Homer's Odyssey/BHW Plus - 09/04/10
Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 8:59 am
Weather wise the long winter break is complete, although you would hardly think it, and the pigeon racing season is getting ready for the off. The opening race of the NIPA old bird programme will be flown from Tullamore in County Offaly on Saturday 10th April. Training, weather permitting, will be in full swing over the Easter Holiday period. Fanciers have had plenty to talk about, what about the new GB Rings?? Then of course the position of the pads within traps, and the interpretation of the rule having a variation depending on who you speak to. Now I hear the next thing is updates to ETS Systems, are some going to be charged a Maintenance Fee?? As far as I can see the whole thing is becoming a total nightmare, and modern technology is not helping when fanciers have the option of placing points of view on websites for all to read, helping keep the debate going, on and on. Take it from me, the vast majority just wish to send their birds, get a result, and look forward to the next race.
Member clubs need to be aware of a number of changes that have been put in place to make the running of this massive organization a little easier for Secretary Fred Russell. Help will be supplied to clubs to enable them to submit an official copy of the Race Result by Fax over Saturday & Sunday which will hopefully enable a result to be made available on the Sunday evening to be used in the pigeon publicity over the next week. Please Note – Fax Number (028) 92 693913. An important part of all this is that clubs use the new, (Big White Envelope) for crate carriage, Transporter Only Envelope, to be handed to the driver on the Friday night collection. A properly signed cheque enclosed and filled out on the front of the envelope giving entry details, crates, members and birds competing etc. All information will be logged and cheques got ready for the bank early Saturday and everything in place waiting for club results on a Saturday evening. The Transporter Only Envelope is not to be mixed up with anything else, it alone with cheque and all information filled out, and handed to the driver during the club collection. No Envelope or cheque supplied to the driver, no collection the following week. No more posting your cheque. No more enclosing it in your duplicate envelopes.
While I am on the subject of envelopes, please use the correct envelope. If it says duplicates only, please only duplicates in the envelope. Rubber rings only, please only rubber rings in the envelope. Race results only, please only race results in the envelope and finally, transport charges only, please only your Club Cheque in the envelope. Far too many are simply using the first envelope they put their hands on. All these envelopes are designed to assist the Secretary and Fred would appreciate your assistance.
At the AGM the General Rule 62 was changed to read.
Confirmation of club result must be faxed to the NIPA Secretary on the Official Result Form, within 24 hours of the race. The result envelope must be posted to the Secretary to arrive not later than four days after the race.
This means that unlike last year when information was returned on the next week’s transporter collection run, the business must be put in the post to arrive no later than Wednesday, assuming the race was flown on the Saturday.
With the Easter Holiday and the weather the way it has been some clubs have indicated they will not be sending the first race, any club not sending the first week should contact Ivan Mawhinney Tel: (028) 38 882322. I have a number of contact numbers for Secretary Fred Russell. From 9.00am until 4.00pm Tel: (028) 90 234805. From 8.00pm any night Tel: (028) 92 693913. Mobile: 07833 070371. Only these numbers to be used, no others, thank you.
When the season starts clubs should furnish their results to me as in the past for general publicity, if you can supply extra details that will help a lot, as will the odd photo. We have always relied on a number of area scribes to supply local news for various publications, including weekly newspapers and the fancy press as well. This as usual will be listed in the organisation report for each race, and remember we work to very tight deadlines. There is more to do than will ever be possible to be done, we can only try our best, to ensure your result is listed get the details to Homer, space is also available for all club’s to list results at no charge on www.pigeonnetwork.com
I have always believed it was important that the fancy in Ireland were aware of what races were being flown each weekend, as far as possible we have listed the liberation times weekly. Any organisation not included should furnish their programme to “Homer” for listing.
The agreed race programmes are as follows.
NIPA 2010
Old Birds: 10th April Tullamore, 17th April Tullamore, 24th April Roscrea, 1st May Clonmel, 8th May Clonmel, 15th May Fermoy, 22nd May Rosscarbery OB Inland Nat, 29th May Talbenny, 5th June Talbenny, 5th June Fermoy, 12th June Bude, 12th June Fermoy 5 Bird Championship, 19th June Penzance, 19th June Penzance OB Classic, 25th June St Malo OB Nat (France), 26th June Yearling Cock/Hen Nationals.
