The venue for our Annual dinner and Prize Distribution was once again the Michelin Athletic Club, Ballymena on Saturday night the 19th November 2011. A good attendance of around 65 members and friends were welcomed by the Secretary Harry Smyth, and all sat down to a very enjoyable four course meal. After which he thanked the chef Charlie and his staff for an excellent service, and also the Michelin AC for the use of the room. The secretary then high lighted some performances by members and their birds and congratulated all the prize-winners on their season’s achievements. The leading lofts were: J & N Simpson, G Connolly, A Purvis, H Smyth & Son, D Houston & Son, J McNaghten & Son, Mrs M Smyth, R Wylie, T & E Service and C Quaite completing the Top 10. As it is always the tradition for a member’s wife or family member to hand out the prizes, the secretary called upon the Treasurers wife Mrs Maisy Houston to do the presentations. After a vote of thanks for a job well done the secretary Harry Smyth then presented her with a lovely bouquet of flowers in appreciation. The clubs raffle every year is always very successful and this year was no exception. Club Treasurer Davy Houston thanked all those who gave prizes or helped in any way to make the night a success. He then thanked the secretary and his wife Joan for having the Cups and Trophies all looking well; their help through out the year as Club Secretary and Ring Secretary and the night and proceedings so well organised. He then also presented Harry’s wife with a bouquet of flowers for her help. After that it was a night of chat fun and dancing and very soon it was time again to go home and a good night was had by all.
Average winners were: OB Inland (S McFarland Cup) – J & N Simpson, r/u A Purvis. OC Cross Channel Ave (Mazda Cup) – J & N Simpson, r/u D Houston & Son. YB Ave (Montgomery Cup) – G Connolly, r/u J & N Simpson. OB Comb Ave (W Ramsey Cup) – J & N Simpson, r/u Mrs Smyth. Best Ave OB & YB Derbies (R Dickey Mem Cup) – J & N Simpson. Best Ave all Derbies (Thatch Darts Trophy) – J & N Simpson. Old Bird Points (Countryman Trophy) – J & N Simpson 144 Points. Lowest Winning Velocity (Johnston Cup) – D Houston & Son vel 836. Breeder/Buyer Race – J & N Simpson both Breeder and Buyer. Highest Prize-winner (J Robinson Mem Cup) – J & N Simpson.
Club Nomination Races: Penzance (T Ramsey Mem Cup) – D Houston & Son. Bude Best Yearling (Broughshane Club Trophy) – D Houston & Son. 1st Talbenny (Jubilee Cup) – J & N Simpson. Tullamore YB (Youth Fellowship) – G Connolly. Roscrea YB (Harper Cup) – Gilchrist Bros. Clonmel YB (Dickson Cup) – J McNaghten & Son. Roscrea YB Gold Ring (Clydes Kitchen Cup) – Mrs Smyth. Club Bird of the Year (W Workman Mem Plinth) – George Connolly. Young Blue cock won 1st Club, 1st Comb, 1st Sect & 2nd Open NIPA Tullamore; 1st Club & 2nd Comb 5 Bird Fermoy; 1st Club & 4th Comb Fermoy.
Irish Nat & Classic Races: Yearling Sennen Cove (W Quaite Mem Cup) – J & N Simpson. OB Inland Nat Skibbereen (Braid Cup) – D Houston & Son. YB Penzance (Youngs Cup) – J & N Simpson. YB Inland Skibbereen (Club Trophy) – Not won. Fermoy OB Classic 5 Bird (GPO Trophy) – J & N Simpson. OB Classic Penzance (Connolly Mem Cup) – J & N Simpson. Yearling Hen Rosscarbery (Hilltop Feeds Cup) – A Purvis. Yearling Cock Rosscarbery (Purvis Cup) – A Purvis. Fermoy YB Classic 5 Bird (D Millar Mem Cup) – G Connolly. OB Nat Kings Cup (J Graham Mem Cup & T & E Service Cup) – D Houston & Son.
Old Bird Races 2011: Tullamore (T Bamber Mem Cup) – J & N Simpson 1st Club & 38th MAC. Tullamore (W Taylor Mem Cup) – Mrs M Smyth 1st Club & 2nd MAC. Roscrea (McCabe Cup) – J & N Simpson 1st Club & 29th MAC. Clonmel (McAllister Shield) – J & N Simpson 1st Club & 8th MAC. Fermoy (Festival Cup) – A Purvis 1st Club & 8th MAC. Rosscarbery Nat (Lyttles Cup) – A Purvis 1st Club & 4th MAC. Roscrea c/b (Tuff Cup) – A Purvis 1st Club & 14th MAC. Fermoy (Village Cup) – J & N Simpson 1st Club & 6th MAC. Pilmore Beach (Ballymena Utd Social Club) – J & N Simpson 1st Club & 26th MAC. Talbenny (Club Shield) – J & N Simpson 1st Club & 4th MAC. Bude (Halfway House Cup) – J & N Simpson 1st Club & 7th MAC. Penzance (McCreadie Cup) – D Houston & Son 1st Club & 17th MAC. St Malo OB Nat (French Challenge Cup & Reade Cup) – D Houston & Son 1st Club & 20th MAC.
Young Bird Races 2011: Tullamore (Slemish Tavern Trophy) – G Connolly. Tullamore (Olympic Cup) – G Connolly 1st Club & 1st MAC. Roscrea (Fir Park Cup) – J & N Simpson 1st Club & 2nd MAC. Roscrea (Civic Cup) – G Connolly 1st Club & 10th MAC. Clonmel (Fleming Cup) – G Connolly 1st Club & 6th MAC. Fermoy (Hazlett Cup) – G Connolly 1st Club & 4th MAC. Talbenny YB Nat (Smyth Cup) – J McNaghten & Son 1st Club & 1st MAC. Tullamore c/b (Clarke Cup) – A Purvis 1st Club & 1st MAC. Fermoy (Davidson Shield) – G Connolly 1st Club & 4th MAC. Rosscarbery YB Nat (R Fleck Mem Cup) – J McNaghten & Son 1st Club & 17th MAC.
