BHW - 27/11/15
Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 8:40 am
Records Smashed at Dublin Show –
In his final Dublin Show before taking a well-deserved break Timmy Mawhinney from Donacloney in Northern Ireland smashed all the standing records, won 11 x 1sts, 2nd in three others and had 37 cards with his entry of 42 birds. Winning Best in Show for the 10th time beats the long standing record of Kevin Henderson from Lurgan. He has won Most Points on 12 occasions and the BOS winner this year has been Best in Show at Dublin twice with several other awards including Blackpool. This year the top Young Bird won Best in Show, the Blue Pied hen “Ups a Daisy” has a very big future.
The Dublin Show RPS President Eugene Fitzgerald invited Sheila Lehane the daughter of the late Seamus Lehane long standing Secretary of the Irish Homing Union who passed away earlier this year to present the awards. Results: Class 1 Old Cock Flown Channel – T & K Mawhinney, Class 2 Old Hen Flown Channel – T & K Mawhinney, Class 3 Old Cock Flown – T & K Mawhinney, Class 4 Old Hen Flown – T & K Mawhinney, Class 5 Young Cock Flown – T & K Mawhinney, Class 6 Young Hen Flown – T & K Mawhinney, Class 7 Any Age Cock/Hen Eye-sign – C Maples, Class 8 Old Cock T/W – T & K Mawhinney, Class 9 Old Hen T/W – T & K Mawhinney, Class 10 Young Hen T/W – T & K Mawhinney, Class 11 Young Cock T/W – T & K Mawhinney, Class 12 Matched Pairs – T & K Mawhinney, Class 13 Colour Class – A McKavanagh, Class 14 Show Racer Young Hen – Edgar & Wiggins, Class 15 Show Racer Young Cock – Edgar & Wiggins, Class 16 Late Bred Cock or Hen – D Coleman, Class 17 Show Racer Old Cock Un-flown – Edgar & Wiggins, Class 18 Show Racer Old Hen Un-flown – Edgar & Wiggins.
The Edgar & Wiggins from Coleraine in Co Londonderry won the four Show Classes. The Racing Pigeon very kindly sponsored the Replica Awards for BIS & BOS. Judges for the event from the UK included, Terry Craggs, Jack Cockeroft, Sonny Galaway, Harry Moore, Jim Fitzpatrick, Alan Spedding, Keith and Matt Arkness and from Scotland John Bell. During the Auction some 8,000 Euro which was raised in the last year were presented to Charity. Well done to all concerned for another great show effort, with the President a special mention for, Secretary Mick O’Driscoll, Treasurer Jay Byrne, G Daly, M O’Connor and B O’Hanagan, plus the hard working staff on the door.
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Bronagh & Rosie at Drumtara Lofts from Ballymena.
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The Corn Store at Dublin Show.
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Kevin Douglas from Lurgan and friends.
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Drumtara Loft regular visitors to Dublin, W & N Gilbert from Ballymena.
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Boddy & Ridewood stand very busy.
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Parsy Rice (l) from Killyleagh with friend.
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Best in Show Timmy Mawhinney with Eugene Fitzgerald and Shelia Lehane.
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T & K Mawhinney from Donacloney BOS at Dublin.
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C Maples won Class 7.
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Andrew McKavanagh won Class 13.
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Most Points for T & K Mawhinney.
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The RP sponsored both BIS & BOS.
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P McArdle collects awards for Edgar & Wiggins.
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Timmy Mawhinney holds BOS, it was BIS last two years.
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Big collection of awards for T & K Mawhinney of Donacloney.
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D Coleman won Class 16.
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Timmy Mawhinney won 11 individual classes.
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BHW scribe Mick Crean from Cork (r) with Homer.
Portadown & Drumcree – Annual Dinner & Awards
The local club held their Annual Dinner and Presentation of Prizes for 2015 in the Portadown Golf Club, and again were treated to an excellent meal. The last racing season has been very successful for the members with 102 Sect Positions and 90 Open Positions won racing with the NIPA and INFC. Top highlights included a brilliant performance in Bude with 14 birds making the Open Result, added to that in the young bird season 9 birds in Fermoy and then 12 in the Premier YB National from Talbenny in South Wales.
Top performances in the old birds included Malcolm Livingstone 4th Sect & 22nd Open NIPA Corrin with over 26,000 birds, Bobby Creaney 3rd Sect & 5th Open and Frank Wright 8th Sect & 17th Open NIPA Bude, Sloan & Reid 12th Sect & 66th Open NIPA Penzance and Aiden Fearon continued his top performance on the channel by taking 2nd Sect & 7th Open NIPA Sennen Cove Classic.
In the French races the partnership of Hagan & Rowney were 10th Sect & 24th Open NIPA St Malo Nat with the only bird on the day in a difficult race. It the Kings Cup from Saint Allouestre in was Sloan & Reid who had 1st Club, with G Matchett & Sons runner-up and Allan McDonald the former Kings Cup winner 3rd, all 3 birds made the INFC Open Result.
Top results continued with the young birds with John Gordon 15th & 18th Sect in Tullamore (1) and Tullamore (3). In Clonmel Hagan & Rowney 2nd Sect & 20th Open NIPA, Prunty & Hamill 9th Sect & 43rd Open, Larkin Bros 18th & 19th Sect and 57th & 58th Open. In Fermoy Hagan & Rowney again had top spot, with Allan McDonald and Malcolm Livingstone taking the next 4 places. In the Talbenny YB National another brilliant performance from partners Martin Hagan and Philip Rowney again 1st plus 2nd and 5th, and Larkin Bros a close 3rd and 4th. In Fermoy Martin & Philip dominated the result with 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
In the challenging YB National from Penzance the partners Alan and Paul Larkin had their top performance of the season with the top three in the club plus 13th, 45th & 51st Sect and 19th, 66th & 71st Open INFC. The Matchett Bros clocked two birds in the Open Result to complete an excellent club performance.
