Champions League & Knock-Out 2017 -

[willie reynolds]

MAC Knock-Out matches for Gowran Park this weekend 12/08/17:

Bye v J Eagleson & Sons (Ballymena), H Cubitt (Rasharkin) v D Houston & Son (Broughshane), W & J Smyth (Ballymena) v F & G & J Dickey (Randalstown), Young McManus & Sons (Ahoghill) v Bye , M/M Robinson (Ahoghill) v W & W Gilbert (Randalstown), Stewart Bros (Randalstown) v D Dixon (Rasharkin), G Bell (Ballymena) v Blair & Rankin (Ballymena), Bye v McFall & McManus (Ballymena).

We had the sad news during the week that Bobby Smyth a life member in his home club Ballymena & District had passed away in his 96th year. Bobby and his late brother Hughie when racing were a household name in the sport, if fact Smyth Bros were World Famous! In those old days they competed in Ballymena with some of the best lofts in the sport, their own record at the distance is talked about yet. The loft won from all points through to France, they won 2nd in the Kings Cup and 2nd in the Old Bird Derby, 1st in the Friendship Nat from Sartilly in 1991 and also won the Blue Riband YB National from Milford Haven in 1962. They raced many top class birds none better than the famous “Leading Lady”. Long before Hall of Fame Diplomas and Gold Medals she would have won both, in successive races in the Kings Cup she finished 4th, 6th, 9th & 21st Open INFC. They don’t make them like that anymore. Their Kenyon family of birds won every possible award at the distance and will be remembered for many years to come. HOMER.

[willie reynolds]

For the Quarter Final of the YB Knock-Out the MAC matches this weekend from Fermoy are as follows. Mr & Mrs Robinson (Ahoghill) v Danny Dixon (Rasharkin), Blair & Rankin (Ballymena) v McFall & McManus (Ballymena), J Eagleson & Sons (Ballymena) v Harold Cubitt (Rasharkin), W & J Smyth (Ballymena) v Young McManus & Sons (Ahoghill).

Marking Arrangements for Talbenny Nat – Money for Talbenny YB Nat will be collected on Wed 23rd Aug in Cullybackey Clubrooms from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. All birds race marked in Cullybackey Thru 24th Aug from 3.30pm to 6.00pm. All ETS clocks to be cleared of all races, T3 clocks ready after lorry leaves clubrooms. Lost Ballymena Area IHU15 N-27280 blue hen, contact HOMER. Found PL11098-13/0385. Contact Ballymena Tel: 256 43004. BE17-6087743 bird found by non-fancier any know who owns this bird?

[willie reynolds]

The Semi Final is Fermoy on 2nd September with the Final in Rosscarbery Nat 9th September. Semi-Final Matches are D Dixon (Rasharkin) v Blair & Rankin (Ballymena) and J Eagleson & Sons (Ballymena) v W & J Smyth (Ballymena).

Marking Arrangements for Talbenny Nat – Money for Talbenny YB Nat will be collected on Wed 23rd Aug in Cullybackey Clubrooms from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. All birds race marked in Cullybackey Thru 24th Aug from 3.30pm to 6.00pm. All ETS clocks to be cleared of all races, T3 clocks ready after lorry leaves clubrooms.