No Stopping Gerry O'Mara

[adie]

Gerry O'Mara Fancier of the Year Yet Again

For the second year in succession, I had the great honour and privilege of being invited as a quest to the Annual Dinner and Prize Distribution for the largest Federation of pigeon fanciers in Ireland namely the Irish South Road Fed. Their annual dinner and prize distribution was held once again at the modern and spacious Green Isle Hotel on the outskirts of Dublin City on Saturday 5th of December. This was the second of only two presentations that I was able to attend during 2009 due to work commitments. With even working on the Saturday of the ISRF dinner it was a struggle to get their on time, thankfully we arrived on time and where met on arrival by John Flood, John puts a great level of work into the dinner presentation and he and of course all concerned should be very delighted with the final result, with yet another great turn-out of members, families and friends. The four course meal was served on time and was very much enjoyed by all in attendance. Full praise to the staff of the Green Isle Hotel part of the Brennan Hotels Group for the professional approach to the evening, with the full four course dinner served in just over 1 hour. Once again very much like my report on the Orchard Combine, the Irish South Road Federation put a great deal of emphasis on the awards table and this year was to be no different, a superb display and it was to be my duty to hand the many awards out to the 2009 worthy winners as main guest. First to the table was a fancier who is rapaidly becoming a legend flying with the Irish South Road Fed and that is the 2009 Fancier of the Year Gerry O'Mara who collected his fifth Fancier of the Year Crown in 10 years. Gerry just seems to improve year in year out in an effortless mode. Remembering that Gerry as well as winning the Crown previously in 2001, 2002, 2007 and 2008 the loft also finished runner-up in 1999 and 2003, simply an incredible record in such a strong and competitive Federation with a membership in the region of 700 fanciers. Gerry O'Mara races in the Kildonagh & District Pigeon Club and has done since 2005 which is situated in the North Side of Dublin which also boasts a strong and competitive membership. Many will know that Gerry owes a lot of his success to his father Bill who is widely regarded as a gentleman whoever you talk to in Ireland, Bill took Gerry under his wing at the age of 13 and simply the rest is history Gerry racing on his own has proved year in year out to be the one to watch for every week. Both fanciers race to their own respective lofts but still to this day share the same stock loft, which gives a since of reason to the successful flying completed by Bill also in the Dublin North East Club over recent seasons. I had the pleasure of catching up with Bill & Gerry in Blackpool and have arranged to call with them in the coming weeks to gather a loft profile hopefully with some tips and to capture a few of the champion racers.

