Farming Life - Wednesday 30/06/10

[willie reynolds]

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. Winner of the Millar Gold Cup for 1st IHU Member in the race was George Cully of Dublin North County recording velocity 1245, a Soontjen & Van Loon cock. This bird won 1st Open SR Fed, for the first time in years all Irish Organizations released together in France, hence the ability to produce an Irish Combine & Fed result from St Malo. Every NIPA Sect winner should contact Homer regarding bird details for the race report, some have arrived already. I would like details as well for award winners, there are a few, although I expected many more, birds in the prizes on more than one occasion.

Willie Neill from Annaghmore was best reported in the NIPA timing around 8.00pm for velocity 1228 followed by Tommy Fitzpatrick of Wilton Cross in Lurgan doing velocity 1225 and just one bird away.

The Premier Old Bird National was flown from St Malo in France last Friday, liberation was at 9.15am in a Lt Northerly wind and it was to be very warm over the route. The release had been delayed due to low cloud, mist and fog at the race-point. It was very hard going and only four day arrivals were recorded in the Cullybackey Centre, Billy McClure Kells at 8.53pm, McAlonan Bros Ballymena at 9.09pm and Jimmy Rock in Harryville with birds at 9.14pm and 10.14pm. Additional birds arrived on Saturday with an early arrival into Cullybackey for Willard Reid at 5.34am, followed by Tom McAlonan 6.01am, Hugh Boyd Randalstown 6.22am, A Darragh Cullybackey 7.00am, Sammy Steele Cullybackey 7.12am, D Houston & Son Broughshane 7.19am, and Davy Mairs Rasharkin 7.44am.

Muckamore Centre had just the four day arrivals, Simon Millar of Randalstown at 8.40pm flying 469 miles, G F Lindsay of Crumlin at 8.37pm flying 459 miles, R Gray & Son of Kingsmoss at 8.43pm flying 456 miles and GK Porter Glenavy at 22.20pm flying 457 miles, a result that would have pleased the late Kirker Porter. Simon Millar had 1st in the NIPA Mid Antrim Sect B while R Gray & Son had 1st in the East Antrim Sect C.

Results St Malo OB National

Cullybackey Centre St Malo 56/156 – W McClure Kells 1188, McAlonan Bros Ballymena 1185, J Rock Harryville 1159, J Rock 1069, W Reid Cullybackey 943, McAlonan Bros 924, H Boyd Randalstown 877, A Darragh Cullybackey 856, S Steele Cullybackey 849, D Houston & Son Broughshane 839, D Mairs Rasharkin 827, J Lennox Rasharkin 813, T Picken & Son New Antrim 792, H & R McCloy 790, Gregg Bros Kells 775, T Taylor Cullybackey 763, R McCallum & Son Harryville 723, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 722, J & R Herron Kells 709, H Boyd Randalstown 679, S Steele 665, J & J Greer Cullybackey 664, D Houston & Son 660, B Swann & Son Kells 638, H & R McCloy 631, Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 614, J Smyth & Son 581, Wray & McFadden Harryville 574, M/M Robinson Ahoghill 562, Surgenor Bros Kells 556.

Mid Antrim Combine Clubs St Malo

Randalstown HPS – S Millar 1205, H Boyd 977, 679.

Kells & District 7/21 – W McClure 1188, Gregg Bros 775, R Herron & Son 709, B Swann & Son 638, Surgenor Bros 556.

Ballymena & District 7/19 – McAlonan Bros 1185, 924.

Harryville HPS 7/21 – J Rock 1159, 1069, R McCallum & Son 723, Wray & McFadden 574.

Cullybackey HPS 14/46 – W Reid 943, A Darragh 856, S Steele 849, H & R McCloy 790, T Taylor 763, S Steele 665, J & J Greer 664, H & R McCloy 631, Reid Bros & McCloy 614, D Robinson 455.

Broughshane & Dist 6/12 – D Houston & Son 839, 660.

Rasharkin & Dist 7/17 – D Mairs 827, J Lennox 813.

New Antrim Amal 1/2 – T Picken & Son 792.

Ahoghill Flying Club 5/10 – J Smyth & Son 722, 581, M/M Robinson 562.

