Farming Life - Wednesday 04/05/11

[willie reynolds]

Another fantastic race to report for the NIPA, the fourth of the old bird season with the birds released in Clonmel in County Tipperary on Saturday 30th April at 10.30am in perfect conditions and the birds cleared well. As expected the early birds are out in the West of the country with top places for Sections A, A West and B.

Strabane topped the NIPA in the opening race from Tullamore and look like doing the same again with G Quinn recording velocity 1348. Clubs should Fax the NIPA with the official result over Sat & Sunday so a result can be prepared and published as near correct as possible. Fax (028) 92 693913. Results are provisional and subject to correction. Just six clubs missing this weekend.

NIPA Clonmel Open (Prov) – 1-1H G Quinn Strabane 1348, 2-2H G Toner Rock 1330, 3-3H T Ferguson & Son Strabane 1325, 4-4H T Conway Strabane 1320, 5-1A J Devlin Coalisland 1318, 6-2A S Hughes Coalisland 1318, 7-1B J Hutchinson & Son Ballymoney 1314, 8-1E R Williamson Bondhill 1312, 9-2B J Robinson & Son Rasharkin 1312, 10-5H G Toner Rock 1311, 11-3A M McPhillips Coalisland 1308, 12-4A M McPhillips 1308, 13-5A K Carolan Coalisland 1308, 14-3B A & M Boyle Ballymoney 1307, 15-6H T Conway Strabane 1307, 16-6A J McCormick Cookstown 1307, 17-7H T White Rock 1303, 18-7A T McCrudden Coleraine & Co Derry 1302, 19-8A K Murphy Coalisland 1301, 20-8H E Quigley Rock 1300.

Section A – J Devlin 1318, S Hughes 1318, M McPhillips 1308.

Section B – J Hutchinson & Son 1314, J Robinson 1312, A & M Boyle 1307.

Section C – Horner Bros & Son 1274, S Rodney & Son 1273, J White 1268.

Section D – Doonan & McGuinness 1268, J Greenaway 1262, McKinstry Bros 1262.4.

Section E – R Williamson 1312, T Wilson 1300, Rafferty & Toman 1299.6.

Section F – McGimpsey Bros 1214, R Shaw 1204, McGimpsey Bros 1202.

Section G – Donnelly Bros 1286, Donnelly Bros 1285, T & K Mawhinney Donacloney 1282.

Section H – G Quinn 1348, G Toner 1330, T Ferguson & Son 1325.

Top weekly competition in the Coleraine Triangle and from Clonmel the overall winner timed by Terence McCrudden in the County Derry just ahead of the big guns in the Premier Anthony McDonnell, Diamond Bros, Leslie Madden and Jimmy Hanson. Terence will be well placed in the NIPA.

Coleraine Triangle Clonmel – T McCrudden Coleraine & Co Derry 1302, A McDonnell Coleraine Prem 1299, Diamond Bros Coleraine Prem 1297, J L Madden Coleraine Prem 1294, J L Madden 1294, Hanson & Harpur Coleraine Prem 1294, Hanson & Harpur 1293, A & R McAuley Ballymoney 1291, A & R McAuley 1291, Diamond Bros 1284, R McAlary Coleraine Prem 1281, Hanson & Harpur 1280, C Morrow & Son Windsor Soc 1277, J L Madden 1276, T McCrudden 1276.

In the NIPA Sect A it’s a top three for high flying Coalisland and 2 x 1sts on the trot for Joe Devlin followed by Sean Hughes and M McPhillips with two birds.

NIPA Sect A Clubs

Coalisland 18/501 – J Devlin 1318.7, S Hughes 1318.0, M McPhillips 1308, 1308, K Carolan 1308, K Murphy 1301.

Coleraine Premier 18/609 – A McDonnell 1299, Diamond Bros 1297, J L Madden 1294, 1294, Hanson & Harpur 1294, 1293, Diamond Bros 1284, R McAlary 1281, Hanson & Harpur 1280, J L Madden 1276. Anthony McDonnell wins Pools & DTW, the pigeon is Van Mearkerk the parents purchased from Premier Lofts.

Coleraine & County Derry – T McCrudden 1302, 1276, K Darragh 1269, W & W Murdock 1269.3. Terence McCrudden back at the top, Kenny Darragh wins the pools with the same bird for the second week.