To give due credit to all the winners of this very competitive Federation the largest in all Ireland I will go through each race to give you an idea of the level of competition and the awesome achievements put up just not by the Fancier of the Year, but the very credible performances put up by the fanciers of the Irish South Road Fed. In all the Irish South Road Federation held 17 O/Bird races and 12 Y/Bird races during the 2009 season. As with the vast majority of organisations just not in Ireland but in the U.K some weeks proved more difficult than others with respect to the weather patterns. First up for the South Road Federation members was a race from Thurles with 443 members patiently waiting for the first race of the 2009 calendar they sent a total of 9,273 pigeons which where liberated on Saturday 11th of April. For many the first race of the season normally sets the stall out about how fine tuned their pigeons are for the fourth coming races, it was no surprise then for many of the competitors to see the holder of the Fancier of the Year Crown Gerry O'Mara stamp his mark on reclaiming his Crown with the top velocities with a couple of good arrivals together recording both a velocity of 1736ypm in all for Gerry three good arrivals finishing 1st, 2nd and 10th ISRF Federation Thurles (1) in third spot you had the respected McGovern Bros of the Greenhills & District Club who finished 3rd on 1728ypm just marginally ahead of fellow Greenhills Club mate Alan Nulty in fourth Federation one yard behind. It was four individual lofts from the strong Sarsfield RPC who took the next four positions namely Tucker Daniel, Cole Bros, Kieran Kershaw and Mr & Mrs Pat Byrne. It was a day out at the beach the following week for the Federation Birds all 8,814 of them sent by 423 competing lofts, they were liberated in what turned out a steady race on Saturday 18th of April and it was the turn of the Sarsfield RPC to rise up the pecking order and who else other than Mick Houlihan Jnr who topped the Federation in what was a very tight finish between three fanciers from three different Clubs all very credible pigeons indeed on the day, 2nd was the P Holmes set-up from the Rialto & District Club with Padner Byrne of he Sarsfield .03 of a yard in third spot having finished 8th Federation in the first race of the season. 4th Fed was the ever prominent Derek Larkin of the Mighty Finglas RPC who recorded just not one but three in close succession finishing 4th, 6th and 7th Federation, in 5th spot we have Mr Sun City John Nash who has raised his profile world wide with his excellent performances in South Africa and on that note I congratulate him on his achievements. On to Mallow for race number 3 and the honours of 1st Federation where to stay with the Sarsfield RPC with the very highly regarded Mick Byrne topping the Sunday liberation of 9,095 pigeons on a Velocity of 1624, some 10 yards ahead of Alan Nulty of the Greenhills Club who recorded two arrivals together both on the same velocity, to record 2nd and 3rd Federation ahead of the legendary Tommy Nelson of Ballymun who completes the top four on a velocity of 1613ypm. The Feeney Boys of Donnycarney where next best on what was an excellent bird on the day within the Club and Federation, Willie McCarthy of the strong Cabra RPC was next best ahead of Brian Brady of the Greenhills Club once again in 7th and the President of 2009 and race Controller Henry Byrne of the Gibb & Byrne Stud in 8th position, I hear of a new state of the art loft having been recently completed at the Sandyhill Pigeon Supplies Shop for this loft and with Henry stepping down from all positions at the recent AGM I wish him every success getting back to doing what he enjoys best Racing Pigeons. Before you think at this early stage where has the fancier of the year gone well he takes the next two positions completing the top ten from Mallow (1). We where back to a Saturday liberation this time for race four from Rosscarbery a total of 469 competing lofts sent 8.238 pigeons, it turned out a competitive race for the members with the C & J Bradley team from the Dublin Homing Club lifting the top honours ahead of Cooper Bros of the Rialto Club who ran the Bradley loft close for top honours just 1.3 yards behind. In third place within the Federation it was the Northside & District loft of M & G McCourt to make his mark with the McGovern Boys of the Dublin North East Club completing the top four, Alan Nulty keeping up his good start to the 2009 O/Bird season was next best, the Cowzer loft from the Rialto Club was next best in 6th place in front of Frank McEnroe winner of the Wicklow Hills one loft race in 7th place and the ever consistent Gerry O'Mara completing the top eight. Barleycove was to follow for Irish South Road Federation Transporters with a convoy