Young Birds: 10th July Training Toss Mullingar (2 Liberations) ie Top Half Clubs above 54:36, Bottom Half Clubs below 54:36. 17th July Tullamore Official Race (2 Liberations, as above), 24th July Tullamore (Mass Liberation), 31st July Roscrea, 7th August Roscrea, 14th August Clonmel, 21st August Fermoy, 28th August Talbenny YB Nat, 28th August Tullamore, 4th September Fermoy, 4th September Fermoy 5 Bird Championship, 11th September Rosscarbery YB Inland National.
Northern Ireland Channel Federation
– COPD Charity Race.
Following the death of my father John “Rocky” Reid on 8th December 2009, I will be organising a fund raiser for COPD (British Lung Foundation).
John was a keen pigeon fancier and he was secretary of the Northern Ireland Channel Fed and Drumcree HPS for many years and also served time running the NIPA Centre in Edgarstown HPS along with the late Mervyn Maben. Over the last few years John’s health had deteriorated quite rapidly, but he didn’t let it stop him from watching the pigeons and doing his duties as secretary. During and up until the death of my father, the care in which he received from the COPD Nurses was second to none and he had asked me to raise some money to show our appreciation.
COPD is a term for a group of lung diseases that include chronic bronchitis, emphysema and small airways disease, which causes Lung damage over a long period of time and impairs the flow of air in and out of the lungs and causes breathlessness. This is a condition that any one of us in the pigeon sport can inherit, which is why we need to support the British Lung Foundation (COPD).
The race will be flown under the Northern Ireland Channel Fed name and will be held in the Edgarstown HPS clubrooms on Sunday 25th April, race point to be confirmed. The race will be opened to Sections A, E & G. I would like to take the opportunity in thanking Edgarstown members for use of the clubrooms and Ronnie Williamson for the Transporter. All donations are very welcome. More details will follow over the next few weeks. I can be contacted on 07810 435225 or email colly_reid@hotmail.com. Thanks Colum Reid.
Mid Antrim Combine
The AGM for the Mid Antrim Combine was held recently in the Harryville HPS in Ballymena. In the absence of Chairman Robert Service through illness Alan Darragh from Cullybackey was invited to chair the meeting. He opened the meeting and welcomed delegates from most member clubs, Secretary George McDowell read the minutes of the previous AGM. These were adopted on a show of hands and the accounts were also passed. Main expenditure was on Diplomas at £215, some £218 remained in the Current Account and it would not be necessary to adjust the fees which remain at £2.00. Officials were re-elected for 2010 Chairman Robert Service (Harryville) and Secretary George McDowell (Kells).
Two resolutions were on the agenda, both submitted by Harryville HPS. The first one failed on the vote and the second was carried on the casting vote of the chairman.
Resolution No 1 – Submitted by Harryville HPS
The Mid Antrim Combine remains as it is now with no more clubs being accepted.
Resolution No 2 – Submitted by Harryville HPS
All birds competing in the Mid Antrim Combine must be race marked through which clubs the owners fees are paid to the Mid Antrim Combine. NIPA Classic & National races where the birds are marked in Centres. Birds competing in Mid Antrim Combine must be paid through clubs where the owner’s fees are paid.
Robert Service had a spell in hospital and was recovering well at home, the members sent him best wishes and the secretary was to send a card and basket of fruit. Cullybackey HPS secretary Edrick Davidson has informed me that long time member Hugh Glass has passed away at an advanced age, he raced in the Glass, son & Weir partnership and will be sadly missed.
Springvale Social intend to once again promote a Gold Ring Race in 2010, rings at £20 each are available now. Open to lofts competing in the NIPA Sections B & C the race will be as last year flown in conjunction with the NIPA Rosscarbery National. Prizes will be 1st £750, 2nd £150 and 3rd £100 and the contact numbers are as follows. Victor Montgomery Tel: 93-340021, Robert Scott Tel: 93-322798, Campbell McGrugan Tel: 93-340981 and Michael Fasciolo Tel: 07854 910228.
