Farming Life - Wednesday 29/06/11

[willie reynolds]

NIPA Race/Date
St Malo OB National – 26/06/11

We are short on news being supplied by the NIPA Centres across Northern Ireland, from what is available it appears Tom Wilson of Gilford & Dist is decimal points ahead of Ron Williamson Bondhill, both lofts doing velocity 1660 followed by Maurice Wilkinson from Wilton Cross in Lurgan. A quiet man of the sport Tom Wilson of Gilford & Dist timed his Blue Cheq hen at 5.24pm to record velocity 1660.9 for the 447 miles. The bird is bred from his own Van der Espt bloodlines he has had for many years bring the birds in direct from Holland. He has won numerous top positions including 1st Open NIPA and also has won top places with the Irish Nat FC, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd and 4th Yearling Nat etc. Look at the breeding of the bird the dam won the Yearling Nat and the sire was 2nd Open Yearling Nat two years later. Over the years most of this pairing have been given away to Charity Sales etc, it was one of the few times he tried one himself. The hen was very lightly raced, the loft did not race old birds in 2010 and this year the hen had just three inland races and very little training. He eggs hatched while she was away, Tom said she was in fantastic order both before going and on return from France. He wishes to thank all those who have sent congratulations, well done Tom!

Cullybackey Centre St Malo 48/129 – H & R McCloy Cullybackey 1612, J Rock Harryville 1555, McAlonan Bros Ballymena 1500, Russell Bros Cullybackey 1487, Russell Bros 1437, B Ramsey Harryville 1436, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1422, B Swann & Son Kells 1344, A C & T Tweed Rasharkin 1320, J Rock 1300.

Kingswood Centre St Malo – E Burton 1227, W & R Evans & Leahy. Only bird on the day, was bird belonging to Eddie Burton with little help from his "loft manager" E.Glove,r this was good win for Eddie. I am getting texts another bird belonging to W&R.Evans&Leahy has been timed this morning at 6.33am, so its down to club again at 09.00.

North-south Federation St Malo - A McAteer & Sons 1575, A McAteer & Sons 1571, A McAteer & Sons 1560, M Maguire & Son 1497, P Murtagh 1449, Donnelly Bros 1398, M Maguire & Son 1384, R McKelvey 1383, J Murtagh 1370, K & H Young 1352.

Mid Antrim Combine St Malo - H & R McCloy Cullybackey 1612, J Rock Harryville 1555, McAlonan Bros Ballymena 1500, Russell Bros Cullybackey 1487, Russell Bros 1437, B Ramsey Harryville 1436, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1422, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1418, B Swann & Son Kells 1344, A C & T Tweed Rasharkin 1320, J Rock 1300, Surgenor Bros Kells 1246, B Ramsey 1177, Milliken & Barkley Rasharkin 1174, H Boyd Randalstown 1159, G & A Eagleson Ballymena 1132, M/M Robinson Ahoghill 937, J & J Greer Cullybackey 932, Richmond Bros Ballymena 777.

Lough-view Combine St Malo – G & C Lowry 1576, D & J Campbell & Bigger 1539, G McKenna 1433, G & M Atcheson 1431, Grattan Bros 1389, J Burrows 1384, McMurray & Anderson 1353, D & J Campbell & Bigger 1332, Grattan Bros 1313, G & M Atcheson 1135, Grattan Bros 1103, D & J Campbell & Bigger 1004, Grattan Bros 859, G McKenna 812, Gregg Bros & McCandless 805.

NIPA Sect A Clubs

Coalisland 8/35 – K Carloan 1582, 1506, W Bleeks & Son 1349, 1313, R Corey 1253. Well done to the French Ace Kevin Carolan a former winner of the race clocking from France once again for fun. This makes 12 x 1st Sect A in the OB Season for the Coalisland & Dist HPS.

Coleraine Premier – Diamond Bros 1360, Nevin Bros 1345, A McDonnell 1309, Nevin Bros 794, Hanson & Harpur 763, J L Madden 676.

Coleraine & County Derry – J McCandless 870. Congratulations John on winning France for the third time with his Pencil cock.

Castledawson – Savage Bros 1262, 1102.

Foyle Valley Combine – A fantastic two arrivals on the day the Concannon Bros in the Maiden City at 7.59pm and Gerry McCauley into Strabane around the same time.

