Skibbereen Inl OB National - 2009
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 6:19 pm
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The birdage for the opening race in the INFC programme had a one third increase in entries over last year. The race had been delayed for a couple of days due to the weather, it was flown last Thursday 28th May with liberation at 10.30am in a helping South West wind. Overall winners were Cromie & Magee & Son from Ballynahinch followed by John Patterson from Ballylesson who won the Skibbereen YB Nat last year.
INFC Skibbereen OB National 492/3,755 1st Cromie & Magee & Son Ballynahinch 1650 DE LM £882, 2nd J Patterson Ballylesson 1632 ABCDE IJKLM £889, 3rd L McKinstry Dundonald £195, 4th A & N Lewis Doagh & Dist 1619 ABCD IJKL £430, 5th G Furlong Wexford N & S 1614 ABCDEF OPQRS £443, 6th M/M Stevenson Dromara 1611 ABCDE IJKLM £462, 7th W & R Evans & Leahy Kingswood 1608 IJKL £199, 8th Dobbs Bros Wexford N & S 1607 £82, 9th C Campbell & Son Horseshoe 1602 ABCD IJKL £239, 10th J Lindores, Son & Nicolson West Belfast 1601 ABCDEF IJKLMN £662, 11th Donnelly Bros Newry City 1599 ABCD IJKLMN £454, 12th J Vage & Son Dromore 1598 ABCDEF IJKLMN £513, 13th Gordon Bros & Sons Killyleagh Cent 1596 ABCDE IJKLMN & Nom £587, 14th J Vage & Son Dromore 1595 ABCDEF & Nom IJKLMN £523, 15th M/M Stevenson Dromara 1594 £49, 16th L Donnelly & Son Finglas 1591 £55, 17th L Donnelly & Son 1591 OPQRST & Nom £203, 18th J & D Braniff Wheatfield 1591 DE £77, 19th McCracken Bros Banbridge 1587 £30, 20th R Moore & Son Bangor 1586 LM £135, 21st T Marshall & Son Newtownbreda 1585 M £107, 22nd G Douglas Wilton Cross 1579 ABCD IJKL £133, 23rd A Morgan Trim 1577 £44, 24th Hutchinson Bros Ashfield 1577 DE LM £163, 25th K Tompsett Comber Soc 1574 DE LM £153, 26th C McArdle & Son Banbridge Soc 1571 IJKLM £140, 27th Connor Bros Kingsmoss 1570 D L £94, 28th L F & B McGrath Drumnavaddy 1569 DE IJKLM £177, 29th S G Briggs Lisburn & Dist 1567 DE LM £153, 30th A & N Lewis 1565 £49, 31st J Patterson 1563 ABCDE IJKLM £187, 32nd M/M G Mallen Banbridge Soc 1562 £44, 33rd F Simpson Doagh & Dist 1560 £44, 34th P Lue & Son Downpatrick 1559 DE LM £148, 35th E Burton Kingswood 1559 D L £89, 36th M/M Stevenson 1558 £44, 37th J Crossan 1555 IJKLM £135, 38th Brown & Burns Dromore 1554 L £72, 39th L Magee & Son Lisburn & Dist 1553 £44, 40th C McArdle & Sons 1552 IJKLM £135, 41st J Patterson 1550 IJKLM £135, 42nd J Smyth & Sons Drumnavaddy 1550 £44, 43rd P & J Boal Dromore 1549 ABCDE IJKLM £187, 44th T Marshall & Son 1548 M £82, 45th A Craig Tandragee 1548 £44, 46th Gregg Bros & McCandless Ligoniel 1548 ABCDEF IJKLMN £302, £187, 47th A & R Milliken Lagan Valley 1548 £44, 48th P & J Boal 1548 ABCDE IJKLM £187, 49th B & M McCorriston Dromore 1544 D IJKL £113, 50th J Patterson 1543 ABCDE IJKLM £173, 51st R McMeekin Kingsmoss 1542 IJKLM £121, 52nd A Cousins & Sons Ballylesson 1539 ABCDEF IJKLMN £288, 53rd E Russell Moira 1539 ABCDE IJKLM £173, 54th L Donnelly & Son Finglas 1538 £39, 55th M Foulis Dundonald 1536 £44, 56th J Brown Ind North 1536 ABCD IJKL £113, 57th J Douglas & Son Lurgan Soc 1535 CD KL £94, 58th J Young & Partners Dundonald 1535 DE LM £125, 59th R Adamson Corcreeney 1533 £40, 60th Arthurs & Smyth Kircubbin 1532 £40, 61st S & K Duke Crossgar 1531 M £71, 62nd M Foulis 1530 £33, 63rd M Foulis 1529 £33, 64th N J Arthurs Ballycarry & Dist 1528 IJKLMN £168, 65th R Mills & Son Larne & Dist 1528 £33, 66th McComb Bros Killyleagh Cent 1528 L £47, 67th R Shaw Annsborough 1527 £33, 68th Dobbs Bros 1527 £32, 69th Dobbs Bros 1527 OPQRS £89, 70th Furphy Bros Lurgan Soc 1527 DE IJKLMN £181, 71st A & R Milliken Lagan Valley 1523 £33, 72nd E Murray Donacloney 1522 ABCDE IJKM £119, 73rd G Connolly Harryville 1521 £33, 74th McCartan & Woodside Crossgar 1520 M £52, 75th Grattan Bros Eastway 1520 IJKMN £132, 76th Cromie & Magee & Son 1520 DE M £81, 77th J Greenaway Hills & Maze 1518 £33, 78th Dobbs Bros 1517 £32, 79th A T & J Houston Largymore 1517 ABCDEF IJKMN £207, 80th Gordon Bros & Sons Killyleagh Cent 1515 IJKM £64, 81st T Marshall & Son 1513 £33, 82nd C Reynolds Beech Park 1511 £33, 83rd R Shaw 1510 £33, 84th Furphy Bros 1508 DE IJKMN 155, 85th M Laffin Lisburn & Dist 1507 CD IJKM £80, 86th L F & B McGrath Drumnavaddy 1506 DE £61, 87th J Greenaway Bondhill 1505 ABCDE IJKN £134, 88th S & A Leitch Doagh & Dist 1505 IJKN £91, 89th Dobbs Bros 1505 OPQRS £79, 90th J Serplus Laurelvale 1505 £33, 91st G Buckley & Son Annaghmore 1504 DEF N £146, 92nd E Russell 1504 ABC IJK £59, 93rd S & A Leitch 1502 £33, 94th S & A Leitch 1501 £33, 95th B Creaney Drumcree 1501 £33, 96th B C T Foulis & Gill Dundonald 1500 IJK £45, 97th Cromie & magee & Son 1500 E £43, 98th J McErlain & Son Alexandra 1499 £33, 99th A Cousins & Sons 1498 ABCEF IJKN £146, 100th J Galbraith & Sons Kingswood 1498 £33,
101st McAuley Kell & Bowles Shankill & Dist 1498 ABCEF IJN £134, 102nd S Grainger & Son Hills & Maze 1498 £27, 103rd R Major Corcreeney 1497 £23, 104th Hutchinson Bros 1497 E £33, 105th I & J Moore Ards 1496 N £69, 106th G & P ODowd Ballybrack 1496 £24, 107th T Marshall & Son 1496 £23, 108th P & J Boal Dromore 1496 ABCE £47, 109th T Marshall & Son 1494 £23, 110th G Benson Lisburn & Dist 1494 £23, 111th W Gault Kingsmoss 1493 £23, 112th D & S Caskey Bangor 1493 £23, 113th J McErlain & Son 1493 £23, 114th W & R Evans & Leahy 1492 £23, 115th R Major 1492 £23, 116th L McKinstry 1492 ABCE £47, 117th S Rodney & Son Ballyclare 1489 N £69, 118th G Buckley & Sons 1488 £23, 119th Burgess & Brennan Bangor 1486 ABC £37, 120th S Milligan & Daughter Tyrella 1486 £23, 121st McComb Bros 1486 £23, 122nd McCartan & Woodside 1485 ABCEF N £121, 123rd Healy Bros Fortfield 1484 ABCE £44, 124th J Curran Lurgan Soc 1481 £23, 125th W & R Evans & Leahy 1480 £23, 126th Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel & Dist 1479 £23, 127th W Neill Annaghmore 1479 £23, 128th J Greenaway 1479 £23, 129th C Coates Lisburn & Dist 1478 £23, 130th M Croskery Annsborough ABC £30, 131st D Croskery & Son Annsborough 1476 £23, 132nd A T & J Houston 1476 ABCE £ABCE £40, 133rd J Curran 1476 £23, 134th A & R Milliken 1475 £23, 135th Gregg Bros & McCandless 1475 ABC £30, 136th C Lyons Hills & Maze 1474 £23, 137th J Ward & Son Grosvenor 1474 ABCE £40, 138th L F & B McGrath 1473 £23, 139th C Young Ahoghill 1472 £23, 140th Furphy Bros 1472 £23, 141st M Weir Loughgall 1471 £23, 142nd R Moore & Son Bangor 1469 ABC £30, 143rd P J Corcoran & Son Balbriggan 1469 £24, 144th D & P Harvey Horseshoe 1469 £23, 145th M/M Stevenson 1469 £23, 146th Fleming Bros Crumlin 1468 £23, 147th McKibben & magee Lisburn & Dist 1467 £23, 148th Gordon Bros & Sons Killyleagh Cent 1465 £23, 149th B & M Gilmore Ballyclare 1465 £23, 150th Burgess & Brennan 1465 ABC £30, 151st R Lillie & Son Kingsmoss 1464 ABC £28, 152nd J McErlain & Son 1462 £21, 153rd S Rodney & Son 1462 £21, 154th Johnston Bros Andersonstown 1462 ABC £28, 155th G Douglas 1461 £21, 156th G Parker & Son Glenavy 1461 £21, 157th M/M C Hayes Ballyclare 1461 £21, 158th P mcCartan Annsborough 