INFC Update - Ronnie Johnston (Patron)
Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 3:25 pm
INFC Kings Cup
The well known County Antrim Village of Cullybackey has won the Kings Cup twice, first in 1986 by Alan Darragh from Jersey and then in 2004 by James Greer from Messac with the blue hen Rachel. 2,025 birds were liberated on 1st July at 7am into a south west wind and a day race was very much on the cards. I have vivid memories of this race as I was at the loft of the Dunedin partnership of Myles McConnell when they clocked their first pigeon to win 3rd Open, vel 1141, this 2yo cock was highly fancied and collected £6,598.
I had promised Tom Marshall to phone him when I heard of pigeons clocked, when I phoned him he was excited as he had just clocked and was to finish 4th North Section and 4th Open, vel 1136. Tom won the Gilliand Cup for the 1st IHU member after winner and the East Down Combine Cup 1st EDC member. Jimmy Greer's winner was flying a distance of 527 miles and made a vel of 1149. That outstanding National flyer Willie Blair of Ballymoney was 2nd North Section & 2nd Open a distance of 538 miles and a vel of 1155. Willie won the Nelson Vase 1st RPRA member after the winner and Jimmy collected the Kings Cup and the NIPA Cup.
The Harkness Rose Bowl for the best 2-Bird Average was won by Myles & McConnel who clocked their second bird to win 16th Open. Many outstanding performances were recorded in this race, one of these being Davie Ferran & Son of Fortfield winning 5th Open with a single entry flying 500 miles with a vel of 1092, the Ferran's won the Ulster Federation Cup. The leading South Section member was Liam McColl of Wicklow winning 13th Open. The Joe Cullen Cup 1st East Coast Fed member went to Hugh Gilligan of Stillorgan and he also collected the Joe Doheny Cup for the Single Bird Challenge finishing 24th Open.
The McCloud Cup for the leading yearling from Messac was won by former Kings Cup winner Tommy Cairns of Glengormley in 7th Open. Let me also mention Clifford Healy of Killyleagh who with a single bird entry won 6th Open. Cliffords son David is the top scoring Irish National footballer. The National Championship was not won but two Hall of Fame Diplomas were. Robert Telford of Annashmore, 2002-25th; 2003-7th; 2004-46th. McCracken Bros of Banbridge, 2002-15th; 2004-105th. I think you will agree, two pigeons that could grace any loft in Europe. 134 birds were recorded over three days.
1998 Awards
To win a major championship in any sport it is always an advantage to have a large squad, like football Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, horse racing Aidan O'Brien, Sir Michael Soutie and Paul Nicholls. The same could apply to pigeon racing but this is not always the case and a small tram fancier can reach the top and take the highest award at National level. The National Championship of the Irish National Flying Club was won in 1998 by Mr & Mrs David Suitters of Doagh flying a very small team at this level. The Kings Cup is a key race in winning this most coveted Championship and the Suitters set down a marker with a simply brilliant performance. 2,386 birds were liberated at 8.15 am into a light wing at Rennes on July 4th and Mr & Mrs Suitters won 16th Open with a vel of 495 flying 495 miles with a single entry.
The Kings Cup winner was A Murray & Son of Dundrum with Murrays Dream and only 39 birds were recorded in three days. Dinard was the race point for the second Old Bird National known as the Friendship National and 700 birds were liberated at 6.10am into a light wind on the 14th July. The Suitters won 19th Open with a vel of 467 at 457 miles with a three bird entry. 39 birds made home over the three days of this National race. The Penzance YB National is a race point that can bring an end to many championship hopefuls, 2,429 young birds were entered for this race and liberated at 11am into a south west wind on September 9th. The Suitters loft continued in super form and again from a three bird entry they won 27th Open with a vel of 12313 flying 321 miles. The Skibbereen Young Bird Inland National drew a huge entry of 5,102 birds and Mr & Mrs Suitters agaon made the Open prize list winning 280th Open with a vel of 1158 at 259 birds.
