BHW - 13/11/15

[willie reynolds]

Season of success for Cullybackey -

This year the Cullybackey HPS returned to the village for the prize presentation, held on last Friday in October at Toast on the Main Street. A very good turn-out of members and friends were made welcome by Chairman Neil Anderson and guests included sponsors Derek & Geraldine McDowell, Brian Hayes from the Bridge Garage who covered the Single Bird Nomination for the last number of years and local scribe Homer and Rosie. He was also glad to see Ring Secretary Hubert Logan who is recovering after a spell in hospital also present. He had a special word for all the hard work over the season by Secretary Edrick Davidson who had good help from Len Russell, he also thanked all those involved at the club during both the racing and show seasons, and all those who assisted at the Nat Centre for NIPA races.

For the meal well served by the dedicated staff those attending had a choice of Salmon, Chicken, Roast Beef or Gammon and another big selection for desert. Toast staff, were thanked for the meal, and those attending were impressed with the new restaurant.

Looking at the race season it was again Alan Darragh who emerged as Top prize-winner, every year bar two he has lifted the Russell Family Cup that going back to 1986. Alan won most cups and trophies and despite not sending for Sunday races won around 16 x 1sts. He also won the Bridge Garage Nomination in the olds birds, with W Scott winning the young birds. Total pay-out was around £560 and the leading lofts were Alan Darragh who won a record total, Reid Bros & McCloy, Russell Bros, J & J Greer, H & R McCloy, Gibson & Dickey, Wendell Scott, Des Robinson, Sammy Steele, N & S Anderson, D & H Kirkpatrick and Sandy McKendry.

Mid Antrim Combine was topped twice in young birds by Reid Bros & McCloy from Tullamore and Alan Darragh who was best in the Talbenny National. What a season the members had in the Irish Nat FC winning all but two races over the six race programme. Reid Bros & McCloy were best in the Skibbereen OB Nat and Sennen Cove Yearling Nat, Russell Bros were best in the fast Quimper Friendship Nat from France, and Alan Darragh finished the season with the best bird from Skibbereen. Cullybackey HPS won the Points Shield in Old Birds and other trophies won included – Alan Darragh won Cross Channel Ave vel 1244, Young Bird Ave vel 1585, Young Bird of the Year GB15C-04320 scored 56 Points and Leslie Mairs OB Fancier of the Year Cup collecting 1083 Points. Recovering from the break-in at the lofts the INFC Average Cup was won by Reid Bros & McCloy of Cullybackey vel 1117, super achievement.

Racing with the INFC it was Reid Bros & McCloy who had the best bird, they finished 1st & 5th MAC, Alan Darragh was 3rd, 4th and 6th. The Yearling Nat from Sennen Cove was a harder race in a Lt NE wind, Reid Bros & McCloy were best again 1st & 3rd MAC with the winner doing velocity 989 for 9th Open INFC. Alan Darragh was 4th and Cochrane Bros were 5th winning just short of £2,000. Moving on the Blue Riband Grand Nat Kings Cup was flown again from St Allouestre. Sammy Steele was best finishing 5th MAC, Reid Bros & McCloy were 6th & 8th and former winner Alan Darragh was 9th & 13th.

Russell Bros had the best bird in the fast race from Quimper, doing almost a mile a minute they take 1st MAC and 6th Open INFC followed by Reid Bros & McCloy 2nd MAC and 7th Open INFC. This loft had two further birds winning 5th & 8th MAC, T Picken & Son were 7th and Alan Darragh 6th, 9th, 10th & 11th. The Grand Nat YB from Penzance was the hardest of the year, W Scott on velocity 796 finished 4th MAC, S Steele was 6th, A Darragh 7th & 10th and Reid & McCloy 9th. Finally to Skibbereen Alan Darragh had the top three arrivals and finished 1st, 5th & 6th MAC, he made the INFC result in all Nat races.