Mid Antrim Combine and the NIPA Sect B was topped by Simon Millar of Randalstown, one of only four day arrivals and best in the Muckamore Centre. Simon timed at 8.40pm flying 469 miles, his 2 year old Blue cock was McMullan of Carnlough Delbar bloodlines. It was racing widowhood and had cross channel races from Talbenny (1) and Bude. He was followed by Billy McClure of Kells, best in the Cullybackey Centre.

NIPA Sect B 90/260 – S Millar Randalstown 1205, W McClure Kells 1188 CDE, G F Lindsay Crumlin 1186 ABCDEFGN, McAlonan Bros Ballymena 1185, J Rock Harryville 1159, J Rock 1069, D Dixon Ballymoney 1068, G K Porter Glenavy 1025, W Reid Cullybackey 943 ABCDEFGN, McAlonan Bros 924, W Blair Ballymoney 902 ABCD, Hanson & Harper Coleraine Prem 881 EF, H Boyd Randalstown 877, A Darragh Cullybackey 856, S Steele Cullybackey 849, G Magill Muckamore 844, F Todd Muckamore 843, D Houston & Son Broughshane 839 ABCD, D Mairs Rasharkin 827 AB, J Lennox Rasharkin 813, M & B McConville Crumlin 803, T Picken New Antrim Amal 792 E, H & R McCloy Cullybackey 790, Gregg Bros Kells 775, Taylor & Wilkinson Cullybackey 763, D Dixon 758, J Connolly Ballymoney 744, R McCallum & Son Harryville 723, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 722, R Herron & Son Kells 709.

Mid Antrim Combine St Malo Nat – S Millar Randalstown 1205, W McClure Kells 1188, McAlonan Bros Ballymena 1185, J Rock Harryville 1159, J Rock 1069, D Dixon Rasharkin 1068, W Reid Cullybackey 943, McAlonan Bros 924, H Boyd Randalstown 877, A Darragh Cullybackey 856, S Steele Cullybackey 849, D Houston & Son Broughshane 839, D Mairs Rasharkin 827, J Lennox Rasharkin 813, T Picken & Son New Antrim 792, H & R McCloy 790, Gregg Bros Kells 775, Taylor & Wilkinson Cullybackey 763, D Dixon 758, R McCallum & Son Harryville 723, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 722, R Herron & Son Kells 709, H Boyd Randalstown 679, S Steele 665, J & J Greer Cullybackey 664, D Houston & Son 660, B Swann & Son Kells 638, H & R McCloy 631, T McMillan Randalstown 630, Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 614.

NIPA Sect C 117/390 – R Gray & Son Kingsmoss 1167 ABCDE £230, Elliott Bros Carrick & Dist 1123 ABCDEF £271, Turkington Bros Springvale 1120 ABCDEFG £398, W J Agnew Larne & Dist 1098 ABCDEFGN £295, Rea & Magill Ballynure & Dist 1038 £39, L & N McClurkin Ligoniel 1026 EFG £154, G & R Lawrie Ballyclare 936 ABCDEF £103, S O’Toole Sons & Daughter Horseshoe 905 £15, M/M R Reid Carrick & Dist 890 £15, Montgomery & Kirk Springvale 888 DE £54, J C Reid Ballycarry 878 D £26, Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel 860 £15, H Weir Ballynure & Dist 831 £15, L & N McClurkin 831 EF £68, J McGrugan & Son Doagh & Dist 830 ABCDE £64, N Lusty Muckamore 825 £15, N Lusty 810 £15, B & M Gilmore Ballyclare 795 £15, A & N Lewis Doagh & Dist 785 ABCDEF £86, Grattan Bros Glengormley 783 ABCDE £48, B & L Dodds Carrick Soc 777 ABCDE £48, T H Gibson Ballyclare 776 ABCD £29, T Millen & Sons Horseshoe 766 £15, Bingham & Seaton 763 £15, R Robinson & Son Glenarm & Dist 759 £15, J Burgess Eastway 755 ABCD £29, D McAtamney Carrick & Dist 748 £15, G & C Lawrie Glengormley 733 £15, C & L Woodside Ballyclare 728 £15, S Graham Son & McManus Ligoniel 725 ABCD £28, J McGrugan & Son 716 ABC £21, Gregg Bros & McCandless Ligoniel 708 ABC £21, McKee & Steele Larne & Dist 705 £15, C Cameron Ballyclare 700 £15, T Mullen & Sons 692 £15, Turkington Bros Springvale 690 £15, M/M G Robinson Carrick & Dist 670 £15, C & L Woodside 668 £15, A Thompson Ballyclare 667. End of Prizes.

