Homer's Odyssey/BHW PLus - 15/10/10
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 5:55 pm
The NIPA French Diploma Awards were introduced around 15 years ago and in that time just a small number of birds have achieved repeated success at the distance. The awards are presented to birds that achieve positions in the Premier Old Bird National. Scoring twice is Bronze Diploma and a fair number of those have been presented with just one season being missed. It gets more difficult for the Silver Diploma having to score three times and then the major prize the Gold Medal & Diploma when the Champions score for the fourth time. The 2007 season was as good as any, 17 Bronze Diplomas, 5 Silver Diplomas and Alan Darragh from Cullybackey wins a Gold Diploma for the second time with “Champion Betty’s Girl”.
The first Gold Medal & Diploma was won in 2000 by Murphy & Martin of Cookstown with Billy’s Pride, followed in 2001 by Speirs & Campbell of Cookstown with Tommie Girl and Alan Darragh with Golden Dreams. Only five have been won up to 2009, that includes B & M Gilmore who collected the major award in 2008 with “Champion Easton Gold” and Alan Darragh from Cullybackey holds the premier place with two.
2007: Gold Medal & Gold Diploma won by – Alan Darragh, Cullybackey HPS. Champion Betty’s Girl won 24th Sect B & 133rd Open NIPA Lamballe 04, 189th Open NIPA Portland 05, 9th Sect B & 102nd Open NIPA St Malo 06 and 15th Sect B & 146th Open NIPA Lamballe 07.
2008: Gold Medal & Gold Diploma won by – B & M Gilmore, Ballyclare & District. Champion Easton Gold won 19th Sect C & 78th Open NIPA Portland 05, 6th Sect C & 29th Open NIPA St Malo 06, 41st Sect C & 147th Open NIPA Lamballe 07 and 4th Sect C & 22nd Open NIPA St Malo 08.
Although the Gold Medal award was not won in 2009 season we made up for that with 3 x Silver Diplomas and a massive 21 x Bronze Diplomas.
Following the very successful St Malo in 2010 won by W G Neill from Annaghmore we now have available the French Diploma awards, won this time in every section of competition.
2010: Gold Medal & Gold Diploma won by – Sam Corrigan, Loughgall. (Champion Blue Boy) won 28th Sect E & 115th Open NIPA Lamballe 07, 7th Sect E & 23rd Open NIPA St Malo 08, 51st Sect E & 186th Open NIPA St Malo 09 and 29th Sect E & 69th Open St Malo 2010.
In 2010 Silver Diplomas were won by: S Graham & Son, McManus & Mullen, Ligoniel & Dist (Champion Northern Echo) 52nd Sect C & 162nd Open NIPA St Malo 08, 10th Sect C & 71st Open NIPA St Malo 09 and 30th Sect C & 160th Open NIPA St Malo 2010. W G Neill, Annaghmore 10th Sect E & 56th Open NIPA St Malo 08, 39th Sect E & 120th Open NIPA St Malo 09 and 13th Sect E & 18th Open NIPA St Malo 2010. Jimmy Burrows, Eastway 20th Sect C & 62nd Open NIPA St Malo 08, 32nd Sect C & 181st Open NIPA St Malo 09 and 26th Sect C & 142nd Open NIPA St Malo 2010.