In the Rosscarbery National it was Club Chairman Allan McDonald who had the top spot winning 1st Portadown Centre, 3rd Sect & 69th Open NIPA. In the final race from Skibbereen the Larkin Bros finished top again and an excellent 26th North Sect & 32nd Open INFC.
Special guest at the dinner was former Kings Cup winner Diamond Carson from Banbridge who along with his late father Dick won the Blue Riband Kings Cup plus a motor car in 1989. Diamond thanked the club for the invitation to present the awards and congratulated the members on such a successful season.
Top Prize-winners were partners Martin Hagan and Philip Rowney who were Club Fancier of the Year winning 6 x 1sts and numerous Open Positions and lifting 8 Cups. This included OB Average, Cross Channel Average and Combined Averages. Larkin Bros will be well pleased with their season finishing 2nd, lifting 6 Cups and winning both Penzance and Skibbereen Nationals. The 3rd Highest Prize-winner was Malcolm Livingstone and he was the man to beat in the OB Inland race programme winning again the Inland Average. He collected 3 Cups and took top spot in Corrin and Rosscarbery National.
Allan McDonald in 4th place won 4 Cups with wins Pilmore Beach and Rosscarbery YB Nat, he had Bird of the Year with his Blue Cheq (h) that took 1st, 2nd and 5th in the young bird season. Paul and Glen Matchett were 5th a very consistent season with many good performances. They were Top Prize-winners in the 2 Bird Club winning the William McDonald Memorial Cup. Sloan & Reid enjoyed success by taking 1st in the Yearling National, Penzance and the Kings Cup, top racing in the cross channel season. Aiden Fearon won 2 Cups and 1 Cup each for John Gordon and Bobby Creaney. Many thanks to Allen McDonald for the text and photos.
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Martin Hagan (l) with special guest Diamond Carson.
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Allan McDonald.
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Malcolm Livingstone.
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Aiden Fearon.
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Francey Sloan.
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Paul Matchett.
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S & N Haughian.
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Alan & Paul Larkin.
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\"Charlotte\" Bird of the Year for A McDonald.
P & J Jones, Skerries –
I spoke with Paul at Dublin Show and he promised to send me some racing details, he was with good friend Derek Cummins no mean racer himself, Paul races in partnership with son John. Bude last season was a top result, 1st, 9th & 10th Open in the East Coast Fed (Dublin) and the fastest velocity into Ireland that particular day. One week later from Penzance finished 3rd Open ECF beat by 2 yards following a bad trap.
Then with the young birds, 5th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 27th, 29th, 36th, 40th Open from Talbenny Derby followed in the young bird National from Penzance, they were 12th, 18th, 20th and 38th INFC. .
At the East Coast Federation presentation, they won the Gold Medal for the Best Young Bird in the Federation, after winning it last year. They also won the Young Bird average on the channel and the trophy for the 1st Open winner.
In the 2014 racing season the loft won 11 x 1sts, other positions included 40th Open Talbenny and 19th Fed Penzance with same bird, from Tramore 8th, 9th & 10th Fed and then 2nd, 3rd & 4th Fed Pilmore Beach. They won the YB Gold Ring with 2nd Open Talbenny, 2nd Open in Penzance 200/1534, 1st Fed Owenahincha 209/5046, 3rd Open St Malo 101/364. 3rd Open Talbenny 168/1466 plus Gold Medal. Well done Paul & John.
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Paul Jones (l) with good friend Derek Cummins at Dublin Show.
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Paul Jones collecting awards at the 2015 ECF prize night in Balbriggan.
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Harryville HPS Open YB Show – Some 185 birds were penned for the Young Bird Open Show, judges from Rasharkin & District were Jackie Steele and Mark Milliken. New member Denis Craig had Best in Show and Best Young Bird, Russell Bros from Cullybackey had Best Opposite Sex. The club would like to think all the members and outside members for their support and the sponsors Frazer Animal Feeds and Fish & Chicken Inn, the Moat Bar, Ladysmith Pets, B Herbison Feeds and Ken Wilkinson for the Show Special for the 1st Yearling timed in Penzance, show members only. Results: Young Bird T/W – 1st, 2nd & 3rd D Craig, 4th K Wilkinson & Son, Reserve R Service & Son, VHC Russell Bros, HC A McBride, Commended MDC Magill. Young Bird Handled – 1st & 4th G Price, 2nd & Reserve MDC Magill, 3rd & HC Russell Bros, VHC K Wilkinson & Son, Commended Blair & Rankin. Young Bird Eye-sign – 1st K Wilkinson & Son, 2nd, Reserve & VHC Russell Bros, 3rd T Johnston & Son, 4th G & S Johnston, HC & Commended B Herbison.
Show Season Results -
Ballymena & District HPS – The latest shows for the local club were held on Monday 23th November, judges were from Cullybackey former Kings Cup winners J & J Greer and Jamie Lee. Both classes were won by Russell Bros who have been getting cards all year, the Special for BIS was won by a lovely Red Pied hen. Old Pieds (26 Birds) – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Russell Bros, 4th B Herbison, Reserve & Commended G & A Eagleson, VHC W & N Gilbert, HC McFall & McManus. Young Pairs (58 Birds) - 1st, 4th, & VHC Russell Bros, 2nd B Herbison, 3rd & Commended W & N Gilbert, Reserve & HC W & J Smyth. Raffle was won by Billy Smyth. Coming up 30th November Red, Mealy & Grizzle all judged Through the Wires. The annual Open Show for Mid Antrim Sect B lofts is as usual New Year’s Day in the clubrooms at Fountain Place. Ballymena HPS annual dinner and prize presentation is on Saturday 9th January 2016 in Tullyglass House Hotel. If you would like to attend contact Willy Gilbert on 07761 323459 or speak to Nicola.
