Homer's Odyssey - 20/03/09

[willie reynolds]

Armand Scheers Visits Northern Ireland

Last weekend seen the arrival in Northern Ireland of the highly respected Armand Scheers as a quest of the H Beattie & Son family from Portadown. This is the second time in recent months due to demand that Armand has travelled over to offer his services with regards examining and testing of the local fanciers pigeons who frequent the highly successful Beattie establishment on the Portadown Road. Armand as many will know speaks fluent English and has already commissioned many books and DVD's with regards pigeon health and indeed has travelled all over the world sitting on various Moots and Quiz Panels. Like his previous visit to the Northern Ireland, many customers of the Beattie store attended his mobile clinic within the shop during the course of Friday and due to the level of fanciers having their prized pigeons checked Armand also seen fanciers from 9.00am until 1.30pm on Saturday, during the course of Friday and Saturday close to 100 fanciers had availed of his expertise with a very high level of fanciers given a clean bill of health with regards their pigeons. The Beattie family have run the very successful feeding business in Portadown now for many years with son Cyril taking over the reins from his father Henry a former Kings Cup winner some years ago, and the business to this day continues to go from strength to strength.

Sales Season at Larne & District: The local clubrooms at the Old Glenarm Road will host a number of sales over the next few weeks, Owen Donnelly as usual will be the local auctioneer. Larne Weekly Sale for Larne & Dist and all GB09L Rings will be Thursday 19th March, one night earlier on Wednesday a Breeder/Buyer Sale for Ballynure & District. The Larne Sale for the 5th YB Race will be Thursday 26th March open to members of Larne & Dist, Horseshoe and Glenarm & Dist. The Larne Social Club Breeder/Buyer Sale for Talbenny National will be held on Thursday 2nd April, again this is open to members of Larne & Dist, Horseshoe and Glenarm & Dist. Finally the Breeder/Buyer Sale for Glenarm & Dist will be held on Thursday 16th April, a fantastic selection of birds will be available. More info on the sales will be available later.

John Lowry from Crumlin will have a new transporter on the road for training intending to go every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Crates will be available for individual use if required. Pick Up times are Dunsilly Car Park 7.00 – 7.15am, Nutts Corner 8.00 – 8.15am, Crumlin & District clubrooms 8.30 – 8-45am, Glenavy & District clubrooms 9.00 – 9-15am, Moira Roundabout 9.30 – 9-45am. Tel: 07710 447262.

Ballymena & District HPS: Will run a Ring Nomination YB Race during 2009 open only to lofts who compete in the Mid Antrim Combine. Race Licence No IR 06/09, contact Jim Harris or Willie Reynolds.

Ballymoney/Ballymena Clocks: The clocks for the Ballymoney HPS should be returned to the clubrooms on Monday 23rd March, Ballymena & Dist HPS Clocks to be returned on Monday 30th March at 8.00pm.

Harryville HPS will have a meeting for collection of fees, race sheets, clocks etc, in the clubrooms at Antrim Road on Thursday 19th March at 8.00pm.

Springvale Social: Watch out for the new season Gold Ring Race to be flown in the NIPA Inland YB Nat open to all lofts in the NIPA Sections B & C covering all the top lofts in the hot bed of Mid & East Antrim. Rings are £20 each, RPRA Licence No. IR 02/09. Contact any of the following – Victor Montgomery Tel: 93-340021, Robert Scott Tel: 93-322798, Campbell McGrugan Tel: 93-340981 or Michael Fasciolo Tel: 07854 910228.

Corcreeney Breeder/Buyer: In its 5th season the race will once again be the INFC Skibbereen, fanciers should note that the club have paid out a 1st prize of £2,000 over the last four years making it one of the best around. Sale Dates are Newtownbreda on Thursday 19th March and Banbridge on Thursday 26th March. Always top stock in this one – don’t miss out!