Clocking from the Sennen Cove Yearling National was enough for Mr & Mrs David Suitters to win the Erwin Cup for the INFC National Championship and they can be a very proud partnership to win such a coveted award.
Late News
Lyndon Boyle the long time chairman of the NIPA has been under the weather for some time now and has had a spell in hospital. His many friends in the pigeon world will be glad to learn that he is making some progress and we hope this will continue. It seems a life time since I first attended an INFC committee meeting with him, as far back as when the late Nelson Corry was chairman.
INFC 2009
The past season saw all cups and trophies presented, the first time since 2006. Many super performances were recorded during 2009 and I was more than surprised to see two Hall of Fame diplomas won. This is very much coveted award is difficult to win as the pigeon must be three times an Open prizewinner from the King's Cup. I really am in awe of the two winners in 2009 when you realise that no King's Cup was flown for in 2007 and 2008. These two pigeons were Open prizewinners in 2005 and 2006 and it was not until 2009 that the famous diploma was won.
First up was Paddy Rock & son Martin of Skerries with Little PJ; 2005 - 35th Open, 2006 - 33rd Open, 2009 - 103rd Open. The Rock's are former winners of the King's Cup in 1997 but I can tell you that winning this diploma gave so much pleasure as winning the King's Cup.
The second diploma was won by the very popular Stewart Bros, Randalstown with Grange Lady, 2004 - 54th Open, 2006 - 64th Open, 2009 - 246th Open, yes read that again, 2004 to 2009, a six year period to win her Hall of Fame. The brothers can be very proud of her, she is something special, and by the way this is the brothers second Hall of Fame award.
Bob McKnight
At the Belfast Show I was handed a photograph of the King's Cup presentation in 1965. The race was flown from Nantes and the winner was Bob McKnight & son, Banbridge with his famous blue chequer cock Old Faithful on a velocity of 1105 ypm. Old Faithful was later purchased by LPW who had also bought the Kings Cup winner of 1963 Bann King raced by Anthony McDonnell of Coleraine. Bann King was the longest flying winner of the Kings Cup having won his National for Les Sables and he is still the longest flying winner this day. The photograph contained some well known fanciers, Eddie Ryan, Paddy Arthurs, Frank Andrews, Bob McKnight, George Parkes and Jackie Porter. Paddy Arthurs was at the Belfast Show and I always like a chat with him, a pigeon man all his life.
INFC Charity Show
The judges for the charity show travelled all the way from Scotland and the Midlands and I am sure they enjoyed a great weekend. The well known Roy Clarke of Tamworth judged YC Handled and the winners were W & W Gilbert, Randalstown 1st & 2nd with T & K Mawhinney, Donacloney 3rd. The Gilberts winner was also awarded Best YB in Show. Paul Hitches, Tamworth judged OB Eyesign and this time clear for W W Gilbert with 1st, 2nd & 3rd. The winner of this class was judged as BOS. Keith Walters of Nuneaton judged YB eyesign and this strong class was won by Jim Ross, Glenavy. T & K Mawhinney were runners-up with Russell Bros Cullybackey 3rd. John Morgan, Lockerbie was the judge for OC Handled and the winners Brown & Shaw, Dromore also took BIS with this winner. Cristopher Shaw, Dromore was 2nd and R Telford, West Belfast 3rd.
Michael Currie from Moffat was the judge for OH Handled and Joe Galbraith & son, Kingswood had a good day winning 1st & 3rd with E Wright & son, Lurgan Social 3rd. Kenny Thompson, Lockerbie was the man for YH Handled and this class was won by the popular R Telford with Regie Moore & son, Bangor 2nd and T & K Mawhinney 3rd. Herbie Phillips, Lagan Valley was the judge for all the specials and the Randalstown partnership of W & W Gilbert took the trophy for Most Points in Show.
The show officials would like to thank all those who helped in any way to make it a successful day. Many Thanks!
A Special thank you to the Donnelly Bros Newry who presented six 2010 YBs to the show as the special ballot prize; Albert Lockhart of Ballylesson, I am told sold the winning ticket. That's another show over and I hope it was enjoyed by all who attended.