Cookstown Social – J McCormick 1307, G & S Smith 1300, J McCormick 1291.

Castledawson 7/145 – T Leacock & Son 1271, M Lynn 1257, 1251, T Leacock & Son 1246, M McErlean 1225, S K Watson 1224.

Dungannon – S Shannon 1250, W Leckey & Son 1236, 1230.

Windsor Social 14/294 – C Morrow & Son 1277, G Donaghy Son & Grandson 1269, 1262, R & J Parke 1261, Horner & Scott 1261, K Glass 1258. Clifford wins with a yearling hen on Roundabout, he collects the pools.

Foyle Valley Combine –

Racing from Clonmel on Saturday sees the first 4 positions in the Foyle Valley Combine top the mighty NIPA with up on 30,000 pigeons competing. Taking top honours this week with a super hen is the Glebe loft of Glenn Quinn another top class performance for the North West and the Strabane RPC. In 2nd and 5th is Gerry Toner from the Rock Flying Club in Derry, another super performance. 3rd goes to Strabane with Tommy Ferguson putting in sterling work for years promoting pigeon racing in that area, and another Strabane flyer making his mark is Tony Conway taking 4th, 6th, and11th good racing by all accounts. Other performances was 7th Tommy White Rock, 8th Eamon Quigley Rock, 9th Billy Page Maiden City , 10th Sean Duffy Derry & district, 12th & 16th J & G Ramsey Derry & district, Sean Healy Derry & district 13th, Fox and Hegarty Rock 14th, L Flanagan and son Londonderrry rps 15th and 19th, Borland & Kelly 17th Maiden City, and 20th was Robbie Hegarty also Maiden City.

City of Derry Federation

Dominating proceedings this week was the Rock fc member Gerry Toner taking 1st and 2nd and with only a small team of pigeons makes it a more pleasing result especially as he is well up in the NIPA open. Other Rock members where also prominent, with newcomer Tommy White 3rd and Eamon Quigley making it a good day for the Rock club taking 4th and 20th. Maiden City winner Billy Page turns in another good weeks performance with 5th and 19th. Derry and district take the next couple of positions with Sean Duffy 6th, J & G Ramsey 7th and 11th, Sean Healy 8th Fox and Hegarty Rock fc are 9th while L Flanagan & son Londonderry rps are10th,13th and 17th, Maiden City members Borland and Kelly 12th, Robbie Hegarty 14th, Pat McLaughlin 15th, McGettigan bros 16th and Foyle member James Gallagher 18th. Racing this week is from Fermoy.

DERRY AND DISTRICT HPS Clonmel

Taking his first Red Card of the season was the Central Loft of Sean Duffy and has just reward for his effort, 2nd and 4th goes to J & G Ramsey who have been flying very consistently recently. Another loft going well Sean Healy takes 3rd & 10th with Tony Mullan & son racing well in 5th and 6th. Others to figure include 7th Anthony McCrudden, 8th M & C Chism and 9th Colm McConomy. The club would like to thank all those who took part in the recent club fund raiser a night at the races and thank the sponsors and especially the buyers of horses, and those who turned up on the night. Many thanks.

Another top result for the far flying Sect H and what about Strabane with the leading birds up at the top of the NIPA. Glen Quinn times a bird that had been 2nd Club Tullamore (2) to have the best velocity of the day on 1248, followed by T Ferguson & Son and four birds for T Conway. The winner for Glen contains the top bloodlines of Robert McMeekin and Jimmy Hanson, a full report next week and photos as well.

NIPA Sect H Clubs

Derry & District 13/128 – S Duffy 1299, J & G Ramsey.

Foyle RPS 16/159 – J Gallagher 1273, M/M P Maxwell 1272, 1272, R O’Reilly 1267, M/M P Maxwell 1265, B Hart 1262.

Limavady – R Witherow 1274, 1257, 1256.

Londonderry PRS 15/175 – L Flanagan & Son 1294, 1284, 1274, N Murray 1269, P Breslin & Son 1261, J & D Kelly 1258. Leo got his first win of the season in style taking the top three positions in the Waterside.

Maiden City 22/233 – B Page 1300, Borland & Kelly 1293, R Hegarty 1283, P McLaughlin 1278, McGettigan Bros 1278, B Page 1273.

