Homer's Odyssey - 27/03/09

[willie reynolds]

The Killyleagh Central club in County Down celebrated their winning season with a prize function in AJs Crossgar, Chairman Ed Marshall, Secretary Colin Watson and Treasurer Herbie McVeigh were joined by members and friends. Roy Connor was good enough to send me the details of the year and a few photos, Killyleagh Central compete in both the NIPA and East Down Combine.

The NIPA winners in 2008 were as follows: OB Inland Average 1. Irvine Bros, 2. McComb Bros, 3. E Marshall, 4. H McVeigh. OB Cross Channel Average 1. McComb Bros, 2. H McVeigh, 3. R Watson & Son. Old Bird Average 1. McComb Bros, 2. H McVeigh, 3. R Watson & Son. Young Bird Average 1. McComb Bros, 2. H McVeigh, 3. E Marshall, 4. R Watson & Son. Combined Average 1. McComb Bros, 2. H McVeigh, 3. R Watson & Son. Points Cup 1. McComb Bros 103, 2. Irvine Bros 56, 3. E Marshall 50, 4. H McVeigh 32. A McCardell Memorial won by Gordon Bros & Sons. French Cup won by R Watson & Son.

Sales Season at Larne & District: The local clubrooms at the Old Glenarm Road will host a number of sales over the next few weeks, Owen Donnelly as usual will be the local auctioneer. The Larne Sale for the 5th YB Race will be Thursday 26th March open to members of Larne & Dist, Horseshoe and Glenarm & Dist. The Larne Social Club Breeder/Buyer Sale for Talbenny National will be held on Thursday 2nd April, again this is open to members of Larne & Dist, Horseshoe and Glenarm & Dist. Finally the Breeder/Buyer Sale for Glenarm & Dist will be held on Thursday 16th April, a fantastic selection of birds will be available. More info on the sales will be available later.

The New North Flying Club - A short meeting was held on 18th March and with six weeks notice given in the pigeon books and newspapers prior to this date it is apparent there is no interest in keeping the club going. After the Bank Books and Bank Statements had been handed round for all to see, the above club will no longer exist and the Money in the Bank will be used to purchase Cups for the NIPA, the INFC and The Mid Antrim Combine. Many thanks to all the former members who supported the club over the many years. Sammy Thompson (Former Chairman). Maurice Alexander (Former Secretary).

Most clubs were represented at the AGM of Mid Antrim Combine held in Harryville HPS on Wednesday 18th March, Chairman Robert Service (Harryville) and George McDowell (Kells) were both returned to office. The Champions League will operate again as last year, a very successful competition with Roy Clements (Harryville) getting the better of Harry Boyd (Kells) in the final from Sennen Cove when both lofts won 1st Club. Jim Harris from Ballymena is again looking after the admin and the draw will be made as last year at Ballymena Pigeon Supplies. The local store at Ballykeel Business Centre operated by Keith and Linda Kernohan will increase the sponsorship in conjunction with Teurlings a bag of mixture for 1st, 2nd and 3rd MAC in all the major National & Classic races for the NIPA. The cup donated by the New North FC will be for the Best Average Bude OB & Talbenny YB, we are now counting the days with the first race, due to be flown on Easter Saturday 11th April.

John Lowry from Crumlin will have a new transporter on the road for training intending to go every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Crates will be available for individual use if required. Pick Up times are Dunsilly Car Park 7.00 7.15am, Nutts Corner 8.00 8.15am, Crumlin & District clubrooms 8.30 8-45am, Glenavy & District clubrooms 9.00 9-15am, Moira Roundabout 9.30 9-45am. Tel: 07710 447262.

Mickey McConville from Nutts Corner will have a Training Transporter in operation for this new season, birds can be hampered at his home 33a Tully West Road, Nutts Corner Tel (028) 94 423958. Training 3 days every week to Bellingstown and every Monday to Newry. Birds can be hampered at the house from 7.00am until 9.00am and liberation will be around 10.30am.

