Farming Life - BHW - RP - 23/10/20

[willie reynolds]

North Coast Classic (Coleraine) – One Loft Race 2020

After a very trying few months with COVID-19 we thankfully were able to hold our series of Hotspots and Final. Unfortunately, we had to drop one hotspot as with the late start we were afraid of the youngsters breaking in the moult. We had installed lights this year to help the youngsters keep in the best feather condition as possible. This worked a treat as anyone viewing the photographs or seeing the youngsters at the lofts can verify.

The final was scheduled for Saturday 13th September and the birds were checked, scanned and loaded unto the transporter on Friday afternoon. Michael Rabbett put every pigeon into the transporter after Sean had scanned and examined the youngsters under the watchful eye of Denis Gregg on the laptop. Matt Kelly and my-self coaxed all the youngsters into the baskets and brought them forward to Sean. Everything went like clockwork and the whole process only took one hour. Transporter then was sealed up and Donny Dysart (our Convoyer) arrived , hooked the transporter on, and the youngsters were on their way to Rosscaberry .

Saturday morning arrived and the weather at the home end was beautiful with a fresh SS west as was forecasted. I made a call to Donny and was advised that the sun was starting to rise, and a good morning was on the menu. Donny said he would give the youngsters a couple of hand full of seeds to encourage them to drink and he would call me 15 minutes before he intended to liberate. He called at 8am to say the sun was out with some broken cloud with little or no wind of a southerly direction. We both agreed on realease at 8 15am and on getting their freedom the youngsters left the transporter and were gone in seconds. A successful race was on the cards

At the lofts due to Covid 19 restrictions our limited audience of 15 were in good spirits awaiting the arrival of the leading youngsters. Everyone there was welcome to avail themselves to tea, coffee, soft drinks, pastry, biscuits and sandwiches kindly provided by Matts wife Chris, my own wife Patricia, Hilary Beattie and Jackie Ferguson. Soft drinks supplied by Liam Hayes and Richard Butler. I don’t think anyone went home hungry.

Estimated time of arrival was 4hrs 20 minutes to 4 hrs 30 minutes. At the 4 1/2 hr mark 5 birds arrived together quickly followed by 2 more. These all trapped before another 5 appeared followed by another 4. Birds continued to home all day making it, a very-successful race.

First through the trap was a bonus ball youngster bred by one of the best fanciers in the NIPA, Jeff Greenaway of Dromore County Down, owned by Bobby Coyle, a local top fancier based in Portrush. This youngster is bred in the purple, being off one of Jeff’s top racers (now stock ) when paired to a hen that has bred birds to win 1st and 2nd Irish South Rd Federation , herself being a daughter of Billy Boy and Jeff’s 2013 NIPA Penzance OB Classic winner. This hen has proved to be a goldmine at stock breeding birds to win 5th Open St Malo, 3rd Open Kings Cup and 3rd Open Yearling Hens National.

In second spot came Tom Gorman of Carlow a prolific prize winner in the NCC, winning 3rd Place plus the 2 Bird Average in 2018.Tom was 16th in 2019. Could 2021 be his crowning glory? Toms bird is bred by top one loft pigeons. Both parents raced in the NCC last year for Team Ettrick (Bobby Daziel). Bobby gave Tom the pick of his birds after last year’s final, a great gesture from Bobby. Tom selected a blue cock off Bobby’s French Derby OLR winner paired to hen of Danny Dixon’s raced by Sean Og Dream Team which was 3rd Ace pigeon in 2018. This hen was a bonus ball pigeon won by Artie. The dam of the cock in 2nd this year is off the French Derby OLR winner paired to a hen bred by R Herron & Son Washington Celtic, which was 3rd Final NCC in 2016.

