Review of 2017 -

[willie reynolds]

Secretary of Mid Antrim Combine Willie Reynolds must have all claims for the various awards immediately. Old Bird Inland Average, Cross Channel Average, Old Bird Ave, B Eagleson Memorial Cup best average Talbenny (1) & (2), Bude and Penzance, Old Bird of the Year, Young Bird Ave, New North Cup best average Bude & Talbenny YB, Combine Average, and Young Bird of the Year. Over the season we had the usual high level of competition and thanks to James Harris who sorted the results weekly and looked after the Champions League for member clubs and the new Knock-Out Competition which involved the total membership.

Old Birds: Mullingar Gibson & O’Neill Associate 1667, Gowran Park McFall & McManus Ballymena 1284, Gowran Park (2) W J McLean Rasharkin 2097, Corrin J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1168, Rosscarbery Nat F & J & G Dickey Randalstown 2046, Fermoy Comeback Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 2037, Talbenny (1) W & J Smyth Ballymena 1429, Skibbereen Nat Gibson & O’Neill Associate 1546, Fermoy 5 Bird Championship J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1290, Talbenny (2) Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1330, Rosscarbery Ylr Cock Nat F & J & G Dickey Randalstown 1860, Rosscarbery Ylr Hen Nat Gibson & O’Neill Associate 1787, Bude H Boyd Randalstown 1600, Sennen Cove Ylr Nat W & J Smyth Ballymena 1316, Corrin (2) Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1691, Fermoy J & M Milliken Rasharkin 1715, Penzance D Dixon Rasharkin 1443, St Malo Nat M Graham Ballymena 441 (only bird), St Allouestre Grand Nat G & A Eagleson Ballymena 851.

Young Birds: Mullingar (1) J & M Milliken Rasharkin 1478, Mullingar (2) J & M Milliken Rasharkin 1267, Tullamore McFall & McManus Ballymena 1819, Roscrea J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1551, Gowran Park D Dixon Rasharkin 1293, Fermoy (1) T & M Morrow Associate 1571, Talbenny Nat J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1327, Roscrea (2) F J & G Dickey Randalstown 1560, Fermoy D Dixon 1921, Fermoy 5 Bird Championship N Bradley Rasharkin 1874, Penzance Grand Nat J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1024 (only bird), Skibbereen Nat J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1064, Rosscarbery Nat Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1234.

Five local clubs joined the competition for 2017 and membership was opened up to include Associate Members from those clubs that decided not to compete.

The draws were made for the various competitions for the year, the Knock-Out list has been circulated and starts this weekend. Champions League starts this weekend as well at Gowran Park run as usual with a League process followed by the Knock-Out matches with final at Penzance. Updates will follow. The Knock-Out list is also on the Ballymena Facebook page.

Group (a) – J Smyth & Son, McFall & McManus, Stewart Bros, D Dixon and K Wilkinson & Son. Group (b) – M/M Robinson, W & J Smyth, Percy Son & Murphy, and W J McLean. Group (c) – Young McManus & Sons, Blair & Rankin, F & G & J Dickey, and J & M Milliken. Group (d) – C Moore, J Eagleson & Sons, Hugh Boyd, and Steele & McNeill.

As usual the League Competition runs in the Inland Programme up to and including Rosscarbery (no comeback races), The Top 2 in each Sect/Group will proceed to the Knock-Out stage, this year the races are Talbenny (2), Bude & Penzance for the Champions League Final.

The Talbenny (2) weekend was a great time for the members of Mid Antrim Combine, Round (1) of the Champions League with just the winners going through and then the Semi-Final of the new Old Bird Knock-Out. The Champions League competition is between member clubs, four lofts are nominated to compete.

Matches were Danny Dixon (Rasharkin) v F G & J Dickey (Randalstown), Percy Son & Murphy (Randalstown) v Steele & McNeill (Rasharkin), J & M Milliken (Rasharkin) v Stewart Bros (Randalstown), J Eagleson & Sons (Ballymena) v W & J Smyth (Ballymena).

