Pigeon Network

Champions League Sections for 2016 – 4 clubs competing over 5 races to Rosscarbery Old Bird Inland National.

Sect 1 – Blair & Rankin, D Dixon, Young McManus & Sons and Stewart Bros. Sect 2 – W & J Smyth, Steele & McNeill, C Moore and FGJ Dickey. Sect 3 – G Connolly, J & M Milliken, M/M Robinson and H Boyd. Sect 4 – McFall & McManus, J & D Surgenor, J Smyth & Son and D Logan & Son.

Points after 2 races: Sect 1 – Young McManus & Sons 14, Blair & Rankin 5. Sect 2 – Steele & McNeill 6. Sect 3 – J & M Milliken 13. Sect 4 – McFall & McManus 4.

Position in the Section will determine the place in the Knock-Out stage. In the event of competitors with equal points the highest velocity in Rosscarbery OB Nat will be the deciding factor. All 16 lofts will qualify for the Knock-Out -Talbenny (1) on 21st May, Quarter-Final Talbenny (2) on 28th May, Semi-Final New Bude on 4th June and Final from Penzance on 11th June.

The Champions League for 2016 had been sponsored for the first time by Dixon Contractors from Dunloy to the tune of £150, a competition among member clubs. Each club put forward four lofts and they compete in a League process over five races up to Rosscarbery Nat. The top four in each league then go forward to Knock-out with 2nd Round Talbenny (1), Quarter-Final Talbenny (2), Semi-Final Bude with the Champions League Final flown from Penzance. This year the winning club will get £100 and runner-up club £50, we are most grateful to Dixon Contractors for their support.

The draw for the matches are same format as was used for year previous. Matches at Talbenny (1) are – Stewart Bros v Hugh Boyd, J & D Surgenor v F & G & J Dickey, Steele & McNeill v D Logan & Son, Young McManus & Sons v G Connolly, J & M Milliken v D Dixon, W & J Smyth v J Smyth & Son, McFall & McManus v C Moore and Mr & Mrs Robinson v Blair & Rankin.

Quarter-Final draw for the Champions League to be flown from 2nd Talbenny. Stewart Bros Randalstown v F & G & J Dickey Randalstown. Steele & McNeill Rasharkin v Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill. J & M Milliken Rasharkin v W & J Smyth Ballymena. C Moore Ahoghill v M/M Robinson Ahoghill.

The Mid Antrim Champions League gets down to the last four, big contest to look forward to in the weekends race from Bude and there will be a new overall winner. Let me make Ahoghill the favourites with two lofts competing, wee hamper man will be there for Randalstown and then the big stars so far J & M Milliken from Rasharkin. Matches are F & G & J Dickey (Randalstown) v Young McManus & Sons (Ahoghill) and J & M Milliken (Rasharkin) v Mr & Mrs Robinson (Ahoghill).

Mid Antrim Combine Update

The Bude race last weekend was the most erratic of the season to date, some had very good returns while other had several missing at the clock checking. In the Champions League we had reached the semi-final matches and Ahoghill with two lofts in the running I was sure would get at least one place in the final. It was not to be and the final due to be flown from Penzance next weekend will be F & G & J Dickey (Randalstown) v J & M Milliken (Rasharkin). The Dixon Contractors sponsored event will see the winning club get £100 and the runner-up £50. A new name will appear on the trophy, will the man with the wee hamper beat the high flying loft of J & M Milliken both lofts are having a best ever season.

Mid Antrim Update – Penzance had the final of the seasons Champions League with Frank Dickey and J & M Milliken contesting the final for the first time, the Milliken team have been having a dream season so far and win the club on velocity 1411. In the Dixon Contractors sponsored competition, Rasharkin & Dist win £100 and Rasharkin & Dist £50. Clubs will soon be collecting the £10 entries for the YB Gold Ring Races which will be NIPA Talbenny and INFC Skibbereen. Four rings maximum per loft. Is there any interest in having a young bird race from Navan on Saturday 9th July? do let me know. Jimmy Orr won 1st MAC timing his Blue yearling hen at 6.27pm flying 328 miles, club-mate Willie Livingstone had 1st MAC in the mid-week Yearling National.

MAC Penzance - J Orr & Son Ahoghill 1493, McFall & McManus Ballymena & Dist 1474, M/M Robinson Ahoghill 1465, M/M Robinson 1465, J & W & J Smyth 1363, G Gilmour Ballymena & Dist 1359, Balmer Young & Son 1356, M Milliken Rasharkin 1411, D Dixon Rasharkin 1408, McAlonan Bros Ballymena & Dist 1394, J & D Surgenor Rasharkin 1380, Balmer Young & Son Ahoghill 1372, W & J Smyth Ballymena 1371, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1366, McAlon Bros 1347.