INFC Skibbereen Nationals
Gloria Hunniford presented to the INFC a new trophy in memory of her late father, the trophy to be named as the Charles Hunniford Memorial Trophy. The trophy to be awarded to the loft with the Best Average Skibbereen OB Inland National and Skibbereen YB National (North Section). First flown for in 2008 with the winner being John Patterson of Ballylesson.
These two Skibbereen races were very competitive and I was amazed how many top lofts were in contention to win the trophy in 2009. Let me give you a selection of the front runners, Hutchinson Bros of Ashfield 1st Open Skibbereen YB & 24th Open Skibbereen OB; J & D Braniff of Wheatfield 12th Open Skibbereen YB & 18th Open Skibbereen OB; last years winner John Patterson of Ballylesson 16th Open Skibbereen YB & 2nd Open Skibbereen OB; Evans & Leahy of Kingswood 11th Open Skibbereen YB & 7th Open Skibbereen OB; Donnelly Bros of Newry 2nd Open Skibbereen YB & 11th Open Skibbereen OB. These were outstanding performances but not good enough as the eventual winners were A & N Lewis of Donagh 4th Open INFC Skibbereen OB National followed by 7th Open INFC Skibbereen YB National.
In the shake up for this magnificent trophy was the Kingswood partnership of Evans & Leahy and I decided to pay them a visit. The visit was to bring back many memories for me as on the way back from my home in Dundonald I passed Elm Grove Primary School I attended, the Grove street East where I first raced pigeons and then Ravensdale Street where my wife Alice lived. Evans & Leahy race from Lord Street in East Belfast and the last time I was in Lord street was to visit the loft of Nat Wiltom some 40 years ago. The loft is at the home of Bobby Evans with his son Wilf making up the race team. Leahy was a grandson who is more interested in the other type of birds.
The Evans & Leahy loft is next door to Eddie Burton and just two doors away from the loft of Ronnie Conlance, you can guess what it is like on race day. They are all members of Kingswood HPS who have just recently joined the NIPA and are in Section D. 2009 was a super year for the partnership with many highlights but Wilf picked out the National performances of his choice. 3,718 birds competed in the INFC Skibbereen OB Inland National and the loft won 7th, 114th, & 125th Open a super result. The winning pigeon a blue cock is from Phillip Boal of Dromore. The Skibbereen YB National saw 3,118 birds compete and another stunning result from Evans & Leahy winning 11th Open, this time the winner was a blue hen from the outstanding partnership of Reggie Moore & son David.
Make no mistake about it Section D is hard to win but the Evans boys won it twice in 2009. The YBs flew out of their skin this year Tullamore (area liberation) 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th & 10th Club, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th Section D & 12th, 13th, 17th & 18th Open, 5,201 birds; 3rd Club Rosscrea & 69th Open 10,495 birds; Clonmel 1st Club, 31st Section, 2,858 birds; Fermoy 1st, 3rd, 6th & 8th Club, 1st Section D, 23rd Open 21,309 birds; Tullamore 1st, 2nd & 8th Club, 21st Section & 64th Open 8,822 birds; Rosscarbery 2nd & 4th Club and finally 11th Open INFC YB National Skibbereen, now wait for it! How many YBs raced 20. The old birds won 1st Club Tullamore and Rosscrea giving them 6x1st Clubs plus the two Skibbereen National results.
Bobby has also had a lot of success with Frank Sheader pigeons with one hen having 4x1st Clubs and 38th Open Skibbereen National. This season they enjoyed a double success winning Old Bird of the Year with a blue hen another Frank Sheader pigeon from the lines of Gold and Silver. They also won Young Bird of the Year with another blue hen, this time from the Philip Boal pigeons.
Bobby was not slow in letting me know how well Eddie Burton and Ronnie Conlane flew in 2009. Ronnie had a smashing victory from the NIPA St Malo OB National winning 1st Club & 1st Section D with a cracking blue cock. Bobby and Wiff put a lot of work into the pigeons and this year, the YBs were well trained going most days with Andy Milliken at Lagan Valley or Frankie Mudd of East End. The compound in Lord Street is very competitive and keeps Evans & Leahy on their toes, I hope it is not as long again before I visit Lord street.
