News Letter Sport - Sat 08/05/10

[willie reynolds]

The Mid Ulster based Fanciers Combine arranged the annual Open Race from Kildare on Bank Holiday Monday. Birds were liberated at 2.00pm into a light NW wind which turned strong on the route home. The winning bird was timed by C & H Beattie at 16.06hrs for the 89 miles flight home, just ahead of close neighbour Tom Wilson who had 3 birds in the top six. Many congratulations to all prize-winners, and thanks to all those fanciers who supported the race. Particular thanks to the Belfast and Newry fanciers who travelled many miles to support the event.

Kildare Open Race Bank Holiday Monday

Fanciers Combine Kildare - C & H Beattie 1248, T Wilson 1246, R G & G Donaldson, Hagan & Rowney 1235, T Wilson 1225, T Wilson 1225, G Hall 1223, B Ferris 1220, G Hall 1218, G Douglas 1213, T Wilson 1210, R G & G Donaldson, Hagan & Rowney 1209, R Williamson 1208, R G & G Donaldson, Hagan & Rowney 1207, R G & G Donaldson, Hagan & Rowney 1206, M Foulis 1205, G Douglas 1204.7, W Cowan 1204.2, R G & G Donaldson Hagan & Rowney 1200, R Williamson 1198, R Major 1192. Nom 60% W Cowan 1204, 40% M Foulis 1185.

The birds were in Clonmel last weekend, another very good call by the NIPA who decided on an early liberation to avoid rain later in the day. The birds were released at 7.30am and again made light work of the journey to home lofts. Best reported is the loft in form, T & A Ford of Edgarstown have won three out of the four races to date all bred from the same Gerald Delaney Grondelaer hen. His yearling Blue cock racing widowhood now named Rock on Tommy recorded velocity 1584 a yard clear of Ron McKelvey from Newry & Dist and best in the North South Federation. His winner is a 3 year old Blue w/f hen raced on the widowhood system. She was very lightly raced up to now. Her sire is a Braspenning cock that won the Fed twice in London and is also sire to an 1st Open winner for the McKelvey loft. Her dam is top stock, a Wall, Lunt & Green pigeon purchased in Blackpool and called 'Marieke'.

City of Derry Federation Clonmel (1) 77/726 – M/M P Maxwell Foyle 1399, J Ebbs Foyle 1356, G Boyle Londonderry 1350, P & M Healy Maiden City 1342, E Quigley Rock 1325, J McLaughlin Foyle 1325, L Flanagan & Son Londonderry 1321, E Quigley 1317, S McGrotty Maiden City 1312, M Harkin Rock 1302.

Coleraine Triangle Clonmel (1) – W & W Murdock Coleraine & Co Derry 1512, T McCrudden Coleraine & Co Derry 1512, J L Madden Coleraine Premier 1511, Hanson & Harper Coleraine Prem 1511, W & W Murdock 1510, J L Madden 1501, J L Madden 1499, T McCrudden 1495, Hanson & Harper 1489, Hanson & Harper 1486.

Mid Antrim Combine Clonmel (1) 123/2,877 – Scott & Clements Kells 1532, Scott & Clements 1529, Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1518, A McBride Harryville 1515, G McDowell Kells 1507, M Graham Ballymena 1505, A McBride 1505, M Graham 1504, M Graham 1502, M Graham 1498.

The Orchard Combine Clonmel (1) - F McLaughlin Armagh 1547, W Walker & Son Monaghan 1524, O Toal & Sons Armagh 1509, E Grew Charlemont 1504, N Weir Loughgall 1500, N Weir 1499, A Geraghty Armagh 1493, G & A Campbell Armagh 1484, B & A Beattie 1481, P Coughlan Monaghan 1481.

Northsouth Federation Clonmel (1) 53/1455 - R McKelvey Newry & Dist 1583, G Hughes Newry & Dist 1571, R McKelvey 1551, R McKelvey 1540, Donnelly Bros Newry City 1537, Donnelly Bros 1532, G Hughes 1530, Mark Maguire & Son Newry & Dist1527, Donnelly Bros 1523, J F McCabe Newry & Dist 1522.

East Down Combine Fort Charles (2) – Gordon Bros & Sons Cloughey 1502, Gordon Bros & Sons 1502, M Croskery Annsborough 1500, Gordon Bros & Sons 1500, N Maguire Annsborough 1497, J Cleland Annsborough 1491, M Foulis Dundonald 1486, G Morrison & Daughter Ballynahinch 1483, J Abernethy Ballynahinch 1476, J Gillespie & Sons Ballynahinch 1475.

Races today include NIPA back at Clonmel, Ulster Federation return to Thurles and East Down Combine move on to Fermoy.