Joe & Mark Brown Training The local transporter will start operations on Saturday 4th April and each week Monday to Thursday to Newry and Ardee. Provided they have a genuine interest Moira Roundabout will be a collection point 7.00am until 7.30am, Lurgan 8.45am until 9.00am and usual stops at Bleary and Gilford. Birdage will be a nominal 10p very good value and Joe can be contacted at any time Tel: 07709 077266, some youngsters are ready now at £25 each from the lofts Champion bloodlines. Their YB Sale in Glenavy sold out in minutes.

Lisburn & Dist HPS clocks and race sheets etc need returned to the clubrooms on Friday 27th March. Loft for sale in Lisburn 12 x 8 erected by Liam Prunty one year old. Contact Homer.

Ballymena & District HPS: Will run a Ring Nomination YB Race during 2009 open only to lofts who compete in the Mid Antrim Combine. Race Licence No IR 06/09, contact Jim Harris or Willie Reynolds. Kells & Dist meet on Thursday 26th March for fees, race sheets, clocks etc at 8.00pm and Ballymena & Dist HPS Clocks to be returned on Monday 30th March at 8.00pm. Harryville HPS members should return ETS Systems for checking etc to the clubrooms on Thursday 26th March at 8.00pm.

Springvale Social: Watch out for the new season Gold Ring Race to be flown in the NIPA Inland YB Nat open to all lofts in the NIPA Sections B & C covering all the top lofts in the hot bed of Mid & East Antrim. Rings are £20 each, RPRA Licence No. IR 02/09. Contact any of the following Victor Montgomery Tel: 93-340021, Robert Scott Tel: 93-322798, Campbell McGrugan Tel: 93-340981 or Michael Fasciolo Tel: 07854 910228.

Laurelvale HPS: Proudly present a Young Bird Auction in aid of new clubrooms to be held on Friday 27th March at 7.30pm in the Banbridge British Legion. Auctioneer is Ronnie Johnston, birds on view from 6.30pm. A super draft of young pigeons kindly donated by the following fanciers, bidding will start at £30. Joe Adamson, T & G Kennedy, McFarland & Agnew, Mal Maguire & Son, D & J Armstrong & Son, Mark Maguire & Son, David Black & Son, D Mawhinney & Son, Joe Brown, J & J Milligan, S S Cairns, R Mills & Son, J Cleland, T Mooney & Son, M Conlon & Son, Eddie McAlinden, A Cousins & Son, Allan McDonald, Joe Cromie, Mansel McDowell, Alan Darragh, Ron McKelvey, M/M G Delaney, McKinstry Bros, Roy Donaldson, Eddie McKnight, Donnelly Bros, Willie Neill, Geoffrey Douglas, John Patterson, J Dowey & Sons, Davy Strain, T & A Ford, J Trotter, Colin Gibson, Nelson Weir, Jeff Greenaway, Ron Williamson, Alan Hall, Tom Wilson, G & F Hall, C & L Woodside, K Henderson & Son, E Wright & Son, Mark Hughes, and R Kennedy. Updated list at 23/02/2009, a sale not to be missed!

Ballycarry & Dist will hold its annual Breeder/Buyer sale to be held on Friday 27th March from 7.30 pm in the clubrooms, Fairhill, Ballycarry. The sale is open to NIPA Section C only and has a guaranteed payout of £500. The race will be the Rosscarbery Young Bird National - Race Licence number IR 11/09.

Glengormley are planning for this year an Open Breeder & Buyer Sale with £1,000 to Breeder and £1,000 to buyer and the race the final INFC Skibbereen. Sales are being arranged for Newtownbreda on Monday 23rd March, Ligoniel on Friday 27th March, Grosvenor on Friday 4th April and Glengormley on Saturday 11th April, more details later. In the meantime I have some contact numbers. Michael Mullan Tel: 07774 731652, Matt Murphy Tel: 07799 765327 and Hugh Bigger Tel: 07796 848484.

