Pigeon Network

Mid Antrim Combine –

The draws have been made for the various competition for the year, the Knock-Out list has been circulated and starts this weekend. Champions League starts this weekend as well at Gowran Park run as usual with a League process followed by the Knock-Out matches with final at Penzance. Updates will follow. The Knock-Out list is also on the Ballymena Facebook page.

Group (a) – J Smyth & Son, McFall & McManus, Stewart Bros, D Dixon and K Wilkinson & Son. Group (b) – M/M Robinson, W & J Smyth, Percy Son & Murphy, and W J McLean. Group (c) – Young McManus & Sons, Blair & Rankin, F & G & J Dickey, and J & M Milliken. Group (d) – C Moore, J Eagleson & Sons, Hugh Boyd, and Steele & McNeill. As usual the League Competition runs in the Inland Programme up to and including Rosscarbery (no comeback races), The Top 2 in each Sect/Group will proceed to the Knock-Out stage, this year the races are Talbenny (2), Bude & Penzance for the Champions League Final.

After Week (1) Gowran Park – Group (a) McFall & McManus 15, D Dixon 8, Stewart Bros 7, K Wilkinson & Son 6, J Smyth & Son. Group (b) W & J Smyth 14, Percy Son & Murphy 12, M/M Robinson 5, W J McLean. Group (c) F G & J Dickey 11, Young McManus & Sons, Blair & Rankin, J & M Milliken. Group (d) Steele & McNeill 10, J Eagleson & Sons 1, C Moore, Hugh Boyd.

The draws have been made for the various competitions for the year, the Knock-Out list has been circulated and starts this weekend. Champions League starts this weekend as well at Gowran Park run as usual with a League process followed by the Knock-Out matches with final at Penzance. Updates will follow. The Knock-Out list is also on the Ballymena Facebook page.

All member lofts were listed for the Old Bird Knock-Out the first ever competition of this type for Mid Antrim lofts, to generate a bit of fun and gentle competition among the local fancy. Space will not permit publication of the entire list some of the close matches from Gowran Park included the following. Gibson & O’Neill just ahead of George Bell, Houston Bros beat Billy Ramsey, Percy Son & Murphy beat club-mates in Randalstown Stewart Bros, Chris Young just ahead of Richmond Bros, T & G Balmer in Ahoghill beat club-mates J Orr & Son and Harold Cubitt put out club-mates J & M Milliken who won last season’s Champions League for Rasharkin & District. Next round will be Corrin on 6th May.

Next Round K/O from Corrin (2) – RJ & WJ Reid v G Gilmour, A Purvis v Steele & McNeill, W J McLean v J Eagleson & Sons, Gibson & O’Neill v Houston Bros, W & J Smyth v C Young, J Smyth & Son v T Whyte, F G & J Dickey v Blair & Rankin, J Balmer v W Livingstone, B O’Rawe v Hugh Boyd, J McNeill & Son v J Millar, W & W Gilbert v Percy Son & Murphy, D Dixon v K Wilkinson & Son, Young McManus & Sons v M/M Robinson, W & N Gilbert v McFall & McManus, D Mairs v A C & T Tweed, H Cubitt v T & G Balmer.

Group (a) – J Smyth & Son, McFall & McManus, Stewart Bros, D Dixon and K Wilkinson & Son. Group (b) – M/M Robinson, W & J Smyth, Percy Son & Murphy, and W J McLean. Group (c) – Young McManus & Sons, Blair & Rankin, F & G & J Dickey, and J & M Milliken. Group (d) – C Moore, J Eagleson & Sons, Hugh Boyd, and Steele & McNeill. As usual the League Competition runs in the Inland Programme up to and including Rosscarbery (no comeback races), The Top 2 in each Sect/Group will proceed to the Knock-Out stage, this year the races are Talbenny (2), Bude & Penzance for the Champions League Final.

After Week (1) Gowran Park – Group (a) McFall & McManus 15, D Dixon 8, Stewart Bros 7, K Wilkinson & Son 6, J Smyth & Son. Group (b) W & J Smyth 14, Percy Son & Murphy 12, M/M Robinson 5, W J McLean. Group (c) F G & J Dickey 11, Young McManus & Sons, Blair & Rankin, J & M Milliken. Group (d) Steele & McNeill 10, J Eagleson & Sons 1, C Moore, Hugh Boyd.

Next Round K/O this weekend from Corrin (1) – RJ & WJ Reid v G Gilmour, A Purvis v Steele & McNeill, W J McLean v J Eagleson & Sons, Gibson & O’Neill v Houston Bros, W & J Smyth v C Young, J Smyth & Son v T Whyte, F G & J Dickey v Blair & Rankin, J Balmer v W Livingstone, B O’Rawe v Hugh Boyd, J McNeill & Son v J Millar, W & W Gilbert v Percy Son & Murphy, D Dixon v K Wilkinson & Son, Young McManus & Sons v M/M Robinson, W & N Gilbert v McFall & McManus, D Mairs v A C & T Tweed, H Cubitt v T & G Balmer.