To finish I will quickly cover the NIPA season. Reid & McCloy were winners from Tullamore in the opening race, Gibson & Dickey had the top two the next week from the same point. Alan Darragh then won seven on the trot including Roscrea, Corrin, Pilmore Beach, Rosscarbery Nat, Roscrea Comeback, Talbenny and Roscrea. In the OB Inland Nat he scored a super result with the top seven birds in the club and 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th MAC. The D & H Kirkpatrick team had 1st Club in the Sennen Cove Classic, finishing 5th MAC on velocity 1059. Russell Bros won the Rosscarbery Ylr Cock Nat and Alan Darragh won the Hens Nat. T Picken & Son had 1st Club Bude with Russell Bros a close runner-up and they won the Fermoy 5 Bird. Alan Darragh had the top three from Penzance with the winner doing velocity 1151, former Kings Cup winners J & J Greer were best in the St Malo OB Nat finishing 3rd MAC, all told the club had 9 arrivals. On the same weekend from a fast Roscrea Alan Darragh was 1st & 2nd on velocity 1909. In the young birds Reid Bros & McCloy won both Mullingar and then 1st MAC from Tullamore. Alan Darragh was best in Tullamore (2) and Roscrea (1) both very fast 1910 and 2016. Reid Bros & McCloy won Roscrea (2) and Gibson & Dickey had 1st Club Fermoy (1). In the YB Nat from Talbenny A Darragh was 1st MAC with H & R McCloy the runner-up, Gibson & Dickey won from Roscrea on the same day. Alan Darragh was best in Fermoy (2), H & R McCloy had 1st Club in Fermoy 5 Bird finishing 3rd MAC and then in the final YB Nat from Rosscarbery A Darragh had the top six birds, the winner finishing 2nd MAC on velocity 1777.

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The officials and prize winners of Cullybackey an the annual dinner in Toast.

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Brian Hayes of Bridge Garage presents the Ring Nom awards to W Scott and A Darragh.

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Mid Antrim winners from (l) L Russell, H McCloy and A Darragh.

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Nicola Anderson presents awards to Sammy Steele, best in Kings Cup.

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J & J Greer were best in the St Malo Nat from France.

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Tom Picken (r) had 1st Club from Bude.

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Harry McCloy won the 5B Fermoy for young birds.

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Russell Family Cup won yet again by Alan Darragh with club officials.

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Nicola and Steven Anderson with prize cards.

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Ina Davidson presents prize cards to Wendell Scott.

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Harry and Jenifer McCloy with MAC Diplomas.

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Cullybackey HPS win the Club Shield for Old Birds Points in MAC.

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Geraldine McDowell presents Talbenny Nat Cup to A Darragh.

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Reid Bros & McCloy won the Sennen Cove Yearling National.

Harryville Open Show – Saturday past the local club had the first of two Open Shows, result of the Old Birds are as follows. It was a day of big success for the visitors from Cullybackey, Brian Herbison had the Red Card in Through Wires, and Russell Bros won both Handled and Eye-sign classes. OB Through Wires – 1st & Reserve B Herbison, 2nd, 4th, HC & Commended Russell Bros, 3rd MDC Magill, VHC Blair & Rankin. OB Handled – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Russell Bros, 4th K & K Kernohan, Reserve B Herbison, VHC & HC Blair & Rankin, Commended N & S Anderson. OB Eye-sign – 1st & 4th Russell Bros, 2nd K Wilkinson & Son, 3rd & Reserve Blair & Rankin, VHC A McBride, HC K & K Kernohan, Commended B Herbison. I would like to thank my big sponsors Frazer Animal Feeds, plus Fish & Chicken and the Moat Bar for their kind donations. Many thanks to all who came to the show it was a great turn-out. Don’t forget the first 3 in each class to come back to the second show on the 21st of November, Young Birds 3-1.

