Farming Life - Wednesday 25/07/12

[willie reynolds]

NIPA Race/Date
Tullamore (1) – Sat 21/07/12

NIPA Open Tullamore (1) Area Lib (Sect D, E, F, G, part A, part C) 264/7494 – D Calvin Bondhill 1616, D Calvin 1615, D Calvin 1611, D Calvin 1608, S Curran Lurgan Soc 1605, S Curran 1604, R Williamson Bondhill 1601, R Williamson 1600, R Williamson 1599, Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel 1598, B McNeice & Sons Lurgan Soc 1598, D Calvin 1595, D Calvin 1594, D Calvin 1592, D Calvin 1592, G Matchett Drumcree 1592, C & J Ferris Wilton Cross 1591, J Greenaway Dromore 1591, R Williamson 1589, Bingham & Seaton 1587.

NIPA Open Tullamore (1) Area Lib (Sect B, C, part A) 214/5613 – G McWhirter Glenarm & Dist 1594, McMullan Bros Glenarm & Dist 1590, G McWhirter 1590, McMullan Bros 1589, Thompson Bros Crumlin 1586, K & P Hagans Horseshoe 1584, Crawford & Robinson Larne & Dist 1581, G McKenna Eastway 1572, D & J Campbell & Bigger Eastway 1570, J & A Wilson & Sons Doagh & Dist 1568, Horner & Scott Windsor Soc 1563, R Glass Larne & Dist 1563, R Glass 1562, C Campbell & Son Horseshoe 1560, J & D McWhirter Larne & Dist 1558, J & D McWhirter 1557, D & J Campbell & Bigger 1555, Crawford & Robinson 1549, Crawford & Robinson 1548, Kerri Hagans Horseshoe 1548.

NIPA Open Tullamore (1) Area Lib (Sect H) 68/1180 – P Maxwell Jun Foyle 1423, P Maxwell Jun 1422, J Ramsey & Son Derry & Dist 1420, J Ramsey & Son 1420, B & K Reid Derry & Dist 1419, B & K Reid 1419, B & K Reid 1419, B & K Reid 1419, B & K Reid 1419, B & K Reid 1419.

Best in the Coleraine Triangle from Tullamore in the opening race of the young bird season was Horner & Scott from the Windsor Social recording velocity 1563, next best the top two in the Coleraine Premier new starts L & R Hanson and D Coyles & Son. J Mullan had 1st & 2nd in the County Derry RPS (1356).

Coleraine Triangle Tullamore (1) – Horner & Scott Windsor Soc 1563, L & R Hanson Coleraine Prem 1518, D Coyles & Son Coleraine Prem 1494, K Glass Windsor Soc 1472, R McCann Windsor Soc 1459, D Coyles & Son 1455, Horner & Scott 1431, Diamond Bros Coleraine Prem 1426, Hanson & Harpur Coleraine Prem 1399, J L Madden Coleraine Prem 1384, Diamond Bros 1375, S Harpur Coleraine Prem 1374, Hanson & Harpur 1373, 1372.

NIPA Sect A Clubs

Coalisland – M/M G Larmour 1370.

Coleraine Premier 12/457 – L & R Hanson 1518, D Coyles & Son 1494, 1455, Diamond Bros 1426, Hanson & Harpur 1399, J L Madden 1384, Diamond Bros 1375, S Harpur 1374, Hanson & Harpur 1373, 1372.

Coleraine & County Derry – J Mullan 1356, 1355, D Knox 1325, 1308.

Cookstown Social 5/125 – G Marshall 1435, G & S Smith 1413, 1408, V Thom 1374, 1374, G & S Smith 1368.

Castledawson – M McErlean 1449.

Windsor Social 5/171 – Horner & Scott 1563, K Glass 1486, 1472, R McCann 1459, Horner & Scott 1431, R & J Parke 912.

Flying into the North West by Billy Knox -

Well here we go again, the first race of the young bird programme, with the NIPA in Tullamore, a distance of over 120 miles to most fanciers in the North West. Many fanciers, especially across the pond find it hard to believe that we start young inexperienced pigeons at such a distance, but when you’re stuck in the North West, you don’t really have many options if you want to race.