1460 AB £24, 159th M/M K Guildea Balbriggan 1459 £22, 160th J Burrows Eastway 1459 £21, 161st W Wickings Ligoniel & Dist 1456 £21, 162nd B & M McCorriston Dromore 1456 £21, 163rd McCartan & Woodside 1456 £21, 164th D & H Stuart Ballymoney 1456 £21, 165th G K & I Moxham Larne & Dist 1456 £21, 166th D & H Stuart 1456 £15, 167th J Mount & Son Milltown 1455 ABF £49, 168th P McGarrity Glenavy 1454 £15, 169th P & J Boal Dromore 1454 £15, 170th E Murray 1453 £15, 171st R Moore & Son 1453 £15, 172nd Mallon Bros Hills & Maze 1453 £15, 173rd J Kelly & Sons Dromore 1453 £15, 174th D & B Lyness Lurgan Soc 1453 £15, 175th M Conlon & Sons Banbridge 1453 £15, 176th S Laverty Ballymoney 1453 £15, 177th J Young & Partners 1452 £15, 178th Arthurs & Smyth 1452 £15, 179th Gregg Bros & McCandless 1451 £15, 180th J L Madden Coleraine Prem 1451 £15, 181st T Lennon & Son Banbridge Soc 1451 £15, 182nd Shaw Bros Grosvenor 1450 £15, 183rd D Dixon Ballymoney 1450 £15, 184th C Reynolds 1449 £15, 185th Milliken & McCartney Largymore 1449 £15, 186th S & K Duke 1449 £15, 187th L Donnelly & Son 1449 £22, 188th S & A Leitch 1449 £15, 189th Graham Son & McManus Ligoniel & Dist 1448 £15, 190th M/M Stevenson 1448 £15, 191st J Crossan Downpatrick 1447 £15, 192nd J Burrows 1446 £15, 193rd M Rice Wilton Cross 1445 £15, 194th McCartan & Woodside 1445 £15, 195th McCartan & Woodside 1445 £15, 196th C Young Ahoghill 1445 £15, 197th D Dixon 1444 £15, 198th D Dixon 1444 £15, 199th E & D Harper & Sons Portavogie 1444 F £38, 200th McCracken Bros Banbridge 1443 £10,
201st T McCrudden Coleraine & Co Derry 1442 £5, 202nd G K & I Moxham 1442 £5, 203rd E Murtagh & Sons Armagh 1442 £5, 204th G K & I Moxham 1442 £5, 205th G Parker & Son 1442 £5, 206th G & L Simpson Ligoniel & Dist 1441 £5, 207th Cromie & Magee & Son 1441 £5, 208th M/M Stevenson 1440 £5, 209th J Curran 1440 £5, 210th M/M Stevenson 1439 £5, 211th Knowles & Hill Kingsmoss 1439 £5, 212th D & P Harvey Horseshoe 1439 F £28, 213th J & J Topley & Son Ashfield 1439 £5, 314th A Murray & Son Dundrum 1439 £5, 215th R Williamson Bondhill 1438 £5, 216th Bingham & Seaton 1438 £5, 217th R Mills & Son 1437 £5, 218th McKinstry Bros Dromara 1434 £5, 219th L McKinstry 1434 £5, 220th Rafferty & Toman Gilford 1433 £5,
221st McCartan & Woodside 1432 £5, 222nd J Brown Ind North 1432 £5, 223rd L & A Toner Annsborough 1432 £5, 224th D & P Harvey Horseshoe 1431 F £28, 225th A Curran Millvale 1430 £5, 226th E Murray Comber Soc 1429 £5, 227th Beggs & hall Larne & Dist 1427 £5, 228th D Dixon 1426 £5, 229th Gregg Bros & McCandless 1426 £5, 230th N Black & Son Dromara 1425 £5, 231st D & B Lyness 1425 £5, 232nd McCartan & Woodside 1424 £5, 233rd W Gault & Son Kingsmoss 1423 £5, 234th J Galbraith & Son 1423 £5, 235th D Dixon 1422 £5, 236th A & M Boyle Ballymoney 1420 £5, 237th R & J Conlane Kingswood 1420 F £28, 238th A & N Lewis 1420 £5, 239th M McGlinchey Charlemont 1418 £5, 240th B Creaney Drumcree 1417 £5, 241st Ingle Bros Ind South 1417 F OPQRST £117, 242nd A & N Young Ahoghill 1417 £5, 243rd P Lue & Son Downpatrick 1417 £5, 244th E McAlinden & Sons Drumnavaddy 1415 £5, 245th E McAlinden & Sons 1415 F £28, 246th Dobbs Bros 1414 OPQRS £48, 247th Dobbs Bros 1414 OPQRS £38, 248th J Mount & Son 1414 £5, 249th Fleming Bros Crumlin 1413 £5, 250th Grattan Bros 1412 £5, 251st T & A Ferrin Grosvenor 1412 £5, 252nd G & C Topley Laurelvale 1411 £5, 253rd Milliken & McCartney Largymore 1411 £5, 254th A McBride Harryville 1411 £5, 255th J Young & Partners 1411 £5, 256th E & D Harper & Sons Portavogie 1411 F £28, 257th J McErlain & Son Alexandra 1410 £5, 258th McCartan & Woodside 1410 £5, 259th C Quinn Milltown 1409 £5, 260th R & H Trimble Ballynahinch 1409 £5, 261st Shaw Bros Grosvenor 1409 £5, 262nd McGimpsey Bros Ards 1409 £5. 263rd F Black & Son Downpatrick 1408 £5, 264th D Croskery & Son Annsborough 1408 £5, 265th Connor Bros Kingsmoss 1407 £5, 266th E & D Harper & Sons 1407 F £22. End of Open Prizes. M/M M Gilligan Finglas 1393 OPQR £29, Dobbs Bros 1380 OPQR £29, M/M M Gilligan 1371 OPQRS £38, J Flood & Son Castlebellingham 1367 OPQRST £72, M/M K Guildea Balbriggan 1360 £10, L Donnelly & Son Finglas 1344 £10, Ingle Bros Ind South 1337 OPQRS £29, Grogan & Kearns Ind South 1327 OPQR £20, S Richardson & Granddaughter Balbriggan 1324 £10, L Donnelly & Son 1321 £10, W & M Hore Wexford N & S 1316 OPQR £20, Harford & McNally Balbriggan 1297 OPQRST £61, Byrne & Mooney Stillorgan 1292 £10, Byrne & Mooney 1291 £7, J Hanley Ind South 1289 £7, S Kelly & Sons Balbriggan 1278 £7, L Donnelly & Son 1274 £7, T McAleer Balbriggan 1268 £7, R Matthews Sallynoggin 1266 £7, G Furlong Wexford N & S 1265 ST £31, M & J OReilly Arklow Utd 1256 S £5, G Furlong 1246 S £5, OToole & OBrien Sallynoggin 1204 ST £22, B Richardson & Son Balbriggan 1077 T £17. End of South Section.
INFC Skibbereen Muckamore Centre A & N Lewis Doagh 1619, C Campbell & Son Horseshoe 1602, Lindores & Nicolson West Belfast 1601, Connor Bros Kingsmoss 1570, A & N Lewis 1565, F Simpson Doagh 1560, Gregg Bros & McCandless Ligoniel 1548, R McMeekin Kingsmoss 1542, N J Arthurs Ballycarry 1528, R Mills & Son Larne 1528, G Connolly Harryville 1521, Grattan Bros Glengormley 1520, S & A Leitch Doagh 1505, S & A Leitch 1502, S & A Leitch 1501, J McErlain & Son Alexandra 1499, McAuley Kell & Bowles Shankill 1498, W Gault Kingsmoss 1493, J McErlain & Son 1493, S Rodney & Son Ballyclare 1489, Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel 1482, Gregg Bros & McCandless 1475, C Young Ahoghill 1472, D & P Harvey Horseshoe 1469, Fleming Bros Crumlin 1465, B & M Gilmore Ballyclare 1465, R Lillie & Son Kingsmoss 1464, J McErlain & Son 1462, S Rodney & Son 1462, M/M C Hayes Ballyclare 1461, J Burrows Eastway 1459, W Wickings Ligoniel 1457, D & H Stuart Ballymoney 1456, G K & I Moxham Larne 1456, D & H Stuart 1456, J L Madden Coleraine Prem 1453, S Laverty Ballymoney 1453, Gregg Bros & McCandless 1451, D Dixon Rasharkin 1450, S & A Leitch 1449, Graham Son & McManus Ligoniel 1448, J Burrows 1446, C Young 1445, T McCrudden Coleraine & Co Derry 1444, D Dixon 1444, D Dixon 1444, G K & I Moxham 1442, G K & I Moxham 1442, G & L Simpson Ligoniel 1441, Knowles & Hill Kingsmoss 1441.
East Antrim Combine Skibbereen OB Nat - A & N Lewis Doagh 1619, C Campbell & Son Horseshoe 1602, Connor Bros Kingsmoss 1570, A & N Lewis 1565, F Simpson Doagh 1560, Gregg Bros & McCandless Ligoniel 1548, R McMeekin Kingsmoss 1542, N J Arthurs Ballycarry 1528, R Mills & Son Larne 1528, Grattan Bros Glengormley 1520, S & A Leitch Doagh 1505, S & A Leitch 1502, S & A Leitch 1501, W Gault Kingsmoss 1493, S Rodney & Son Ballyclare 1489, Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel 1482, Gregg Bros & McCandless 1475, D & P Harvey Horseshoe 1469, B & M Gilmore Ballyclare 1465, R Lillie & Son Kingsmoss 1464, S Rodney & Son 1462, M/M C Hayes Ballyclare 1461, J Burrows Eastway 1459, W Wickings Ligoniel 1457, G K & I Moxham Larne 1456, Gregg Bros & McCandless 1451, S & A Leitch 1449, Graham Son & McManus Ligoniel 1448, J Burrows 1446, G K & I Moxham 1442.