Carrick & District held their annual dinner and prize-night in the local clubrooms, as usual the invited guests included the officials of Carrick Social. Homer & Rosie were invited once again to take a few photos and give a little coverage to one of the hot-spots in the East Antrim Section C area. Mrs Reid presented the awards and also the NIPA France Diplomas won by Carrickfergus Lofts during another successful season racing. Secretary Robert Reid is always up to date and has the awards for the year released within two weeks of the final race.
The Carrick & District HPS 2009 winners were:
Elliott Bros won – McGifford Cup Cross Channel Ave, Graham Cup OB Ave, E Tierney Cup Best OB Ave Penzance, S Murphy Cup Penzance Old Bird, J Tierney Cup Best Ave Talbenny (1) & (2), Phil Canny Trophy NIPA St Malo OB Nat, T Binding Cup Best Ave Penzance & St Malo, McAllister Cup Lowest Winning Velocity, M/M Reid Trophy Rosscarbery OB Inl Nat, Stocker Cup Combine Ave, G McAllister Cup Bude Old Bird.
Mr & Mrs G Robinson won – Morrow Cup YB Points, Stroller Cup Young Bird Ave, E Skelton Cup Highest Winning Velocity, R Bowen & Sons Cup Best Ave all Fermoy Races, M Tierney Cup 6th Race OB Clonmel (1), J Tierney Cup Best Performance YB, H Hamilton Cup 1st YB Talbenny and race before, A Patton Cup YB Knock-Out, R Surgenor Memorial Shield 5th YB Race.
D & J Armstrong & Son won – Elmhurst Cup Old Bird Points, M/M Reid Trophy Penzance Classic, D Tierney Cup Same Bird Talbenny (2) & Penzance, Hamilton Memorial Trophy Rosscarbery Nat & Skibb Nat INFC, R & H Hamilton Shield YB Inl Nat INFC, Shankill Cup Inland Points Ave Old Bird.
T Creighton & Son won E Burgess Cup Best Ave YB Nat, Turner Cup Talbenny YB Nat, E Gilliland Cup 1st YB Race.
T Thomas won – J Clawson Cup Rosscarbery YB Nat, McMahon Cup NIPA Rosscarbery Nat both clubs.
R McIlroy & Son won – Vint Cup OB Nat INFC, T Creighton Memorial Cup OB Nat INFC both clubs.
Not Won in 2009 – W Colwell Cup Penzance YB Nat and T Tierney Cup YB Novice Ave.
In the NIPA Jeff McMaw won the Silver Diploma and Bronze Diplomas were won by the ever consistent Elliott Bros and Mr & Mrs George Robinson who had a best ever racing season in 2009.
In 2009 Silver Diplomas were won by –
Jeff McMaw Carrick & Dist 29th Sect C & 99th Open NIPA Lamballe 07, 10th Sect C & 32nd Open NIPA St Malo 08, 15th Sect C & 106th Open NIPA St Malo 09.
In 2009 Bronze Diplomas were won by –
Elliott Bros Carrick & Dist 7th Sect C & 29th Open NIPA St Malo 08, 2nd Sect C & 29th Open NIPA St Malo 09.
M/M G Robinson Carrick & Dist 23rd Sect C & & 74th Open NIPA St Malo 08, 20th Sect C & 131st Open NIPA St Malo 09.
Sale Season Dates
Ballycarry & District sale will be held in the clubrooms on Wednesday 7th April @ 7.30pm, sale open to members in Carrick Social RPC, Carrick & District HPS & Ballycarry HPS.
Ballynure & District will have the annual Breeder & Buyer Sale in the Larne & Dist HPS Clubrooms, Glenarm Road in Larne on Wednesday 7th April, penning at 7.30 and sale at 8.00pm. The race will be the Rosscarbery YB National, £600 has been paid out each year and all fanciers are welcome.