Doagh & District HPS: The annual Y/Bird Breeder/Buyer Sale will be held in the Linfield Club, Ballyclare on Thursday 2nd April kick off 8pm. Over £1,000 is paid out every year, and with youngsters promised from many of the top local lofts, plus top English lofts we are hoping that this year will be even better than before. Remember Cards only, Minimum bid £20 and open only to NIPA Section C lofts. 40% to Breeder, 40% to Buyer and 20% for Club. All ring numbers to be with the Doagh Secretary John Wilson by 30th May 2009, and the race will be the Rosscarbery NIPA Y/Bird National.

Banbridge British Legion will host a Super Sale of top quality Young Birds donated by some of Irelands top fanciers in aid of Northern Ireland Leukaemia Research. Date Friday 3rd April at 8.00pm sharp. Further details from Eddie McAlinden Tel: 07771 813198. Lofts who have donated birds so far include: E McAlinden & Sons (Banbridge), T Lennon (Banbridge), D Carson (Banbridge), P Byrne (Banbridge), T Greenaway (Gilford), G ODowd (Gilford), B McGrath (Drumnavaddy), S Curran (Lurgan Social), H Beattie (Laurelvale), M/M C G Gibson (Corcreeney), T & K Mawhinney (Donacloney), R McCracken (Banbridge), D Mawhinney & Son (Dollingstown), R McKelvey (Newry), M Conlon (Banbridge), J Nelson (Milltown), T Marshall & Son (Newtownbreda), G Buckley & Son (Annaghmore), W Neill (Annaghmore), M/M G Delaney (Dromore), Donnelly Bros (Newry City), A McAteer (Ballyholland), T Mooney & Son (Newry), A & S McKinstry (Rathfriland), J Crossan Downpatrick), P Murdock (Newry), J Murdock (Newry), C OHare (Ballyholland), Gregory Bros (Arklow), S Leonard (Arklow), H McLaughlin (Coalisland), McCartan & Woodside (Crossgar), I Gibb & Sons (Derriaghy), J Greenaway (Hills & Maze), M & F Russell Dromore), N Black & Son (Dromara), T McKinstry (Banbridge Soc), R Williamson (Bondhill).

Glenavy & District HPS will be holding a Young Bird Breeder/Buyer Sale on Friday 3rd April 2009 at 8 pm. Young Birds will be on view from 7 pm. 50% of the money raised at the sale will be paid out as prize money with 50% of the prize money to the breeder and 50% to the Buyer. One prize only will apply. The Breeder/Buyer race will be held from Skibbereen Inland National INFC on 19th September 2009. All fanciers are welcome to the sale.

Portadown Invitation Flying Club will have a Grand Squeaker Sale in their Meadow Lane Clubrooms on Friday 3rd April at 8.00pm. Birds have been obtained from top local fanciers, birds purchased can compete for a top prize in the NIPA Talbenny YB National. This is not a Breeder/Buyer event, winner takes all. Malcolm Livingstone (Secretary).

Dundrum HPS will hold a Young Bird sale on Friday 3rd April 2009 in the Crossgar clubrooms, in aid of funds to install electricity in their clubrooms. Sale will commence at 8-00pm sharp, with birds being on view from 7-00pm. Youngsters donated by a number of top lofts. Everyone welcome!

Moira HPS will hold a Young Bird Sale in their Meeting Street Clubrooms on Wednesday 15th April at 8.00pm, birds on view from 7.30pm. They are trying to raise some money for club funds and have collected some super youngsters from many top fanciers including Ron Williamson, Tom Marshall, John Patterson and John Harkness to mention just a few. All fanciers will be made most welcome.

