BHW - 04/12/15

[willie reynolds]

East Antrim Presentation for Doagh & Ballyclare -

One of the top events each season in the East Antrim area is the joint presentation for Doagh & District and Ballyclare & Dist, two major clubs that race in Section C of the NIPA. It’s a few year’s since I last attended the event in McConnells of Doagh, a good night guaranteed.

Doagh Chairman Billy McClelland welcomed another big turn-out, including special friends from Scotland, wife and daughters of the late Alan Bridges. Other visitors present included Alan Kelly from Omagh, Mr & Mrs Douglas from Lurgan, Chris Moore from Ahoghill and Bertie Blair from Ballymena.

The Doagh & Dist total pay-out exceeded £1,600 and leading lofts were M/M B McNeilly, A & N Lewis, J & R Scott, J Wilson & Sons, B & M Gilmore, M/M D Suitters, Fred Simpson, Sam Clarke, Wesley Cowan and D & R Turkington. Mr & Mrs McNeill dominated the racing season with 13 x 1sts, 2 x 1sts for B & M Gilmore and one win each for A & N Lewis, J & R Scott, J Wilson & Sons, F Simpson, S Clarke and J McGrugan & Sons.

At the recent NIPA Ladies Night the J McGrugan & Son team picked up the J Campbell Memorial Cup for winning 1st Sect C in the St Malo OB National finishing 9th Open NIPA. Flying with the Irish Nat FC Anthony & Normam Lewis won the Robin Duddy Trophy Best Ave Sennen Cove Yearling & Penzance YB Nat (3 Bird Nom) on velocity 926.

Other top results included – M/M McNeilly 1st Sect C & 5th Open Sennen Cove and 1st & 2nd Sect C in Fermoy young birds. John Wilson & Sons had 1st, 2nd & 4th Sect C and 3rd, 4th & 6th Open in the NIPA Rosscarbery OB National. A & N Lewis had 2nd Sect C and 24th Open Sennen Cove, 9th Open Penzance YB Nat, 14th Open Quimper Friendship Nat, 31st Open Yearling Nat and 17th Open Skibbereen YB Nat. B & M Gilmore had the best bird in the Kings Cup from Saint Allouestre finishing 113th Open INFC. Robert Scott had 3rd Sect C & 5th Open Rosscarbery Nat and finnaly Fred Simpson won from Bude finishing 5th Sect C.

Cups and trophies were presented as follows, Mr & Mrs McNeilly had a big collection. J Kincaid Mem Shield for Talbenny (2), Suitters Trophy for Lowest Winning Vel Cross Channel, W Brown Cup for YB Ave, Thomas Wilson Mem Cup for Best Ave 3 x OB and First 3 x YB races, J Wilson Cup for Best Ave 4 x Wexford or equivalent races, Montgomery & Todd Rose Bowl for OB Inl Ave, Sam Robinson Cup for All YB Races exc Nat’s, Ashe Trophy for Talbenny YB Nat, C & D Smyth Irish Champion for Best Ave all Irish Races OB & YB, J Montgomery Cup for Best Ave Talbenny (1) & (2), R Staveley Mem Shield for YB Knock-Out, Thomas Lorimer Mem Cup for Best Ave Tullamore (1), Clonmel (1) & Talbenny (1) OB races, Martha Christie Mem Shield for winner 1st YB Race, Colin Agnew Cup for Rosscarbery YB Nat, N Logan Mem Shield for Best Ave Rosscarbery Nat OB & YB, S Lorimer Mem Shield for Best Ave Last 3 x YB Races, Norman Rea Mem Cup for Best Ave 2 YB Nats.

A & N Lewis won – Kane Cup for Best Ave all Nationals, Crone Shield for Sennen Cove/Penzance, W Hutchinson Mem Cup for Best Ave Talbenny (1) & (2), Bude & Penzance, J McGrugan Mem Cup for Last 5 x OB Races exc OB Nat, McGrugan & Luke Cup for Best Ave Bude & Penzance, McAdam Mem Trophy for Best Ave 3 x Longest OB Races, Catherwood Cup for CCA, J McGrugan Cup for Best Ave Penzance OB & Talbenny YB, McConnell Rose Bowl for Old Bird Ave, B McCammon Cup for Combined Ave and McCalmont Shield for Best Ave OB & YB Nationals.

J McGrugan & Son won – Mairs Trophy for Old Bird National and D B Mairs Trophy for Ace Pigeon Over 200 miles. D & R Turkington won – J Gardiner Cup for Most Points in Club Shows. B & M Gilmore won – McManus Glass Trophy for 1st Bird in Kings Cup, M/M D Suitters Jnr won – Benny Craig Cup for OB Knock-Out, Fred Simpson won – Bell Trophy for Bude OB, J Wilson & Sons won – A W Drennan Trophy for Rosscarbery OB Nat, J & R Scott won – Pattison Shield for Lowest Winning Velocity in YB Races, J & L McClean won – Novice Cup. Ballyclare report to follow.

Image
Officials and top winners at Doagh & Dist presentation in McConnells of Doagh.

Image
Doagh Secretary John Wilson with son and grand-son.