INFC Kings Cup
In this weeks column we will look back on the Kings Cup race of 1982. The winner was Joe Doheny of Dublin with a super 5yo red chequer hen named Nancy. Joe's winner was flying 514 miles and the winning velocity was 914 ypm. This was a very hard race and two of the main trophies were not won, the Harkness Rose Bowl Best 2-Bird Average and the Erwin Cup for the National Championship.
The race was flown from Les Sables and two Hall of Fame Diplomas were won. The late Wilfie Harrison of Castlereagh 19080 - 117th, 1981 - 42nd, 1982 - 15th. Gordon Kirkpatrick of Ballymac 1980 - 83rd, 1981 - 62nd, 1982 - 14th. It was also the first year that two Gold Medals were won four times an Open prize winner from the Kings Cup John McCartan of Annalong 1979 - 84th, 19080 - 97th, 1981 - 149th, 1982 - 17th. Gordon Kirkpatrick of Ballymac 1979 - 119th, 1980 - 83rd, 1981 - 62nd, 1982 - 14th. The Ulster Federation Cup was won by Sammy Wright of Belfast. The East Down Combine Cup by Ernie Totten of Ballylesson and Ernie also won the Gilliland Cup 1st IHU member after the winner. Nelson Vase 1st RPRA member after the member went to B Wilkingshaw & Son Milltown. Frank Scott of Dromore won the Friendship National from Sartilly and George McDowell of Kells won the Ervine Cup Best Average Les Sables and Sartilly, the second OB National. The awards were presented by Reg Jarvis the then secretary of the NFC.
Late News
At the National Charity Show and Sale of gift pigeons we omitted to take the buyers name for the three 2010 YB lofts offered by Burns Bros, D Suitters and J & D Braniff. Would the buyer let me know for my record, 90483625. If you did not get to the show I have a few Squills available at 202 Comber Road, Dundonald.
The well known County Antrim Village of Cullybackey has won the Kings Cup twice, first in 1986 by Alan Darragh from Jersey and then in 2004 by James Greer from Messac with the blue hen Rachel. 2,025 birds were liberated on 1st July at 7am into a south west wind and a day race was very much on the cards. I have vivid memories of this race as I was at the loft of the Dunedin partnership of Myles McConnell when they clocked their first pigeon to win 3rd Open, vel 1141, this 2yo cock was highly fancied and collected £6,598.
I had promised Tom Marshall to phone him when I heard of pigeons clocked, when I phoned him he was excited as he had just clocked and was to finish 4th North Section and 4th Open, vel 1136. Tom won the Gilliand Cup for the 1st IHU member after winner and the East Down Combine Cup 1st EDC member. Jimmy Greer's winner was flying a distance of 527 miles and made a vel of 1149. That outstanding National flyer Willie Blair of Ballymoney was 2nd North Section & 2nd Open a distance of 538 miles and a vel of 1155. Willie won the Nelson Vase 1st RPRA member after the winner and Jimmy collected the Kings Cup and the NIPA Cup.
The Harkness Rose Bowl for the best 2-Bird Average was won by Myles & McConnel who clocked their second bird to win 16th Open. Many outstanding performances were recorded in this race, one of these being Davie Ferran & Son of Fortfield winning 5th Open with a single entry flying 500 miles with a vel of 1092, the Ferran's won the Ulster Federation Cup. The leading South Section member was Liam McColl of Wicklow winning 13th Open. The Joe Cullen Cup 1st East Coast Fed member went to Hugh Gilligan of Stillorgan and he also collected the Joe Doheny Cup for the Single Bird Challenge finishing 24th Open.