In 2010 Bronze Diplomas were won by – S Killen & Sons, Cloughey 3rd Sect F & 54th Open NIPA St Malo 2009, 3rd Sect F & 81st Open NIPA St Malo 2010. G K Porter, Glenavy 11th Sect F & 40th Open NIPA St Malo 09, 8th Sect B & 62nd Open NIPA St Malo 2010. C & L Fryers, Dromara 5th Sect F & 103rd Open NIPA St Malo 09, 9th Sect F & 131st Open NIPA St Malo 2010. J Rankin, Millisle 2nd Sect F & 39th Open NIPA St Malo 09, 7th Sect F & 112th Open NIPA St Malo 2010. S Corrigan, Loughgall (Grizel Lady) 39th Sect E & 199th Open NIPA St Malo 08, 29th Sect E & 51st Open NIPA St Malo 2010. W G Neill, Annaghmore 38th Sect E & 117th Open NIPA St Malo 09, 27th Sect E & 48th Open NIPA St Malo 2010. A Hughes & Sons, Lisburn & Dist 192nd Open NIPA St Malo 09, 6th Sect D & 77th Open NIPA St Malo 2010. B & L Dodds, Carrick Social 8th Sect C & 63rd Open NIPA St Malo 09, 21st Sect C & 127th Open NIPA St Malo 2010. R & J Conlane, Kingswood 1st Sect D & 77th Open NIPA St Malo 09, 5th Sect D & 72nd Open NIPA St Malo 2010. Elliott Bros, Carrick & Dist 59th Sect C & 178th Open NIPA St Malo 08, 37th Sect C & 194th Open NIPA St Malo 09.
I am sure there are other winners in the Bronze Diploma section, make claims immediately to Fred Russell.
MAC Cups & Trophies 2010
Mid Antrim Combine Secretary George McDowell has released the list of winners for the 2010 season, cups and trophy winners from last season should return same as soon as possible to allow time for engraving etc. Old Bird Inland Ave won by Danny Dixon Rasharkin vel 1464.870, Cross Channel Average won by Danny Dixon vel 1117.768, OB Average won by Danny Dixon vel 1293.806, B Eagleson Memorial (1st 4 cross channel races) won by Danny Dixon vel 1140.790, W McIlhagga Memorial Cup for 1st MAC St Malo won by Simon Millar Randalstown vel 1205, Club Shield Old Birds won by Rasharkin & Dist 102 Points, Club Shield Young Birds won by Kells & Dist 71 Points, YB Average won by Surgenor Bros Kells & Dist vel 1413.3, Combined Average O/B & Y/B won by Danny Dixon vel 1322.603, Bird of the Year won by Danny Dixon GB08F 47755 - 150 Points, New North Cup Best Ave Bude OB & Talbenny YB Nat won by Danny Dixon vel 1079.289, Les Mairs Memorial Cup OB Fancier of the Year won by Danny Dixon 874 Points, Champions League won by Martin Graham Ballymena & District.
The INFC dinner and prize presentation will be held in the Stormont Hotel on Friday 26th November, main guests are Geoff & Catherine Cooper. Tickets are £28, Double Room B/B £75, Single Room B/B £60. Family Rooms available as well. Cheque please when booking tickets, contact Trevor or Ronnie. Cups and trophies need returned ASAP.
The NIPA Ladies Night will be held at the Templeton Hotel in Templepatrick on Friday 12th November, tickets at £30 should be ordered from Fred Russell. All cups and trophies should be returned ASAP to allow time for engraving etc. Claims are required for the B Fox Trophy the Best Position by Delegate, Committee or NIPA Official in the St Malo OB Nat. Claims are also required for NIPA Young Fancier of the Year 2010. The Bronze/Silver Diploma List has been published, if you are not listed place your claim with Fred Russell immediately.
Ireland’s Own Pigeon Auctions have some sales arranged over the coming weeks, watch press for all the latest news or contact Homer Tel: 07538 238364. Sarsfield (Dublin) will host a Van Loon Spectacular for Mr & Mrs David Coward-Talbot, Danny Dalton had a top winner from stock purchased last year. From Northern Ireland we have a first time sale for Kevin Rooney & Son from Annalong and then Danny Dixon from Ballymoney, also first time. The Rooney partnership have set aside a select team of mature youngsters bred from their top lines of Linderlauf, Maria Vink and Staf Van Reet, parents purchased regardless of cost. Just recently Patrick Brown won 1st North Sect in the INFC Skibbereen bred from a SVR/Janssen pair of birds on loan. The early dates for Sarsfield are Friday 29th October for Coward-Talbot and Monday 1st November for K Rooney & Son. D Dixon who had a record breaking race season including 1st YB Nat Penzance will be late November with a special draft of his winning bloodlines, this is another loft that has purchased stock regardless of cost. Dublin is getting something very special, all the latest news is listed at www.pigeonnetwork.com
Mid Antrim show season will commence shortly, Ballymena & District will operate on the usual Monday night, the opening classes on 1st November are Young Cock and Young Hen Through the Wires, penning from 7.00pm. Kells & District are the usual Wednesday starting on 10th November with Young Cock T/W. Lurgan Social are running a series of shows commencing Monday 1st November, Any Age Cock or Hen judged Through the Wires. Special for Best Young Bird, penning from 7.15pm.