Previous winners were - 2008 Harryville (R H Clements), 2009 Rasharkin & Dist (D Dixon), 2010 Ballymena & Dist (M Graham), 2011 Randalstown (S Millar), 2012 Cullybackey (Reid Bros & McCloy), 2013 Cullybackey (A Darragh), 2014 Rasharkin & Dist (Steele & McNeill), 2015 Rasharkin & Dist (D Dixon), 2016 Rasharkin & Dist (J & M Milliken).

MAC Knock-Out update now at Semi-Final stage next round is the weekend race from Talbenny (2). Gibson & O’Neill (Associate) v W & J Smyth (Ballymena), Hugh Boyd (Randalstown) v Young McManus & Sons (Ahoghill). The Final will be flown from Penzance. Every individual loft in MAC was included in the OB Competition, same will apply for all those racing young birds, including any new members who wish to join as individual members.
Subject to correction the Old Bird Knock-Out to be flown from Penzance will be between Associate Members Gibson & O’Neill v Young McManus & Sons from Ahoghill Flying Club. The Champions League Semi-Final from Bude will be D Dixon v Steele & McNeill and J & M Milliken v J Eagleson & Sons, - it could be an all Rasharkin & Dist Final at Penzance.

Following the Bude race Rasharkin & Dist lofts will compete in the Champions League from Penzance, former winners Danny Dixon v J & M Milliken. The final of the OB Knock-Out also from Penzance will be between Young McManus & Sons (Ahoghill) v Gibson & O’Neill (Associate).

High Drama in the MAC Penzance – The season’s Champions League was won by Rasharkin & Dist with Danny Dixon taking the honours, in fact the 2 finalists D Dixon v J & M Milliken ended up 1st & 2nd in Mid Antrim Combine. Both of the lofts are former winner’s, J & M Milliken won the award last season and Rasharkin have now won four in a row!

The first ever Old Bird knock out competition was won by an Associate Member Gibson & O`Neill. On route to winning they knocked out George Bell, Houston Bros, J Eagleson & Sons and W & J Smyth then defeated Young McManus & Son in final at the weekend. All member lofts were in the competition and a similar event will be held in the Young Birds, any member in the local clubs not already in membership could join for the young bird season.
The draw has been made for the Young Bird Knock-Out, like the old birds a number of the games are among members of local clubs. Remember its being run for a bit of fun and competition. The Young Birds started at the first mass liberation from Tullamore followed by Roscrea 5/8, Gowran Park 12/8, Fermoy 19/8, Fermoy 2/9 and the final at Rosscarbery Nat.

Update for the Quarter Final of the YB Knock-Out the MAC matches this weekend from Fermoy are as follows. Mr & Mrs Robinson (Ahoghill) v Danny Dixon (Rasharkin), Blair & Rankin (Ballymena) v McFall & McManus (Ballymena), J Eagleson & Sons (Ballymena) v Harold Cubitt (Rasharkin), W & J Smyth (Ballymena) v Young McManus & Sons (Ahoghill). Semi-Final Matches are D Dixon (Rasharkin) v Blair & Rankin (Ballymena) and J Eagleson & Sons (Ballymena) v W & J Smyth (Ballymena).
Danny Dixon wins the YB Knock-Out. Hard luck on W & J Smyth of Ballymena who had the birds on natural and like a number of other local lofts pulled the plug early. What a run they had knocking out the Highest Prize-winners in Randalstown, Rasharkin, Ahoghill and their own club Ballymena & District.

In this report I will feature the winners of the various major races, National, Classic & 5 Bird Championship for old birds and young birds.

With unfavourable weather forecast for Saturday the NIPA delayed the race marking for the Inland Nat until Saturday afternoon and the birds were released in Rosscarbery at 7.45am Sunday 14th May in a helping SW wind. The Randalstown team of F G & J Dickey timed their yearling Blue Pied cock at 11.17am to lofts on the Ahoghill Road to record velocity 2046 for the 247 miles. Other local lofts well placed included Stewart Bros and Percy Son & Murphy both lofts with the winner having good results. Many congratulations to the Dickey team from Randalstown who were best in the Cullybackey Centre and 1st MAC in the first major race of the year.

