Farming Life - Wednesday 27/10/10

[willie reynolds]

The INFC dinner and prize presentation will be held in the Stormont Hotel on Friday 26th November, main guests are Geoff & Catherine Cooper. Cups and trophies need returned ASAP. As an extra event this year the committee have agreed that Syd Collins and Ronnie Johnston arrange an INFC Moot/Quiz and night of general information and promotion to take place at the Dunsilly Hotel (Antrim) on Friday 7th January 2011. The evening will include the presentation of the Merit Diplomas awarded for birds twice in the result of the two races from France, ie. Friendship Nat and the Kings Cup. After excellent races over the last couple of years 29 birds have qualified for the new Merit Diploma which will not include a photo of the bird. I believe the French Diploma will be presented as well and if a success might be repeated in other parts of the country. Entry will be £10 and that will include Buffet etc, Syd and Ronnie have all the details.

The 2010 season was a record breaking one in many ways for the members in the Irish Nat FC, the main cups and trophies were well spread out with Wexford winning two Nationals, Dublin also collected two and the Northern lofts collected three. Ronnie Williamson of Bondhill has won the National Championship for the third time equalling the record of Kirkwood Bros. Ron wins the famous Erwin Cup for Best Ave in all INFC Races, successful in 1996, 2005 and now 2010. Kirkwood Bros for the record had wins in 1970, 1986 and 1995. Ace racer and former NI Fancier of the Year Ron Williamson has set a new INFC record winning nine cups having previously shared the record with Jackie Crossan (Downpatrick), Paddy Rock & Son (Dublin), and Glen Buckley & Son (Annaghmore) all having won seven.

INFC 2010 Cup and Trophy Winners.

King George V Challenge Cup, Plaudren-Vannes, Old Bird National winner; Reilly&Martin ECF South End Bray, velocity 1263. Gilliand Cup, Plaudren-Vannes Old Bird, first IHU member after winner in King's Cup race; B.W. Hoey, Ballymun velocity 1194. Nelson Vase Plaudren-Vannes Old Bird, 1st RPRA member after winner in King's Cup race; Ron Williamson Bondhill, velocity 1239. East Down Combine Cup, Pludren-Vannes Old Bird 1st EDC member in King's Cup race; D&J Caskey, Bangor RPC, velocity 1154. Ulster Federation Cup Pludren-Vannes Old Bird, first Ulster Federation member i n King's Cup race; M. Black Grosvenor, velocity 1141. NIPA Cup, Plaudren-Vannes Old Bird, first NIPA member in King's Cup race Ron Williamson Bondhill, velocity 1239. Joe Cullan Memorial Cup, Plaudren-Vannes Old Bird, first East Coast Federation member in the King's Cup race; Reilly&Martin, ECF South End Bray, velocity 1263. Harkness Rose Bowl, Plaudren-Vannes Old Bird, Best Two Bird Average King's Cup; C.O'Hare&Son, Ballyholland, velocity 1152. Joe Doheny Cup, Plaudren-Vannes Old Bird, Single Bird Challenge Cup, P Dunlop, Edgarstown HPS, velocity 1145. Robinson Trophy, Plaudren-Vannes Old Bird, 14th King's Cup; G. McKenna, Eastway, velocity 1144. McCloud Cup, Plaudren-Vannes Old Bird, 1st Yearling King's Cup; B. W. Hoey, Ballymun, velocity 1194.

Ronnie Johnston Challenge Cup, Skibbereen Old Bird Inland National; B. Cullimore, Wexford North&South, velocity 1260. Friendship Cup, St Malo Old Bird Friendship National; N&C Shields, ECF Balbriggan, velocity 1160. British Barcelona Club Trophy, St Malo Old Bird, 2nd Friendship National; P Smith&Son, ECF Stillorgan, velocity 1157. Henry Beattie&Son Trophy, St Malo Old Bird, Best Two Bird average Friendship National, Donnelly Brothers, Newry City, velocity 1081. Nelson Corry Trophy, Sennen Cove Yearling National; A Darragh, Cullybackey, velocity 958. Sam Buckley Memorial Cup, Best Tow-Bird Average Sennen Cove Yearling National; A Darragh Cullybackey, velocity. 958. Darragh Challenge Cup, Penzance Old Hens National; Gregg Beos&McCandless, Ligoniel HPS velocity 1334.

