Farming Life - Wednesday 13/04/11

[willie reynolds]

The NIPA had an excellent start to the old bird season, returns were good from Tullamore and leading velocities exceeded 1800ypm. Some 30 clubs returned results to the NIPA Office by late Saturday evening which was a good start. Results should be returned on a Sunday between 7.00am and 5.00pm. A provisional result should be available on a Sunday evening, the latest update on Saturday had the early birds in the Derry Area, and best reported Danny Farrell of Strabane doing velocity 1831.

NIPA Open Tullamore (1) - D Farrell Strabane 1831, A McCrudden Derry & Dist 1826, S Gallagher & Son Londonderry 1826, D Friel Maiden City 1804, L Flanagan & Son Londonderry 1800, N Murray Londonderry 1798, A McCrudden 1792, J Diamond Foyle 1790, G McGavigan Strabane 1789, N Murray 1789, M & C Chism Derry & Dist 1787, S Gallagher & Son 1787, J & G Ramsey Derry & Dist 1783, D Friel 1781, Quigley & Dunne Maiden City 1779, S Healy Derry & Dist 1779, M/M P Maxwell Foyle 1779, S Healy 1778, M & C Chism 1771, J Ebbs Derry & Dist 1771.

Sect A – J L Madden, Coleraine Prem 1691, Sect B – K Glass, Windsor Social 1731, Sect C – M & S McDonnell Cushendall 1603, Sect D – P & J Boal, Dromore HPS 1573, Sect E – J Greenaway 1609, Sect F – W Ennis Ards 1491, Sect G – R Adamson, Corcreeney 1565, Sect H – D Farrell, Strabane 1831.

Returns were good as well and lofts are looking forward to the next race which is also from Tullamore. The race was dominated by lofts at the top end and it was excellent news for the Coleraine Triangle area with Kenny Glass of the Windsor Social doing velocity 1731 and best reported in Sect B with J L Madden of the Coleraine Premier best in Sect A on a velocity of 1691.

NIPA Sect A Clubs

Coalisland 15/343 – Karl Murphy 1659, W Bleeks & Son 1654, Gerry Quinn 1636, Sean Hughes 1626.

Coleraine Premier 13/265 – Hanson & Harpur 1724, 1723, 1694, 1694, 1693, J L Madden 1691. What a result for Jimmy Hanson, special training get him the Top 5 places.

Coleraine & County Derry 9/180 – T McCrudden 1670, 1646, A & C McCorriston 1606, K Macauley 1602.

Cookstown Social 7/183 – S Marshall 1638, J McCormick 1635, S Marshall 1616, J McCormick 1606.

Castledawson 6/78 – T Leacock & Son 1606, 1589, M Lynn 1582, T Leacock & Son 1581.

Windsor Social 9/180 – K Glass 1731, R McCann 1657, R & J Parke 1657, 1656, 1655, K Glass 1647. Kenny starts the season with a super winner the yearling cock also collects the pools. Breeding is Harry Hearn/Gibbon crossed. Sect B lofts had a good race.

NIPA Sect H Clubs

Derry & District 9/116 – A McCrudden 1826, 1792, Maxi & Connor Chism 1787, Jim & Gary Ramsey 1783. Anthony McCrudden takes 1st & 2nd in the first race for the new club and the birds are well placed with the NIPA.

Foyle RPS 15/169 – Jim Diamond 1790, M/M P Maxwell 1779, J McLaughlin 1716, M/M P Maxwell 1713.

Limavady 3/61 – R Witherow 1608, 1605, W McIlmoyle 1593, R Witherow 1569, W McIlmoyle 1548, R Witherow 1543.

Londonderry PRS 12/206 – S Gallagher & Son 1826, L Flanagan & Son 1800, N Murray 1796, 1789. Sean and son got their season off to a winning start well ahead of the pack with the winner taking just under the 2 hours for the 122 mile trip, well done lads.

Maiden City 17/271 – D Friel 1804, 1781, Quigley & Dunne 1779, Borland & Kelly 1751. One of the clubs furthest flyers takes the top honours this week with 1st & 2nd. Dermot Friel shows the way and will hopefully take a high spot in the NIPA Open. Damien Dunn sneaks into 3rd and will have to maintain this good start if he is to take the Top Flyer award at the end of the year as he has promised to do.

Omagh & District 5/55 – K Armstrong 1616, A J Kelly 1504, 1484, A Hall 1446.

Strabane 9/173 – D Farrell 1831, G McGavigan 1789, D Farrell 1762, G McGavigan 1758. The winner for Danny is a Busschaert, a tried and tested strain over the years and the loft is the favourite for 1st Open NIPA!

Rock Flying Club – Tommy White 1765, 1759, L & G McCloskey 1758, 1757.

Like last season when the Mid Antrim entry was 1762 birds the race was dominated by lofts in Rasharkin & Dist, the winners were timed around 14.44hrs flying 129 miles. Pride of place goes to club Chairman Harold Cubitt who records velocity 1691 just ahead of William McFetridge in a photo finish. Steele & McNeill were well placed and win the Nomination. W & J Smyth had the best bird in Ballymena, their 3yo Blue Cheq cock was timed at 14.47hrs recording velocity 1619 for the 126 miles. Liberation was at 12.30pm in a helping SE wind.