Ballymena & District HPS - It was a similar result for the second show, W & N Gilbert won both Young Bird Classes and the Best in Show Special with the Cheq Pied (c) brought back as an egg from Blackpool bred from the Blackpool Pair that won classes at the Show of the Year. Winner of the hens class another Cheq Pied was the same way bred as BIS. The judges travelled down from Derry, Eamon Quigley the ace distance flyer from the Emilia Earhart with good friend Danny Cooley from Derry & District. The raffle was won by Charlie McManus. Young Cocks T/W (37 birds) – 1st W & N Gilbert, 2nd Russell Bros, 3rd, 4th, Reserve, HC & Commended B Herbison, VHC W & J Smyth. Young Hens T/W (40 Birds) – 1st & Commended W & N Gilbert, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Russell Bros, Reserve & HC B Herbison, VHC D Mitchell. 16th November Old Pairs & Young Pieds, 23rd November Young Pairs & Old Pieds, 30th November Red, Mealy & Grizzle all judged Through the Wires. George Eagleson made a season start on Week 3, classes for the yearlings. Judges travelled in from Ahoghill, Secretary Albert Young and good to see Cowan Balmer out and about. The Red Card winner of both classes was G & A Eagleson and BIS Special won by the yearling Blue Pied hen. Willie Gilbert won the raffle. Yearling Cocks T/W (39 Birds) – 1st & Commended G & A Eagleson, 2nd, 3rd & HC W & N Gilbert, 4th & Reserve W & W Gilbert, VHC Russell Bros. Yearling Hens T/W (38 Birds) – 1st & Commended G & A Eagleson, 2nd, 3rd, Reserve, VHC & HC B Herbison, 4th W & J Smyth. Show Specials are paid for each race in the old bird racing season with £50 up for grabs in Rosscarbery and Penzance. For this, one bird to be nominated each night, which must be in the pen, 30p per bird and penning from 7.00pm. Contact Willy Gilbert Tel: 07761 323459.

Broughshane & District – Return with a show series on the usual Tuesday evening. Dates: 3rd November Old Cock & Young Cock T/W, 10th November Old Hen & Young Hen T/W, 17th November Old Bird Eye-sign and Young Pairs, 24th November Old Pairs and Fancy, 1st December Old Cock & Young Cock Handled, 8th December Old Hen & Young Hen Handled. Results: Old Cocks T/W – 1st & VHC Blair & Rankin, 2nd D Houston & Son, 3rd, 4th & Commended Scott & Clements, Reserve J Simpson, HC J Getty. Young Cocks T/W – 1st D Houston & Son, 2nd A Purvis, 3rd, Reserve & Commended C Kennedy, 4th Scott & Clements, VHC & HC Blair & Rankin.

Ahoghill Flying Club – The opening classes were for the young birds judged Through Wires. For the home club Chris Moore had 1st in Young Cocks and Mr & Mrs Robinson had the Red Card in Young Hens. Young Cocks T/W – 1st C Moore, 2nd Blair & Rankin, 3rd, 4th, VHC & Commended T & G Balmer, Reserve B Herbison, HC W Livingstone. Young Hens T/W – 1st, 2nd & VHC M/M Robinson, 3rd & Reserve B Herbison, 4th & Commended T & G Balmer, HC Rebeka.

Cullybackey - The second show for Cullybackey H.P.S was the Old Cocks and Hens t/w, judges were Mr & Mrs Magill from Randalstown. BIS was won by B Herbison with the Red Card in Old Hens, next week is Old & Young Pairs T/W. Old Cocks T/W – 1st, 4th & HC J & J Greer, 2nd N & S Anderson, 3rd Reid Bros & McCloy, Reserve Russell Bros, VHC Blair & Rankin, Commended WJ & RJ Reid. Old Hens T/W – 1st, 2nd & Reserve B Herbison, 3rd Blair & Rankin, 4th J & J Greer, VHC Reid Bros & McCloy, HC W & N Gilbert, Commended A Darragh.

Ballymoney HPS – The series of shows will commence on Friday 20th November with classes for Young Cock & Young Hen T/W plus Old Bird Eye-sign, penning 7.30pm until 8.30pm. The remaining dates are: 27th November Old Cock & Old Hen T/W plus Young Bird Eye-sign, 4th December Young Cock & Young Hen Handled plus Old Pieds T/W, 11th December Old Cock & Old Hen Handled plus Young Pieds T/W. The Annual dinner and presentation of awards will take place in Hedges Hotel on Saturday 28th November, all cups and trophies should be returned. Fanciers interested in showing their Fancy Breeds should contact Andy McCook Tel: 07780 888162. Ballymoney Fancy Pigeon Club will have six shows in the Ballymoney HPS Clubrooms with Northern Ireland Show Racer Society.

