Western Counties NR Championship Club -

[willie reynolds]

A Measure of success. 2020, Western Counties North Road Championship Club

In a year of uncertainty due to Covid 19, and a club in disarray from 2019 season. A meeting was called and a plan to rebuild the club committee and have one more go was put in place. Our club is based in West of Ireland and spread over four Counties, Mayo, Sligo, Rosscommon and Leitrim and in cases 60 mile between flyers. Our club is flying with the west of Ireland Fed, which is a super Fed and offers us flying on the north rd. and with a super committee it runs very well. Our club and members raced as many of the fed races as possible with young teams and poor wind conditions offering the biggest challenges, flying from the northeast to the west is never an easy task here, and with the lowest birdage in the Fed and the birds needing to break at point we were asking a lot, but we persisted. Some members suffered big losses and some done better but the members kept trying and pushing as hard as they could week after week, a testament to their desire for their club to work out..

On the 26th September we had our prize awards (that was only possible because member paid a basket fee) it was a beautiful day and Noel Plummer hosted this event in his garden. It was a great day and with tea, cake and sandwiches all round everyone was in super form. It gave the club a chance to talk and reflect on the season gone, mistakes and areas for improvement. The lessons in 2020 were harsh and won’t be forgotten for a long time.

Our club races were often a slow affair with velocity of 900ypm taken the honours, and one of the furthest flyers Jason O Brien often getting on the score sheet because of the over fly of 40 mile to him. Our club performances of the year were undoubtedly from Ricky Hilton in the old bird race from Lisburn picking up 3rd fed and first club with a velocity of 1238.110ypm, Ricky is also the one of the smallest senders only sending 2-4 bird a race. And Mick Bowler in the YB race from Monaghan taking 1st and 2nd fed and 1st and 2nd club, with a Velocity of 1343.277ypm & 1338.474ypm respectively. Mick is also the furthest flyer with another 20 mile on Jason O Brien. An incredible performance from 2 YB. In other fed result we as a club put birds in the fed top 10, top 20 and seen great improvement in certain flyers creeping up the fed sheet. So things are looking up.

Jason O Brien took the old bird averages and N&S Plummer/A&P Wichert joint winners of the YB averages. Lots of flyers also receiving cards for positions throughout the season. We also had Nom bird for each race..

As Club secretary I am super proud of all the members who worked so hard and when you think we can’t have any more success this year they all dig deep and raise the money for a small transporter for our club from their own pockets. So when we measure success of our clubs maybe it’s deeper than velocities, wins and glory (while important) but about the members and their enjoyment. And the smiles when everyone is together, and maybe the rest will fall into place. We have really enjoyed 2020, and grown as a club more than I could have ever imagined. A small club with a Big Heart.

Club Secretary
Jason O Brien