The opening race of the year for the INFC was Skibbereen OB Nat, with uncertain weather a number of lofts either kept their entries down or just decided to give the event a miss. I think at the ring marking we were able to avoid any long delays and with a bit of extra help here and there things can only get better. Muckamore Centre was already running with the clock checking and I had not the usual time available to take photos etc, many thanks to Harry McCloy who assisted on the computer and got the list of leading velocities out very quick. What a finish it turned out with East Antrim lofts involved with the best positions, the best Card of the Day was produced by D & J Campbelkl & Bigger from Eastway, but top spot was filled by Bingham & Seaton from Ligoniel who won 1st Centre in a photo finish doing velocity 1550. Results placed onwww.pigeonnetwork.com have been included here.
Robin Duddy Challenge – Three Bird Average in the Yearling National and Cross Channel YB National. The Robin Duddy Trophy to be awarded to the best Average Velocity Yearling Nat & Penzance YB Nat. 1st Prize total entry up to £1,000 and the 2nd Prize will be surplus of any of the entry over £1,000.
Entry Fee is £10 stg. To be paid on or before 10th June 2013. Up to 3 Pigeons Maximum to be Nominated on the Race Entry Forms for the Sennen Cove Yearling Nat and the Penzance YB National. In the event of no winner, free entry in the 2014 Competition. To join the Robin Duddy Challenge send the entry fee of £10.00, cheque made payable to Irish National Flying Club, to Mr David Black, 11 Drumiller Hill, Dromore, County Down. BT25 1EP. Tel: (028) 92 692713. David will be available at the Yearling National race marking on Monday 10th June to collect entries.
Positions are subject to checking and correction:
Muckamore Centre Skibbereen OB Nat – Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel 1550.2, D & J Campbell & Bigger Eastway 1550.1, D & J Campbell & Bigger 1536, D & J Campbell & Bigger 1536, M/M B McNeilly Doagh 1532, M/M B McNeilly 1532, G McKenna Eastway 1527, Bingham & Seaton 1524, D & J Campbell & Bigger 1522, Fleming Bros Crumlin 1521, D & J Campbell & Bigger 1521, M & T Griffith Eastway 1521, L & S O’Neill & Sons 1512, M/MN B McNeilly 1505, D & J Campbell & Bigger 1502, D & J Campbell & Bigger 1501, M/M B McNeilly 1501, D & J Campbell & Bigger 1500, D & J Campbell & Bigger 1500, A O’Hanlon Andersonstown 1500, M/M B McNeilly 1499, D & J Campbell & Bigger 1498, F Simpson Doagh 1496, G K & I Moxham Larne 1492, D & R Turkington Doagh 1492, G Marshall Cookstown 1488, Lindores Son & Nicholson West Belfast 1487, A & N Lewis Doagh 1487, D & J Campbell & Bigger 1387, J Burrows Eastway 1486, J Burrows 1486, D Dixon Ballymoney 1483, D & J Campbell & Bigger 1384, Bingham & Seaton 1482, A O’Hanlon 1480, R & M McManus Andersonstown 1480, J Braniff Fortfield 1479, Hanna & McClurkin Ligoniel 1476, A Darragh Cullybackey 1475, G K & I Moxham 1474, A O’Hanlon 1472, J & S Graham Kingsmoss 1471, D Dixon 1468, J Burrows 1465, A & M Boyle Ballymoney 1465, S & A Leitch Doagh1462, A & N Lewis 1462, S & A Leitch 1461, A O’Hanlon 1461, M/M B McNeilly 1460, J Braniff 1459.
Mid Antrim Combine INFC Skibbereen OB Nat – D Dixon Rasharkin 1483, A Darragh Cullybackey 1475, D Dixon 1466, Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 1457, D Dixon 1456, G Connolly Harryville 1453, D Dixon 1449, D Dixon 1446, D Dixon 1446, A Darragh 1440, D Dixon 1436, J & N Simpson Broughshane 1436, D Dixon 1436, Reid Bros & McCloy 1433, G Connolly 1431, A Darragh 1420, Reid Bros & McCloy 1417, Reid Bros & McCloy 1407, Reid Bros & McCloy 1406, Reid Bros & McCloy 1404, J & N Simpson 1397, Reid Bros & McCloy 1388, A Darragh 1381, G Connolly 1373, G & A Eagleson Ballymena 1372, G & A Eagleson 1370, G Connolly 1368, MDC Magill Ballymena 1366, MDC Magill 1366, A Darragh 1364.