KELLS & DISTRICT HPS – For the first time Kells & Dist will host a Pigeon Moot/Quiz in the Dunsilly Hotel Antrim (just off the M2 Dunsilly Roundabout). A perfect venue for such an event to be held on Friday 5th November entry £10 to include Hot Buffett Meal or £5 without the meal. Due to start at 8.00pm the evening will include presentation of Kells & Dist awards. INFC President Syd Collins will chair an all star panel which will include Ronnie Johnston, Roy Irwin, Anthony McDonnell, Alan Darragh, and Peter Martin. The Annual Open Show will be held again on Boxing Day, this year on Monday 27th December.
The popular Dublin Show will be held at the Kennel Club close to the Dublin Airport on Saturday 6th November, the show birds are penned the night previous.
One of the top sales of the season in the winter of 2010 will be on behalf of the Beattie Family and the late Henry Beattie who was a pigeon legend in his lifetime. He had one of the best long distance lofts in Ireland and race records to match, one of the very few to win both the INFC Friendship Nat and the Kings Cup from France. Henry has blended his old Harkness bloodlines with pigeons from Kings Cup winners Davie Black and Alan Darragh plus National Champions C & L Woodside. The present team are about the best he has ever had over the last 50 years and will leave their mark in the years to come. The sale of his birds will take place in Glenavy on Saturday 23rd October and one week later at the same venue. Remember the dates 23rd and 30th October, it will be packed out. Auctioneer is the long time family friend Ronnie Johnston, for further details and Sale List Tel: (028) 90 483625, or Cyril Beattie Tel: (028) 38 840486. Watch Press for updates.
A Frank Sheader Soontjen Sale will be held in Glenavy on Saturday 16th October at 2.30pm, birds on view from 1.30pm. Sale Lists are now available, Commission Bids etc to Ronnie Johnston Tel: (028) 90 483625.
Ronnie Johnston Sale Dates: 16th October Frank Sheader (Glenavy), 23rd October Henry Beattie (Glenavy), 30th October Henry Beattie (Glenavy), 1st November Tommy Lillie Clearance Sale (Newtownbreda), 8th November M/M Clayburn Soontjens for A Cousins & Son (Newtownbreda).
EMERALD CLASSIC http://www.emeraldclassic .co.uk
ANOTHER FIRST: For what many regard as the best "International One Loft Race" in the United Kingdom & Ireland and hopefully soon Europe. Having just returned from a weekend meeting in Brussels with the Federation Colombophile Internationale, I can now announce that as a result of our resounding success over the past 3 years and recognition of our ability to run a first class event professionally, the "Emerald Classic" has been invited to host a Grand Prix round of the FCI World Championship for 2011 and 2012. Full details of this exciting event will follow on line shortly and I would like to thank all who have sent messages of congratulations.
The auctions have started on line at www.emeraldclassic.co.uk/auction
with the Top 20 birds going on PIPA on 12th October.
NORTH COAST CLASSIC http://www.northcoastclassic.co.uk
The next event will take place in the Banbridge Royal British Legion in Banbridge on Thursday 14th October at 8.00pm with birds on view from 7.00pm. This will be an opportunity for fanciers in the Co Down area to purchase some of the birds flown at the North Coast Classic. Sale Lists are available for all the sales on the website above.