Ronnie Johnston will auction birds at two sales that have been arranged on behalf of Allanah Donnelly who is just 7 years old and a Leukaemia Sufferer. Dates are Thursday 8th April in the Banbridge British Legion and Monday 12th April in the Newtownbreda Clubrooms. Fantastic selection of top quality Young Birds direct from some of Ireland’s leading lofts, will be ready to race. Alannah is the grand-daughter of Mr & Mrs Stevenson of Dromara club. So far young birds from leading Ulster Federation, East Down Combine and NIPA lofts have been promised, anybody who would like to donate a young bird can contact me, David Black, on Tel: 07876 157706.
Glenarm & District HPS will have their annual Breeder & Buyer Sale in the Larne & Dist HPS on Thursday 15th April at 8.00pm. The race will be Fermoy and prizes £100 for Breeder and £250 for the Buyer. All fanciers welcome.
A Building Fund Sale in aid of Downpatrick HPS will take place in the Newtownbreda Clubrooms on Monday 19th April at 8.00pm. The club have a top selection of youngsters promised from top lofts, penning is from 7.00pm.
Training For All
For Sale: Taking orders for Young Birds from the following families, Janssen, Cattrysse and Roland Janssen. Contact Robert Tel: 07885 438500.
John Lowry of Crumlin will start training week commencing Monday 5th April, he can provide single crates for the fanciers, usual collection arrangements. Tel: (028) 94 459014 or Mobile: 07710 447262. Homer hopes to be ready for the start of old bird racing, training on demand, more details on this later.
Colin Long (Kingswood HPS) shall commence training Sunday the 21st of March 2010 he intends training every day Newry/Dundalk line and shall pick up birds as follows - 8am Dundonald Ice Bowl, 8.45am Kingswood HPS, 9.30 Durham St (behind the black man tech) for further information phone Colin on Mobile: 07894 117243.
Tom Cairns (Glengormley) intends to train birds to Skerries (Dublin) each Saturday morning between 22nd May and 3rd July especially with the long distance races in mind. Pick-up points will include Corr’s Corner Roundabout 7.00am until 7.30am, Park Centre 8.00am until 8.30am. Tel: 07973 113710.
Joe & Mark Brown Training - The local transporter will start operations (weather permitting) on Thursday 1st April and each week Monday to Thursday going to Newry and Ardee. Collection points and times etc as before with usual stops at Bleary and Gilford. Birdage will be a nominal 10p, very good value and Joe can be contacted at any time Tel: 07709 077266.
BANBRIDGE based Kenny Mallen will be operating a training programme for the local area starting on Sunday 4th April and prior to racing operating Monday through till Thursday. Collections are Banbridge 7.30-8.15am (Coach Car Park) and Newry 8.45-9.00am (Old Customs House). Space available for widowhood hen’s for early release. Any queries contact Kenny Tel: 07737 521355.
Andy Milliken, Pigeon Training Lisburn - Training commences Sat 27th of March, On both this date and Sun 28th of March he will be Picking up from Lagan Valley Pigeon club at 8.30-9.00am and Liberating at the Border. From Tues 30th March onwards Liberations at the border and RD, pick up points Coronation Gardens 7.15am, Lagan Valley Pigeon Club 7.30-8.00am, Dromore (Car Park) 8.15am.
For any further information or alternative pick ups contact Andy Tel: 07764 158942.
Williamson & Calvin Transporter will be training each Tuesday, and Thursday from Ardee, starting Easter Tuesday 30th March. Birds can be hampered the night before or up to 7.45am on morning of toss at 23 Farra Road, phone Ron Williamson Yard (028) 38 339320 or Mobile: 07841 762399. Collection Points as before: Annaghmore Clubrooms 8.00am, Ballyoran Hill 8.20am, Edgarstown 8.40am, Laurelvale HPS Clubrooms 9.00am, Markethill Corner 9.30am, Newry Corner 10.00am.
Springvale Social intend to once again promote a Gold Ring Race in 2010, rings at £20 each are available now. Open to lofts competing in the NIPA Sections B & C the race will be as last year flown in conjunction with the NIPA Rosscarbery National. Prizes will be 1st £750, 2nd £150 and 3rd £100 and the contact numbers are as follows. Victor Montgomery Tel: 93-340021, Robert Scott Tel: 93-322798, Campbell McGrugan Tel: 93-340981 and Michael Fasciolo Tel: 07854 910228.
