Pigeon Network

The awards were presented at a function held at Dunsilly Hotel in Antrim on Friday 7th January 2011.

P. Dunlop - Edgarstown H.P.S.
Blue Chequer Hen GB06E 66887
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 119th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 13th Open

P. Dunlop - Edgarstown H.P.S.
Blue Pied Hen GB07E 55248
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 16th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 39th Open

A. Hughes & Sons - Lisburn & District H.P.S.
Blue Chequer Hen GB05X 83524
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 25th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 66th Open

A. Hughes & Sons Lisburn & District H.P.S.
Blue Chequer Cock GB07S 79267
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 68th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 113th Open

Glen. Buckley & Son - Annaghmore H.P.S.
Blue W/F Hen GB08A 31264
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 2nd Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 201st Open

W. Catherwood & Sons Ballynahinch H.P.S.
Kenny – B
Dark Chequer Cock GB04D 06060
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 181st Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 195th Open

G. O’Reilly & Son Malahide & District H.P.S.
The Pic
Blue Chequer Cock IHU03S 104298
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 124th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 28th Open

W. Reid - Cullybackey H.P.S.
Blue Cock GB04C 14713
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 15th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 37th Open

Ward & McIntosh - Downpatrick H.P.S.
Julius Caesar
Black Chequer Hen GB06D 36601
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 112th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 73rd Open

R. J. Elliott - Ballymoney H.P.S.
Northern Lady
Blue Chequer Hen GB04B 78236
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 76th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 233rd Open

N. Black & Son - Dromara H.P.S.
Blue Cock GB07D 08739
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 241st Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 153rd Open

R. McIlroy & Son - Carrickfergus & District H.P.S.
Blue Chequer Cock GB06C 18319
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 56th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 38th Open

S. G. Briggs - Lisburn & District H.P.S.
Smokey 79 Blue Hen
GB07L 25279
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 118th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 90th Open

W. McClure - Kells & District H.P.S.
Home Again
Blue Chequer Hen GB02K 09025
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 156th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 122nd Open

W. McClure - Kells & District H.P.S.
Blue Chequer Hen GB05K 12212
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 46th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 127th Open

W. McCaw - Ballymoney H.P.S.
Greystone Girl
Blue Chequer Hen GB07B 47887
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 127th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 161st Open

A. Fearon - Portadown Invitation H.P.S.
Blue Hen GB06P 06497
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 178th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 240th Open

E. Niblock - Bessbrook H.P.S.
Tom
Blue Cock GB03S 18295
Vannes King’s Cup 2006 48th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 217th Open

G. & J. O’Hare - Crossgar H.P.S.
Black Cock IHU06N 9653
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 145th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 208th Open

Ron. Williamson - Bondhill Social H.P.S.
Blue Cock GB06B 06036
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 23rd Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 140th Open

Ron. Williamson - Bondhill Social H.P.S.
Blue Chequer Cock GB07B 05233
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 94th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 186th Open

J. Waring & Son - Lisburn & District H.P.S.
Blue Chequer W/F’s Cock GB03L 28415
Vannes King’s Cup 2006 114th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 196th Open

J. Waring & Son - Lisburn & District H.P.S.
Blue Chequer Cock GB03L 28447
Vannes King’s Cup 2006 53rd Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 25th Open

D. Croskery & Son - Annsborough H.P.S.
White Hen IHU05N 11429
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 193rd Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 88th Open

C. & L. Woodside - Ballyclare & District H.P.S.
Blue Hen GB07B 43620
Picauville Friendship National 2009 5th Open
St. Malo Friendship National 2010 65th Open

M. Robinson - Bondhill Social H.P.S.
Blue Chequer Cock GB02B 31141
Vannes King’s Cup 2006 34th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 133rd Open

Mr & Mrs R. Magill - Muckamore H. P. S.
Chequer Pied Cock GB07E 66367
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 206th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 185th Open

A. Darragh - Cullybackey H.P.S.
Blue Bar Cock GB08C 13275
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 221st Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 119th Open

Mr & Mrs P. & K. Braniff - Colin H.P.S.
Mary-Kate
Blue Chequer Hen GB06C 62466
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 245th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 59th Open

Mr & Mrs P. & K. Braniff - Colin H.P.S.
White Head
Dark Chequer Pied Hen GB07C 51223
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 231st Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 36th Open

R. Duddy - Ballyclare & District H.P.S.
Cloughan Rain Blu
Blue Hen GB07B 43740
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 140th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 117th Open

G. & T. Ritchie - Edgarstown H.P.S.
Suzie
Blue Pied Hen GB06D 41927
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2009 209th Open
Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 239th Open

INFC Merit Awards
Special report by INFC Patron Ronnie Johnston -

The Irish National Flying Club held it presentation of the Merit Diplomas awarded to any pigeon twice an Open prize winner from the Kings Cup and the Friendship National. The Dunsilly Hotel in Antrim was the venue in early January some 31 Kings Cup Merit Awards were won but only one Friendship Nat Award. The INFC President Syd Collins made all the arrangements for what was to turn out a super evening. Tickets were priced at £10 each and this included a hot supper, as much as you could eat. Syd also came up with a very thoughtful idea, he would ask a number of senior fanciers to attend the function and he would have a nice surprise for them during the evening.

Syd was also able to get the well known former National Flying club OB National winner Chris Gordon to travel over to Antrim and he agreed to sit on a panel with former Irish Kings Cup winners Alan Darragh and David Black. The numbers that ordered tickets surprised Syd and the INFC Secretary Trevor Topping, some 140 attended. The INFC Chairman and President of The Confederation Eugene Fitzgerald travelled in from Dublin and everyone present received a warm welcome from him, he was sure they would enjoy the evening.