The first race saw the birds split into Sections, with the North West birds in Section H up first. The birds were released early at 7.30 am, which caught a few men out as many thought they would be released between 10 and 11 am. And although up on their own, returns were not great, and the birds were well split and drifting in all day. The first batch of birds hit Derry at around 10.00 am, and from there it was fast trapping and clocking that was going to win the race. If anything sat out at all, the race was over.

NIPA Sect H Clubs

Derry & District 13/245 – J & G Ramsey 1420, 1420, B & K Reid 1419, 1419, 1419, 1419. Jim and Gary Ramsey have the top two just ahead of B & K Reid who have the Card of the Day.

Foyle RPS – P Maxwell Jnr 1423, 1422, P Maxwell Snr 1415, 1415, 1415.

Limavady 8/171 – R Witherow 1322, 1321, 1318, W McIlmoyle 1318, R Witherow 1316.

Londonderry PRS 6/100 – L Flanagan & Son 1410, 1407, 1405, 1403, N Murray 1397, 1386. Leo Flanagan & Son take the top 4 places.

Maiden City – P McLaughlin 1409, Coyle Bros 1394, McGettigan Bros 1391, T Rodgers 1383, Coyle Bros.

Omagh & District – T Finnegan 1265, G McManus 756, 685, 568, A Henry 485.

Strabane RPC – T McBride 1258, R McAteer 1253, T Ferguson & Son 1246, T McBride 1217, 1209.

Rock Flying Club – J Quigley 1284, 1254, P Ward 1184, L McCloskey 1176, P Ward 1095.

Novice Winner in the Mid Antrim Combine -

Despite a good forecast and an excellent day for Saturday most clubs posted reduced entries for the opening young bird race to be flown from Tullamore, Mid Antrim birds were in the Area Liberation with the rest of Sect B, the East Antrim Sect C and the top of Sect A including Ballymoney and Coleraine. Some members were caught out with the early liberation, at 8.00am in a helping SW wind. New start Denis Craig of the Ballymena & Dist had two birds together at 10.23am to take 1st & 2nd Club and 1st & 2nd MAC with the winner recording velocity 1541 for the 126 miles. What a way to break his Novice Status, it did not last long. He obtained a team of birds for racing and has been well rewarded with his Blue Pied cock the best bird in town. Next best was Alan Darragh who records yet another 1st Cullybackey (1505), followed by Danny Dixon with two birds and then Steele & McNeill 1st & 2nd in Rasharkin & Dist (1493), having a fantastic season.

Mid Antrim Combine Tullamore (1) 61/1585 - D Craig Ballymena 1541, D Craig 1509, A Darragh Cullybackey 1505, D Dixon Rasharkin 1497, D Dixon 1496, Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 1493, Steele & McNeill 1486, Steele & McNeill 1486, D Dixon 1481, A Purvis Broughshane 1480, J W Reynolds Ballymena 1479, Surgenor Bros Kells 1478, D & H Kirkpatrick Cullybackey 1464, Magowan & Maternaghan New Antrim 1459, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1456, J Smyth & Son 1456, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1454, J & N Simpson Broughshane 1448, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1445, Scott & Clements Kells 1443, Houston Bros Randalstown 1436, A Darragh 1436, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1432, D Dixon 1428, Surgenor Bros 1427, D Craig 1424, Surgenor Bros 1423, Blair & Rankin 1422, D Stevenson Ahoghill 1414, G & A Eagleson Ballymena 1412.

The local birds were released at the weekend from Tullamore for the start of the young bird season, liberation time was earlier than expected at 8.00am in a helping SW wind. Danny Dixon had 1st & 2nd in Ballymoney (1497), and Steele & McNeill had the top three birds into Rasharkin. Horner & Scott from the Windsor Social (1563) were best in the Coleraine Triangle.

NIPA Sect B Clubs

Ahoghill Flying Club 8/184 – J Smyth & Son 1456, 1456, D Stevenson 1414, T & G Balmer 1389, A & N Young 1382, 1381, M/M Robinson 1371, 1337.

