Farming Life - Wednesday 21/07/10

[willie reynolds]

Super Irish Kings Cup won in Bray by Reilly & Martin

The race all the long distance lofts and others were waiting for arrived at the end of the old bird programme, birds had been race marked in Lisburn by the usual team of hard and dedicated workers on Tuesday 29th June and were soon en-route to France for the Blue Riband race the Kings Cup. Race birds had been prepared to perfection over many weeks and a final total of 2,512 had been sent by 741 members across Ireland to compete for a grand total of £35,775 in pools and prizes and a host of awards, cups and diplomas etc. Some were to become new Champions of the Sport in Ireland. Friday was to be the day but a heavy band of rain in France and on the channel put paid to a release, liberation did take place in Plaudren close to Vannes on Saturday 3rd July at 7.30am in a Lt North wind to be SW around Penzance and then strengthen over the rest of the route home. It was just a case now of wait and see just where and at what time early arrivals would be reported.

A bird reported into Bray in Co Wicklow at 4.49pm set the pace and this one had all the experts working out what time they would need to clock, was the Bray time correct, what distance did they fly, all in all it looked to be a fantastic time of arrival. It proved to be a winner for Reilly & Martin on 1263, runner-up Ron Williamson of Bondhill was doing velocity 1238. Ron Williamson himself had a good time into Northern Ireland at Portadown his 7.03pm was also out on its own. This loft timed further arrivals at 9.08pm, 9.19pm, 5.51am, 6.20am, 6.27am, 6.39am, 6.58am, 7.06am, and 8.55am for a super team performance. He finished 2nd Open Kings Cup for the second time, on the previous occasion he failed by just a decimal point, this time the top two birds, were out on their own. Around 120 arrivals were confirmed on the day and over 400 by Sunday afternoon, a very good success. Hall of Fame Diplomas have been confirmed for J Waring & Son Lisburn & Dist, D Croskery & Son Annsborough and W McClure Kells & Dist.

1st Open & 1st South Sect - Reilly & Martin, Bray South End, 401 Miles, Vel 1263 plus £2,204.

It was another dream come true for another Dublin based loft with the East Coast Federation having the Kings Cup winner for the second year. Last time the race was won by T & T Moorehouse of Rathnew, this time it’s the Sammy Reilly & Jim Martin team racing in South End Bray. The first bird timed, a 2yo Blue cock was not caught and the Dublin loft were easy winners. I had early contact with the team and soon found out there was a bit of a story surrounding the winner. He was bred by Myles Taylor who lives in the Borough of Lisburn and races with Glenavy & District. The bird was lost racing in the early part of 2009, made its home in Bray and was transferred in time for racing this year. He won Bude three weeks prior to the Kings Cup, a real stinker of a race finishing 11th Open ECF. Next morning he had his bath and was chasing hens around the rooftops an hour later, in 50 years racing the partners have never seen any bird recover so well after races. He flew both Talbenny races clocked each time at 107 miles and also flew the Penzance Open taking 7th Club after 11 hours on the wing, another stinker of a race. He was rested for the week or so leading up to the France Classic, no further training. Again he recovered very well bouncing in two days and they had to make a decision whether to send or not send to the Kings Cup, was in fact sent sitting eggs and the rest is now history, we look forward to their report.

The partners would like to thank all the well wishers that have contacted them, just like to say it doesn’t get any better than this. It would seem he was 30 yards pm ahead of the next bird, we knew the pigeon has been in great form for the past few weeks, this just proves that he got his small slice of luck yesterday, and took advantage.

2nd Open & 1st North Sect – Ron Williamson, Bondhill, 488 Miles, Vel 1239 plus £1,491.

This is proving to be another wonderful season for Ron who from the four Old Bird Nationals so far has been 19th Open Skibbereen, 9th Open Yearling National, 2nd Open King’s Cup and 7th Open in the Friendship National. This year Ron has not been out of the top 20 in all Channel and National races.

The pigeon timed 2nd Open is a two-year-old hen from Ron’s own breeding and is much the same as all the pigeons he times from France. I notice he had eight pigeons in the Open result from the King’s Cup. The dam of the pigeon timed here is off the hen that was 8th and 114th Open from the King’s Cup, while the sire is down from the pigeon that was 2nd Open YB Penzance in 2002. A sister of the pigeon timed at 2nd Open this year was 10th Open last year. This bird was raced through to Bude before going to the King’s Cup sitting 13 to 14 days on eggs.

3rd Open & 2nd North Sect – Belshaw & Anderson, Derriaghy, 488 Miles, Vel 1201 plus £1,959.

Another famous loft from the Lisburn area Belshaw & Anderson from Derriaghy finished a good 2nd in the North Sect and 3rd Open, just two birds away and well pooled to collect almost £2,000. It was a return visit to Jim Belshaw in Lisburn having covered the Friendship Nat a couple of years ago, in fact his 8th Open winner is the dam of this bird. The lofts best ever performance was 2nd Open in the Friendship Nat, he came very close to having a better result when he had an early arrival in this seasons Kings Cup finishing 2nd North Sect & 3rd Open INFC. The 2yo Blue cock had a long fly in Penzance in 2009 and before France this year had Talbenny (1) & (2) and Bude. It was trained private by Benny McKeown a good racer himself, and sent on eggs 12 days. In has all his old distance lines Walkingshaw and Kilpatrick similar to the good Grizzle cock that had won the loft a Hall of Fame Diploma.