Only a handful of birds were recorded on the day into the Coleraine Centre, best of the lot was Stephen Walker who timed a great bird in the Coleraine Prem just ahead of A McKergan and Hanson & Harper who had raced very well all season. Danny Dixon was there again as well around 10.25pm on the day getting near dark to be 1st Ballymoney HPS on vel 1068 and well placed in Mid Antrim, and two more birds the next day.

Coleraine Triangle St Malo – S Walker Coleraine Premier 1154, A McKergan Coleraine Prem 859, Hanson & Harper Coleraine Prem 856, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 690, R & J Parke 591. Well done to the Barley Man (AKA Stephen Walker) winning the St Malo flying just short of 500 miles.

Homer training will commence this week, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and next week Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. All weather permitting of course, collections confirmed for Ballymoney HPS at 9.00am, then Rasharkin, Cullybackey etc. Will collect earlier at Dervock if there is demand for the service, new number contact Tel: 07538 238364. Training details are listed at www.pigeonnetwork.com

Benzing ETS system has never been out of the box. Sale Price £140, for more details telephone A.BROWN on Banbridge 028 40625601.

The Premier Old Bird National was flown from St Malo in France last Friday, it was very hard going and the NIPA reported around 60 day arrivals, with most of the prizes filled on the second day. Willie Corrigan from Loughgall was to lift 1st Orchard Combine doing velocity 1203 followed by the Monaghan winner Brendan Corley who timed at 8.37pm.

Orchard Combine St Malo – W Corrigan Loughgall 1203, B Corley Monaghan 1160, S Corrigan Loughgall 1070, P Coughlan Monaghan 1044, N Weir Loughgall 956, S Corrigan 931, G Swift Monaghan 716, S Corrigan 674, W Corrigan 642, S Corrigan 554.

NIPA Club Results around Northern Ireland

N.I.P.A. 25/6/2010 St Malo

N.I.P.A. Section A:

Coalisland&Dist 10/32 - 1st M/M G Larmour 1208, 2nd R Corey 1112, 3rd W Bleeks&Son 1082, 4th K Carolan 642, 5th M/M G Larmour 640, 6th R Corey 618.

Castledawson 3/12 - 1st&2nd T Leacock&Son 915,786, 3rd S K Watson 656, 4th T Leacock&Son 589, 5th Savage Bros 555.

Coleraine Prem - 1st S Walker 1154, 2nd A McKergan 859, 3rd Hanson&Harpur 856. Well done to the Barley Man (AKA Stephen Walker) winning the St Malo flying 499 miles 279 yrds.

Windsor Social - 1st&2nd R&J Parke 690,591.

N.I.P.A. Section B: See Mid Antrim Combine plus

Muckamore Centre – S Millar Randalstown 1205, G F Lindsay Crumlin 1186, R Gray & Son Kingsmoss 1167, G K Porter Glenavy 1025. Just four day arrivals in the Muckamore Centre, S Millar had 1st Sect B and R Gray & Son 1st Sect C.

Ballymoney 9/34 - 1st D Dixon 1068, 2nd W Blair 874, 3rd B&I Stewart 865, 4th D Dixon 738, 5th J Connolly 625, 6th D&H Stuart 593, 7th D Dixon 592. Danny Dixon times a two year old blue hen to win the first French race and his tenth of the season. Also 7 x 1sts in Mid Antrim Combine is a new record.

Ballymoney West Combine - 1st W Blair 874, 2nd B&I Stewart 865.

Dervock 3/11 - 1st D&H Stuart 593.

Muckamore – G Magill 844, F Todd 843, N Lusty 825, 810, W & M Bones.

Crumlin – G F Lindsay 1186, M & B McConville 803.

Springvale Social 2/4 - 1st Turkington Bros 1120, 2nd Montgomery&Kirk 888, Turkington Bros 727. .