Omagh & District 11/195 – A Hall 1298, R Adams 1293, 1291, T Booth 1257, S Gilmore 1253, T Booth 1250. Alan tops the club with a Black Busschaert yearling cock on its first outing of the season.

Strabane – G Quinn 1348, T Ferguson & Son 1325, T Conway 1320.

Rock Flying Club 16/120 – G Toner 1330, 1311, T White 1303, E Quigley 1300, Fox & Hegarty 1295, E Quigley 1273.

Increased birdage yet again a massive 3,400 birds competing 600 more than the corresponding race last season won by Scott & Clements of Kells & Dist. Pride of place this week goes to Jimmy Robinson & Son doing velocity 1312 followed by Milliken & Barkley and three birds for Danny Dixon. Alan Darragh who had the best five birds in Cullybackey was next best and other winners well placed included J & N Simpson 1st Broughshane & Dist (1281), Simon Millar 1st Randalstown (1274), Scott & Clements 1st Kells & Dist (1271) and Young McManus & Sons 1st Ahoghill Flying Club (1269). Race marking for Rosscarbery Inl Nat will take place in Cullybackey on Thursday 12th May between 4.00pm and 6.30pm and clocks ready same night. The entry sheets and fees will be collected at Cullybackey on Wednesday 11th May between 8.30pm and 9.30pm.

Mid Antrim Combine Clonmel 122/3,420 – J Robinson & Son Rasharkin 1312, Milliken & Barkley 1291, D Dixon Rasharkin 1289, D Dixon 1283, D Dixon 1282, A Darragh Cullybackey 1282, A C & T Tweed Rasharkin 1281, J & N Simpson Broughshane 1281, D Dixon 1279, A Darragh 1279, Milliken & Barkley 1274, S Millar Randalstown 1274, Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 1274, A C & T Tweed 1272, A C & T Tweed 1272, Scott & Clements Kells 1271, A Darragh 1271, Scott & Clements 1269, S Millar 1269, Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1269, W McFetridge Rasharkin 1266, Steele & McNeill 1265, A Darragh 1265, Steele & McNeill 1263, Young McManus & Sons 1263, Young McManus & Sons 1263, A Darragh 1262, Surgenor Bros Kells 1262, Steele & McNeill 1261, Scott & Clements 1259.

The Champions League continued with Week 3 at Clonmel, only eight lofts got points, no change to Sect 2 (B), and most activity in Sect 3 (C). The League leaders after the third week are Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 58 Points, Simon Millar Randalstown 58 Points, Alan Darragh Cullybackey 48 Points and Russell Bros Cullybackey 23 Points. The latest positions are as follows. Sect (1) A – S Millar 58 Points, D Dixon 42 Points, M Graham 25 Points, Reid Bros & McCloy 16 Points, Surgenor Bros 14 Points, R H Clements 14 Points. Sect (2) B – Russell Bros 23 Points, Stewart Bros 16 Points, W & J Smyth 8 Points, L Mullan 1 Point. Sect (3) C – A Darragh 48 Points, Milliken & Barkley 44 Points, Scott & Clements 39 Points, J & N Simpson 23 Points, J Smyth & Son 10 Points, C Moore 4 Points. Sect (4) D – Young McManus & Sons 58 Points, A McBride 46 Points, G McDowell 28 Points, Steele & McNeill 16 Points, R McFall & Son 13 Points, Houston Bros 7 Points.

Clubs interested in getting a copy of the Champions League each week should kindly supply an e-mail address to Admin James Harris max.harris@talktalk.net

The Mid Antrim Sect B had the early birds in the Ballymoney area and will be well placed in the NIPA result. J Hutchinson & Son have the big early arrival the special training must be working recording velocity 1314 and 1st Ballymoney HPS where over 1,100 birds were competing followed by the husband and wife team of Andy & Mavis Boyle on 1307. Special training again in Rasharkin getting big results and best this week Jimmy Robinson & Son doing velocity 1312 and will top the big Mid Antrim Combine, the club had a lot of birds well placed. Jimmy’s bird had the best bloodlines from A & M Boyle of Ballymoney, a great result.

NIPA Sect B Clubs

Ahoghill Flying Club 13/465 – Young McManus & Sons 1269, 1263, 1263, 1249, J Smyth & Son 1246, 1246, 1246, A & N Young 1238, Young McManus & Sons 1235, G & G Jackson 1234.