Ballymena & Dist 9/172 – D Craig 1541, 1509, J W Reynolds 1479, Blair & Rankin 1432, D Craig 1424, Blair & Rankin 1422, G & A Eagleson 1412, M/M M Sempey 1407, 1404, McAlonan Bros 1377. Contact numbers for training Tom McAlonan Tel: 07561417232, Harry Richmond Tel: 07796304926, Homer Tel: 07538238364.

Ballykeel Inv – J W Reynolds 1479, Magowan & Maternaghan 1459, M/M M Sempey 1407, 1404, Magowan & Maternaghan 1350.

Ballymoney 9/247 – D Dixon 1497, 1496, J Connolly 1445, 1374, R J Elliott 1374, A & M Boyle 1282, R McIntyre 1272, 1230, D Devenney 1166, W Blair 1165. Danny starts off the young bird season with another first, his winner this week from Tullamore is a Grizz cock off his Van Den Brande bloodlines.

Ballymoney West Combine – R J Elliott 1374, W Blair 1165.

Dervock RPS 4/99 – A & M Boyle 1282, R McIntyre 1272, 1230, D Devenney 1166, D & H Stuart 1107, 1091, A & M Boyle 946.

Broughshane 6/129 – A Purvis 1480, J & N Simpson 1448, G Connolly 1406, J & N Simpson 1388, J Getty 1355, 1349.

Cullybackey 9/429 – A Darragh 1505, D & H Kirkpatrick 1464, A Darragh 1436, Reid Bros & McCloy 1410, 1405, H & R McCloy 1403, J & J Greer 1367, 1367, 1366, W Scott 1362.

Crumlin & District 4/137 – Thompson Bros 1586, 1499, 1486, 1431, 1369, 1369, 1368, 1368.

Harryville 4/73 – J Millar & Son 1411, 1396, 1394, W Jackson 1316, J & C Letters 1259, 1183, L Mullan 1165. The Harryville HPS have expressed their heartfelt sympathy to the family of long time member William McIlveen on his passing after a period of illness. There was a large attendance of the local fancy at his funeral including members of his former club Kells & Dist when he was laid to rest in Connor New Cemetery. Donations in lieu of flowers if desired to the Macmillan Unit Antrim Area Hospital (Cheques payable to N.H.S.C.T.) c/o Alan Francey Funeral Services, 94 Toome Road, Ballymena BT42 2BU.

Kells & District 7/169 – Surgenor Bros 1478, Scott & Clements 1443, Surgenor Bros 1427, 1423, G McDowell 1409, H Boyd 1397, 1394, 1392, McFarlane & Agnew 1359, Scott & Clements 1331. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – Scott & Clements 1443, H Boyd 1266. Surgenor Bros timed their Darkness Blue hen at 10.30am flying 126 miles. She is Busschaert (Parkside Superman) x Braspenning. The sire won 4 x 1sts as a young bird, runner-up Scott & Clements win the 2 Bird Club.

Muckamore – N Lusty 1459, G Magill 1440, N Lusty 1425.

New Antrim Amal 3/68 – Magowan & Maternaghan 1459, 1350, McFall & McManus 1317, 1317, D Jackson & Son 1316, McFall & McManus 1270. Well done to John & Rosie on breaking your duck. Congratulations!!

Randalstown 8/233 – Stewart Bros 1445, Houston Bros 1436, J Millar 1393, 1393, 1393, C Shaw 1326, H Boyd 1317, F & G Dickey 1309.

Rasharkin & District 7/128 – Steele & McNeill 1493, 1486, H Cubitt 1454, Milliken & Barkley 1399, 1382, H Cubitt 1354, J & D Surgenor 1272, A C & T Tweed 1225. First young bird of the season goes to Steele & McNeill with a Van Loon also taking second from H Cubitt in third. Nom: Harold Cubitt. Danny Dixon: 1497.112, 1496.952, 1481.648, 1428.792.

NIPA Sect E Clubs

Annaghmore – G Buckley & Son 1582, 1582, 1581.

Armagh 10/362 – D C & P McArdle 1583, P Duffy 1558, S Fields & Sons 1549, 1545, J Campbell 1545, S Fields & Sons 1545. Armagh 2 Bird Club – D C & P McArdle 1507, P Duffy 1212, J Campbell 1093, M Bruce & Sons 896.