Week 2 of the Champions League has the tables standing as follows. Group (a) – D Dixon 21, Stewart Bros 17, McFall & McManus 15, K Wilkinson & Son 6, J Smyth & Son 1. Group (b) – W & J McLean 15, W & J Smyth 14, Percy Son & Murphy 12, M/M Robinson 6. Group (c) – J & M Milliken 14, F G & J Dickey 11, Young McManus & Sons 7, Blair & Rankin. Group (d) – Steele & McNeill 10, J Eagleson & Sons 5, Chris Moore, Hugh Boyd.

Week 3 of the Champions League has the tables standing as follows. Group (a) – D Dixon 27, Stewart Bros 17, McFall & McManus 15, K Wilkinson & Son 6, J Smyth & Son 1. Group (b) – W & J McLean 15, W & J Smyth 14, Percy Son & Murphy 12, M/M Robinson 5. Group (c) – J & M Milliken 22, Young McManus & Sons 12, F G & J Dickey 11, Blair & Rankin. Group (d) – J Eagleson & Sons 20, Steele & McNeill 10, Chris Moore, Hugh Boyd.

Next Round K/O this weekend from Rosscarbery – N/C v A Purvis, J Eagleson & Sons v Gibson & O’Neill, W & J Smyth v T Whyte, F G & J Dickey v J Balmer, Hugh Boyd v John Millar, Percy Son & Murphy v D Dixon, Young McManus & Sons v McFall & McManus, A C & T Tweed v H Cubitt.

Week 4 (Rosscarbery) of the Champions League has the tables standing as follows. Group (a) – D Dixon 31, Stewart Bros 29, McFall & McManus 15, K Wilkinson & Son 6, J Smyth & Son 1. Group (b) – Percy Son & Murphy 17, W & J Smyth 16, W J McLean 15, M/M Robinson 11. Group (c) – J & M Milliken 36, F G & J Dickey 26, Young McManus & Sons 21, Blair & Rankin. Group (d) – J Eagleson & Sons 28, Steele & McNeill 23, Chris Moore, Hugh Boyd.

With the race flown on Sunday results were slow, following Rosscarbery the OB Knock-Out will continue at Talbenny (1), remember race marking is on Thursday. N/C v Gibson & O’Neill, W & J Smyth v F & G & J Dickey, Hugh Boyd v Percy Son & Murphy, Young McManus & Sons v A C & T Tweed.

Cullybackey Centre Marking 5 Bird - Money for Fermoy 5 Bird will be collected in Cullybackey Clubrooms on Wednesday 24th May 8.30pm to 9.30pm. Birds will be race marked on Friday 26th May 4.00pm to 6.00pm in Cullybackey Clubrooms. All ETS clocks to be cleared of all races, T3 Clocks ready after lorry leaves clubroom.

Cullybackey Centre - Money for Yearling Cocks & Hens Nat will be collected in Cullybackey Clubrooms on Wednesday 31st May from 8.30 to 9.30pm. Bird’s race marked on Friday 2nd June in Cullybackey from 4.00 to 6.00pm. Please Note - 3 Cheques to be made out, all ETS systems to be cleared of all races, T3 Clocks ready after lorry leaves Cullybackey.

The Talbenny (2) weekend was a great time for the members of Mid Antrim Combine, Round (1) of the Champions League with just the winners going through and then the Semi-Final of the new Old Bird Knock-Out. The Champions League competition is between member clubs, four lofts are nominated to compete.

Matches were Danny Dixon (Rasharkin) v F G & J Dickey (Randalstown), Percy Son & Murphy (Randalstown) v Steele & McNeill (Rasharkin), J & M Milliken (Rasharkin) v Stewart Bros (Randalstown), J Eagleson & Sons (Ballymena) v W & J Smyth (Ballymena). Previous winners were - 2008 Harryville (R H Clements), 2009 Rasharkin & Dist (D Dixon), 2010 Ballymena & Dist (M Graham), 2011 Randalstown ( S Millar), 2012 Cullybackey (Reid Bros & McCloy), 2013 Cullybackey (A Darragh), 2014 Rasharkin & Dist (Steele & McNeill), 2015 Rasharkin & Dist (D Dixon), 2016 Rasharkin & Dist (J & M Milliken).

MAC Knock-Out update now at Semi-Final stage next round is the weekend race from Talbenny (2). Gibson & O’Neill (Associate) v W & J Smyth (Ballymena), Hugh Boyd (Randalstown) v Young McManus & Sons (Ahoghill). The Final will be flown from Penzance. Every individual loft in MAC was included in the OB Competition, same will apply for all those racing young birds, including any new members who wish to join as individual members. Many thanks to James Harris who agreed to run the competition in 2017 and also collate the weekly results.

Subject to correction the Old Bird Knock-Out to be flown from Penzance will be between Associate Members Gibson & O’Neill v Young McManus & Sons from Ahoghill Flying Club. The Champions League Semi-Final from Bude will be D Dixon v Steele & McNeill and J & M Milliken v J Eagleson & Sons, - it could be an all Rasharkin & Dist Final at Penzance.