The McCloud Cup for the leading yearling from Messac was won by former Kings Cup winner Tommy Cairns of Glengormley in 7th Open. Let me also mention Clifford Healy of Killyleagh who with a single bird entry won 6th Open. Cliffords son David is the top scoring Irish National footballer. The National Championship was not won but two Hall of Fame Diplomas were. Robert Telford of Annashmore, 2002-25th; 2003-7th; 2004-46th. McCracken Bros of Banbridge, 2002-15th; 2004-105th. I think you will agree, two pigeons that could grace any loft in Europe. 134 birds were recorded over three days.
1998 Awards
To win a major championship in any sport it is always an advantage to have a large squad, like football Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, horse racing Aidan O'Brien, Sir Michael Soutie and Paul Nicholls. The same could apply to pigeon racing but this is not always the case and a small tram fancier can reach the top and take the highest award at National level. The National Championship of the Irish National Flying Club was won in 1998 by Mr & Mrs David Suitters of Doagh flying a very small team at this level. The Kings Cup is a key race in winning this most coveted Championship and the Suitters set down a marker with a simply brilliant performance. 2,386 birds were liberated at 8.15 am into a light wing at Rennes on July 4th and Mr & Mrs Suitters won 16th Open with a vel of 495 flying 495 miles with a single entry.
The Kings Cup winner was A Murray & Son of Dundrum with Murrays Dream and only 39 birds were recorded in three days. Dinard was the race point for the second Old Bird National known as the Friendship National and 700 birds were liberated at 6.10am into a light wind on the 14th July. The Suitters won 19th Open with a vel of 467 at 457 miles with a three bird entry. 39 birds made home over the three days of this National race. The Penzance YB National is a race point that can bring an end to many championship hopefuls, 2,429 young birds were entered for this race and liberated at 11am into a south west wind on September 9th. The Suitters loft continued in super form and again from a three bird entry they won 27th Open with a vel of 12313 flying 321 miles. The Skibbereen Young Bird Inland National drew a huge entry of 5,102 birds and Mr & Mrs Suitters agaon made the Open prize list winning 280th Open with a vel of 1158 at 259 birds.
Clocking from the Sennen Cove Yearling National was enough for Mr & Mrs David Suitters to win the Erwin Cup for the INFC National Championship and they can be a very proud partnership to win such a coveted award.
Late News
Lyndon Boyle the long time chairman of the NIPA has been under the weather for some time now and has had a spell in hospital. His many friends in the pigeon world will be glad to learn that he is making some progress and we hope this will continue. It seems a life time since I first attended an INFC committee meeting with him, as far back as when the late Nelson Corry was chairman.
INFC 2009
The past season saw all cups and trophies presented, the first time since 2006. Many super performances were recorded during 2009 and I was more than surprised to see two Hall of Fame diplomas won. This is very much coveted award is difficult to win as the pigeon must be three times an Open prizewinner from the King's Cup. I really am in awe of the two winners in 2009 when you realise that no King's Cup was flown for in 2007 and 2008. These two pigeons were Open prizewinners in 2005 and 2006 and it was not until 2009 that the famous diploma was won.
First up was Paddy Rock & son Martin of Skerries with Little PJ; 2005 - 35th Open, 2006 - 33rd Open, 2009 - 103rd Open. The Rock's are former winners of the King's Cup in 1997 but I can tell you that winning this diploma gave so much pleasure as winning the King's Cup.
The second diploma was won by the very popular Stewart Bros, Randalstown with Grange Lady, 2004 - 54th Open, 2006 - 64th Open, 2009 - 246th Open, yes read that again, 2004 to 2009, a six year period to win her Hall of Fame. The brothers can be very proud of her, she is something special, and by the way this is the brothers second Hall of Fame award.
Bob McKnight
At the Belfast Show I was handed a photograph of the King's Cup presentation in 1965. The race was flown from Nantes and the winner was Bob McKnight & son, Banbridge with his famous blue chequer cock Old Faithful on a velocity of 1105 ypm. Old Faithful was later purchased by LPW who had also bought the Kings Cup winner of 1963 Bann King raced by Anthony McDonnell of Coleraine. Bann King was the longest flying winner of the Kings Cup having won his National for Les Sables and he is still the longest flying winner this day. The photograph contained some well known fanciers, Eddie Ryan, Paddy Arthurs, Frank Andrews, Bob McKnight, George Parkes and Jackie Porter. Paddy Arthurs was at the Belfast Show and I always like a chat with him, a pigeon man all his life.
