Historic Night at the INFC Annual Dinner
The Irish National Flying Club returned to the plush Stormont Hotel for their Annual Dinner
Dance and Prize Distribution on Friday 28 th November 2025. It’s been very much a long-
standing relationship with the INFC hosting their Annual Dinner at what is one of Northern
Irelands Top Hotels. This year again justified that long-term arrangement with, yet another
truly outstanding 4 course meal enjoyed by the 160 who were in attendance.
The highlight for many in the Prize Distribution calendar, the function room was filled with
Irelands pigeon elite accompanied I might add with a superb turnout of Ladies perhaps the
largest in recent years, which is great to see. I was privileged to be sitting with a man who
never seems to age Robin Duddy and wife Pat, the brothers who never fail in most of the
National races Gregory Bros, (Tommy & Roger) of Rathnew, Dublin and the Turkington
men, Dessie and young Robert who kept the craic alive, a sponge off pigeon knowledge
Robert is. Big shout out to the lady of the house Ann, who currently is in hospital, and we
wish her a speedy recovery.
2025 was a year of change for the INFC, opting during the year to set up a marking station in
Southern Ireland for the first time, making it somewhat easier for the fanciers to get the
pigeons away rather than having to travel up to Portadown. Sandyhill Pigeon Supplies was
the site agreed, and personally having been to Henry Byrnes shop at Sandyhill on numerous
occasions, simply no better man or location. For sure guaranteed endless craic for the
fanciers. Hopefully moving forward membership will be increased with this marking station
now in place. Furthermore, after a sustained period in office Trevor Topping decided to give
up the Secretaries role at the AGM. Emerging as the new Secretary/s was Gary Donaldson
from Portadown, former INFC National Champion and to look after the hopefully increasing
numbers in the South of Ireland Nigel Gordon was also installed.
INFC President Wesley Sawyers was compere for the evening and just after 7pm welcomed
all in attendance and called upon Brendan McLaughlin to say grace prior to the excellent
meal being served. I arrived well in advance of the dinner and had a chance to walk the
length of the prize table and room, joined shortly after by Secretary Gary Donaldson, who
explained in length how the presentation would proceed and how the presentation table had
been set out to achieve same, it is such an array of Cups perhaps one of the largest, even
Tommy Gregory at my table commented on the vast array and the organisation that goes in to
getting it all sorted.
The three-course meal was served without delay by the very professional team that you
would expect of a Hastings Hotel, clean plates all round was the order of the night and with
prompt service it allowed for the lengthy presentation to begin well on time. To start compere
for the evening and current President of the INFC Wesley Sawyers welcomed all in
attendance, before going further Wesley mentioned the absence this year of Ronnie Johnston,
I have to say even the mention of his name drew a round of applause from all in attendance
(Ronnie Johnston is Mr INFC in my opinion, the knowledge, the grace, the elegance, flows
from the minute he enters any room, a gentleman in every way and an encyclopaedia with his
endless knowledge off the INFC he has served every position within the organisation with
utter professionalism . Wesley asked all in attendance to stand for a toast to INFC Patron
Ronnie Johnston with a huge round of applause. Introducing the Top Table, it included
Secretary Gary Donaldson and Wife Amy, President Wesley Sawyers and Wife Catherine,
Alan Bamford and Pauline from Bamfords Feeds (Chief Guests for 2025) and completing the
top table Secretary Nigel Gordon. Wesley went on to congratulate the Committee Officials
and Committee members for all their hard work over the season including all members who
assisted at the race marking over the year describing it, as not one of the easiest weather wise.
Praise also was bestowed on new Secretary Gary Donaldson for his excellent work over the
year and indeed with the organising of the dinner and prize distribution assisted by wife Amy
and extended thanks also to Roy for his help.
Wesley passed the Mic over to Chief Guest for the evening Alan Bamford, who began with
thanking the organization for the invite, congratulating all the winners over the 2025 season.
The Bamford family have now been involved one way or another supporting the INFC for the
last 20 years as Alan reflected going back to having a stall at the Kings Hall Charity Show.
Alan went on in his very informative presentation to explain how Bamfords found their feet
with regards the making of pigeon corn in the 1960’s, the history of pigeon fanciers within
his family and indeed the length of time they have been in business and continuing evolution
off feeding to meet the fanciers needs, he also spent some time addressing the dwindling
numbers and praised a number of initiatives currently in England that are going forward
educational wise targeting areas that hopefully will get new members interested in the sport
of pigeon racing, it’s a subject Alan spoke very passionately about and he encouraged the
RPRA to look further at new ideas to try and encourage future generations into to the sport
and indeed encouraged each and every member to engage with the youth and younger where
possible to make sure the sport continues.
