Pigeon Network

NIPA National Centre Meeting -
All the local Club Delegates are invited to a Centre Meeting for those who have used the Cullybackey HPS Clubrooms for the NIPA Nat & Classic races over the last number of years, it will take place in the Ballymena & District HPS Clubrooms at 7.30pm, just prior to the MAC meeting. There has been a change in circumstances and members clubs must decide on arrangements for the 2019 racing season. Mid Antrim has had a Marking Centre since I started with the birds in 1971, firstly in Ballymena & Dist, then Harryville HPS in the old Goods Yard, and then the move to the modern Cullybackey HPS which has been used now for several years. The late Len Russell and then Sammy Steele looked after affairs and then more recently in recent years George McDowell from Kells was Centre Manager. A lot less fanciers are involved now, and a lot less birds are going to the various races.

Diary Dates 2019 include the following – NIPA
18th May – NIPA Inland OB Nat Barleycove, marking (Thursday), 1st June – NIPA 5 Bird OB Championship Fermoy, marking (Friday), 8th June – NIPA Yearling Nat Castletown, marking (Friday), 22nd June – NIPA Classic Penzance, marking (Thursday), 28th June – NIPA Old Bird Nat St Malo, marking (Tuesday), 31st August – NIPA Young Bird Nat Talbenny, marking (Thursday), 7th September - NIPA 5 Bird YB Championship Castletown, marking (Friday), 14th September - NIPA Inland YB Nat Skibbereen, marking (Thurday). As I understand it the 5 Bird Championship will be marked in member clubs but birds timed are checked at the NIPA Centre. Penzance might have all the birds race marked and checked at the NIPA Centre, it’s been like that for a couple of years. Yearling Nat this season is just the one race, maximum of 20 birds per loft.

Mid Antrim AGM -
Mid Antrim Combine AGM will be in the Ballymena Clubrooms on Wednesday 13th March at 8.00pm. Only club delegates can vote on business of the meeting. The Agenda has been circulated to all member clubs and Associated Members can also attend the AGM. One Resolution has been listed. Former member clubs intending to re-join MAC will have an opt-out clause in respect of individual members not wishing to compete in the MAC Competition. That situation should satisfy one and all. It means there are no good reasons why all affiliated clubs should not be competing. Before racing member clubs will supply the list of competing members for firstly the OB Knock-Out including Champions League, then at the start of July the list of members for YB Knock-Out.
Club joining fee is just £3.00, and that payment includes all members who wish to compete. Every single club gives us three positions for the overall result, when we had 9 Clubs it was 27 positions each week. I have had it confirmed that Kells & District have voted to re-join and their members for the Champions League are – Surgenor Bros, C & D Jackson, Harry Boyd and Gregg Bros. Other teams confirmed include Ballymena & District – J Eagleson & Sons, Blair & Rankin, W & J Smyth and R Service & Son. Rasharkin & District – J & M Milliken, Steele & McNeill, Danny Dixon and W & J McLean.

Associate Members fees coming from clubs that are not members remain at £5.00, it won’t get entry to the Champions League but Associate Members will take part in the Old and Young Bird Knock-Out. At this meeting we will have to decide where the £1,250 in sponsorship will be employed, it is also expected we will have a bag of mixture for each NIPA National & Classic. The Agenda is with all member clubs, via E-Mail. R.P.R.A. Race point Codes. Distances will be required for the following.

Plougastel – Daoulas ( France) 5133, Barley Cove 6006, Castletown 6033.
At a meeting of the NIPA Management Committee last month the following fee’s were approved for 2019. Club Subscription £30.00. Administration fee £30.00 per loft. Carriage charges for inland and channel races have now been confirmed. Inland £11.00, Cross Channel £12.00. Both rates have been increased by £1.00 per crate.

Last week Old Hand Hubert Logan from Cullybackey passed away, a large number of fancier friends attended the Funeral Service in Cunningham Memorial Presbyterian Church in Cullybackey which was followed by interment in Cullybackey New Cemetery. Donations if desired to Macmillan Cancer Unit at Antrim Area Hospital, (cheques payable to N.H.S.C.T.) c/o Logan’s Funeral Services, 12 The Diamond, Ahoghill. Hubert had been in ill health for a period of time and Rosie and my-self were in the company of him and wife Jean at a couple of recent prize nights for Cullybackey, former Treasurer of the club, and while he was able he continued to do Ring Secretary. Hubert was a dedicated member over a long number of years and on behalf of the local fancy sincere condolences to his wife and family circle at this very sad time.