Broughshane & District HPS – In the latest results John Getty had 1st on Old Bird Eye-sign and Scott & Clements had the Red Card in Y/B Mated Pairs. Old Bird Eye-sign – 1st J Getty, 2nd & HC M Neilly, 3rd J Simpson, 4th Blair & Rankin, Reserve & VHC D Houston & Son, Commended A Purvis. Young Bird Mated Pairs – 1st Scott & Clements, 2nd J Simpson, 3rd Blair & Rankin, 4th & Commended J Getty, Reserve & HC A Purvis, VHC M Neilly. Judges A Shanks & M Gregg (Kells & Dist).
Kells & Dist HPS – The latest class was for Old Hens through wires, won by Gregg Bros with judge Brian Herbison from Cullybackey. Old Hens T/W (107 Birds) – 1st Gregg Bros, 2nd H Turkington, 3rd, 4th & Reserve A Barkley & Son, VHC B Swann & Son, HC H Boyd, Commended Surgenor Bros. Wednesday – Young Cocks T/W.
Ahoghill Flying Club – Latest winners over the last two weeks Mr & Mrs Robinson won both Old Cock T/W and Young Cock Handled, T & G Balmer had 1st in Old Hen T/W and Willie Livingstone penned the winner of Young Hen Handled. Billy Smyth and George Eagleson from Ballymena judged the Through Wires while Roy Balmer Cullybackey and George Price from Harryville placed the cards in the Handled Classes. Friday – Old Cock & Old Hen Handled. Results: Old Cock T/W – 1st M/M Robinson, 2nd & 4th D & R Turkington, 3rd, HC & Commended T & G Balmer, Reserve B Herbison, VHC Blair & Rankin. Old Hens T/W – 1st & 3rd T & G Balmer, 2nd & VHC B Herbison, 4th Rebeca, Reserve Blair & Rankin, HC & Commended M/M Robinson. Young Cocks Handled – 1st, 2nd & 3rd M/M Robinson, 4th, Reserve & VHC T & G Balmer, HC Balmer Young & Sons, Commended Rebeca. Young Hens Handled – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Reserve & Commended W Livingstone, 4th & VHC A & N Young, HC Balmer Young & Sons.
Ballymoney HPS – The show season for Ballymoney started last Friday with three classes, Young Cock and Hen T/W and Old Bird Eye-sign. W & N Gilbert from Ballymena won Young Cocks plus Special, D & G McMullan had 1st Young Hens and Danny Dixon won 1st Eye-sign. Judges from Crumlin & District were B Kennedy and M McConville. Classes next Friday are Old Cock & Old Hen T/W and YB Eye-sign. Results: Young Cock T/W – 1st & Special W & N Gilbert, 2nd D & G McMullan, 3rd D Dixon, 4th L Neill, Reserve & VHC Brown & Stewart, HC J Edgar, Commended C McCook. Young Hen T/W – 1st & Commended D & G McMullan, 2nd W & N Gilbert, 3rd D Dixon, 4th D Gage, Reserve & HC L Neill, VHC J Edgar. Old Bird Eye-sign – 1st & 3rd D Dixon, 2nd, Reserve, VHC, HC & Commended W & N Gilbert, 4th D Gage.
Cullybackey HPS – Results of the previous two weeks, shows continue each Saturday evening. Old Pairs – 1st, 4th & VHC J & J Greer, 2nd, HC & Commended B Herbison, 3rd A Darragh, Reserve Russell Bros. Young Pairs – 1st & 4th B Herbison, 2nd & HC Russell Bros, 3rd & Commended A Darragh, Reserve J & J Greer, VHC C McIntyre. Best in Show won by J & J Greer, judges Roy Balmer and George Price. Young Cock Handled – 1st, 2nd & Reserve Russell Bros, 3rd & HC J & J Greer, 4th B Herbison, VHC N & S Anderson, Commended A Darragh. Young Hen Handled – 1st & HC C McIntyre, 2nd J & J Greer, 3rd & Commended A Darragh, 4th & Reserve Russell Bros. Special won by Chris McIntyre, judges W & J Smyth and G & A Eagleson from Ballymena.
Lurgan Social Result – 1st T & K Mawhinney, 2nd, 4th, Reserve & VHC A Neill, 3rd K Henderson, HC K Douglas, Commended M Rice. Best Young Bird D & B Lyness. Thanks to Judges Mr & Mrs Flood (Belfast) - next week’s show Special for Best Red or Mealy.
RETURNING TO NORTHERN IRELAND - FORMULA ONE LOFTS
Date: Wednesday 25th November 2015 - PLEASE NOTE DATE
Venue: Chimney Corner Football Club, Randalstown Road, Antrim .
Sale Starts: 8.00pm - Birds On View : from 7.00pm.
Formula 1 lofts are returning to N. Ireland and will have on offer a good selection of Frans Zwols, Louis Thijs/Leo Heremans and Rutz & Son pigeons all bred from our main stock birds. On offer a very select draft of quality pigeons included in the auction will be proven breeders, ex racers along with children from our main stock birds plus a few bred directly by the long distance maestros Mark Gilbert & Mark Bulled
Clearance Sale – Jim Sinton, Muckamore
An entire Clearance Sale on behalf of Jim Sinton will take place on Friday 27th November in the Chimney Corner Football Club in Antrim. The very best Soontjen bloodlines of McKinstry Bros, Dromara plus Busschaert from the late Tom Cotter, and a few loft accessories. Further Information Tel: 07701 000652.