Martin Graham (Ballymena & District) will have young birds for sale for the first time, his birds are the best of Norman Thompson (Walkingshaw), Jackie Waring (Lisburn) and his own Frans Van Wildemeersch (Fletcher & Son). These birds are tested through to France, his recent results include 1st Sect & 2nd Open NIPA Lamballe OB Nat 2003 and 2nd Sect & 4th Open NIPA St Malo OB Nat 2008. Young Birds £45 each or Kits of 6 for £250. First round available from the stock birds and race team. Tel: (028) 25 637929, Mobile: 07835 099155.

Glenavy & District HPS: Gold Wing Race sponsored by H Beattie & Son will go ahead as before in 2009, rings available from. Contact Gordon Parker Tel: 07734 235965, John Withers Tel: 07752 430972, or H Beattie & Son Tel: (028) 38 840486. Race details and prizes later.

IRISH NAT FC race programme 2009

Wednesday 27th May Skibbereen Inland OB Nat, Wednesday 10th June Sennen Cove Yearling Nat, Friday 3rd July Vannes (Blue Riband) Kings Cup, Friday 10th July Picauville Friendship Nat, Wednesday 9th September Sennen Cove YB Nat, Wednesday 9th September Old Hens Nat, Saturday 19th September Skibbereen Inland YB Nat.

Latest: Penzance is available for two trial liberation's this season with a review to take place in October. Code from RPRA is 9995. Young Bird and Old Hen's Nationals the consensus was for Penzance. Kings Cup Plaudren-Vannes new code 5085.

NIPA race programme 2009

Old Birds: 11th April Tullamore (1), 18th April Tullamore (2), 25th April Roscrea, 2nd May Clonmel, 9th May Fermoy (1), 16th May Rosscarbery Inl Nat, 23rd May Fermoy (2), 30th May Talbenny (1), 6th June Talbenny (2), 6th June Fermoy (3), 13th June Bude, 13th June Mallow 5 Bird Championship, 20th June Sennen Cove, 20th June Sennen Cove Classic, Friday 26th June St Malo (France) Nat, 27th June Rosscarbery Yearling Nat Cock/Hen.

Young Birds: 11th July Navan or Mullingar for Sections A, H, B, C & F. 11th July Tullamore for Sections D, E & G. 18th July Navan or Mullingar for Sections A, H, B, C & F. 18th July Tullamore for Sections D, E & G. 25th July Tullamore for Sections A, H, B, C & F. 25th July Roscrea for Sections D, E & G. 1st August Roscrea, 8th August Clonmel (1), 15th August Clonmel (2), 22nd Fermoy (1), 29th August Talbenny Nat, 29th August Tullamore, 5th September Fermoy (2) & Fermoy 5 Bird Nom, 12th September Rosscarbery Nat, 19th September Fermoy (3).

The members and committee of the Orchard Combine C.C. deeply regret the passing of Paul Kelly on Wednesday 18th March 2009. Paul was a former member and he will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and deepest sympathy go out to his wife and family. Sonya Beattie (Secretary).

Charlemont H.P.S. extend their deepest sympathy to the wife and family of Paul Kelly who sadly passed away on Wednesday 18th March 2009. Sonya Beattie (Secretary).

Tragedy struck the North Coast Triangle community late today (Sat 21st March) when young Robert Callaghan of the R Callaghan & Son partnership was struck and killed by a van while out walking his dogs in the evening. A dedicated member of both Coleraine Premier HPS and Ballymoney HPS Clubs, Robert and his father have been frequent winners, both at Club level and in National competition with the NIPA & INFC. An ardent supporter of our new venture, Robert will be sadly missed by his many friend's within the pigeon racing circle of North Antrim. We send our deepest condolences to his parents and family circle, and our thoughts are with them at this tragic time. Trevor Steele & Sean Diamond. (North Coast Classic 1 Loft Race).

Willie Reynolds
NIPA - Press Officer
Tel/Fax (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 079396 84876
E-mail: reynoldshomer@aol.com
www.pigeonnetwork.com
www.niparacingpigeons.co.uk