Gowran Park 04/05/19 -

[willie reynolds]

Super Race from Gowran Park - Ahoghill best in MAC

What a difference a week makes, difficult race from Roscrea last week in dull conditions an excellent race on Saturday when birds competed from Gowran Park race course in County Kilkenny. Despite the headwind we had sunshine and blue sky and good returns reported across the whole country. Best locally was Alan Darragh who had the top 5 in Cullybackey, his winner was doing velocity 1295 and tops the Seven Towers and 1st NIPA Section B. Ahoghill Flying Club dominated the MAC with good cards for the winners Mr & Mrs Robinson followed by Paddy McManus. Best in town was Johnston Eagleson & Sons 1st Ballymena & District on velocity 1275 for the 158 miles.

Mid Antrim Combine Gowran Park – Mr & Mrs Robinson Ahoghill 1290, Mr & Mrs Robinson 1290, Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1289, Young McManus & Sons 1289, Harry Boyd Kells 1280, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1275, Mr & Mrs Robinson 1273, Young McManus & Sons 1272, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1272, Mr & Mrs Robinson 1267, Mr & Mrs Robinson 1266, G Gibson Associate 1265, Young McManus & Sonms 1265, Young McManus & Sons 1264, Young McManus & Sons 1263, J Eagleson & Sons 1264, Harry Boyd 1262, J Millar & Son Associate 1259, R H Clements Associate 1256, G Gibson Associate 1253.

MAC Clubs Gowran Park

Cullybackey HPS 10/431 – A Darragh 1295, 1271, 1271, 1267, 1266, G Gibson 1265, A Darragh 1264, 1253, 1230, Another big result for Alan Darragh, nearly a clean sweep and the winner topping both Seven Towers Championship and 1st Section B.

Ahoghill Flying Club – Mr & Mrs Robinson 1290, 1290, Young McManus & Sons 1289, 1289, Mr & Mrs Robinson 1273, Young McManus & Sons 1272, Mr & Mrs Robinson 1267, 1266, Young McManus & Sons 1265, 1264. Brooke Supplies 2 Bird Club – Mr & Mrs Robinson 1266, Young McManus & Sons 1264.

Kells & District 8/151 – H Boyd 1280, 1262, 1250, Surgenor Bros 1244, C & D Jackson 1240, Surgenor Bros 1240, B Swann & Son 1240, H Boyd 1238. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – Surgenor Bros 1227, H Boyd 1216, Gregg Bros 1175, McFarlane & Agnew 1155, 1117. Top three for Harry Boyd, his first win of the year.

Ballymena & District HPS 10/266 – J Eagleson & Sons 1275, Blair & Rankin 1272, J Eagleson & Sons 1262, 1252, R Service & Son 1250, W & J Smyth 1247, J Eagleson & Sons 1243, W & J Smyth 1243, 1239, J Eagleson & Sons 1230. Johnston Eagleson & Sons have the winner from Gowran Park and their second win of the season. They timed their yearling blue cock at 2.09pm flying 158 miles. This cock racing on roundabout wins the town for the second time in three weeks and is from Paddy McManus of Ahoghill. Breeding is Louis Thijs x Van Loon. Runner up Bertie Blair again times his good Jackie Steele widowhood cock 3 x 2nds and 1 x 5th from four starts. W & J Smyth are in the money again with last week’s 1st Section B winner from Roscrea. Race sponsored by David Parker Building Contractor on Facebook

Former long-time member Tom McCallum has passed away at the advanced age of 96 years, he had in his latter years flew in Harryville but his big success was in Ballymena & District where he was a long distance icon. At one time he held a National record, timing in his favourite Kings Cup 11 times on the trot including from Nantes over 500 miles. R McCallum & Son were later to win the coveted Hall of Fame Diploma from St Nazaire in 1997 at 550 miles. Sincere condolences to the family circle at this sad time.

Harryville HPS 12/248 – J Millar & Son 1259, R H Clements 1256, A McBride 1253, MDC Magill 1249, K & K Kernohan 1248, A McBride 1248, L Mullan 1246, J Rock 1243, A McBride 1243, 1243. Two wins now for Derek Millar, he timed his three year old blue cock at 2.08pm flying 156 miles to Cromkill. This bird is Willy Jacobs bred by Oroory Hill Stud in Dromore.

Randalstown HPS 7/196 – N Percy & Son 1246, J Millar 1246, 1233, 1231, Houston Bros 1223, W & W Gilbert 1217, Stewart Bros 1208, W & W Gilbert 1191.

Broughshane & District – D Houston 1201, R Wylie 1189, A Purvis 1185, 1181, T & M Morrow 1176, 1176, A Purvis 1175, D Houston 1175.

New Antrim Amalgamated – K Wilkinson & Son 1188, 1188.

Rasharkin & District 11/306 – J & M Milliken 1251, 1249, W & J McLean 1219, A C & T Tweed 1219, W & J McLean 1210, N Bradley 1201. D Dixon – 1250.37, 1250.10.