Ballymena & Dist 13/300 – J Devlin 1249, W & J Smyth 1247, 1237, M Graham 1237, McAlonan Bros 1225, G & A Eagleson 1219, J Devlin 1217, M Graham 1216, G & A Eagleson 1215, J Harris 1213. A good first win of the year for club Chairman Joe Devlin one of the many dedicated workers in the club and this year doing Ring Secretary as well. He timed his 3 year old Jan Aarden Blue hen at 2.46pm recording velocity 1249 for the 181 miles, a consistent racer having already won 6 prizes in the season previous including 2nd Club Tullamore, 3rd Club Clonmel, 3rd Club Bude and 3rd Club Penzance.

Ballymoney 31/1125 – J Hutchinson & Son 1314, A & M Boyle 1307, J Hutchinson & Son 1299, C Henry 1295, A & R McAuley 1291, 1291, D Dixon 1289, 1283, G Holmes 1282, 1282, J McDowell & Sons 1282, Curry & Gilmore 1280. J Hutchinson & son tops the big Ballymoney Club with eleven hundred & twenty five birds entered. The winning Blue Cheq Wildemeersch cock was followed home by his nest mate to take third club and it was fourth club last week with one thousand & thirty three birds, and third club the week before with nine hundred & sixty two birds. This week’s winner is looking good for a high Sec B position.

Ballymoney West Combine 10/446 – J Hutchinson & Son 1314, C Henry 1295, J McDowell & Sons 1282, Curry & Gilmore 1280, W Blair 1277, L Neill 1276, R J Elliott 1274, D Laverty 1266, B & I Stewart 1253, D Gage 1213.

Dervock IPS 11/362 - J Hutchinson & Son 1314, A & M Boyle 1307, J Hutchinson & Son 1299, A & M Boyle 1274, D & H Stuart 1270, 1270, D & G McMullan 1254, S Laverty 1250, 1250, D Devenney 1239.

Broughshane 12/266 – J & N Simpson 1281, A Purvis 1235, J & N Simpson 1229, J McNaghten & Son 1228, A Purvis 1228, Mrs M Smyth 1214, D Houston & Son 1209, H Smyth & Son 1204. J&N timed a 2 year old Blue cock at 2.42pm racing on Roundabout. A Van-Reet/Willy Thas cross this one knew his way home in an East wind. Congratulations boys, two wins on the trot.

Chimney Corner – J Brown 1217, 1208, McDonald & Wilkinson 1192, 1167.

Cullybackey 21/671 – A Darragh 1282, 1279, Russell Bros 1256, Reid Bros & McCloy 1249, 1249, S Steele 1246, S McKendry 1244, Russell Bros 1232, S Steele 1232, J & J Greer 1226. The top five positions for Alan Darragh, super result.

Crumlin & District 13/372 – K Galloway 1279, Thompson Bros 1249, Fleming Bros 1226, J & N Lamb 1225, Fleming Bros 1224, M McGrandles 1224, J Lowry 1213, M & B McConville 1207, K Galloway 1202, P McClarence 1200.

Harryville 17/538 – A McBride 1255.6, R H Clements 1255.2, A McBride 1252, 1245, 1244, R Alexander & Son 1244, A McBride 1237, J Rock 1232, K & K Kernohan & Sons 1232, 1230. Three in a row for Allen McBride, just ahead of Roy Clements in a decimal point finish. His yearling Blue hen was timed at 2.44pm flying 181 miles, the sire was Hartog from his good racer 08 and the dam a direct daughter of his good distance cock a winner of 1st Club Bude and 2nd Club Lamballe.

Kells & District 13/322 – Scott & Clements 1271, 1269, Surgenor Bros 1262, Scott & Clements 1259, Surgenor Bros 1255, H Boyd 1248, H Turkington 1234, H Boyd 1232. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – H Boyd 1248, H Turkington 1234. Scott & Clements timed a 2 year old Cheq cock, his club runner-up was sire of the first bird. Breeding is Delaney’s Huybregts.

Muckamore – J White 1268, F Todd 1257, J White 1255, J Courtney 1248, A & E Bell 1246, 1241, 1240, F Todd 1237, J White 1234, 1232.

New Antrim Amal 8/231 – C McDowell 1219, C Moore 1216, C McDowell 1214, 1214, C Moore 1211, 1204, 1203, R McFall & Son 1198, McFall & McManus 1198, C Magill 1198. First win of the season for Charlie McDowell.