J.M.K. McGugan Perpetual Cup, Penzance Young Bird Channel National; D Dixon, Ballymoney, velocity 1311. William Erwin Memorial Cup, Penzance 1st South Section Channel Young Bird National; N Deegan, Finglas RPC, velocity 1246. De-Scheemaecker Trophy, Penzance Young Bird Best Two-Bird Average in Channel Young Bird National; S. McLaughlin&Sons, Glenavy&Dist HPS velocity 1260. Tom Marshall Trophy Skibbereen Young Bird Inland National; B Cullimore, Wexford North&South, velocity 1288.

J Gilmour Memorial Cup, Best average Plaudren-Vannes Old Bird Sennen cove Yearling Nationals; Ron Williamson, Bondhill, velcoity 1092. Irvine Trophy, Best Average Old Bird Nationals St Malo and Plaudren Vannes; Ron Williamson Bondhill, velocity 1160. Jarvis Cup, Best average Penzance and Skibbereen Young Bird Nationals; D Dixon, Ballymoney, velocity 1222. Rhead Trophy, Best Average Plaudren-Vannes Old Bird and Penzance Young Bird Natiolas; Ron Williamson Bondhill, velocity 1224. R Williamson Bondhill, velocity 1127. Harkers Trophy, Best Average Sennen Cove Yearling and Penzance Young Bird Nationals; A Darragh Cullybackey, velocity 1083. Robin Duddy Trophy, Best average Sennen Cove Yearling and Penzance Young Bird National (three-bird nomination) D Croskery&Son Annsborough, velocity961. Charles Hunniford Memorial Trophy Best Average (North Section) Skibbereen Old Bird and Young Bird Nationals; Mr&Mrs Stevenson, Dromara, velocity 1182. The New North Cup, Best Average Sennen Cove Yearling, Plaudren-Vannes King's Cup, St Malo Friendship and Penzance Young Bird Nationals; Ron Williamson Bondhill, velocity 1115. President's Cup, Best Average Plaudren-Vannes King's Cup, Sennen Cove Yearling, Penzance Young Bird and Skibbereen Young Bird Nationals; Ron Williamson Bondhill, velocity 1120. Erwin Trophy, Best Average All National Races (excluding old hens); Ron Williamson Bondhill, velocity 1127.

Hall Of Fame Diplomas won by; J Waring&Son Lisburn&Dist, blue cheq cock GB03L2844; 2005 24th, 2006 53rd and 201025th. D Croskery&Son, Annaborough white hen IHU05N11429: 2006 140th, 2009 193rd and 2010 89th. W McClure Kells&Dist , blue cheq hen GB02K09025: 2005 13th, 2009 156th and 2010 122nd.

Triple Crown Award, Freamed Diploma. G Buckley&Son, Annaghmore, blue whit flight hen GB08A 31264: 2008 Sennen Cove Young Bird 134th Open, 2009 Sennen Cove Yearling 29th Open and 2010 Plaudren-Vannes King's Cup201st Open. W G Neill Annaghmore, blue hen GB08R48706: 2008 Sennen Cove Young Bird 89th Open, 2009 Sennen Cove Yearling 62nd Open and 2010 Plaudren-Vannes King's Cup 53rd Open. Ron Williamson, Bondhill, blue pied hen GB08B14063: 2008 Sennen Cove Young Bird 32nd Open, 2009 Sennen Cove Yearling 194th Open and 2010 Plaudren-Vannes King's Cup 72nd Open.

The NIPA Ladies Night will be held at the Templeton Hotel in Templepatrick on Friday 12th November, tickets at £30 should be ordered from Fred Russell. Tel: (028) 92693913 or Mobile: 07833 070371. Trophy winners should make every effort to attend. All cups and trophies should be returned ASAP to allow time for engraving etc. The Bronze/Silver Diploma List has already been published, if you are not listed place your claim with Fred Russell immediately.

The long wait is over and the NIPA Section winners can now be confirmed, there will be few surprises as each loft listed had outstanding race seasons during 2010. Winning lofts should send their season report with results and some bird detail plus if possible a photo to be included for publication.

Sect A – Karl Murphy (Coalisland), 209 Points. Sect B – Danny Dixon (Ballymoney), 574 Points. Sect C – D & J Campbell & Bigger (Glengormley), 773 Points. Sect D – Spence Bros (Lisburn & District), 674 Points. Sect E – Ron Williamson (Bondhill), 572 Points. Sect F – Jackie Rankin (Millisle), 548 Points. Sect G – Donnelly Bros (Newry City Invitation), 819 Points. Sect H – Ronnie Witherow (Limavady), 237 Points.