Best in the Antrim area was Simon Millar who was top prize-winner last season in Randalstown that included a best ever result from At Malo in France. He timed a 3yo Hartog hen racing on Roundabout recording velocity 1632. Crumlin & Dist was topped by M & B McConville (1603) and Frank Todd had a fantastic card in Muckamore including 1st & 2nd.

NIPA Sect B Clubs

Ahoghill Flying Club 12/296 – Young McManus & Sons 1664, 1646, 1636, 1636, A & N Young 1630, 1630. David Lowry from Ahoghill has young birds for sale, his top Van Reet and Busschaert are ready now. Tel: 07734151972.

Ballymena & Dist 12/157 – W & J Smyth 1619, J Harris 1609, Blair & Rankin 1599, J Harris 1596, G & A Eagleson 1587, Blair & Rankin 1581.

Ballymoney 22/622 – A & R McAuley 1689, C Henry 1683, A & M Boyle 1682, J Connolly 1679, A & M Boyle 1668, A & R McAuley 1667. A & R McAuley does a repeat of last season winning the opening race the bird a Mealy yearling hen the best of their Van de Brande. The winner was timed at 14.57hrs recording velocity 1689 for the 141 miles.

Ballymoney West Combine 7/170 – C Henry 1683, J Hutchinson & Son 1648, J McDowell & Sons 1625, L Neill 1623, B & I Stewart 1614, D Laverty 1574.

Broughshane 9/141 – J & N Simpson 1614, J McNaghten & Son 1612, J & N Simpson 1595, A Purvis 1569, H Smyth & Son 1536, T & E Service 1526.

Cullybackey 16/401 – Reid Bros & McCloy 1642, A Darragh 1631, 1628, H & R McCloy 1622, Reid Bros & McCloy 1621, Russell Bros 1612.

Crumlin & District 9/192 – M & B McConville 1603, Fleming Bros 1579, M & B McConville 1570, Fleming Bros 1553, M McGrandles 1550, 1536.

Dervock RPS 8/256 – A & M Boyle 1682, 1668, R McIntyre 1659, D & H Stuart 1650, J Hutchinson & Son 1648, 1648. Andy & Mavis timed their winner at 14.56hrs recording velocity 1682 for the 140 miles.

Harryville 16/369 – J Rock 1603, L Mullan 1599, K & K Kernohan & Sons 1596, G Price 1589, R H Clements 1585, 1583.

Kells & District 10/218 – G McDowell 1568, 1568, Scott & Clements 1564, 1552, B Swann & Son 1551, G McDowell 1546. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – Scott & Clements 1536, Scott & Clements 1515.

Muckamore 12/306 – F Todd 1576, 1565, J Courtney 1562, F Todd 1559, 1552, 1552.

New Antrim Amal 8/148 – R McFall & Son 1618, C Magill 1597, C Moore 1581, 1568, T Picken & Son 1565, R McFall & Son 1558.

Randalstown 9/183 – S Millar 1632, Stewart Bros 1613, S Millar 1599, Stewart Bros 1589, S Millar 1580, 1580.

Rasharkin & District 9/203 – H Cubitt 1691, W McFetridge 1691, H Cubitt 1679, Steele & McNeill 1669, 1660, J & M Milliken 1657. Nom Steele & McNeill. D Dixon – 1648, 1646.

A Young Bird Charity Sale on behalf of the Neonatal Baby Unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital will take place in the Lurgan Soc Clubrooms on Wednesday 20th April at 8.00pm. This sale has been organized by Wilton Cross member Donald Cooper who tragically lost two grandchildren last year. Please come along and support this worthy cause.

NIPA Sect E Clubs

Armagh 12/214 – P Tennyson 1607, G & A Campbell 1607, D & C McArdle 1569, E & M Curran 1559. Armagh 2 Bird Club – E & M Curran 1559, A Whitcroft 1492, R Parkes & Son 1490, G & A Campbell 1484.

Beechpark Social – D Mawhinney & Son 1589, 1542, 1538, C Reynolds 1536.

Bondhill – J Greenaway 1609.

Charlemont – K Shannon 1626, E Grew 1588, A Grew 1562, K Shannon 1545.

Edgarstown 15/331 – G & T Richie 1615, G & C Simmons 1598, G & T Richie 1595, G & C Simmons 1577.

Gilford & District – T Wilson 1557, 1529, 1522, D Campbell 1488.

Laurelvale 12/209 – S & N Lester 1560, G & C Topley 1521, Gillis & Radcliffe 1506, G & C Topley 1504.

Loughgall – N Weir 1557.

Lurgan Social /211 – J Douglas & Son 1606, S Curran 1579, B McNeice & Son 1578, D & B Lyness 1571.

Markethill – W Brown & Son 1536, A Humphries & Son 1525, 1524, 1524.

Monaghan 9/171 – W Walker & Son 1621, Cooney Bros 1600, S O’Brien 1594, 1593, J Graham 1580, W Walker & Son 1571. The winner was timed at 13.51hrs.

Tandragee – A Craig 1537, 1534, Dillon & Morrow 1530, 1530.

Wilton Cross – D Carville & Son 1573, C & J Ferris 1551, Cooper & McGrath 1544, C & J Ferris 1537 ABCD & Nom.