Randalstown 13/336 – S Millar 1274, 1269, 1231, Houston Bros 1223, N Percy & Son 1222, Stewart Bros 1218, 1216, 1214.

Rasharkin & District 12/291 – J Robinson & Son 1312, Milliken & Barkley 1291, A C & T Tweed 1281, Milliken & Barkley 1274, Steele & McNeill 1274, A C & T Tweed 1272, 1272, W McFetridge 1266. Danny Dixon – 1289, 1283, 1282, 1279.

Best reported in the big NIPA Sect E was Ron Williamson who has won a record number of 1sts in both Sect E and the 1st Open NIPA, now well over 50 x 1sts. He records velocity 1312 followed by T Wilson and S Curran. Ron timed a two year old Blue cock and had the top four places in Bondhill.

NIPA Sect E Clubs

Annaghmore – H Cordner 1294, W G Neill 1284, G Buckley & Son 1283.

Armagh 17/474 – G & A Campbell 1297, 1277, 1266, P & P Kelly 1260, 1258, S Fields & Sons 1256. Armagh 2 Bird – G & A Campbell 1297, I Parkes & Son 1237, S Fields & Sons 1223, P Campbell & Sons 1212.

Beechpark Social 14/504 – D Mawhinney & Son 1256, 1256, 1255, 1252, 1245, R Bothwell 1237.

Bondhill 8/406 – R Williamson 1312, 1298, 1296, 1296, D Calvin 1295, R Williamson 1288.

Charlemont – K Shannon 1293, 1286, 1274, 1254, 1251, McGeary Bros 1251.

Edgarstown 19/605 – T & A Ford 1290, G & C Simmons 1289, T & A Ford 1284, 1283, BBC 1283, T & G Ritchie 1274. Tommy Ford times a favourite Jacobs from Gerald Delaney, the loft had three early arrivals.

Gilford & District 24/518 – Rafferty & Toman 1299.1, D Campbell 1296, Cairns Bros 1288, Rafferty & Toman 1285, T Wilson 1282, T McKinstry 1265. Rafferty & Toman (t) 1299.6.

Laurelvale 18/382 – J Dowey & Sons 1261, S Fiddes 1254, A Neill 1246, T McCallum 1246, J Dowey & Sons 1242, 1240.

Loughgall – N Weir 1292, 1283, 1282.

Lurgan Amat 8/223 – D McBride 1271, 1266, G & F Hall 1261, Higginson & Johnston 1231, G Gillespie & Son 1229, G & F Hall 1225.

Lurgan Social 12/355 – S Curran 1299, K Henderson & Son 1285, Furphy Bros 1276, J Douglas & Son 1275, S Curran 1271, Higginson & Johnston 1266.

Markethill – M McDowell & Son 1277, A Humphries & Son 1272, J & H Muldrew & Cummings 1251, 1245, A Humphries & Son 1244, 1234.

Monaghan 11/332 – Cooney Bros 1282, P Tierney 1280, 1277, H Gormley & Son 1272, R Mulligan 1271, 1271. The winner was timed at 13.32hrs and was flying 134 miles.

Portadown Inv – M Livingstone 1276, A McDonald 1253, 1235, M Livingstone 1232, 1229, 1218.

Tandragee – A Craig 1287, 1276, 1264.

Wilton Cross 14/368 – Toman & Hamill 1264, D Carville & Son 1259, 1244, G Douglas 1241, 1239, Toman & Hamill 1237.

Williamson & Calvin Transporter –
Please note that from Monday 9th May to Thursday 12th birds will be training from Laytown, Sunday 8th May the venue will be Balbriggan. Usual collections - Birds can be hampered the night before or up to 7.50am on morning of toss at 23 Farra Road, phone Ron Williamson Mobile: 07841 762399. Collection Points as before: Annaghmore Clubrooms 8.05am, Ballyoran Hill 8.20am, Edgarstown 8.40am, Laurelvale HPS Clubrooms 9.00am, Markethill Corner 9.30am, and Newry 9.50am.