A full stock take has taken place and the results are available in the 'Newsletters' section on above. All those who have not sent their pedigrees with their birds, could you please send them as soon as possible. It makes things much easier for when the birds go to the sales. After all of the sales are complete the total of the costs will be added together. The North Coast Classic will pay half and the other half will be deducted from the total sale amount of all the birds.
It’s early yet but with rings going to be available early in the New Year and a lot of fanciers making arrangements for early December mating, others will be looking to purchase kits of birds ready made. Many good offers are available and Joe Brown has informed me that he will take orders for Kits of 6 or 10 and payments weekly/monthly between now and delivery. Tel Joe Brown (028) 38 328293 or Mobile: 07709077266.
CLUB PRESENT WINNERS AT BARBECUE
The Monaghan Homing Pigeon Society have, always been, well, a bit different than most other clubs. This was never more evident that last Sunday when the club held its annual presentation of trophies to the winners of the various winners over the season at a barbecue held in the back garden of the lovely home of South African cub Member Martin Kruger and his wife Geraldine and daughter Tany in Annyalla..
Despite the date of the 3rd of October it was a splendid Autumn day and the sun shone as the club members families and friends, along with some visitors from the Armagh clubs as part of the Orchard Combine between the 2 areas in the sport, all enjoyed a great day fun and splendid food.
As South Africans the Krugers and their friend Doctor Gerard Scoombie, who up to recently was practicing in Monaghan in Micheal O Gorman’s, certainly know how to lay on an outdoor banquet with a vast array of meats, breads, and salads on the menu. And no readers and animal lovers, I was their and pigeon was defiantly not on the menu !.. Doctor Scombie is a real gentleman, he leaves for home shortly and will be missed around Monaghan.
The vast array of the cups and trophies, both local and national awards, to be presented to the club members were on display, over 30 indeed, and club Chairman give the speech and read out the role of honour of winners. The Cooney Brothers from Monaghan town again won the prestigious “Fancier of the Year” award and well done to then. It was a great day all round and the club hope to repeat the event next year if they can find a willing victim to host the event. Thanks to Patrick Tierney for this short report.
Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07939 684876
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
www.pigeonnetwork.com
www.niparacingpigeons.co.uk
www.infc.co.uk
Please call back for photos
The first Gold Medal & Diploma was won in 2000 by Murphy & Martin of Cookstown with Billy’s Pride, followed in 2001 by Speirs & Campbell of Cookstown with Tommie Girl and Alan Darragh with Golden Dreams. Only five have been won up to 2009, that includes B & M Gilmore who collected the major award in 2008 with “Champion Easton Gold” and Alan Darragh from Cullybackey holds the premier place with two.
2007: Gold Medal & Gold Diploma won by – Alan Darragh, Cullybackey HPS. Champion Betty’s Girl won 24th Sect B & 133rd Open NIPA Lamballe 04, 189th Open NIPA Portland 05, 9th Sect B & 102nd Open NIPA St Malo 06 and 15th Sect B & 146th Open NIPA Lamballe 07.
2008: Gold Medal & Gold Diploma won by – B & M Gilmore, Ballyclare & District. Champion Easton Gold won 19th Sect C & 78th Open NIPA Portland 05, 6th Sect C & 29th Open NIPA St Malo 06, 41st Sect C & 147th Open NIPA Lamballe 07 and 4th Sect C & 22nd Open NIPA St Malo 08.
Although the Gold Medal award was not won in 2009 season we made up for that with 3 x Silver Diplomas and a massive 21 x Bronze Diplomas.
Following the very successful St Malo in 2010 won by W G Neill from Annaghmore we now have available the French Diploma awards, won this time in every section of competition.
2010: Gold Medal & Gold Diploma won by – Sam Corrigan, Loughgall. (Champion Blue Boy) won 28th Sect E & 115th Open NIPA Lamballe 07, 7th Sect E & 23rd Open NIPA St Malo 08, 51st Sect E & 186th Open NIPA St Malo 09 and 29th Sect E & 69th Open St Malo 2010.
