Homer's Odyssey - BHW 22/04/11

[willie reynolds]

Liberation for the second race from Tullamore was at 12.30pm with variable wind conditions over the route. The best bird locally was timed at 2.55pm by Scott & Clements of Kells & District recording velocity 1515 for the 125 miles. This team made the final of last seasons Champions League and have a very good result here to top Mid Antrim Combine where over 3,000 birds were competing and expected to take 1st Sect B. Their yearling Dark Cheq hen racing Roundabout was Van Reet/Hybrects, a full sister topped Mid Antrim Combine last season. The best in Ballymena was Allen McBride who had 1st Harryville timing his yearling Cheq cock at 2.58pm recording velocity 1488 for the 125 miles.

Mid Antrim Combine Tullamore (2) 109/3,055 – Scott & Clements Kells 1515, Mrs M Smyth Broughshane 1501, T & M Morrow Kells 1497, S Millar Randalstown 1495, Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1491, A McBride Harryville 1488, S Millar 1488, A McBride 1488, J & D Surgenor Rasharkin 1485, Milliken & Barkley Rasharkin 1485, D Dixon Rasharkin 1483, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1480, A C & T Tweed Rasharkin 1480, Surgenor Bros Kells 1480, R McFall & Son New Antrim 1480, M Graham Ballymena 1479, G McDowell Kells 1476, S Millar 1475, J Ramsey Harryville 1475, Surgenor Bros 1474, Houston Bros Randalstown 1473, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1473, R McFall & Son 1472, C Moore New Antrim 1471, J & N Simpson Broughshane 1469, Young McManus & Sons 1467, Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 1465, Young McManus & Sons 1464, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1463, J Ramsey 1461.

Mid Antrim Combine Champions League –

The draw for the new campaign was made at the home of the 2010 Champions Ballymena & Dist on Friday evening after the birds were race marked for Tullamore. The first part operates in a League Competition moving to Knock-Out in the cross channel programme, with the final at Penzance in late June. The Champions League competition involves all nine clubs in the Mid Antrim Combine, each club nominated four lofts. Many thanks again to James Harris who is looking after the admin each week.

Sect (1) A – Ahoghill J Balmer, Ballymena M Graham, Broughshane H Smyth & Son, Cullybackey Reid Bros & McCloy, Harryville R H Clements, Kells Surgenor Bros, New Antrim C Magill, Randalstown S Millar, Rasharkin D Dixon.

Sect (2) B – Ahoghill A & N Young, Ballymena W & J Smyth, Broughshane A Purvis, Cullybackey Russell Bros, Harryville L Mullan, Kells Harry Boyd, New Antrim McFall & McManus, Randalstown Stewart Bros, Rasharkin H Cubitt.

Sect (3) C – Ahoghill J Smyth & Son, Ballymena J Devlin, Broughshane J & N Simpson, Cullybackey A Darragh, Harryville J Millar & Son, Kells Scott & Clements, New Antrim C Moore, Randalstown Hugh Boyd, Rasharkin Milliken & Barkley.

Sect (4) D – Ahoghill Young McManus & Sons, Ballymena B O’Rawe, Broughshane D Houston & Son, Cullybackey H & R McCloy, Harryville A McBride, Kells G McDowell, New Antrim R McFall & Son, Randalstown Houston Bros, Rasharkin Steele & McNeill.

The Champions League started at the second old bird race flown from Tullamore on Saturday 16th April. The League leaders after the first week are Simon Millar Randalstown 24 Points, Stewart Bros Randalstown 16 Points, Scott & Clements Kells 27 Points, and Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 23 Points. The state of play after week one is: Sect (1) A – S Millar 24 Points, D Dixon 17 Points, Surgenor Bros 14 Points, M Graham 12 Points. Sect (2) B – Stewart Bros 16 Points. Sect (3) C – Scott & Clements 27 Points, Milliken & Barkley 18 Points, C Moore 4 Points, J & N Simpson 3 Points. Sect (4) D – Young McManus & Sons 23 Points, A McBride 22 Points, R McFall & Son 13 Points, G McDowell 11 Points, Houston Bros 7 Points, Steele & McNeill 1 Point.

