News Letter Sport - Sat 15/05/10

[willie reynolds]

The Ulster Federation has been going well over 100 years making it the oldest racing organisation in Ireland based in the Belfast area with around 14 clubs, one of which is in Lisburn. The J & D Braniff team from Wheatfield are setting the pace, four races have been flown and the team not only have 4 x 1st Club positions but also 4 x 1st Open in the Ulster Federation. Some can just about remember the late Harry Granville from Ligoniel winning four times in the early 60’s, many congratulations to Joe and David.

On a different day it was another super race for the NIPA birds back at Clonmel for the fifth race of the old bird programme. Liberation was at 10.15am in a NE wind which was fairly strong in Southern Ireland. Although not as fast as the week previous the birds still made very good time and the best bird locally was timed again by Donnelly Bros of Newry City, doing velocity 1259 they take 1st Open NIPA bringing them ever closer to 30 x 1sts.

City of Derry Federation Clonmel (2) 77/647 – M/M P Maxwell Foyle 1155, N Murray Londonderry 1153, M/M P Maxwell 1152, N McClay Londonderry 1151, H McGowan Foyle 1149, E Quigley Rock 1146, M Jones Foyle 1145, J McLaughlin Foyle 1133, P McLaughlin Maiden City 1125, P McLaughlin 1118.

Coleraine Triangle Clonmel (2) – Hanson & Harper Coleraine Prem 1210, Diamond Bros Coleraine Prem 1203, T McCrudden Coleraine & Co Derry 1195, Diamond Bros 1191, Diamond Bros 1190, W & W Murdock Coleraine & Co Derry 1189, Hanson & Harper 1189, Diamond Bros 1181, Diamond Bros 1180, Diamond Bros 1177.

Mid Antrim Combine Clonmel (2) 125/2,834 – D Dixon Rasharkin 1215, H Smyth & Son Broughshane 1214, H Boyd Kells 1207, L McNeill Rasharkin 1206, J & N Simpson Broughshane 1204, W & J Smyth Ballymena 1203, Scott & Clements Kells 1202, Scott & Clements 1202, Scott & Clements 1201, Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1201.

Orchard Combine Clonmel (2) – R Mulligan Monaghan 1218, P Tierney Monaghan 1204, B Corley Monaghan 1203, A Geraghty Armagh 1201, E & M Curran Armagh 1200, P Coughlan Monaghan 1199, G & A Campbell Armagh 1198, N Johnston Monaghan 1197, N Weir Loughgall 1197, Cooney Bros Monaghan 1197.

Northsouth Federation Clonmel (2) 56/1505 - Donnelly Bros Newry City 1259, 1257, 1252, 1247, 1244, J F McCabe Newry & Dist 1239, Donnelly Bros 1237, 1231, W Jones Millvale 1232, M Maguire & Son Newry & Dist 1219.

The sale of Glenavy Gold Rings has been extended two weeks, order now.

East Down Combine birds were released in Fermoy Co Cork, it was cold earlier in the morning but strings were cut at 10.45am and the birds liberated into a NNE wind. It was a good steady race and the high flying McCartan & Woodsides team from Crossgar with birds together took 1st & 2nd Open with the winner doing velocity 1190. The East Sect was topped by T & C Kilpatrick from Killyleagh & Dist on 1183.

East Down Combine Fermoy (1) – McCartan & Woodsides Crossgar 1190, McCartan & Woodsides 1189, T & C Kilpatrick Killyleagh & Dist 1183, J Kirk & Son Drumaness 1182, N Maguire Annsborough 1179, Ferguson & Wilkinson Donaghadee 1178, G Morrison & Daughter Ballynahinch 1171, R Moore & Son Bangor 1171, R Moore & Son 1171, M McClure Newtownbreda 1168.

Racing this weekend includes: NIPA - Move on to Fermoy in Co Cork for race six of the old bird programme. Ulster Federation move on to Fermoy and East Down Combine have OB Classic Skibbereen.