Alan Bamford was called up by Wesley to present the awards. Firstly, as is statue the former
2024 Kings Cup Winner Dinny Kinsella of the Gorey RPC was called up to present the new
and current 2025 Kings Cup winner Johny Murtagh of Ballyholland. The rest flowed from
there, simply huge congrats to Secretary Gary Donaldson who executed the presentation as if
he had been doing it for years and compere for the evening Wesley Sawyers executed his
duties with his excellent usual grandeur.
Johny Murtagh makes history within the INFC not only with his very impressive CV 1 st
Kings Cup twice, 2 nd Kings Cup, 4 th Friendship National in very recent years, history was
made this year as he is the first Kings Cup Winner to be the overall National Champion in the
same year 2025.
The INFC prize winners, the elite where as follows: -
Irish National Flying Club Trophy and Award Winners 2025 King George V Challenge
Cup—Saint Allouestre. Grand National old bird race winner. J. Murtagh, Ballyholland Vel:
875 Nelson Vase – Saint Allouestre O.B.-- 1st RPRA member after winner in the Kings Cup
race. P. Boyd, Annaghmore Vel: 773 Gilliland Cup—Saint Allouestre O.B. -- 1st IHU
member after winner in the Kings Cup race. Gordon Bros & Sons, Killyleagh Central Vel:
855 East Down Combine Cup--Saint Allouestre O.B.--1st E.D.C. member in the Kings Cup
race. Gordon Bros & Sons, Killyleagh Central Vel: 855 Ulster Federation Cup –Saint
Allouestre O.B. 1st Ulster Federation member in the Kings Cup race. Johnston Bros,
Fortfield Vel: 482 N.I.P.A. Cup—Saint Allouestre O.B--1st NIPA member in the Kings Cup
race. J. Murtagh, Ballyholland Vel: 875 Joe Cullen Memorial Cup—Saint Allouestre O.B.--
1st East Coast Fed. member in the Kings Cup race. J. Guildea & Son, Balbriggan Vel: 666
Billy Ingle Trophy-- Saint Allouestre O.B.—1st Irish South Road Federation member in the
Kings Cup race. P. Rock & Son, Dublin North East Vel: 462 S.L.F. Cup--- Saint Allouestre
O.B.—1st South Leinster Fed. member in the Kings Cup race. Gregory Bros, Rathnew Vel:
660 Duddy Extreme Distance Trophy-- Saint Allouestre O.B. Furthest flying member in the
King’s Cup open prizes. D&H Stuart, Ballymoney 12th Open 521mls Vel: 530 Harkness
Rose Bowl—Saint Allouestre O.B.--Best two bird average Kings Cup. A. Thompson,
Ballyclare & District Vel: 568 Joe Doheny Cup—Saint Allouestre O.B. Single bird challenge
Kings Cup race. Agar Bros, Cloughey Vel: 506 Robinson Trophy—Saint Allouestre O.B.
14th position in the Kings Cup. G. Owens, Annaghmore Vel:520 McCloud Cup—Saint
Allouestre O.B.-- 1st Yearling in the Kings Cup. Gregory Bros, Rathnew Vel: 660 Ronnie
Johnston Challenge Cup - Skibbereen O.B - Inland National. L. Duffy, Blanchardstown Vel:
1718 Gerald Delaney Trophy - Skibbereen O.B - Best section winning velocity after winning
section. O. Markey, Ballyholland Vel: 1692 Friendship Cup – Plougastel Friendship National.
R. Straney, Killyleagh Central Vel: 1138 British Barcelona Club Trophy - Plougastel
Friendship National - 2nd position in the Friendship National. J. Robinson, Edgarstown Vel:
1094 John Millar Logistics Trophy – Plougastel Friendship National - 1st member in the
section not winning the open Friendship National. P J Corcoran & Son, Balbriggan Vel: 1052
Henry Beattie & Son Trophy - Plougastel Friendship National - Best two bird average
Friendship National. Donnelly Bros, Newry City Vel: 1015 Nelson Corry Trophy - Sennen
Cove Yearling National. T. Hobbs, Arklow United Vel: 1519 James McGrugan Memorial
Cup - Sennen Cove Yearling National - Section winner not winning the open. T. Mooney &
Son, Millvale Vel: 1474 Sam Buckley Memorial Cup – Best two bird average Sennen Cove
Yearling National. T&S Molloy, Arklow United Vel: 1509 Charles Ingle Memorial Trophy -
10th Open position Sennen Cove Yearling National. McCartan & Woodsides, Crossgar Vel:
1466 J.M.K. McGugan Perpetual Cup--- Penzance —Y.B. Channel Grand National. J. Smyth
& Son, Ahoghill Vel: 1256 William Erwin Memorial Cup- Penzance- 1st Section Not
Winning Open In Channel Y.B. National. B. Burke, Arklow Utd Vel: 556 De-Scheemaecker
Trophy- Penzance Y.B- Best two bird average in Channel Y.B. National. D. Dixon,
Ballymoney Vel:1222 Tom Marshall Trophy—Skibbereen—Y.B. Inland National G. Buckley
& Son, Annaghmore Vel: 1624 Framed Diploma – Skibbereen --- Y.B. Inland National
section winner. L. Duffy, Blanchardstown Vel: 1540 Irvine Trophy - Best Average O.B.