Northsouth Federation 25/331 – Donnelly Bros Newry City 1568, Donnelly Bros 1563, G Hughes & Son Newry & Dist 1519, Mal Maguire & Son Newry & Dist 1518, R & M Mulholland Millvale 1509, R & M Mulholland 1509, R & M Mulholland 1497, G Hughes & Son 1486, J J McCabe Newry & Dist 1481, Havern Brois Ballyholland 1480.
Club Results INFC Skibbereen –
Dromore HPS – P & J Boal 1569, 1569, Doonan & McGuinness 1569, 1569, M/M G Delaney 1557, 1542.
Blackwatertown WE 3/46 – J Brown 1543, 1534, Collins & Douglas 1534, 1493, 1490, RGG Donaldson 1472.
Edgarstown – P Hope 1541, 1509, R Bell & Sons 1502, P Hope 1479, 1470, 1464.
Corcreeney – G & S McMullan 1531, R Adamson 1510, J Carson 1507, 1496, R Adamson 1491, M Duggan 1487.
Wilton Cross – G Douglas 1526, 1507, M Wilkinson 1492, G Douglas 1471, M Rice 1457.
Beechpark Social RPS – K Downey 1521, D Mawhinney & Son 1508, C Reynolds 1502, G McEvoy 1500, 1471, D Mawhinney & Son 1460.
Newry & District 9/119 – G Hughes & Son 1519, Mal Maguire & Son 1518, G Hughes & Son 1486, J J McCabe 1481, R McKelvey 1476, Mark Maguire & Son 1471.
Larne & District HPS – L & S O’Neill & Sons 1512, G K & I Moxham 1492, 1474, L & S O’Neill & Sons 1456, G K & I Moxham 1423.
Millvale Inv 6/61 – R & M Mulholland 1509, 1509, 1497, 1476, 1441, 1431.
Portadown & Drumcree – B Creaney 1506, A McDonald 1504, 1420, B Creaney 1413, G Matchett 1358, B Creaney 1356.
Boyne Valley – H Thorpe 1498, J Mulroy 1445, D Corrigan 1424.
Gilford & District – Rafferty & Toman 1496, 1496, Fitzpatrick & Hyde 1487, C & H Beattie 1465, Adamson & Anderson 1464.
Ballymoney HPS 7/75 – D Dixon 1485, 1468, A & M Boyle 1465, D Dixon 1458, 1451, 1448.
Dervock RPS 3/32 – A & M Boyle 1465, D & G McMullan 1446, A & M Boyle 1435, 1426, 1420, 1399.
Ballynahinch HPS – R Trimble 1464, D & R Topping 1445, 1428, 1417, W Catherwood & Sons 1401, R Trimble 1393.
Harryville 2/30 – G Connolly 1451, 1429, 1371, 1366, 1343, 1335.
Monaghan HPS 8/64 – R Mulligan 1449, 1422, 1394, P Caughlin 1380, J Graham 1378, S O’Brien 1350.
Armagh HPS 6/50 – S Fields & Sons 1411, P Campbell & Sons 1404, 1404, A Geraghty 1402, S Fields & Sons 1367, J Campbell 1349.
Ballymena & District 3/14 – G & A Eagleson 1372, 1370, MDC Magill 1366, 1366, G & A Eagleson 1337, MDC Magill 1332.