of 4,937 pigeons sent by 351 competing lofts. These hopefuls where liberated on Sunday 10th of May with the mighty Finglas RPC coming out in front with three individual members taking the first three in the Federation result. Top honours went to the highly admired C K Emmett & Sons on a velocity of 1222ypm with Mick Gilligan finishing .7 of a yard behind and J Boland & Daughter completing a Finglas 1,2,3. The Maher loft competing with the Celtic Inv RPC finished next best with Gerry O'Mara finishing 5th & 8th Federation keeping up his good consistent start, the Rialto & District loft of T.R & A Cowzer where also continuing in fine form finishing 6th Federation for the second week on the trot with the Emerson Family completing the top eight in 7th position. The second visit to Thurles was next on the cards and how fitting it was for Bill O'Mara to top the Federation after his son topped the Fed on the previous visit by the organisation to this race point in 2009. Bill had an absolute flier into the Dublin North East Club 181 yards ahead of the next partnership namely Mr & Mrs J Hayden. In the Federation it was to be a day for some new names at the top which is always welcomed, in runner-up spot with some 8,707 pigeons competing was the D Breen loft flying with the Celtic Inv RPC, the Club members were having a good spell for the loft of Mr & Mrs J Salmon finished 3rd and 8th Federation, taking fourth we had the T Byrne loft flying with the Sarsfield RPC on 1727ypm the Paddy Dandy & family chalked up their 2nd Club success of the season finishing 5th in the Federation with Cooper Bros from Rialto finishing 1st Club again for the second time in the O/Birds on this occasion recording a very credible 6th Federation. Mr & Mrs Padner Byrne of the Sarsfield RPC where next best following their 8th Federation from the same race point in Race 1 of the 2009. The first cross-channel event of 2009 was next up for the membership of the Federation and as normal Talbenny was to be the first task be it a Sunday liberation. Talbenny ask some questions of the convoy with a couple of good arrivals returning into Dublin some 50 yards ahead of the rest of the 1,668 pigeons liberated. Top honours went to the Andrews and Father team flying with the Dublin Premier on what was a difficult enough fly the Andrews team finished 1st & 4th Club and 1st & 47th Federation. Finishing runner-up was the Sarsfield high fliers G Emerson & Daughter, with the Hoey loft competing with the strong and competitive Ballymun P C finished in 3rd place on a Velocity of 1515ypm. Derek Cummins & Son of the Finglas RPC was next best ahead of fellow club mates C & K Emmett & Sons in 5th place and it was left to the Dowdall boys from East Wall to complete the top six in what was a stiff enough race from Talbenny in South Wales. A return to Pilmore Beach on the 30th of May was next on the agenda for the Federation fanciers and 438 competing lofts sent 7,420 pigeons winners of this race and picking up top honours at the Annual dinner where the Old Castle RPC member S Boland on a velocity of 1636 ypm, the Rainey loft from the Trim PRC was a close runner-up with the Celbridge and District loft of P O'Callaghan in third spot. It was down to the Dandy family of Clondalkin to finish in fourth spot with Anto Sweeney of the Sarsfield RPC in fifth on 1588ypm and completing the top six we had the B Russell set up from Clondalkin RPC on 1587. Sennen Cove was flown on the same day as Pilmore Beach for the Federation members and after collecting 4th Federation from Pilmore the Dandy family from Clondalkin took top honours with 349 members sending 1,874 pigeons on a velocity of 1656ypm in runner-up spot we had the Maples Boys of Blanchardstown making their mark with the ever prominent Derek Cummins & Son of Finglas collecting the next two positions in 3rd & 4th Federation on 1633 and 1631 ypm. The first race of June for the Fed membership was a return to Rosscarbery and it was to be the Finglas Club once again that was to stamp its mark on the Federation result with the Turner Loft coming out on top on what was a fast race on a velocity of 2031ypm, next best from the same Club was the partnership of J Boland & Daughter who already finished 3rd Federation already from Barleycove in the O/Bird programme. Derek Larkin finished in third place just .7 of a yard behind the Boland father & daughter team, with Frank McEnroe of the Sarsfield RPC in 4th spot. The members had only to wait a couple of more days until their pigeons where in the skies again this time from Mallow with 415 competing lofts sending 5,866 pigeons top honours this time went to Brian Brady of the Greenhills & District Club on a velocity of 1306ypm ahead of the runner-up B Allen of the Shelbourne RPC who had a cracking O/Bird season winning 6 x 1st Club, the