Tuesday 13/09/22
Skibbereen young bird national race marking times.
Trevor13 September 2022Uncategorised - SKIBBEREEN YOUNG BIRD INLAND NATIONAL 2022.
Covid -19 is still a cause for concern and would all members please adhere to any requests at the marking and clock stations.
Times for race marking.
11.00 to 12.30 East Down Combine, Ulster Fed., N.I.P.A. sections C, F, and G. Individual north section members.
12: 30 to 14:00 N.I.P.A. sections A, B, D, E, H.
14:00 to 15:30 All south and middle sections and Individual south section members.
Please take care when completing your entry forms, especially when totalling them up.
Please 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 1.25 for the currency conversion.
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.
We will update on Wednesday 14th September to confirm race marking will take place on Thursday 15th September for a possible release on Friday 16th. Thank You.
Wednesday 14/09/22
Skibbereen Y.B. race marking Thursday. Trevor14 September 2022Uncategorised
Race marking will take place on Thursday times as in previous post for a possible release in Skibbereen on Friday.
Friday 16/09/22
Skibbereen Y. B. National Liberation Friday. Trevor16 September 2022Uncategorised
Friday 16th September 2022. The pigeons have been released at 10:02am in a light north easterly wind. 196 members have entered 1774 pigeons competing for £6,425 in pools and prizemoney. Our next update will be this evening.
Friday 15th September
Skibbereen Y.B. National update Friday 22:30
Provisional top five in each section in todays race fom Skibbereen. All positions subject to change.
South Section
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Bolger Family Blackwatertown 1329, 1315, 1314, 1297.63 & 1297.63
Middle Section
1 & 4 B & P McEvoy Castlebellingham 1203 & 1169
2 L Donnelly & Son Finglas 1181
3 J Boothman & Son Blanchardstown 1170
5 P & A Foster Blanchardstown 1168
North Section
1 J & D Braniff Wheatfield 1246
2 ,4 & 5 M Foulis Dundonald 1241.71, 1241.42 & 1241.31
3 J & J McAlourm Grosvenor 1241.47
Overall race winners Bolger Family Blackwatertown 1329.
INFC Skibbereen YB Nat won by Bolger Family –
Recently I hit a problem with my memory stick when all my stored articles and photos for the 2022 season were lost and to date, I have been unable to get recovery of the files. Thankfully most articles have already been used and sent for publication, one big item this Skibbereen Nat which was getting near completion was lost and I will have another go at setting up a new report. My seasons photos have also been lost, thankfully again most have already been used. After my spell in hospital in June I have worked since then to catch up on the weekly race reports for both NIPA and INFC, the catch up should be complete when I finish this one.
In the run up to the race date the INFC website placed the following message. Due to the recommendation from the Royal Pigeon Racing Association that its members should not take part in races or race markings on Sunday the 18th and Monday19th of September as a mark of respect for the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II this week’s planned Skibbereen race may be flown on Friday 16th September (subject to weather conditions), with race marking taking place on Thursday 15th as planned. Please check tomorrow for race marking times. Thank you. On Wednesday it was confirmed race marking will take place on Thursday times as in previous post for a possible release in Skibbereen on Friday. And then on Friday a note that the pigeons have been release at 10.02am in a light north easterly wind. 196 members have entered 1774 pigeons competing for £6,425 in pools and prizemoney. Our next update will be this evening.
All positions subject to change. South Section 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Bolger Family Blackwater R.P.C. 1329, 1315, 1314, 1297.63 & 1297.63. Middle Section 1 & 4 B & P McEvoy Castlebellingham 1203 & 1169, 2 L Donnelly & Son Finglas 1181, 3 J Boothman & Son Blanchardstown 1170, 5 P & A Foster Blanchardstown 1168. North Section 1 J & D Braniff Wheatfield 1246, 2 ,4 & 5 M Foulis Dundonald 1241.71, 1241.42 & 1241.31, 3 J & J McAlourm Grosvenor 1241.47. Overall race winners Bolger Family Blackwater R.P.C. 1329.
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th South Sect and 1st Open INFC Bolger Family Blackwater RPC – Vels 1329, 1315, 1314, 1297, 1297 flying 130 miles winning £108 and the Tom Marshall Trophy & Diploma for the race winner.
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The Bolger Family from Blackwater winners of INFC Skibbereen YB Inland National.
1st South Section GB22S-63276 Blue Cock Leo Hermans - Bred by Derek Parr of Lakeside Lofts Northern Ireland. Flew consistently all season. Thanks very much Derek Parr for breeding this pigeon and, also the second bird.
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Blue cock winner of 1st South Sect & 1st Open INFC Skibbereen YB Nat, bred by Derek Parr and raced by Bolger Family.