Mid Antrim Combine Skibbereen OB Nat G Connolly Harryville 1521, C Young Ahoghill 1472, D Dixon Rasharkin 1450, C Young 1445, D Dixon 1444, D Dixon 1444, D Dixon 1426, D Dixon 1422, A & N Young Ahoghill 1417, A McBride Harryville 1411, A Darragh Cullybackey 1407, McFarlane & Agnew Kells 1407, K & K Kernohan & Sons Harryville 1406, G Connolly 1375, D Houston & Son Broughshane 1374, McFarlane & Agnew 1349, G Connolly 1338, G McDowell Kells 1336, J & N Simpson Broughshane 1317, G McDowell 1314, J Devlin Ballymena 1307, A Darragh 1275, G McDowell 1234, A Darragh 1208, Russell Bros Cullybackey 1197, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1164, D Houston & Son 1151, J & N Simpson 1017.
NI Clubs Skibbereen INFC Nat
Ballymoney HPS 8/78 D & H Stuart 1456, 1456, S Laverty 1453, D Dixon 1450, 1444, 1444, 1426, 1422, A & M Boyle 1419, D & H Stuart 1397, D & G McMullan 1352, W & L McCaw 1314.
Dervock IPS 5/47 - D & H Stuart 1456, 1456, S Laverty 1453, A & M Boyle 1419, D & H Stuart 1397, D & G McMullan 1352, W & L McCaw 1314, A & M Boyle 1264, D & H Stuart 1254.
HOMER
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E-mail: reynoldshomer@aol.com
~ Maries Dream wins the INFC Skibbereen Nat ~
The Irish National Flying Club held its first O/Bird National of 2009 from Skibbereen on Thursday 28th of May with birdage up a 1/3 in comparison to last year just illustrating how easy the racing has been up till now with the majority of the weekly convoys having a helping wind at the various race points. Traditionally the birds are normally race marked on a Wednesday for a Thursday/Friday liberation, with conditions looking ok for Thursday every effort was made to have the transporter in place to facilitate a Thursday liberation if the weather deemed acceptable to liberate. With no rain across Ireland from mid-morning onwards and with any haze that was lingering about the birds were liberated at 10.30 in a South West Wind. With a helping wind it was expected that the Birds would complete the 250 Mile journey into the heart of Belfast in around 4 & ½ hours which was spot on for the pigeons that decided to come, a number of lofts with some empty perches was the order of the day, with reports that some birds when liberated headed the wrong direction all together. For the ones that came they recorded good times and although returns were some what erratic in some parts the majority of lofts I spoke to had around ½ home although you always come across the outstanding lofts who have 75% - 100% returns, you for some reason always find this when there is a tough race on checking the result you always come by someone who had a ball of pigeons home and this race seems to be no different. Also when talking to a number of fanciers over the weekend and calling with a number of the Top 10 accompanied by Adie for this report I seen a few pigeons that had all the hallmarks of a hawk attack, some with damage under both wings, some with damage on the back, some will multiple rips on the under carriage and a lot with tails missing, all in all a disappointment for the unlucky fanciers and full credit to the pigeons making it home after injury.
This was the first time that the INFC have used ETS at the ring marking and again reports were that this went very well indeed with the Secretary of the NIPA on hand all afternoon to make sure that the Unikon was all organised, representation form all the other companies were also in attendance with little to no hassle whatsoever, perhaps the only thing I heard was the length of time that the Unikon members had to wait with only two markers going and this the system that was being most used. But all in all excellent to get the first ETS marking out of the way with ease and full credit to the additional worker who turned up from the various companies to see a simple and east passage of usage. As normal the hardened members of the Committee (or the workers as I like to call them) were on hand, and as per usual were fantastic with all running on schedule and according to plan to which I would congratulate all the Committee who turned up to help and more importantly the pigeon fanciers who assisted that are not on the Committee. So here goes for the Provisional Top Ten in the Skibbereen O/Bird National of 2009.
1st Open Cromie & Magee & Son, Ballynahinch Velocity 1650
Winning the 2009 INFC Skibbereen O/Bird National is the veteran partnership of Cromie & Magee & Son of Ballynahinch who have raced many exceptional pigeons over the years including no less than five 1st prize winners in the EDC from Skibbereen. The partnership name is made up of Joe Cromie Senior, Marie Magee (who sadly passed away in January 2006) and Joe Cromie Junior. Joe Senior has named the winning pigeon Maries Dream in her memory as he said it was always her wish in the many enjoyable years she spent within the pigeon sport to win a National.
The Cromie boys timed a 2 year old Blue Cock at 2.49pm flying 243 Miles to their lofts on the outskirts of Ballynahinch town. The winning pigeon was flying on the Widowhood system and is off an exceptional breeding Hofken Stock cock who now is at a tender age of 14, this cock has bred scores of prize winners over the years and was sourced from the Andrews & Jackson partnership of Howden. He in turn to produce the Skibbereen National winner for the Father and Son team was mated to a Soontjen loaned the boys from Martin Flynn who flies exceptionally well in the East Down Combine affiliated Drumaness Mills HPS. As a youngster the pigeon in question scored from Pilmore Beach winning the Club and finishing 17th West Section and 39th Open East Down Combine, then the following week from Skibbereen the cock finished 1st Club and 8th Open. The following year in was placed on the widowhood system and in the first race he stayed out over night, so Joe Junior decided that, all was not well based upon this and his performances around the house, so he stopped the pigeon although keeping him in the widowhood team and continuing to train him around the house. Then this year he was put back onto the road and has been in the clock a few times including finishing 4th Club from Clonmel at the start of May.
Joe Senior, now retired is 75 years young and although has a winning CV that would grace any loft this is his first National success flying with the Irish National Flying Club having had pigeons since 1963 when he then raced and lived in Killyleagh. Very appropriate that we now move onto another Veteran flyer that being a man who won last year his 1st National flying with the INFC aged at 80 years young namely JP of Newtownbreda. Adie will hopefully have a report in next week on this National winning loft.
2nd Open John Patterson, Newtownbreda Velocity 1632
John Patterson of Ballylesson, will without any doubt go down as one of the best fanciers ever to race pigeons into Ireland, a living legend who continues to produce stunning results week in, week out. Last season flying with the INFC from Skibbereen he finished 4th Open in this corresponding race and won the Y/Bird Skibbereen National in September that was his first National win flying with the INFC. From Skibbereen yet again he nearly wins the National, I think I would be right in saying that this is the 3rd time he has finished runner-up in an INFC National. The pigeon timed at 2.59pm is a two year old Pencil Blue cock flying on the roundabout system, he was trained up as a youngster but not raced, and as a yearling up until now has been an excellent racer winning many prizes including finishing 4th Open in the EDC Skibbereen Classic race a fortnight ago a race in which John finished 1st and 5th Open also. The pigeon timed is a full brother to the incredible 147 raced by John Patterson and sold to the Gibb & Byrne Stud in Lisburn last year, the 147 was a multiple winner over a three year period which seen a number of top positions in the East Down Combine Open including winning the EDC Skibbereen Classic in 2006 a year in which he was also crowned O/Bird of the Year in the Combine. In 2007 he also topped the Combine Open from Thurles with over 6,000 pigeons competing. When the Gibb & Byrne Stud purchased the 147 they also purchased a full brother 718 who also had already topped the East Down Combine from Mallow with 5,541 pigeons competing. What an excellent line of pigeons John Patterson has created especially for the favoured race point of Skibbereen which is 250 miles to his lofts. They are all G/Sons of his famous and wonder breeder namely The Stud responsible for no less than 18 x 1st Combine Open winners over the years. John timed a second pigeon in this race and with a Velocity of 1566 wont be to far away in the over-all result not surprising of course as this pigeon was the one that finished 4th Open last year in this corresponding race. John was telling me that one of the first fanciers on the phone to congratulate him was a fancier he considers to have had the best family of distance pigeons ever raced in Ireland that fancier in question is Bobby Smyth of Ballymena (Smyth Bros). John Patterson over the years has made pigeon racing looks easy, especially on the big occasion and I have absolutely no doubt that their will be a few more big results from this man before 2009 is over.
3rd Open - Len McKinstry, Dundonald Velocity 1621
Timing a Blue Cock at 3.06pm flying 255 Miles was enough to give Len McKinstry 3rd Open in the National result. Len timed a yearling roundabout cock that was bred from a Staf Van Reet hen sourced from A & L Painter of the West Midlands when mated to a Janssen Cock sourced from fellow Club mate and Ace Flyer Mark Foulis who knows a thing or two about winning himself. Len has had success previously from Skibbereen flying with the Irish National Flying Club, 2 years ago he finished 4th Open in the Y/Bird Skibbereen event. The pigeon that day is a ½ sister to this winner of 3rd Open carrying the A & L Painter Bloodlines with the Sire of the 4th Open in the Y/Bird race also topping the East Down Combine Open. Len cant praise the Painter Van Reets enough and even crossing them now they are proving an even bigger success. The McKinstry name has been at the top of the pigeon sport in Ireland for many years and Adie recently featured Lens father George in an 1970s achieve article in the Racing Pigeon a few weeks ago, that particular piece highlighted George winning the O/Bird Derby flying with the East Down Combine from Dinard flying 455 miles. I am not sure if it is a record but Lens father George has won the O/Bird Derby racing on his own, Len then raced in partnership with his father and they also won the O/Bird Derby and then Len raced on his own and he also has won the O/Bird Derby. So all in all a life time of achievement for the McKinstrys spanning many years and this 3rd Open success in the INFC Skibbereen is just one more top result to add to the ever growing list of achievements. Well done Len.