Brady Boys from the Dublin North East Club finished 3rd Federation from Mallow on a velocity of 1301ypm with the Federation Fancier of the Year Gerry O'Mara timing a couple of good arrivals to finish 4th and 5th Federation ahead of the Lawless loft of Shelbourne who completed the top six on 1299ypm. Back to Sennen Cove for the 12th race of the O/Bird programme and another new name at the top of the Federation result with 2,154 pigeons competing it was to be the turn of the B Hartnett Loft competing with the Kildonagh RPC to take top honours on a velocity of 1710 ypm, runner-up was the P & C McKay partnership from Bray who where enjoying their first success of 2009 in some style coming just under 1 yard from topping the Federation, third place went to a man who knows one or two things about getting birds from Sennen Cove that being Tommy Nelson from Ballymun on a velocity of 1706, fourth place went to the D Turner set up from Finglas with fellow Club mates Danny Dalton & Son in fifth spot with the Bray partnership of Cowap & Buckley completing the top six on a velocity of 1691ypm. On the same day as Sennen Cove the Irish South Road Fed also had a transporter of 4,598 pigeons in Rosscarbery and top honours went to the Feeney loft racing with the Donnycarney RPC on a velocity 1817 ypm just under one yard in front of the man of the moment Gerry O'Mara flying with the Kildonagh RPC. 3rd Federation from Rosscarbery was Derek Larkin who continued to race in fine form, Mr & Mrs Killeen of the mighty Finglas RPC took the next two positions on 1814 & 1813 ypm and it was down to the ultra sound Tommy Nelson to complete the top six in the Federation result. The 14th race of the O/Bird programme seen third trip to Mallow for the ISRF transporters and on board was a convoy of 4,352 pigeons sent by 364 competing lofts, and top of the pile was the Mr & Mrs Dunne & G/Son team of the Greenhills & District on a velocity of 1568ypm, in runner-up spot was the Doonycarney set up of P Poole & Son with the J Toner loft flying with the Shelbourne RPC in third spot on 1563ypm. For fourth position it was back to the Greenhills Club and this time the prize went to McGovern Bros who recorded 4 x 1st Club's during the O/Bird campaign, Gerry O'Mara was next best keeping up his consistent run ahead of another exceptional racer with the Federation namely Alan Best of Tallaght who completed the top six from Mallow. On 25th of June France was to be the extreme test of the season for the Federation lofts, some 303 competing lofts sent 889 hopefuls to St.Malo and what a race it turned out to be for Gerry Daly & Son of the Donnycarney Club topping a Federation by a clear 40+ yards ahead of the M Byrne, Duffy & Sons partnership of Shelbourne who recorded the next two in the Federation result on 1203 and 1175 ypm. Fourth spot was the Mr & Mrs Emerson & Sons team from Ballymun who recorded their third success of the O/Bird programme within the Club. The Hanley loft flying with Kildonagh got their nose in front from St.Malo with a good arrival and finish 5th Federation accordingly and completing the top six we have the Sarsfield loft of Mr & Mrs A & B Phelan on a velocity of 1159ypm. The last race during June 2009 was a trip back to Rosscarbery and with many lofts nearly finished for the season and starting to concentrate on the Y/Birds, the convoy of 3,641 pigeons where liberated on June the 27th sent by 295 competing lofts. 1st Federation success was the turn once again for a loft competing with the strong Sarsfield RPC and the honours fell to T Byrne who recorded a commanding velocity of 1472ypm. In runner-up spot we had the high flying Bill Harris & Son competing with the Dublin North East Club just .01 of a yard in front of the third placed J Emmett of Blanchardstown RPC. Fourth was the highly respected partnership of C.K.Emmett & Sons flying with the mighty Finglas RPC the final two positions to make up the top six go back to where we started the Sarsfield RPC with Pat Craven coming out in front of fellow Club mates B Stafford & Sons. The Last race of a lengthy O/Bird season seen the ISRF head back to Talbenny in South Wales and having finished 3rd Federation from Rosscarbery in the last of the Inland races the Blanchardstown loft of J Emmett went a couple of places better and topped the Federation with a massive lead of 146 yards clear of the next best man on 1558ypm. Runner-up from Talbenny was T Byrne flying with the East Wall & District on 1412ypm and it was the Northside & District RPC loft of J Mohan & Son who where to take 3rd Federation with Mr & Mrs John Flood taking the fourth position. E Smith topped the Donnycarney RPC on the last O/Bird race of the season on a winning Velocity of 1397ypm and completing the top six we have the Dublin Premier Loft of C DeKhors on 1393ypm.