GB22S-63282 Blue tip hen - Another Leo Hermans bred by Derek Parr of Lakeside Lofts Northern Ireland. Probably our best young bird this year. She was a winner of the South Leinster Feds Young Bird Derby a few weeks back. A race we took the First 7 positions in the Fed and had 11 in the first 17 overall. She arrived with 10 loft mates and was first across the pads.
IHU22S-051044 Blue Cock - Sire of this Cock is a pigeon called Ludo who is a super producer and is now responsible for 1st National, 3rd National and 1st National. He was bred by Ludo Thijs in Belgium and was given to me on loan by my good mate Derek Walsh of Dynasty Lofts in Waterford, and contains the lines of Golden Bolt of Leo Heremans. The Dam of the 3rd South Section pigeon was bred by Hans Ejerkamp and is a double granddaughter of the super Janssen hen Chè. She also is owned by Derek Walsh.
4th South Section IHU22S-051037 Blue Cock. Sire is a Pouw Bros Holland Janssen - Top stock Cock here and sire of many 1st for us. The Dam is another one of our top stock hens again dire of many 1st. She was a gift from our club mate Leo Junior Dobbs so thanks Leo for this super hen.
5th South Section IHU22S-051032 - Sire of this Cock is probably one of our best ever racers he was winner of 1st South Section INFC Skibbereen YB National in 2018 taking all the pools and Nom. The following year he was 3rd Section, 3rd open INFC Old Bird National, yet again winning all the pools and nom. The Dam of this year’s 5th South Section was bred by Patrick Boeckx in Belgium, and she is a granddaughter of Di Caprio. She is another hen loaned to us by Derek Walsh of Dynasty Lofts Waterford. Thanks very much Derek for a loan of this special hen.
I would like to congratulate the winner of the North Section J & D Braniff who timed a super hen doing 1246ypm also well done to Derek Walsh who has an unbelievable record in the Skibbereen INFC Nationals both old and young and yet again had another super race.
1st North Section J & D Braniff of Wheatfield – Vel 1246 flying 252 miles winning £170
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The high-flying partnership of J & D Braniff of the Wheatfield HPS.
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This is the wee hen J & D Braniff timed, the photo was taken a few minutes after she was home.
One of the most consistent lofts in Belfast over recent years, J & D Braniff had the best bird in the North Section flying 252 miles and best bird in the NIPA. Cheq hen, her sire is a son of Trevor Griffiths NIPA Open winner Squadron Leader Ted, purchased him a few years back and never regretted it from the word go. The sire of the winning hen was himself 2nd INFC North Section Skibbereen YB Nat. His Dam was 6th INFC OB National Skibbereen on a hard day doing 1206. The Dam of the winning hen was bred by Sheldon Leonard of Arklow, the best of his Bulck family of pigeons. Thanks to everyone who text and rung to congratulate us, much appreciated.
2nd, 4th & 5th North Section Mark Foulis, Dundonald – Vels 1241, 1241, 1241 flying 254 miles winning £268.
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Mark Foulis of Dundonald finished 2nd, 4th & 5th in the North Section in what was his race of the year.
Mark Foulis of Dundonald has enjoyed a tremendous year’s racing in the East Down Combine and rounds off the season with 2nd ,4th &5th North section from the INFC Skibbereen YB National with three birds together on velocities of 1241.71,1241.42 & 1241.31 but before looking at this it is important to mention that Mark had already won 1st Open East Down Combine from Roscrea, Mallow, Macroom where he had the first 4 in the Open result and then 1st Open Bude. In addition he had many other top placings throughout the season all of which has won him the prestigious East Down Combine Fancier of the Year award for 2022.
From The Skibbereen National the three birds winning 2nd ,4th & 5th North Section were 3 Cocks, all three were Lambrecht from the family which Mark has cultivated from birds from Jeff Fryatt and Mark’s late brother Brian, and these birds have proved real racing machines. The three cocks were all darkened youngsters which had flown steadily all season and to give them that extra bit of time on the wing Mark had had them in Skibbereen with the EDC prior to the National. The first of the trio was a blue flying to the perch, the second was a chequer sitting about 1 week as was the third, another blue. It is worth mentioning that Mark had two further birds in the result at 24th North and 71st North Section respectively but, in spite of the tremendous results he has achieved this season, Mark maintains that the Skibbereen National was the best race of the year for him. Clifford Browne PO.
3rd North Section J & J McAlourm of Grosvenor – Vel 1241 flying 251 miles winning £372.
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J & J McAlorum of the Grosvenor finished 3rd in the North Section.
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The bird timed by J & J McAlorum now heavy in the moult.
Another early bird into Belfast, this one for J & J McAlourm of the Grosvenor HPS was the best bird in the Ulster Federation and recording velocity 1241 for the 251 miles. The sire and dam of the wee pigeon my dad got from a Mr Ernie Rigby from Telford, they are Syndicate Loft pigeons. In it's 1st race in the NIPA it was 3rd Club, 4th section D and 20th Open against 12.500 pigeons and in the National it was 3rd North Section and was his Nom for the race.