N.I.P.A. Section D:

Dromara - 1st&2nd N Black&Son 1140,1115, 3rd Russell Bros 1054, 4th&5th C&L Fryers 800,770, 6th Russell Bros 733.

N.I.P.A. Section E:

Wilton Cross - 1st T Fitzpatrick 1225, 2nd,3rd&4th M Wilkinson 1190,1189,982.

Edgarstown - 1st,2nd&3rd P Dunlop 1198,1157,1119, 4th R Cassells 849, 5th J Robinson 502.

Portadown Inv 1st A Fearon 1208, 2nd E McKnight 1135, 3rd M Livingstone 450. Two super birds into the Invitation with the Chairman possibly finishing on the top 6 in the Open result. Well done Aidan!

The Orchard Combine - 1st W Corrigan 1203, 2nd B Corley 1160, 3rd S Corrigan 1070, 4th P Coughlan 1044, 5th N Weir 956, 6th S Corrigan 931, 7th G Swift 716, 8th S Corrigan 674, 9th W Corrigan 642, 10th S Corrigan 554.

Gilford&Dist - 1st Anderson&Adamson 1137, 2nd&3rd T Greenaway 1108,1126, 4th Adamson&Anderson 1135, 5th t McKinstry 1420.

Moira - 1st Houston&McDonald 599. Well done on timing a two year old cock.

Loughgall - 1st S Corrigan 1070, 2nd N Weir 956, 3rd&4th S Corrigan 931,674, 5th W Corrigan 642, 6th S Corrigan 554.

Monaghan – B Corley 1160, P Coughlan 1044, G Swift 710.

N.I.P.A. Section F:

Portavogie Centre 30/100 - 1st J&R Young&Son 1106, 2nd Fulton&Dickson 1040, 3rd S Killen&Sons 875, 4th J&J Hollinger 867, 5th W&N Cully 844, 6th J Rankin 816, 7th McGimpsey Bros 752, 8th K Ambrose 745, 9th W Hoy&Son 733, 10th N&T McMaster 726.

Ards 4/12 - 1st Fulton&Dickson 1040, 2nd&3rd McGimpsey Bros 752,717, 4th J&I Moore 2nd Day.

Corriga&Dist 5/31 - 1st R Shaw, 2nd C McManus.

N.I.P.A. Section G:

Ballyholland - 1st J Murtagh, 2nd A McAteer, 3rd P Murtagh, 4th A McAteer.

Northsouth Federation - 1st M Maguire&Son 1152, 2nd D Carroll 1126, 3rd J Murtagh 1062, 4th D Carroll 1040, 5th M Maguire&Son 828, 6th A McAteer&Sons 801, 7th P Murtagh 757, 8th R McKelvey 699, 9th Mark Maguire&Son 634, 10th E Niblock 625.

Newry&Dist - 1st&2nd M Maguire&Son 1152,828, 3rd R McKelvey 699, 4th&5th Mark Maguire&Son 634,614.

Bessbrook – E Niblock 625, 622.

N.I.P.A. Section H:

Omagh&Dist - 1st AJ Kelly 867.