Lurgan Social Shows - Lurgan Social series of shows begin on Monday 2nd November. Classes are any agecock or hen Through Wires, with a special for best Young Bird. Penning is from 7pm to 8pm. 1st M Rice, 2nd J Douglas& son, 3rd J P Nelson, 4 th J P Nelson, Res T Furphy, Vhc D B Lyness, Hc D B Lyness, C M Rice. Best YB K Henderson. Thanks to judge Rodney Adamson. Next week’s classes any age cock or hen, with special for best YB. 1st. A Neill, 2nd. D B Lyness, 3rd. A Neill, 4th. T Furphy, Res. T K Mawhinney, VHC. D B Lyness, HC. Kevin Douglas, C. K Henderson. Best Yb. D B Lyness. Thanks to judges D Thompson and Debbie Lunn. Next week any age C/H - Special for best Yb - Special for best white flight or pied.

Complete Clearance C & L Woodside -
Leslie Woodside of C & L Woodside Ballyclare has received heart-breaking news – his health problems are more advanced than first thought and the 2 x Reduction Sales have now become a Complete Clearance Sale. The complete team of stock birds, all the top racers and young birds will be sold in 4 Sales the first of which has been arranged for Glenavy Protestant Hall on Saturday 21st November, with Part (2) Saturday 28th November. Auctioneer Ronnie Johnston said “This is the most important sale of true distance birds that have a tremendous record from France – just like his mentor Smyth Bros of Ballymena. One would need to go back 20 years when I sold the pigeons of Gilmour & Beattie containing the bloodlines of the ace flyers Henry Beattie and Bob Harkness” for something similar. Leslie as you would expect is devastated but his health is paramount. C & L Woodside won the INFC National Champion award in 2003, runner-up in 2002 and 2013, and they have a string of top results at the distance including 1st Open INFC Sennen Cove YB National in 2007 with Skilgan Choice”. Add to that 2nd Open INFC Friendship Nat, 4th, 9th & 9th in Kings Cup, 3 x Merit Awards, Friendship Triple Award, Hall of Fame etc, They are one of Ireland’s great National Lofts! With the help of good friend Maurice Alexander the Sale Lists are ready Tel Leslie (028) 93 322371 or Ronnie (028) 90 483625. The first sale will feature a number of birds that have flown France, yearlings, some young birds and some of the most important stock birds etc. That Ace Fancier John Patterson of Ballylesson has flown many great pigeons down the land, over the channel and France. He was one of the first to fly the Smyth Bros Kenyon’s and they won some great races for him including runner-up for the Millar Gold Cup. He thinks that they are still the tops and no better bloodlines are available in the UK! The Woodside Sale will be a great opportunity for fanciers to obtain these great lines.

Frank Sheader Return –
Advance notice of a super sale for the loft that has produced 100’s of winning pigeons including Northern Ireland. Frank Sheader will be in Newtownbreda HPS Clubrooms on Monday 23rd November at 7.30pm, his top Soontjen family (a few select) and the exciting Louis Thijis which are all direct Herman Ceusters pigeons before they were sold for the World Record on Pipa! Auctioneer Ronnie Johnston Tel: (028) 90 483625, Frank sent him 4 birds for racing. Blue cock 15 won 1st Club Talbenny YB Derby plus 12th Sect & 16th Open, Blue Ch hen 17 won 1st Club Pilmore Beach, helping him to win all 7 club races for young birds in Comber Social.

HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
www.pigeonnetwork.com
www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
See Ballymena hps on Facebook.

Photos Attached
The winners at Harryville HPS Open Show, L Russell (l) and B Herbison.
Winners at Cullybackey B Herbison, and J Greer with judges M/M Magill.
George Eagleson won both classes in Ballymena, judges C Balmer and A Young.