OB Trophy Winners 2010 were: NIPA Trophy Tullamore (1) B Corley of Monaghan vel 1768, H McCabe Cup Tullamore (2) B Griffith of Ards vel 1645, G F Whiteside Cup Roscrea H McLaughlin of Coalisland vel 1744, Gilmore & Beattie Cup Clonmel (1) T & A Ford Edgarstown vel 1584, S Calvert Cup Clonmel (2) Donnelly Bros of Newry City Inv vel 1259, NIPA Cup Tullamore (3) P Tierney of Monaghan vel 1590, R Harkness Cup Fermoy L Young of Portavogie vel 1601, Simpson Cup Talbenny (1) Donnelly Bros of Newry City Inv vel 1218, Ledlie Cup Talbenny (2) Donnelly Bros of Newry City Inv vel 1605, Northern Bank Trophy Fermoy T Mooney & Son of Millvale vel 1548, Vint Cup Bude R Williamson of Bondhill vel 1086, McCrory Cup Penzance I Parkes & Son of Armagh vel 1069.

YB Trophy Winners 2010 were: NIPA Trophy Tullamore Bingham & Seaton of Ligoniel & Dist vel 1737, NIPA Trophy Tullamore Donnelly Bros of Newry City Inv vel 1768, R McIlwaine Cup Tullamore (1) P Doran of Millvale vel 1723, B Hunter Cup Roscrea McKinstry Bros of Dromara vel 1662, NIPA Trophy Roscrea (2) I Gibb & Sons of Glenavy vel 1336, W V Troughton Cup Clonmel Donnelly Bros of Newry City Inv vel 1259, S Montgomery Cup Fermoy I Gibb & Sons of Derriaghy vel 1907, NIPA Trophy Tullamore Comeback McKinstry Bros of Dromara vel 1770, S Inglis Cup Fermoy S O’Brien of Monaghan vel 1668.

Average Cup & Trophy Winners 2010 were: Erwin Trophy Best Ave in all Nat & Classic races won by D Dixon Ballymoney vel 1224, B Fox Cup Top placed official etc St Malo OB Nat won by S Corrigan Loughgall vel 1070, Waring Trophy Best Ave all Nat races won by R Williamson Bondhill vel 1283, W E Diamond Cup Best Ave Talbenny & Rosscarbery YB Nationals won by Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel vel 1284, McCluggage Cup Best Ave all cross channel races inc Nationals won by R Williamson vel 1151, Dickson Cup Best Ave Bude OB & Fermoy YB won by R Williamson vel 1296, Harper Cup Best Ave St Malo OB & Talbenny YB National won by T Fitzpatrick Wilton Cross vel 1170, Surgenor Cup Best Ave Talbenny (2), Bude & Penzance won by D Dixon vel 1142, Scania Cup best Ave St Malo Nat & Penzance OB Classic won by D Dixon vel 1566, Agar Cup First Yearling in OB Classic Penzance won by T Lillie Kingsmoss vel 1054, Major Lewis Cup Best Ave all races from England & Wales won by R Williamson vel 1139, Devine Memorial Trophy Best 2 Bird Ave St Malo OB Nat won by W G Neill Annaghmore vel 1222. New North Flying Club Cup Best Ave Penzance OB & Talbenny YB D Dixon Ballymoney vel 1076.

National & Classic Winners 2010 were: B Fletcher & Son Cup Rosscarbery OB Inland Nat won by Mr & Mrs P Maxwell Foyle vel 1500, Stena Trophy Mallow 5 Bird Championship won by K Rooney & Son Annalong vel 1324, J H O’Neill Cup Penzance OB Classic won by I Parkes & Son Armagh vel 1069, Volvo Trophy 5 Bird Championship YB Fermoy won by N Weir Loughgall vel 1630, McKeown Cup Talbenny YB Nat won by Donnelly Bros Newry City Inv vel 1101, H McVeigh Cup Rosscarbery YB Inland Nat won by Doonan & McGuinness Dromore HPS vel 1576, News of the World, McComb & Pigeon Portal.com Cups St Malo OB Nat won by W G Neill Annaghmore vel 1228, D McNeilly Memorial Cup runner-up St Malo OB Nat won by T Fitzpatrick Wilton Cross vel 1225, Northern Bank Cup Yearling Hen Nat Rosscarbery won by E Grew Charlemont vel 1653, Northern Bank Cup Yearling Cock Nat Rosscarbery won by G Marshall Cookstown vel 1689.