4th Open & 2nd South Sect – B W Hoey, Ind South, 416 Miles, Vel 1194 plus £2,676.

Brian’s pigeon is a yearling Frans Van Wildemeersch cock, the first yearling in the result and will win the McCloud Cup. Brian bought the parents, a matched pair at the Dublin Show where they had been presented by Moore Bros of the Up North Combine. Brian didn’t race this bird in the early part of the season and only started him in the inland races when the channel racing began. He was raced most weeks after that including the Valencia Open and was in Skibbereen (179miles) the Saturday before basketing for the King’s Cup. It was sent to the race sitting 10days on eggs. Brian timed this cock at 5.44pm on race day to take 2nd South section, 4th Open with winnings of £2,676.81.

5th Open & 3rd North Sect – C O’Hare & Son, Ballyholland, 467 Miles, Vel 1172 plus £305. Winner of the Harkness Rose Bowl for 2 Bird Average.

What a wonderful performance from Cormac O’Hare, Ballyholland to win the coveted Harkness Rose Bowl for the best two bird average in the King’s Cup. Many put winning this prize as the next best thing to actually winning the King’s Cup.

Cormac’s stock loft is based on Alan Darragh’s pigeons and it is no surprise to learn that both pigeons are pure Darragh. Both are two-year-old hens and both were clocked in the Penzance Classic last year. They were raced in the club programme up Ireland this year unpaired, and then were sent to the first Talbenny. They were stopped after this and trained and prepared for the King’s Cup. Cormac’s first pigeon was clocked at 7.11pm to take 3rd North section, 5th Open. This two-year-old hen’s eggs hatched the day after she went to the King’s Cup. This bird is line bred from ‘Ranger’, Alan’s King’s Cup winner, so well bred for the job at hand. Cormac’s second pigeon was timed at 7.35pm and was 19th North section, 22nd Open. This bird got into the young bird loft one day and took up with a young cock. Afterwards when Cormac tried to pair her to an older cock she showed no interest and every time she was out she headed to the young bird loft to seek out her young mate. This bird is a grand daughter of ‘Swallow Brae Lad’, Alan’s first yearling National winner.

6th Open & 4th North Sect – N Black & Son, Dromara, 479 Miles, Vel 1164 plus £505.

6th Open the previous winners N Black & Son of Dromara, this is the partnerships 13th time in the Top 10 of the King’s Cup, they have also won three Harkness Rose Bowls and two Hall of Fames. Their timer this time is a small three year old Blue Ch hen. She had two races as a young bird, Tullamore and Roscrea, as a yearling two Pilmore Beaches and Bude. The next year as a two year old Fermoy and Talbenny followed by Vannes where she came on the second day at 5.30pm. This year she had two races from Clonmel, Fermoy, two from Talbenny and Bude as preparation plus a few tosses from Castlebellingham and Donaghadee. She was sent sitting fourteen days on eggs. Her sire is a son of the partnership’s Hall of Fame Hen, 6th, 7th and 176th Rennes and the dam is a daughter of “Drumiller Hill Lad” and “Mother’s Pride”, 1st and 2nd Open King’s Cup respectively. The feeding is Frazers Continental Widowhood with Energy Mix. This result capped a great week for “Drumiller Hill Lad” as in the previous week’s race he was the grandsire of Tom Marshall & Son’s 1st East Down Combine winner out of St Malo and on the day of the King’s Cup he was also the grandsire of Ian Gill’s Barcelona Challenge winner. A fasntastic line of birds that go on and on.

7th Open & 5th North Sect – Glen Buckley & Sons, Annaghmore, 488 Miles, Vel 1163 plus £2,556.

News still pending but will appear next time with the Friendship Nat report where the loft finished 8th Open INFC. The really big news is that having been turned down for the Triple Crown award in 2009 because the race performance over YB Channel, Yearling and Kings Cup was achieved in two seasons instead of the three as it was supposed to be can be awarded now, the same bird was placed again in the Kings Cup and has brought great joy to Mid Ulster. What a bird this is and we will have full details next time. G Buckley & Son are one of the big stars in the racing scene in Northern Ireland, their CV is getting some size now.

8th Open & 6th North Sect – D & I Edgar, Dromore HPS, 481 Miles, Vel 1162 plus £1,468.

Best in Dromore County Down was the D & I Edgar team who timed their single entry at 7.38pm having flown 481 miles. Their Blue hen was a 7 year old having the best bloodlines of Cattrysse, Dordin & Janssen all famous strains. She flew the same race last season arriving on the second morning. In preparation for the big race in 2010 she has flown 5 inland and 3 cross channel races followed by single up training and flying with the young birds. She raced on roundabout and has been a very consistent racer over the years.

9th Open & 7th North Sect – Mal Maguire & Son, Millvale, 468 Miles, Vel 1155 plus £983.

Mal Maguire from Millvale always looks forward to the major races and is getting his fair share of big awards, a lovely Blue Pied “Show Hen” finished 9th Open in the Kings Cup. It flew France last year and had scored in the Old Hens National flown with the YB Penzance. Before France it had three cross channel races and was sent feeding its first youngsters of the year. Sire was the good Blue Jan Aarden cock obtained from Louella Pigeon World in 2003 and the dam is a full sister to “Just Perfect” winner of RPRA 251-450 Mileage Award & Best All Round Performance (Irish Region) and 2nd RPRA Middle-Distance 2009. She contains all the lofts best lines “Home Alone”, “Portavogie Lass” etc. M Maguire & Son are having a fantastic time and I am sure more is to come, dedicated racers again.

