The annual Cullybackey Open Show attracted 320 birds last Saturday with 180 in the Old Birds, 125 Young Birds and 35 entries in the Fancy Class. The judges travelled from the East Down Combine, ace racer James Cleland from Annsborough was assisted by friends Albert McKinstry and Robert McKeown. It was a super day for the home based lofts winning 6 x Classes with W & N Gilbert from Randalstown taking the Red Card in Young Bird T/W. Russell Bros won three classes and had Most Points and BOS, J & J Greer had 1st in the Old Bird T/W and Alan Darragh penned the winner in the Old Bird Handled collecting Best in Show. Secretary Edrick Davidson congratulated all the winners and thanked all those who had brought birds and prizes and had a special word for all the sponsors. They included Bridge Garage Cullybackey, Samuel McCausland’s, Pennybridge Accounting (C McDowell & Son), Frazer Animal Feeds, H. Beattie & Son, and B. Herbison (Concrete and Pigeon Supplies). Also a big thanks to the Judges and those who helped provide the tea (Nicola Anderson and Mrs Anderson). The Ballymena & Dist HPS Open Show will be in Cullybackey on New Year’s Day. Results:
Old Birds T/W - 1.J+J Greer, 2.Rusell Bros, 3.A.Neill, 4.D+R Turkington, Res. Blair and Rankin, VHC. W+N Gilbert, HC. J+B Balmer, C. B.Herbison.
Young Birds T/W - 1.W+N Gilbert, 2.J+B Balmer, 3.Reid Bros + H McCloy, Res. D+R Turkington, VHC. D+R Turkington, HC.J+B Balmer, C. Reid Bros and H McCloy.
Old Birds Handled - 1. A.Darragh, 2. A,Greenwood, 3. A. Neill, 4. J+J Greer, Res. Blair and rankin, VHC. G+R Lowry, HC. G+R Lowry, C. A.Darragh.
Young Birds Handled - 1. Russell Bros, 2. McAlonan Bros, 3. Russell Bros, 4. McAlonan Bros, Res. McAlonan Bros, VHC. Fred Simpson, HC. A,Greenwood, C. McAlonan Bros.
Old Bird Eye-sign - 1. Russell Bros, 2. Russell Bros, 3.Fred Simpson, 4.Blair and Rankin, Res. M,D+ C Magill, VHC. B.Herbison, HC. M,D+ C Magill, C. B.Herbison.
Yong Bird Eye-sign - 1. Russell Bros, 2. John Millar, 3. Russell Bros, 4. Russell Bros, Res. B.Herbison, VHC. D+R Turkington, HC. Russell Bros, C. Russell Bros.
Fancy T/W - 1. Reid Bros + HMcCloy, 2. J+J Greer, 3. J+B Balmer, 4. W+N Gilbert, Res. Reid Bros + H McCloy , VHC. J+B Balmer, HC. Reid Bros + H McCloy, C. A. Greenwood.
Best in Show: Alan Darragh (Cullybackey), Best Opposite Sex: Russell Bros (Cullybackey), Most Points: Russell Bros. Winner of Club Show Shield for members: Russell Bros. Winner of Club Show Shield for Non-members: W+N Gilbert win for the second time in three years.
Alan Darragh won the Best in Show, the judges are included.
Russell Bros had Best Opposite Sex at Cullybackey Open Show.
J & J Greer penned the winner in the Old Bird T/W.
Reid Bros & McCloy took the Red Card in the Fancy Class.
W & N Gilbert from Randalstown took 1st in the Young Bird T/W.
Len Russell (r) won both OB and YB Eye-sign.
Alkan Darragh had 1st in the OB Handled, with judge James Cleland.
W & N Gilbert won the Visitors Show Shield in Cullybackey.
Russell Bros won the Cullybackey Show Shield, included Chairman Harry McCloy and Secretary Edrick Davidson.