Lost: In the Crumlin area Blue cock GB07C 45220, Tel: Tel: (028) 94 459014 or Mobile: 07710 447262. Found: Dead at Larne Harbour IHU10S 52849.
Willie Reynolds
NIPA Press Officer
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07939 684876
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
www.pigeonnetwork.com
www.niparacingpigeons.co.uk
Member clubs need to be aware of a number of changes that have been put in place to make the running of this massive organization a little easier for Secretary Fred Russell. Help will be supplied to clubs to enable them to submit an official copy of the Race Result by Fax over Saturday & Sunday which will hopefully enable a result to be made available on the Sunday evening to be used in the pigeon publicity over the next week. Please Note – Fax Number (028) 92 693913. An important part of all this is that clubs use the new, (Big White Envelope) for crate carriage, Transporter Only Envelope, to be handed to the driver on the Friday night collection. A properly signed cheque enclosed and filled out on the front of the envelope giving entry details, crates, members and birds competing etc. All information will be logged and cheques got ready for the bank early Saturday and everything in place waiting for club results on a Saturday evening. The Transporter Only Envelope is not to be mixed up with anything else, it alone with cheque and all information filled out, and handed to the driver during the club collection. No Envelope or cheque supplied to the driver, no collection the following week. No more posting your cheque. No more enclosing it in your duplicate envelopes.
While I am on the subject of envelopes, please use the correct envelope. If it says duplicates only, please only duplicates in the envelope. Rubber rings only, please only rubber rings in the envelope. Race results only, please only race results in the envelope and finally, transport charges only, please only your Club Cheque in the envelope. Far too many are simply using the first envelope they put their hands on. All these envelopes are designed to assist the Secretary and Fred would appreciate your assistance.
At the AGM the General Rule 62 was changed to read.
Confirmation of club result must be faxed to the NIPA Secretary on the Official Result Form, within 24 hours of the race. The result envelope must be posted to the Secretary to arrive not later than four days after the race.
This means that unlike last year when information was returned on the next week’s transporter collection run, the business must be put in the post to arrive no later than Wednesday, assuming the race was flown on the Saturday.
With the Easter Holiday and the weather the way it has been some clubs have indicated they will not be sending the first race, any club not sending the first week should contact Ivan Mawhinney Tel: (028) 38 882322. I have a number of contact numbers for Secretary Fred Russell. From 9.00am until 4.00pm Tel: (028) 90 234805. From 8.00pm any night Tel: (028) 92 693913. Mobile: 07833 070371. Only these numbers to be used, no others, thank you.
When the season starts clubs should furnish their results to me as in the past for general publicity, if you can supply extra details that will help a lot, as will the odd photo. We have always relied on a number of area scribes to supply local news for various publications, including weekly newspapers and the fancy press as well. This as usual will be listed in the organisation report for each race, and remember we work to very tight deadlines. There is more to do than will ever be possible to be done, we can only try our best, to ensure your result is listed get the details to Homer, space is also available for all club’s to list results at no charge on www.pigeonnetwork.com
I have always believed it was important that the fancy in Ireland were aware of what races were being flown each weekend, as far as possible we have listed the liberation times weekly. Any organisation not included should furnish their programme to “Homer” for listing.
The agreed race programmes are as follows.
NIPA 2010
Old Birds: 10th April Tullamore, 17th April Tullamore, 24th April Roscrea, 1st May Clonmel, 8th May Clonmel, 15th May Fermoy, 22nd May Rosscarbery OB Inland Nat, 29th May Talbenny, 5th June Talbenny, 5th June Fermoy, 12th June Bude, 12th June Fermoy 5 Bird Championship, 19th June Penzance, 19th June Penzance OB Classic, 25th June St Malo OB Nat (France), 26th June Yearling Cock/Hen Nationals.