Ards HPS Annual Show will be held in the Portavogie Clubrooms on Saturday 28th November with penning from 12 until 2.00pm. Open to all the fancy in NIPA Sect F and East Down Combine members. Three Classes for Any Age Hen Handled, Any Age Cock Handled and Eye-sign. Top judges, and prizes for all cards. A sale of 2016 Young Birds to be held after the show.
Larne & District HPS Annual Monster Show -
Will be held in the Larne Cubrooms, Old Glenarm Road on Saturday 28th November 2015. Penning 10.00am to 1.30pm, with 6 classes. Old cocks, Old hens, Young cocks, Young Hens, Old & Young bird eye sign. Judging 2.00pm to 5.00pm with Prize distribution at 5.30pm. Entry Fee £1 per bird (May be duplicated into Eye-sign) - Judges from top lofts. Money prizes for Best in Show and Best Opposite Sex - Prizes for all classes. 1st Bag of feeding , 2nd Homoform , 3rd Drinker , 4th Feeding trough , 5th Gritmember in show , 6th Pickstones , 7th Bottle of wine.
All Larne & District entries will be eligible for the £50 Roscarberry prize. £50 prize for best placed Larne & District in show (split if more than one winner). MONSTER SHOW AUCTION @ 3pm - Select 2015 young birds donated by local fanciers – £1000 prize money for Rosscarberry or equivalent race.
Only Section C fanciers may compete in the race. Other section fanciers may donate a bird for auction – the prize is allocated on a 40% breeder/60% buyer split. For further information or to enquire to sell birds contact Owen Donnelly Tel: 028 28260425. Mobile: 07816 910993.
Stalls on the day will include: Robert Kirkwood – To ensure all your requirements are meet on the day please give Robert a ring on 028 92671178. Liam O’Neill – Nest Boxes, Pipo boxes etc. North Coast Classic – One Loft Race. Blaris Lofts - Gary Jennings Top winning loft.
Complete Clearance C & L Woodside -
Leslie Woodside of C & L Woodside Ballyclare has received heart-breaking news – his health problems are more advanced than first thought and the 2 x Reduction Sales have now become a Complete Clearance Sale. The complete team of stock birds, all the top racers and young birds will be sold in 4 Sales the first of which has been arranged for Glenavy Protestant Hall with Part (2) Saturday 28th November. Auctioneer Ronnie Johnston said “This is the most important sale of true distance birds that have a tremendous record from France – just like his mentor Smyth Bros of Ballymena. One would need to go back 20 years when I sold the pigeons of Gilmour & Beattie containing the bloodlines of the ace flyers Henry Beattie and Bob Harkness” for something similar. Leslie as you would expect is devastated but his health is paramount. C & L Woodside won the INFC National Champion award in 2003, runner-up in 2002 and 2013, and they have a string of top results at the distance including 1st Open INFC Sennen Cove YB National in 2007 with Skilgan Choice”. Add to that 2nd Open INFC Friendship Nat, 4th, 9th & 9th in Kings Cup, 3 x Merit Awards, Friendship Triple Award, Hall of Fame etc. They are one of Ireland’s great National Lofts! With the help of good friend Maurice Alexander the Sale Lists for the first two are ready Tel Leslie (028) 93 322371 or Ronnie (028) 90 483625. The second sale will feature a number of birds that have flown France including 4th Open Friendship Nat, Lt Ch hen 83rd Open Friendship Nat 2015, Pied hen lofts first bird in this seasons Kings Cup, Ch Pied cock a special bird from the old Smyth Bros unrung cock, Dk Ch hen sire flown Kings Cup 2013, 2014 and 2015, Blue w/f cock full brother to 2nd & 9th Open Friendship Nat, Blue Pd hen sire flew Kings Cup 2015 bfrom a grand-son of Jackie Warings Gold Medal winner, Blue Ch cock from a son of Jack Patience x Smyth Bros stock sire of 18th & 21=st Kings Cup. This sale will contain the best selection of his younger pigeons and they are the birds of the future! That Ace Fancier John Patterson of Ballylesson has flown many great pigeons down the land, over the channel and France. He was one of the first to fly the Smyth Bros Kenyon’s and they won some great races for him including runner-up for the Millar Gold Cup. He thinks that they are still the tops and no better bloodlines are available in the UK! The Woodside Sale will be a great opportunity for fanciers to obtain these great lines.
Rab Hunter of Ballynahinch –
One of the most important sales of top class stock birds is due very soon. We all know Rab is one of the top buyers in Ireland when it comes to purchasing top quality pigeons, he is fearless when he knows what he wants. In this sale will be the Hutchinson Soontjen pigeons that Rab purchased at Davy’s Record Breaking Sale – just last week at Dublin Show the 25 Hutchinson pigeons made an average 600 Euro (£450). Rab’s birds are the very best of this family bred from the best, a rare opportunity to obtain these. On top of that a lot of money was spent getting the best from Premier Stud. Rab like us all is getting no younger and has decided to close a Stock Loft. Late News – The sale has now been booked for Monday 7th December in Newtownbreda Clubrooms at 7.30pm.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
www.pigeonnetwork.com
www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
See Ballymena Hps on Facebook.
Photo Captions
Dinner15 - Laurelvale HPS members and guests, Joe Adamson and Nigel Anderson at their Annual Dinner and Prize Giving in The Bannville House Hotel in Banbridge.
Cups15 - Cups and trophies presented at Laurelvale.
Winners at Harryville Open Show, D Craig, G Price and K Wilkinson with judges.