4th Open - A & N Lewis, Doagh Velocity 1619
Anthony & Norman Lewis are fast becoming the up and coming distance fanciers in Ireland, they have quickly adapted to the needs of what is required for a pigeon in Ireland to compete on the Channel form all distances and this success of 4th Open in the Inland National from Skibbereen is not surprise to me. Over the last couple of years as results will prove they have competed at the highest level right through to the furthest race point. This National success which is their highest placed position to date was achieved by a Yearling Blue cock that was timed by the brothers at 3.09pm flying 257 miles to their lofts in Doagh, co.Antrim an area that has produced many a distance superstar. This pigeon like so many that the brothers race is no fluke he finished 25th Open in the Y/Bird version of this race in September last year and in preparation for this challenge he finished 2nd Club three weeks ago and just last week from rosscarbery which is only a couple of miles from Skibbereen this gallant pigeon showed he was up for the task by being the third pigeon to arrive at the loft with plenty left in the tank. It was in fact his 1/2 sister that topped the Club from Rosscarbery just last week finishing 1st Doagh & District, 14th Section C and 23rd Open NIPA Inland National. This particular line of pigeons are doing exceptionally well for the Lewis's for a full brother of this fourth National winner topped the Club from Tullamore a couple of weeks ago also.
So I hear you asking well what is the family?? Well the Sire contains the best of the Jeff Greenaway bloodlines coming from a kit of six purchased from Jeff, the Dam once again a Staf Van Reet which was raced by the brothers as a youngster winning a number of prizes and then put to stock, from their it has been a case of no looking back. The G.Sire of this latest National pigeon is known as the "Sheriff" he also was purchased from Jeff and has been a Gold Mine for the Lewis boys breeding no less than 9 x 1st prize winners and a combined total of forty prize winners at different levels of competition. The brothers would like to thank Jeff of Universal lofts for the excellent pigeons he has supplied to them over the last four seasons.
If that weren't enough the brothers also timed a second arrival at 3.19pm to record a velocity of 1565 and this one wont be far away also, this one is a Belg Yearling Blue Cock purchased direct from Rene Van De Weyer the Olympic Sprint Champion of Belgium, having only recently purchased these pigeons Anthony says they are judged by the basket and have proved to excel from 200 miles onwards, the pigeon timed is the same way bred as 1st Club Skibbereen Y/Bird National last season.
to add to my argument about these boys becoming one of the leading lights in distance racing they have previously been 1st Club, 1st Section & 5th Open NIPA Lamballe OB Nat 2006 with "Le Premier" a Blue cock which contains the best of the late Cyril Fletchers Wildemeersch when crossed to a hen of George Pearson of Eastway. His direct son "Jimmy" another Blue cock was 1st Club, 1st Section & 4th Open NIPA Dinard OB Nat 07 winning an RPRA award for best bird over 450 miles plus. Jimmy and another Blue cock which won 2nd Club, 3rd Section & 10th Open is off the best of good friend Alan Darragh's combined together to win the "Devine Memorial Trophy" for the best 2 Bird Average in the OB National. Well done lads and thanks for the info.
5th Open - G Furlong, Wexford Velocity 1614
The first arrival into Wexford and the South Leinster Federation was timed by Ger Furlong of the local Wexford North & South recording velocity 1614 for a 5th Open INFC finish. Chairman of the club and a new INFC Race Advisor Willie Hore was to gather up some info on the bird.
6th Open - Mr & Mrs Bobby Stevenson, Dromara Velocity 1611
7th Open W & R Evans & Leahy, Kingswood Velocity 1608
The partnership of W & R Evans & Leahy who race their pigeons into East Belfast have over the last couple of years started to push into the Open results on the big occasions, this Wilf Evans tells me is due to the excellent pigeons supplied to him by one of the most honourable and honest fanciers he has ever come across, a fancier that has supplied him and his father Bobby with nothing but the best for the last three years and he went on to say that he owes a great deal of gratitude to Philip Boal of the P & J Boal partnership from Dromore for being so generous with some outstanding pigeons. Wilf timed a yearling Blue Cock who was sent sitting 14 days on eggs this particular pigeon was timed at 3.06pm flying 252 miles and as a youngster finished 1st Club, 14th Open NIPA Tullamore in the first race of the season, he was also sent last year to the Skibbereen Y/Bird National returning just out of the prizes. This year he received a couple of the races to date in preparation for this race and duly rewarded Wilf and father Bobby who takes a lot to do with the pigeons for their combined hard work. The breeding of this winner for boys is as mentioned P & J Boal of Dromore it is of Willy Van Herck breeding and is a full brother to a pigeon that Philip bred to win the East Down Combine Open against 7,000 + pigeons, he also is a full brother to a hen raced by the Boal Brothers that finished 1st Section D NIPA and 13th Open against 26,000 + pigeons. The Sire of Wilfs 7th Open in the National is a class pigeon for the Boal Brothers an ace racer when on the road and equally as prolific in the stock loft breeding a host of prize winners for various fanciers across Ireland. The Dam is a full sister to yet another couple of excellent racers for Philip & Joe Boal namely Iching a winner of 3 x 1sts including a class result from the Mallow 5 Bird a day which he should have won the Open also the hen is a full sister to another cock that finished 20th Open in the Rosscarbery National for the Boal boys. A class family of pigeons that are just not doing the business for W & R Evans & Leahy but a number of fancier all over the country. Well done to Bobby & Wilf on yet another top performance, top pigeons in the hands of two top fanciers.
8th Open Dobbs Bros, Wexford Velocity 1607
The second arrival into Wexford and the South Leinster Federation was timed by the Dobbs Bros who also race in the Wexford North & South recording velocity 1607 for a 8th Open INFC finish. They timed in at 12.53hrs flying 130 miles. This loft have a good record racing with the INFC having won in the YB Skibbereen 1st Open in 1999 and 2nd Open in 2000. The bird this time was a 2 year old Lt Cheq hen racing widowhood top Janssen lines down from the famous 019. She had four races earlier and won 2nd the weekend previous from Rosscarbery. She topped the Federation as a yearling and had 2nd South Sect in the Skibbereen Nat. Her brother is g/sire of the Yearling Nat winner of 2008 for Owen Kirwin. Well done to Dobbs Bros, Matty, Leo who I was speaking to and Willie, I am sure I will be covering this loft again in the future.
9th Open - C Campbell & Son, Horse Shoe Velocity 1602
What a week for Colin Campbell & Son who race with Horseshoe HPS into the Port of Larne in Co Antrim, an area with a fantastic tradition in this race with a lot of winners including most recently G K & I Moxham. C Campbell & Son almost won the NIPA Rosscarbery OB Nat the previous weekend finishing a good 1st Sect C & 2nd Open NIPA. Just a few days later the loft is early again with the second bird into East Antrim timed at 3.25pm flying 269 miles and finishing 9th Open INFC doing velocity 1602. This cock, flown on the Roundabout has been very consistent for the partnership, having flown the entire inland programme. The yearling cock is no stranger to the prizes as it was their second bird home the previous week from NIPA Rosscarbery O/B Nat. taking 13th Sect C & 19th Open and from Tullamore earlier this season it was 1st Club, 3rd Sect C & 106th Open NIPA with 25,000 birds competing doing velocity 1386. The breeding of this cock is Janssen x Staf van Reet. The sire is from a family they've had for a few years, while the dam is coming down from stock obtained from A & R McAuley of Coleraine. Very little training is done once racing commences as the team fly well at home. The partnership only rejoined the INFC last year but never sent to any races until now. Even though they race as C Campbell & Son it is really a husband and wife partnership, as Colin's wife Angela takes a lot to do with the birds which is a great help. A super week of racing for C Campbell & Son, well done and thanks for the weekly reports.
10th Open - J Lindores, Son & Nicolson, West Belfast Velocity 1601
The West Belfast team of Jackie Lindores, Son and his mate Nicolson are best in the Ulster Federation timing an all pooler to finish 10th Open INFC. The yearling Blue hen racing Roundabout was timed at 3.06pm flying 251 miles into Belfast recording velocity 1601. Already this year this good hen has won 1st Club from Kildare finishing 3rd Ulster Fed on velocity 1380 and 3rd Club Thurles. Her sire was the famous Blue Cock a Champion Racer for the West Belfast partnership having won 18th Open Ulster Fed as a young bird from Talbenny then, 3rd Ulster Fed, followed by back to back wins that had them twice 1st Open Ulster Federation from Thurles. Looking back at the records I see the bird was ring number 13, not a bit unlucky this one. 1st Club and 1st Ulster Federation Thurles (1) 223/3,876 on velocity 1372 flying 153 miles and one week later 1st Club and 1st Open Ulster Federation Thurles (2) 217/3,830 on velocity 1726. He was bred off a pair of birds obtained from Whiteside Bros (Eastway) and clubmate Barry Telford. To produce the latest 1st Fed winner from Skibbereen the Blue cock was paired to a hen on loan from Whiteside Bros. The Blue cock won 4 x 1st Clubs and as well as producing a 1st Fed winner two others have won with birds bred off him.
The Ronnie Johnston Challenge Cup plus Diploma is presented to the winner and the Charles Hunniford Memorial Trophy to the Best Ave (North Sect) Skibbereen OB & YB. The race was kindly sponsored by Bamfords Top Flight with 3 bags of mixture to the winner of each affiliated organisation ie. NIPA, East Down Combine, Ulster Fed, East Coast Fed (Dublin), Irish SR Fed (Dublin) and South Leinster Federation. An additional 2 bags of mixture for the race winner, many congratulations to all the winners.