Just short of 4,700 birds were competing in the opening race of the INFC old bird season, birds were race marked in Lisburn on Monday and released in Skibbereen at 11.45am on Tuesday 23rd May in a helping Lt Westerly wind. It was a busy night at Muckamore for the clock checking with good returns in all parts of the country. Gibson & O’Neill Associate were best in MAC on velocity 1546, ahead of D Dixon and two birds for K Wilkinson & Son.

The 5 Bird Championship was flown on Sunday 28th May from Fermoy, liberation was at 7.45am in perfect conditions and the best bird locally was timed by J Eagleson & Sons of Ballymena & Dist. Their 2 year old Cheq w/f cock was timed at 12.19hrs flying 201 miles to lofts on the Cullybackey Road. This bird bred from birds obtained from Paddy & William McManus of Ahoghill, is nest-mate to last season’s Bird of the Year. It was a photo finish with the top three lofts on the same yard of 1290, J Eagleson & Sons were followed by Young McManus & Sons and Gibson & O’Neill. Their winner is the same bird that was 106th Skibbereen Nat on Tuesday, she's 1st 2nd and 3rd MAC now.

The NIPA Yearling Nat for Cocks was flown from Rosscarbery last Saturday 3rd June, liberation was at 8.15am in a helping Southwest wind. Best in the Cullybackey Centre was the Dickey Family who race in Randalstown and took 1st in MAC. The race for the Yearling Hens was also flown from Rosscarbery, it was all Cullybackey at the top of the list in the local Cullybackey Centre, Gibson & O’Neill 5th & 6th Club were best in the MAC with the top two places.

INFC Sennen Cove Ylr Nat Wednesday 7th June - 706 members have entered 4264 pigeons in the race and are competing for £35,085 in pools and prizemoney. The pigeons have been released at 6.45am in a westerly wind which will turn south westerly on route. W & J Smyth had the best bird in Ballymena, 5th in Muckamore Centre doing velocity 1316 winning 1st MAC, followed by two good birds for Martin Graham.

The NIPA have released in St Malo for the Premier OB Nat this morning Friday 23rd June at 6.30am in a light Westerly wind. Second day arrivals recorded included Martin Graham Ballymena at 19.34hrs, only bird in the NIPA Sect B and 1st MAC, just 10 birds total in race time. Martin has topped the Sect B for the second time in this OB Nat from France. What a fitting tribute on the day of Martins twin sisters anniversary (sadly passed away due to cancer) that he would win 1st Sect B & 7th Open NIPA St Malo Old Bird National doing vel 441 flying 474 miles and name his latest top performing, 2 year old Blue Cheq hen Champion "Brenda-Ann ", in memory of his dear sister.

The Grand Nat Kings Cup was difficult from St Allouestre race marked on Friday for a Monday release the bird were held over and just over 2,500 birds liberated on Tuesday 4th July at 7.20am in a Ly variable wind turning SW on route. We had 138 birds on the day and Ballymena were to complete a big race double with G & A Eagleson winning 1st MAC on velocity 851. The Friendship Nat was flown from Lamballe with Quimper not available. Birds were race marked early on Saturday and 875 birds released at 6.15am on Monday 10th July, Just 3 birds made home lofts on the day and only 16 birds in the race time of three days, none timed locally.

Talbenny was the venue for the seasons Premier YB National, liberation in South Wales was at 10.30am in a Lt Variable wind. Locally the best birds were timed in Ballymena & District with J Eagleson & Sons doing velocity 1327 a yard ahead of McFall & McManus.

The winner of Johnston Eagleson a Cheq hen was bred by Steele & McNeill of Rasharkin & Dist. She was timed at 15.33hrs flying 220 miles to the lofts at Cullybackey Road to be best in Cullybackey Centre and 1st MAC. The Cheq hen is off a direct Belge Lambrecht cock, and a sister of the lofts famous "02" cock, a previous Mid Antrim Combine OB of the Year winner. This same pair bred a young bird last season to win 2 x 1sts for Blair & Rankin in the Ballymena & District HPS.
Despite the fact all the early birds from Fermoy were timed by longer flyers good results were also achieved by local lofts, especially in the duplicate Fermoy 5 Bird Championship. Rasharkin lofts dominated with 1st MAC won by Norman Bradley followed by W & J McLean and Danny Dixon.