10th Open & 8th North Sect – D & S Caskey, Bangor, 489 Miles, Vel 1154 plus £490.

10th Open is D & J Caskey of Bangor RPC, they also win the East Down Combine Cup for the 1st Combine bird in the result. The performance is all the more remarkable as Drew only sent the one bird and also was his first attempt at the Blue Riband King’s Cup. The bird in question is a small two year old Blue Ch hen, as a young bird she had just two races, Navan and Tullamore, and as a yearling every inland plus the Yearling National. This year she had all inland races plus the Skibbereen Derby and then Penzance, after Penzance she was just flown with the young birds. She was sent on her first youngster of the year one day old after being on chipping eggs for the four previous days. The parents of Drew’s hen were both obtained from N Black & Son. The sire is a brother to N Black & Son’s “Annie Mary”, 4th and 8th Open Messac and the dam is a daughter to “Annie Mary”. The feeding is Frazer’s Best All Round Mixture, with some High Energy Mix its last couple of days before basketing. Well done Drew, a great result in your first Kings Cup.

Sponsorship is very important in any organisation and the Committee and Members of the INFC are very grateful to Bucktons Premium Pigeon Feeds for their sponsorship given to this particular race, the winning fanciers Reilly & Martin get 5 bags of mixture and 2 bags each to the next five Ron Williamson, Belshaw & Anderson, Brian Hoey, C O’Hare & Son and N Black & Son.

D Croskery & Son, Annsborough – Hall of Fame Diploma

The Hall of Fame winner is a five-year-old White Busschaert hen bred by Tyrella’s D McNabb & Ptrs who are 202nd Open themselves in this race. In 2006 this bird was 140th Open, in 2009 she was 193rd Open and this year she was 88th Open. As a young bird she was badly busted up in a pre season training toss from Rathfriland but they managed to get her back on the road before the end of the young bird season and she got three young bird races. She has picked up a few other prizes along the way with the best being 6th South Down Federation in the Friendship National in 2007. This hen was sent to all her King’s Cup races sitting around 14 days on eggs, as this seems to suit her. When I was talking to Dolen and Dominic they were very quick to point out that this prize and the numerous others they have won would not be possible but for the attention that Josie (Dominic’s wife and Dolen’s mother) gives to the pigeons.

J Waring & Son, Lisburn & District HPS – Hall of Fame Diploma

Jackie Waring of Lisburn has been scoring at the distance for as long as I can remember and in 2010 wins a well deserved second Hall of Fame Diploma. The first occasion was back in 1995 and a lot has changed at the top of the INFC since that time. This bird was five times France, twice Dinard and three times Rennes in the Blue Riband Kings Cup. Always a very steady bird he never had an easy race. 1992 – 83rd Open on vel 476 1052/2,442, 1994 – 134th Open on vel 945 1032/2,420, 1995 – 149th Open on vel 509 1195/3,529. A lot of people say Rennes was one of our best points, J Waring & Son were flying 482 miles. His winner in 2010 is another super specimen recording a fantastic performance this year from Vannes at 487 miles finishing 22nd North Sect & 25th Open INFC at 7yo. The Cheq cock started out way back in 2005 with 21st North Sect & 24th Open INFC at 499 miles just 108 birds in race time. From Vannes in 2009 he scored 53rd Open and over the long period had been hawked twice, on one occasion very serious. It was so bad at one time he would not come out of the basket for training. This year he had just Fermoy and the Fermoy 5 Bird flying 5 hours, then trained private to Drogheda. A second arrival in the race has flown France 4 times now, from a hen that was also flown France on four occasions. Both birds from his old family of birds containing a lot of the old Walkingshaw lines were related, the grandsire of both were nest-mates. This man is a master of the trade, a top distance loft from Lisburn in County Antrim.

W McClure, Kells & District HPS – Hall of Fame Diploma

Bill just keeps a small team only interested in the distance events and has had a super 2010, my last occasion at this loft was the year he was 2nd Kings Cup to Tommy Speers, long time ago when my hair was a different colour. In the NIPA St Malo Bill was best in the Cullybackey Centre and finished 2nd Comb, 2nd Sect & 15th Open NIPA, only a handful of birds locally on the day. Two birds were sent to the Kings Cup and both were timed in minutes aroung lunch-time on the second day. His first a Blue Cheq hen was scoring at 8yo for the third time 13th Open from Messac in 2005 at 521 miles and last year from Vannes was 156th and this year 122nd from 510 miles. This one was pure De Weert through good friend Willie Greer of Ahoghill the second bird this year finished 127th Open following up the 46th Open in 2009 and now hopefully in line for a Hall of Fame. This bird is from a De Weert cock paired to a daughter of J Patience Kings Cup winner. Billy keeps the flag flying for Mid Antrim at the distance, very consistent over many years.

Maiden City – Kings of France

John Killen sent me a bit of news from Derry City just ahead of Londonderry’s crowning as UK City of Culture title for 2013, great news for the whole country. In the enclosed photo we had Michael Concannon holding a Dark Cheq cock which flew St Malo Nat last year in 2009. GB07E88335. He was 8th Section x 229th Open.