HOMER
Tel/Fax (028) 256 44683
E-mail: reynoldshomer@aol.com
The birdage for the opening race in the INFC programme had a one third increase in entries over last year. The race had been delayed for a couple of days due to the weather, it was flown last Thursday 28th May with liberation at 10.30am in a helping South West wind. Overall winners were Cromie & Magee & Son from Ballynahinch followed by John Patterson from Ballylesson who won the Skibbereen YB Nat last year.
INFC Skibbereen OB National 492/3,755 1st Cromie & Magee & Son Ballynahinch 1650 DE LM £882, 2nd J Patterson Ballylesson 1632 ABCDE IJKLM £889, 3rd L McKinstry Dundonald £195, 4th A & N Lewis Doagh & Dist 1619 ABCD IJKL £430, 5th G Furlong Wexford N & S 1614 ABCDEF OPQRS £443, 6th M/M Stevenson Dromara 1611 ABCDE IJKLM £462, 7th W & R Evans & Leahy Kingswood 1608 IJKL £199, 8th Dobbs Bros Wexford N & S 1607 £82, 9th C Campbell & Son Horseshoe 1602 ABCD IJKL £239, 10th J Lindores, Son & Nicolson West Belfast 1601 ABCDEF IJKLMN £662, 11th Donnelly Bros Newry City 1599 ABCD IJKLMN £454, 12th J Vage & Son Dromore 1598 ABCDEF IJKLMN £513, 13th Gordon Bros & Sons Killyleagh Cent 1596 ABCDE IJKLMN & Nom £587, 14th J Vage & Son Dromore 1595 ABCDEF & Nom IJKLMN £523, 15th M/M Stevenson Dromara 1594 £49, 16th L Donnelly & Son Finglas 1591 £55, 17th L Donnelly & Son 1591 OPQRST & Nom £203, 18th J & D Braniff Wheatfield 1591 DE £77, 19th McCracken Bros Banbridge 1587 £30, 20th R Moore & Son Bangor 1586 LM £135, 21st T Marshall & Son Newtownbreda 1585 M £107, 22nd G Douglas Wilton Cross 1579 ABCD IJKL £133, 23rd A Morgan Trim 1577 £44, 24th Hutchinson Bros Ashfield 1577 DE LM £163, 25th K Tompsett Comber Soc 1574 DE LM £153, 26th C McArdle & Son Banbridge Soc 1571 IJKLM £140, 27th Connor Bros Kingsmoss 1570 D L £94, 28th L F & B McGrath Drumnavaddy 1569 DE IJKLM £177, 29th S G Briggs Lisburn & Dist 1567 DE LM £153, 30th A & N Lewis 1565 £49, 31st J Patterson 1563 ABCDE IJKLM £187, 32nd M/M G Mallen Banbridge Soc 1562 £44, 33rd F Simpson Doagh & Dist 1560 £44, 34th P Lue & Son Downpatrick 1559 DE LM £148, 35th E Burton Kingswood 1559 D L £89, 36th M/M Stevenson 1558 £44, 37th J Crossan 1555 IJKLM £135, 38th Brown & Burns Dromore 1554 L £72, 39th L Magee & Son Lisburn & Dist 1553 £44, 40th C McArdle & Sons 1552 IJKLM £135, 41st J Patterson 1550 IJKLM £135, 42nd J Smyth & Sons Drumnavaddy 1550 £44, 43rd P & J Boal Dromore 1549 ABCDE IJKLM £187, 44th T Marshall & Son 1548 M £82, 45th A Craig Tandragee 1548 £44, 46th Gregg Bros & McCandless Ligoniel 1548 ABCDEF IJKLMN £302, £187, 47th A & R Milliken Lagan Valley 1548 £44, 48th P & J Boal 1548 ABCDE IJKLM £187, 49th B & M McCorriston Dromore 1544 D IJKL £113, 50th J Patterson 1543 ABCDE IJKLM £173, 51st R McMeekin Kingsmoss 1542 IJKLM £121, 52nd A Cousins & Sons Ballylesson 1539 ABCDEF IJKLMN £288, 53rd E Russell Moira 1539 ABCDE IJKLM £173, 54th L Donnelly & Son Finglas 1538 £39, 55th M Foulis Dundonald 1536 £44, 56th J Brown Ind North 1536 ABCD IJKL £113, 57th J Douglas & Son Lurgan Soc 1535 CD KL £94, 58th J Young & Partners Dundonald 1535 DE LM £125, 59th R Adamson Corcreeney 1533 £40, 60th Arthurs & Smyth Kircubbin 1532 £40, 61st S & K Duke Crossgar 1531 M £71, 62nd M Foulis 1530 £33, 63rd M Foulis 1529 £33, 64th N J Arthurs Ballycarry & Dist 1528 IJKLMN £168, 65th R Mills & Son Larne & Dist 1528 £33, 66th McComb Bros Killyleagh Cent 1528 L £47, 67th R Shaw Annsborough 1527 £33, 68th Dobbs Bros 1527 £32, 69th Dobbs Bros 1527 OPQRS £89, 70th Furphy Bros Lurgan Soc 1527 DE IJKLMN £181, 71st A & R Milliken Lagan Valley 1523 £33, 72nd E Murray Donacloney 1522 ABCDE IJKM £119, 73rd G Connolly Harryville 1521 £33, 74th McCartan & Woodside Crossgar 1520 M £52, 75th Grattan Bros Eastway 1520 IJKMN £132, 76th Cromie & Magee & Son 1520 DE M £81, 77th J Greenaway Hills & Maze 1518 £33, 78th Dobbs Bros 1517 £32, 79th A T & J Houston Largymore 1517 ABCDEF IJKMN £207, 80th Gordon Bros & Sons Killyleagh Cent 1515 IJKM £64, 81st T Marshall & Son 1513 £33, 82nd C Reynolds Beech Park 1511 £33, 83rd R Shaw 1510 £33, 84th Furphy Bros 1508 DE IJKMN 155, 85th M Laffin Lisburn & Dist 1507 CD IJKM £80, 86th L F & B McGrath Drumnavaddy 1506 DE £61, 87th J Greenaway Bondhill 1505 ABCDE IJKN £134, 88th S & A Leitch Doagh & Dist 1505 IJKN £91, 89th Dobbs Bros 1505 OPQRS £79, 90th J Serplus Laurelvale 1505 £33, 91st G Buckley & Son Annaghmore 1504 DEF N £146, 92nd E Russell 1504 ABC IJK £59, 93rd S & A Leitch 1502 £33, 94th S & A Leitch 1501 £33, 95th B Creaney Drumcree 1501 £33, 96th B C T Foulis & Gill Dundonald 1500 IJK £45, 97th Cromie & magee & Son 1500 E £43, 98th J McErlain & Son Alexandra 1499 £33, 99th A Cousins & Sons 1498 ABCEF IJKN £146, 100th J Galbraith & Sons Kingswood 1498 £33,
101st McAuley Kell & Bowles Shankill & Dist 1498 ABCEF IJN £134, 102nd S Grainger & Son Hills & Maze 1498 £27, 103rd R Major Corcreeney 1497 £23, 104th Hutchinson Bros 1497 E £33, 105th I & J Moore Ards 1496 N £69, 106th G & P ODowd Ballybrack 1496 £24, 107th T Marshall & Son 1496 £23, 108th P & J Boal Dromore 1496 ABCE £47, 109th T Marshall & Son 1494 £23, 110th G Benson Lisburn & Dist 1494 £23, 111th W Gault Kingsmoss 1493 £23, 112th D & S Caskey Bangor 1493 £23, 113th J McErlain & Son 1493 £23, 114th W & R Evans & Leahy 1492 £23, 115th R Major 1492 £23, 116th L McKinstry 1492 ABCE £47, 117th S Rodney & Son Ballyclare 1489 N £69, 118th G Buckley & Sons 1488 £23, 119th Burgess & Brennan Bangor 1486 ABC £37, 120th S Milligan & Daughter Tyrella 1486 £23, 121st McComb Bros 1486 £23, 122nd McCartan & Woodside 1485 ABCEF N £121, 123rd Healy Bros Fortfield 1484 ABCE £44, 124th J Curran Lurgan Soc 1481 £23, 125th W & R Evans & Leahy 1480 £23, 126th Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel & Dist 1479 £23, 127th W Neill Annaghmore 1479 £23, 128th J Greenaway 1479 £23, 129th C Coates Lisburn & Dist 1478 £23, 130th M Croskery Annsborough ABC £30, 131st D Croskery & Son Annsborough 1476 £23, 132nd A T & J Houston 1476 ABCE £ABCE £40, 133rd J Curran 1476 £23, 134th A & R Milliken 1475 £23, 135th Gregg Bros & McCandless 1475 ABC £30, 136th C Lyons Hills & Maze 1474 £23, 137th J Ward & Son Grosvenor 1474 ABCE £40, 138th L F & B McGrath 1473 £23, 139th C Young Ahoghill 1472 £23, 140th Furphy Bros 1472 £23, 141st M Weir Loughgall 1471 £23, 142nd R Moore & Son Bangor 1469 ABC £30, 143rd P J Corcoran & Son Balbriggan 1469 £24, 144th D & P Harvey Horseshoe 1469 £23, 145th M/M Stevenson 1469 £23, 146th Fleming Bros Crumlin 1468 £23, 147th McKibben & magee Lisburn & Dist 1467 £23, 148th Gordon Bros & Sons Killyleagh Cent 1465 £23, 149th B & M Gilmore Ballyclare 1465 £23, 150th Burgess & Brennan 1465 ABC £30, 151st R Lillie & Son Kingsmoss 1464 ABC £28, 152nd J McErlain & Son 1462 £21, 153rd S Rodney & Son 1462 £21, 154th Johnston Bros Andersonstown 1462 ABC £28, 155th G Douglas 1461 £21, 156th G Parker & Son Glenavy 1461 £21, 157th M/M C Hayes Ballyclare 1461 £21, 158th P mcCartan Annsborough 1460 AB £24, 159th M/M K Guildea Balbriggan 