GIBB’S CHOICE’
LEADS THE WAY FOR RICKY McCULLOUGH
Having scribed for the Lisburn and indeed Section D area for a number of years now, and with an avalanche of previous material going back some 40 years available at my father’s home, something tells me I won’t require same to tell you that it has been some years if indeed it has ever been done before, that is a loft in Lisburn finishing 1st and 2nd Open NIPA from a cross channel event ??. Ricky McCullough has just achieved the fate which mirrors the one done by the legendary National loft of NIPA Chairman Alan Darragh, Cullybackey just a couple of years ago, finishing 1st an 2nd Open from Talbenny, you could argue that Ricky has gone one better by also finishing 4th and 32nd Open. But I will leave the debating up to the more educated fanciers. Without any doubt Ricky’s is the performance of the weekend.
Talbenny in South Wales was the race point for a number of organisations at the weekend, with the NIPA opting to release at 8.30am on Saturday morning in a Lt North West Wind. A difficult affair was on the cards with theoretically a head wind crossing the Irish Sea, and with the very evident heavy and prolonged showers, no one area was to have dominance which for most of the time can be expected from the cross channel events. Looking at the NIPA Open result supplied to my father ’Homer’ at lunch time on Sunday and well done once again to the hard working Secretary Fred Russell who is doing a Stirling job in putting together the result in such short time. As predicted and looking through and analysing as I do, I see seven different NIPA Section Winners in the first 27 of the NIPA Open what a race for everybody and extended congratulations to all the Section Winners on what was a difficult day, with many lofts experiencing some empty perches and a lesser feeding bill and not excluding the 8th NIPA Section Winner Alan Hall of Omagh who wins yet again well done.
To the task in hand and the hard working Ricky McCullough who I must add has recorded his 7th win in the Derriaghy HPS this year with more weeks than not dominating the result. A true gentleman who I have known now for some time being a Club mate to Ian & Peter Gibb at Derriaghy and more recently a ardent worker for the Gibb partnership at there lofts, only living a few minutes away in the Milltown estate area of Lisburn his help has been greatly appreciated by Ian and Peter. You can not take anything away from Ricky always a very astute fancier in every way, bought the best feeds the best, hence Ian Gibb seeking his services to assist Peter and himself with the Daily duties at the racing lofts and indeed the ever increasing and popular Gibb & Byrne Stud Operation.
I arranged to meet Ricky on Sunday morning on the calculated pretence that he was the NIPA Open winner based on the info and results coming through our websitewww.pigeonnetwork.com, and on that note I see the number of clubs posting there results this week has increased and from Homer and myself many thanks. Ricky laid homage fair and squarely at the door of Ian Gibb for assisting him in achieving where he is this week, which was a very true testament of the man himself.
As covered already this was Ricky’s 7th 1stClub this year flying with Derriaghy, but to go on and win 1st, 2nd and 4th Section D plus 1st, 2nd and 4th Open NIPA is simply dreams coming true and hard to sink in was the words from Ricky this morning. The McCullough loft timed at 1.02pm, 1.03pm and1.05pm flying 196 miles, recording velocities of 1265, 1264 and 1254 ypm. Best NIPA Open performance previously by the loft was 1st Section D and 7th Open NIPA Fermoy in 2008. First pigeon home from Talbenny was a Blue Yearling Roundabout Cock a progressive racer but this the first time he has headed the ever consistent team of performers for Ricky. Now named “Gibb’s Choice” the name says it all, this one a gift from Ian Gibb @ The Gibb & Byrne Stud and a Soontjen at that, boy what success they have had with this family of pigeons since they where first brought back to Ireland in 2000. They simply have topped all organisations in Ireland and won for a number of major fliers on the UK mainland. I also just heard this week that the McCartan & Woodside Team topped the EDC last week from Skibbereen there respective Derby event with a pigeon sourced from Ian Gibb and have duly named it ‘Mr Gibb’. The Open winner for Ricky is a G/Son of the famous ‘Levi’ . The Sire the 2004 bred ‘Levi 41’ Sire and G/Sire to countless winners was paired to a daughter of the legendary ’Scholar’ and what this pigeon is responsible for is immense but one that comes to mind is “Miss Atom” 1st Midlands National. Second pigeon for Ricky finishing 2nd Section and 2nd Open is yet again the best of the Soontjens from Ian Gibb & Sons. Timed at 1.03pm this again a Yearling Blue Roundabout Cock had scored previously for the loft in recent weeks. Completing the rout and 4th Section and 4thOpen NIPA was one sourced from good friend Mickey McConville. This one topped the Club last week for Ricky. Many congratulations Ricky on your success and he extends his thanks once again to Ian & Peter Gibb and Mickey McConville.