Penzance Classic 19/6/2010 442/2951

1-1E I Parkes&Son Armagh 1069 ABCDEN £378, 2-1B D Dixon Ballymoney 1062 ABCDEFGN £528, 3-1C T Lillie Kingsmoss 1054 ABCD £162, 4-2E G&F Hall Lurgan Amateur 1049 ABC £101, 5-1D P&J Boal Dromore 1047 £63, 6-2B W&J Smyth Ballymena 1045 £36, 7-2C J White Muckamore 1023 ABCDEFG £300, 8-3E N Weir Loughgall 1019 £36, 9-4E E McKnight Portadown Inv 1018 £36, 10-5E Higginson&Johnston Lurgan Soc 1016 £36, 11-1F J Crossan Downpatrick 1013 £36, 12-1G G McMullan Corcreeney 1011 ABCDE £114, 13-3B Reid Bros&McCloy Cullybackey 1010 £36, 14-3C Elliott Bros Carrick&Dist 1006 £36, 15-2G McCracken Bros Bandbridge 1004 £36, 16-4C Gregg Bros&McCandless Ligoniel 1004 £19, 17-2F J Crossan Downpatrick 1002 £19, 18-3F McGimpsey Bros Ards 1002 £19, 19-6E R Williamson Bondhill 999 ABCDEFG £205, 20-4B G Connolly Broughshane 999 £19, 21-7E G Buckley&Son Annaghmore 998 EFG £151, 22-5C D McAtamney Carrick&Dist 998 £19, 23-6C D&J Campbell&Bigger Glengormley 997 £19, 24-7C M/M B McNeilly Doagh&Dist 996 £19, 25-8C J McMaw Carrick Soc 996 £19, 26-5B D Dixon 994 £19, 27-6B B Ramsey Harryville 994 £19, 28-9C Greeg Bros&McCandless Ligoniel 991 £19, 29-3G J Murtagh Ballyholland 989 D £41, 30-E Buckley Buckley&Craig Edgarstown 989 £19, 31-4F McComb Bros Killyleagh Cent 984 £19, 31-4G L F&B McGrath Dromore 983 ABCDE £79, 33-5G E Murray Donacloney 981 £19, 34-10C B&M Gilmore Ballyclare 981 £19, 35-8E G Douglas Wilton Cross 981 ABCDE £72, 36-E Buckley Buckley&Craig 981 £19, 37-6G J Nelson Milltown 981 ABCDEF £106, 38-9E R Williamson 980 £19, 39-7B G Connolly Broughshane 980 £19, 40-10E R Williamson 980 ABCDEFG £160, 41-11E I Kidd Gilford 980 £10, 42-12E F McNeice Annaghmore 979 £10, 43-13E W Neill Annaghmore 979 ABCDE £63, 44-11C S&A Leitch Doagh&Dist 979 £10, 45-5F J Crossan 979 £10, 46-2D Brown&Burns Ashfield 978 £10, 47-7G G McMullan Corcreeney 978 ABCD £42, 48-14E H Cordner Annaghmore 977 ABCDEFG £127, 49-15E S Fiddis Gilford 977 £10, 50-3D Belshaw&Anderson Derriaghy 975 £10, 51-4D B&M McCorriston Dromore 974 D £27, 52-12C N&G Townsley&Son Ligoniel 974 DEF £65, 53-13C B&M Gilmore Ballyclare 973 £10, 54-16E D Parr Edgarstown 973 £10, 55-17E B McNeice&Sons Lurgan Soc 972 ABC £25, 56-14C Gregg Bros&McCandless 972 ABCDEFG £111, 57-1A Diamond Bros Coleraine Prem 971 £10, 58-8B D&H Stuart 971 £10, 59-9B A McBride Harryville 970 £10, 60-6F Morrison Bros Killyleagh&Dist 970 ABCD £31, 61-18E N Weir 969 £10, 62-5D D&I Edgar Dromore ABCD £31, 63-15C D&J Campbell&Bigger 969 £10, 64-16C G&M Atcheson 969 £10, 65-8G G McMullan Corcreeney967 ABCD £31, 66-6D J Gregory&Sons Colin 967 £10, 67-17C Bingham&Seaton Ligoniel 966 £10, 68-18C Hanna&McClurkin Ligoniel 966 £10, 69-10B F Todd Muckamore 966 £10, 70-7D B&A Brown&S&W Shaw Dromore 966 D £21, 71-19E R Williamson 965 ABCDEFG £111, 72-9G J Mount&Son Milltown 965 ABCDE £45, 73-G J Nelson 965 £10, 74-20E R Williamson 964 £10, 75-19C G McKenna Eastway 964 £10, 76-10G J Smyth&Sons Drumnavady 964 £10, 77-21E Capper Bros Bondhill 964 CDE £40, 78-8D N Black&Son Dromara 963 £10, 79-20C R McMeekin Kingmoss 963 ABCDEFG £104, 80-9D P&J Boal 963 £10, 81-22E I Kidd 962 £10, 82-23E R Williamson 962 £10, 83-21C Bingham&Seaton 962 £10, 84-24E W Neill Annaghmore 961 £10, 85-11B W Blair Ballymoney 961 £10, 86-22C N Lusty Muckamore 960 £10, 87-12B H Turkington Kells&Dist 959 £10, 88-13B Houston Bros Randalstown 958 £10, 80-2A G Marshall Cookstown 958 £10, 90-23C R Fenton Larne&Dist 957 £10, 91-10D D&I Edgar Dromore 957 £10, 92-14B F Todd Muckamore 956 £10, 93-3A Diamond Bros 956 £10, 94-4A W Bleeks&Son Coalisland 955 £10, 95-24C Bingham&Seaton Ligoniel 954 £10, 96-25E W Corrigan Loughgall 954 E £24, 97-15B A Purvis Broughshane 954 £10, 98-7F D c Morrison Killyleagh&Dist 954 D £15, 99-C T Cairns&Sons Glengormley 954 £10, 100-16B B Herbinson Cullybackey 953 £10.