Third position this year goes to a newcomer to the NCC, William Mills of Limavady. William entered 9 and after the final he had 6 to take home. William’s prize winner Is full of top distance pigeons being from William’s friends in Wales Graham & Adam Thomas of Llantrissant who have bred 6 x 1st National winners plus 6 x 1st Welsh Combine winners for themselves and bred birds for others that have won Nationals. William’s bird is off a full brother of Flyingbolt (Ad Scherlaeckens x old Van Hee Motta lines. Flyingbolt won Welsh National Brussels. On the dam’s side coming off Flyingbolt when paired to Baz Verkerk’s New Siena who incidentally on the same weekend as the NCC final was the dam of 5th and 19th Welsh Grand National Maidstone.

Next for fourth bird through the trap was Mossview Lofts (Mark Milliken) a top local fancier from Rasharkin who figures prominently in our results and was 3rd in 2017. Marks timer is a Frans Zwols, father from Ivan Stirling Pontefract though Dartanian x Tip top breeder. Dam is from Formula I Lofts, same way bred as Max winner of BICC Alecon National 2015. This line of Zwols contain the Blood of his famous Eagle Boy, Little Amy and 3 Muskateers.

In fifth and sixth positions comes our 2 Bird Average winners Clovelly Lofts (Alan Shanks) who competes ever year in NCC. These two pigeons are full of top distance lines. 32402 sire is from Fox & McGlinchy and is Kilpatrick x Kenyon . Dam contains Geoff Hunts Scarecrow through Wesley Sayers and Jan Aarden Invincible Spirit lines. 32414 sire is from Alan Neil being Walkingshaw x Jan Aarden. Dam contains all Alan’s old distance lines with additions from Alan Darragh, J Smyth and A & J Brown.

Seventh place this year goes to our resident Livestreamer Michael Rabbett. What an excellent job he has done for us these last 2 years. I have heard nothing but positive comments about his streaming and commentary. Michael is the head of a syndicate (Dream Alliance) comprising of himself, his father Micky, his brother and Trevor Hughes (Sons of Glyndwr). Trevor unfortunately due to Covid-19 couldn’t be with us this year and him and Val were sadly missed. Their youngster’s sire is Leo Van Rijn gifted to Michael by Gary Jennings of Lisburn. He originally came from Ken Darlington being a grandson of Keizer Wonder 1st Welsh National and Gold Wonder hen winner of 1st, 1st and 2nd National.The dam was bought out of Ken Wilkinson’s Clearance Sale and is Wal Zoontjen , a grand-daughter of Champion Jay (1st open NIPA Fermoy plus 6 x 1st) when Jay was paired to a daughter of Geoffs Douglas’s Golden Pair.

In 8th place comes the first of the Harmony Loft pigeons, John and Viv being responsible for breeding 4 of the Top 20. This youngster was bought as a venture by Warren Doyle (Alanna) and contains the long distance lines of Jos Van Olmen being clocked in Ireland from France, Harmony lofts were 93rd in Algarve Great Derby this year with a Jos Van Olmen .

Next up comes O’Barr’s for 9th position. Ryan is no stranger to success with the NCC having already being our Champion and Ace pigeon winner.This youngster was bought as a venture (Danny Dixon) and is the third venture of Danny’s that Ryan has purchased to finish in the Top 10. Ryan also purchased his winner direct from Danny and entered it in the NCC. Ryan has informed me that this is the seventh Top 20 finish he has achieved with birds bred from Danny’s birds. This year’s prize winner is a grand-daughter of Dixie Chick and Lady Helen.

Completing the Top 10 this year is J & V Syndicate (John & Viv Abernethy). This youngster is a Herman Cuesters, sire from David Sara and brother to John & Dessy McClurkin’s 2019 Penzance winner. Dam from David Sara is a Herman Cuester.

Our Ace Pigeon raced for the Town & Country Syndicate, Danny Dixon, Rab McManus and Joe Kennedy. This is a Rudy Van Reeth bred by Joe. This excellent youngster won Hotspot 5 and was the runner up in Hotspot 3. Joe also bred our second Ace Pigeon, another Rudy Van Reeth.