Robert Concannon is holding the Kings Cup cock this year. Blue Cheq GB07E88386. He flew St Malo last year 2009 where he finished 4th Section x 153rd Open, and of course he timed him from the Kings Cup last week at 538miles. A real good un!

Mickey Coyle is holding his Kings Cup pigeon. Blue cock GB08K36732.Timed at 11.25am on the second morning from 535 miles doing velocity 700. This super pigeon was the first bird back in Derry. This bird also won a very testing 5 day holdover from Talbenny in 2009. Now nicknamed "Popeye Doyle" he is a real prospect for the future! Don Coyle is holding the Concannon’s 3rd French pigeon, A Red Cheq cock, GB08K36372, which flew the St Malo National a fortnight ago.

My many thanks again to all those who assisted with this race report, there were many and it’s all appreciated. I have said many times about the massive numbers involved in making each race a success, totally dedicated the lot of them all good and doing their own particular job. The report was a little delayed, due to a change with the young bird race programme my trip to Dublin was delayed one week. Thanks to all involved in Dublin as well, there really is a lot going on with the big races. The Friendship Nat report is well in hand, in no small measure to the amount of help and it will follow shortly. The Kings Cup report is wide ranging, not covering everyone, there were many performances of note but unfortunately not possible to cover the lot.

Start of Young Birds

The opening race from Tullamore last weekend was a bit of an experience, liberation was delayed until 1.45pm due to the heavy showers, in the South West wind the birds were still well split up and a lot reported missing as well. A start has been made after the first training race from Mullingar had been cancelled a week earlier, local fanciers have complained about the big jump in miles for a first race and this is something they need to address for the future. The second liberation from the same point was at 14.15hrs and featured among others Sections D, E, F, G & Bottom A etc

The big Coleraine Premier dominated the Coleraine Triangle T & J McDonald scored a good 1st, 2nd & 3rd followed by A & R McAuley and J L Madden both lofts having a top card. T Stewart had 1st & 2nd in Windsor Soc (1518) and T McCrudden had 1st County Derry (1510).

Coleraine Triangle Tullamore (1) – T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1569, T & J McDonald 1567, T & J McDonald 1567, A & R McAuley Ballymoney 1559, J L Madden Coleraine Prem 1550, J L Madden 1550, J L Madden 1550, J L Madden 1550, J L Madden 1549, J L Madden 1549.

N.I.P.A. Tullamore 17/7/2010

N.I.P.A. Section A:

Coleraine Prem - 1st,2nd&3rd T&J McDonald 1569,1567,1567, 4ththru10th J L Madden 1550,1550,1550,1550,1549,1549,1549.

Windsor Soc 9/184 - 1st&2nd T Stewart 1518,1517, 3rd,4th&5th E Christie 1514,1510,1502, 6th Horner&Scott 1496, 7th K Glass 1492, 8th E&J McGarry 1491, 9th R McCann 1483, 10th Horner&Scott 1476.

Coleraine&Co Derry 1st T McCrudden 1510, 2nd,3rd&4th McCorriston&McLaughlin 1463,1461,1460.

Coalisland&Dist 8/242 - 1st M/M G Larmour 1456, 2nd,3rd&4th E Bleeks 1418,1411,1404, 5th K Carolan 1401, 6th M/M G Larmour 1398, 7th K Carolan 1396, 8th M/M G Larmour 1384, 9th D Canavan 1353, 10th W Bleeks&Son 1353.

Mid Antrim Combine Tullamore (1) 76/1,725 -

Surgenor Bros Kells&Dist 1701, Scott&Clements Kells&Dist 1700, M Graham Ballymena 1651, Surgenor Bros 1646, S Millar Randalstown 1642, S Murphy Randalstown 1641, Scott&Clements 1630, Scott&Clements 1629, Scott&Clements 1629, McFarlene&Agnew Kells&Dist 1628, T McMillan Randalstown 1626, S Millar 1624, Milliken&Barkley Rasharkin&Dist 1615, A McBride Harryville 1602, H Cubitt Rasharkin&Dist 1600, C Moore New Antrim Amal 1597, McFall&McManus 1596, C Moore 1594, R Wylie Broughshane 1593, S Millar 1591, S Millar 1590, S Millar 1589, G&A Eagleson Broughshane 1587, J Getty Broughshane 1587, M/M Clarke New Antrim Amal 1585, K K Kernaohan&Sons Harryville 1582, M/M Clarke 1581, M Graham 1577, W&J Smyth Ballymena&Dist 1576, A McBride 1576.

N.I.P.A. Section B:

Kells&Dist 4/53 - 1st Surgenor Bros 1701, 2nd Scott&Clements 1700, 3rd Surgenor Bros 1646, 4th,5th&6th Scott&Clements 1630,1629,1629, 7th&8th McFarlene&Agnew 1628,1565, 9th W McClure 1424.

Ballymena&Dist 9/142 - 1st M Graham 1651, 2nd W&J Smyth 1581, 3rd M Graham 1577, 4th&5th W&J Smyth 1576,1571, 6th J Harris 1529, 7th Blair&Rankin 1521, 8th McGowan&Maternaghan 1515, 9th&10th M Graham 1512,1509.

Randalstown 6/187 - 1st S Millar 1642, 2nd S Murphy 1641, 3rd T McMillan 1626, 4ththru7th S Millar 1624,1591,1590,1589, 8th Stewart Bros 1556.