INFC Charity Show
The judges for the charity show travelled all the way from Scotland and the Midlands and I am sure they enjoyed a great weekend. The well known Roy Clarke of Tamworth judged YC Handled and the winners were W & W Gilbert, Randalstown 1st & 2nd with T & K Mawhinney, Donacloney 3rd. The Gilberts winner was also awarded Best YB in Show. Paul Hitches, Tamworth judged OB Eyesign and this time clear for W W Gilbert with 1st, 2nd & 3rd. The winner of this class was judged as BOS. Keith Walters of Nuneaton judged YB eyesign and this strong class was won by Jim Ross, Glenavy. T & K Mawhinney were runners-up with Russell Bros Cullybackey 3rd. John Morgan, Lockerbie was the judge for OC Handled and the winners Brown & Shaw, Dromore also took BIS with this winner. Cristopher Shaw, Dromore was 2nd and R Telford, West Belfast 3rd.
Michael Currie from Moffat was the judge for OH Handled and Joe Galbraith & son, Kingswood had a good day winning 1st & 3rd with E Wright & son, Lurgan Social 3rd. Kenny Thompson, Lockerbie was the man for YH Handled and this class was won by the popular R Telford with Regie Moore & son, Bangor 2nd and T & K Mawhinney 3rd. Herbie Phillips, Lagan Valley was the judge for all the specials and the Randalstown partnership of W & W Gilbert took the trophy for Most Points in Show.
The show officials would like to thank all those who helped in any way to make it a successful day. Many Thanks!
A Special thank you to the Donnelly Bros Newry who presented six 2010 YBs to the show as the special ballot prize; Albert Lockhart of Ballylesson, I am told sold the winning ticket. That's another show over and I hope it was enjoyed by all who attended.
INFC Skibbereen Nationals
Gloria Hunniford presented to the INFC a new trophy in memory of her late father, the trophy to be named as the Charles Hunniford Memorial Trophy. The trophy to be awarded to the loft with the Best Average Skibbereen OB Inland National and Skibbereen YB National (North Section). First flown for in 2008 with the winner being John Patterson of Ballylesson.
These two Skibbereen races were very competitive and I was amazed how many top lofts were in contention to win the trophy in 2009. Let me give you a selection of the front runners, Hutchinson Bros of Ashfield 1st Open Skibbereen YB & 24th Open Skibbereen OB; J & D Braniff of Wheatfield 12th Open Skibbereen YB & 18th Open Skibbereen OB; last years winner John Patterson of Ballylesson 16th Open Skibbereen YB & 2nd Open Skibbereen OB; Evans & Leahy of Kingswood 11th Open Skibbereen YB & 7th Open Skibbereen OB; Donnelly Bros of Newry 2nd Open Skibbereen YB & 11th Open Skibbereen OB. These were outstanding performances but not good enough as the eventual winners were A & N Lewis of Donagh 4th Open INFC Skibbereen OB National followed by 7th Open INFC Skibbereen YB National.
In the shake up for this magnificent trophy was the Kingswood partnership of Evans & Leahy and I decided to pay them a visit. The visit was to bring back many memories for me as on the way back from my home in Dundonald I passed Elm Grove Primary School I attended, the Grove street East where I first raced pigeons and then Ravensdale Street where my wife Alice lived. Evans & Leahy race from Lord Street in East Belfast and the last time I was in Lord street was to visit the loft of Nat Wiltom some 40 years ago. The loft is at the home of Bobby Evans with his son Wilf making up the race team. Leahy was a grandson who is more interested in the other type of birds.