All Cullybackey at Ballymena show Len Russell with judges J & J Greer.
In his final Dublin Show before taking a well-deserved break Timmy Mawhinney from Donacloney in Northern Ireland smashed all the standing records, won 11 x 1sts, 2nd in three others and had 37 cards with his entry of 42 birds. Winning Best in Show for the 10th time beats the long standing record of Kevin Henderson from Lurgan. He has won Most Points on 12 occasions and the BOS winner this year has been Best in Show at Dublin twice with several other awards including Blackpool. This year the top Young Bird won Best in Show, the Blue Pied hen “Ups a Daisy” has a very big future.
The Dublin Show RPS President Eugene Fitzgerald invited Sheila Lehane the daughter of the late Seamus Lehane long standing Secretary of the Irish Homing Union who passed away earlier this year to present the awards. Results: Class 1 Old Cock Flown Channel – T & K Mawhinney, Class 2 Old Hen Flown Channel – T & K Mawhinney, Class 3 Old Cock Flown – T & K Mawhinney, Class 4 Old Hen Flown – T & K Mawhinney, Class 5 Young Cock Flown – T & K Mawhinney, Class 6 Young Hen Flown – T & K Mawhinney, Class 7 Any Age Cock/Hen Eye-sign – C Maples, Class 8 Old Cock T/W – T & K Mawhinney, Class 9 Old Hen T/W – T & K Mawhinney, Class 10 Young Hen T/W – T & K Mawhinney, Class 11 Young Cock T/W – T & K Mawhinney, Class 12 Matched Pairs – T & K Mawhinney, Class 13 Colour Class – A McKavanagh, Class 14 Show Racer Young Hen – Edgar & Wiggins, Class 15 Show Racer Young Cock – Edgar & Wiggins, Class 16 Late Bred Cock or Hen – D Coleman, Class 17 Show Racer Old Cock Un-flown – Edgar & Wiggins, Class 18 Show Racer Old Hen Un-flown – Edgar & Wiggins.
The Edgar & Wiggins from Coleraine in Co Londonderry won the four Show Classes. The Racing Pigeon very kindly sponsored the Replica Awards for BIS & BOS. Judges for the event from the UK included, Terry Craggs, Jack Cockeroft, Sonny Galaway, Harry Moore, Jim Fitzpatrick, Alan Spedding, Keith and Matt Arkness and from Scotland John Bell. During the Auction some 8,000 Euro which was raised in the last year were presented to Charity. Well done to all concerned for another great show effort, with the President a special mention for, Secretary Mick O’Driscoll, Treasurer Jay Byrne, G Daly, M O’Connor and B O’Hanagan, plus the hard working staff on the door.
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Bronagh & Rosie at Drumtara Lofts from Ballymena.
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The Corn Store at Dublin Show.
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Kevin Douglas from Lurgan and friends.
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Drumtara Loft regular visitors to Dublin, W & N Gilbert from Ballymena.
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Boddy & Ridewood stand very busy.
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Parsy Rice (l) from Killyleagh with friend.
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Best in Show Timmy Mawhinney with Eugene Fitzgerald and Shelia Lehane.
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T & K Mawhinney from Donacloney BOS at Dublin.
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C Maples won Class 7.
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Andrew McKavanagh won Class 13.
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Most Points for T & K Mawhinney.
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The RP sponsored both BIS & BOS.
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P McArdle collects awards for Edgar & Wiggins.
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Timmy Mawhinney holds BOS, it was BIS last two years.
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Big collection of awards for T & K Mawhinney of Donacloney.
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D Coleman won Class 16.
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Timmy Mawhinney won 11 individual classes.
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BHW scribe Mick Crean from Cork (r) with Homer.
Portadown & Drumcree – Annual Dinner & Awards
The local club held their Annual Dinner and Presentation of Prizes for 2015 in the Portadown Golf Club, and again were treated to an excellent meal. The last racing season has been very successful for the members with 102 Sect Positions and 90 Open Positions won racing with the NIPA and INFC. Top highlights included a brilliant performance in Bude with 14 birds making the Open Result, added to that in the young bird season 9 birds in Fermoy and then 12 in the Premier YB National from Talbenny in South Wales.
Top performances in the old birds included Malcolm Livingstone 4th Sect & 22nd Open NIPA Corrin with over 26,000 birds, Bobby Creaney 3rd Sect & 5th Open and Frank Wright 8th Sect & 17th Open NIPA Bude, Sloan & Reid 12th Sect & 66th Open NIPA Penzance and Aiden Fearon continued his top performance on the channel by taking 2nd Sect & 7th Open NIPA Sennen Cove Classic.
In the French races the partnership of Hagan & Rowney were 10th Sect & 24th Open NIPA St Malo Nat with the only bird on the day in a difficult race. It the Kings Cup from Saint Allouestre in was Sloan & Reid who had 1st Club, with G Matchett & Sons runner-up and Allan McDonald the former Kings Cup winner 3rd, all 3 birds made the INFC Open Result.
Top results continued with the young birds with John Gordon 15th & 18th Sect in Tullamore (1) and Tullamore (3). In Clonmel Hagan & Rowney 2nd Sect & 20th Open NIPA, Prunty & Hamill 9th Sect & 43rd Open, Larkin Bros 18th & 19th Sect and 57th & 58th Open. In Fermoy Hagan & Rowney again had top spot, with Allan McDonald and Malcolm Livingstone taking the next 4 places. In the Talbenny YB National another brilliant performance from partners Martin Hagan and Philip Rowney again 1st plus 2nd and 5th, and Larkin Bros a close 3rd and 4th. In Fermoy Martin & Philip dominated the result with 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
In the challenging YB National from Penzance the partners Alan and Paul Larkin had their top performance of the season with the top three in the club plus 13th, 45th & 51st Sect and 19th, 66th & 71st Open INFC. The Matchett Bros clocked two birds in the Open Result to complete an excellent club performance.