1459 £22, 160th J Burrows Eastway 1459 £21, 161st W Wickings Ligoniel & Dist 1456 £21, 162nd B & M McCorriston Dromore 1456 £21, 163rd McCartan & Woodside 1456 £21, 164th D & H Stuart Ballymoney 1456 £21, 165th G K & I Moxham Larne & Dist 1456 £21, 166th D & H Stuart 1456 £15, 167th J Mount & Son Milltown 1455 ABF £49, 168th P McGarrity Glenavy 1454 £15, 169th P & J Boal Dromore 1454 £15, 170th E Murray 1453 £15, 171st R Moore & Son 1453 £15, 172nd Mallon Bros Hills & Maze 1453 £15, 173rd J Kelly & Sons Dromore 1453 £15, 174th D & B Lyness Lurgan Soc 1453 £15, 175th M Conlon & Sons Banbridge 1453 £15, 176th S Laverty Ballymoney 1453 £15, 177th J Young & Partners 1452 £15, 178th Arthurs & Smyth 1452 £15, 179th Gregg Bros & McCandless 1451 £15, 180th J L Madden Coleraine Prem 1451 £15, 181st T Lennon & Son Banbridge Soc 1451 £15, 182nd Shaw Bros Grosvenor 1450 £15, 183rd D Dixon Ballymoney 1450 £15, 184th C Reynolds 1449 £15, 185th Milliken & McCartney Largymore 1449 £15, 186th S & K Duke 1449 £15, 187th L Donnelly & Son 1449 £22, 188th S & A Leitch 1449 £15, 189th Graham Son & McManus Ligoniel & Dist 1448 £15, 190th M/M Stevenson 1448 £15, 191st J Crossan Downpatrick 1447 £15, 192nd J Burrows 1446 £15, 193rd M Rice Wilton Cross 1445 £15, 194th McCartan & Woodside 1445 £15, 195th McCartan & Woodside 1445 £15, 196th C Young Ahoghill 1445 £15, 197th D Dixon 1444 £15, 198th D Dixon 1444 £15, 199th E & D Harper & Sons Portavogie 1444 F £38, 200th McCracken Bros Banbridge 1443 £10,
201st T McCrudden Coleraine & Co Derry 1442 £5, 202nd G K & I Moxham 1442 £5, 203rd E Murtagh & Sons Armagh 1442 £5, 204th G K & I Moxham 1442 £5, 205th G Parker & Son 1442 £5, 206th G & L Simpson Ligoniel & Dist 1441 £5, 207th Cromie & Magee & Son 1441 £5, 208th M/M Stevenson 1440 £5, 209th J Curran 1440 £5, 210th M/M Stevenson 1439 £5, 211th Knowles & Hill Kingsmoss 1439 £5, 212th D & P Harvey Horseshoe 1439 F £28, 213th J & J Topley & Son Ashfield 1439 £5, 314th A Murray & Son Dundrum 1439 £5, 215th R Williamson Bondhill 1438 £5, 216th Bingham & Seaton 1438 £5, 217th R Mills & Son 1437 £5, 218th McKinstry Bros Dromara 1434 £5, 219th L McKinstry 1434 £5, 220th Rafferty & Toman Gilford 1433 £5,
221st McCartan & Woodside 1432 £5, 222nd J Brown Ind North 1432 £5, 223rd L & A Toner Annsborough 1432 £5, 224th D & P Harvey Horseshoe 1431 F £28, 225th A Curran Millvale 1430 £5, 226th E Murray Comber Soc 1429 £5, 227th Beggs & hall Larne & Dist 1427 £5, 228th D Dixon 1426 £5, 229th Gregg Bros & McCandless 1426 £5, 230th N Black & Son Dromara 1425 £5, 231st D & B Lyness 1425 £5, 232nd McCartan & Woodside 1424 £5, 233rd W Gault & Son Kingsmoss 1423 £5, 234th J Galbraith & Son 1423 £5, 235th D Dixon 1422 £5, 236th A & M Boyle Ballymoney 1420 £5, 237th R & J Conlane Kingswood 1420 F £28, 238th A & N Lewis 1420 £5, 239th M McGlinchey Charlemont 1418 £5, 240th B Creaney Drumcree 1417 £5, 241st Ingle Bros Ind South 1417 F OPQRST £117, 242nd A & N Young Ahoghill 1417 £5, 243rd P Lue & Son Downpatrick 1417 £5, 244th E McAlinden & Sons Drumnavaddy 1415 £5, 245th E McAlinden & Sons 1415 F £28, 246th Dobbs Bros 1414 OPQRS £48, 247th Dobbs Bros 1414 OPQRS £38, 248th J Mount & Son 1414 £5, 249th Fleming Bros Crumlin 1413 £5, 250th Grattan Bros 1412 £5, 251st T & A Ferrin Grosvenor 1412 £5, 252nd G & C Topley Laurelvale 1411 £5, 253rd Milliken & McCartney Largymore 1411 £5, 254th A McBride Harryville 1411 £5, 255th J Young & Partners 1411 £5, 256th E & D Harper & Sons Portavogie 1411 F £28, 257th J McErlain & Son Alexandra 1410 £5, 258th McCartan & Woodside 1410 £5, 259th C Quinn Milltown 1409 £5, 260th R & H Trimble Ballynahinch 1409 £5, 261st Shaw Bros Grosvenor 1409 £5, 262nd McGimpsey Bros Ards 1409 £5. 263rd F Black & Son Downpatrick 1408 £5, 264th D Croskery & Son Annsborough 1408 £5, 265th Connor Bros Kingsmoss 1407 £5, 266th E & D Harper & Sons 1407 F £22. End of Open Prizes. M/M M Gilligan Finglas 1393 OPQR £29, Dobbs Bros 1380 OPQR £29, M/M M Gilligan 1371 OPQRS £38, J Flood & Son Castlebellingham 1367 OPQRST £72, M/M K Guildea Balbriggan 1360 £10, L Donnelly & Son Finglas 1344 £10, Ingle Bros Ind South 1337 OPQRS £29, Grogan & Kearns Ind South 1327 OPQR £20, S Richardson & Granddaughter Balbriggan 1324 £10, L Donnelly & Son 1321 £10, W & M Hore Wexford N & S 1316 OPQR £20, Harford & McNally Balbriggan 1297 OPQRST £61, Byrne & Mooney Stillorgan 1292 £10, Byrne & Mooney 1291 £7, J Hanley Ind South 1289 £7, S Kelly & Sons Balbriggan 1278 £7, L Donnelly & Son 1274 £7, T McAleer Balbriggan 1268 £7, R Matthews Sallynoggin 1266 £7, G Furlong Wexford N & S 1265 ST £31, M & J OReilly Arklow Utd 1256 S £5, G Furlong 1246 S £5, OToole & OBrien Sallynoggin 1204 ST £22, B Richardson & Son Balbriggan 1077 T £17. End of South Section.
INFC Skibbereen Muckamore Centre A & N Lewis Doagh 1619, C Campbell & Son Horseshoe 1602, Lindores & Nicolson West Belfast 1601, Connor Bros Kingsmoss 1570, A & N Lewis 1565, F Simpson Doagh 1560, Gregg Bros & McCandless Ligoniel 1548, R McMeekin Kingsmoss 1542, N J Arthurs Ballycarry 1528, R Mills & Son Larne 1528, G Connolly Harryville 1521, Grattan Bros Glengormley 1520, S & A Leitch Doagh 1505, S & A Leitch 1502, S & A Leitch 1501, J McErlain & Son Alexandra 1499, McAuley Kell & Bowles Shankill 1498, W Gault Kingsmoss 1493, J McErlain & Son 1493, S Rodney & Son Ballyclare 1489, Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel 1482, Gregg Bros & McCandless 1475, C Young Ahoghill 1472, D & P Harvey Horseshoe 1469, Fleming Bros Crumlin 1465, B & M Gilmore Ballyclare 1465, R Lillie & Son Kingsmoss 1464, J McErlain & Son 1462, S Rodney & Son 1462, M/M C Hayes Ballyclare 1461, J Burrows Eastway 1459, W Wickings Ligoniel 1457, D & H Stuart Ballymoney 1456, G K & I Moxham Larne 1456, D & H Stuart 1456, J L Madden Coleraine Prem 1453, S Laverty Ballymoney 1453, Gregg Bros & McCandless 1451, D Dixon Rasharkin 1450, S & A Leitch 1449, Graham Son & McManus Ligoniel 1448, J Burrows 1446, C Young 1445, T McCrudden Coleraine & Co Derry 1444, D Dixon 1444, D Dixon 1444, G K & I Moxham 1442, G K & I Moxham 1442, G & L Simpson Ligoniel 1441, Knowles & Hill Kingsmoss 1441.
East Antrim Combine Skibbereen OB Nat - A & N Lewis Doagh 1619, C Campbell & Son Horseshoe 1602, Connor Bros Kingsmoss 1570, A & N Lewis 1565, F Simpson Doagh 1560, Gregg Bros & McCandless Ligoniel 1548, R McMeekin Kingsmoss 1542, N J Arthurs Ballycarry 1528, R Mills & Son Larne 1528, Grattan Bros Glengormley 1520, S & A Leitch Doagh 1505, S & A Leitch 1502, S & A Leitch 1501, W Gault Kingsmoss 1493, S Rodney & Son Ballyclare 1489, Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel 1482, Gregg Bros & McCandless 1475, D & P Harvey Horseshoe 1469, B & M Gilmore Ballyclare 1465, R Lillie & Son Kingsmoss 1464, S Rodney & Son 1462, M/M C Hayes Ballyclare 1461, J Burrows Eastway 1459, W Wickings Ligoniel 1457, G K & I Moxham Larne 1456, Gregg Bros & McCandless 1451, S & A Leitch 1449, Graham Son & McManus Ligoniel 1448, J Burrows 1446, G K & I Moxham 1442.