Section Trophy Winners 2010

Sect E: E & J McCambley Cups -Talbenny (1) won by G Douglas Wilton Cross vel 1208, Talbenny (2) won by R Williamson Bondhill vel 1580, Bude won by R Williamson Bondhill vel 1086, Penzance won by I Parkes & Son Armagh vel 1069, St Malo won by W G Neill Annaghmore vel 1228. Sect A: H Devine Cup St Malo won by Mr & Mrs G Larmour Coalisland vel 1208. Sect B: Leslie Mairs Memorial Cup St Malo won by S Millar Randalstown vel 1205. Sect C: J Campbell Memorial Cup St Malo won by R Gray & Son Kingsmoss vel 1167. Sect D: H McVeigh Cup St Malo won by S McLaughlin & Sons Glenavy vel 1159. Sect F: A Brown & Family Cup St Malo won by J & R Young & Sons Portavogie vel 1106. Sect G: Norman Girvan Memorial Cup St Malo won by M Conlon & Sons Banbridge vel 1168. Sect F: John Bingo Orme Memorial Trophy OB Inland Nat Rosscarbery won by McGimpsey Bros Ards vel 1419.

Sales/Meetings/Shows

A Section B Delegate Meeting has been arranged for Harryville HPS on Wednesday 27th October at 8.00pm to discuss the season just past and plans for the new racing year. Two Delegates from each local club in the NIPA Sect B. Decisions made at this meeting will be raised with the NIPA.

The sale of birds and Mega System plus T3, baskets etc for the late Alfie Strawbridge will be held in the Coleraine Premier clubrooms soon, date to be confirmed. Around 18 birds in total, raced but only timed in the longer races and he scored there a number of times over the years including a recent top success from France. From Lamballe OB Nat in 2007 A Strawbridge scored 1st Club, 1st Sect A and 9th Open NIPA doing velocity 1023. Just had a note from Leslie Madden in Coleraine, he has listed all the details.

CLEARANCE SALE FOR THE LATE ALFIE STRAWBRIDGE (COLERAINE PREMIER) ON FRIDAY 29TH OCTOBER IN COLERAINE PREMIER CLUBROOMS AT 8.00PM

Alfie Strawbridge was only interested in distance racing. His best performance was 1st Section, 9th Open Lamballe. The breeding of the birds are mostly Nevin Bros (Coleraine Premier), winner of the Dinard Derby/National in NIPA and twice winner of the INFC Averages. Alfie was very sick this year but managed to race until the last young bird race. He has 2 Baskets, 1 Mega Electronic Timing System with 3 Field Antenna and also a T3 clock (serviced last year) and 2 lofts, 6'x6' and 8'x6', which can be seen at his home.

MAC Show Scene

Mid Antrim show season will commence shortly, I have a list now for each club covering all six nights Monday through till Saturday. Very well done to all concerned keeping the show season up to date which will keep fanciers in touch with each other over two months still the start of the New Year. Ballymena & Dist will operate on the usual Monday night, the opening classes on 1st November are Young Cock and Young Hen Through the Wires, penning from 7.00pm. Broughshane & Dist are each Tuesday starting on 2nd November with classes for Old Cocks and Young Cocks T/W, penning from 7.15pm and all welcome. Kells & Dist are the usual Wednesday starting on 10th November with Young Cock T/W. Harryville dates are the usual Thursday starting on 4th November with classes for Old Cock & Young Cock T/W to be followed by 11th Nov Old Hen & Young Hen T/T, 18th Nov OC & YC Handled, 25th Nov OH & YH Handled, 2nd Dec OB & YB Eye-sign, 9th Dec Old & Young Pairs, 16th Dec Card Winners & Fancy. Open Show will be held in Harryville HPS Clubrooms on Saturday 4th December, more on this later. Ahoghill Flying Club will start on 5th November, classes Young Cock and Young Hen T/W to be followed by Old Cock & Old Hen T/W on 12th November. Cullybackey HPS season will commence on Saturday 30th September, classes for Young Cock & Young Hen T/W. The Annual Open Show will be held the Saturday prior to Xmas, this year 18th December. Best wishes to James Anderson who at present is in hospital, get well soon. We send a similar message to the Crumlin Old Hand Jimmy Galloway who had a recent spell in hospital and is now recovering at home. Mid Antrim fanciers were sad to learn about the passing of Davy Logan who raced in Randalstown and had a big result in recent seasons from France. Condolences to the family circle including his brother Hubert who is Ring Secretary in Cullybackey.

Lurgan Social are running a series of shows commencing Monday 1st November, Any Age Cock or Hen judged Through the Wires. Special for Best Young Bird, penning from 7.15pm, entry 50p per bird.