We would like to thank everyone for their support this year again, it is greatly appreciated. Judging by all that have contacted us about next year we are confident we will reach our limit of 600 pigeons, so if you are thinking of having a go with us next year feel free to contact us. Visit our Website northcoastclassic.co.uk for all information and plans for 2021. Adrian Moffatt PO.

NIPA Awards 2020 -

NIPA Secretary Fred Russell has listed the Average Cup and the various Fancier of the Year awards for 2020, no decision on any presentation but the Annual Ladies Night has been cancelled.

NIPA Average Trophy winners:

McCluggage Cup – Best average in all channel races including Nationals – Ron Williamson Newry & District Vel 1323.

Waring Trophy – Best Ave in all National Races – Ron Williamson Newry & District Vel 1457.

Major Lewis Cup – Best average in all races England and Wales – Ron Williamson Newry & Dist Vel 1195.

Harper Cup – Best average Old Bird and Young Bird channel Nationals – R Carson & Son Banbridge Vel 1488.

Devine Memorial Trophy – Best two bird average Old Bird National- R Carson & Son Banbridge.

Dickson Cup – Best average Bude and Fermoy Young Bird - Ron Williamson Newry & Dist Vel 1150.

B. Fox Cup – Highest position obtained by any N.I.P.A. official, committee member or club delegate in Old Bird National race – R Carson & Son Banbridge Vel 1682.

Halliday Cup- Best Average O B Inland Nat & OB & YB Channel Nat – Ron Williamson Newry & District Vel 1478.

B Fletcher & Son Cup – NIPA Young Fancier of the Year – Keelie Wright Lurgan Social.

Bronze Award Diploma:

H Cordner, Annaghmore – Blue Tip (c) GB17A-28659

2018 St Malo 7th Open, 4th Sect E Vel 688

2020 St Malo 79th Open, 49th Sect E Vel 1520.

A C & T Tweed, Ballymoney HPS – Blue (h) GB17R-19296

2019 St Malo 25th Open, 4th Sect B Vel 670

2020 St Malo 162nd Open, 17th Sect B Vel 1461.

J Whitten & Son, Portadown & Drumcree – GB17V-46609

2019 St Malo 64th Open, 11th Sect E Vel 482

2020 St Malo 100th Open, 57th Sect E Vel 1504.

D & P Harvey, Larne & District HPS – Blue Ch (h) GB17L-32454

2019 St Malo 24th Open, 7th Sect C Vel 671

2020 St Malo 263rd Open, 31st Sect C Vel 1379.

N.I.P.A. Old Bird Inland Section Fanciers of the Year 2020

Section A – D Carolan, Coalisland Vel 1396, Section B – S & N Maginty, Muckamore Vel 1423, Section C – G & M Atcheson, Ligoniel Vel 1501, Section D – P & J Boal, Dromore Vel 1485, Section E – No Claim, Section F – McCartan & Woodsides, Killyleagh & District Vel 1465, Section G – Ron Williamson, Newry & District Vel 1504, Section H – E McGettigan, Strabane Vel 1241.

N.I.P.A. Old Bird Channel Section Fanciers of the Year 2020

Section A¬ R Corey, Coalisland Vel 1319, Section B – S Murphy, Muckamore Vel 1303, Section C – D & J Campbell, Eastway Vel 1326, Section D – J Greenaway, Hills & Maze Vel 1324, Section E – Ron Williamson, Bondhill Vel 1356, Section F – McCartan & Woodsides, Killyleagh & District Vel 1252, Section G – Ron Williamson, Newry & District Vel 1328, Sect H – No Claim.