The Young Bird Sale for the Renovation Fund at Glenavy Protestant Hall will be held on Wednesday 25th March starting at 7.30pm. Birds are donated by a number of top lofts including various Studs. Auctioneer is Ronnie Johnston and he is to sponsor a prize for the Best Performance of a young bird purchased. The list of donations and birds promised to date includes: R Keegan & Son (Holywood Lofts), Rob Hunter, John Patterson, R Williamson, Russell Bros, D Calvin, R Duddy, G Buckley & Son, Fleming Bros, C & L Woodside, G Douglas, G & F Lindsay, A Darragh, Ritchie Ryder, D Mawhinney & Son, E Wright & Son, B Hogg & Son, Robert McMeekin, James Courtney, G Benson, M/M G Delaney, John Millar, Donnelly Bros, Ian Gibb & Sons, J Crossan, N Black & Son, Spence Bros, F Scott, Joe & Mark Brown, W Sawyers, McDonald & Wilkinson, J Maguire & Partners, Ian Axe Stud, H Beattie & Son, R Johnston, Syd Collins, Louella Stud, G & J McCartney, V Thom, Joe Murphy (BHW Scribe), T Marshall & Son, W Greer, S S Cairns, D Harbinson, etc.

Laurelvale HPS: Proudly present a Young Bird Auction in aid of new clubrooms to be held on Friday 27th March at 7.30pm in the Banbridge British Legion. Auctioneer is Ronnie Johnston, birds on view from 6.30pm. A super draft of young pigeons kindly donated by the following fanciers, bidding will start at £30. Joe Adamson, T & G Kennedy, McFarland & Agnew, Mal Maguire & Son, D & J Armstrong & Son, Mark Maguire & Son, David Black & Son, D Mawhinney & Son, Joe Brown, J & J Milligan, S S Cairns, R Mills & Son, J Cleland, T Mooney & Son, M Conlon & Son, Eddie McAlinden, A Cousins & Son, Allan McDonald, Joe Cromie, Mansel McDowell, Alan Darragh, Ron McKelvey, M/M G Delaney, McKinstry Bros, Roy Donaldson, Eddie McKnight, Donnelly Bros, Willie Neill, Geoffrey Douglas, John Patterson, J Dowey & Sons, Davy Strain, T & A Ford, J Trotter, Colin Gibson, Nelson Weir, Jeff Greenaway, Ron Williamson, Alan Hall, Tom Wilson, G & F Hall, C & L Woodside, K Henderson & Son, E Wright & Son, Mark Hughes, and R Kennedy. Updated list at 23/02/2009, a sale not to be missed!

Ballycarry & Dist will hold its annual Breeder/Buyer sale to be held on Friday 27th March from 7.30 pm in the clubrooms, Fairhill, Ballycarry. The sale is open to NIPA Section C only and has a guaranteed payout of £500. The race will be the Rosscarbery Young Bird National - Race Licence number IR 11/09.

Glengormley are planning for this year an Open Breeder & Buyer Sale with £1,000 to Breeder and £1,000 to buyer and the race the final INFC Skibbereen. Sales are being arranged for Newtownbreda on Monday 23rd March, Ligoniel on Friday 27th March, Grosvenor on Friday 4th April and Glengormley on Saturday 11th April, more details later. In the meantime I have some contact numbers. Michael Mullan Tel: 07774 731652, Matt Murphy Tel: 07799 765327 and Hugh Bigger Tel: 07796 848484.

Doagh & District HPS: The annual Y/Bird Breeder/Buyer Sale will be held in the Linfield Club, Ballyclare on Thursday 2nd April kick off 8pm. Over £1,000 is paid out every year, and with youngsters promised from many of the top local lofts, plus top English lofts we are hoping that this year will be even better than before. Remember Cards only, Minimum bid £20 and open only to NIPA Section C lofts. 40% to Breeder, 40% to Buyer and 20% for Club. All ring numbers to be with the Doagh Secretary John Wilson by 30th May 2009, and the race will be the Rosscarbery NIPA Y/Bird National.

Banbridge British Legion will host a Super Sale of top quality Young Birds donated by some of Ireland’s top fanciers in aid of Northern Ireland Leukaemia Research. Date Friday 3rd April at 8.00pm sharp. Further details from Eddie McAlinden Tel: 07771 813198. Lofts who have donated birds so far include: E McAlinden & Sons (Banbridge), T Lennon (Banbridge), D Carson (Banbridge), P Byrne (Banbridge), T Greenaway (Gilford), G O’Dowd (Gilford), B McGrath (Drumnavaddy), S Curran (Lurgan Social), H Beattie (Laurelvale), M/M C G Gibson (Corcreeney), T & K Mawhinney (Donacloney), R McCracken (Banbridge), D Mawhinney & Son (Dollingstown), R McKelvey (Newry), M Conlon (Banbridge), J Nelson (Milltown), T Marshall & Son (Newtownbreda), G Buckley & Son (Annaghmore), W Neill (Annaghmore), M/M G Delaney (Dromore), Donnelly Bros (Newry City), A McAteer (Ballyholland), T Mooney & Son (Newry), A & S McKinstry (Rathfriland), J Crossan Downpatrick), P Murdock (Newry), J Murdock (Newry), C O’Hare (Ballyholland), Gregory Bros (Arklow), S Leonard (Arklow), H McLaughlin (Coalisland), McCartan & Woodside (Crossgar), I Gibb & Sons (Derriaghy), J Greenaway (Hills & Maze), M & F Russell Dromore), N Black & Son (Dromara), T McKinstry (Banbridge Soc), R Williamson (Bondhill).