KELLS & DISTRICT HPS – For the first time Kells & Dist will host a Pigeon Moot/Quiz in the Dunsilly Hotel Antrim (just off the M2 Dunsilly Roundabout). A perfect venue for such an event to be held on Friday 5th November entry £10 to include Hot Buffet Meal or £5 without the meal. Due to start at 8.00pm the evening will include presentation of Kells & Dist awards. INFC President Syd Collins will chair an all star panel which will include Ronnie Johnston, Roy Irwin, Anthony McDonnell, Alan Darragh, and Peter Martin. The Annual Open Show will be held again on Boxing Day, this year on Monday 27th December. Neal Adams (Hilltop) has some special deals at present including 5 x Bags 4 Seasons at £40. Tel: (028) 25648425 or Mobile: 07599 706717.

The very popular Dublin Show will be held at the Kennel Club close to the Dublin Airport on Saturday 6th November, the show birds are penned the night previous.

One of the top sales of the season in the winter of 2010 will be on behalf of the Beattie Family and the late Henry Beattie who was a pigeon legend in his lifetime. He had one of the best long distance lofts in Ireland and race records to match, one of the very few to win both the INFC Friendship Nat and the Kings Cup from France. The second sale will be in Glenavy on Saturday 30th October at 2.30pm. Auctioneer is the long time family friend Ronnie Johnston, for further details and Sale List Tel: (028) 90 483625, or Cyril Beattie Tel: (028) 38 840486.

November in Newtownbreda: Monday 1st November Tommy Lillie is a Complete Removal Sale (Newtownbreda), A slight correction to the sale for Tommy Lillie, owing to the property being sold it’s a Complete Removal Sale. If he is able to get a house that has a garden, he would like to start again. Top stock Van Reet inc 1st Club, 1st Sect & 3rd Open NIPA Penzance OB Classic, 1st Club Talbenny etc. Benzing ETS, 2 almost new lofts. Monday 8th November a selection of birds from the North Coast Classic, all birds flown Cork 240 miles. Monday 15th November Due to the health of Ned Marshall Killyleagh it has been decided the majority of the birds must be sold. More details later. The Sale advertised for A Cousins & Sons has been cancelled.

Ireland’s Own Pigeon Auctions have some sales arranged over the coming weeks, watch press for all the latest news or contact Homer Tel: 07538 238364. Sarsfield will host a Van Loon Spectacular for Mr & Mrs David Coward-Talbot, Danny Dalton had a top winner from stock purchased last year. From Northern Ireland we have a first time sale for Kevin Rooney & Son from Annalong and then Danny Dixon from Ballymoney, also first time. The Rooney partnership have set aside a select team of mature youngsters bred from their top lines of Linderlauf, Maria Vink and Staf Van Reet, parents purchased regardless of cost. Just recently Patrick Brown won 1st North Sect in the INFC Skibbereen bred from a SVR/Janssen pair of birds on loan.

A few fanciers have got birds of us and won, included:- Packie Brown a host of Club, Fed and Open winners; McCarton and Woodside won section this year; Billy Higgins winners of Club, Fed and Open winners of our birds; Brian McCammon of Larne bird of the year in a strong club plus other good prize-winners; Tony Cook 3rd Open Ulster Fed Skibbereen YB Derby; Francie McGloughlin Armagh won with 2 out of 3 birds and the other 1 prize-winner including 1st Open Orchard Combine; Gareth Maginn Annalong HPS a lot of winners from us; Jacky Scates Belfast winning with our birds; Simon Schofield Leeds just back racing this year and won right away, mainly all from us; Mick Gaunt Nottingham some brilliant results with our birds; Kevin Gaunt yet again some brilliant results, one bird winning 3 firsts clubs; Micky McConville winning with birds from us – Just a few lofts that come to mind.

The early dates for Sarsfield are this Friday 29th October for Coward-Talbot and Monday 1st November for Kevin Rooney & Son. Danny Dixon who had a record breaking race season including 1st YB Nat Penzance will be late November with a special draft of his winning bloodlines, this is another loft that has purchased stock regardless of cost. Danny races with Rasharkin & Dist but the birds go through Ballymoney HPS where he had 20 x 1sts, he was indeed the loft to beat, 9 x 1sts Mid Antrim Combine, 6 x 1st NIPA Section B, Fancier of the Year in Sect B, Meritorious Award in Sect B and Best Overall in NIPA, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 6th Open Roscrea NIPA, 4th & 6th Open Rosscarbery OB Inland Nat NIPA, 11th Open Bude NIPA, 2nd Open Penzance NIPA, 2nd Open Penzance OB Classic NIPA, 6th Open Yearling Cock Rosscarbery NIPA, 4th Open Yearling Hen Rosscarbery NIPA, 2nd Open Talbenny YB Nat NIPA, 1st Open INFC Penzance YB Nat. All the latest news, sale list etc is listed at www.pigeonnetwork.com