East Down Combine - Roy Irwin wins 1st Open

East Down Combine were back at Mount Charles for their 4th race of the old bird season, birds were released at 9.30am in a NE wind. Roy Irwin of the Arlington Lofts in Dundonald celebrated his birthday in style by winning 1st Open for the second time this year. The 2010 Inland Champion also took 6th & 8th Open for a top weekend. The East Sect was topped by G & P. Brown of Annsborough HPS doing velocity 1227.

East Down Combine Mount Charles (2) Open - 1 R.Irwin Dundonald HPS 1241, 2 M.McClure Newtownbreda HPS 1240, 3 S.Brown & Sons Dundonald HPS 1235, 4 G & P. Brown Annsborough HPS 1227, 5 W.White & Son Newtownbreda HPS 1221, 6 R.Irwin Dundonald HPS 1220, 7 W.White & Son Newtownbreda HPS 1217, 8 R.Irwin Dundonald HPS 1216, 9 R & R Lambe Newtownbreda HPS 1210, 10 T.Smith Downpatrick HPS 1208, 11 C & G Adair Crossgar HPS 1208, 12 T.Smith Downpatrick HPS 1207, 13 M.Croskery Annsborough HPS 1207, 14 G Morrison & Dtr Ballynahinch HPS 1203, 15 S & K Duke Crossgar HPS 1203, 16 D Walsh Crossgar HPS 1202, 17 R.McDowell & Son Annsborough HPS 1202, 18 G & P. Brown Annsborough HPS 1201, 19 N Maguire Annsborough HPS 1200, 20 M.Croskery Annsborough HPS 1200, 21 C & G Adair Crossgar HPS 1199, 22 S.Brown & Sons Dundonald HPS 1196, 23 S.Brown & Sons Dundonald HPS 1196, 24 S.Brown & Sons Dundonald HPS 1195, 25 McCartan & Woodsides Crossgar HPS 1195, 26 G Morrison & Dtr Ballynahinch HPS 1195, 27 Burgess & Brennan Bangor RPC 1194, 28 C & D Smyth & Sons Ballylesson HPS 1194, 29 W & L Robinson Comber Social 1194, 30 Phillips Bros Bangor RPC 1192, 31 A Cousins & Sons Ballylesson HPS 1192, 32 C & D Smyth & Sons Ballylesson HPS 1192, 33 J Crossan Downpatrick HPS 1190, 34 J Maguire & Ptrs Dundrum HPS 1190, 35 M.Croskery Annsborough HPS 1190, 36 A Murray & Son Dundrum HPS 1189.939 37 James. Cleland Annsborough HPS 1189, 38 C & D Smyth & Sons Ballylesson HPS 1188, 39 C & D Smyth & Sons Ballylesson HPS 1187, 40 Jack & Jessica Rogan Newcastle HPS 1187.

EDC West Sect - 1 R.Irwin Dundonald HPS 1241, 2 M.McClure Newtownbreda HPS 1240, 3 S.Brown & Sons Dundonald HPS 1235, 4 W.White & Son Newtownbreda HPS 1221, 5 R.Irwin Dundonald HPS 1220, 6 W.White & Son Newtownbreda HPS 1217, 7 R.Irwin Dundonald HPS 1216, 8 R & R Lambe Newtownbreda HPS 1210, 9 C & G Adair Crossgar HPS 1208, 10 G Morrison & Dtr Ballynahinch HPS 1203, 11 S & K Duke Crossgar HPS 1203, 12 D Walsh Crossgar HPS 1202, 13 C & G Adair Crossgar HPS 1199, 14 S.Brown & Sons Dundonald HPS 1196, 15 S.Brown & Sons Dundonald HPS 1196, 16 S.Brown & Sons Dundonald HPS 1195, 17 McCartan & Woodsides Crossgar HPS 1195, 18 G Morrison & Dtr Ballynahinch HPS 1195, 19 C & D Smyth & Sons Ballylesson HPS 1194, 20 W & L Robinson Comber Social 1194.