Glenavy & District HPS will be holding a Young Bird Breeder/Buyer Sale on Friday 3rd April 2009 at 8 pm. Young Birds will be on view from 7 pm. 50% of the money raised at the sale will be paid out as prize money with 50% of the prize money to the breeder and 50% to the Buyer. One prize only will apply. The Breeder/Buyer race will be held from Skibbereen Inland National INFC on 19th September 2009. All fanciers are welcome to the sale.

Portadown Invitation Flying Club will have a Grand Squeaker Sale in their Meadow Lane Clubrooms on Friday 3rd April at 8.00pm. Birds have been obtained from top local fancier’s, birds purchased can compete for a top prize in the NIPA Talbenny YB National. This is not a Breeder/Buyer event, winner takes all. Malcolm Livingstone (Secretary).

Dundrum HPS will hold a Young Bird sale on Friday 3rd April 2009 in the Crossgar clubrooms, in aid of funds to install electricity in their clubrooms. Sale will commence at 8-00pm sharp, with birds being on view from 7-00pm. Youngsters donated by a number of top lofts. Everyone welcome!

Martin Graham (Ballymena & District) will have young birds for sale for the first time, his birds are the best of Norman Thompson (Walkingshaw), Jackie Waring (Lisburn) and his own Frans Van Wildemeersch (Fletcher & Son). These birds are tested through to France, his recent results include 1st Sect & 2nd Open NIPA Lamballe OB Nat 2003 and 2nd Sect & 4th Open NIPA St Malo OB Nat 2008. Young Birds £45 each or Kits of 6 for £250. First round available from the stock birds and race team. Tel: (028) 25 637929, Mobile: 07835 099155.

Glenavy & District HPS: Gold Wing Race sponsored by H Beattie & Son will go ahead as before in 2009, rings available now. Contact Gordon Parker Tel: 07734 235965, John Withers Tel: 07752 430972, or H Beattie & Son Tel: (028) 38 840486. Race details and prizes later.

The AGM for the INFC was held at the weekend in Lisburn Leisure Centre, members were in attendance from across Ireland. All items on the agenda carried and that included a 20 bird limit in all races, a code of conduct for convoyers and official liberators, election of 3 race advisors, inland nationals to have open and section pools and prizes, birds may be timed electronically, members can use approved timing clocks without thimbles (only T3 at present), and race dates can be changed to avoid periods of unfavourable weather.

The proposed race programme is: Skibbereen OB Inland Nat on Wednesday 27th May, Sennen cove Yearling Nat on Wednesday 10th June, Kings Cup Vannes on Friday 3rd July, Friendship Nat TBA, Sennen Cove YB & Old Hens National Wednesday 9th September, Skibbereen YB Nat on Saturday 19th September.

The oldest pigeon racing organization in Ireland founded in 1896 was the Ulster Federation based in Belfast, they held the award night recently in the Balmoral Hotel. The Browne Family traveled up from Northside in Dublin to collect the famous Millar Gold Cup presented to the first IHU bird from France. Gerald McGowan & Son from Grosvenor had the only bird on the day in the Old Bird Derby flown from St Malo and J & D Braniff from Wheatfield won the Ulster Fed Fancier of the Year for the second year in succession.

The IHU Meritorious Awards are presented for the best single bird performance in two cross channel races and for the first time both were won by members of the same club. Winners in Wheatfield HPS were D & G Ferguson and B & K Mullan and I believe this was the first time the two awards were won in the one club. The final presentation was the Inter Society Shield, the top club in the Ulster Federation won yet again by the members of Grosvenor HPS.