The Y/Bird programme kicked off like the O/Birds with a race from Thurles on the 12th of July some 252 competing lofts sent 6,213 pigeons and top of the lot and lifting the top Federation prize was the J Alymer Loft flying with the Cabra RPC to make things all the better the loft also recorded 2nd Federation. It was a day for multiples for the in form McGovern Bros from the Greenhills & District Club took the next 6 positions in the Federation with the ETS proving its worth with the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Federation pigeons all on the same velocity. With the aforementioned loft putting in a solid performance obviously they were looking forward to the following week and race 2 from the same race point this time 339 members sent 9,946 pigeons and it was to be the Greenhills loft of McGovern Bros who were to make all their hard work pay with a 1st & 2nd Federation, Alan Dent & Son racing with the Kildonagh RPC finished 3rd and the Sarsfield's Pat Craven who certainly can race a youngster recording 4th & 5th Federation and it was down to a Greenhills loft to complete the top six this time it was the turn of Brian Brady to make the result sheet. Pilmore Beach was the third Y/Bird race of 2009 and seen the largest convoy transported by the ISRF that being a superb 12,143 pigeons sent by 422 lofts. The top honours went to J B Russell on 1636 ypm better was to come for the loft also finished 2nd Federation on 1635ypm, a super result and one that will surely be remembered by the Russell loft. Third Federation was took by the Sarsfield RPC member Frank McEnroe, the Finglas RPC members took the next four positions with Derek Larkin leading the pack in fourth spot and the loft of N Deegan took the next three in the Federation result super racing. 10,378 pigeons where transported the following week to Mallow and it was to be the man of the moment Gerry O'Mara to stamp his authority on the Y/Bird programme by taking the first four in the Federation result, the loft of M Flood flying with the Dublin North East Club finished 5th Federation and it was to be the famous Cristy Keogh from the Dublin Homing Club who completed the top six. Rosscarbery was next up for the Federation members and their youngsters some 8,660 were sent to the race point by 376 competing lofts and top honours this time went to J O'Callaghan from the strong and competitive Cabra RPC. Runner-up was the J Hanley loft flying with the Kildonagh RPC on a velocity of 1735ypm, third Federation was won by Willie McCarthy from the Cabra Club once again and fourth seen the M & G McCourt team from the Northside & District RPC with a good arrival, 5th place was the Gannon boys from the Kilbrarrack & District on 1733 and completing the top six was the Ace loft of Derek Cummins from the Finglas RPC. The first of the Y/Bird Open Races was flown from Skibbereen on the 15th of August with 267 members sending 3,797 pigeons it was to be an excellent race for Alan Dent & Son of the Kildonagh RPC on a velocity 1806ypm that seen them lift the prestigious first prize, runner up was the loft of M Flood of the Dublin North East Club and third was the loft of T R & A Cowzer from the Rialto & District Club. Fourth went to Darren Dent of the Kildonagh Club once again on a Velocity of 1803, 5th Federation and on the same yard was the J Toner set up from Shelbourne with T Doyle of the Rathfarnham & District taking the next three positions from Skibbereen. Thurles was next up on August 22nd with a convoy of 11,272 pigeons top honours went to Gerry O'Mara & Family what a race it turned out to be for the first seven positions in the Federation result where all on the same yard, how often does this happen with over 11,000 pigeons competing. 2Nd & 5th Federation was the loft of Pat Byrne & Family flying with the Sarsfield the rest of the remaining positions in the top seven where took by Gerry O'Mara on what was an exceptional race for both lofts not forgetting a good performance by Derek Cummins who recorded 12 good pigeons in the top 42 of the Federation result. The ISRF changed the race point for the next race that being Pilmore Beach and with 9,860 pigeons competing the man at the top of the table remained unchanged that being two on the trot for Gerry O'Mara but more impressively he also finished 2nd & 3rd Federation on 1777, 1776 and 1775 ypm. It was a top four for the Kildonagh Club as Alan Dent & Son where fourth Federation on 1771ypm. 5Th & 6th Federation went to the Greenhills & District loft of B Traynor who was having an electrifying year. The first cross channel race of the Y/Bird programme was flown from Talbenny on Saturday 29th of August with 289 members sending 1,941 pigeons to what turned out to be some what of a testing race, the 1st Federation diploma was won by J Duffy of the Donnycarney RPC on a Velocity of 985ypm, runner-up was the Meredith Family from the Ballymun Club 975 ypm and third Federation on the same velocity was J McLoughlin from the ever consistent Finglas RPC, the Byrne, Duffy & Sons partnership from Shelbourne where to finish 1st Club and 4th Federation. Next best in 5th place seen the Dublin North East loft of J J Rock take top honours in the Club finishing 5th Federation on 968, with the Kildonagh team of Mr & Mrs P Bell completing the top six from Talbenny in South Wales. The first Y/Bird race of September and the 10th of the Y/Bird campaign by the ISRF was flown from Mallow top man once again and what a Y/Bird season for the inform Gerry O'Mara who topped the Federation yet again on a velocity of 1985ypm just ahead of Daniel Bros of the Donnycarney RPC who finished second on 1981ypm, the magical Cristy Keogh from the Homing Club was third federation with the Gannon Boys from Kilbarrack & District finishing 4th Federation keeping up their good form having finished 5th Federation from Rosscarbery a couple of weeks back. Pat Byrne & Son flying with the Sarsfield RPC where equally having a very credible season taking the first five in the Club and finishing 5th, 6th, 7th, 10th and 17th Federation respectively. Impressive. Skibbereen followed on the 12th of September and it was the turn of the J Emmett loft from Blanchardstown to make his name in the Federation taking the first three positions with 283 members sending 5,775 pigeons a fantastic result that he should be very proud off, in fourth spot was the formidable Willie McCarthy from Cabra with the J Farrell loft from Sarsfield finishing 5th on 1305ypm and rounding up the top six was the loft of J B Russell of Clondalkin who won a total of 8 x 1st Club's during 2009. Well with 11 races done and dusted we moved onto Skibbereen for the last time in 2009 as this was to be the last action for the Irish South Road Federation membership and to see the season to the end some 205 members sent 2,845 pigeons to the final race, this being an Open Race with pools and prize money. Top of the pile in the final race was the M Cahill loft from Bray who was a very commanding winner in a well flown event on a velocity of 1297ypm, runner-up was the ever consistent Brian Brady of the Greenhills Club, this being Brian 5th 1st Club of 2009, a name I have covered for some time that being the Cabra loft of Bodie & Dobson of Cabra where next best in third place on 1279ypm, Alan Dent & Son of the strong Kildonagh Club finished 4th Federation with the Dublin Homing outfit of D Murtagh & Daughter finishing 5th Federation on 1276ypm and completing the top six in the final race of 2009 was S Homan from the Federation winning Club Bray. I hope that my over-view of the racing season has went some way in giving a mention to the many winners in what is one of the largest Pigeon Racing Federation in Ireland.