The INFC President then got the show on the road and explained his surprise for the evening. Syd had invited a number of senior fanciers who have been involved with the National Flying Club for over 60 years. He then went to each of their tables and individually asked them to stand up before introducing them to the audience. Syd had done his home-work and gave an insight into their pigeon career that was well received by everyone.

First up was Jimmy Anderson of Cullybackey who has a wonderful record from the Yearling National including 2nd Open to Myles & McConnell. Next up was Tom McCallum from Ballymena, a fancier who clocked in the Kings Cup ten years in succession. Then Raymond McCracken from Banbridge, Hall of Fame winner and Single Bird Challenge winner with his “Champion Lucy”. A good friend of mine was Dougie Moore from Newtownards. Dougie only ever keeps a small team, started the season with nine, put six in the Kings Cup and got four, brilliant. Jackie Grattan of Newtownabbey was introduced next and he is a former winner of the Harkness Rose Bowl, and supplied Bob Dunlop with his Kings Cup winner. On to George Casement from South Belfast and one of the best racers in the history of the Ulster Federation. George will always be remembered for his Champion “Top of the Box”. The final two were Paddy Arthurs and Sammy Thompson, lets start with Paddy from Dundalk who everyone knows. Paddy served the South Road Fed for many years and was the corner stone of the Dundalk Club. When on his feet he thanked the INFC for this honour. Sammy Thompson from Bushmills has a long history of serving the pigeon fancy at every level, RPRA Councillor he is a Life Member and former President of the INFC.

Syd, it was a great idea and went down well with the audience. Each of the senior fanciers received a small present from the INFC President. Now, I am not going to tell you their age, only to say that three of them are now over 90 years of age, all are a great credit to the sport of pigeon racing.

With 31 Merit Awards won in 2010 I wonder how many will be converted to a Hall of Fame Diploma in 2011? This award was added to the INFC programme in 2006 but with no Kings Cup race in either 2007 or 2008 we are only now getting pigeons to win the award after successful Kings Cup races in 2009 and 2010. I was surprised that four pigeons scored in 2006 and completed the double in 2010. Both Jackie Waring’s Merit Award winners first scored in 2006 and are two 7yo cocks, Jackie is a super National flyer. Malcolm Robinson also scored in 2006 and his pigeon is also a cock, now 7yo. It will be some performance if he scores again at 10yo. The final one is again a cock, 7yo and raced by Ernie Niblock of Bessbrook. The break down of the Merit Award winners, 16 cocks and 15 hens.

At the presentation I was delighted to see Jackie Grattan, one of the famous Grattan Bros is now in his 91st year and still enjoying his pigeons. In 1975 the Grattan Bros won 5th & 9th Open INFC Rheirs Kings Cup race when only 19 birds were recorded in race time (three days). The race was won by Sammy Topping with a Red Pied hen “Donacloney Queen” and I was to sell her at Public Auction. Although they raced in West Belfast the birds were flown to George’s home at Ligoniel. The family of birds which the brothers flew are based on Gits/Grooter and Barker. The Gits blood came from good friend Alex Millar, the Grooters direct from Hammond & Whitaker and the Barkers from Tom Drummond. In 1966 the brothers reluctantly decided that due to family circumstances they were going to give up the birds.

They had an excellent team but one pigeon stood out from the rest, she was a Blue Cheq hen that had flown Penzance. Jackie & George worked with Bob Dunlop. The brothers decided to give her to Bob on the understanding that he would prepare her for the Kings Cup. Bob agreed, got the hen in July and broke her to his own loft. In July 1967 she was sent to Nantes with the INFC and in a very hard race when again only 19 birds were recorded in race time (three days), the hen bred by Grattan Bros won 1st Sect & 1st Open on velocity 899 and the King George V Challenge Cup. They speak affectionalty of Bob Dunlop and when they re-entered the sport Bob gave them the Kings Cup winner back, since that time they have not looked back. The Grattan Bros enjoyed a super series of results in the early 70’s from Dinard (France). 1973 – 4th & 12th Open Ulster Fed Dinard. 1974 – 23rd & 29th Open. In 1975 four birds sent and all in the clock winning 25th Open and in the same year 5th & 9th Open Kings Cup. The 5th Open winner a Blue Cheq cock was named “Pride of the West” who won 110th Open Kings Cup Nantes in 1973. Jackie Grattan is a highly respected fancier who has been a life-time in pigeons and we wish him many more years enjoying the sport.


The top table at the INFC presentation. From (l) Chris Gordon,
President Syd Collins and Chairman Eugene Fitzgerald.


Mr & Mrs P & K Braniff from the Colin HPS won 2 Diplomas.


Leslie Woodside from Ballyclare won the Merit Award in the INFC Friendship National.


Robin Duddy from Ballyclare wins the INFC Merit Award from Plaudren/Vannes.


Malcolm Robinson from Bondhill (r) won the Merit Award from Vannes.


Paul Dunlop (Edgarstown) won 2 Merit Awards, with from (l) Eugene Fitzgerald,
Chris Gordon and INFC President Syd Collins.


Willie Corrigan from Loughgall won the French Diploma in 2010,
special guest Chris Gordon is (l) and INFC Patron Ronnie Johnston (r)
presents the French Diploma each year.


Ron Williamson from Bondhill (l) won two Merit Awards from Plaudren/Vannes.


Six times INFC Nat winner Alan Darragh wins the Merit Award in 2010.


Billy McClure from Kells & Dist collected two Merit Awards at the INFC Presentation.


Former INFC Nat Champions Mr & Mrs Magill collect the Merit Award from Chris Gordon.


Robbie Elliott from Ballymoney HPS won the INFC Merit Award from France.


Billy McCaw from Ballymoney wins the INFC Merit Award in 2010