Nationals - Plougastel Friendship and Saint Allouestre Kings Cup J. Murtagh, Ballyholland
Vel: 933 J. Gilmour Memorial Cup - Best average Saint Allouestre O. B. and Sennen Cove
Yearling Nationals. J. Murtagh, Ballyholland Vel: 982 A. Darragh Cup - Best average Sennen
Cove Yearling & Plougastel Friendship Nationals. Donnelly Bros, Newry City Vel: 1137
Jarvis Cup—Best Average Rosudgeon and Skibbereen Y.B. Nationals. D. Dixon, Ballymoney
Vel: 1349 Rhead Trophy Best Average – Saint Allouestre O.B. and Rosudgeon Y.B.
Nationals. P. Boyd, Annaghmore Vel: 855 Diamond Cup—Best Average Saint Allouestre
O.B. Sennen Cove Yearling and Rosudgeon Y.B. Nationals P. Boyd, Annaghmore Vel: 937
Harkers Trophy—Best Average Sennen Cove Yearling and Rosudgeon Y. B. Nationals. N.
Black & Son, Dromara Vel: 1198 Robin Duddy Trophy. Rosudgeon Y. B. Furthest flying
member in the Penzance Young Bird channel national open prizes. S. Diamond, Coleraine
Premier. Vel: 1178 Flying: 350mls Charles Hunniford Memorial Trophy --- Best average
(North Section) Skibbereen O.B. & Y.B. nationals. R. Parkes & Son, Armagh Vel: 1616 The
New North Cup --- Best Average Sennen Cove Yearling, Saint Allouestre Kings Cup,
Plougastel Friendship, Rosudgeon Young Bird Nationals. J. Murtagh, Ballyholland Vel: 841
President’s Cup--- Best Average Saint Allouestre Kings Cup, Sennen Cove Yearling,
Rosudgeon Y.B. and Skibbereen Y.B. Nationals. P. Boyd, Annaghmore Vel: 999 De-
Scheemaecker Trophy--Runner up best averages all races. A. Thompson, Ballyclare & Dist
Vel: 883 Erwin Trophy—Best Average all races. J. Murtagh, Ballyholland Vel: 939 LADIES
PRIZES WON BY L. Duffy *** T. Hobbs *** J. Murtagh R. Straney *** J. Smyth & Son
*** G. Buckley & Son FRAMED DIPLOMAS SPONSORED BY DANNY DIXON
DUNLOY SAINT ALLOUESTRE SINGLE BIRD CHALLENGE. 1st Agar Bros, Cloughey,
17th Open, Vel: 506 2nd Johnston Bros, Fortfield, 25th Open, Vel: 482 3rd T. McClean,
Edgarstown, 51st Open, Vel: 342.