Young Birds: 10th July Training Toss Mullingar (2 Liberations) ie Top Half Clubs above 54:36, Bottom Half Clubs below 54:36. 17th July Tullamore Official Race (2 Liberations, as above), 24th July Tullamore (Mass Liberation), 31st July Roscrea, 7th August Roscrea, 14th August Clonmel, 21st August Fermoy, 28th August Talbenny YB Nat, 28th August Tullamore, 4th September Fermoy, 4th September Fermoy 5 Bird Championship, 11th September Rosscarbery YB Inland National.
Northern Ireland Channel Federation
– COPD Charity Race.
Following the death of my father John “Rocky” Reid on 8th December 2009, I will be organising a fund raiser for COPD (British Lung Foundation).
John was a keen pigeon fancier and he was secretary of the Northern Ireland Channel Fed and Drumcree HPS for many years and also served time running the NIPA Centre in Edgarstown HPS along with the late Mervyn Maben. Over the last few years John’s health had deteriorated quite rapidly, but he didn’t let it stop him from watching the pigeons and doing his duties as secretary. During and up until the death of my father, the care in which he received from the COPD Nurses was second to none and he had asked me to raise some money to show our appreciation.
COPD is a term for a group of lung diseases that include chronic bronchitis, emphysema and small airways disease, which causes Lung damage over a long period of time and impairs the flow of air in and out of the lungs and causes breathlessness. This is a condition that any one of us in the pigeon sport can inherit, which is why we need to support the British Lung Foundation (COPD).
The race will be flown under the Northern Ireland Channel Fed name and will be held in the Edgarstown HPS clubrooms on Sunday 25th April, race point to be confirmed. The race will be opened to Sections A, E & G. I would like to take the opportunity in thanking Edgarstown members for use of the clubrooms and Ronnie Williamson for the Transporter. All donations are very welcome. More details will follow over the next few weeks. I can be contacted on 07810 435225 or email colly_reid@hotmail.com. Thanks Colum Reid.
Mid Antrim Combine
The AGM for the Mid Antrim Combine was held recently in the Harryville HPS in Ballymena. In the absence of Chairman Robert Service through illness Alan Darragh from Cullybackey was invited to chair the meeting. He opened the meeting and welcomed delegates from most member clubs, Secretary George McDowell read the minutes of the previous AGM. These were adopted on a show of hands and the accounts were also passed. Main expenditure was on Diplomas at £215, some £218 remained in the Current Account and it would not be necessary to adjust the fees which remain at £2.00. Officials were re-elected for 2010 Chairman Robert Service (Harryville) and Secretary George McDowell (Kells).
Two resolutions were on the agenda, both submitted by Harryville HPS. The first one failed on the vote and the second was carried on the casting vote of the chairman.
Resolution No 1 – Submitted by Harryville HPS
The Mid Antrim Combine remains as it is now with no more clubs being accepted.
Resolution No 2 – Submitted by Harryville HPS
All birds competing in the Mid Antrim Combine must be race marked through which clubs the owners fees are paid to the Mid Antrim Combine. NIPA Classic & National races where the birds are marked in Centres. Birds competing in Mid Antrim Combine must be paid through clubs where the owner’s fees are paid.
Robert Service had a spell in hospital and was recovering well at home, the members sent him best wishes and the secretary was to send a card and basket of fruit. Cullybackey HPS secretary Edrick Davidson has informed me that long time member Hugh Glass has passed away at an advanced age, he raced in the Glass, son & Weir partnership and will be sadly missed.
Springvale Social intend to once again promote a Gold Ring Race in 2010, rings at £20 each are available now. Open to lofts competing in the NIPA Sections B & C the race will be as last year flown in conjunction with the NIPA Rosscarbery National. Prizes will be 1st £750, 2nd £150 and 3rd £100 and the contact numbers are as follows. Victor Montgomery Tel: 93-340021, Robert Scott Tel: 93-322798, Campbell McGrugan Tel: 93-340981 and Michael Fasciolo Tel: 07854 910228.
Carrick & District held their annual dinner and prize-night in the local clubrooms, as usual the invited guests included the officials of Carrick Social. Homer & Rosie were invited once again to take a few photos and give a little coverage to one of the hot-spots in the East Antrim Section C area. Mrs Reid presented the awards and also the NIPA France Diplomas won by Carrickfergus Lofts during another successful season racing. Secretary Robert Reid is always up to date and has the awards for the year released within two weeks of the final race.