Splitting the pigeons this week for Ricky McCullough was the loft of Martin & Fred Russell in the Dromore West End, Martin can race a pigeon without very much work, an exceptional fancier with immense quality. The Russell loft finishes first Dromore West End, 3rd Section D and 3rd Open NIPA must mention that 93 competing lofts in Section D sent 1,759 pigeons and over-all in the NIPA Open some 918 lofts sent 13,771 hopefuls to Talbenny. M & F also finished 6th Section D and 26th Open NIPA, this falling on top of a very strong performance last week for the loft.
Fifth Section D and topping the mighty Lisburn & District HPS with 29 members sending 482 pigeons was the loft of Brian Spence and son Roy who made it a double also topping the Ulster Federation affiliated Lagan Valley RPC. With a velocity of 1238ypm in the NIPA the Knockmore Park loft finishes 13th Open.
Looking around the rest of the Clubs within my designated area I see the Black loft coming to the fore in the Dromara HPS with 12 members sending 322 pigeons, one to watch in the cross channel events and without any doubt one to be feared each and every year in the major French races especially the much sought after Kings Cup. The Kingswood Club in East Belfast part of Section D had yet again another leading performance by the Burton & Glover team who finish 1st Club against 121 hopefuls and record an impressive 8th Section D and 40thOpen NIPA, this one was followed home in the Club by the R & J Conlane team and the Kemp and McBride partnership completed the top three. Dunedin was the next port of call and a super result for the Brown team topping the Club with a commanding lead on 1216ypm ahead of the Cowan & McCartney partnership who had two in the clock in 2ndand 3rd with the hard working Colin Coates completing the top four. In Glenavy we had a new winner to the fore this season just pipping the inform Gibb Loft, that being Cecil Harbinson on a velocity of 1212ypm ahead of the Gibb loft who finished 2nd Club with John Withers completing the top three with some 211 pigeons competing. Mr Gibb wont mind sacrificing the Red Card as the winning pigeon yet again another Soontjen from his stock (what a race for the Gibb Loft). Sidney Grainger & Son where yet again to top the Hills & Maze HPS and yet again another top season for the loft finishing 13th Section D on a velocity of 1209ypm and will command a finish of 66th Open in the over-all result. Owen Monaghan is equally having a best season flying with the Colin HPS and very much a ding dong each week between his loft and that of the ever consistent John Gregory & Sons, must at this point give my regards to John who I understand is making great progress following his hospitalisation during the early part of the year, and still competing impeccably week in week out with his hard working and committed sons. Owen Monaghan again assisted by his hard working son has had a season to remember scoring a number of top Section and Open positions, this week the loft finishes 14thSection D and 81st Open NIPA, the father and son team timed a good performer who previously finished 2nd club and 9th Section D and proved his status over the Irish Sea with a 5th Club from Bude. In South Belfast the R Kenna Loft was yet again to the top of the pile ahead of the R & H Fear Team with the M Lavery loft completing the top three. Well done to all concerned.
Completing my round up this week we finish with the Dromore Club itself and 1st and 2nd goes to the brothers namely the partnership of Philip and Joe Boal who loft where some 188 miles in measurement from Talbenny timing at 1.08 and 1.09 respectively. Once again the hens are proving there worth, first one timed pure Willy Van Herck and 2nd one into the Clock that being a Leo Hermans this one a G/daughter of ’Safier’ and ’Di Caprio’ the loft finishes 1st, 2nd Club, 22nd and 25th Section D and 151st and 162nd Open NIPA. Must congratulate the brothers on Finishing 1stNorth Section Skibbereen INFC O/B National during the week finishing 7th Open Over-all. A Fantastic achievement following a magnificent Rosscarbery O/Bird National with the NIPA the week previous between both races the loft lifts over £3,000. Will be catching up with the Boal loft over the coming days.