EDC East Sect - 1 G & P. Brown Annsborough HPS 1227, 2 T.Smith Downpatrick HPS 1208, 3 T.Smith Downpatrick HPS 1207, 4 M.Croskery Annsborough HPS 1207, 5 R.McDowell & Son Annsborough HPS 1202, 6 G & P. Brown Annsborough HPS 1201, 7 N Maguire Annsborough HPS 1200, 8 M.Croskery Annsborough HPS 1200, 9 Burgess & Brennan Bangor RPC 1194, 10 Phillips Bros Bangor RPC 1192, 11 J Crossan Downpatrick HPS 1190, 12 J Maguire & Ptrs Dundrum HPS 1190, 13 M.Croskery Annsborough HPS 1190, 14 A Murray & Son Dundrum HPS 1189, 15 James. Cleland Annsborough HPS 1189, 16 Jack & Jessica Rogan Newcastle HPS 1187, 17 P.Lue & Son Downpatrick HPS 1187, 18 P McCullough & Dtr Downpatrick HPS 1186, 19 T.Smith Downpatrick HPS 1185, 20 R Moore & Son Bangor RPC 1184. Any objection to the above results must be made in writing to the East Down Combine Secretary within seven days.

East Down Combine Clubs Mount Charles (2)

Annalong 15/361 – K Rooney & Son 1149, 1142, Donnelly Bros 1142, G Maginn 1136, J McCartan 1130, 1130.

Ballylesson 16/402 – C & D Smyth & Sons 1194, A Cousins & Sons 1192, C & D Smyth & Sons 1192, 1188, 1187, Mackey & Lockhart 1181.

Ballynahinch HPS – G Morrison & Daughters 1203, 1195, 1182, 1178, R Trimble 1176, J Abernethy 1174.

Cloughey – Gordon Bros & sons 1184, Harper & Young 1177, McCormick & Gray 1165, Gordon Bros & Sons 1164, 1164, H & A Keenan & Partners 1164.

Crossgar 12/476 – C & G Adair 1208, S & K Duke 1203, D Walsh 1202, C & G Adair 1199, McCartan & Woodsides 1195, 1184.

Downpatrick 12/318 – T Smyth 1208, 1207, J Crossan 1190, P Lue & Son 1187, P McCullough & Daughter 1186, T Smyth 1185.

Drumaness Mills – Burns & O’Neill 1150, 1135, J Kirk & Sons 1134, 1131, 1123, 1114.

Dundonald 7/223 – R Irwin 1241, S Brown & Sons 1235, R Irwin 1220, 1216, S Brown & Sons 1196, 1196.

Dundrum – J Maguire & Partners 1190, A Murray & Son 1189, J Maguire & Partners 1151, 1151, 1148, 1144.

Hillfoot 8/130 – W Robinson 1195, L & H Fields 1175, 1169, D Brennan 1144, W Robinson 1132, J Scates & Sons 1132.

Killyleagh Central 16/355 – Gordon Bros 1184, 1181, 1174, Irvine Bros 1174, 1173, McComb Bros 1173.

Newtownbreda 14/350 – M McClure 1240, W White & Son 1221, 1217, R & R Lamb 1210, 1182, D & D Chew 1179.

Tyrella – S Milligan & Daughter 1176, D McNabb & Partners 1175, S & E McGaw 1170, M/M Irvine 1164, S Milligan & Daughter 1159, D McNabb & Partners 1155.

Noel Maguire wins Open from Mount Charles

The East Down Combine pigeons were in Mount Charles for their third race of the season on Saturday 23 April. Following a bit of early morning mist the birds were released at 12.30 in a light west wind. Mount Charles is the most westerly race point we have, sitting just outside Nenagh in Co Tipperary. For South Down members a west wind gives them a reasonable chance of making the Open result and this week they managed to do that with sixteen birds making the top forty in the Open. They were no doubt helped by the wind turning northwest on the way home.

Pride of place this week goes to Annsborough’s Noel Maguire who had a magnificent race taking 1st and 2nd South Down Fed, 1st and 2nd East Down Combine. I think this is a great result for pigeon racing, as Noel is the proverbial small team man. He started the season with just nine hens and five cocks and the cocks haven't been in a race yet. This just proves you don’t need big teams to compete with the best and lets any young fancier see that if you look after a small time right you will do just as well.

The two pigeons timed here are out of the same pair but not nest mates. They are Van Rijn yearling hens from ‘Benjamin’ lines. Noel got the Van Rijns from Robert McMeekin, Kingsmoss and they are the same way bred as his 2nd Open Rosscarbery National pigeon. The pigeon at second Open here was 8th Fed from Mullingar two weeks previously.

Noel got the Van Rijns in a couple of years ago from Robert McMeekin and they are going really well for him. With an even smaller team last year Noel had some wonderful Open positions to finish well up the leaderboard for the Inland Championship. Noel was very pleased to receive a visit from Robert to congratulate him on his latest success.

