INFC Update - Ronnie Johnston (Patron)

[willie reynolds]

INFC Penzance YB National

I was delighted to have a few words with Paddy Arthurs of Dundale who was at the marking station with Peter MaKeown from Castle Bellingham. Peter has enjoyed a remarkable year winning a ETS system from Penzance with the East Coast Fed OB's. Little did Peter know that he would go on to win a second ETS system from Talbenny with the YB's. I was not surprised that the winning pigeon were Busschaerts from Mick Lilley of Hartlepool.

During the early 90's John Patterson, Tom Marshall, Ken Tompsett and I travelled to the Up North Combine area every year after the season ended and we called with Mick in the company of Alf Rothwell. I was most impressed with Micks set up and in my opinion he was a class fancier. Paddy Arthurs and I have been friends for a life time first meeting at IHV meetings in the Dundale and Dublin when I was a delegate.

Gregg Bros & McCandles

I was sorry to learn that Stephen and Pauls mother has been ill for some time and the pigeons have had to take a back seat. They have been back and forward to Hospital for weeks now and as family must come first the family got a real lift when Gregg Bros & McCandles won 1st Section, 1st Open INFC Old Hens from Sennen Cove, there is nothing like a National victory to bring happiness to the whole family. The winner is a yearling hen through close friend Frank Tasker.

Some time ago I gave a talk on racing pigeons to a group meeting of retired Civil Servants. I think it went very well but someone must have given my phone number to several other groups as I now have two more dates in my diary for October, a month that I am usually very busy. I enjoy talking about pigeons but I don't think we are going to recruit any new members from my talks.

Penzance YB National

A super win for Donnelly Bros of Newry from the INFC Penzance YB National, make no mistake this was a very difficult race with less than 150 home in two days. I have tried to work out the reason as to why the returns were so bad. The entry was the best since 2005 at well over 2,000 YB's.

In 2008 the liberation took place in a light west wind and all the Section and Open prizes were won, race winner R Cassells of Edgarstown and would you believe it he was 2nd Open this year to the Donnelly Bros's. In 2008 Richard and John Donnelly won 9th, 21st & 23rd Open, this race was flown in a light west wind.

2007 was another hard race with only 80 clocked in two days and the winner C & L Woodside, Ballyclare, the birds were liberated into a north west wind and we all expected a hard race.

I was going to come down on the side of the wind as the main reason for the poor returns, but I then checked the records for 2006 and this race was flown in a north wind and all the Section and Open winners were won with the race winner Glen Buckley & son who in fact flew a super race winning 1st, 2nd & 11th Open.

This is the second year in succession that the Donnelly Bro's have won an INFC National having won in 2008 1st Section, 1st Open Friendship National Quimper with the only bird on the day.

INFC National Dinner

Tickets are now available for the National Dinner to be held Friday 27th November in the Four Star Stormont Hotel. Tickets are priced at 26 pounds each. Accommodation in the Hotel can be booked through Trevor Topping or Ronnie Johnston, 75 pounds for a double room bed and breakfast. I would advise to book early.

The Duddy Challenge

Robin Duddy presented the INFC with a new trophy that was flown for this season. The criteria - 3-Bird nomination Sennen Cove Yearling National and 3-Bird nomination Penzance YB National, you will agree a formidable task. Congratulations to the first winner of the trophy former Kings Cup winner Geoffrey Douglas of Lurgan. At the National Dinner in the Stormont Hotel on Friday 27th November Geoffrey will collect his trophy and a 1,000 pound prize money. Runner-up was J Dowey & sons, Tandragee and in 3rd place another former YB National winner McCartan & Woodside of Crossgar.

Just as I was about to send my notes in the Duddy Trophy what does Douglas go and do? Win 1st Section, 1st Open NIPA Rosscarbery YB National with the blue cock Foxy Jack. The Douglas loft has had a number of very successful years in the 90s but this could be one of the best yet.