The Carrick & District HPS 2009 winners were:
Elliott Bros won – McGifford Cup Cross Channel Ave, Graham Cup OB Ave, E Tierney Cup Best OB Ave Penzance, S Murphy Cup Penzance Old Bird, J Tierney Cup Best Ave Talbenny (1) & (2), Phil Canny Trophy NIPA St Malo OB Nat, T Binding Cup Best Ave Penzance & St Malo, McAllister Cup Lowest Winning Velocity, M/M Reid Trophy Rosscarbery OB Inl Nat, Stocker Cup Combine Ave, G McAllister Cup Bude Old Bird.
Mr & Mrs G Robinson won – Morrow Cup YB Points, Stroller Cup Young Bird Ave, E Skelton Cup Highest Winning Velocity, R Bowen & Sons Cup Best Ave all Fermoy Races, M Tierney Cup 6th Race OB Clonmel (1), J Tierney Cup Best Performance YB, H Hamilton Cup 1st YB Talbenny and race before, A Patton Cup YB Knock-Out, R Surgenor Memorial Shield 5th YB Race.
D & J Armstrong & Son won – Elmhurst Cup Old Bird Points, M/M Reid Trophy Penzance Classic, D Tierney Cup Same Bird Talbenny (2) & Penzance, Hamilton Memorial Trophy Rosscarbery Nat & Skibb Nat INFC, R & H Hamilton Shield YB Inl Nat INFC, Shankill Cup Inland Points Ave Old Bird.
T Creighton & Son won E Burgess Cup Best Ave YB Nat, Turner Cup Talbenny YB Nat, E Gilliland Cup 1st YB Race.
T Thomas won – J Clawson Cup Rosscarbery YB Nat, McMahon Cup NIPA Rosscarbery Nat both clubs.
R McIlroy & Son won – Vint Cup OB Nat INFC, T Creighton Memorial Cup OB Nat INFC both clubs.
Not Won in 2009 – W Colwell Cup Penzance YB Nat and T Tierney Cup YB Novice Ave.
In the NIPA Jeff McMaw won the Silver Diploma and Bronze Diplomas were won by the ever consistent Elliott Bros and Mr & Mrs George Robinson who had a best ever racing season in 2009.
In 2009 Silver Diplomas were won by –
Jeff McMaw Carrick & Dist 29th Sect C & 99th Open NIPA Lamballe 07, 10th Sect C & 32nd Open NIPA St Malo 08, 15th Sect C & 106th Open NIPA St Malo 09.
In 2009 Bronze Diplomas were won by –
Elliott Bros Carrick & Dist 7th Sect C & 29th Open NIPA St Malo 08, 2nd Sect C & 29th Open NIPA St Malo 09.
M/M G Robinson Carrick & Dist 23rd Sect C & & 74th Open NIPA St Malo 08, 20th Sect C & 131st Open NIPA St Malo 09.
Sale Season Dates
Ballycarry & District sale will be held in the clubrooms on Wednesday 7th April @ 7.30pm, sale open to members in Carrick Social RPC, Carrick & District HPS & Ballycarry HPS.
Ballynure & District will have the annual Breeder & Buyer Sale in the Larne & Dist HPS Clubrooms, Glenarm Road in Larne on Wednesday 7th April, penning at 7.30 and sale at 8.00pm. The race will be the Rosscarbery YB National, £600 has been paid out each year and all fanciers are welcome.
Ronnie Johnston will auction birds at two sales that have been arranged on behalf of Allanah Donnelly who is just 7 years old and a Leukaemia Sufferer. Dates are Thursday 8th April in the Banbridge British Legion and Monday 12th April in the Newtownbreda Clubrooms. Fantastic selection of top quality Young Birds direct from some of Ireland’s leading lofts, will be ready to race. Alannah is the grand-daughter of Mr & Mrs Stevenson of Dromara club. So far young birds from leading Ulster Federation, East Down Combine and NIPA lofts have been promised, anybody who would like to donate a young bird can contact me, David Black, on Tel: 07876 157706.