In the Rosscarbery National it was Club Chairman Allan McDonald who had the top spot winning 1st Portadown Centre, 3rd Sect & 69th Open NIPA. In the final race from Skibbereen the Larkin Bros finished top again and an excellent 26th North Sect & 32nd Open INFC.
Special guest at the dinner was former Kings Cup winner Diamond Carson from Banbridge who along with his late father Dick won the Blue Riband Kings Cup plus a motor car in 1989. Diamond thanked the club for the invitation to present the awards and congratulated the members on such a successful season.
Top Prize-winners were partners Martin Hagan and Philip Rowney who were Club Fancier of the Year winning 6 x 1sts and numerous Open Positions and lifting 8 Cups. This included OB Average, Cross Channel Average and Combined Averages. Larkin Bros will be well pleased with their season finishing 2nd, lifting 6 Cups and winning both Penzance and Skibbereen Nationals. The 3rd Highest Prize-winner was Malcolm Livingstone and he was the man to beat in the OB Inland race programme winning again the Inland Average. He collected 3 Cups and took top spot in Corrin and Rosscarbery National.
Allan McDonald in 4th place won 4 Cups with wins Pilmore Beach and Rosscarbery YB Nat, he had Bird of the Year with his Blue Cheq (h) that took 1st, 2nd and 5th in the young bird season. Paul and Glen Matchett were 5th a very consistent season with many good performances. They were Top Prize-winners in the 2 Bird Club winning the William McDonald Memorial Cup. Sloan & Reid enjoyed success by taking 1st in the Yearling National, Penzance and the Kings Cup, top racing in the cross channel season. Aiden Fearon won 2 Cups and 1 Cup each for John Gordon and Bobby Creaney. Many thanks to Allen McDonald for the text and photos.
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Martin Hagan (l) with special guest Diamond Carson.
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Allan McDonald.
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Malcolm Livingstone.
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Aiden Fearon.
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Francey Sloan.
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Paul Matchett.
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S & N Haughian.
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Alan & Paul Larkin.
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\"Charlotte\" Bird of the Year for A McDonald.
P & J Jones, Skerries –
I spoke with Paul at Dublin Show and he promised to send me some racing details, he was with good friend Derek Cummins no mean racer himself, Paul races in partnership with son John. Bude last season was a top result, 1st, 9th & 10th Open in the East Coast Fed (Dublin) and the fastest velocity into Ireland that particular day. One week later from Penzance finished 3rd Open ECF beat by 2 yards following a bad trap.
Then with the young birds, 5th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 27th, 29th, 36th, 40th Open from Talbenny Derby followed in the young bird National from Penzance, they were 12th, 18th, 20th and 38th INFC. .
At the East Coast Federation presentation, they won the Gold Medal for the Best Young Bird in the Federation, after winning it last year. They also won the Young Bird average on the channel and the trophy for the 1st Open winner.
In the 2014 racing season the loft won 11 x 1sts, other positions included 40th Open Talbenny and 19th Fed Penzance with same bird, from Tramore 8th, 9th & 10th Fed and then 2nd, 3rd & 4th Fed Pilmore Beach. They won the YB Gold Ring with 2nd Open Talbenny, 2nd Open in Penzance 200/1534, 1st Fed Owenahincha 209/5046, 3rd Open St Malo 101/364. 3rd Open Talbenny 168/1466 plus Gold Medal. Well done Paul & John.
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Paul Jones (l) with good friend Derek Cummins at Dublin Show.
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Paul Jones collecting awards at the 2015 ECF prize night in Balbriggan.
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Harryville HPS Open YB Show – Some 185 birds were penned for the Young Bird Open Show, judges from Rasharkin & District were Jackie Steele and Mark Milliken. New member Denis Craig had Best in Show and Best Young Bird, Russell Bros from Cullybackey had Best Opposite Sex. The club would like to think all the members and outside members for their support and the sponsors Frazer Animal Feeds and Fish & Chicken Inn, the Moat Bar, Ladysmith Pets, B Herbison Feeds and Ken Wilkinson for the Show Special for the 1st Yearling timed in Penzance, show members only. Results: Young Bird T/W – 1st, 2nd & 3rd D Craig, 4th K Wilkinson & Son, Reserve R Service & Son, VHC Russell Bros, HC A McBride, Commended MDC Magill. Young Bird Handled – 1st & 4th G Price, 2nd & Reserve MDC Magill, 3rd & HC Russell Bros, VHC K Wilkinson & Son, Commended Blair & Rankin. Young Bird Eye-sign – 1st K Wilkinson & Son, 2nd, Reserve & VHC Russell Bros, 3rd T Johnston & Son, 4th G & S Johnston, HC & Commended B Herbison.
Show Season Results -
Ballymena & District HPS – The latest shows for the local club were held on Monday 23th November, judges were from Cullybackey former Kings Cup winners J & J Greer and Jamie Lee. Both classes were won by Russell Bros who have been getting cards all year, the Special for BIS was won by a lovely Red Pied hen. Old Pieds (26 Birds) – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Russell Bros, 4th B Herbison, Reserve & Commended G & A Eagleson, VHC W & N Gilbert, HC McFall & McManus. Young Pairs (58 Birds) - 1st, 4th, & VHC Russell Bros, 2nd B Herbison, 3rd & Commended W & N Gilbert, Reserve & HC W & J Smyth. Raffle was won by Billy Smyth. Coming up 30th November Red, Mealy & Grizzle all judged Through the Wires. The annual Open Show for Mid Antrim Sect B lofts is as usual New Year’s Day in the clubrooms at Fountain Place. Ballymena HPS annual dinner and prize presentation is on Saturday 9th January 2016 in Tullyglass House Hotel. If you would like to attend contact Willy Gilbert on 07761 323459 or speak to Nicola.
