Irish National FC Update - Ronnie Johnston (Patron)

[willie reynolds]

At the recent Millisle Moot one of the questions from the floor was
what National Club fly the hardest race? The clubs main guest for the
Moot was the ace Scottish fancier George Rankin, now this man has a
super record with the SNFC from France and it was no surprise to me
when he thought SNFC. I can understand this thinking as he was able to
quote results from 500-700 miles. The INFC may not be flying these
miles but one must remember the Irish Pigeons need to negotiate two
Channels from France and this makes the Irish route from France one of
the hardest in Europe.

The Erwin Trophy is one of the most prestigious within the INFC and is
awarded to the fancier with the best average all National races. Just
to give fanciers some idea of how difficult it is to win this trophy,
over an eleven year period it was only won six times, as a fancier
must time in all races (seven). In 1996 it was won by Ronnie
Williamson of Bondhill and Ronnie was to win it again in 2005. Phillip
McCullough & Daughter of Downpatrick was the winner in 2006. I am
wondering if there is something in the air around the Doagh/Ballyclare
area or is it just good pigeons handled by top National flyers. In
1998 the trophy was won by Mr& Mrs Davie Suitters. In 1999 it went to
Willie McClelland and the next time it was won was 2003 when the
successful loft was C & L Woodside. In 1999 the Championship was flown
for over five races starting with the Yearling National from Sennen
Cove 1,000 members sent 3,451 birds, liberated at 7am into a north
west wind. The National winner was Herbie Parr of Edgarstown on a vel
of 999, 2nd to the Stillorgan loft P Kennedy & sons 996, Kevin
Henderson of Lurgan Social was 3rd Open on 992, Willie McCleland of
Doagh made a good start in his challenge for the championship 14th
North Section & 18th Open on 927.

Next up was the Kings Cup flown from Redon on July 2nd, 1,609 birds
were liberated at 7am into a light south wind, and this was the photo
finish Kings Cup, 1st Open Oliver McGillivary & Son of Balbriggan with
single entry on 1475, 2nd Oepn Ronnie Williamson of Bondhill on 1474
with Joe Adamson of Gilford 3rd Open on a vel of 1473. Willie
McClelland strengthened his position winning 8th North Section & 11th
Open on a vel of 1432 flying 520 miles and collected £2,640 in pools
and prize money.

The Friendship National was flown from St Malo and with a small entry
it can be a difficult race. 538 birds were liberated on July 9th at
5.50 am in a light east wind and the National winner was Jackie Waring
& Son of Lisburn on a vel of 1167, 2nd Open to the popular Gratton
Bros of Eastway. Another super result for the McClelland loft 10th
Open on 1088 flying 456 miles. At the end of the old bird season
Willie was in pole position.

Penzance Young Bird National is always the difficult one with young
birds flying over 300 miles. 2,306 birds were liberated at 7.30 into a
north west wind and the winner was that top National flyer Roy
Clements of Harryville on 1213, 2nd Open the Kings Moss partnership of
Higginson & McMeekin on 1200 with George Barr of Ballymena 3rd Open on
a vel of 1189. A super result for McClelland flying 320 miles and
winning 31st Open on 1080.

Skibbereen Young Bird National is the only one flown on the land and a
smashing entry of 4,109 birds were liberated at 10.30am into a light
south east wind. First South Section & 1st Open to Dodds Bros of
Wexford on a vel of 1347 just holding off Tom Marshall & son David of
Newtownbreda on 1346, R & M Hillis of Wexford was 3rd Open on a vel of
1342. Willie got his young bird he was looking for to win 188th Open
and this was enough for him to win the National Championship.
When Willie McClelland looks back on the year 1999 he can be a very
proud fancier as he won this Championship being an Open prize winner
in all five National races flown in 1999.

INFC CHALLENGE 2010

The National Flying Club continue to explore ways of presenting new
challenges for its membership and the latest one added to its list was
first flown for in 2009, known as the Robin Duddy 3-Bird Grand
Challenge. The Challenge will cover two races Yearling National and
the Young Bird Channel National. Robin Duddy Trophy to the winner and
a guaranteed 1st prize of £1,000. Additional prizes may be paid out
depending on the entry. Up to three pigeons maximum to be nominated on
the race entry forms for the two races.

I am sure this is a challenge that most National Flying Club members
will wish to enter. To join the challenge send your entry fee of £10
to be paid for before 7th June 2010. Your Yearling National
Nominations can be entered on your Yearling National race entry form
and the same applies to the Channel Young Bird National. Entries to Mr
David Black, the challenge co-ordinator at 11 Drumiller Hill, Dromore,
Co Down, BT25 1EP. Please note, cheques made payable to Irish National
Flying Club.

The 2009 winner was none other than a former Kings Cup winner Geoffrey
Douglas of Wilton Cross. This fancier enjoyed a magical year at
National level in 2009. The first leg was the Yearling National flown
from Sennen Cove when 786 members entered 4,134 pigeons. The Douglas
loft won 56th Open on a vel of 1134. Penzance Young Bird National was
the second leg and 459 members sent 2,120 birds. This was to turn out
a very hard race but Geoffrey once again picked the right one winnig
15th Open on 884 and becoming the first winner of the Robin Duddy
Trophy and of course 1st Prize of £1,000.