Last weekend the local birds were competing from Bude in Cornwall, liberation on Saturday 3rd June was 6.30am in a Lt South West wind. Randalstown had the best birds a close finish between Hugh Boyd and the Dickey Family. Hugh timed his yearling Blue cock at 11.40am flying 282 miles to record velocity 1600ypm. The sire had won prizes from Talbenny and Penzance and the dam was a gift from club-mate Anthony McNeill. Rasharkin & Dist lofts will compete in the Champions League from Penzance, former winners Danny Dixon v J & M Milliken. The final of the OB Knock-Out also from Penzance will be between Young McManus & Sons (Ahoghill) v Gibson & O’Neill (Associate).

MAC Bude – H Boyd Randalstown 1600, F & G & J Dickey Randalstown 1599, T & G Balmer Ahoghill 1568, W & J Smyth Ballymena 1550, D Dixon Rasharkin 1550, J & M Milliken Rasharkin 1547, G Bell Ballymena 1541, M/M Robinson Ahoghill 1532, W J McLean Rasharkin 1528, W & J Smyth 1522, D Dixon 1521, McFall & McManus Ballymena 1519, J & M Milliken 1517, D Dixon 1514, M Graham Ballymena 1514.

High Drama in the Mid Antrim Combine –

The season’s Champions League was won by Rasharkin & Dist with Danny Dixon taking the honours, in fact the 2 finalists D Dixon v J & M Milliken ended up 1st & 2nd Combine. Both lofts are former winner’s, J & M Milliken won the award last season and Rasharkin have now won four in a row!.

The first ever Old Bird knock out competition was won by an associate member Gibson & O`Neill. On route to winning they knocked out George Bell, Houston Bros, J Eagleson & Sons and W & J Smyth then defeated Young McManus & Son in final at the weekend. All member lofts were in the competition and a similar event will be held in the Young Birds, any member in the local clubs not already in membership can join for the young bird season. Race Sheets, Vaccination Forms etc. to be with member clubs a fortnight before the first race due to be flown on 15th July.

The draw has been made for the Young Bird Knock-Out, like the old birds a number of the games are among members of local clubs. Remember its being run for a bit of fun and competition. The first ever Old Bird Knock-out competition was won by an Associate Member Gibson & O`Neill. On route to winning they knocked out George Bell, Houston Bros, J Eagleson & Sons and W & J Smyth then defeated Young McManus & Son in final at Penzance Classic. The Young Birds start this weekend at Tullamore followed by Roscrea 5/8, Gowran Park 12/8, Fermoy 19/8, Fermoy 2/9 and the final at Rosscarbery Nat.

Matches at Tullamore: Bye v T Whyte, Bye v N Bradley, Percy Son & Murphy v G & G Jackson, J Eagleson & Sons v Richmond Bros, H Cubitt v J Harris, R McFall & Son v T & G Balmer, D Houston & Son v W McFetridge, H Boyd v J Orr & Son, W & J Smyth v J C Letters, A C & T Tweed v J & M Milliken, F & G & J Dickey v W Livingstone, G Gilmour v P McDonald, D Mitchell v Steele & McNeill, M Graham v Young McManus & Sons, B O’Rawe v RJ & WJ Reid, Smylie Bros v C Young, Bye v M/M Robinson, Bye v D Mairs, Bye v J McNeill & Son, W & W Gilbert v C Donnelly, Stewart Bros v J Smyth & Son, G McAllister & Son v R Boota, A Purvis v W J McLean, J Millar v D Dixon, J Balmer v C Moore, G Bell v J W Reynolds, Blair & Rankin v Houston Bros, T R Alexander v K Wilkinson & Son, T & M Morrow v G Connolly, A Shields v Gibson & O’Neill, W & N Gilbert v McFall & McManus, Balmer Young & Son v G & A Eagleson.

MAC Knock-Out matches for Roscrea this weekend 05/08/17:

T Whyte (Rasharkin) v Bye, Percy Son & Murphy (Randalstown) v J Eagleson & Sons (Ballymena), H Cubitt (Rasharkin) v T & G Balmer (Ahoghill), D Houston & Son (Broughshane) v H Boyd (Randalstown), W & J Smyth (Ballymena) v J & M Milliken (Rasharkin), F & G & J Dickey (Randalstown) v P McDonald (Rasharkin), D Mitchell (Ballymena) v Young McManus & Sons (Ahoghill), Bye v Bye, M/M Robinson (Ahoghill) v D Mairs (Rasharkin), J McNeill & Son (Randalstown) v W & W Gilbert (Randalstown), Stewart Bros (Randalstown) v Bye, W J McLean (Rasharkin) v D Dixon (Rasharkin), J Balmer (Ahoghill) v G Bell (Ballymena), Blair & Rankin (Ballymena) v Bye, Bye v Bye, McFall & McManus (Ballymena) v G & A Eagleson (Ballymena).