Crumlin&Dist 4/101 - 1st G Grant 1638, 2nd,3rd&4th M&B McConville 1627,1627, 1626, 5th G F Lindsay 1565, 6th M&B McConville.

Rasharkin & District 10/237 – Milliken & Barkley 1615, H Cubitt 1600, J & M Milliken 1560, Milliken & Barkley 1557, W McFetridge 1546, J & M Milliken 1538, H Cubitt 1534, W McFetridge 1522. Milliken & Barkley Nom & DTW. Race sponsored by Leck Scaffolding (NI) Ballymoney. D Dixon – 1559, 1516.

Harryville 7/156 - 1st A McBride 1602, 2nd K K Kernohan&Sons 1582, 3rd,4th&5th A McBride 1576,1576,1567, 6th Wray&McFadden 1554, 7th K K Kernohan&Sons 1553, 8th,9th&10th A McBrride 1552,1552,1551.

New Antrim Amal 8/170 - 1st C Moore 1597, 2nd McFall&McManus 1596, 3rd C Moore 1594, 4th&5th M/M Clarke 1585,1581, 6th R McFall&Son 1538, 7th&8th D Jackson&Son 1538,1516.

Broughshane 12/153 - 1st R Wylie 1593, 2nd G&A Eagleson 1589, 3rd J Getty 1587, 4th Mrs M Smyth 1565, 5th G&A Eagleson 1564, 6th&7th J&N Simpson 1544,1543, 8th D Houston&Son 1539. Robert Wylie wins the Club and breaks his Novice Status the first race with a Ch Pied hen down from the old Ishmael Kenyon bloodlines. They be celebrations at the Tully lofts tonight.

Cullybackey 12/372 - 1st Des Robinson 1564, 2nd&3rd Reid Bros&H McCloy 1561,1560, 4th Russell Bros 1534, 5th H&R McCloy 1533, 6th Russell Bros 1532, 7th N&S Anderson 1525, 8th H&R McCloy 1522, 9th Scott&Sprat 1522, 10th J&J Greer 1498.

Ballymoney 19/638 - 1st D Dixon 1559, 2nd&3rd A&R McAuley 1559,1541, 4th D&H Stuart 1535, 5th A&M Boyle 1531, 6th A Wilson 1520, 7th D Dixon 1516, 8th A Wilson 1515, 9th D Laverty 1511, 10th J Hutchinson&Son 1508, D & H Stuart 1503, A & M Boyle 1494. .

Dervock 5/195 - 1st D&H Stuart 1535, 2nd A&M Boyle 1531, 3rd J Hutchinson&Son 1508, 4th D&H Stuart 1503, 5th A&M Boyle 1494, 6th J Hutchinson&Son 1466, 7th D Devenney 1444, 8th W Neill 1387.

Ballymoney West Combine 9/247 - 1st D Laverty 1511, 2nd J Hutchinson&Son 1508, 3rd R J Elliott 1486, 4th W Blair 1428, 5th Currie&Gilmore 1410, 6th J McDowell&Sons 1381, 7th D Gage 1375, 8th C Henry 1291, 9th L Neill 1003.

Ahoghill 8/255 - 1st M/M Robinson 1495, 2nd J Smyth&Son 1488, 3rd D Stevenson 1483, 4th&5th D Lowry&Sons 1467,1467, 6th J Smyth&Son 1458, 7th M/M Robinson 1444, 8th T Young&Son 1439, 9th M/M Robinson 1438, 10th J Orr&Son 1435.

Springvale Social 8/193 – R Davidson & Sons 1638, J Scott 1612, I Horner 1553, V Montgomery 1552, R Davidson & Sons 1540, 1537, W Drennan 1531, I Horner 1527. Race sponsor Mr D Kirk.

Best reported in the East Antrim Sect C was in Ligoniel where the top team of Bingham & Seaton score 1st, 2nd and 3rd with the winner doing velocity 1737. This loft had a good old bird season and have started the young birds at the top as well. In Carrickfergus the D & J Armstrong & Son team have best bird in town doing velocity 1720 and Brian McCammon was best in Larne. Over 800 birds competing Brian had the top five places with the winner doing velocity 1663. The NIPA Sect C birds were released with Sect B, and top of Sect A at 13.45hrs.

N.I.P.A. Section D:

Dromara 4/85 - 1st Cromie&MaGee&Son 1745, 2nd N Black&Son 1698, 3rd Walker Bros 1631, 4th Russell Bros 1621, 5th N Black&Son 1617, 6th Walker Bros 1609.

Dromore 4/141 - 1st B&M McCoriston 1726, 2ndthru8th F Scott&Son 1725,1709,1709,1708,1707,1677,1676, 9th&10th D&I Edgar 1666,1664.

Dunedin Fc 6/184 - 1st Myles&McBride 1715, 2nd Kincaid&McCann 1689, 3rd Myles&McBride 1683, 4th Kincaid&McCann 1683, 5th,6th&7th R Cowan 1672,1670,1670, 8th Kincaid&McCann 1668, 9th&10th R Cowan 1668,1662.

Hills&Maze 8/200 - 1st Lavery Bros 1706, 2nd A&R Milliken 1705, 3rd Lavery Bros 1675, 4th&5th C Lyons 1633,1632, 6th S Grainger&Son 1624, 7th I Rollins&Son 1598, 8th Lavery Bros 1595, 9th A&R Milliken 1592, 10th C Lyons 1580.