East Down Combine Penzance Classic Open – J Young & Partners Dundonald 1025 AB £251, J Maguire & Partners Dundrum 1003 AB £158, M Croskery & Son Annsborough 1003 £40, M Croskery & Son 995 £30, S Brown & Sons Dundonald 989 AB £86, Pritchard Bros Annsborough 985 £20, R J Keown Annsborough 984 £20, Burns Bros Comber Soc 984 AB £69, B Cowan Annsborough 976 £20, M Croskery Annsborough 976 AB £56, M Croskery 971 AB £39, C & D Smyth & Sons Ballylesson 969 AB £39, S & K Duke Crossgar 966 A £25, M Croskery 965 AB £39, R McDowell & Son Annsborough 965 AB £39, J McGreevy Crossgar 960 AB £39, J McGreevy 959 £15, C & D Smyth & Sons 959 AB £39, C & D Smyth & Sons 958 B £29, M Jennings Annsborough 949 £15, A Cousins & Sons Ballylesson 941 £7, Burns Bros Comber Soc 940 £7, S Brown & Sons 936 £7, A Cousins & Sons 935 £7, L McKinstry Dundonald 934 £7, R J Keown 934 £7, R J Keown 930 £7, M Croskery 921 £7, Gordon Bros & Sons Cloughey 921 £7, J Cleland Annsborough 921 £7, R Moore & Son Bangor 919 £7, M Jennings 918 £7, M Foulis Dundonald 918 £7, McComb Bros Killyleagh Cent 917 £7, L McKinstry 914 £7, R Moore & Son 910 £7, F Keery Ballylesson 905 £7, T Marshall & Son Newtownbreda 901 £7, A Cousins & Sons 897 £7, B Palmer & Son Crossgar 894 £7.

Alan Darragh wins 1st, 2nd & 3rd Yearling National

Against the odds and what was regarded as a hard day for the far flying lofts Alan Darragh from Cullybackey has set new records with the Irish Nat FC, he had 5 x 1sts up to the present time, that itself was the overall record. Now he has hit the famous six, and he celebrated in style with 1st, 2nd & 3rd Open, a feat never previously achieved in the history of the INFC. She will all take some beating, but the record is set for that purpose. The Yearling Nat was flown from Sennen Cove on Friday 11th June, 844 members sent 4,337 birds competing for £36,685 in pools and prizes in one of the top events of the old bird season. Liberation was at 8.00am in a Lt NNE wind. The race was due to be flown on Wednesday but was delayed due to weather conditions on the Irish Sea. Some 400 birds were recorded on the day, a good success. Alan has won the Kings Cup with Independent Ranger in 1986, and has previously won the Yearling Nat, that came three years later with Swallow Brae Lad. Alan Darragh scored a best ever result in Mid Antrim winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd and a result that will be talked about for years.

1st, 2nd & 3rd Open Alan Darragh, Cullybackey 332 Miles, Vel 958, 958 & 937 plus £1,540.