NIPA Members need to note that any old bird racer with a NWHU Ring, same needs registered with RPRA at 30p per ring to enable bird to compete in racing, deadline is 1st April. Young Birds with NWHU Ring intended for racing need registered with RPRA by 1st July. The RPRA have also announced that from 1st March this year they have set up an Insurance Arrangement as part of the Membership Fee. Full information will be released shortly, it could be all change for the future.

INFC Deadline -
Another deadline coming up is for the Single Bird Challenge with the INFC, it’s 17th March. Application Forms were included with the Agenda of INFC, new members can download on the website http://www.infc.co.uk post with £5 entry fee to Race Co-Ordinator David Black, 11 Drumiller Hill, Dromore, County Down. BT25 1EP.

Closing Date for INFC Membership is 12th April 2019, that’s the final date. Please note the new annual subscriptions are as follows. - Existing Member £20.00 payable through your club, New Member £25.00 payable through your club. - Individual Member paying direct £30.00, and new Individual Member paying direct £35.00.

INFC Race dates – Old Bird Inland Skibbereen Tuesday 28th May 2019 (Marking Monday), Yearling Nat Sennen Cove Wednesday 12th June 2019 (Marking Monday), Kings Cup St Allouestre Friday 5th July 2019 (Marking Tuesday), Friendship Nat Lamballe or Plougastel-Daoulas Friday 12th July 2019 (Marking Tuesday), Young Bird Inland Skibbereen Tuesday 27th August 2019 (Marking Monday), YB Channel Nat Penzance Wednesday 4th September 2019 (Marking Monday).

The Annual Breeder Buyer Charity Sale in Aid of Newry Hospice will be held on Thursday 28/03/19 in British Legion Banbridge. Raced from INFC Young Bird Penzance. Proceeds 50% Newry Hospice, and 50% Prize money.
3 prizes 50% 30% 20%. Birds Clocked 60% 40%. 1 bird clocked 100%
Divided equally between & buyer. No birds Clocked all proceeds go to Newry Hospice
For further Details contact Eddie McAlinden Tel: 07771 813199, Diamond Carson Tel: 07813 265311, Wesley Sawyers Tel: 07831 560399. All young birds welcome - Young birds must be in pen night of sale.

Drumnavaddy Invitation HPS will have a Breeder/Buyer Sale on Friday 22nd March 2019 in the Banbridge British Legion at 8.15pm, birds must be in the pen. Penning of the birds from 6.45pm. The club will be making a donation to the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance Charity and all fanciers are welcome, either to attend sale and/or put up a bird. Race will be the Talbenny YB National and three prizes will be paid out. Any more info contact Drumnavaddy Secretary Davy Smyth Tel: 07593 666757.

MARKETHILL HPS GOLD RING RACE 2019 - Will take place from Talbenny on the 31/08/19. Hampering through your own center and to be liberated with the NIPA. £10 per Ring Rings are now available from any member of Markethill HPS and also your local corn store. On completion of the race Velocity's to be with A Humphries within 4 days signed by your club secretary. This event has paid out over £1,000. Phone Brian 07484 279533 or Alan 07716 585335 for any other info.

Lifted this introduction on Raglan Homers from Facebook, in the early days the vast majority were pigeon fanciers. I have also included a few photos from those days, some famous lofts there.

This week we take a look at one of the biggest achievements in the Saturday Morning League's earliest years and retell the story of the RAGLAN HOMERS Grand Slam of 1974-75

Joining the SML in 1972 the Homers were formed by members of the Harryville Pigeon Club, taking their name from the bar beside their premises which was located in what is now Sloan's Court on Queen Street in Harryville.

Davy Campbell was the driving force behind the creation of the team and while the Raglan's name had been used by competing teams in summer football competitions this team was populated in it's earliest incarnation almost exclusively by members of the pigeon club.

Campbell originally proposed playing friendly games against teams representing other pigeon clubs but the idea soon developed into joining the fledgling Ballymena Saturday Morning League.

Entering it's fourth season the SML was still finding it's feet in a town where it was regarded as the poor relation of junior football. Local newspaper coverage would reflect that the Ballymena Junior League and the Factory League reigned supreme at the time.

Established sides such as Broadway Celtic, O'Kanes and Gracehill were joined for the 1972-73 season by Raglan Homers, Cullybackey Blues and Broadway Star among others. At the summer AGM the league would be preparing for a division of ten teams but Tullymore Rovers fell by the wayside and the fixtures for the new season would begin on the last Saturday in August with nine competing clubs.