Beechpark Social 3/85 – G McEvoy 1576, S & J McCullough 1554, G McEvoy 1538, 1538, C Reynolds 1536. Beechpark 2 Bird Club – G McEvoy 1538, 1538, S & J McCullough 1498.

Bondhill Social 5/251 – D Calvin 1616, 1615, 1610, 1608, R Williamson 1601, 1600.

Charlemont – E Grew 1512.

Drumcree Social – G Matchett 1592, S Haughain 1586, W Prunty 1509.

Edgarstown 9/302 – G & T Ritchie 1534, 1533, 1532, 1531, Buckley Buckley & Craig 1522, G & T Ritchie 1500.

Gilford & District – T Wilson 1564, 1563, S S Cairns 1551, T Greenaway 1546, J & D Breen 1521, 1521.

Laurelvale 11/284 – A Neill 1550, 1546, J Trotter 1518, F McCann 1516, J Trotter 1514, F McCann 1498.

Loughgall – N Weir 1537.

Lurgan Amat – J P Nelson 1510.

Lurgan Social – S Curran 1605, 1604, B McNeice & Son 1598, D & B Lyness 1587, 1585, S Curran 1583.

Markethill 6/229 – A Humphries & Son 1584, 1558, 1558, 1553.

Monaghan – S O’Brien 1554, P McFadden 1516, 1512, P Coughlan 1445, P Tierney 1444, P Coughlin 1433.

Portadown Inv – A McDonald 1559, 1554, M Livingstone 1543, A McDonald 1535, 1509, D J Gordon 1506.

Tandragee 3/157 – T McKinstry 1576, A Craig 1573, 1547, D Thompson & Son 1511, 1508, 1507.

Wilton Cross 6/181 – C & J Ferris 1591, 1574, 1546, 1537, D Carville & Son 1532, C & J Ferris 1529, D Carville & Son 1524, C & J Ferris 1522.

Dundonald Loft 1st & 2nd Open in East Down Combine -

The first young bird race for East Down Combine birds was Navan, Mark Foulis from Dundonald had the top two birds with the winner recording velocity 1592. Gordon Bros & Sons from Cloughey had The Card of the Day with 8 birds in the Top 10 of the East Sect and the winner recording velocity 1574.

East Down Combine Navan (1) 139/4,051 –

M Foulis Dundonald 1592, M Foulis 1591, R Johnston Comber Soc 1580, Gordon Bros & Sons Cloughey 1574, Gordon Bros & Sons 1574, Gordon Bros & Sons 1574, Gordon Bros & Sons 1574, Gordon Bros & Sons 1573, Gordon Bros & Sons 1573, Gordon Bros & Sons 1571, M Croskery Annsborough 1570, Gordon Bros & Sons 1569, T Horner & Sons Crossgar 1569, W McMaster & Son Ballywalter 1565, S & A McEwen Ballynahinch 1565, W McMaster & Son 1564, J Hall & Son Cloughey 1558, Gordon Bros & Sons 1558, Gordon Bros & Sons 1558, J Hall & Son 1557, M Croskery 1557, Gordon Bros & Sons 1555, Lambert & Stewart Bangor 1555, Gordon Bros & Sons 1555, Gordon Bros & Sons 1554, G & P Brown Annsborough 1553, G & P Brown 1553, Gordon Bros & Sons 1552, G & P Brown 1552, McComb Bros Killyleagh Cent 1550, McComb Bros 1550, S Regan Ballywalter 1549, McComb Bros 1549, D Croskery & Son Annsborough 1548, Harper & Young Cloughey 1548, Harper & Young 1547, D Croskery & Son 1547, W McMaster & son 1547, D Croskery & Son 1546, S Regan 1546.