The Evans & Leahy loft is next door to Eddie Burton and just two doors away from the loft of Ronnie Conlance, you can guess what it is like on race day. They are all members of Kingswood HPS who have just recently joined the NIPA and are in Section D. 2009 was a super year for the partnership with many highlights but Wilf picked out the National performances of his choice. 3,718 birds competed in the INFC Skibbereen OB Inland National and the loft won 7th, 114th, & 125th Open a super result. The winning pigeon a blue cock is from Phillip Boal of Dromore. The Skibbereen YB National saw 3,118 birds compete and another stunning result from Evans & Leahy winning 11th Open, this time the winner was a blue hen from the outstanding partnership of Reggie Moore & son David.
Make no mistake about it Section D is hard to win but the Evans boys won it twice in 2009. The YBs flew out of their skin this year Tullamore (area liberation) 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th & 10th Club, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th Section D & 12th, 13th, 17th & 18th Open, 5,201 birds; 3rd Club Rosscrea & 69th Open 10,495 birds; Clonmel 1st Club, 31st Section, 2,858 birds; Fermoy 1st, 3rd, 6th & 8th Club, 1st Section D, 23rd Open 21,309 birds; Tullamore 1st, 2nd & 8th Club, 21st Section & 64th Open 8,822 birds; Rosscarbery 2nd & 4th Club and finally 11th Open INFC YB National Skibbereen, now wait for it! How many YBs raced 20. The old birds won 1st Club Tullamore and Rosscrea giving them 6x1st Clubs plus the two Skibbereen National results.
Bobby has also had a lot of success with Frank Sheader pigeons with one hen having 4x1st Clubs and 38th Open Skibbereen National. This season they enjoyed a double success winning Old Bird of the Year with a blue hen another Frank Sheader pigeon from the lines of Gold and Silver. They also won Young Bird of the Year with another blue hen, this time from the Philip Boal pigeons.
Bobby was not slow in letting me know how well Eddie Burton and Ronnie Conlane flew in 2009. Ronnie had a smashing victory from the NIPA St Malo OB National winning 1st Club & 1st Section D with a cracking blue cock. Bobby and Wiff put a lot of work into the pigeons and this year, the YBs were well trained going most days with Andy Milliken at Lagan Valley or Frankie Mudd of East End. The compound in Lord Street is very competitive and keeps Evans & Leahy on their toes, I hope it is not as long again before I visit Lord street.
INFC Kings Cup
In this weeks column we will look back on the Kings Cup race of 1982. The winner was Joe Doheny of Dublin with a super 5yo red chequer hen named Nancy. Joe's winner was flying 514 miles and the winning velocity was 914 ypm. This was a very hard race and two of the main trophies were not won, the Harkness Rose Bowl Best 2-Bird Average and the Erwin Cup for the National Championship.
The race was flown from Les Sables and two Hall of Fame Diplomas were won. The late Wilfie Harrison of Castlereagh 19080 - 117th, 1981 - 42nd, 1982 - 15th. Gordon Kirkpatrick of Ballymac 1980 - 83rd, 1981 - 62nd, 1982 - 14th. It was also the first year that two Gold Medals were won four times an Open prize winner from the Kings Cup John McCartan of Annalong 1979 - 84th, 19080 - 97th, 1981 - 149th, 1982 - 17th. Gordon Kirkpatrick of Ballymac 1979 - 119th, 1980 - 83rd, 1981 - 62nd, 1982 - 14th. The Ulster Federation Cup was won by Sammy Wright of Belfast. The East Down Combine Cup by Ernie Totten of Ballylesson and Ernie also won the Gilliland Cup 1st IHU member after the winner. Nelson Vase 1st RPRA member after the member went to B Wilkingshaw & Son Milltown. Frank Scott of Dromore won the Friendship National from Sartilly and George McDowell of Kells won the Ervine Cup Best Average Les Sables and Sartilly, the second OB National. The awards were presented by Reg Jarvis the then secretary of the NFC.
Late News
At the National Charity Show and Sale of gift pigeons we omitted to take the buyers name for the three 2010 YB lofts offered by Burns Bros, D Suitters and J & D Braniff. Would the buyer let me know for my record, 90483625. If you did not get to the show I have a few Squills available at 202 Comber Road, Dundonald.