Lisburn&Dist 13/327 - 1st G McMullan 1695, 2nd S&A Hanna 1694, 3rd R Topping&Son 1692, 4th G McMullan 1692, 5th D Ferguson 1686, 6th A Galloway 1679, 7th&8th I Magee&Son 1662,1661, 9th Spence Bros 1649, 10th Milliken&McCartney 1644.

Derriaghy - 1stthru4th R McCullough 1683,1646,1646,1596, 5th&6th R Benson 1593,1592.

Glenavy&Dist - 1stthru5th J Courtney 1673,1673,1671,1670,1669, 6th I Gibb&Sons 1659, 7th M Taylor 1635, 8th J Courtney 1635, 9th M Taylor 1634, 10th J Courtney 1631.

Colin - 1stthru6th O&M Monaghan 1672,1644,1644,1640,1640,1640,1544, 7th&8th M/M G Braniff 1535,1533, 9th J Gregory&Sons 1517, 10th M/M G Braniff 1513.

South Belfast 7/155 - 1st R Kenna 1673, 2nd Colin Shaw 1618, 3rd J Pollins 1611, 4th&5th Colin Shaw 1609,1604.

Orchard Combine Tullamore (1) - P & P Kelly Armagh 1692, N Weir Loughgall 1637, P Grew Charlemont 1571, N Weir 1569, 1568, 1565, 1546, 1545, 1544, 1544, P Duffy Armagh 1521, P Caughlan Monaghan 1498, N Weir 1496, D & C McArdle Armagh 1495, N Weir 1492, N Weir 1492, Cooney Bros Monaghan Monaghan 1467, E Grew Charlemont 1388, E Grew 1380, D & C McArdle 1382.

N.I.P.A. Section E:

Moira - 1st&2nd Turner Bros 1723,1703, 3rd E Russell 1677, 4th,5th&6th Turner Bros 1652,1651,1642.

Annaghmore 6/149 - 1st&2nd G Buckley&Son 1709,1573, 3rd G Calvin&Son 1561, 4th&5th T McClean 1558,1558, 6th G Buckley&Son 1503, 7th G Calvin&Son 1460, 8th&9th Calvin&Calvin 1426,1426, 10th F&D McNeice 1415.

Gilford&Dist - 1st G O'Dowd 1705, 2nd T Wilson 1701, 3rd&4th G O'Dowd 1683,1667, 5th,6th&7th T Greenaway 1653,1653,1653, 8th T Wilson 1647, 9th S Fiddes 1642, 10th T Wilson 1634.

Lurgan Soc - 1st&2nd D&B Lyness 1700,1699, 3rdthru6th S Curran 1676,1667,1659,1656.

Armagh 9/309 - 1st P&P Kelly 1692, 2nd P Duffy 1521, 3rd&4th D&C McArdle 1495,1382, 5th P Duffy 1369, 6th&7th D&C McArdle 1353,1334, 8th,9th&10th A Geraghty 1332,1332,1331.

Portadown Inv - 1st W Cannaway 1683, 2nd Donaldson,Hagan&Rowney 1673, 3rd&4th W Cannaway 1669,1642, 5th Donaldson,Hagan&Rowney 1611, 6th&7th W Cannaway 1604 1603, 8th A McDonald 1600, 9th Donaldson,Hagan&Rowney 1587, 10th A McDonald 1572.

Lurgan Amat 4/97 – G & F Hall 1646, Dando & Benett 1609, G & F Hall 1600, J P Nelson 1581.

Laurelvale 11/250 - 1st J Funston 1640, 2nd J Dowey&Sons 1640, 3rd F McCann 1628, 4th&5th C Duke&Sons 1602, 1600, 6thF McCann 1580, 7th J Funston 1581, 8th G&N Lester 1578, 9th Gills&Ratcliffe 1577, 10th A Neill 1567.

Loughgall - 1stthru10th N Weir 1637,1569,1568,1565,1546,1545,1445,1544,1544,1496,1492.

Edgarstown 11/298 - 1st D Parr 1633, 2nd T&A Ford 1616, 3rd&4th J Whitten 1602,1575, 5th R Cassells 1570, 6th T&A Ford 1557, 7th G&C Simmons 1536, 8th F Wright 1532, 9th G&T Ritchie 1509, 10th B B C 1468.

Wilton Cross 4/64 - 1st S Loughran&Son 1612, 2nd&3rd C&J Ferris 1571,1558, 4th D Carville&Son 1536, 5th C&J Ferris 1535, 6th Furphy&Cairns 1484.

Markethill - 1stthru6th Alan Humphries&Son 1604,1600,1590,1546,1546,1545.

Charlemont - 1st P Grew 1571, 2nd&3rd E Grew 1388,1380, 4th,5th,6th&7th A Grew 1334,1309,1296,1261, 8th E Grew 1261, 9th&10th A Grew 1261,1261.

Monaghan HPS – P Coughlan 1498, Cooney Bros 1467, B Corley 1432, P Coughlan 1303.

N.I.P.A. Section F:

Portavogie HPS 18/607 – M Young & Daughter 1761, 1756, B Young 1753, L Young 1740, J & R Young & Sons 1736, L Young 1715. Winner was timed at 16.19hrs, flying 124 miles.

Killyleagh&Dist - 1st Morrison Bros 1734, 2nd B&D Grieves 1727, 3rd D&C Morrison 1697, 4th P Murray 1670.

