News Letter Sport - Sat 26/06/10

[willie reynolds]

It was all systems go yesterday with the local birds released in France for the Premier OB Derby/Nat, liberation was delayed until 9.15am due to low cloud, and poor visibility. I have noticed that it is intended to produce the first ever Combine Result to be released for the St Malo competition and include all the Irish Combines & Federations racing from the France race-point on Friday 25th June. Something new here which should be very welcome, 100 positions for all of Ireland and a cup for the winner to be presented at the fanciers own presentation for the year 2010. Irish Homing Union lofts will compete for the famous Millar Gold Cup, will it come back North?

The NIPA Yearling Cock & Hens Nat had been planned for today, with a better forecast yesterday the birds were released at 12.15pm, Friday was to be busy until nightfall, all results next week.

Looking forward to next week, the INFC Blue Riband Kings Cup will be flown from Plaudren/Vannes on Friday 2nd July, weather permitting of course. Birds are to be race marked in Lisburn on Tuesday 29th June between 3.00pm and 7.00pm. Further updates and any changes to the marking arrangements will be posted as we get them.

The longest race prior to France was flown last weekend with the NIPA birds released in Penzance at 9.30am in a Lt NE wind, liberation having been delayed due to fog and mist. With headwind conditions over the entire route a hard race was expected and that how it turned out with birds getting recorded till near dark.

Penzance was the venue for the final channel race before France and as expected with a strong North East wind this race-point lived up to its reputation as the graveyard of doubtful strains. A long wait was on the cards for the 31 members who had sent 90 birds. Late into the evening Rock Flying Club member Eamon Quigley, flying to Inch Island timed his only entry to top the City of Derry Fed and also had the only bird on the day.

City of Derry Federation Penzance 31/90 – E Quigley Rock FC 855.

Coleraine Triangle Penzance – Diamond Bros Coleraine Prem 971, Diamond Bros 956, T McCrudden Coleraine & Co Derry 945, Hanson & Harper 944, T McCrudden 943, J L Madden Coleraine Prem 938, Hanson & Harper 937, T McCrudden 935, Hanson & Harper 899, W Henry Coleraine Prem 876.

Mid Antrim Combine Penzance 91/653 – D Dixon Rasharkin 1062, W & J Smyth Ballymena 1045, Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 1010, G Connolly Broughshane 999, D Dixon 994, B Ramsey Harryville 994, G Connolly 980, Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 978, A McBride Harryville 970, H Turkington Kells 959.

Ivan Parkes & Son from Armagh top the Orchard Combine for the second week with the same bird and this time are up at the top of the NIPA expected to be 1st Open in both Penzance races doing velocity 1069. The winner was timed a 5.38pm and I have no doubt there will be big local celebrations in the Orchard County.

Orchard Combine Penzance – I Parkes & Son Armagh 1069, N Weir Loughgall 1019, N Weir 969, W Corrigan Loughgall 954, W Corrigan 942, G & A Campbell Armagh 933, D & C McArdle Armagh 932, P & P Kelly Armagh 928, I Parkes & Son 923, E & M Curran Armagh 921.

Northsouth Federation Penzance 41/396 – J Murtagh Ballyholland 989, A Curran Millvale 977, T Mooney & Son Millvale 950, Donnelly Bros Newry City 940, R Black & Son Bessbrook 939, Mark Maguire & Son Newry & Dist 920, Donnelly Bros 933, Donnelly Bros 925, Mark Maguire & Son 920, Mark Maguire & Son 897.

At Penzance the East Down released with the NIPA convoy at 9.30am in a Lt NE wind, with a headwind the whole way a tight race was expected. Dundonald lofts on the outskirts of Belfast filled the top two places, Fancier of the Year in 2009 Jim Young & Partners were the overall winners on 1025 just ahead of the consistent Mark Foulis doing 1005. J Maguire & Partners from Dundrum were 3rd Open and took 1st East Sect on 1003. Mickey Croskery & Son from Annsborough who had such a good cross channel season in 2009 finish 4th & 6th Open.

East Down Combine Penzance Open – J Young & Partners Dundonald 1025, M Foulis Dundonald 1005, J Maguire & Partners Dundrum 1003, M Croskery & Son Annsborough 1003, Gordon Bros & Sons Cloughey 1000, M Croskery & Son 995, S Brown & Sons Dundonald 989, Pritchard Bros Annsborough 985, R J Keown Annsborough 984, Burns Bros Comber Soc 984.