In 2010 Silver Diplomas were won by: S Graham & Son, McManus & Mullen, Ligoniel & Dist (Champion Northern Echo) 52nd Sect C & 162nd Open NIPA St Malo 08, 10th Sect C & 71st Open NIPA St Malo 09 and 30th Sect C & 160th Open NIPA St Malo 2010. W G Neill, Annaghmore 10th Sect E & 56th Open NIPA St Malo 08, 39th Sect E & 120th Open NIPA St Malo 09 and 13th Sect E & 18th Open NIPA St Malo 2010. Jimmy Burrows, Eastway 20th Sect C & 62nd Open NIPA St Malo 08, 32nd Sect C & 181st Open NIPA St Malo 09 and 26th Sect C & 142nd Open NIPA St Malo 2010.
In 2010 Bronze Diplomas were won by – S Killen & Sons, Cloughey 3rd Sect F & 54th Open NIPA St Malo 2009, 3rd Sect F & 81st Open NIPA St Malo 2010. G K Porter, Glenavy 11th Sect F & 40th Open NIPA St Malo 09, 8th Sect B & 62nd Open NIPA St Malo 2010. C & L Fryers, Dromara 5th Sect F & 103rd Open NIPA St Malo 09, 9th Sect F & 131st Open NIPA St Malo 2010. J Rankin, Millisle 2nd Sect F & 39th Open NIPA St Malo 09, 7th Sect F & 112th Open NIPA St Malo 2010. S Corrigan, Loughgall (Grizel Lady) 39th Sect E & 199th Open NIPA St Malo 08, 29th Sect E & 51st Open NIPA St Malo 2010. W G Neill, Annaghmore 38th Sect E & 117th Open NIPA St Malo 09, 27th Sect E & 48th Open NIPA St Malo 2010. A Hughes & Sons, Lisburn & Dist 192nd Open NIPA St Malo 09, 6th Sect D & 77th Open NIPA St Malo 2010. B & L Dodds, Carrick Social 8th Sect C & 63rd Open NIPA St Malo 09, 21st Sect C & 127th Open NIPA St Malo 2010. R & J Conlane, Kingswood 1st Sect D & 77th Open NIPA St Malo 09, 5th Sect D & 72nd Open NIPA St Malo 2010. Elliott Bros, Carrick & Dist 59th Sect C & 178th Open NIPA St Malo 08, 37th Sect C & 194th Open NIPA St Malo 09.
I am sure there are other winners in the Bronze Diploma section, make claims immediately to Fred Russell.
MAC Cups & Trophies 2010
Mid Antrim Combine Secretary George McDowell has released the list of winners for the 2010 season, cups and trophy winners from last season should return same as soon as possible to allow time for engraving etc. Old Bird Inland Ave won by Danny Dixon Rasharkin vel 1464.870, Cross Channel Average won by Danny Dixon vel 1117.768, OB Average won by Danny Dixon vel 1293.806, B Eagleson Memorial (1st 4 cross channel races) won by Danny Dixon vel 1140.790, W McIlhagga Memorial Cup for 1st MAC St Malo won by Simon Millar Randalstown vel 1205, Club Shield Old Birds won by Rasharkin & Dist 102 Points, Club Shield Young Birds won by Kells & Dist 71 Points, YB Average won by Surgenor Bros Kells & Dist vel 1413.3, Combined Average O/B & Y/B won by Danny Dixon vel 1322.603, Bird of the Year won by Danny Dixon GB08F 47755 - 150 Points, New North Cup Best Ave Bude OB & Talbenny YB Nat won by Danny Dixon vel 1079.289, Les Mairs Memorial Cup OB Fancier of the Year won by Danny Dixon 874 Points, Champions League won by Martin Graham Ballymena & District.
