Messac Kings Cup 2005 etc - Ronnie Johnston (Patron)

[willie reynolds]

For this weeks column I am going to look back on the 2005 Kings Cup Messac. 703/2,048 that were liberated at 6.30am into a light south wind. The club enjoyed a magnificent race with the winner being the popular Macolm Wilkinson of Wilton Cross in Lurgan. Malcom's Kings Cup winner a blue chequer cocked named Mowo made a vel of 1246 and collected a huge prize to go with the cup, pools and prize money of 6,485 pounds. Mowo was a magnificent Kings Cup winner having been 8th Open INFC Yearling National in 2004 from 5,122 birds competing, 1st South Section, 2nd Open went to Paddy Rock & son Martin of Skerries on a vel of 1227. The Rocks won the Kings Cup in 1997 from St Nazaire. Third Open was won by Tommy Cairns & Son Glengormley on a vel of 1205, Tommy won the Kings Cup in 1972 from Nantes. So we have had three Kings Cup winners 1st, 2nd & 3rd, now that must be something of a record.

Tommy Cairns also went on to win the Harkness Rose Bowl best 2-Bird Average when he clocked his second pigeon to win 17th Open. The Ulster Fed Cup was won by John Ramsey & Son Grosvenor finishing 6th Open. This same loft has again won the Federation Cup in 2009, the Single Bird Challenge and the Joe Doheny Cup was won by Malachy Maguire & Son Newry 19th Open.

The East Down Combine Cup won by D & C Morrison of Killyleagh in 5th Open. Only one Hall of Fame Diploma was won in 2005. The top National flyer Liam McCall of Wicklow collected the Diploma with the following positions 2003, 20th; 2004, 13th; 2005, 25th. Ronnie Williamson of Bondhill was National Champion.

Maurice Wilkinson known as Barney is very popular and well liked by all who come into contact with him. I enjoyed a visit to his lofts the year he won the Kings Cup with Mowo. Marice is a very close friend of Ronnie Williamson of Bondhill and they have exchanged pigeons now for a few years. This year the Wilkinson loft won 69th Open INFC Kings Cup Vannes with a 2yo blue tip cock 310 sire of this cock was the Kings Cup winner Mowo. The dam Ronnie Williamson's Lady Helen 1st Open INFC Fourgeres OB National only two birds in race time. 310 in his first nest has bred blue chequer cock winner of 63rd Open NIPA Talbenny YB National 2009. Maurice enjoyed a brilliant Kings Cup in 2009 as he also won 57th Open with the blue chequer cock 176 and this crack cock had previously won 18th Open NIPA St Malo in 2006. 176 this year has bred a blue chequer tip cock 83rd Open INFC Penzance YB National in 2009. 176 is a full cousin of Mowo and has 6x1sts. Mowo is leaving his mark in the loft as another grandson has won 64th Open NIPA Rosscarberry National followed by 4th Section E, 8th Open NIPA Penzance and won the club by 17 minutes, this is one for the future. Another one to look out for is a lovely blue cock already a winner of 1st Club, 5th Section, 8th Open Bude 2009, 196th Open INFC Sennen Cove Yearling National 2008.

The foundation birds of the loft are Tom Bell's blue hen stock from Rafferty & Toman, Ronnie Williamson a super blue cock from Eddie McKnight and a Delbar hen a goldmine at stock.

Some of Maurices top performances during the period 2000-09. 2000: 21st May, 4th, 5th & 81st Open & 1st, 2nd & 24th Section E Barleycove OB Derby; 7th June, 36th Open & 27th Section Sennen Cove Yearling National; 25th June, 4th Open & 4th Section E Sartilly OB Derby; 3rd July, 26th Open & 22nd Section Kings Cup.

2002: 25th May, 76th Open & 3rd Section E Rosscarberry OB Derby; 23rd June, 75th Open & 7th Section E Penzance Classic OB; 8th July, 8th Open & 3rd Section E Lambelle OB Derby; 28th August, 64th Open & 39th Section Penzance YB National.

2003: 14th June, 9th Open & 3rd Section E Bude OB; 22nd June, 59th & 108th Open & 21st & 30th Section E Penzance Classic; 11th June, 18th Open & 18th Section Sennen Cove Yearling National; 30th August, 75th Open & 45th Section E Talbenny YB National; 14th September, 78th Open & 20th Section E Rosscarberry YB National.

2004: 9th June, 8th, 98th & 211th Open Sennen Cove Yearling National; 12th June, 8th Open & 4th Section Bude OB; 19th June, 19th, 189th, 197th Open Sennen Cove Classic; 1st July, 69th Open & 62nd Section Kings Cup Messac. Blue chequer cock 8th Open Sennen Cove Yearling National winning 672 pounds.

2005: 4th May, 17th Section E Barleycove 60th Anniversary: 27th June, 133rd Open & 33rd Section E Portland; 18th June, 142nd Open & 149th Open Sennen Cove Classic; 3rd July, Kings Cup Messac blue chequer cock 2,894 pounds.

2006: 5th May, 61st Open & 21st Section E Yearling National hens; 7th June, 69th Open & 92nd Section Sennen Cove Yearling National; 23rd June, 18th Open & 5th Section E St Malo OB National; 7th September, 47th Open & 40th Section Old Hens Sennen Cove.

2007: 6th June, 6th Open & 18th Section E Yearling National hens; 21st June, 30th Open & 7th Section E Lamballe OB National; 17th June, 104th & 163rd Open Sennen Cove Yearling National; 1st September, 141st Open & 79th Section E Talbenny YB National.

2008: 18th May, 133rd Open & 36th Section E Rosscarberry OB National; 3rd June, 58th Open & 16th Section E Yearling National cock; 12th June, 196th & 239th Open Sennen Cove Yearling National.

2009: 24th May, 64th Open & 10th Section E Rosscarberry OB National; 11th June, 233rd & 317th Open Sennen Cove Yearling National; 20th June, 93rd Open & 38th Section E Penzance Classic; 3rd July, 57th & 69th Open Kings Cup Plaudren Vannes; 29th August, 63rd Open & 191st Open Talbenny YB National; 9th September, 83rd Open & 67th Section Penzance YB National, 130 birds in two days.

INFC Single Bird Challenge

This Championship within the INFC has gone from strength to strength under the direction of David Black. The 2009 race saw an entry of 344 birds and the winner was Jim Robinson of Edgarstown whose super hen finished 9th Open on 1365 flying 475 miles. Alan Darragh of Cullybackey was 2nd on 1362 and 11th Open. Tommy McClean of Annaghmore was 3rd on 1334 and 30th Open. The top three prizes were 500 pounds, 300 pounds and 200 pounds and each will receive a framed Diploma sponsored by Wesley Sawyers. Jim Robinson will also collect the Joe Doheny Challenge Cup at the National dinner in the Stormont Hotel.

Jim Robinson has enjoyed a super year at the highest level winning 6th Open NIPA St Malo OB National with a 2yo blue chequer hen. This lovely hen came into top form just before St Malo, she was also sent sitting eggs to the Kings Cup and had previously won 81st Open INFC Friendship National in 2007. Jim was runner up for the French Diploma this year and hopes to go one better in 2010.

Breaking News

The National Charity Show is all set for Saturday 12th December in the Kings Hall complex. The proceeds from this year show will be donated to children related charities. The charity auction will start at 3pm and this years selection could be the best ever. Looking at the pedigrees I have received, I am already excited about selling them. Would clubs do their best to support ballot star prize, six YBs donated by the brilliant Donnelly Bros of Newry.

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