Image
Robyn and Lee present the new Bridges Cup to Chairman Billy McClelland.

Image
Top prize-winners Mr & Mrs Brian McNeilly.

Image
A & N Lewis had another top season in Doagh.

Image
M/M McNeilly had 17 cups including YB Ave and OB Inl Ave.

Image
A & N Lewis won 11 cups including OB Ave, CCA and Combined Average.

Image
Robert Scott with Pattinson Shield.

Image
John Wilson & Son won Rosscarbery OB National.

Image
B & M Gilmore had best bird in Kings Cup.

Image
Mr & Mrs Suitters won the Old Bird Knock-Out.

Image
Fred Simpson had 1st Club Bude.

Image
Riley Hunter collects award for Sam Clarke.

Image
Wesley Cowan collects prize from Lee.

Image
Show Cup was won by D & R Turkington.

Image
Mrs J McGrugan won Mairs Trophy for OB National.

Image
Chairman Billy McClelland collects award from Lee.

Image
Robert Wilson collects prize from Lee.

Image
J & L McClean win Novice Cup, Riley Hunter collects.

Image
Doagh Officials present award to Bridges Family.

Image
J McGrugan & Son collect the Merit Award at INFC.

Image
Montage of top winners for A & N Lewis.

Image
1st Open NIPA Roscrea 777/21,391 for A & N Lewis.

The NIPA have issued race programmes for voting at local clubs, copies are available on www.pigeonnetwork.com

INFC Open Show Saturday 5th December 2015 at Lisburn Lagan Valley Leisure Centre penning 9.00am to 11.00am show racers entries to me Tel: (028) 20 732765 fancy birds entries to Andy Mc Cook Tel: 07780 888162 by 1st DEC 15. RACE BIRDS entry ON DAY.

Blackpool Show will take place at the Winter Gardens on Saturday and Sunday 16th and 17th January 2016, Robin Duddy from Ballyclare is taking a bus as usual, seats are available. Bus leaves Dervock on Thursday 14th January around 9.00pm collecting through to Ballyclare and Belfast. A first class hotel is booked on Albert Road with entertainment each night. Cost is around £220 and package includes Bus, Hotel, 4 x Breakfast, 3 x Evening Meals, and Show Tickets. Bus returns on Monday 18th January on 3.00pm sailing. Further details contact Robin Duddy, Tel: (028) 93 340603.

Ballymena & District HPS – The latest shows for the local club were held on Monday 30th November, judges were from Kells & District former OB Derby winner Alan Shanks and the ace Show Racer Alan Barkley. The classes were for Red, Mealy, Grizzle & Mosaic and we decided to have one class each for OB & YB. Brian Herbison from Cullybackey won Old Birds with a Mealy cock plus BIS and George Eagleson penned a White Grizzle for 1st Young Bird. Raffle was won by Thomas McFall. Old Birds (42 Birds) – 1st, 4th, Reserve, VHC & HC B Herbison, 2nd G & A Eagleson, 3rd Russell Bros, Commended T McFall. Young Birds (34 Birds) – 1st & Reserve G & A Eagleson, 2nd & 3rd G Bell, 4th & VHC W & N Gilbert, HC J W Reynolds, Commended W & W Gilbert. Coming up 7th December Old Bird & Young Bird Eye-sign, and finally 14th December Card Winners Through the Wires. The annual Open Show for Mid Antrim Sect B lofts is as usual New Year’s Day in the clubrooms at Fountain Place. Ballymena HPS annual dinner and prize presentation is on Saturday 9th January 2016 in Tullyglass House Hotel. If you would like to attend contact Willy Gilbert on 07761 323459 or speak to Nicola. The club will vote on the NIPA Race Programmes at a meeting to be held on Monday 7th December at 8.00pm.

Broughshane & District HPS – In the latest results are: Fancy – 1st & Commended Marc Neilly, 2nd MDC Magill, 3rd J Getty, 4th & Reserve D Houston & Son, VHC J Simpson, HC Blair & Rankin. Old Bird Mated Pairs – 1st J Getty, 2nd & 3rd Blair & Rankin, 4th & Commended J Simpson, Reserve & HC D Houston & Son, VHC M Neilly. Judge B Herbison who also won the raffle, Broughshane club would like to thank Brian for sponsoring the two first prizes.

Kells & District HPS – Davy Houston and Alistair Purvis judged the latest class for Young Cocks Through the Wires. Result (122 Birds): YC T/W – 1st & 2nd A Barkley & Son, 3rd H Boyd, 4th, VHC & HC Surgenor Bros, Reserve T Shanks & Son, Commended J Getty. Wednesday – Young Hens T/W. There will be a short meeting on Wednesday during show time to discuss proposed NIPA race programmes. Your attendance is required. There is no point in not attending and then spend all season complaining about the programme.