Jimmy Barr eventually took over the manager's job with Raglan Homers and his lengthy reign continued to lay the foundations the current Harryville Homers side was built on. From humble beginnings, a group of pigeon fanciers set the ball rolling to create a team which is now one of the most successful and highly regarded throughout junior football in Northern Ireland.


Raglan Homers October 1972 - Back from left John Sinnerton, Geordie Millar, Brendan Armstrong, Tommy Craig,
Tam McMaster, and Matt Wray. Front from left Brian Swann, Davy Campbell, Jimmy McFall, Robert Doey, and Sammy Moore.


Raglan Homers February 1974 - Back from left John Sinnerton, Millar Eagleson, Danny Elliott, Billy Armstrong, Raymond Sloan,
and Davy Campbell. Front from left Jimmy Eagleson, John Sloan, Hughie Barr, and Sammy Moore.


Raglan Homers June 1974 Guardian Cup winners.


Raglan Homers October 1974.


Raglan Homers O'Kane Cup winners March 1974. Sammy Moore receives Cup from Billy O'Kane. Back from left Billy Ramsey,
Jackie Houston Sen, Hughie Barr, Ian Hunter, Wesley McNeill. Centre from left Raymond Sloan, Jim Barr, Geoff Lynn,
Jim Cameron, John Sinnerton, Billy Armstrong. Front from left Brian Montgomery, Billy O'Kane, Davy Campbell, Sammy Moore, Billy McCrory.


June 1974 Raglan Homers Guardian Cup winners presentation.

The start of the MAC Annual General Meeting in Ballymena & Dist Clubrooms was delayed due to an extended meeting of the earlier one regarding the local Nat Marking Centre, having said that it passed off very quickly despite the usual poor attendance.

Secretary Willie Reynolds read the minutes of the previous AGM which were passed as well as the Statement of Accounts. The very kind sponsorship by Dixon Contractors in getting the Diplomas and engraving the collection of cups and trophies over the last three seasons has left the Balance Sheet in a healthy state and fees have been kept to a minimum.

Under Correspondence a letter from Kells & Districted indicated the club had voted in favour of a return to the MAC competition. The application carried in a unanimous vote.

All officers were declared vacant and the following were returned to office. Robert Service of Ballymena & District was elected as Chairman and returns to a position he held for several years while in Harryville HPS. Secretary Willie Reynolds was returned to office and Danny Dixon we re-elected President. He was thanked for all his help over the last number of years.

One Resolution had been placed and was passed unanimously. Former member clubs intending to re-join MAC will have an opt-out clause in respect of Individual Members, not wishing to compete in the MAC Competition. Just before racing each member club will submit a list of competing members for the Old Bird Knock-Out and 4 Lofts for the Champions League, and at the start of July a list will be needed for those competing in the YB Knock-Out.

The fees have been adjusted for 2019, Club Membership at £3.00 includes all lofts and Associate Membership is now also £3.00. Thanks to sponsorship from Danny Dixon and The Village Inn, Dunloy some £1,250 is up for grabs. Specials will be along the same lines as 2016, although this time the amount paid out will be double. In the Champions League the winning club will win £200 and runner-up club £100. The Old Bird and Young Bird Knock-Out winners will each get £50. The major race list is as follows. Irish Nat FC – Skibbereen OB £50, Yearling Nat £50, Kings Cup Grand Nat £100, Friendship Nat £100, Penzance YB Grand Nat £50, and Skibbereen YB £50. NIPA – Barley Cove OB £50, Fermoy 5B £50, Castletown Yearling £50, Penzance Classic £50, St Malo OB Nat £100, Talbenny YB £50, Castletown 5B £50, Skibbereen YB £50. Bags of Mixture are to be confirmed.

Ballymena & District will host the presentation of prizes, usually just prior to Blackpool Show. MAC remains open for membership, super value at just £3.00 and good publicity as well. HOMER.

Cullybackey HPS – The clubrooms at Fenaghy Road will be open on Monday 25th March at 8.00pm for collection of Race Sheets, Vaccination Sheets and clocks to be returned for testing. Also prepare crates for the new racing season. All clubs should note Race Sheets/Allocation Sheets need lodged with club secretary 14 days prior to racing. The opening race is from Mullingar on Sat 13th April.

Lost in Lisburn: Red hen GB13R-48808, telephone 07933 861174.