In the Antrim area the best bird in the weekend race from Tullamore in Co Offaly was timed in Muckamore by John White who races to lofts at Nutt’s Corner, his yearling Red cock recorded velocity 1516 followed by A & E Bell and two birds for Glen Magill. Thompson Bros win for the first time in their new club Crumlin & Dist recording velocity 1511 and the consistent Fleming Bros not far behind with two birds. Simon Millar wins for the second time in Randalstown (1495) while 1st Kells & Dist Scott & Clements doing velocity 1515 take 1st Mid Antrim Combine and 1st NIPA Sect B.

Hanson & Harpur have won two races on the trot and this time take the top place in the Coleraine Triangle just ahead of Anthony McDonnell in the same club. They were followed by A & R McAuley who had 1st Ballymoney last week and 2nd this time. Sam McCormick was 1st Coleraine & County Derry (1449) and R & J Parke took 1st Windsor Social (1424).

Coleraine Triangle Tullamore (2) - Hanson & Harpur Coleraine Prem 1488, A McDonnell Coleraine Prem 1484, A & R McAuley Ballymoney 1476, Nevin Bros Coleraine Prem 1452, Diamond Bros Coleraine Prem 1451, J McCormick Co Derry 1449, A & R McAuley 1447, T McCrudden Co Derry 1443, J L Madden Coleraine Prem 1442, Diamond Bros 1442, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1424, Diamond Bros 1419, J L Madden 1418, Hanson & Harpur 1415, A McDonnell 1414.

Coleraine Triangle – Report by Bannsider

Saturday April 16th the local fanciers were back in Tullamore County Offaly for the second race of the season. Fred Russell had on the NIPA web site that a liberation would take place at 12:30pm. Sure enough the strings were cut and the convoy were away winging their way to every part of the country.

The birds were slow to clear the liberation site mainly due to the low cloud base at Tullamore. The cloud height at the liberation site was 900ft and scattered at 1600ft with the wind coming in from the northwest at 3 knots and expecting to change later to the south east at 8 knots. This would know doubt help them make short work of their journey.

BallyBogey loft does the double in the Big Coleraine Premier and Tops the Triangle.

The best bird in the local area is the Ballybogey loft of Jimmy Hanson with a top velocity of 1488ypm. Jimmy timed one of his lightening fast Lambretchs. The winning pigeon was a yearling hen and she was one of last years darkness youngster’s that flew very consistently for the loft. That’s two weeks on the trot Jimmy has won the Col Premier with a hen. Just wait till he gets his widowhood team of cocks ready!! It must be that B&Q magic that’s doing the trick Jimmy.

Next in the area is again to the Premier club this time to Anthony McDonnell with a widowhood cock and again another Belguim line this time Van De Brande breeding. Anthony timed the cock bird for second place at 15.12pm for a velocity of 1483ypm. This cock bird has been unlucky in the Big club with another runner up spot to its CV. Maybe next time it will take pole. This cock bird will be good enough for 2nd Section A.

In the Coleraine & County Derry I have a new name to report on for the first time. The winner here is Sam McCormick with a top velocity of 1449ypm with a hen that won last year and breeding here is from McManus through Brennan & Christie.
In second place with a velocity of 1443ypm is the top loft in the club in 2010 Terence McCrudden timing the winner from last week.

Over in the Big Ballymoney club it’s a first win of the season to the Dunloy Ace Danny Dixon with a velocity of 1483ypm from a big birdage of 962 in the club. Danny timed a two year Verschelde/Sumo cross that was fourth open from Rosscarbery last year. Danny will have to go some this season after smashing all records last year. Know doubt he will give it a good go and will be the loft to beat in the Big Nationals in the area. Last weeks winner in the club of A& R McAuley are in second place this week with a velocity of 1476ypm.

Over in Limavady 11 Members Sent - 241 Birds and its win number two for the crack loft of Ronnie Witherow with a 1-2 in the club followed in 3rd-4th club for J Crawford.

Pepsi Lofts wins Section A from 1st Tullamore - Congratulations to Leslie Madden on winning 1st Section A last week with one of his Lambretcs. Leslie has one of the best breeding selection in the UK of these fabulous sprinters winning right up to National level for himself and other fortunate enough to get them. The section winner is coming down through the lines of his famous King Pin that won the National for Leslie in a stiff North East wind if my memory serves me right. King Pin is the G/G/Sire of this section winner for the Pepsi Lofts.