The Irish Homing Union Nat FC major awards for 2008 were presented at the annual Dublin Show. I have some results and a number of photos. If any details on the season are missing please send them on, thanks as well to Derek Cummins and Mick O’Driscoll for their help.

Barleycove OB 190/2,380 – Liberated 12.30 on 11th May 2008, wind Lt NE. 1-A1 Bodie & Dobson Cabra 1339 Euro 632, 2-B1 J J Hurley & Son Carlow & Dist 1338 E391, 3-A2 David Turner Finglas 1330 E150, 4-A3 M Gilligan Finglas 1328 E150, 5-D1 Bill Gahan & Son Enniscorthy & Dist 1309 E391, 6-D2 James Hamilton New Ross & Dist 1304 E50, 7-A4 M Gilligan 1303 E50, 8-A5 David Turner 1300 E50, 9-D3 Dobbs Bros Wexford Utd 1299 E50, 10-A6 Alan Farrell Finglas 1298 E182, 11-A7 Alan Farrell 1297 E95,12-D4 Leonard & Greenaway Arklow Utd 1296 E116, 13-A8 M Gilligan 1294, 14-D5 Declan Wilson Gorey 1294, 15-A9 Alan Farrell 1294 E16, 16-D6 Stephen Kelly New Ross & Dist 1293, 17-B2 Ronald Brennan Barrow Valley 1293, 18-B3 J J Hurley & Son 1293, 19-B4 Joe Brennan Barrow Valley 1292, 20-A10 Bodie & Dobson 1292 E48, 21-A11 Bob Allan Shelbourne 1292 E32, 22-A12 O’Callaghan & Farrell Cabra 1291 E240, 23-A13 W McCarthy Cabra 1290, 24-D7 Ger Furlong Wexford North & South 1287, 25-A14 John Byrne & Sons Ballymun 1286 E86, 26-D8 Michael & Joe O’Reilly Arklow Utd 1285 E77, 27-D9 Leonard & Greenaway 1285 E38, 28-B5 Dwain Brennan Carlow & Dist 1285, 29-A15 M Gilligan 1284, 30-A16 Tommy Kane & Son Donnycarney 1284.

Sennen Cove OB 180/944 – Liberated 7.15 on 7th June 2008, wind NW. 1-A1 John Nash Cabra 1251 Euro 1,138, 2-A2 David Turner Finglas 1250 E250, 3-A3 Derek Larkin Finglas 1247 E482, 4-A4 Brown & Smith Finglas SW 1246 E371, 5-A5 John Byrne & Sons Ballymun 1237 E464, 6-A6 John Whelan Donnycarney 1231 E50, 7-A7 J Toner Shelbourne 1228 E50, 8-A8 Martin Walsh DHC 1227 E50, 9-A9 Martin Walsh 1225 E50, 10-A10 Tom Nelson Ballymun 1222 E50, 11-A11 J & B Ryan DHC 1219, 12-D1 Patrick Lambert Arklow Utd 1214 E248, 13-A12 M/M J Flood Dublin Prem 1211, 14-A13 Danny Dalton & Son Finglas 1193, 15-D2 Declan Wilson Gorey RPC 1189, 16-D3 Liam McCall Wicklow SR 1187 E52, 17-A14 Martin Walsh 1183, 18-D4 Kennedy & Jackman Enniscorthy & Dist 1182 E48, 19-A15 W McCarthy Cabra 1180, 20-A16 – Martin Walsh 1179, 21-A17 Tommy Kane & Son Donnycarney 1179, 22-A18 Brian Hoey Ballymun 1178, 23-A19 Allan Best Tallaght 1174, 24-A20 Bob Allan Shelbourne 1173, 25-B1 M Matthews Kilkenny 1172 E208, 26-D5 Robert Moorehouse Enniscorthy & Dist 1169, 27-A21 Liam Rafferty IHU 1163, 28-A22 John Ellis IDN 1161.