Corriga&Dist 4/130 - 1st&2nd K Rooney&Son 1726,1692, 3rd S&A Foster 1688, 4th,5th&6th K Rooney&Son 1645,1645,1640, 7th&8th J McMurrough&Son 1612,1581, 9th&10th S&A Foster 1563,1558.

Millisle&Dist 9/221 - 1st&2nd J&J Hollinger 1693,1693, 3rd&4th J Rankin 1627,1623, 5th R Strain&Son 1616, 6th&7th J Orr&Son 1615,1615, 8th&9th J Rankin 1599,1598, 10th J&J Hollinger 1596.

Killyleagh Cent - 1st H McVeigh 1625, 2nd C Healy 1616, 3rd McComb Bros 1517, 4th C Healy 1449, 5th H McVeigh 1432, 6th Irvine Bros 1264, 7th H McVeigh 1224, 8th&9th C Healy 1095,1055, 10th McComb Bros 1039.

Ards 6/106 - 1st McGimpsey Bros 1599, 2nd&3rd B Griffiths 1595,1591, 4th McGimpsey Bros 1589, 5th,6th&7th J McClenaghan 1565,1560,1550, 8th McGimpsey Bros 1513, 9th J McClenaghan 1510, 10th B Griffiths 1510.

N.I.P.A. Section G:

NorthSouth Fed 28/783 - 1st Donnelly Bros 1768, 2nd T Mooney&Son 1756, 3rdthru6th N Murtagh 1748,1746,1742,1739, 7th A McAteer&Sons 1723, 8th W Jones 1723, 9th&10th T Mooney&Son 1693,1692.

Millvale 7/189 - 1st T Mooney&Son 1756, 2ndthru5th N Murtagh 1748,1746,1742,1739, 6th W Jones 1723, 7th&8th T Mooney&Son 1693,1692, 9th N Murtagh 1688, 10th P Doran 1654.

Bessbrook - 1st R Cromwell&Son 1640, 2nd R McMinn&Dtr 1607, 3rd R Black&Son 1585, 4th R McMinn&Dtr 1563, 5th Hamilton&Hanna 1553, 6th K Linnie&Son 1512.

Ballyholland - 1st A McAteer 1723, 2nd M Peters 1666, 3rd J Murtagh 1650, 4th A McAteer 1655, 5th J Murtagh 1654.

Drumnavady - 1st J Beck 1633, 2nd R Cannaway 1578, 3rd J Beck 1576, 4ththru10th E Mallon&Son 1567,1567,1567,1567,1566,1566,1565.

N.I.P.A. Section H:

Foyle 14/177 - 1st J Ebbs 1455, 2nd J&G Ramsey 1453, 3rd&4th J Ebbs 1452,1415, 5ththru10th A McCrudden 1346,1343,1343,1342,1339,1320.

Londonderry 13/217 - 1st L Flanagan&Son 1452, 2nd N Murray 1392, 3rd L Flanagan&Son 1314, 4th A Boyd 1299, 5th P Breslin&Son 1287, 6th L Flanagan&Son 1276, 7th&8th B Houston 1122, 1085, 9th E Lyttle 1029, 10th N Murray 993.

Limavady 8/220 - 1st W McILmoyle 1434, 2nd J Crawford 1403, 3rd H Crawford 1397, 4th,5th&6th W McILmoyle 1255,1232,1227, 7th J Kerr 989.

Strabane 5/92 - 1st G McGavigan 1325, 2nd&3rd H McNulty 999,976.

EDC Navan (1) 17/7/2010

B McConnell Annalong 1607, E&D Harper&Sons Cloughey 1581, E&D Harper&Sons 1580, E&D Harper&Sons 1580, E&D Harper&Sons 1580, E&D Harper&Sons 1579, E&D Harper&Sons 1579, K Rooney&Son Annalong 1566, K Rooney&Son 1566, K Rooney&Son 1565, K Rooney&Son 1565, Gordon Bros&Sons Killyleagh Cent 1565, Gordon Bros&Sons Clughey 1564, Gordon Bros&Sons Clughey 1564, Gordon Bros&Sons Cloughey 1563, Gordon Bros&Sons Cloughey 1563, Gordon Bros&Sons Killyleagh Cent 1563, Gordon Bros&Sons Cloughey 1562, Gordon Bros&Sons Cloughey 1562, Gordon Bros&Sons Cloughey 1562, Gordon Bros&Sons Cloughey 1561, J Hall&Son Cloughey 1560, J Hall&Son 1559, J Hall&Son 1559, J Hall&Son 1558, McComb Bros Killyleagh Cent 1558, McComb Bros 1557, McComb Bros 1555, McComb Bros 1554, McComb Bros 1554, J Crossan Downpatrick 1554, McComb Bros 1553, J Crossan 1552, J Crossan 1552, J Crossan 1552, J Crossan 1551, McComb Bros 1550, R Connolly Downpatrick 1550, Gordon Bros&Sons Killyleagh Cent 1549, R Connolly Downpatrick 1549.

EDC West Section

T Horner&Sons Crossgar 1514, D Walsh Crossgar 1498, D Walsh 1494, D Walsh 1493, T Horner&Sons 1478, McCartan&Woodsides Crossgar 1470, McCartan&Woodsides 1470, McCartan&Woodsides 1464, McCartan&Woodsides 1464, McCartan&Woodsides 1463, T Horner&Sons 1456, T Horner&Sons 1456, T Horner&Sons 1455, T Horner&Sons 1455, P O'Connor&Dtr Drumaness Mills 1449, S&K Duke Crossgar 1447, S&K Duke 1444, S&K Duke 1442, S&K Duke 1439, S&K Duke 1437.