CHARITY SALE -
A top quality Charity Sale will be held on Thursday 21st March @ 8.30pm. Birds on view 7.30pm. Venue : Chimney Corner Football Club . The sale is in memory of the late Johnny Gallagher , with all proceeds , towards Breathing Support Group , in aid of Dr Joe Kidney’s Research Fund . A top class selection of youngsters have been promised from Derby & National winners , plus many top fanciers , for this top quality sale – Also there will be a raffle on the night for an entry to this years NCC One Loft Race . Please support this event Further Info : Tel : 07716210571

Closing Date for INFC Membership is 12th April 2019, that’s the final date. Please note the new annual subscriptions are as follows. - Existing Member £20.00 payable through your club, New Member £25.00 payable through your club. - Individual Member paying direct £30.00, and new Individual Member paying direct £35.00.

INFC Race dates – Old Bird Inland Skibbereen Tuesday 28th May 2019 (Marking Monday), Yearling Nat Sennen Cove Wednesday 12th June 2019 (Marking Monday), Kings Cup St Allouestre Friday 5th July 2019 (Marking Tuesday), Friendship Nat Lamballe or Plougastel-Daoulas Friday 12th July 2019 (Marking Tuesday), Young Bird Inland Skibbereen Tuesday 27th August 2019 (Marking Monday), YB Channel Nat Penzance Wednesday 4th September 2019 (Marking Monday).

The votes cast at the AGM were as follows. Yearling National from Cheltenham was withdrawn. Newtown Abbot had 24 and Sennen Cove 40. Blue Riband King's Cup Le Mans had 11, Alencon had 29 and St. Allouestre 31. Friendship National from Vire had 25, Plougastel or Lamballe 36. Channel YB from Cheltenham had 11, Okehampton had 21 and Penzance 36. Meeting Register shows 73 attended, some 4% of the total membership 1873. Change of race point might just come up again in 2020, I suppose it will all depend on how things go in 2019. Don’t forget the deadline date for membership – It’s 12th April.

All clubs should note Race Sheets/Allocation Sheets and Vaccination Sheets need lodged with club secretary 14 days prior to racing. The opening NIPA race is from Mullingar on Sat 13th April. This year Ahoghill Flying Club will host the Marking Centre, a team of officials with assistance from member clubs will carry out all duties – Centre Manager will be Jackie Steele. Kells & District clubrooms will be open at 7.00pm on Thursday 28th March for return of race sheets, vaccination sheets, clocks and fees to be paid.

NIPA Transporter collection times.

Limavady 5 pm , Londonderry 6 pm , Amelia Earhart 6.15 pm , Maiden City 6.30 pm , Derry & Dist 6.45 pm , Foyle 7 pm , Strabane 7.40 pm , Mourne & Dist 8pm , Omagh 8.30 pm .
Glenarm 6 pm ,Horseshoe 6.30 , Larne 6.45pm , Ballycarry 7 pm , Carrick Social 7.30 pm , Carrick & Dist 7.40 pm , Ballyclare 8.10 pm , Doagh 8.30 pm , Kingsmoss 8.45 pm , Eastway 9 pm , Abbey 9.15 pm .
Castledawson 5.30 pm , Cookstown 6 pm , Coalisland 6.45 pm , Dungannon 7 pm , Annaghmore 7.15 pm , Blackwatertown , Loughgall & Bondhill 7.30 pm , Markethill 8.30 pm , Armagh 9 pm , Monaghan 9.30 pm .
Hills & Maze 6 pm , Beechpark 6.40 pm , Lurgan Social 7 pm , Wilton Cross 7.20 pm , Edgarstown 8 pm , Portadown /Drumcree 8.30 pm , Laurelvale 9 pm , Gilford 9.30 pm, Banbridge /Drumnavaddy 10 pm .
Glen 5 pm , Wheatfield 5.30 pm , Ligoniel 6 pm , Colin 6.30 pm , Glenavy 7 pm , Crumlin 7.25 pm , Ballyholland , Newry & Millvale approximately 10 pm .
Kircubbin 5.30 pm , Ards 6.pm , Dunedin 6.30 pm , Comber 7pm , Kingswood 7.30 pm , Titanic 8 pm , South Belfast 8.30 pm , Derriaghy 9 pm , Lisburn 9.30 pm Dromara 10.15 pm , Dromore 10. 45.
Corrigs 6 pm , Killyleagh Central 7.00, Killyleagh & Dist 7.15, Harmony 7.45 pm .
Windsor Social 5.30pm, Coleraine & Co Derry 6.00pm, Coleraine Prem 6.30 pm, Ballymoney HPS 7.00pm, Rasharkin 7.30pm, Cullybackey 8.00pm, Ahoghill 8.30pm, Ballymena & Dist 9.00pm, Broughshane 9.20pm, Harryville HPS 9.45pm, Kells & Dist 10.10pm, Randalstown 10.30 pm, Muckamore and 11.00pm.