Talbenny Old Bird - 09/06/19

[willie reynolds]

Mid Antrim lofts prominent from Talbenny in South Wales -

The opening cross channel race from Talbenny could not be flown last week and yet again the weather caused many problems during the week when arrangements were being made. A further complication was a second race from Fermoy. In the end it all worked out well with Fermoy and the 5 Bird Championship flown on Friday with birds marked the same evening for Talbenny and released in South Wales on Sunday morning. Liberation was at the early time of 6.45am in perfect conditions and the birds made light work of the 220 odd mile flight. The Mid Antrim lofts were well placed with the top five birds locally up at the top of the NIPA Open result where 7,800 birds were competing. Davy Jackson had a super weekend in Kells & District 1st MAC on velocity 1564, followed by W & J Smyth Ballymena, Danny Dixon Rasharkin, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena and John Millar from Randalstown. In the NIPA the lofts finish 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th and 11th Open.

Mid Antrim Combine Talbenny – C & D Jackson Kells 1564, W & J Smyth Ballymena 1551, D Dixon Rasharkin 1550, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1549, J Millar Randalstown 1548, W & J Smyth 1548, A McBride Associate 1536, J Rock Associate 1523, J & M Milliken Rasharkin 1517, M/M Robinson Ahoghill 1517, C & D Jackson 1515, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1508, R H Clements Associate 1507, M/M Robinson 1500, G Gibson Associate 1500, D Dixon 1487, W & J Smyth 1487, W & J Smyth 1486, R H Clements 1484, D Dixon 1482.

Ballymena area Clubs Talbenny

Kells & District 7/68 – C & D Jackson 1564, B Swann & Son 1518, C & D Jackson 1515, 1452, 1449, B Swann & Son 1445, C & D Jackson 1437, Gregg Bros 1416. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – C & D Jackson 1515, 1437, B Swann & Son 1366, 1355, McFarlane & Agnew 1322. A lot of the early birds were from Derek Parr, including the winner which Davy has named “Parr Ranger” Also 1st MAC, 1st Seven Towers Champ, 1st Sect B and 6th Open NIPA.

Ballymena & District 7/62 – W & J Smyth 1551, J Eagleson & Sons 1549, W & J Smyth 1548, 1487, 1486, Blair & Rankin 1482, W & J Smyth 1469, Blair & Rankin 1448, W & J Smyth 1442, Blair & Rankin 1421. William & Joe Smyth already winners of 2 x 1st Section B this season had another super race here timing two birds at 10.55am for the 220 mile fly to take 1st & 3rd club. Their first bird a steady 3 year old blue chequer cock racing on widowhood was one from a kit of six from Jackie Steele of Rasharkin. W & J's birds were split by Johnston Eagleson & Sons who timed their Barleycove National winner from a fortnight ago. Race sponsored by David Parker Building Contractor on Facebook.

Randalstown HPS – J Millar 1548, 1463, Stewart Bros 1460, J Millar 1450, Stewart Bros 1430, F & J & G Dickey 1427, 1417, Stewart Bros 1400. Good 1st & 2nd for Secretary John Millar, 5th MAC, 6th Sect B & 11th Open NIPA.

Harryville HPS 7/98 – A McBride 1536, J Rock 1523, R H Clements 1507, 1484, A McBride 1481, J Millar & Son 1462, A McBride 1455, J Millar & Son 1450, L Mullan 1439, A McBride 1438. Allen timed a yearling blue cock, nest-mate finished 2nd Sect B in the Barleycove Nat earlier. Sire was Blue Star 1st & 2nd Sect etc. and dam was a Hartog winner of 5 x 1sts. Thanks to W Rodgers who looked after birds when Allen was on holiday.

Ahoghill Flying Club 7/114 – M/M Robinson 1517, 1500, 1460, J Smyth & Son 1449, M/M Robinson 1429, 1422, Young McManus & Sons 1417, J Smyth & Son 1416, Young McManus & Sons 1405, Balmer, T Young & Son 1401. Brooke Supplies 2 Bird Club – Balmer, T Young & Son 1401, M/M Robinson 1387.

Rasharkin & District 8/111 – J & M Milliken 1517, H Cubitt 1508, T Whyte 1483, H Cubitt 1478, A C & T Tweed 1452, J & M Milliken 1409. Danny Dixon – 1550, 1487, 1482, 1468, 1452.

Cullybackey HPS 11/122 – G Gibson 1500, C & R McIntyre 1461, G Gibson 1458, McAlonan Bros 1424, G Gibson 1417, D Robinson 1398, 1395, G Gibson 1390, N & S Anderson 1382, G Gibson 1380.

Broughshane & District 3/16 – D Houston & Son 1424, 1402, J Getty 1353, D Houston & Son 1282, 1241, 1230, 1230, R Wylie 957.