Mid Antrim Combine Skibbereen OB Nat G Connolly Harryville 1521, C Young Ahoghill 1472, D Dixon Rasharkin 1450, C Young 1445, D Dixon 1444, D Dixon 1444, D Dixon 1426, D Dixon 1422, A & N Young Ahoghill 1417, A McBride Harryville 1411, A Darragh Cullybackey 1407, McFarlane & Agnew Kells 1407, K & K Kernohan & Sons Harryville 1406, G Connolly 1375, D Houston & Son Broughshane 1374, McFarlane & Agnew 1349, G Connolly 1338, G McDowell Kells 1336, J & N Simpson Broughshane 1317, G McDowell 1314, J Devlin Ballymena 1307, A Darragh 1275, G McDowell 1234, A Darragh 1208, Russell Bros Cullybackey 1197, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1164, D Houston & Son 1151, J & N Simpson 1017.
NI Clubs Skibbereen INFC Nat
Ballymoney HPS 8/78 D & H Stuart 1456, 1456, S Laverty 1453, D Dixon 1450, 1444, 1444, 1426, 1422, A & M Boyle 1419, D & H Stuart 1397, D & G McMullan 1352, W & L McCaw 1314.
Dervock IPS 5/47 - D & H Stuart 1456, 1456, S Laverty 1453, A & M Boyle 1419, D & H Stuart 1397, D & G McMullan 1352, W & L McCaw 1314, A & M Boyle 1264, D & H Stuart 1254.
HOMER
Tel/Fax (028) 256 44683
E-mail: reynoldshomer@aol.com
~ Maries Dream wins the INFC Skibbereen Nat ~
The Irish National Flying Club held its first O/Bird National of 2009 from Skibbereen on Thursday 28th of May with birdage up a 1/3 in comparison to last year just illustrating how easy the racing has been up till now with the majority of the weekly convoys having a helping wind at the various race points. Traditionally the birds are normally race marked on a Wednesday for a Thursday/Friday liberation, with conditions looking ok for Thursday every effort was made to have the transporter in place to facilitate a Thursday liberation if the weather deemed acceptable to liberate. With no rain across Ireland from mid-morning onwards and with any haze that was lingering about the birds were liberated at 10.30 in a South West Wind. With a helping wind it was expected that the Birds would complete the 250 Mile journey into the heart of Belfast in around 4 & ½ hours which was spot on for the pigeons that decided to come, a number of lofts with some empty perches was the order of the day, with reports that some birds when liberated headed the wrong direction all together. For the ones that came they recorded good times and although returns were some what erratic in some parts the majority of lofts I spoke to had around ½ home although you always come across the outstanding lofts who have 75% - 100% returns, you for some reason always find this when there is a tough race on checking the result you always come by someone who had a ball of pigeons home and this race seems to be no different. Also when talking to a number of fanciers over the weekend and calling with a number of the Top 10 accompanied by Adie for this report I seen a few pigeons that had all the hallmarks of a hawk attack, some with damage under both wings, some with damage on the back, some will multiple rips on the under carriage and a lot with tails missing, all in all a disappointment for the unlucky fanciers and full credit to the pigeons making it home after injury.
This was the first time that the INFC have used ETS at the ring marking and again reports were that this went very well indeed with the Secretary of the NIPA on hand all afternoon to make sure that the Unikon was all organised, representation form all the other companies were also in attendance with little to no hassle whatsoever, perhaps the only thing I heard was the length of time that the Unikon members had to wait with only two markers going and this the system that was being most used. But all in all excellent to get the first ETS marking out of the way with ease and full credit to the additional worker who turned up from the various companies to see a simple and east passage of usage. As normal the hardened members of the Committee (or the workers as I like to call them) were on hand, and as per usual were fantastic with all running on schedule and according to plan to which I would congratulate all the Committee who turned up to help and more importantly the pigeon fanciers who assisted that are not on the Committee. So here goes for the Provisional Top Ten in the Skibbereen O/Bird National of 2009.
1st Open Cromie & Magee & Son, Ballynahinch Velocity 1650
Winning the 2009 INFC Skibbereen O/Bird National is the veteran partnership of Cromie & Magee & Son of Ballynahinch who have raced many exceptional pigeons over the years including no less than five 1st prize winners in the EDC from Skibbereen. The partnership name is made up of Joe Cromie Senior, Marie Magee (who sadly passed away in January 2006) and Joe Cromie Junior. Joe Senior has named the winning pigeon Maries Dream in her memory as he said it was always her wish in the many enjoyable years she spent within the pigeon sport to win a National.
The Cromie boys timed a 2 year old Blue Cock at 2.49pm flying 243 Miles to their lofts on the outskirts of Ballynahinch town. The winning pigeon was flying on the Widowhood system and is off an exceptional breeding Hofken Stock cock who now is at a tender age of 14, this cock has bred scores of prize winners over the years and was sourced from the Andrews & Jackson partnership of Howden. He in turn to produce the Skibbereen National winner for the Father and Son team was mated to a Soontjen loaned the boys from Martin Flynn who flies exceptionally well in the East Down Combine affiliated Drumaness Mills HPS. As a youngster the pigeon in question scored from Pilmore Beach winning the Club and finishing 17th West Section and 39th Open East Down Combine, then the following week from Skibbereen the cock finished 1st Club and 8th Open. The following year in was placed on the widowhood system and in the first race he stayed out over night, so Joe Junior decided that, all was not well based upon this and his performances around the house, so he stopped the pigeon although keeping him in the widowhood team and continuing to train him around the house. Then this year he was put back onto the road and has been in the clock a few times including finishing 4th Club from Clonmel at the start of May.
Joe Senior, now retired is 75 years young and although has a winning CV that would grace any loft this is his first National success flying with the Irish National Flying Club having had pigeons since 1963 when he then raced and lived in Killyleagh. Very appropriate that we now move onto another Veteran flyer that being a man who won last year his 1st National flying with the INFC aged at 80 years young namely JP of Newtownbreda. Adie will hopefully have a report in next week on this National winning loft.
2nd Open John Patterson, Newtownbreda Velocity 1632
John Patterson of Ballylesson, will without any doubt go down as one of the best fanciers ever to race pigeons into Ireland, a living legend who continues to produce stunning results week in, week out. Last season flying with the INFC from Skibbereen he finished 4th Open in this corresponding race and won the Y/Bird Skibbereen National in September that was his first National win flying with the INFC. From Skibbereen yet again he nearly wins the National, I think I would be right in saying that this is the 3rd time he has finished runner-up in an INFC National. The pigeon timed at 2.59pm is a two year old Pencil Blue cock flying on the roundabout system, he was trained up as a youngster but not raced, and as a yearling up until now has been an excellent racer winning many prizes including finishing 4th Open in the EDC Skibbereen Classic race a fortnight ago a race in which John finished 1st and 5th Open also. The pigeon timed is a full brother to the incredible 147 raced by John Patterson and sold to the Gibb & Byrne Stud in Lisburn last year, the 147 was a multiple winner over a three year period which seen a number of top positions in the East Down Combine Open including winning the EDC Skibbereen Classic in 2006 a year in which he was also crowned O/Bird of the Year in the Combine. In 2007 he also topped the Combine Open from Thurles with over 6,000 pigeons competing. When the Gibb & Byrne Stud purchased the 147 they also purchased a full brother 718 who also had already topped the East Down Combine from Mallow with 5,541 pigeons competing. What an excellent line of pigeons John Patterson has created especially for the favoured race point of Skibbereen which is 250 miles to his lofts. They are all G/Sons of his famous and wonder breeder namely The Stud responsible for no less than 18 x 1st Combine Open winners over the years. John timed a second pigeon in this race and with a Velocity of 1566 wont be to far away in the over-all result not surprising of course as this pigeon was the one that finished 4th Open last year in this corresponding race. John was telling me that one of the first fanciers on the phone to congratulate him was a fancier he considers to have had the best family of distance pigeons ever raced in Ireland that fancier in question is Bobby Smyth of Ballymena (Smyth Bros). John Patterson over the years has made pigeon racing looks easy, especially on the big occasion and I have absolutely no doubt that their will be a few more big results from this man before 2009 is over.
3rd Open - Len McKinstry, Dundonald Velocity 1621
Timing a Blue Cock at 3.06pm flying 255 Miles was enough to give Len McKinstry 3rd Open in the National result. Len timed a yearling roundabout cock that was bred from a Staf Van Reet hen sourced from A & L Painter of the West Midlands when mated to a Janssen Cock sourced from fellow Club mate and Ace Flyer Mark Foulis who knows a thing or two about winning himself. Len has had success previously from Skibbereen flying with the Irish National Flying Club, 2 years ago he finished 4th Open in the Y/Bird Skibbereen event. The pigeon that day is a ½ sister to this winner of 3rd Open carrying the A & L Painter Bloodlines with the Sire of the 4th Open in the Y/Bird race also topping the East Down Combine Open. Len cant praise the Painter Van Reets enough and even crossing them now they are proving an even bigger success. The McKinstry name has been at the top of the pigeon sport in Ireland for many years and Adie recently featured Lens father George in an 1970s achieve article in the Racing Pigeon a few weeks ago, that particular piece highlighted George winning the O/Bird Derby flying with the East Down Combine from Dinard flying 455 miles. I am not sure if it is a record but Lens father George has won the O/Bird Derby racing on his own, Len then raced in partnership with his father and they also won the O/Bird Derby and then Len raced on his own and he also has won the O/Bird Derby. So all in all a life time of achievement for the McKinstrys spanning many years and this 3rd Open success in the INFC Skibbereen is just one more top result to add to the ever growing list of achievements. Well done Len.
