INFC Update - Ronnie Johnston (Patron)

[willie reynolds]

INFC Single Bird Challenge

This award has become one of the most coveted within the National Club
and I am sure 2010 will see a record entry. The winner in 2009 was the
popular Jim Robinson of Edgarstown winning the Joe Doheny Cup and a
framed Diploma of his winning pigeon. The Challenge was flown from
Vannes Kings Cup in 2009 and saw Alan Darragh Cullybackey 2nd with
Tommy McClean of Annaghmore 3rd, both these fanciers received a framed
Diploma of their winner and these Diplomas of their winner annd these
Diplomas are sponsored by Sawyers & Co Estate Agents of Banbridge and
Dromore. The entry form will be included in the 2010 race book and the
entry fee will remain the same. The entry form and the fee must be
returned to Davie Black by March 17th and I am sure the Challenge will
be a record entry in 2010.

The other great challenge for the 2010 season is the Duddy Trophy,
this award was first flown for last year and won by Geoffrey Douglas
of Wilton Cross. Let me explain the background to the award, Robin
Duddy selected the two races that made up the challenge, Sennen Cove
Yearling and Penzance YB and decided that it would be a three bird
nomination for each race. The entry fee to cover the two races and six
birds is £10. Remember if you send less than three birds the entry fee
will still be £10.

The winner in 2009 collected the Robin Duddy Cup and £1,000. This is
another challenge added to the many special awards within the INFC and
I am sure we will have a super entry and I would not be surprised if
the winner collected £2,000 as a 1st prize.

The entry forms will also be included in the 2010 yearbook and agin
must be returned to Davie Black. The INFC secretary Trevor Topping has
had his work cut out getting all these new awards included in the 2010
race book but as usual he is on top of the job and all will be out on
time. The AGM will again be held on Saturday 27th February in the
Lisburn Leisure Centre and with a number of important items on the
agenda this is the forum to discuss them.

The President's Trophy

Members of the Irish National Flying Club compete for some much sought
after trophies and one of the most coveted is the President Cup. The
cup has to be won over a four race programme - two old bird races and
two young bird races.

The running order is as follows: Sennen Cove
Yearling National followed by the King's Cup from Vannes then Penzance
YB and finally the Skibbereen YB National.

The President's Cup winner in 2009 was none other than the former
King's Cup winner Geoffrey Douglas of Wilton Cross. Let me give you
his record over the four race programme. Sennen Cove Yearling National
was first up and the Douglas loft won 28th North Section, 56th Open,
velocity 1134 ypm, 4,134 birds competed. Vannes Kings Cup was next and
a super performance for Geoffrey winning 16th North Section, 18th
Open, velocity 1354 ypm and 2,619 birds competed, this is a race
Geoffrey won as far back as 1980 with a yearling from Les Sables.
Penzance YB National can be the downfall for any fancier in contention
for the major championships. The race was very difficult with only 155
young birds recorded over the two days from 2,120 birds entered.
Another massive performance from the Douglas loft winning 14th North
Section, 15th Open, velocity 884 ypm. These three top performances put
the loft in the pole position and the question was could he complete
the job by scoring from the Skibbereen YB National - the answer was
yes! Winning 29th North Section, 29th Open, velocity 1501 ypm.
Winning such a pretigious trophy is magical but it is the manner in
which it was won that makes it so special for the Douglas family.