Broughshane & District HPS – In the latest results John Getty had 1st on Old Bird Eye-sign and Scott & Clements had the Red Card in Y/B Mated Pairs. Old Bird Eye-sign – 1st J Getty, 2nd & HC M Neilly, 3rd J Simpson, 4th Blair & Rankin, Reserve & VHC D Houston & Son, Commended A Purvis. Young Bird Mated Pairs – 1st Scott & Clements, 2nd J Simpson, 3rd Blair & Rankin, 4th & Commended J Getty, Reserve & HC A Purvis, VHC M Neilly. Judges A Shanks & M Gregg (Kells & Dist).
Kells & Dist HPS – The latest class was for Old Hens through wires, won by Gregg Bros with judge Brian Herbison from Cullybackey. Old Hens T/W (107 Birds) – 1st Gregg Bros, 2nd H Turkington, 3rd, 4th & Reserve A Barkley & Son, VHC B Swann & Son, HC H Boyd, Commended Surgenor Bros. Wednesday – Young Cocks T/W.
Ahoghill Flying Club – Latest winners over the last two weeks Mr & Mrs Robinson won both Old Cock T/W and Young Cock Handled, T & G Balmer had 1st in Old Hen T/W and Willie Livingstone penned the winner of Young Hen Handled. Billy Smyth and George Eagleson from Ballymena judged the Through Wires while Roy Balmer Cullybackey and George Price from Harryville placed the cards in the Handled Classes. Friday – Old Cock & Old Hen Handled. Results: Old Cock T/W – 1st M/M Robinson, 2nd & 4th D & R Turkington, 3rd, HC & Commended T & G Balmer, Reserve B Herbison, VHC Blair & Rankin. Old Hens T/W – 1st & 3rd T & G Balmer, 2nd & VHC B Herbison, 4th Rebeca, Reserve Blair & Rankin, HC & Commended M/M Robinson. Young Cocks Handled – 1st, 2nd & 3rd M/M Robinson, 4th, Reserve & VHC T & G Balmer, HC Balmer Young & Sons, Commended Rebeca. Young Hens Handled – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Reserve & Commended W Livingstone, 4th & VHC A & N Young, HC Balmer Young & Sons.
Ballymoney HPS – The show season for Ballymoney started last Friday with three classes, Young Cock and Hen T/W and Old Bird Eye-sign. W & N Gilbert from Ballymena won Young Cocks plus Special, D & G McMullan had 1st Young Hens and Danny Dixon won 1st Eye-sign. Judges from Crumlin & District were B Kennedy and M McConville. Classes next Friday are Old Cock & Old Hen T/W and YB Eye-sign. Results: Young Cock T/W – 1st & Special W & N Gilbert, 2nd D & G McMullan, 3rd D Dixon, 4th L Neill, Reserve & VHC Brown & Stewart, HC J Edgar, Commended C McCook. Young Hen T/W – 1st & Commended D & G McMullan, 2nd W & N Gilbert, 3rd D Dixon, 4th D Gage, Reserve & HC L Neill, VHC J Edgar. Old Bird Eye-sign – 1st & 3rd D Dixon, 2nd, Reserve, VHC, HC & Commended W & N Gilbert, 4th D Gage.
Cullybackey HPS – Results of the previous two weeks, shows continue each Saturday evening. Old Pairs – 1st, 4th & VHC J & J Greer, 2nd, HC & Commended B Herbison, 3rd A Darragh, Reserve Russell Bros. Young Pairs – 1st & 4th B Herbison, 2nd & HC Russell Bros, 3rd & Commended A Darragh, Reserve J & J Greer, VHC C McIntyre. Best in Show won by J & J Greer, judges Roy Balmer and George Price. Young Cock Handled – 1st, 2nd & Reserve Russell Bros, 3rd & HC J & J Greer, 4th B Herbison, VHC N & S Anderson, Commended A Darragh. Young Hen Handled – 1st & HC C McIntyre, 2nd J & J Greer, 3rd & Commended A Darragh, 4th & Reserve Russell Bros. Special won by Chris McIntyre, judges W & J Smyth and G & A Eagleson from Ballymena.
Lurgan Social Result – 1st T & K Mawhinney, 2nd, 4th, Reserve & VHC A Neill, 3rd K Henderson, HC K Douglas, Commended M Rice. Best Young Bird D & B Lyness. Thanks to Judges Mr & Mrs Flood (Belfast) - next week’s show Special for Best Red or Mealy.
RETURNING TO NORTHERN IRELAND - FORMULA ONE LOFTS
Date: Wednesday 25th November 2015 - PLEASE NOTE DATE
Venue: Chimney Corner Football Club, Randalstown Road, Antrim .
Sale Starts: 8.00pm - Birds On View : from 7.00pm.
Formula 1 lofts are returning to N. Ireland and will have on offer a good selection of Frans Zwols, Louis Thijs/Leo Heremans and Rutz & Son pigeons all bred from our main stock birds. On offer a very select draft of quality pigeons included in the auction will be proven breeders, ex racers along with children from our main stock birds plus a few bred directly by the long distance maestros Mark Gilbert & Mark Bulled
Clearance Sale – Jim Sinton, Muckamore
An entire Clearance Sale on behalf of Jim Sinton will take place on Friday 27th November in the Chimney Corner Football Club in Antrim. The very best Soontjen bloodlines of McKinstry Bros, Dromara plus Busschaert from the late Tom Cotter, and a few loft accessories. Further Information Tel: 07701 000652.