Grand National Penzance Y. B. Liberation Wednesday 6th September 2017 - 380 members have entered 2251 pigeons and are competing for £20,245.00 pools and prize money. The pigeons have been released at 07.40am into a light westerly wind. 31 first day arrivals recorded and J Eagleson & Sons from Ballymena were runner-up in the Muckamore Centre and 1st MAC doing velocity 1024.

They say the cream always rises to the top and certainly that was the case in the recent Grand National flown from Penzance on Wednesday. The Borough of Ballymena has a long line of success in this particular event and J Eagleson & Sons best bird locally are former winners and have also been a runner-up winning a motor car in years past. The loft has only recently returned to the sport and last season emerged as Highest Prize-winners in the local Ballymena & District. The facts of the race are just 31 arrivals made home at the end of the first day and just short of 70 birds in race time. Only two birds locally both timed on the day, J Eagleson & Sons at 17.05hrs and then one hour later Alan Darragh of Cullybackey, both lofts flying 329 miles the longest recorded birds in the race. Some 2,251 birds were released in Penzance at 7.40am in a Lt Westerly wind and reports from the race point was it was an excellent liberation, one of the best Irish liberations ever seen at this site.

The Eagleson bird bred by Jackie Steele of Rasharkin is a bit special. In the Talbenny Nat with the NIPA she was best in Cullybackey Centre and 1st MAC. The Cheq hen is off a direct Belge Lambrecht cock, and a sister of the lofts famous "02" Cock, a previous Mid Antrim Combine OB of the Year winner and down from Dixon’s Heartbreaker. This same pair bred a young bird last season to win 2 x 1sts for Blair & Rankin in the Ballymena & District HPS. She was 1st in the MAC in Talbenny and 1st MAC again in the INFC Penzance only bird, well worthy of her name “Channel Queen”. Well done Johnston keeping the flag flying for the high flying Ballymena club in 2017.

Friday 15th September 2017. 255 Members have entered 2253 pigeons in the race and are competing for £9211.00 in pools and prize money. The pigeons have been liberated at 08:30 into a light westerly wind. MAC Skibbereen - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena & District 1064, Danny Dixon Rasharkin & District 1004.

Rosscarbery YB Nat – Sunday Race 17/09/17. Paddy best in the Cullybackey Centre - Paddy McManus from Ahoghill had the best card in the final race of the season from Rosscarbery, he timed the winner at 5.14pm flying 252 miles to The Croft. J & M Millikewn and W J McLean were well placed for Rasharkin and J Eagleson & Sons had the early arrivals in Ballymena & District.

All the awards for the 2017 season will be presented at the Ballymena & Dist Dinner confirmed as Saturday 13th January 2018 and details are as follows. Adults £20.00 each and Children are £10.00. To secure your tickets a £10.00 deposit (non-refundable) per adult is required. No deposit for children needed. Anyone wishing to book please contact Nicola Tel: Tel 07724 507621, or pm the Facebook page. In many ways it was a sad year with a few clubs deciding not to compete with their friends in Mid Antrim and hopefully sooner rather than later this will change and get us back to where we were. Membership keeps falling and no doubt that will continue, three local clubs last season lost out on at least one occasion with the 5 member must compete rule and missed the NIPA race although were able to compete in the club. During the year we also lost David Campbell who started up the MAC to give Mid Antrim lofts a measure of publicity when racing was dominated by the shorter lofts in the Crumlin and Antrim area that were cleaning up at the time. His thoughts were the Ballymena Area where up to 4,000 birds were competing with 150 lofts, were deserving of some publicity. In those days if you did not win 1st Sect in the NIPA you got nothing . It will never be the same again but nothing to stop us working with what we have got. The small membership we have left should be working together to secure what future there might be, rest assured it will be a lot different in just a few years down the road. HOMER.