As well as winning the Nelson Corry trophy Alan will also lift the Sam Buckley Memorial Trophy for the Best 2 Bird Average. All three birds were cocks on widowhood that had every race in Ireland, despite the fact the first two birds were timed together the winner was two minutes ahead and was slow to trap. Time lost might have been a big problem, but not on this occasion. I was asked to visit the loft and verify the arrivals, over the years I have been to this loft on several occasions. The winner a Blue Cheq has now been named Swallow Brae Star and was bred from stock obtained from John Wheatcroft of Nottingham who was well pleased to be involved with the winner. A hen was bred from birds obtained from John and this bird is proving to be invaluable in the stock loft, John is a regular visitor to Belgium and has obtained the very best bloodlines. The line involved here includes the very best of Koopman, Van Dyck and Maria Van De Velde. Alan had selected some stock when on a previous visit to the Wheatcroft loft in England. The nest-mate of this bird is a super racer for the Darragh loft, not always getting the publicity it deserves. In has a host of positions racing widowhood, a Cheq w/f cock he won three races on the trot including 1st MAC in the Skibbereen Inl Nat and 1st MAC in the Fermoy 5 Bird Classic with the NIPA. The second bird was like the other named by the grand-children, this one a Blue Pied cock Swallow Brae Warrior. This bird had won prizes and the breeding line includes a good hen that flew the Kings Cup three times and the best of the Swallow Brae Lad lines. The third bird a Blue cock has been named Swallow Brae Prince, he is from a hen that won 2nd in the YB Nat and the winner of 3rd Yearling Nat. As well as winning 6 x 1sts Nat the loft has come close on many other occasions, the 6 just the same will take some beating. Winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd Open in the INFC is as good as it gets, it could be a long time before that is equalled and the record in the meantime will stand with one of the best racers in the Island of Ireland – Alan Darragh.

4th Open B & M McCorriston, Dromore 300 Miles, Vel 937 plus £1,285.

Mo McCorriston from Dromore in County Down is already a 1st Nat winner and came very close again, 4th North Sect & 4th Open INFC and 1st Club Dromore HPS. The Blue Cheq cock racing on widowhood was the best of the Fletcher FVW containing the lines of De Beer and Crack Hen paired with a Frans Van Wildemeersch hen from Billy Hayes obtained at his Clearance Sale. The bird was a consistent racer and had scored previously, B & M McCorriston themselves have a good record in this particular race finishing 2nd, 4th, 9th and 26th Open. Many congratulations from all the members in Dromore HPS, well done indeed Mo.

5th Open D & B Lyness, Lurgan Social 303 Miles, Vel 935 plus £1,104.

I met Denis Lyness over the last couple of years at the race marking, unforgettable. I had covered this loft many times over a long number of years and Denis was glad to see I was sticking the pace so well. This was a famous loft in my early years in the sport, Castles & Lyness were big stars racing in the old Queens Club in Lurgan they topped the NIPA several times with their Fletcher Busschaert family. In the early eighties the loft won the Northern Ireland Fancier of the Year award, a photo will follow this report. In the Yearling Nat they timed a Lt Cheq hen on her first nest and feeding a young bird. She was raced lightly as a young bird and again this year, Denis was racing mostly the cocks. The hen had not been on the water before, bloodlines are Van Reet & Soontjen.

6th Open M & B McConville, Crumlin 316 Miles, Vel 926 plus £1,619.

Mickey and daughter Bronagh were putting up some fantastic results in Crumlin and it was no surprise they had an early bird home in the Yearling Nat, next best to Alan Darragh in the Muckamore Centre and best bird in the Antrim area. All told a massive 8 x 1sts were won in the old bird racing, great flying in a very competitive club. In the Yearling Nat the loft timed a Blue hen racing widowhood, a gift bird from Ian & Albert Cousins of Ballylesson. This Soontjen bird had a couple of young bird races and before Sennen Cove had most of the land races and Talbenny (1).

7th Open G & C Simmons, Edgarstown 307 Miles, Vel 920 plus £265.

Gary and Colin Simmons from Edgarstown in Portadown won 1st Club in the Yearling National and putting icing on the cake the very next day had 1st Club Fermoy and 1st Club Bude. Their Ylr Nat bird was a Cheq hen bred from stock purchased from Frank Tasker’s No 1 racing pair. The hen was very lightly raced as a young bird and had four races prior to Sennen Cove, sent on youngsters just hatched. Their winner from Bude was a Karl Boeckx hen from the Lakeside Lofts of Derek Parr racing Roundabout while the Fermoy 5 Bird winner was a Frank Sheader Soontjen cock racing on widowhood. Best into Portadown in the National is a super prize, thanks to Andrew for the info.