This coming week is showing a good warm sunny few days for this Easter weekend and at present an easterly wind for the Saturday that will help keep the birds out in the middle of Ireland and give someone in A West or the top half of the country a good chance for top open positions.

Until next time enjoy your pigeons. Bannsider.

City of Derry Federation

Racing with the NIPA from Tullamore a distance of a round 122mls sees B and K Reid of the Derry and District take the honours with very good flying to secure 1st 6th and 19th following close by was Sean Healy Derry and District taking 2nd place his best result to date. Fellow club member Anthony McCrudden Derry and District last weeks winner takes 3rd and 14th Maiden City winners Dunn and Quigley also have a good race taking 4th and 5th . Pat Creggan Maiden City 7th , Foyle member James Gallagher also has 2 places in 8th and 12th ,Gerry Mclaughlin Maiden City 9th Joe Ebbs Derry and District 10th. Billy Page Maiden City is 11th , Pat McLaughlin Maiden City 13th , Sean Duffy Derry and District 16th , John McGoarty Maiden City 17th , Concannon Bros Maiden City 18th , Barry Hart Foyle 19th , and T & M Gallagher Londonderry club 20th . Racing this week from Roscrea on Saturday with the NIPA.

City of Derry Federation Tullamore (2) – B & K Reid Derry & Dist 1393, S Healy Derry & Dist 1379, A McCrudden Derry & Dist 1370, Dunne & Quigley Maiden City 1368, Dunne & Quigley 1363, B & K Reid 1363, P Creggan Maiden City 1352, J Gallagher Foyle 1347, G McLaughlin Maiden City 1333, J Ebbs Derry & Dist 1329, B Page Maiden City 1322, J Gallagher 1319, P McLaughlin Maiden City 1314, A McCrudden B & K Reid 1313, S Duffy Derry & Dist 1312, J McGoarty Maiden City 1312, Concannon Bros Maiden City 1312, B Hart Foyle 1306, T & M Gallagher Londonderry 1306.

Foyle Valley Combine Tullamore (2) – B & K Reid Derry & Dist, S Healy Derry & Dist, R O’Reilly Foyle, A McCrudden Derry & Dist, Dunne & Quigley Maiden City, Dunne & Quigley, B & K Reid, P Creggan Maiden City, J Gallagher Foyle, Quinn & Harpur Strabane, G McLaughlin Maiden City, J Ebbs Derry & Dist, B Page Maiden City, J Gallagher, P McLaughlin Maiden City, A McCrudden, B & K Reid, S Duffy Derry & Dist, J McGoarty Maiden City, Concannon Bros Maiden City.

Williamson & Calvin Transporter –
Please note that from Monday 25th to Thursday 28th birds will be training from Slane Castle, Sunday 24th April the venue will be Balbriggan. Usual collections - 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, and Newry 9.50am.

Tauris ETS For Sale –
In new condition and including 4 x Pads 22” and 70/80 Rings, cost £900 new, will accept £650. Tel: 07709 077266.

Homer training has started and depending on the weather going every Tue, Wed & Thur. 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, and Ahoghill HPS Clubrooms, approx 10.00am. We travel through Randalstown and Antrim and I have also arranged to lift at Crumlin & Dist Clubrooms on the Main St, en route to Oxford Island. In Crumlin at approx 10.45am. Contact me on my Mobile. Tel: 07538 238364. For those using computers we update weekly on http://www.pigeonnetwork.com

Big birdage again in Loughview Combine and the top birds were timed in Ligoniel, overall winner was Ed Heaney & Son and all the top birds will be well placed in the NIPA.

Loughview Combine Tullamore (2) 53/1266 – E Heaney & Son 1601, W Campbell 1582, G & M Atcheson 1580, G & M Atcheson 1580, Whiteside Bros 1576, G McKenna 1576, Grattan Bros 1576, J Dawson 1571, Foster & Larkin 1564.

Mal Maguire is best this week in the Northsouth Fed, his velocity of 1607 is also best in the NIPA, a fantastic result for the Newry area.