The INFC dinner and prize presentation will be held in the Stormont Hotel on Friday 26th November, main guests are Geoff & Catherine Cooper. Tickets are £28, Double Room B/B £75, Single Room B/B £60. Family Rooms available as well. Cheque please when booking tickets, contact Trevor or Ronnie. Cups and trophies need returned ASAP.
The NIPA Ladies Night will be held at the Templeton Hotel in Templepatrick on Friday 12th November, tickets at £30 should be ordered from Fred Russell. All cups and trophies should be returned ASAP to allow time for engraving etc. Claims are required for the B Fox Trophy the Best Position by Delegate, Committee or NIPA Official in the St Malo OB Nat. Claims are also required for NIPA Young Fancier of the Year 2010. The Bronze/Silver Diploma List has been published, if you are not listed place your claim with Fred Russell immediately.
Ireland’s Own Pigeon Auctions have some sales arranged over the coming weeks, watch press for all the latest news or contact Homer Tel: 07538 238364. Sarsfield (Dublin) will host a Van Loon Spectacular for Mr & Mrs David Coward-Talbot, Danny Dalton had a top winner from stock purchased last year. From Northern Ireland we have a first time sale for Kevin Rooney & Son from Annalong and then Danny Dixon from Ballymoney, also first time. The Rooney partnership have set aside a select team of mature youngsters bred from their top lines of Linderlauf, Maria Vink and Staf Van Reet, parents purchased regardless of cost. Just recently Patrick Brown won 1st North Sect in the INFC Skibbereen bred from a SVR/Janssen pair of birds on loan. The early dates for Sarsfield are Friday 29th October for Coward-Talbot and Monday 1st November for K Rooney & Son. D Dixon who had a record breaking race season including 1st YB Nat Penzance will be late November with a special draft of his winning bloodlines, this is another loft that has purchased stock regardless of cost. Dublin is getting something very special, all the latest news is listed at www.pigeonnetwork.com
Mid Antrim show season will commence shortly, Ballymena & District will operate on the usual Monday night, the opening classes on 1st November are Young Cock and Young Hen Through the Wires, penning from 7.00pm. Kells & District are the usual Wednesday starting on 10th November with Young Cock T/W. Lurgan Social are running a series of shows commencing Monday 1st November, Any Age Cock or Hen judged Through the Wires. Special for Best Young Bird, penning from 7.15pm.
KELLS & DISTRICT HPS – For the first time Kells & Dist will host a Pigeon Moot/Quiz in the Dunsilly Hotel Antrim (just off the M2 Dunsilly Roundabout). A perfect venue for such an event to be held on Friday 5th November entry £10 to include Hot Buffett Meal or £5 without the meal. Due to start at 8.00pm the evening will include presentation of Kells & Dist awards. INFC President Syd Collins will chair an all star panel which will include Ronnie Johnston, Roy Irwin, Anthony McDonnell, Alan Darragh, and Peter Martin. The Annual Open Show will be held again on Boxing Day, this year on Monday 27th December.
The popular Dublin Show will be held at the Kennel Club close to the Dublin Airport on Saturday 6th November, the show birds are penned the night previous.
One of the top sales of the season in the winter of 2010 will be on behalf of the Beattie Family and the late Henry Beattie who was a pigeon legend in his lifetime. He had one of the best long distance lofts in Ireland and race records to match, one of the very few to win both the INFC Friendship Nat and the Kings Cup from France. Henry has blended his old Harkness bloodlines with pigeons from Kings Cup winners Davie Black and Alan Darragh plus National Champions C & L Woodside. The present team are about the best he has ever had over the last 50 years and will leave their mark in the years to come. The sale of his birds will take place in Glenavy on Saturday 23rd October and one week later at the same venue. Remember the dates 23rd and 30th October, it will be packed out. Auctioneer is the long time family friend Ronnie Johnston, for further details and Sale List Tel: (028) 90 483625, or Cyril Beattie Tel: (028) 38 840486. Watch Press for updates.