Old Hand Charlie best in the MAC -
The opening race of the cross channel programme started last Saturday, the NIPA birds were released in Talbenny (South Wales) at 8.30am in a Lt NW wind. Best bird locally was timed by Old Hand Charlie McManus in the Ballymena & Dist, his yearling Blue cock was timed at 12.42hrs recording velocity 1230 for the 218 miles. Ballymena & Dist had a big result, Charlie was followed by G & A Eagleson, J McNaghten & Son and R McFall & Son.
In the final week of the League Competition four lofts have now qualified for the Knock-Out stage starting at Talbenny. All eight lofts scored points in the Group 2, Steele & McNeill got through with a big result from Clonmel, it was always thought this would be the big competition of all four groups. The tie for 4th place in Group 3 & 4 was decided by the Rosscarbery Velocities. Last season’s Champion Loft Reid Bros & McCloy just like last season scraped through in the final race before the Knock-Out stage. All the interest now is on the competition for Talbenny, no League straight Knock-Out!. The competition for Talbenny was:-
Harry Boyd v J Millar & Son, Danny Dixon v Steele & McNeill, Alan Darragh v Allen McBride, J & N Simpson v Milliken & Barkley, Alistair Purvis v Jimmy Rock, George McDowell v Reid Bros & McCloy, Scott & Clements v Young McManus & Sons, Surgenor Bros v W & J Smyth.
The Quarter Final of the Champions League to be flown from Talbenny (2). J Millar & Son (Harryville) v D Dixon (Rasharkin), A Darragh (Cullybackey) v J & N Simpson (Broughshane), J Rock (Harryville) v Reid Bros & McCloy (Cullybackey), Young McManus & Sons (Ahoghill) v Surgenor Bros (Kells).
The club entry fees for the NIPA Cock & Hen Yearling Nat from Rosscarbery will be collected this Thursday evening at Cullybackey Centre between 8.30 and 9.30pm. One club cheque for each race, the birds will be race marked Friday at Cullybackey between 2.00 and 4.30pm. The Fermoy 5 Bird entry will be collected in Cullybackey on Thursday 13th June between 8.30 and 9.30pm, race marking on Friday 14th June between 4.00 and 6.00pm.
Mid Antrim Combine Talbenny (1) 97/1,369 – McFall & McManus Ballymena 1230, G & A Eagleson Ballymena 1202, J McNaghten & Son Ballymena 1202, R McFall & Son Ballymena 1201, A & N Young Ahoghill 1196, C Young Ahoghill 1192, McFall & McManus 1191, D Dixon Rasharkin 1190, Houston Bros Randalstown 1190, G & A Eagleson 1189, G & A Eagleson 1189, A Darragh Cullybackey 1186, Surgenor Bros Kells 1186, M Graham Ballymena 1175, McAlonan Bros Ballymena 1173, A Darragh 1172, Balmer T Young & Sons Ahoghill 1169, J Millar & Son Harryville 1168, J & N Simpson Broughshane 1168, Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 1167, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1167, J Millar & Son 1163, D Stevenson Ahoghill 1163, Russell Bros Cullybackey 1161, A Darragh 1161, J & N Simpson 1159, J Ramsey Harryville 1159, W & J Smyth Ballymena 1157, J Rock Harryville 1155, Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 1154.
Mid Antrim Combine Clubs Talbenny (1) –
Ballymena & Dist HPS 17/192 – McFall & McManus 1230, G & A Eagleson 1202, J McNaghten & Son 1202, R McFall & Son 1201, McFall & McManus 1191, G & A Eagleson 1189, 1189, M Graham 1175, McAlonan Bros 1173, W & J Smyth 1157. Ballymena 2 Bird Club – J McNaghten & Son, G & A Eagleson. Charlie McManus off the McFall & McManus partnership win the first channel race of the season from Talbenny into a north west wind. Bred by the famous Paddy McManus of Ahoghill. (Charlie's son) breeding is Van de Wiel & Carl Boeckx. Racing to the perch this yearling Blue cock wins the club by a massive 28ypm and is favourite for Combine & Section honours. Charlie claims his first win in style in the top club, Congratulations.