NIPA Sect H Clubs

Derry & District – Tony Mullan & Son 522.

Limavady – Kearney & O’Hara 1201, H Crawford 546, R Witherow 498.

Maiden City – Concannon Bros 1405. The info o0n the winner is as follows.

1st club fermoy 3rd club 6th fed talbenny,3rd. club bude 2nd club 2nd
fed 4th section 153rd open st malo old bird national 2009 timed
furthest flying pigeon ''KINGS CUP VANNES'' 2010 1ST CLUB 1ST FED 1ST
FOYLE VALLEY COMBINE 1ST SECTION PLUS WHAT EVER OPEN POSITION HE IS
AWARDED ON 1405 YARDS PER MIN.AND HE IS NOW A BRONZE AWARD WINNER 2011
HIS BLOOD IS RONNIE NEVIN ...................(OFF A GRANDSON OF
RONNIES OLD ROBERT HUNTER HEN X A DAUGHTER OF JOHN ORRITTS 2ND
SECTION HEN PERPENIAN 802 MILES TO PRESTON

Omagh & District – Alan Hall 1157. Single entry for Alan, the bird was timed in the Kings Cup last season.

Strabane – G McCauley 1372.

The NIPA Premier Old Bird Nat was flown from St Malo (France) on Sunday 26th

June, after a two day delay due to weather problems over the route. Birds had been race marked early on the previous Wednesday and had been due for release on Friday. Fog and mist early on Sunday delayed the liberation until 9.30am but helping conditions en-route had the winning birds exceeding 1700ypm. It may have been a lot faster than expected but the number of birds back were around the usual numbers although early arrivals were recorded across the whole of the NIPA including the furthest flyers on the North Coast and Derry City.

Best in Mid Antrim was H & R McCloy of Cullybackey who timed their 3 year old Blue hen at 18.12hrs to record velocity 1612 for the 478 miles. Jimmy Rock from Harryville was next best he had three birds on the day including one at 11.20pm. McAlonan Bros had 1st Ballymena & Dist for the second year with the same bird and Russell Bros (Cullybackey) and Billy Ramsey (Harryville) had two birds each. All told the local Cullybackey Centre had 15 birds on the day and only a handful reported early on the second morning.

Cullybackey Centre St Malo 48/129 – H & R McCloy Cullybackey 1612, J Rock Harryville 1555, McAlonan Bros Ballymena 1500, Russell Bros Cullybackey 1487, Russell Bros 1437, B Ramsey Harryville 1436, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1422, B Swann & Son Kells 1344, A C & T Tweed Rasharkin 1320, J Rock 1300, Surgenor Bros Kells 1246, B Ramsey 1177, Milliken & Barkley Rasharkin 1174, H Boyd Randalstown 1159, G & A Eagleson Ballymena 1132, M/M Robinson Ahoghill 937, J & J Greer Cullybackey 932, Richmond Bros Ballymena 777.

NIPA Sect B Clubs

Ahoghill Flying Club – M/M Robinson 937. Best in Ahoghill were Mr & Mrs Robinson who timed at 5.48am on the second day to record velocity 837 for the 473 miles.

Ballymena & Dist 7/18 – McAlonan Bros 1500, Blair & Rankin 1422, G & A Eagleson 1132, Richmond Bros 777. Ballymena & Dist had three day birds and its well done to Tom McAlonan who timed the same bird as last year to win 1st Club at 481 miles. He timed the 3 year old Blue Pied hen at 18.54hrs sent away on eggs, looking back to last year on a much harder day she was timed at 9.09pm with just 4 birds in the local area on the day to win 1st Club, 3rd Comb, 4th Sect & 17th Open NIPA on velocity 1185. He wins the NIPA Bronze Diploma and I am sure will have more to come. Bertie Blair and George & Ann Eagleson who re-joined the club this year timed on the day and Richmond Bros recorded early on the second morning. The club members and local fancy send their condolences to Martin Graham on the passing of his twin sister, a very sad weekend for the Graham family.

Broughshane – D Houston & Son 769, J & N Simpson 746. Davy wins St Malo Nat with a 3 year old Red cock timed on the second morning at 9.05am. This bird has all the top bloodlines of Wray & McFadden, bred for the job!