A Frank Sheader Soontjen Sale will be held in Glenavy on Saturday 16th October at 2.30pm, birds on view from 1.30pm. Sale Lists are now available, Commission Bids etc to Ronnie Johnston Tel: (028) 90 483625.
Ronnie Johnston Sale Dates: 16th October Frank Sheader (Glenavy), 23rd October Henry Beattie (Glenavy), 30th October Henry Beattie (Glenavy), 1st November Tommy Lillie Clearance Sale (Newtownbreda), 8th November M/M Clayburn Soontjens for A Cousins & Son (Newtownbreda).
EMERALD CLASSIC http://www.emeraldclassic .co.uk
ANOTHER FIRST: For what many regard as the best "International One Loft Race" in the United Kingdom & Ireland and hopefully soon Europe. Having just returned from a weekend meeting in Brussels with the Federation Colombophile Internationale, I can now announce that as a result of our resounding success over the past 3 years and recognition of our ability to run a first class event professionally, the "Emerald Classic" has been invited to host a Grand Prix round of the FCI World Championship for 2011 and 2012. Full details of this exciting event will follow on line shortly and I would like to thank all who have sent messages of congratulations.
The auctions have started on line at www.emeraldclassic.co.uk/auction
with the Top 20 birds going on PIPA on 12th October.
NORTH COAST CLASSIC http://www.northcoastclassic.co.uk
The next event will take place in the Banbridge Royal British Legion in Banbridge on Thursday 14th October at 8.00pm with birds on view from 7.00pm. This will be an opportunity for fanciers in the Co Down area to purchase some of the birds flown at the North Coast Classic. Sale Lists are available for all the sales on the website above.
A full stock take has taken place and the results are available in the 'Newsletters' section on above. All those who have not sent their pedigrees with their birds, could you please send them as soon as possible. It makes things much easier for when the birds go to the sales. After all of the sales are complete the total of the costs will be added together. The North Coast Classic will pay half and the other half will be deducted from the total sale amount of all the birds.
It’s early yet but with rings going to be available early in the New Year and a lot of fanciers making arrangements for early December mating, others will be looking to purchase kits of birds ready made. Many good offers are available and Joe Brown has informed me that he will take orders for Kits of 6 or 10 and payments weekly/monthly between now and delivery. Tel Joe Brown (028) 38 328293 or Mobile: 07709077266.
CLUB PRESENT WINNERS AT BARBECUE
The Monaghan Homing Pigeon Society have, always been, well, a bit different than most other clubs. This was never more evident that last Sunday when the club held its annual presentation of trophies to the winners of the various winners over the season at a barbecue held in the back garden of the lovely home of South African cub Member Martin Kruger and his wife Geraldine and daughter Tany in Annyalla..
Despite the date of the 3rd of October it was a splendid Autumn day and the sun shone as the club members families and friends, along with some visitors from the Armagh clubs as part of the Orchard Combine between the 2 areas in the sport, all enjoyed a great day fun and splendid food.
As South Africans the Krugers and their friend Doctor Gerard Scoombie, who up to recently was practicing in Monaghan in Micheal O Gorman’s, certainly know how to lay on an outdoor banquet with a vast array of meats, breads, and salads on the menu. And no readers and animal lovers, I was their and pigeon was defiantly not on the menu !.. Doctor Scombie is a real gentleman, he leaves for home shortly and will be missed around Monaghan.
The vast array of the cups and trophies, both local and national awards, to be presented to the club members were on display, over 30 indeed, and club Chairman give the speech and read out the role of honour of winners. The Cooney Brothers from Monaghan town again won the prestigious “Fancier of the Year” award and well done to then. It was a great day all round and the club hope to repeat the event next year if they can find a willing victim to host the event. Thanks to Patrick Tierney for this short report.
Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07939 684876
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
www.pigeonnetwork.com
www.niparacingpigeons.co.uk
www.infc.co.uk
Please call back for photos