Ahoghill Flying Club 12/245 – A & N Young 1196, C Young 1192, Balmer Young & Sons 1169, D Stevenson 1163, A & N Young 1152, Young McManus & Sons 1150, 1148, M/M Robinson 1140, D Stevenson 1134, J Balmer 1115. Good day for the Young Brothers. Albert notches up his first win of the season with brother Tommy who celebrates his retirement with third place. Charlie keeps it in the family with a very well deserved runner-up spot. Young Bros 1st, 2nd & 3rd – what a result!
Randalstown HPS 13/141 – Houston Bros 1190, Stewart Bros 1167, 1144, 1144, 1141, Houston Bros 1125, S Murphy 1120, W & W Gilbert 1116, Houston Bros 1112, D Logan & Son 1087.
Cullybackey HPS 15/280 – A Darragh 1186, 1172, Reid Bros & McCloy 1167, Russell Bros 1161, A Darragh 1161, H & R McCloy 1153, A Darragh 1137, W Scott 1126, A Darragh 1122, S Steele 1121.
Kells & District 12/118 – Surgenor Bros 1186, 1142, G McDowell 1132, Surgenor Bros 1120, G McDowell 11098, Surgenor Bros 1099, A Barkley & Son 1088, B Swann & Son 1087. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – G McDowell 1132, 1109, B Swann & Son 1068, Mrs M Smyth 987, R Herron & Son 936.
Harryville HPS 15/226 – J Millar & Son 1168, 1163, J Ramsey 1159, J Rock 1155, R H Clements 1136, 1135, 1124, W Jackson 1111, R H Clements 1103, A McBride 1099.Yearling Cheq cock was bred from a Soontjen & Busschaert cock paired to a gift hen from Niall Crean of Co Cork.
Broughshane & District 5/60 – J & N Simpson 1168, 1159, 1142, 1135, D Houston & Son 1062, 1059.
Rasharkin & District 8/107 – Steele & McNeill 1154, H Cubitt 1145, J & D Surgenor 1138, Milliken & Barkley 1113, A C & T Tweed 1113, Steele & McNeill 1092. Danny Dixon – 1190, 1143.
Antrim Area Update – Top bird in the weekend race from Talbenny in South Wales was in the Muckamore HPS, the Sect C lofts were well to the fore with John White 1st & 2nd followed by A & E Bell. The winner for John White flying to Nutt Corner recorded velocity 1207. Fleming Bros were best in Crumlin & District doing velocity 1198 followed by two birds for Thompson Bros.
Muckamore – J White 1207, 1192, A & E Bell 1181. It is my sad duty to report the passing of John Hanlon after a long period of illness, the racing partner of John Lavery the loft scored numerous top results in the Antrim Area over many years, both in Muckamore and Antrim Amalgamated. Sincere condolences to the family circle.
Crumlin & District 11/199 – Fleming Bros 1198, Thompson Bros 1154, 1154, G F Lindsay 1148, J Harkness 1147, McConville Bros 1147.
We have moved on to the cross channel programme and not a lot of change at the top of the results, Hanson & Harpur were best from Talbenny in South Wales. Liberation on Saturday was at 8.30am in a Lt NW wind and Hanson & Harper record velocity 1162 for 1st Coleraine Premier and best in the Coleraine Triangle, the winner was bred by Campbell & Bigger. D Coyle & Son were next best and Russell McAlary was well placed again. The Donaghy team had 1st in the Windsor Social (1124) and Terence McCrudden was 1st in the Coleraine & County Derry (1096).
Coleraine Triangle Talbenny (1) - Hanson & Harpur Coleraine Prem 1162, D Coyle & Son Coleraine Prem 1160, Hanson & Harpur 1151, R McAlary Coleraine Prem 1148, D Coyle & Son 1138, Newton & Quinn Coleraine Prem 1128, G Donaghy Son & Grandson Windsor Soc 1124, R McAlary 1119, J L Madden Coleraine Prem 1105, T McCrudden Coleraine & Co Derry 1096, Diamond Bros Coleraine Prem 1098, M Howard Coleraine Prem 1098.