Northsouth Federation Tullamore (2) 63/1383 – M Maguire & Son 1607, C McMahon 1596, J Murtagh 1586, A Curran 1583, T Gordon 1582, C O’Hare & Daughter 1581, C O’Hare & Daughter 1572, C O’Hare & Daughter 1572, Donnelly Bros 1570, M Peters 1568.

Ban Federation Tullamore (2) 19/460 – J Mount & Son 1552, C McArdle & Son 1545, J Smyth & Sons 1545 £1 Nom, J Smyth & Sons 1541, W McDowell & Son 1540, J Smyth & Sons 1539, J Mount & Son 1538, J Mount & Son 1519, J Mount & Son 1515, W McDowell & Son 1509.

City of Derry Federation Mullingar 17/04/11

The Federation held there first race from Mullingar on Sun 17th April, Dunn and Quigley Maiden City show their intentions with a top performance taking 1st and 2nd Fed and put down a marker for the year. In 3rd and 7th was Tony Mullan and son Derry and district with a fine performance as Tony usually concentrates on the distance races, 4th 5th and 6th goes to J and G Ramsey Derry and district who also take the top nom prize of a television followed closely by Londonderry member Noel Murray taking 8th 9th 10th and 12th also scooping the 2nd nom prize of 3 bags of feeding. Maiden City flyer Pat Mclaughlin takes 11th place and the 3rd nom prize of 2 bags of feeding, Sean Duffy Derry and district has a fine race taking13th 14th 15th 17th and 20th , Michael Harkin Derry and district 17th . Racing on Sunday will be once again from Mullingar, check with your club about details for racing.

Derry & Dist Mullingar -

Old hand Tony Mullan and son show the way home in the best possible way taking 1st and 5th position to prove the distance pigeons can compete over the shorter distance as well. Runner up goes to Jim and Gary Ramsey with 3rd and 4th for good measure, and Sean Duffy has a good race taking 6th 7th 8th and 10th with Michael Harkin in 9th.

The East Down Combine moved on to Tullamore for the second race of the year, liberation was at 1.15pm in a Lt Northerly wind. Returns appear to have been good and the race itself was dominated by lofts in Annalong. B McConnell had 1st East Sect and 1st Open EDC on velocity 1697 followed by J McCartan and P Trimble. Crossgar had the top places in the West Sect won by McCartan & Woodsides on velocity 1630 followed by S & K Duke with two birds.

East Down Combine Tullamore Open - 1 B.McConnell Annalong HPS 1697, 2 J.McCartan Annalong HPS 1675, 3 P Trimble Annalong HPS 1669, 4 B.McConnell Annalong HPS 1668, 5 B.McConnell Annalong HPS 1654, 6 K.Rooney & Son Annalong HPS 1649, 7 K.Rooney & Son Annalong HPS 1648, 8 K.Rooney & Son Annalong HPS 1648, 9 K.Rooney & Son Annalong HPS 1647, 10 K.Rooney & Son Annalong HPS 1646, 11 J.McCartan Annalong HPS 1646, 12 G & P. Brown Annsborough HPS 1643, 13 B Higgins Annalong HPS 1643, 14 K.Rooney & Son Annalong HPS 1642, 15 McComb Bros Killyleagh Central HPS 1640, 16 S.Halpin & Sons Tyrella HPS 1640, 17 K & J McCulla Annalong HPS 1639, 18 P McCullough & Dtr Downpatrick HPS 1638, 19 J Newell Annalong HPS 1636, 20 Gordon Bros & Sons Killyleagh Central HPS 1632, 21 Gordon Bros & Sons Killyleagh Central HPS 1632, 22 McCartan & Woodsides Crossgar HPS 1630, 23 S & K Duke Crossgar HPS 1629, 24 S & K Duke Crossgar HPS 1629, 25 N.W. Hagen & Son Killyleagh Central HPS 1629, 26 B.McConnell Annalong HPS 1628, 27 J Newell Annalong HPS 1628, 28 R.McDowell & Son Annsborough HPS 1628, 29 G & P. Brown Annsborough HPS 1627, 30 D & K McCutcheon Donaghadee RPC 1626, 31 G & P. Brown Annsborough HPS 1626, 32 T McKelvey Killyleagh Central HPS 1626, 33 M.Croskery Annsborough HPS 1625, 34 K.Rooney & Son Annalong HPS 1624, 35 B.McConnell Annalong HPS 1624, 36 C McVeigh Annalong HPS 1623, 37 P.Lue & Son Downpatrick HPS 1622, 38 J Newell Annalong HPS 1622, 39 McComb Bros Killyleagh Central HPS 1622, 40 P Trimble Annalong HPS 1622.