8th Open R Matthews, Sallynoggin 221 Miles, Vel 918 plus £803.

Ray Matthews is the first South Sect member to score in the INFC Top 10 finishing a good 8th Open, also 1st East Coast Federation. Ray will win the new James McGrugan Memorial Cup for the Section Winner not winning the Open.

Ray Matthews sent seven birds and timed two arrivals, the loft had 1st Sallynoggin, 1st South Sect & 8th Open INFC, this bird was timed at 15.03hrs. This Blue cock was sent feeding two babies three days old. The sire of the bird won a Meritorious Award three times placed in France, he also won from Wadebridge and Sennen Cove. The dam is from the Golden Pair Janssen/Verheye. The second bird was timed at 15.38hrs, a Blue hen sitting on a 10 day youngster and similar bloodlines. Thanks Bren for all the help. Ray Matthews (l) with brother in-law Robbie in photo.

9th Open N Grant & Sons, Balbriggan 244 Miles, Vel 918 plus £392.

Noel Grant & Son from Balbriggan were just behind Ray Matthews, on the same yard in fact and with their Cheq hen finished 1st Club, 2nd South Sect, 2nd ECF and 9th Open INFC. She has the very best long distance bloodlines from two top lofts in Ireland Paddy Rock & Son from the Skerries and Liam McCall from Wicklow, both these lofts have an outstanding record. She had two races as a young bird, and this year had three land races and Talbenny (2) winning 6th Club before the Ylr Nat. Sent on overdue eggs she was slipped a 2 day old chick morning of basketing. This was the lofts best ever result, previously in this race they finished 2nd Sect & 15th Open INFC when racing with his father Noel. He passed away just before Christmas so the result is a little bit special, Adrian sent 11 getting five birds home and three in the result. The late Noel Grant served on the INFC Appeals Committee. Many thanks Adrian for your help and I look forward to seeing you in the results again.

10th Ron Williamson, Bondhill 304 Miles, Vel 917 plus £734.

Is any result complete without a mention of Rocket Ron Williamson, 10th Open INFC doing velocity 917. This loft continues to score at the very highest level, over 50 x 1sts now with the NIPA, 4 x 1st INFC and the former NI Fancier of the Year – And not done yet. I was at the loft recently but missed the man, I will be catching up with him shortly. This is another loft I have been covering since I started to scribe, he has won almost everything. Well done again Ron and I will see you soon, an updated report is overdue.

Sponsorship is very important in any organisation and the Committee and Members of the INFC are very grateful to Samuel McCausland Ltd for their sponsorship given to this particular race, the winning fancier Alan Darragh receives 5 bags of feeding, also McCauslands who have always been associated with first’s and have duly sponsored all the first places from 21st up to 101st Open the winners of 1 bag of feeding include 21st Open A Kelly Skerries; 31st Mr & Mrs Harris Bray South End; 41st J Campbell Balbriggan; 51st E Campbell Balbriggan; 61st Mr & Mrs Harris Bray South End; 71st N Black & Son Dromara; 81st Owen Kirwan Gorey RPS; 91st L F & B McGrath Drumnavaddy; 101st Brian O’Rawe Ballymena. The result is sponsored by the BHW.

Best in the Ulster Federation was another loft that has had success for many years, the McAuley Kell & Bowles team finished 13th Open INFC doing velocity 906, the Shankill & Dist bird was well fancied and collects a fantastic £2,085.

All in all a very successful Yearling National event for the INFC many thanks again to all who were involved, those who helped at the race marking, and that included the setting of clocks including the help with the ETS. I always say it is a massive effort to run the race and all those who assist, and there are many, all need to be thanked. Where would we be without this great team of dedicated worker’s? After helping with the race crates in the Skibbereen race I had a five hour plus stint on the Unikon ETS, and I was not the only one who covered a lot of time. Can I thank as well all those who were involved in helping with this race report, those especially who supplied text and photos. Again another massive team effort that is very much appreciated, and I hope this report is some reward for all of that. Next time we move on to cover the Blue Riband Kings Cup, due to be flown again from Plaudren/Vannes on Friday.