U Gorman 1297, M/M K Guildea & Son 1234.
Beechpark Social – D Mawhinney & Son 1289, 1271.
Annsborough – P McCartan 1287.
Millvale – Mark Maguire & Son 1286, Donnelly Bros 1275, Mal Maguire & Son 1269, Donnelly Bros 1261.
Annalong – K Rooney Son & Daughter 1286, 1266.
Cullybackey HPS – A Darragh 1285, 1247, 1257, G Gibson 1255, 1244, A Darragh 1233, A Darragh 1203, G Gibson 1188, A Darragh 1122, 1110, G Gibson 1096, 1089, 1064.
Downpatrick Premier – Jackie Crossan 1284, P McCullough & Daughter 1266, 1259.
Newtownbreda – B Hogg & Son 1282, 1281, T Marshall & Son 1273, Cousins & Albert 1271, B Hogg & Son 1271.
Glen HPS – Joe Ward 1279, 1266.
Doagh & District HPS – A & N Lewis 1279, 1257, 1257.
Ballyclare & District – A & T Agnew 1278, 1267, 1259.
Blackwatertown WE – Larkin Bros 1277, H T & J Larkin 1266, Larkin Bros 1258.
Castlebellingham – B & P McEvoy 1274, 1227.
Laurelvale – G & C Topley 1274.
Rathnew – Gregory Bros 1274, 1243.
Dublin North-East RPC – J Hanley & Mother 1274, 1265, 1225, P Rock & Son 1218.
West Belfast HPS – Stockman & Robinson 1273, 1268, 1265.
Banbridge – McCracken Bros 1271, 1258.
Skerries – Devine & Hamli 1269.
Killyleagh Central – McComb Bros 1265.
Comber Social – G Lyttle 1262.
Ballycarry & District – E Arthurs 1262,
Lagan Valley RPC – J & J Taggart 1260.
Trim RPC – Zaballos & Thorpe 1259.
Glenavy & District – Gary Marsden 1267.
Ballymoney HPS – D Dixon 1257.
Blanchardstown RPC – S Duran 1251,
Newtown Kilpedder – Byrne & Bradley 1249.
Coolock & District – Anthony Cleary 1249, 1219.
Dundalk North End – P Byrne & Son 1236.
Ahoghill Flying Club – Mr & Mrs Robinson 1233, 1123, 1110.
Kells & District HPS – S Murphy 1230, 1215, 1213, 1017, 1012.
Boyne Valley - Patrick Arthur 1228, K Timmons 1218.
Drogheda & District – Tom Kavanagh 1206.
Shankill – J Tyndall & Son 1155.
Broughshane & District – D Houston & Son 1222, A Purvis 1069.
Harryville HPS - S Crawford 1222.
Ballymena & District HPS – G & A Eagleson 1100.
Willie Reynolds – NIPA & INFC Press Officer
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
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Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email:
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Photo Captions
Homer presents the Skibbereen cup to Derek Walsh from Waterford, he wins the Ronnie Johnston Challenge Cup for the second year in a row.
Blue Cock winner of 1st Open INFC Old Bird Inland National for Derek Walsh of Tower Invitation.
John F McCabe & Son from Newry & District took 1st North Section and finished 7th Open INFC.
“Rita’s Boy” the Blue cock timed by J F McCabe & Sons to record 1st North Section & 7th Open INFC.
Clyde Rollins from Hills & Maze, 1st North Sect 2021 and 2nd North Sect in 2022.
Keegan & Darling from Donnycarney 1st & 3rd in the Middle Sect Skibbereen and best in Irish SR Federation.
“Charlotte” winner of 1st Middle Section in the OB Skibbereen for Keegan & Darling of Donnycarney.
Alan Darragh from Cullybackey holding his 1st Mid Antrim Combine winner from Skibbereen.
David McElhone of Eastway HPS in Belfast, 1st Muckamore Centre and Best in East Antrim.
Homer (l) of BHW the INFC and NIPA Press Officer at the annual presentation with INFC Patron Ronnie Johnston, Irish Rover of the RP. Must be 100 years of press coverage between those two.