N.I.P.A. Young Bird Section Fanciers of the Year 2020

Section A – G & S Smith, Cookstown Vel 1338, Section B – S Thompson, Crumlin Vel 1357, Section C – McMurray & Anderson, Ligoniel Vel 1412, Section D – J Greenaway, Hills & Maze Vel 1384, Section E – D Mawhinney & Son, Beechpark Soc Vel 1389, Section F - McComb Bros, Killyleagh Cent Vel 1319, Section G – Sands & Rice, Ballyholland Vel 1419, Section H – S Eglington Cookstown Vel 1213.

Old Bird Cups & Trophies 2020:

08/06/20 Tullamore - R Williamson, Newry & Dist Vel 1539 - G F Whiteside Cup

13/06/20 Gowran Park - R Williamson, Newry & Dist Vel 1339 - Gilmour & Beattie Cup

20/06/20 Corrin - Nelson Weir Loughgall Vel 2016 - S Calvert Cup

02/07/20 Corrin - R Williamson, Newry & Dist Vel 1467 - R Harkness Cup

06/07/20 Skibbereen Nat - R Williamson Newry & Dist Vel 1509 - B Fletcher & Son Cup

11/07/20 Talbenny - R Williamson, Newry & Dist Vel 1398 – Simpson Cup

15/07/20 Skibbereen Ylr Nat - G & M Atcheson, Ligoniel Vel 1443 - Northern Bank Cup

15/07/20 Skibbereen Ylr Nat Hen – G & M Atcheson, Ligoniel Vel 1430 – Northern Bank Cup

19/07/20 Bude - R Williamson, Bondhill Vel 1119 - Vint Cup

26/07/20 Fermoy - Mal Maguire & Son Newry & Dist Vel 1680 - Mulgrew Family Cup

30/07/20 St Malo OB Nat - R Carson & Son, Banbridge Vel 1682 – News of the World Cup, McComb Cup and Pigeon Portal.Com Cup

30/07/20 Runner up St Malo - R & J Parke, Windsor Soc Vel 1655 - D McNeilly Cup

Young Bird Cups & Trophies 2020:

Best Velocity 1st Area Liberations – Sands & Rice, Ballyholland Vel 1497

Best Velocity 2nd Area Liberations - E & M Curran, Armagh HPS Vel 1425

23/08/20 Roscrea - Ed. Heaney & Son, Ligoniel Vel 1893

29/08/20 Gowran Park – Sands & Rice, Ballyholland Vel 1286

05/09/20 Fermoy – R Williamson, Newry & Dist Vel 1398

12/09/20 Talbenny YB Nat – Rafferty & Toman, Gilford Vel 1399

12/09/20 Tullamore - Gordon Bros & Son, Killyleagh Central Vel 2187

19/09/20 Fermoy (2) – Ron Williamson, Newry & District Vel 1251

19/09/20 Fermoy Five Bird Championship – J F McCabe & Son, Newry & District Vel 1249

Section Trophy winners St Malo OB Nat:

Sect A - H Devine Memorial Cup - G Quinn, Coalisland Vel 1601

Sect B - Leslie Mairs Memorial Cup - R & J Parke, Windsor Soc Vel 1655

Sect C - J Campbell Memorial Cup – Armstrong & McAllister, Ligoniel Vel 1628

Sect D - H McVeigh Cup - J Greenaway, Hills & Maze Vel 1544

Sect E - E & J McCambley Cup - G Buckley & son, Annaghmore Vel 1651

Sect F - A Brown & Family Cup – McCartan & Woodsides, Killyleagh & Dist Vel 1519

Sect G - N Girvan Memorial Cup - R Carson & Son, Banbridge Vel 1682

Sect H - K Reid Memorial Cup - T McBride, Strabane Vel 1527

E & J McCambley Cup 1st Talbenny - G Buckley & Son, Annaghmore Vel 1365

E & J McCambley Cup Bude - R Williamson, Bondhill Vel 1119

John Bingo Orme Memorial Cup Sect F Old Bird Inl Nat – McCartan & Woodsides, Killyleagh & District Vel 1507.





HOMER. Willie Reynolds

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