Glenarm & District HPS will have their annual Breeder & Buyer Sale in the Larne & Dist HPS on Thursday 15th April at 8.00pm. The race will be Fermoy and prizes £100 for Breeder and £250 for the Buyer. All fanciers welcome.
A Building Fund Sale in aid of Downpatrick HPS will take place in the Newtownbreda Clubrooms on Monday 19th April at 8.00pm. The club have a top selection of youngsters promised from top lofts, penning is from 7.00pm.
Training For All
For Sale: Taking orders for Young Birds from the following families, Janssen, Cattrysse and Roland Janssen. Contact Robert Tel: 07885 438500.
John Lowry of Crumlin will start training week commencing Monday 5th April, he can provide single crates for the fanciers, usual collection arrangements. Tel: (028) 94 459014 or Mobile: 07710 447262. Homer hopes to be ready for the start of old bird racing, training on demand, more details on this later.
Colin Long (Kingswood HPS) shall commence training Sunday the 21st of March 2010 he intends training every day Newry/Dundalk line and shall pick up birds as follows - 8am Dundonald Ice Bowl, 8.45am Kingswood HPS, 9.30 Durham St (behind the black man tech) for further information phone Colin on Mobile: 07894 117243.
Tom Cairns (Glengormley) intends to train birds to Skerries (Dublin) each Saturday morning between 22nd May and 3rd July especially with the long distance races in mind. Pick-up points will include Corr’s Corner Roundabout 7.00am until 7.30am, Park Centre 8.00am until 8.30am. Tel: 07973 113710.
Joe & Mark Brown Training - The local transporter will start operations (weather permitting) on Thursday 1st April and each week Monday to Thursday going to Newry and Ardee. Collection points and times etc as before with usual stops at Bleary and Gilford. Birdage will be a nominal 10p, very good value and Joe can be contacted at any time Tel: 07709 077266.
BANBRIDGE based Kenny Mallen will be operating a training programme for the local area starting on Sunday 4th April and prior to racing operating Monday through till Thursday. Collections are Banbridge 7.30-8.15am (Coach Car Park) and Newry 8.45-9.00am (Old Customs House). Space available for widowhood hen’s for early release. Any queries contact Kenny Tel: 07737 521355.
Andy Milliken, Pigeon Training Lisburn - Training commences Sat 27th of March, On both this date and Sun 28th of March he will be Picking up from Lagan Valley Pigeon club at 8.30-9.00am and Liberating at the Border. From Tues 30th March onwards Liberations at the border and RD, pick up points Coronation Gardens 7.15am, Lagan Valley Pigeon Club 7.30-8.00am, Dromore (Car Park) 8.15am.
For any further information or alternative pick ups contact Andy Tel: 07764 158942.
Williamson & Calvin Transporter will be training each Tuesday, and Thursday from Ardee, starting Easter Tuesday 30th March. Birds can be hampered the night before or up to 7.45am on morning of toss at 23 Farra Road, phone Ron Williamson Yard (028) 38 339320 or Mobile: 07841 762399. Collection Points as before: Annaghmore Clubrooms 8.00am, Ballyoran Hill 8.20am, Edgarstown 8.40am, Laurelvale HPS Clubrooms 9.00am, Markethill Corner 9.30am, Newry Corner 10.00am.
Springvale Social intend to once again promote a Gold Ring Race in 2010, rings at £20 each are available now. Open to lofts competing in the NIPA Sections B & C the race will be as last year flown in conjunction with the NIPA Rosscarbery National. Prizes will be 1st £750, 2nd £150 and 3rd £100 and the contact numbers are as follows. Victor Montgomery Tel: 93-340021, Robert Scott Tel: 93-322798, Campbell McGrugan Tel: 93-340981 and Michael Fasciolo Tel: 07854 910228.
Lost: In the Crumlin area Blue cock GB07C 45220, Tel: Tel: (028) 94 459014 or Mobile: 07710 447262. Found: Dead at Larne Harbour IHU10S 52849.
Willie Reynolds
NIPA Press Officer
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07939 684876
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
www.pigeonnetwork.com
www.niparacingpigeons.co.uk