Ards HPS Annual Show will be held in the Portavogie Clubrooms on Saturday 28th November with penning from 12 until 2.00pm. Open to all the fancy in NIPA Sect F and East Down Combine members. Three Classes for Any Age Hen Handled, Any Age Cock Handled and Eye-sign. Top judges, and prizes for all cards. A sale of 2016 Young Birds to be held after the show.
Larne & District HPS Annual Monster Show -
Will be held in the Larne Cubrooms, Old Glenarm Road on Saturday 28th November 2015. Penning 10.00am to 1.30pm, with 6 classes. Old cocks, Old hens, Young cocks, Young Hens, Old & Young bird eye sign. Judging 2.00pm to 5.00pm with Prize distribution at 5.30pm. Entry Fee £1 per bird (May be duplicated into Eye-sign) - Judges from top lofts. Money prizes for Best in Show and Best Opposite Sex - Prizes for all classes. 1st Bag of feeding , 2nd Homoform , 3rd Drinker , 4th Feeding trough , 5th Gritmember in show , 6th Pickstones , 7th Bottle of wine.
All Larne & District entries will be eligible for the £50 Roscarberry prize. £50 prize for best placed Larne & District in show (split if more than one winner). MONSTER SHOW AUCTION @ 3pm - Select 2015 young birds donated by local fanciers – £1000 prize money for Rosscarberry or equivalent race.
Only Section C fanciers may compete in the race. Other section fanciers may donate a bird for auction – the prize is allocated on a 40% breeder/60% buyer split. For further information or to enquire to sell birds contact Owen Donnelly Tel: 028 28260425. Mobile: 07816 910993.
Stalls on the day will include: Robert Kirkwood – To ensure all your requirements are meet on the day please give Robert a ring on 028 92671178. Liam O’Neill – Nest Boxes, Pipo boxes etc. North Coast Classic – One Loft Race. Blaris Lofts - Gary Jennings Top winning loft.
Complete Clearance C & L Woodside -
Leslie Woodside of C & L Woodside Ballyclare has received heart-breaking news – his health problems are more advanced than first thought and the 2 x Reduction Sales have now become a Complete Clearance Sale. The complete team of stock birds, all the top racers and young birds will be sold in 4 Sales the first of which has been arranged for Glenavy Protestant Hall with Part (2) Saturday 28th November. Auctioneer Ronnie Johnston said “This is the most important sale of true distance birds that have a tremendous record from France – just like his mentor Smyth Bros of Ballymena. One would need to go back 20 years when I sold the pigeons of Gilmour & Beattie containing the bloodlines of the ace flyers Henry Beattie and Bob Harkness” for something similar. Leslie as you would expect is devastated but his health is paramount. C & L Woodside won the INFC National Champion award in 2003, runner-up in 2002 and 2013, and they have a string of top results at the distance including 1st Open INFC Sennen Cove YB National in 2007 with Skilgan Choice”. Add to that 2nd Open INFC Friendship Nat, 4th, 9th & 9th in Kings Cup, 3 x Merit Awards, Friendship Triple Award, Hall of Fame etc. They are one of Ireland’s great National Lofts! With the help of good friend Maurice Alexander the Sale Lists for the first two are ready Tel Leslie (028) 93 322371 or Ronnie (028) 90 483625. The second sale will feature a number of birds that have flown France including 4th Open Friendship Nat, Lt Ch hen 83rd Open Friendship Nat 2015, Pied hen lofts first bird in this seasons Kings Cup, Ch Pied cock a special bird from the old Smyth Bros unrung cock, Dk Ch hen sire flown Kings Cup 2013, 2014 and 2015, Blue w/f cock full brother to 2nd & 9th Open Friendship Nat, Blue Pd hen sire flew Kings Cup 2015 bfrom a grand-son of Jackie Warings Gold Medal winner, Blue Ch cock from a son of Jack Patience x Smyth Bros stock sire of 18th & 21=st Kings Cup. This sale will contain the best selection of his younger pigeons and they are the birds of the future! That Ace Fancier John Patterson of Ballylesson has flown many great pigeons down the land, over the channel and France. He was one of the first to fly the Smyth Bros Kenyon’s and they won some great races for him including runner-up for the Millar Gold Cup. He thinks that they are still the tops and no better bloodlines are available in the UK! The Woodside Sale will be a great opportunity for fanciers to obtain these great lines.
Rab Hunter of Ballynahinch –
One of the most important sales of top class stock birds is due very soon. We all know Rab is one of the top buyers in Ireland when it comes to purchasing top quality pigeons, he is fearless when he knows what he wants. In this sale will be the Hutchinson Soontjen pigeons that Rab purchased at Davy’s Record Breaking Sale – just last week at Dublin Show the 25 Hutchinson pigeons made an average 600 Euro (£450). Rab’s birds are the very best of this family bred from the best, a rare opportunity to obtain these. On top of that a lot of money was spent getting the best from Premier Stud. Rab like us all is getting no younger and has decided to close a Stock Loft. Late News – The sale has now been booked for Monday 7th December in Newtownbreda Clubrooms at 7.30pm.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
www.pigeonnetwork.com
www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
See Ballymena Hps on Facebook.
Photo Captions
Dinner15 - Laurelvale HPS members and guests, Joe Adamson and Nigel Anderson at their Annual Dinner and Prize Giving in The Bannville House Hotel in Banbridge.
Cups15 - Cups and trophies presented at Laurelvale.
Winners at Harryville Open Show, D Craig, G Price and K Wilkinson with judges.
All Cullybackey at Ballymena show Len Russell with judges J & J Greer.