1st & 4th Middle Section B & P McEvoy of Castlebellingham – Vels 1203, 1169 flying 200 miles winning £76.
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The B & P McEvoy partnership from Castlebellingham 1st & 4th Middle Section.
Former Kings Cup winners B & P McEvoy collect many winners in the local competition. 1st Club, 1st Fed, 1st Middle section INFC Skibbereen: This hen is a blue hen coming down from the best of our winning Soontjens blood lines her sire is Ocean View Jim Boy and dam is Ocean View Miss Blue she has also been 2nd Club 14th Fed from Gowan Park the weekend before. She was sent to this race on young Roundabout system the way we have been racing all year and on the Darkness System.
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1st Club, 1st Fed, 1st Middle Section INFC for B & P McEvoy,
This year our young birds raced super winning 1st Open Talbenny and sending to 8 young bird races winning 7 of them. Blaine said me and my Dad are so happy with this result. We would like to say we'll done to the winner of the national.
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2nd club, 2nd Fed, 4th Middle Section for B & P McEvoy.
Our second bird won 2nd Club, 2nd Fed, 4th Middle section INFC Skibbereen young birds. This hen is a pidy hen coming down from Ocean View 71 and Ocean View Miss Megan, this young bird is a grand-daugher of our 2014 Kings Cup winner. This hen has been racing super all year for us and was sent to this race on roundabout system this line of birds do ready good when the wind is on them.
2nd Middle Section Liam Donnelly & Son of Finglas – Vel 1181 flying 177 miles winning £199
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Liam Donnelly was 2nd Middle Section in the Young Bird Skibbereen.
Former winners of the Yearling Nat the loft still compete at the highest level of INFC. Sticky Doncker Blue cock, down from pigeons obtained from Thomas Maguire of Sandy Hill Stud in Dublin.
3rd Middle Section J Boothman & Son Jun of Blanchardstown - Vel 1170 flying 176 miles winning £148
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J Bootham & Son Jun from Blanchardstown finished 3rd in the Middle Section.
5th Middle Section P & A Foster of Blanchardstown – Vel 1168 flying 176 miles winning £64.
Mid Antrim Combine - The final race of the season was the INFC Skibbereen YB National flown on Friday 16th September. Danny Dixon of Dunloy was best in the Mid Antrim Combine and placed 60th North Section with a blue w/f hen. Her full sister won the Section in the previous weeks race from the NIPA Skibbereen YB National. The sire is his good Lambrecht "Aviary cock" that won 2nd Open NIPA Yearling National when paired to his good Joss Cool hen. Danny said he has six cocks in his widowhood shed the same way bred as this hen and five of them are 1st prize-winners. This performance and his other results this season in the Irish National Flying Club have won the loft three average cups. Rhead Cup - Best average Kings Cup St Allouestre & Penzance YB National, Diamond Cup - Best average Kings Cup St Allouestre, Sennen Cove Yearling National & Penzance YB National and the Presidents Cup - Best average Kings Cup St Allouestre, Sennen Cove Yearling National, Penzance YB & Skibbereen YB Nationals. Mervyn Eagleson PO.
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Danny Dixon from Dunloy in County Antrim, best bird in the Mid Antrim Combine.
The INFC Committee are grateful once again for all the help at the race marking, and also all those involved in the various Clock Centres across Ireland over the days of the race, every little bit of help is appreciated. On a personal note, thanks to all those who supplied text and photos for this report, some at short notice, or helped in any other way. The more info we get the better job can be done, any little snips, details of the bird itself plus info on the sire and dam. Any awards won previous, how long in the birds etc. This report is the Top 5 in each Section, watch out over the next few weeks for results from Clubs, Feds, Combine, etc. to follow. This will complete my 4th season back as PO, I have tried to extend coverage as best as possible and feature as many winners as possible. They don’t all fall within the Top 10. I hope to feature some of the seasons special award winners following the presentation of prizes, our Website http://www.pigeonnetwork had a dedicated board for INFC, look in the Forum, also we have an INFC History site, link for it on the front page. Details not available for Skibbereen or any of the earlier races will be added to my later reports covering the results of Clubs, Feds and Combines giving additional coverage over the winter months. Sorry again about the delay with the old bird reports especially Yearling Nat flown when I was in Hospital.
The INFC annual dinner dance and distribution of prizes will be held in the Stormont Hotel Belfast on Friday 25th November 2022 at 7.00pm. Tickets are priced at £35.00, and reservations can be made with the secretary or Ronnie Johnston by phone or email. (Secretary 028 92 641265, Ronnie 028 90 483625). Accommodation rates if booked through the INFC. These special rates are Single room £90.00 Double room £100.00 Family room £120.00 to be booked through the INFC for special rates. As in previous years early booking is advisable.
Willie Reynolds - INFC Press Officer
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683 - Mobile: 07538 238364