EDC West Sect 44/1250 - M Foulis Dundonald 1592, M Foulis 1591, R Johnston Comber Soc 1580, T Horner & Sons Crossgar 1569, S & A McEwen Ballynahinch 1565, J McGreevy Crossgar 1527, R Hunter Ballynahinch 1510, R Hunter 1509, K & B McConaghie Ballylesson 1508, M Foulis 1507, M Foulis 1507, R Hunter 1501, S & K Duke Crossgar 1501, R Hunter 1499, S & K Duke 1499, R Hunter 1495, W White & Son Newtownbreda 1494, K Tompsett Comber Soc 1491, K Tompsett 1488, J Patterson Ballylesson 1479.

EDC East Sect 95/2801 - Gordon Bros & Sons Cloughey 1574, Gordon Bros & Sons 1574, Gordon Bros & Sons 1574, Gordon Bros & Sons 1574, Gordon Bros & Sons 1573, Gordon Bros & Sons 1573, Gordon Bros & Sons 1571, M Croskery Annsborough 1570, Gordon Bros & Sons 1569, T Horner & Sons Crossgar 1569, W McMaster & Son Ballywalter 1565, W McMaster & Son 1564, J Hall & Son Cloughey 1558, Gordon Bros & Sons 1558, Gordon Bros & Sons 1558, J Hall & Son 1557, M Croskery 1557, Gordon Bros & Sons 1555, Lambert & Stewart Bangor 1555, Gordon Bros & Sons 1555, Gordon Bros & Sons 1554.

East Down Combine Clubs Navan (1) –

Dundonald – M Foulis 1592, 1591, 1507, 1507, 1477, J Young 1453.

Cloughey 12/388 – Gordon Bros & Sons 1574, 1574, 1574, J Hall & Son 1558, 1557, Harper & Young 1548.

Annsborough – M Croskery 1570, 1557, G & P Brown 1553, 1553, 1552, D Croskery & Son 1548.

Crossgar 9/298 – T Horner & Sons 1569, J McGreevy 1527, S & K Duke 1501, 1499, McCartan & Woodsides 1471, T Horner & Sons 1466.

Ballywalter 9/296 – W McMaster & Son 1565, 1564, S Regan 1549, W McMaster & Son 1547, S Regan 1546, 1545.

Ballynahinch Social – S & A McEwen 1565, R Hunter 1510, 1509, 1499, J Gillespie & Sons 1425, W Catherwood & Sons 1387.

Millisle & Dist 8/287 – R Strain & Son 1534, R N & L Brown 1494, J & J Hollinger 1454, J Rankin 1448, J & J Hollinger 1441, 1440.

Ballylesson 10/212 - K & B McConaghie 1508, J Patterson 1479, 1478, 1474, K & B McConaghie 1468, 1467.

Downpatrick 6/155 – J Quinn & Son 1498, 1497, J Crossan 1480, 1479, J Quinn & Son 1422, P McCullough & Daughter 1422.

Tyrella 5/197 – C McManus & Daughter 1415, 1326, 1325, 1256, 1253, D McNabb & Partners 1250.

Dundrum 2/57 – J Maguire & Partners 1402, 1216, 1210, 1202, 1201, 1201.

Annalong 10/371 – B McConnell 1263, J Trimble & Son 1240, 1235, L McCavery 1184, C McVeigh 1108, L McCavery 1061.

Mid & East Antrim hard going in the France Classics -

After a number of days delay the King Cup birds were race marked and the race flown as planned on Monday 9th July, my birthday. It turned out the most difficult race we have had for several years and will put to bed any thoughts of going further, at least for a few years till the numbers of distance birds builds up again. I do believe the entry in 2012 was probably the highest quality that had ever been sent to the Blue Riband event, a large number of birds were competing for the major awards, Gold Medal, Hall of fame, Triple Championship etc and most never turned up. It was hard going at the top end with only a handful of birds timed. Congratulations to all of those who managed to record an arrival, some lofts made it look easy – It was far from That! Just the two birds in Mid Antrim Combine, J & M Milliken of Rasharkin and Old Hand Bobby Smyth of the Ballymena & Dist.