Coleraine/Ballymoney Clubs Talbenny (1) –
Coleraine Premier 16/142 – Hanson & Harpur 1162, D Coyle & Son 1160, Hanson & Harpur 1151, R McAlary 1148, D Coyle & Son 1138, Newton & Quinn 1128, R McAlary 1119, J L Madden 1105, Diamond Bros 1098, M Howard 1098.
Windsor Social 8/64 – G Donaghy Son & Grandson 1124, 1093, K Glass 1066, R & J Parke 1061, C Morrow & Son 1059, R & J Parke 1040, 1040, R McCook 1028, R McCann 1026, 1018.
Coleraine & County Derry RPS – T McCrudden 1096, 1092, K Macauley 1052, T McCrudden 995, R Stewart 863.
Ballymoney HPS 21/269 – D Dixon 1190, D & H Stuart 1190, 1154, D Dixon 1143, D & H Stuart 1137, Brown & Stewart 1133, J McDowell & Sons 1130, D Devenney 1118, J Connolly 1116, J McDowell & Sons 1112. Danny Dixon wins it in a photo finish with D&H Stuart. His winning Blue Cheq cock is a Lambrecht Jacob cross and won Bude last year
Dervock RPS 9/104 – D & H Stuart 1190, 1154, 1137, D Devenney 1118, J Walker 1091, S Laverty 1088, A & M Boyle 1082, S Laverty 1040, D & G McMullan 1027, A & M Boyle 1022.
Ballymoney West Combine – Brown & Stewart 1133, J McDowell & Sons 1130, D Gage 1108, R J Elliott 1064, D Laverty 952, L Neill 951.
Limavady 9/171 – R Witherow 1082, D Johnston 1058, H Crawford 1004, W McIlmoyle 994.
City of Derry Federation Talbenny (1) 57/356 – P Maxwell Snr Foyle 1033, N Cassidy Amelia Earhart 1032, S Campbell Amelia Earhart 1018, L & B Flanagan Londonderry 998, L & M Moran Derry & Dist 995, McMonagle Bros Amelia Earhart 985, Kelly & Borland Maiden City 981, A McCrudden Derry & Dist 960, C Fox Amelia Earhart 959, R O’Reilly Foyle 956, M McCloskey Amelia Earhart 955, T Morrison Maiden City 953, R Lyle Maiden City 952, L & B Flanagan 952, Cooley Bros Derry & Dist 950, J Gallagher Foyle 947, T Morrison 946, P Maxwell Snr 934, W & D Hamilton Amelia Earhart 930, R O’Reilly 921.
Campbell & Bigger from Eastway are best from Talbenny -
After having the Top Card from Skibbereen mid-week the D & J Campbell & Bigger team remain in good form with the best bird at the weekend in East Antrim. It was the opening race from the water, the NIPA birds were released in Talbenny (South Wales) on Saturday at 8.30am in a Lt NW wind. With heavy showers around it was a difficuly enough day, a number of birds were still missing at clock run off. The Eastway HPS are up at the top, D & J Campbell & Bigger record velocity 1253 and finish 1st Sect C & 5th Open NIPA 918/13,771 followed by Whiteside Bros. B & M Gilmore have a good 1st & 2nd in Doagh & Dist (1241), and Joe Watt is best in Ligoniel (1234). The O’Neill Family are best in Larne topping the big Larne & District with 660 birds competing, and Elliott Bros were best in Carrickfergus.
East Antrim Sect C Clubs Talbenny (1) -
Eastway HPS – D & J Campbell & Bigger 1253, Whiteside Bros 1242, 1222, D & J Campbell & Bigger 1219, Whiteside Bros 1217, D & J Campbell & Bigger 1216.
Doagh & District 17/295 – B & M Gilmore 1241, 1217, M/M B McNeilly 1178, F Simpson 1163, D & R Turkington 1162, M/M D Suitters 1162, A & N Lewis 1161, J Blair 1151, S & A Leitch 1148. Brian & Mervyn Gilmore top the club with their good Van Rijn that has already won 1st Club, 14th Sect C & 20th Open Clonmel earlier in the season.