Sennen Cove OB 131/729 – Liberated 10.00 on 14th June 2008, wind NW. 1-A1 John Byrne & Sons Ballymun 1288 Euro 1,157, 2-A2 J & B Ryan DHC 1285 E665, 3-A3 Danny Dalton & Son Finglas 1278 E323, 4-A4 David Turner Finglas 1276 E100, 5-D1 Francis Crowe Gorey RPC 1273 E150, 6-D2 Leonard & Greenaway Arklow Utd 1273 E208, 7-D3 Francis Crowe 1251 E50, 8-A5 Allan Best Tallaght 1249 E173, 9-A6 James Kelly Ballymun 1243 E50, 10-A7 Derek Cummins Son & Dann Finglas 1241 E73, 11-D4 Gregory Bros Wicklow SR 1227 E100, 12-D5 M/M Gregg & Daughter Gorey RPC 1223, 13-D6 Tom Kavanagh Arklow Utd 1213, 14-A8 Derek Cummins Son & Dann 1211, 15-B1 Joe Brennan Barrow Valley 1202 E221, 16-D7 Patrick Lambert Arklow Utd 1199, 17-A9 David Turner 1195, 18-D8 John Conway Arklow Utd 1176, 19-D9 Patrick Lambert 1173, 20-D10 Des O’Connor Gorey RPC 1166, 21-A10 Allan Best 1157, 22-D11 E & S Kavanagh Arklow Utd 1152, 23-A11 M Gilligan Finglas 1147, 24-D12 Burke & Kenna Arklow Utd 1140 E48, 25-A12 Bob Allan Shelbourne 1139, 26-D13 E & S Kavanagh 1137, 27-A13 M Gilligan 1137.

Barleycove OB 61/494 – Liberated 13.58 on 22nd June 2008, wind Strong West. 1-A1 W McCarthy Cabra 1900 Euro 595, 2-D1 John Power New Ross 1881 E250, 3-B1 Michael Purcell Carlow & Dist 1865 E200, 4-A2 Alan Farrell Finglas 1865 E247, 5-D2 W Sinnott & Sons St Francis Inv 1855 E62, 6-A3 Gerry Daley & Son Donnycarney 1846 E203, 7-A4 Derek Cummins Son & Dann Finglas 1842 E50, 8-A5 Alan Farrell 1840 E92, 9-A6 John Byrne & Sons Ballymun 1839 E135, 10-A7 Bob Allan Shelbourne 1838 E87, 11-A8 Gerry Daley & Son 1834, 12-A9 Thomas Daniel Sarsfield RPC 1833 E10, 13-A10 Jay Byrne Dublin Prem 1832, 14-B2 Mick Purcell Carlow & Dist 1829 E6, 15-A11 Allan Best Tallaght 1828, 16-A12 Ingle Bros & Son Shelbourne 1828, 17-B3 Angelo Marsella Newbridge & Dist 1824 E35, 18-A13 Ingle Bros & Son 1823, 19-A14 W McCarthy 1823, 20-A15 W McCarthy 1819, 21-A16 W McCarthy 1817, 22-A17 Jay Byrne 1817, 23-A18 Allan Best 1817, 24-A19 Allan Best 1806, 25-A20 Alan Farrell 1805, 26-B4 David Hurley Barrow Valley 1798, 27-A21 Ingle Bros & Son 1794, 28-B5 Angelo Marsella 1794 E16, 29-A22 M/M Phelan Sarsfield RPC 1789, 30-A23 Gerry Daley & Son 1786.

St Malo OB 69/180 – Liberated 6.45 on 29th June 2008, wind NW. 1-A1 Danny Dalton & Son Finglas 1075 Euro 663, 2-A2 Tommy Speers Malahide 1007 E320, 3-A3 M/M J Flood Dublin Prem 960 E301, 4-A4 Brian O’Mahony Celbridge 940 E401, 5-A5 Michael O’Driscoll & Son Donnycarney 896 E153, 6-D1 Michael & Joe O’Reilly Arklow Utd 868 E266, 7-A6 Danny Dalton & Son 666 E50, 8-A7 Christy Keogh DHC 617 E91, 9-A8 Jay Byrne Dublin Prem 578 E163, 10-A9 Bob Allan Shelbourne 527 E50, 11-A10 John Ellis NAT 499, 12-A11 Derek Cummins Son & Dann Finglas 429, 13-A12 Daniel Bros Donnycarney 394, 14-D2 Francis Crowe Gorey RPC 359 E62, 15-A13 Tommy Speers 324.

In a hard race from St Malo in France just 6 birds were recorded on the day with Danny Dalton & Son from Finglas timing at 17.15pm to record velocity 1075 for the 385 miles. They were followed by former Kings Cup winner Tommy Speers from Malahide at 17.56pm and Mr & Mrs Flood from Dublin Premier at 18.21pm.