Mr & Mrs Irvine Tyrella are 3rd Fed this week and take a very commendable 4th east section, 5th Open. This will be a good tonic for Mervyn as he recovers from a recent operation and I would like to take this opportunity to wish him a speedy recovery. Philomena and Patrick are obviously doing a good job in Mervyn’s absence.

The pigeon timed here is a two-year-old Grondelaar/Hofkens hen.

Annsborough’s G & P Brown have two birds in the result at 4th and 6th Fed, 9th and 11th section, 13th and 15th Open to give them another great result.

Their first bird had been 3rd club the previous week from Tullamore and it had some very impressive results last year, when it was 1st Fed, 1st section, 4th Open Tullamore and 2nd Fed, 2nd section, 5th Open Talbenny when it won the 3 Bird Channel Championship.

The sire of this pigeon is the Lindelauf cock that won the section from Pilmore Beach in 2008. The dam is a Busschaert, which has bred a lot of prizewinners for K Rooney & Son who are responsible for the majority of Patrick and Geraldine’s best racers these days.

Their second pigeon is another one from K Rooney & Son. It was 6th Fed, 6th section, 15th Open from Bude last year and is a Reynaert through Herbot Bros Belgium. This bird was 10th Fed Fermoy, and 6th Fed, 7th section, 21st Open Talbenny last year, so again a very impressive racing record.

A Murray & Son, having a terrific start to the season in the Dundrum club are 5th Fed, 10th section, 14th Open here. The pigeon timed by Archie and Paddy is a yearling cock. The sire is a M Corens x Frans Laermans and was the young bird of the year in the Fed in 2006. It was six times first club, including, 6th Fed, 9th section, 36th Open Skibbereen YB Derby (1), 6th Fed, 16th section, Skibbereen YB Derby (2), 1st Fed, 31st North section, 59th Skibbereen YB National, and then as a yearling it was 23rd North section, 52nd Open Skibbereen National. The dam is a M Corens hen, which has always been in the stock loft, and is the dam and grand dam of multiple winners for the Murrays and others.

Annalong’s Jim Newell is seventh Fed this year. After a couple of leaner years Jim bounced back to top form last year taking 1st Open in the Derek Wishart race from Fermoy.

The pigeon timed here is a Soontjens yearling cock that was 38th Open the previous week from Tullamore and from his long line of Soontjens which produced many Open winners including his dual Open winner, ‘Concorde’.

D Croskery & Son Annsborough are 8th Fed with a yearling De Klak x Walker cross. This bird won three prizes as a young bird and the dam was also the dam of their Classic winner.

Annalong’s Bobby McConnell was 9th Fed with the bird that was 1st Fed, 1st Open last week from Tullamore. This pigeon is surely in tiptop form at the moment. This pigeon is a yearling that was only having its third race, having been trained only in 2010. It was bred by Bobby’s good friends Arnie and Sylvia Tonks from the West Midlands and contains their top Marc De Cock bloodlines.

The result is completed by Mickey Croskery Annsborough in 10th position. Mickey’s pigeon is a yearling cock whose dam is out of the Bude Open winner and ‘the cairn’, a winner of a host of prizes including 2nd Open Talbenny and 6th Open Bude. The sire is a son of John Jobey’s Queen’s Cup winner.

Full Result: 1, 2, N Maguire Annsborough 1601.2, 1601.0; 3, Mr & Mrs Irvine Tyrella 1584; 4, G & P Brown Annsborough 1564.5; 5, A Murray & Son Dundrum 1564.2; 6, G & P Brown 1564.0; 7, J Newell Annalong 1561.63; 8, D Croskery & Son Annsborough 1561.60; 9, B McConnell Annalong 1561.3; 10, M Croskery Annsborough 1560:

· The DTW was won from 2nd Mount Charles by G & P Brown. A new DTW will start this week from Fermoy.

· Thanks to everybody who made the May Day race such a success and congratulations to the winners J Maguire & Ptrs. Report to follow next week.

· The Dundonald club are holding a 3-bird challenge from the Skibbereen Classic. Entry is £30 and numbers should be with Len McKinstry today 4th May. (Phone 07902693735). Anybody wanting any further details on this can contact Len or myself.

SDF Report by Brendan McLoughlin.