Ligoniel & District 31/370 – J Watt 1234, J Smyth 1232, S Maginty 1231, McAuley Kells & Bowles 1226, Bingham & Seaton 1221, G & M Atcheson 1217, McMurray & Anderson 1214, J Watt 1222, D Brown 1201, G Kincaid & Son 1183. Joe Watt is back at the top in Ligoniel.
Larne & District HPS 42/660 – L & S O’Neill & Sons 1212, Crawford & Robinson 1199, L & S O’Neill & Sons 1197, Beggs & Hall 1194, 1191, Crawford & Robinson 1179, L & S O’Neill & Sons 1178, M Witherspoon 1172, L & S O’Neill & Sons 1172, Crawford & Robinson. The NIPA moved on to Talbenny for the first channel race of the season when 42 Larne & Dist members sent 660 birds .Taking the Red Card and a fantastic five birds in the result is the O'Neill family. The Glenrory lofts timed a yearling cock, the sire is a son of Chris Gordon's National winner and the dam is a double grand-daughter of Euro Diamond. Two Bird Club - 1st Crawford & Robinson. Show Specials: 1st L & S O'Neill & Sons, 2nd Beggs & Hall, 3rd Crawford & Robinson.
Ballyclare & District 19/310 – M/M C Hayes 1211, T H Gibson 1196, G & R Lawrie 1193, Horner Bros & Son 1178, 1166, S Horgan & Son 1164, A Agnew 1152, E Logan 1137, J & R Blair 1132, Turkington & Robinson 1128.
Horseshoe 12/168 – B Smyth 1209, K & F Hagans 1182, Rea & Magill 1172, 1161, J Morrison 1159, B Smyth 1153, S Spence 1151, Rea & Magill 1146, R Liddle 1141, Rea & Magill 1141.
Kingsmoss 12/217 – Knowles & Hill 1204, N Sharpe 1183, J & S Graham 1175, D J Connor 1170, Knowles & Hill 1168, T Cairns & Sons 1165, N Sharpe 1164, G & C Lowry 1151 T Lillie 1142, J & S Graham 1139. Billy Knowles wins for the third time this season, Jackie Graham wins the Nomination.
Carrick & District 11/178 – Elliott Bros 1203, M Owens 1196, Degnan & McKee 1183, D Elliott & Grandson 1179, Elliott Bros 1167, M/M R Reid 1158, Elliott Bros 1153, M/M R Reid 1147, S Beattie & Daughters 1146, M/M R Reid 1140.
Carrick Social 12/173 – D & J Armstrong & Son 1187, J Millar & Son 1184, R McMurtry & Daughter 1159, W R McClean 1158, M/M G Robinson 1151, 1135, W R McClean 1134, T Peel 1133, M/M G Robinson 1129, E Gilliland 1122. Five wins on the trot for the top racing partnership of D & J Armstrong & Son, getting like old times.
Ballycarry & District – N J Arthurs 1180, J Parkes 1153, J C Reid 1123.
Springvale Social 3/30 – V Montgomery 1146, I Horner 1115, V Montgomery 1038, W Drennan 1034, I Horner 1033, V Montgomery 1022.
Glenarm & District – O O’Neill & Son 1129, McMullan Bros 1102, 1101, 1088, G McWhirter 1088, K S McCloy 1064.
Cushendall – A McNaughton 1082, 1038, D McAllister 961.
Adie McCormick
Email: celestiallofts@aol.com
Mobile: 07921 883997
Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: @homerbhw
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
http://www.pigeonnetwork.com
Weekend winners in Ahoghill, Chairman Tom Young (l) and Secretary Albert Young.
Danny Dixon won 1st MAC from Skibbereen.
Geoffrey Douglas took 1st Club Wilton Cross from Skibbereen, week before that 2nd Open NIPA Rosscarbery OB Nat.
Only man to top Alan Darragh in Cullybackey so far, Harry McCloy.
Jimmy Hanson best in Coleraine Triangle from Talbenny, bird bred by Campbell & Bigger.
Jack Millar & Son 1st Club Harryville from Talbenny.