Looking Back at the 1997 Season - RJ

[willie reynolds]

Eddie McAlinden
During a conversation regarding Eddie, I was asked two questions: Did
he win two INFC Nationals? The answer is yes. Did he win two Yearling
Nationals? The answer is no. Eddie won the Skibbereen YB National in
1997 and the Yearling National in 2000.

The entry for the 1997 YB National was 4,855 racing for £26,000 in pool and prize money.
Liberated at 9.30am into a east south east wind, 1st North Section,
1st Open Eddie McAlinden on a velocity of 1268ypm and he made no
mistake with his one as it was highly fancied to collect £1,995.
A magical race for Tom Marshall & Son winning 2nd & 5th Open,
velocities 1267ypm & 1219ypm. Ronnie Higginson of Lurgan was 3rd North
Section, 3rd Open, velocity 1246ypm. The master himself John Patterson
of Ballylesson was 4th North Section, 4th Open on 1240ypm. B & T Toan
of New City was 6th North Section, 6th Open, velocity 1218ypm. The
South Section was won by Ingle Bros, Shelbourne finishing 8th Open,
velocity 1215ypm.

The National winners in 1997 Sennen Cove Yearling National saw a huge
entry of 5,756 and the winner was the Balbriggan loft of J Dunne & Ptr
making 1123ypm with Mr & Mrs G Delaney, Dromore 2nd Open on 1115ypm.
King's Cup from St Nazaire went to Paddy Rock a son Martin, Malahide
on 904ypm. The Friendship National was flown from St Malo and won by
the late Willie Gibson of Horseshoe making 1592ypm with J Ellis,
Malahide 2nd Open.

The YB National (Channel) was flown from Penzance and the winner was
Johnston Eagleson & sons, Harryville on a velocity of 1409ypm. Niblock
Bros & McClean from Newry took 2nd Open on 1409ypm. The second
National won by Eddie McAlinden was the Yearling National in 2000,
4,081 birds were liberated at 8am into a light wind and Eddie's winner
made 1537ypm and again this one was highly fancied to win £3,067.
Second North Section, 2nd Open to the Donacloney loft of Sinnamon, son
of McManus on 1526ypm. Third Open went to Mr & Mrs Beattie, Gilford on
1524ypm. A top performance from former National winner Roy Clements,
Harryville who with a single entry won 5th Open and collected £2,387.
The King's Cup was flown from Redon and won away down in Kilkenny by
Jeff Hogan making 1290ypm. First North Section, 2nd Open to the
Dromara loft of N Black & Sons on 1153 ypm, a big drop in velocity!
The Friendship National from Sartilly was not good with only four
birds home in race time, the winner Gallagher Bros, Annsborough on
542ypm followed by W Gibson & son, Horseshoe; J Paisley & Son and
Ronnie Williamson.

The Irish National Flying Club added an extra race from Penzance flown
on the 7th July from Penzance and known as the Millennium National.
First North Section, 1st Open to Higginson & McMeekin, Kingsmoss on a
velocity of 935ypm winning £1,064. John Scott, Crumlin was 2nd Open
making 930ypm plus £1,290. Len Magee & Son, Hills/Maze was 3rd; Nelson
Weir, Loughgall 4th; Sammy Leitch, Doagh 5th with his nom pigeon
collecting £1,932.

The YB Channel National was moved to Talbenny and liberated into a
south east wind at 10am. The winner was the loft in form, Sinnamon,
son & McManus, Donacloney on 889ypm collecting £1,116. Kevin
Henderson, Lurgan was 2nd Open with W & N Davidson, Portadown 3rd.
Bringing the race back to Talbenny from Penzance was not a success, 39
home from 2,035 in two days. Could it be the weather and not so much
the distance.

The YB Inland National was again flown from Skibbereen and the South
Section dominated the result. First Soutn Section, 1st Open to the
popular Tony Kehoe, Wexford on 1615ypm. Dobb Bros, Wexford 2nd and
Billy Cullimoare 3rd. We had to go down to 166th Open to find the
North Section winner, Joe Galbraith & son, Ballyhill on 1311ypm, some
300ypm behind the Open winner. The Erwin Trophy for the National
Championship was not won.