The Red Cheq cock timed in the Kings Cup by J & M Milliken was sent feeding a big youngster, this bird was bred by James Smyth from Ahoghill. He was timed in 2011 Yearling National taking 104th Open and returned hurt from the Kings Cup in 2011 just missing the prize’s early the second morning. This year he was lightly raced down Ireland and sent to the Kings Cup race well fancied winning 1st Club, 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 26th North Sect & 34th Open INFC Kings Cup. Smyth Bros need no introduction, a host of big National results over the years and dual Hall of Fame winners. Very few birds are kept, two especially were trained weekly with the NIPA and both sent to Plaudren.

Muckamore Centre INFC Kings Cup – Collins & Pursley Doagh & Dist 837, Collins & Pursley 804, J Harkness Glenavy 706, J & M Milliken Rasharkin & Dist 578, J Walker & Son Eastway 524, Houston & McDonald Glenavy 456, Smyth Bros Ballymena & Dist 392, Collins & Pursley 366, Grattan Bros Eastway 364, C & L Woodside Ballyclare & Dist 360, J McGrugan & Son Doagh & Dist 287, W McCaw Ballymoney 262.

East Antrim Combined Plaudren/Vannes - Collins & Pursley Doagh & Dist 837, Collins & Pursley 804, J Walker & Son Eastway 524, Collins & Pursley 366, Grattan Bros Eastway 364, C & L Woodside Ballyclare & Dist 360, J McGrugan & Son Doagh & Dist 287.
Mid Antrim Combine Plaudren/Vannes - J & M Milliken Rasharkin & Dist 578, Smyth Bros Ballymena & Dist 392.

Mid Antrim Clubs Kings Cup

Rasharkin & Dist – J & M Milliken 578.

Ballymena & District – Smyth Bros 392. Bobby Smyth's pigeon is bred from his own old Kenyon family when crossed with a quarter Jan Theelen from Alan Darragh.

Ballymoney HPS – W McCaw 262. Billy McCaw gets the only bird home from the Kings Cup to record 67th Open and win an INFC Merit Award for twice in the prizes. This Cheq hen has flown the Kings Cup three years in a row and was his third bird home in 2010 and his second in 2011 winning 151st Open. The dam of this hen is the g/dam of his Hall of Fame winner and is Ken Hine bloodlines and the Sire is Van Bruaene/Van Der Wegan/Ken Hine.

Dervock RPS – W McCaw 262.

The Friendship Nat was brought forward by a number of days, birds race marked and the race flown from Quimper as planned on Tuesday 10th July, the day after the Kings Cup release. Both races were going on at the same time, and although the day birds were less we had more home over the three days of the race. Yet again birds were scarce at the top end this time we managed three into Mid Antrim Combine. Alan Darragh has a powerful record locally in the INFC events and he adds another 1st Combine to what was already a fantastic racing season. He timed a second bird and the final one was for Danny Dixon who timed one from his famous Verschelde family of birds he has had over 10 years.

Muckamore Centre INFC Quimper – C & L Woodside Ballyclare 805, R Duddy Ballyclare 788, A Darragh Cullybackey 730, R Duddy 710, A Darragh 660, A Thompson Ballyclare 632, M & T Griffith Eastway 625, C & L Woodside 593, D Dixon Ballymoney 538, C & L Woodside 512, C & L Woodside 495, W & L McCaw Ballymoney 451.

East Antrim Combined Quimper - C & L Woodside Ballyclare 805, R Duddy Ballyclare 788, R Duddy 710, A Thompson Ballyclare 632, M & T Griffith Eastway 625, C & L Woodside 593, C & L Woodside 512, C & L Woodside 495.

Mid Antrim Combine Quimper - A Darragh Cullybackey 730, A Darragh 660, D Dixon Ballymoney 538.

Mid Antrim Clubs Quimper

Cullybackey HPS – A Darragh 730, 660.

Ballymoney HPS – D Dixon 538, W & L McCaw 451. Danny Dixon times the first of only two birds to make it home in race time, his three year old Verschelde Cheq cock is bred from his Section B RPRA Award winner. The Verschelde bloodline has been very successful for many years, not just for Danny but other lofts.

Dervock RPS – W & L McCaw 451. Leonard McCaw times his five year old Van Bruaene bird to win the Friendship National for the second year running. This Blue hen was 31st Open St Malo Friendship National last year and will receive an INFC Merit Award.