Cullybackey – H & R McCloy 1612, Russell Bros 1487, 1438, J & J Greer 932. A top class result for H & R McCloy who had the early local bird at 18.12hrs recording velocity 1612 for the 478 miles. Harry was telling me this Belgium 4year old Blue hen away on eggs was the last bird purchased by his late wife Rosie who really enjoyed these long distance races. Russell Bros have a good record in this race and recently had best in the Cullybackey Centre from St Malo when they sent a single entry. This time three birds were sent and birds were timed at 18.53hrs and 19.13hrs on the day, the first bird was a last minute replacement and the second bird was a super racer having won a top prize in the Yearling Nat. The former Kings Cup winners J & J Greer who had two birds in St Malo timed at 6.01am on the second morning.

Crumlin & District – J Scott 1631, J & A Galloway 1427, J & N Lamb 1278. A very early bird timed by John Scott to top the club and winner will be well placed in the NIPA Sect E. Jimmy Galloway was next best followed by John Lamb.

Harryville – J Rock 1555, B Ramsey 1436, J Rock 1300, B Ramsey 1177. For the second year Jimmy Rock times on the day, last season he had birds at 9.14pm and 10.14pm only four local birds timed. His early bird this season timed at 18.26hrs and recording velocity 1555 for the 473 miles to Albert Place was a 3 year old Blue cock, the second bird a 3 year old White cock was a half brother to the bird last season. After returning home he timed a third bird at around 11.20pm, it was quite dark then. Billy Ramsey is another loft interested in the longer Classic & Derby events he timed birds at 19.17hrs and 21.26hrs.

Kells & District – B Swann & Son 1344, Surgenor Bros 1246. The lofts that dominated the race from Penzance score again, Surgenor Bros won 1st Club Penzance and B Swann & Son win 1st Club St Malo. Brian timed a 3 year old Blue Cheq cock at 19.42hrs to record velocity 1344 for the 467 miles to Steeple Road.

Randalstown 7/27 – Stewart Bros 1423, H Boyd 1159, Houston Bros 827, J McNeill & Son 764. Stewart Bros continue their good run of success and take 1st Club doing velocity 1418. After a testing season Hugh Boyd scores a good result from St Malo, he timed at 21.20hrs to record velocity 1159 for the 467 miles.

Rasharkin & District – A C & T Tweed 1320, Milliken & Barkley 1174. Tommy Tweed & Family their 3 year old Blue w/f cock at 20.21hrs flying 488 miles having already flown Talbenny and Bude. Its from their Champion Blue Thunder the best of Danny Dixon Verschelde and Tom Marshall who was well placed again in St Malo.

NIPA Sect E Clubs

Beechpark Social – R Bothwell 1129, B Carson & Son 1127, R Bothwell 763, Dando & Bennett 707, R Bothwell 584.

Gilford & District – T Wilson 1660.9, S Fiddes 1591, 1568, D Campbell 1452, S S Cairns 1261.

Lurgan Social – B McNeice & Son 1641, J Douglas & Son 1513, K Henderson 1510, B McNeice & Son 1471. CONGRATULATIONS TO B MC NEICE & SON (FRANCIE & SEAN) ON TIMING THEIR MAGNIFICENT BLUE HEN FOR THE FOURTH TIME IN SUCCESSION AND WINNING THE COVETED GOLD MEDAL FOR BEING FOUR TIMES A TOP PRIZE WINNER FROM THE NIPA BLUE RIBAND FROM ST MALO IN FRANCE.WELL DONE FROM ALL THE CLUB MEMBERS.

The INFC Grand Nat from Plaudren in France sponsored by Samuel McCausland Ltd. Race marking in Lisburn Tuesday 28th June between 3.00pm and 7.00pm. Ensure correct distances on the entry RPRA Code for Plaudren is 5085. Race flown Friday 1st July. Full details are in the race entry booklet.

Claims for the RPRA (Irish Region) Meritorious Award for single bird performance Talbenny and Penzance should be made to Region Secretary Robert Reid within 14 days. The award is available in every NIPA Section and hopefully claims will be made from each area, for the best Overall Velocity the winner gets the Irish Region Trophy presented at the annual NIPA Ladies Night.

Homer will commence training with young birds very soon, collections will now be made in Ballymoney HPS, Rasharkin, Cullybackey, Galgorm/Gracehill, Ahoghill HPS, Randalstown, Antrim/Crumlin etc. Tel: 07538 238364 to make arrangements.