Kings Cup Merit Awards (Single Bird Twice In Prizes Of INFC Kings Cup)
Agar Bros, Cloughey
IHU23 N 02668
‘WONDEROUS SKYE’
Blue Cheq Cock
148th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024
18th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025
Johnston Bros, Fortfield
GB23 C 27241
‘RAMSEY’S ROCKET’
Red Cock
25th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024
25th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025
Ian Gibb & Sons, Glenavy
GB21 B 07347
‘JOYCE’
Blue Hen
10th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2023
46th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025
J. Serplus, Laurelvale
GB20 L 17084
Red Cheq Cock
53rd Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2023
90th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024
Kings Cup Merit Awards (Single Bird Twice In Prizes Of INFC Kings Cup)
O&M Monaghan, Colin
GB21 C 24439
‘SUZANNE’
Blue White Flight Hen
155th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024
48th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025
Gordon Bros & Sons, Killyleagh Central
GB23 X 12732
‘IRON MAIDEN’
Blue Cheq Hen
75th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024
2nd Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025
Adair & McCombs, Crossgar
GB22 C 14148
‘ANNIE’
Black Hen
46th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024
45th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025
P. Rock & Son, Dublin North East
IHU22 S 031644
Cheq White Flight Cock
198th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024
28th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025
Kings Cup Merit Awards (Single Bird Twice In Prizes Of INFC Kings Cup)
P. Lambert, Arklow Utd
IHU21 S 062957
Light Cheq Cock
178th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024
58th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025
McCracken Bros, Banbridge HPS
GB23 B 36644
‘PATRICIA’
Blue Cheq Hen
24th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024
55th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025
A. Thompson, Ballyclare & District
GB22 B 25743
Ash Hen
33rdOpen INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024
4th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025
C&L Woodside, Ballyclare & District
GB22 V 76757
Light Cheq Hen
108th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024
29th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025
Kings Cup Merit Awards (Single Bird Twice In Prizes Of INFC Kings Cup)
S&J McCullough, Beech Park
GB20 B 38543
‘KILWORTH LADY’
Ash Cheq Pied Hen
53rd Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024
30th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025
Kings Cup Hall Of Fame Awards (Single Bird Three Times In Prizes Of INFC
Kings Cup)
R. Duddy, Ballyclare
GB19 B 33620
‘RED ROB’
Red Cock
233rd Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2023
214th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024
35th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025
Kings Cup Hall Of Fame Awards (Single Bird Three Times In Prizes Of INFC
Kings Cup)
J. Murtagh, Ballyholland
Blue Cheq Hen
GB20B 61748
54th Open St. Allouestre King’s Cup 2023
44th Open St. Allouestre King’s Cup 2024
36th Open St. Allouestre King’s Cup 2025
Kings Cup Hall Of Fame Awards (Single Bird Three Times In Prizes Of INFC
Kings Cup)
D&H Stuart, Ballymoney
GB19 B 23349
‘UNIQUE’
Blue Hen
99thOpen INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2023
202nd Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024
12th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025
Kings Cup Gold Medal Awards (Single Bird Four Times In Prizes Of INFC
Kings Cup)
F. Moran, Malahide & District
IHU20 S 005774
‘LITTLE DARLING’
Red Hen
71st Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2022
3rd Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2023
42nd Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024
52nd Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025
Friendship Merit Awards (Single Bird Twice In Prizes Of INFC Friendship
National From France)
P. Dunlop, Edgarstown
GB21 E 24102
Blue Cheq Cock
10th Open INFC St Malo Friendship Nat 2023
33rd Open INFC Plougastel Friendship Nat 2025
Friendship Merit Awards (Single Bird Twice In Prizes Of INFC Friendship
National From France)
M. Gillan, Newry & District
GB19 C 25815
‘M.G.’
Blue Cheq Hen
14th Open INFC St Malo Friendship Nat 2023
55th Open INFC Plougastel Friendship Nat 2025
J&D Coburn & Sons, Hillsborough & Maze
GB19 V 01986
‘THE OLD FELLA’
Blue Cock
42nd Open INFC St Malo Friendship Nat 2023
122nd Open INFC Plougastel Friendship Nat 2025
A. Thompson, Ballyclare & District
GB20 B 18503
Blue White Flight Cock
33rd Open INFC St Malo Friendship Nat 2022
72nd Open INFC Plougastel Friendship Nat 2025
Friendship Merit Awards (Single Bird Twice In Prizes Of INFC Friendship
National From France)
G. O’Reilly, Malahide & District
IHU21 S 008828
‘RIVERVIEW RELIABLE’
Red Hen
75th Open INFC St Malo Friendship Nat 2023
19th Open INFC Plougastel Friendship Nat 2025
C. McManus, Corrigs HPS
GB21 C 28683
‘EIGHTY THREE’
Cheq White Flight Cock
101st Open INFC St Malo Friendship Nat 2023
34th Open INFC Plougastel Friendship Nat 2025
Friendship Triple Awards (Single Bird Three Times In Prizes Of INFC
Friendship National From France)
A. Thompson, Ballyclare & District
GB19 B 34028
Blue Hen
9thOpen INFC Lamballe Friendship Nat 2021
45thOpen INFC St Malo Friendship Nat 2022
58th Open INFC Plougastel Friendship Nat 2025
Friendship Silver Awards (Single Bird Four Times In Prizes Of INFC
Friendship National From France)
NONE TO DATE
INFC Triple Crown Award (Single Bird In Open Prizes From Channel YB
Nat, Yearling Nat & Kings Cup In Consecutive Years)
McCracken Bros, Banbridge HPS
GB23 B 36644
‘PATRICIA’
Blue Cheq Hen
198th Open INFC Penzance Young Bird National 2023
169th Open INFC Penzance Yearling National 2024
55th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025
Adie McCormick
Mobile: 07921883997
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email:
Celestiallofts@aol.com
www.pigeonnetwork.com
www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
www.nipapigeons.co.uk
www.elimarpigeons.com
DiDinner report on Elimar Pigeons claic here!
https://www.elimarpigeons.com/articles/ ... n-03-12-25