EDC East Section

B McConnell Annalong 1607, E&D Harper&Sons Cloughey 1581, E&D Harper&Sons 1580, E&D Harper&Sons 1580, E&D Harper&Sons 1580, E&D Harper&Sons 1579, E&D Harper&Sons 1579, K Rooney&Son Annalong 1566, K Rooney&Son 1566, K Rooney&Son 1565, K Rooney&Son 1565, Gordon Bros&Sons Killyleagh Cent 1565, Gordon Bros&Sons Cloughey 1564, Gordon Bros&Sons Cloughey 1564, Gordon Bros&Sons Cloughey 1563, Gordon Bros&Sons Cloughey 1563, Gordon Bros&Sons Killyleagh Cent 1563, Gordon Bros&Sons Cloughey 1562, Gordon Bros&Sons 1562, Gordon Bros&Sons Cloughey 1562.

EDC Navan (1) Clubs. Lib 12.15pm.

Annalong 9/297 - 1st B McConnell 1607, 2ndthru6th K Rooney&Son 1566,1566,1565,1565,1544, 7th,8th&9th B McConnell 1521,1521,1514, 10th L McCavery 1504.

Killyleagh Cent - 1st&2nd Gordon Bros 1565, 1563, 3rdthru9th McComb Bros 1558,1557,1555,1554,1554,1553,1550. 10th Gordon Bros 1549.

Crossgar 9/318 - 1st T Horner&Sons 1514, 2nd,3rd&4th D Walsh 1498,1494,1493, 5th T Horner&Sons 1478, 6ththru10th McCartan&Woodsides 1470,1470,1464,1464,1463.

Tyrella 7/256 - 1st&2nd G Halpin 1513,1497, 3rd S Milligan&Dtr 1485, 4th&5th S Halpin&Sons 1477,1466, 6th G&B Feenan&Sons 1457, 7th S Milligan&Dtr 1457, 8th&9th S Halpin&Sons 1450,1450, 10th S Milligan&Dtr 1450.

Annsborough 8/274 - 1st D Croskery&Son 1493, 2nd P Brown&Sons 1489, 3rd&4th D Croskery&Son 1489,1488, 5th P Brown&Sons 1487, 6ththru10th D Croskery&Son 1487,1487,1486,1485.

Drumaness Mills - 1st P O'Conner&Dtr 1449, 2nd J Kirk&Son 1353, 3rd,4th&5th Burns&O'Neill 1282,1229,1228, 6th S Murray&Son 1180, 7ththru10th Burns&O'Neill 1107,1020,1008,1001.

Dundonald - 1st J Young&Ptrs 1400, 2nd M Foulis 1392, 3rd&4th Kincaid&McCann 1376,1376, 5th&6th J Young&Ptrs 1365,1365, 7th&8th Kincaif&McCann 1363,1363, 9th M Foulis 1363, 10th Kincaid&McCann 1363.

Ballynahinch 3/62 - 1stthru5th R Hunter 1325,1320,1316,1293,1269, 6th,7th&8th John Abernethy 1169,1160,1160.

Ballylesson - 1st&2nd J Patterson 1322,1321, 3rd Ballie&Smyth 1309, 4th J Patterson 1286, 5th C&D Smyth&Sons 1260, 6th J Patterson 1253, 7th C&D Smyth&Sons 1249, 8th Mackey&Lockhart 1208, 9th R&M Allison 1196, 10th C&D Smyth&Sons 1172.

Newtownbreda 5/98 - 1st T Tumelty 1258, 2nd Tom Marshall 1242, 3rd&4th W White&Son 1241,1233, 5th R&S Casement 1198, 6th WN Casement&Son 1134, 7th R&S Casement 1118, 8th,9th&10th Tom Marshall&Son 1091,1091,1090.

Training for Young Bird Season

BANBRIDGE based Kenny Mallen will be operating a training programme for the local area young birds operating Monday through till Thursday. Collections are Banbridge 7.30-8.00am (Coach Car Park) and Newry 8.45-9.00am (Old Customs House). Any queries contact Kenny Tel: 07737 521355.

Williamson & Calvin Transporter will be training each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for young bird season, starting 6th July till end of the season. Birds can be hampered the night before or up to 7.50am on morning of toss at 23 Farra Road, phone Ron Williamson Mobile: 07841 762399. Collection Points as before: Annaghmore Clubrooms 8.05am, Ballyoran Hill 8.20am, Edgarstown 8.40am, Laurelvale HPS Clubrooms 9.00am, Markethill Corner 9.30am, Newry Playing Fields 9.50am. Special training each Sunday from Balbriggan, same collection times.

Many thanks to all who send birds again last week. Birds can be left with Danny Dixon (Dunloy) for collection at 8.20am then Ballymoney HPS Clubrooms at 9.00am (Ballybracks Business Park), calling on way back at Rasharkin (Main St), Cullybackey HPS, and Galgorm/Gracehill (Contact Cowan Balmer at Royal Court) approx 10.00am. Further calls will be made in Ahoghill, Randalstown and Antrim by arrangement. Tel: 07538 238364. Weather permitting we will be going Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week. We update weekly on www.pigeonnetwork.com