For the second year the Cullybackey HPS returned to the Adair Arms Hotel in the centre of Ballymena for the annual dinner and prize presentation. It was a bit different from the previous visit with a small extension at one end which includes a new reception area and complete refurbish of the ground floor, it’s some job. In the absence of President Brian Herbison who was away on other business the former Chairman of the club James Greer welcomed the members and friends and then invited Alan Darragh to say grace prior to the dinner being served.
After a fantastic four course meal which included a choice of Turkey & Ham, Steak and Salmon James thanked the hotel staff for a super meal, well served. He then introduced the guests who included Brian Hayes from the Bridge Garage, the main sponsor each season for racing and shows and local pigeon scribe “Homer”. One year ago it was reported that Alan Darragh had a record season and if anything it was even better in 2012 winning over 20 cups and trophies that included the Russell Family Cup for Top Prize-winner.
The Darragh loft won most races in the old bird programme and of the 10 Mid Antrim Combine Diplomas won by Cullybackey HPS he won 9 which I believe equals the season record held by Danny Dixon. He was just a couple of pounds ahead of Reid Bros & McCloy who had a best ever season and had most wins in the young bird season. Between them these two lofts kept the Cullybackey HPS name to the fore. Added to that was 1st Mid Antrim Combine in the Premier YB Nat from Talbenny won by Wendal Scott who a number of years back topped the NIPA in this event from South Wales, a YB Derby in those days.
The leading lofts were: Alan Darragh, Reid Bros & McCloy, Russell Bros, J & J Greer, H & R McCloy, Sammy Steele, Desmond Robinson, Wendal Scott, Charlie McDowell, Brian Herbison, N & S Anderson and D & H Kirkpatrick. Reid Bros & McCloy won the Bridge Garage sponsored races in both old birds and young birds.
In the old bird racing a major competition within the Mid Antrim Combine is the Champions League with each member club nominating four lofts to compete, firstly in 4 x Leagues and then Knock-Out in the cross channel races with the big final at Penzance. This year Reid Bros & McCloy beat Stewart Bros from Randalstown in the final.
It was no surprise that Cullybackey HPS won the Mid Antrim Combine Points Shield for Old Birds and Alan Darragh added a collection of awards with both the NIPA and Mid Antrim Combine. With the NIPA where he is Vice Chairman he wins the Sect B Fancier of the Year in Old Birds and the Les Mairs Memorial Cup for 1st Sect B in the OB National from St Malo. With Mid Antrim Alan wins the McIlhagga Cup for 1st Mid Antrim Combine in the St Malo OB National and the Les Mairs Cup for the for Old Bird Fancier of the Year.
The top positions won in the Mid Antrim Combine included the following. For Alan Darragh – 1st Tullamore (2) 109/2736, vel 1528, 1st & 2nd Clonmel (1) 115/3011, vel 1343 and 1337, 1st Fermoy (1) 116/2896, vel 1517, 1st Talbenny (1) 108/1544, vel 1171, 3rd Rosscarbery Yearling Cock 34/310, vel 1311, 1st Talbenny (2) 82/771, vel 1355, 1st St Malo 54/154, vel 1361, 3rd Tullamore (1) 61/1585, vel 1505. With the INFC 1st Skibbereen OB Nat vel 1598, 1st Quimper Friendship Nat vel 730, 1st Penzance YB Grand Nat vel 1397. For Wendal Scott 1st Talbenny YB Nat 66/385, vel 1462.
Looking in more detail at the racing in the Irish Nat FC events, club members featured in most of the races bar the Blue Riband Kings Cup from Plaudren/Vannes when only two birds were recorded in Mid Antrim. It’s not like Cullybackey to miss out on this one, Alan Darragh won from Jersey in 1986 and James Greer won from Messac in 2004. As mentioned earlier Alan Darragh who has an outstanding record racing at this level, tops Mid Antrim Combine in three events. He started the season winning 1st Combine in the Skibbereen OB Inland Nat doing velocity 1598 just ahead of Sammy Steele 2nd Combine and Reid Bros & McCloy 6th Combine. In the Yearling National flown from Sennen Cove Alan Darragh had the best two birds finishing 4th Comb on vel 1014, 9th Comb on vel 873 followed by J & J Greer 11th Coimbine, and Alan Darragh had five more birds placed. Only three local birds made it in the hard Friendship Nat flown from Quimper, Alan Darragh had 1st & 2nd Combine recording velocities 730 and 660. In the Blue Riband YB Grand Nat from Penzance Alan Darragh had 1st Combine again on velocity 1397, just ahead of Reid Bros & McCloy who were 2nd Combine on 1391. A second bird for the Darragh loft finished 7th Comb on 1102 and Reid Bros & McCloy had two further birds placed. Two lofts dominated the result in the YB Skibbereen best bird timed by Reid Bros & McCloy to finish 7th Comb on velocity 1433 to be followed by A Darragh and a second bird for Reid Bros & McCloy. Alan Darragh had four more birds placed and Harry McCloy who had a super young bird season a further three birds placed.
It should be another big race battle between these two lofts come next season, and I hear young Gary Gibson will re-join the fray, in one of his last season’s racing he was Highest Prize-winner. Many thanks once again to the members in Cullybackey for the invite to the annual prize night, it was a pleasure to attend and report on the seasons winners.
Alan Darragh collects the Russell Family Cup from Rosie at the prize night held in Arair Arms Hotel.
Rosie presents awards to Reid Bros & McCloy at Cullybackey prize night.
Ryan Russell collects the Bude Cup on behalf of Russell Bros.
Sammy Steele won the new Morrison Cup for the Diamond Jubilee.
Alan Darragh was a major award winner in the Mid Antrim Combine.
Brian Hayes congratulates Highest Prize-winner Alan Darragh.
Jamie Greer and grandad James collect prizes from Brian Hayes.
Harry McCloy and grand-daughter Demi collect their prize-money.
A happy Sammy Steele collects his prize money at the Cullybackey prize night.
New member Charlie McDowell collects awards at Adair Arms Hotel.
Neil & Stephen Anderson had good fun in the racing season, especially the training.
Leonard Davidson and daughter collect prizes at Adair Arms Hotel.
Club Secretary Edrick Davidson, happy collecting money, especially from Brian.
Brian presents prizes to Reid Bros & McCloy at Cullybackey prize night.
Harry McCloy and kids Jordan and Demi display the MAC Champions League Trophy.
Big winners in the Mid Antrim Combine, Alan Darragh (r) and Harry McCloy.
Brian Hayes with the MAC top winners Reid Bros & McCloy and Alan Darragh.
Cullybackey officials with the MAC Old Bird Points Shield, Harry McCloy Chairman (l) with Secretary Edrick Davidson.
Former Kings Cup winners Alan Darragh (l) and Jimmy Greer with the Russell Family Cup.
The winner of 1st MAC, 1st Sect B & 13th Open NIPA St Malo for A Darragh, Cullybackey.