EDC West Sect - 1 McCartan & Woodsides Crossgar HPS 1630, 2 S & K Duke Crossgar HPS 1629, 3 S & K Duke 1629, 4 J.Abernethy Ballynahinch HPS 1613, 5 McCartan & Woodsides 1612, 6 McCartan & Woodsides 1612, 7 C & G Adair Crossgar HPS 1611, 8 W.White & Son Newtownbreda HPS 1609, 9 C & G Adair 1606, 10 J.Abernethy 1603, 11 C & G Adair 1601, 12 D.& D Chew Newtownbreda HPS 1600, 13 J.Abernethy 1599, 14 S & K Duke 1595, 15 S & K Duke 1594, 16 S & K Duke 1594, 17 D Walsh Crossgar HPS 1594, 18 J.Abernethy 1594, 19 McCartan & Woodsides 1594, 20 McCartan & Woodsides 1593.

EDC East Sect - 1 B.McConnell Annalong HPS 1697, 2 J.McCartan Annalong HPS 1675, 3 P Trimble Annalong HPS 1669, 4 B.McConnell 1668, 5 B.McConnell 1654, 6 K.Rooney & Son Annalong HPS 1649, 7 K.Rooney & Son 1648, 8 K.Rooney & Son 1648, 9 K.Rooney & Son 1647, 10 K.Rooney & Son 1646, 11 J.McCartan Annalong HPS 1646, 12 G & P. Brown Annsborough HPS 1643, 13 B Higgins Annalong HPS 1643, 14 K.Rooney & Son 1642, 15 McComb Bros Killyleagh Central HPS 1640, 16 S.Halpin & Sons Tyrella HPS 1640, 17 K & J McCulla Annalong HPS 1639, 18 P McCullough & Dtr Downpatrick HPS 1638, 19 J Newell Annalong HPS 1636, 20 Gordon Bros & Sons Killyleagh Central HPS 1632.

East Down Combine Clubs

Annalong 18/594 – B McConnell 1697, J McCartan 1675, P Trimble 1669, B McConnell 1668.

Annsborough HPS – G & P Brown 1652, 1636, 1635, R McDowell & Son 1628.

Ballylesson HPS 16/443 – A Cousins & Sons 1586, A Crawford 1582, A Cousins & Sons 1577, A Crawford 1576.

Ballynahinch HPS 9/354 – J Abernethy 1613, 1603, 1599, 1594.

Cloughey HPS 9/241 – Gordon Bros & Sons 1612, 1612, 1612, H Gordon & Partners 1608.

Crossgar 13/516 – McCartan & Woodsides 1630, S & K Duke 1629, 1629, McCartan & Woodsides 1612.

Downpatrick 13/346 – P McCullough & Daughter 1638, P Lue & Son 1622, Telford Bros 1617, R Connolly 1615.

Drumaness Mills – J Kirk & Sons 1555, C Laverty & Daughter 1554, P O’Connor & Daughter 1554, G Hillen & Partners 1552.

Dundonald 7/203 – J Young & Partners 1581, S Brown & Sons 1579, BC & T Foulis & Gill 1573, R Irwin 1573.

Dundrum – A Murray & Son 1599, 1598, 1594, 1589.

Killyleagh Cent 16/390 – 16/390 – McComb Bros 1640, Gordon Bros 1632, 1632, N & W Hagan 1629.

Newtownbreda HPS 15/309 – W White & Son 1609, D & D Chew 1600, W White & Son 1588, 1587.

Tyrella 8/342 – S Halpin & Sons 1640, S Milligan & Daughter 1618, 1618, D McNabb & Partners 1601.

HOMER
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
E-mail: reynoldshomer@aol.com
http://www.pigeonnetwork.com