I will now move onto the Section Winners, Points Winners, Y/Bird, O/Bird and Cross Channel Bird of the Year not forgetting the Meritorious Award Winners and the Club Points Winner!

ISRF O/Bird Points Winner - 1st Tommy Nelson, Ballymun 3851; 2nd Gerry O'Mara & Family Kildonagh 2783; 3rd Derek Larkin, Finglas RPC 2587.

ISRF Y/Bird Points Winner - 1st Gerry O'Mara & Family, Kildonagh RPC 2513; 2nd Derek Cummins & Son, Finglas RPC 2417; 3rd Derek Larkin, Finglas RPC 2241.

ISRF Over-all Points Winner - 1st Gerry O'Mara & Family, Kildonagh RPC 5296; 2nd Tommy Nelson, Ballymun 4861; 3rd Derek Larkin, Finglas RPC 4828.

ISRF Channel Race Winners - 1st M Byrne, Duffy & Sons, Shelbourne RPC 1224; 2nd Derek Cummins, Finglas RPC 920; 3rd J McLoughlin, Finglas RPC 894.

ISRF Open Race Points Winners - 1st Tommy Nelson, Ballymun 1735; 2nd Derek Larkin, Finglas RPC 1370; 3rd Derek Cummins & Son, Finglas RPC 952.

ISRF O/Bird Of The Year – Gerry O'Mara & Family

ISRF Y/Bird Of The Year – Mick Flood

ISRF Channel Bird Of The Year – Derek Cummins & Son

ISRF Overall Section C Winners - 1st P Byrne & Family 147; 2nd F McEnroe 105, 3rd J B Russell 92.

