November 6th was the date set for the East Coast Federation`s annual dinner dance held in conjunction with Balbriggan Invitation R.P.C. The venue was the Bracken Court Hotel in Balbriggan. The turnout for the night was fantastic with over 80 in attendance which is great to see as a lot of work is put in to this night so the support in attendance each year is greatly received. The nights prizes where presented by our guests of honour Ant Symons, his wife Sue and their friend Pat Haddock, The Federation would like to thank them for travelling all the way from Wales to be there on the night and so kindly presenting the prizes. The East Coast fed is becoming one of the best Federations in Ireland with our members putting up some fantastic performances. Each year to win an E.C.F open the fanciers have to be on top of their game as the competition is fierce year on year. I travelled around to all our open winning lofts to photograph the winning pigeons and the quality of pigeon throughout was fantastic. I would like to thank all the open winners for the hospitality we received; we were made feel very welcome in every household we travelled to. The year 2015 was a year that has seen our members winning two of the Most Coveted trophies of the pigeon calendar, The miller gold and the Kings Cup .The fantastic lofts of Gerry O`Reilly & Sons where the winners of the Miller Gold Cup with the ever consistent lofts of H&C Thorp winning the Kings Cup. As I’m sure all would agree they were two superb performances for the fanciers and two fantastic results for the E.C.F. Back to the night Eddie Campbell got the presentation under way after a fantastic meal which judging by the empty plates, everyone enjoyed.
A big well done to the Bracken Court hotel staff for the meal they put on, faultless as usual. -Ken and Gary Guildea Below is a list of all the prize-winners. Skibbereen O.B National M& U Gorman of Balbriggan. Talbenny Open J Paisley & Son, Liam of Stillorgan. Talbenny 2 Terry Melhorn, Malahide & district. Sennen Cove yrl national, M&A McCann Bray S.E. Bude Open, P&J Jones Skerries. Penzance Open, Joe Cowap Bray S.E. St Malo Open, G O Reilly & Sons, Malahide & District.
St Alloustre, H&C Thorpe, Boyne Valley. Quimper open, B. Cahill, Skerries. Young birds Talbenny Open, Ron Fewings, Rathnew. Penzance Y.B National, Gregory Bros, Rathnew. Skibbereen Y.B National, Mr&Mrs J. McMahon, Balbriggan. Old Bird Average winners, B&P McEvoy, Castlebellingham. Niall Wilde I.N.F.C. Average Cup, P Rock & Son, Skerries. Young Bird Average, P&J Jones, Skerries. Best average Old Bird French Derby & young bird channel Derby, G&P O Dowd. GOLD MEDAL WINNERS Old Bird, P Rock & Son, Skerries. Young Bird, P&J Jones, Skerries. Kings Cup Winners, H&C Thorpe, Boyne Valley.
Balbriggan Invitation R.PC. Winners 2015 Old bird &Channel Average winners, N Grant & Son. Young bird average winners, Mr & Mrs J McMahon. Best old bird best yearling, S Dunne &Son. Best bird overall 2015, Mr & Mrs J Mc Mahon. Best Bird on the Channel, Billy Halligan & Son.
TOP 10 OF 2015
1.Harford & McNally 2.Mr & Mrs J Mc Mahon. 3.N. Grant & Son. 4.ED Campbell 5.P J Corcoran & Son 6.Tommy Harford & Son 7.M&U Gorman 8.Mr & Mrs Ken Guildea & Son 9.Dave Kenny 10.Stephen Dunne & Son. Gary & Ken Guildea.
Ant Symons with Mick and Una Gorman.
Liam Paisley.
Terry Melhorn.
John Jones.
Gerry O\'Reilly.
Herbie Thorpe.
Brendan Cahill.
Ron Fewings.
Jackie and Moyra McMahon.
Blaine MeEvoy.
Martin Rock.
G & P O\'Dowd.
Martin Rock.
Herbie Thorpe.
Hartford & McNally.
Adrian Grant.
Eddie Campbell.
Joe and Tony Corcoran.
Patsy Hartford.
Mick Gorman.
Ken Guildea.
Dave Kenny.
Stephen Dunne.
Colm Reid.
Alex Bentley.
Joe Kavanagh.
Des Guildea.
Officers and members of the East Coast Federation (Dublin).