4th Open - A & N Lewis, Doagh Velocity 1619
Anthony & Norman Lewis are fast becoming the up and coming distance fanciers in Ireland, they have quickly adapted to the needs of what is required for a pigeon in Ireland to compete on the Channel form all distances and this success of 4th Open in the Inland National from Skibbereen is not surprise to me. Over the last couple of years as results will prove they have competed at the highest level right through to the furthest race point. This National success which is their highest placed position to date was achieved by a Yearling Blue cock that was timed by the brothers at 3.09pm flying 257 miles to their lofts in Doagh, co.Antrim an area that has produced many a distance superstar. This pigeon like so many that the brothers race is no fluke he finished 25th Open in the Y/Bird version of this race in September last year and in preparation for this challenge he finished 2nd Club three weeks ago and just last week from rosscarbery which is only a couple of miles from Skibbereen this gallant pigeon showed he was up for the task by being the third pigeon to arrive at the loft with plenty left in the tank. It was in fact his 1/2 sister that topped the Club from Rosscarbery just last week finishing 1st Doagh & District, 14th Section C and 23rd Open NIPA Inland National. This particular line of pigeons are doing exceptionally well for the Lewis's for a full brother of this fourth National winner topped the Club from Tullamore a couple of weeks ago also.
So I hear you asking well what is the family?? Well the Sire contains the best of the Jeff Greenaway bloodlines coming from a kit of six purchased from Jeff, the Dam once again a Staf Van Reet which was raced by the brothers as a youngster winning a number of prizes and then put to stock, from their it has been a case of no looking back. The G.Sire of this latest National pigeon is known as the "Sheriff" he also was purchased from Jeff and has been a Gold Mine for the Lewis boys breeding no less than 9 x 1st prize winners and a combined total of forty prize winners at different levels of competition. The brothers would like to thank Jeff of Universal lofts for the excellent pigeons he has supplied to them over the last four seasons.
If that weren't enough the brothers also timed a second arrival at 3.19pm to record a velocity of 1565 and this one wont be far away also, this one is a Belg Yearling Blue Cock purchased direct from Rene Van De Weyer the Olympic Sprint Champion of Belgium, having only recently purchased these pigeons Anthony says they are judged by the basket and have proved to excel from 200 miles onwards, the pigeon timed is the same way bred as 1st Club Skibbereen Y/Bird National last season.
to add to my argument about these boys becoming one of the leading lights in distance racing they have previously been 1st Club, 1st Section & 5th Open NIPA Lamballe OB Nat 2006 with "Le Premier" a Blue cock which contains the best of the late Cyril Fletchers Wildemeersch when crossed to a hen of George Pearson of Eastway. His direct son "Jimmy" another Blue cock was 1st Club, 1st Section & 4th Open NIPA Dinard OB Nat 07 winning an RPRA award for best bird over 450 miles plus. Jimmy and another Blue cock which won 2nd Club, 3rd Section & 10th Open is off the best of good friend Alan Darragh's combined together to win the "Devine Memorial Trophy" for the best 2 Bird Average in the OB National. Well done lads and thanks for the info.
5th Open - G Furlong, Wexford Velocity 1614
The first arrival into Wexford and the South Leinster Federation was timed by Ger Furlong of the local Wexford North & South recording velocity 1614 for a 5th Open INFC finish. Chairman of the club and a new INFC Race Advisor Willie Hore was to gather up some info on the bird.
6th Open - Mr & Mrs Bobby Stevenson, Dromara Velocity 1611
7th Open W & R Evans & Leahy, Kingswood Velocity 1608
The partnership of W & R Evans & Leahy who race their pigeons into East Belfast have over the last couple of years started to push into the Open results on the big occasions, this Wilf Evans tells me is due to the excellent pigeons supplied to him by one of the most honourable and honest fanciers he has ever come across, a fancier that has supplied him and his father Bobby with nothing but the best for the last three years and he went on to say that he owes a great deal of gratitude to Philip Boal of the P & J Boal partnership from Dromore for being so generous with some outstanding pigeons. Wilf timed a yearling Blue Cock who was sent sitting 14 days on eggs this particular pigeon was timed at 3.06pm flying 252 miles and as a youngster finished 1st Club, 14th Open NIPA Tullamore in the first race of the season, he was also sent last year to the Skibbereen Y/Bird National returning just out of the prizes. This year he received a couple of the races to date in preparation for this race and duly rewarded Wilf and father Bobby who takes a lot to do with the pigeons for their combined hard work. The breeding of this winner for boys is as mentioned P & J Boal of Dromore it is of Willy Van Herck breeding and is a full brother to a pigeon that Philip bred to win the East Down Combine Open against 7,000 + pigeons, he also is a full brother to a hen raced by the Boal Brothers that finished 1st Section D NIPA and 13th Open against 26,000 + pigeons. The Sire of Wilfs 7th Open in the National is a class pigeon for the Boal Brothers an ace racer when on the road and equally as prolific in the stock loft breeding a host of prize winners for various fanciers across Ireland. The Dam is a full sister to yet another couple of excellent racers for Philip & Joe Boal namely Iching a winner of 3 x 1sts including a class result from the Mallow 5 Bird a day which he should have won the Open also the hen is a full sister to another cock that finished 20th Open in the Rosscarbery National for the Boal boys. A class family of pigeons that are just not doing the business for W & R Evans & Leahy but a number of fancier all over the country. Well done to Bobby & Wilf on yet another top performance, top pigeons in the hands of two top fanciers.
8th Open Dobbs Bros, Wexford Velocity 1607
The second arrival into Wexford and the South Leinster Federation was timed by the Dobbs Bros who also race in the Wexford North & South recording velocity 1607 for a 8th Open INFC finish. They timed in at 12.53hrs flying 130 miles. This loft have a good record racing with the INFC having won in the YB Skibbereen 1st Open in 1999 and 2nd Open in 2000. The bird this time was a 2 year old Lt Cheq hen racing widowhood top Janssen lines down from the famous 019. She had four races earlier and won 2nd the weekend previous from Rosscarbery. She topped the Federation as a yearling and had 2nd South Sect in the Skibbereen Nat. Her brother is g/sire of the Yearling Nat winner of 2008 for Owen Kirwin. Well done to Dobbs Bros, Matty, Leo who I was speaking to and Willie, I am sure I will be covering this loft again in the future.
9th Open - C Campbell & Son, Horse Shoe Velocity 1602
What a week for Colin Campbell & Son who race with Horseshoe HPS into the Port of Larne in Co Antrim, an area with a fantastic tradition in this race with a lot of winners including most recently G K & I Moxham. C Campbell & Son almost won the NIPA Rosscarbery OB Nat the previous weekend finishing a good 1st Sect C & 2nd Open NIPA. Just a few days later the loft is early again with the second bird into East Antrim timed at 3.25pm flying 269 miles and finishing 9th Open INFC doing velocity 1602. This cock, flown on the Roundabout has been very consistent for the partnership, having flown the entire inland programme. The yearling cock is no stranger to the prizes as it was their second bird home the previous week from NIPA Rosscarbery O/B Nat. taking 13th Sect C & 19th Open and from Tullamore earlier this season it was 1st Club, 3rd Sect C & 106th Open NIPA with 25,000 birds competing doing velocity 1386. The breeding of this cock is Janssen x Staf van Reet. The sire is from a family they've had for a few years, while the dam is coming down from stock obtained from A & R McAuley of Coleraine. Very little training is done once racing commences as the team fly well at home. The partnership only rejoined the INFC last year but never sent to any races until now. Even though they race as C Campbell & Son it is really a husband and wife partnership, as Colin's wife Angela takes a lot to do with the birds which is a great help. A super week of racing for C Campbell & Son, well done and thanks for the weekly reports.
10th Open - J Lindores, Son & Nicolson, West Belfast Velocity 1601
The West Belfast team of Jackie Lindores, Son and his mate Nicolson are best in the Ulster Federation timing an all pooler to finish 10th Open INFC. The yearling Blue hen racing Roundabout was timed at 3.06pm flying 251 miles into Belfast recording velocity 1601. Already this year this good hen has won 1st Club from Kildare finishing 3rd Ulster Fed on velocity 1380 and 3rd Club Thurles. Her sire was the famous Blue Cock a Champion Racer for the West Belfast partnership having won 18th Open Ulster Fed as a young bird from Talbenny then, 3rd Ulster Fed, followed by back to back wins that had them twice 1st Open Ulster Federation from Thurles. Looking back at the records I see the bird was ring number 13, not a bit unlucky this one. 1st Club and 1st Ulster Federation Thurles (1) 223/3,876 on velocity 1372 flying 153 miles and one week later 1st Club and 1st Open Ulster Federation Thurles (2) 217/3,830 on velocity 1726. He was bred off a pair of birds obtained from Whiteside Bros (Eastway) and clubmate Barry Telford. To produce the latest 1st Fed winner from Skibbereen the Blue cock was paired to a hen on loan from Whiteside Bros. The Blue cock won 4 x 1st Clubs and as well as producing a 1st Fed winner two others have won with birds bred off him.
The Ronnie Johnston Challenge Cup plus Diploma is presented to the winner and the Charles Hunniford Memorial Trophy to the Best Ave (North Sect) Skibbereen OB & YB. The race was kindly sponsored by Bamfords Top Flight with 3 bags of mixture to the winner of each affiliated organisation ie. NIPA, East Down Combine, Ulster Fed, East Coast Fed (Dublin), Irish SR Fed (Dublin) and South Leinster Federation. An additional 2 bags of mixture for the race winner, many congratulations to all the winners.
HOMER
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E-mail: reynoldshomer@aol.com