ISRF Overall Section D Winners - 1st M Byrne, Duffy & Sons 145; 2nd C & J Bradley 124; 3rd B Allen 105.

ISRF Overall Section F Winners - 1st Derek Larkin 140; 2nd T Nelson 133, 3rd D Cummins & Son 113.

ISRF Overall Section G Winners - 1st McGovern Bros 256; 2nd B Brady 172, 3rd A Nulty 121.

ISRF Overall Section N Winners - 1st Gerry O'Mara 340, 2nd A Dent & Son 104, 3rd C Keogh 99.

ISRF Club Points Winners Of The Year - 1st Finglas RPC 23,608, 2nd Sarsfield RPC 15,407, 3rd Kildonagh RPC 12,702.

ISRF Y/Bird Meritorious Award – Gerry O'Mara & Family, Kildonagh RPC.

ISRF O/Bird Meritorious Award – Derek Cummins & Son, Finglas RPC

ISRF Out-Standing Performance – Derek Cummins & Son, Finglas RPC

ISRF Young Fancier of the Year – T McLoughlin Jnr, Finglas RPC

Adie McCormick
Ireland’s Own Pigeon Auctions
http://www.pigeonnetwork.com
email celestiallofts@aol.com
Tel 028 92 604778

Captions for photos to follow -

(43) Gerry O’Mara collects his award from main guest Adie McCormick during the ISRF Dinner in Dublin. Gerry has now won the ISRF Fancier of the Year 5 times.

(44) Micky & Jason receive their award from Adie on behalf of the M Byrne, Duffy & Sons partnership from the Shelbourne RPC.

(45) The Ace Flyer from Finglas Derek Cummins had a super season pictured here lifting one of his awards.

(46) Thomas McLaughlin also from the Finglas RPC won the ISRF Young Fancier of the Year Award during the prize distribution.

(47) What a year Breda Deegan had from the Dublin North County winning no less than 7,000 Euro.

(48) One of the loudest applauses came when Spike & Martin Emmett came forward to receive their awards, Spike is a Legend.

(49) Paddy Dandy pictured with Adie lifting his award for topping the Federation from Sennen Cove in the O/Birds.

(50) Mark Hartnett from the strong Kildonagh Club was next up to lift his award for Sennen Cove also.

(51) David Turner had a super year racing in the Finglas RPC and is pictured lifting his award from Adie McCormick owner of Pigeonnetwork.com

(52) Gerry Daly set the stage alight from St Malo in France with the ISRF and is pictured here lifting his 1st Federation award.

(53) Adie McCormick presents Do Do Dent with his award for topping the Federation from Skibbereen during 2009.

(54) Mark Cahill from Bray topped the Federation from Skibbereen in the last race of the Y/Bird Season.

(56) Christy Bradley from the C & J Bradley team always put on a good show, Christy pictured here collecting his award from Adie.

(57) The well respected Bill O’Mara was well applauded when lifting the award for topping the Federation from Thurles in the O/Birds.

(58) Derek Andrews topped the Federation from Talbenny on the first of the Cross Channel O/Bird Events for the ISRF.

(62) What a performance by John Aylmer of Cabra in the 1st Y/Bird race of 2009 finishing 1st & 2nd Federation.

(70) Mick Gilligan & Derek Cummins of the Finglas RPC collects the Club Points Shield from ISRF Guest Adie McCormick.

(71) Mick & Neill Cahill from Bray pictured with their awards the father & son team making a come back after 20 years.

(75) Very good friends and life long workers for the ISRF, John Flood and 2009 ISRF President Henry Byrne.

(77) Chief Guest Adie McCormick pictured with Tomas McLaughlin ISRF Young Fancier of the Year, Derek Cummins & Gerry O’Mara Meritorious Award Winners.

(78) The J J Hurley partnership topped the IHU National from Rosscarbery the first loft from Carlow to achieve this in 20 years.

(81) Mr & Mrs Paddy Dandy from the Clondalkin & District Club had a super season pictured here along with Adie of pigeonnetwork.com.