A good crowd attended the Social Evening following the club\'s prize distribution. Alan Shanks interviewed Syd Collins about the partnership of Collins & Douglas winning the INFC Nat Championship in 2015. Syd in turn interviewed Harry McCloy of Reid Bros& McCloy on their recent successes. Also Gerald Delaney gave an interesting talk on the Willie Jacobs strain. A framed sketch was presented to Alan Barkley of his NIPA Silver Diploma Award winner. A charity auction of 18 x 2016 yb’s raised £1,110 for the very deserving Chest, Stroke & Heart charity organisation. Finally a raffle with a varied array of prizes concluded a very enjoyable evening as echoed by several there in attendance.

The club would like to thank the three main guest speakers especially Syd who also conducted the charity auction, their own club members for all their assistance during the evening, raffle sponsors including the Dunsilly Hotel and Brian Herbison, scribe Homer, NCC and Steven McGarry for press and internet coverage, and finally to the 18 fanciers who donated birds for the charity auction:-
Mr & Mrs B McNeilly, Terence McCrudden, James Walker, Alan Darragh, Brian Swann & son, John McConnaghie, Willie McCaw, Leonard McCaw, Surgenor Bros, Blair & Rankin, J Millar & Son, Paddy McManus & son, Mr & Mrs D Suitters, A & N Lewis, Thompson Bros, Gerald Delaney, Collins & Douglas and T Shanks & Son. Finally the Dunsilly Hotel is to be congratulated yet again on their lovely food and excellent arrangements for the evening.

Ahoghill Flying Club recent classes were for the Old Birds judged in the hand by Rab McCartney an ace racer from my Harryville days and former Kings Cup winner Alan Darragh who previously raced with Ahoghill. Old Cocks Handled – 1st & Reserve C Moore, 2nd & HC T & G Balmer, 3rd W Livingstone, 4th Blair & Rankin, VHC A & N Young, Commended Balmer Yoyng & Sons. Old Hens Handled – 1st & HC M/M Robinson, 2nd & 3rd C Moore, 4th & Reserve W Livingstone, VHC Blair & Rankin, Commended T McFall. Friday – Young Pairs & Fancy.

Ballymoney HPS – For the second week the result was dominated by W & N Gilbert from Ballymena & District winning two classes and BIS with the Red Card winner in Old Cocks. C McCook won the Young Bird Eye-sign and judges from the Coleraine Premier were Sean Diamond and Paul O’Connor. Old Cocks T/W – 1st & 3rd W & N Gilbert, 2nd & 4th D Dixon, Reserve & Commended D Gage, VHC D & G McMullan, HC M Kelly. Old Hen T/W – 1st, 3rd, 4th & Commended W & N Gilbert, 2nd D & G McMullan, Reserve C McCook, VHC D Dixon, HC D Gage. Young Bird Eye-sign – 1st & HC C McCook, 2nd & VHC L Neill, 3rd D & G McMullan, 4th & Reserve D Dixon, Commended J Edgar. Friday – Young Cock and Young Hen Handled, plus Old Pieds T/W.

Lurgan Social – The most recent show on Monday evening was judged by Cyril Beattie. AACH – 1st & HC K Wright, 2nd & 4th K Henderson, 3rd K Douglas, Reserve & Commended J P Nelson, VHC T Furphy. Best Red/Mealy won by T Furphy. Thanks to Judge C Beattie. Next week’s show - Any Age C/H, Special for best YB.

Sandy McKendry, Cullybackey –
Sandy has decided to call it a day, the farm is up for sale and he will be moving house. The former National winner has a string of results at the distance going back many years. Has just around 40 birds which will be sold in the Cullybackey HPS Clubrooms at Fenaghy Road on Wednesday 9th December at 8.00pm. NOTE change of date.

The Annual Open Show for Cullybackey is Saturday 19th December, 3 in 1 for OB & YB with penning from 10.00am until 1.00pm. The prize presentation will be at 5.00pm.

MARKETHILL HPS XMAS SHOW
Markethill HPS will be having their Annual Xmas Show in Laurelvale Club Rooms on Saturday 12th December 2015 penning 7.00pm judging 8.00pm, there will be prizes for every pigeon carded on the night + Raffle . Classes are usual Thw , Best young bird thw + Handling Class. Everyone welcome, all proceeds to club fund.

Rab Hunter of Ballynahinch –
One of the most important sales of top class stock birds is due very soon. We all know Rab is one of the top buyers in Ireland when it comes to purchasing top quality pigeons, he is fearless when he knows what he wants. In this sale will be the Hutchinson Soontjen pigeons that Rab purchased at Davy’s Record Breaking Sale – just last week at Dublin Show the 25 Hutchinson pigeons made an average 600 Euro (£450). Rab’s birds are the very best of this family bred from the best, a rare opportunity to obtain these. On top of that a lot of money was spent getting the best from Premier Stud. Rab like us all is getting no younger and has decided to close a Stock Loft, for more information give Rab a ring Tel: (028) 97 564856. Late News – The sale has now been booked for Monday 7th December in Newtownbreda Clubrooms at 7.30pm, birds on view 6.30pm.



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.

Photo Captions
Len Russell and grandson Caelan, 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th in OC Handling in Cullybackey.
At Ballymena winners and judges, from (l) A Shanks, G Eagleson, A Barkley and B Herbison.
Reid Bros & McCloy from Cullybackey lifted two cups at the INFC prize presentation.