MAC Roscrea - 05/08/17

[willie reynolds]

Johnston Eagleson best in the Mid Antrim Combine -

For the second race on the trot the best bird locally was timed in Ballymena & District, this time the top honours go to J Eagleson & Sons, top prize-winners last season. They timed a Dark Cheq bird to the lofts at Cullybackey Road at 11.16am coming out of a bunch of six birds. Johnston said he had a powerful trap and the bird recorded velocity 1551 for the 146 miles. W & J Smyth were a close runner-up for the second week.

Mid Antrim Combine Roscrea – J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1551, W & J Smyth Ballymena 1543, Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 1526, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1520, McFall & McManus Ballymena 1517, W & J Smyth 1517, J & M Milliken Rasharkin 1513, J Eagleson & Sons 1512, Blair & Rankin 1507, Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1506, J & M Milliken 1505, J Eagleson & Sons 1503, D Dixon Rasharkin 1502, Young McManus & Sons 1498, W J McLean Rasharkin 1497.

MAC Knock-Out matches for Gowran Park this weekend:
Bye v J Eagleson & Sons (Ballymena), H Cubitt (Rasharkin) v D Houston & Son (Broughshane), W & J Smyth (Ballymena) v F & G & J Dickey (Randalstown), Young McManus & Sons (Ahoghill) v Bye , M/M Robinson (Ahoghill) v W & W Gilbert (Randalstown), Stewart Bros (Randalstown) v D Dixon (Rasharkin), G Bell (Ballymena) v Blair & Rankin (Ballymena), Bye v McFall & McManus (Ballymena).

We had the sad news during the week that Bobby Smyth a life member in his home club Ballymena & District had passed away in his 96th year. Bobby and his late brother Hughie when racing were a household name in the sport, if fact Smyth Bros were World Famous! In those old days they competed in Ballymena with some of the best lofts in the sport, their own record at the distance is talked about yet. The loft won from all points through to France, they won 2nd in the Kings Cup and 2nd in the Old Bird Derby, 1st in the Friendship Nat from Sartilly in 1991 and also won the Blue Riband YB National from Milford Haven in 1962. They raced many top class birds none better than the famous “Leading Lady”. Long before Hall of Fame Diplomas and Gold Medals she would have won both, in successive races in the Kings Cup she finished 4th, 6th, 9th & 21st Open INFC. They don’t make them like that anymore. Their Kenyon family of birds won every possible award at the distance and will be remembered for many years to come. HOMER.

MAC Clubs Roscrea

Ballymena & District HPS 14/479 – J Eagleson & Sons 1551, W & J Smyth 1543, Blair & Rankin 1520, McFall & McManus 1517, W & J Smyth 1517, J Eagleson & Sons 1512, Blair & Rankin 1507, J Eagleson & Sons 1503, W & J Smyth 1496, J W Reynolds 1490.

Rasharkin & District 10/387 – Steele & McNeill 1526, J & M Milliken 1513, 1505, W & J McLean 1497, 1492, W McFetridge 1472, H Cubitt 1469, 1469. Danny Dixon – 1502, 1478, 1478.

New Antrim Amalgamated – McFall & McManus 1517, 1489, 1489, 1478, 1478, 1477, 1476, K Wilkinson & Son 1424, 1424.

Ahoghill Flying Club 9/251 – Young McManus & Sons 1506, 1498, 1487, 1485, 1471, M/M Robinson 1464, Young McManus & Sons 1462, M/M Robinson 1448, J Orr & Son 1444, J Smyth & Son 1432. Brooke Supplies 2 Bird Club – Young McManus & Sons 1429, J Smyth & Son 1420.

Randalstown HPS 8/256 – Percy Son & Murphy 1491, Stewart Bros 1458, 1452, Percy Son & Murphy 1443, Stewart Bros 1417, J Millar 1407, Percy Son & Murphy 1405, Houston Bros 1402, 1402, H Boyd 1401.