Farming Life - Wednedsay 17/11/10

[willie reynolds]

The NIPA Ladies Night was held as usual at the Templeton Hotel in Templepatrick on Friday 12th November, a good turn-out of members and friends were welcomed by the acting Chairman Alan Darragh. He said the NIPA had enjoyed a good season in 2010 with excellent racing through to the OB National from France. A vast array of cups and trophies were on display, massive to say the least, and they included five brand new cups. These had been presented by Frazer Animal Feeds in Banbridge who presented two new cups, and through Transport Manager Terry Mulgrew a new trophy in memory of their father Joe, J P O’Hagan who supplies Tyres and Granco Newly who supplies Lorry Parts. Alan handed over to President Joe Kelly from the Londonderry RPC who was unable to attend last time due to a spell in hospital but is now making a good recovery. The top table included Mr & Mrs Reid (Carrick) the RPRA (Irish Region) Secretary, Senior Vice President Herbie Boyd (Dungannon), Mr & Mrs A Darragh and representatives from Derry City clubs including John Killen, Damien Dunne, Donal Kelly and Michael Concannon. Chairman Lyndon Boyle and Ass Secretary Ronnie Watson were recovering from illness.

The Derby & National winners included the following, all awards presented by NIPA President Joe Kelly.

National & Classic Winners 2010 were: B Fletcher & Son Cup Rosscarbery OB Inland Nat won by Mr & Mrs P Maxwell Foyle vel 1500, Stena Trophy Mallow 5 Bird Championship won by K Rooney & Son Annalong vel 1324, J H O’Neill Cup Penzance OB Classic won by I Parkes & Son Armagh vel 1069, Volvo Trophy 5 Bird Championship YB Fermoy won by N Weir Loughgall vel 1630, McKeown Cup Talbenny YB Nat won by Donnelly Bros Newry City Inv vel 1101, H McVeigh Cup Rosscarbery YB Inland Nat won by Doonan & McGuinness Dromore HPS vel 1576, News of the World, McComb & Pigeon Portal.com Cups St Malo OB Nat won by W G Neill Annaghmore vel 1228, D McNeilly Memorial Cup runner-up St Malo OB Nat won by T Fitzpatrick Wilton Cross vel 1225, Northern Bank Cup Yearling Hen Nat Rosscarbery won by E Grew Charlemont vel 1653, Northern Bank Cup Yearling Cock Nat Rosscarbery won by G Marshall Cookstown vel 1689.

Average Cup & Trophy Winners 2010 were: Erwin Trophy Best Ave in all Nat & Classic races won by D Dixon Ballymoney vel 1224, B Fox Cup Top placed official etc St Malo OB Nat won by S Corrigan Loughgall vel 1070, Waring Trophy Best Ave all Nat races won by R Williamson Bondhill vel 1283, W E Diamond Cup Best Ave Talbenny & Rosscarbery YB Nationals won by Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel vel 1284, McCluggage Cup Best Ave all cross channel races inc Nationals won by R Williamson vel 1151, Dickson Cup Best Ave Bude OB & Fermoy YB won by R Williamson vel 1296, Harper Cup Best Ave St Malo OB & Talbenny YB National won by T Fitzpatrick Wilton Cross vel 1170, Surgenor Cup Best Ave Talbenny (2), Bude & Penzance won by D Dixon vel 1142, Scania Cup best Ave St Malo Nat & Penzance OB Classic won by D Dixon vel 1566, Agar Cup First Yearling in OB Classic Penzance won by T Lillie Kingsmoss vel 1054, Major Lewis Cup Best Ave all races from England & Wales won by R Williamson vel 1139, Devine Memorial Trophy Best 2 Bird Ave St Malo OB Nat won by W G Neill Annaghmore vel 1222. New North Flying Club Cup Best Ave Penzance OB & Talbenny YB D Dixon Ballymoney vel 1076.

The NIPA Sect Fancier of the Year is a big competition each season, all the top lofts look forward to collecting points in this competition over the entire season.

Sect A – Karl Murphy (Coalisland), 209 Points. Sect B – Danny Dixon (Ballymoney), 574 Points. Sect C – D & J Campbell & Bigger (Glengormley), 773 Points. Sect D – Spence Bros (Lisburn & District) 623 Points. Sect E – Ron Williamson (Bondhill), 572 Points. Sect F – Jackie Rankin (Millisle), 548 Points. Sect G – Donnelly Bros (Newry City Invitation), 819 Points. Sect H – Ronnie Witherow (Limavady), 237 Points.

Larne Monster Show -

The Annual Monster Show staged by the Larne & District HPS will take place on Saturday 27th November with penning 10.00am until 1.00pm at £1.00 per bird, the presentation of awards is at 5.30pm. Classes are Old Cock, Old Hen, Young Cock, Young Hen and the OB & YB Eye-sign may be duplicated. The 1st, 2nd & 3rd in each class win Bag of Mixture. Judges from top lofts in Northern Ireland, prizes for all cards and the Best in Show is £100, Best Opposite Sex £50. Judges at the event will include the big winner from the Dublin Show Timmy Mawhinney and an ace fancier from Scotland. The usual Breeder/Buyer Sale will be held for the 2011 NIPA Rosscarbery YB National £1,000, and I believe an Entire Clearance Sale is to be held for Smyth & McKee. Only Sect C fanciers can compete in the Breeder/Buyer Race, other area fanciers can donate a bird. Prize Split is 60% Buyer and 40% Breeder. Further information contact Owen Donnelly Tel: (028) 28 260425 or 07816 910993.

The big Portavogie Show will be held in the local clubrooms and in conjunction the Federation prizes, to race next season for Show Specials the birds must be entered in this show. Classes are Any Age Cock, Any Age Hen and Eye-sign, prizes for all the class winners. Remember the date Saturday 27th November, judging starts at 2.00pm.

The show season in Mid Antrim is now in full swing, most clubs have started and we have a local event each night from Monday through until Saturday.

Ballymena & District HPS – The club had another good entry the second week with classes for Old Cock and Hen judged through the wires by the Broughshane pair Willie Owens and Cecil Quaite. W & N Gilbert lifted the Red Card in Old Cock and also won the BIS, for the local club Jack Balmer was successful in the Old Hens. Both birds won before. Judges - W Owens & C Quaite (Broughshane). Raffle won by Joe Devlin. Old Cocks T/W (51 birds) – 1st, 2nd, 4th, & VHC W & N Gilbert, 3rd & Commended J & C Balmer, Reserve W & J Smyth, HC B Herbinson. Old Hens T/W (48 birds) – 1st & HC J & C Balmer, 2nd & 4th W & J Smyth, 3rd W & H Gilbert, Reserve B Herbinson, VHC McGowan & Maternaghen, Commended Blair & Rankin. Jackie Steele and Harold Cubitt judged the OC & OH Handled classes, Bertie Blair had 1st Old Cock & Special and Jack Balmer had 1st Old Hen. The raffle was won by Willie Gilbert. Coming up 22nd Nov OC & OH Handled.

Broughshane & District HPS: Old Hens T/W - 1st T & E Service, 2nd Mrs M Smyth, 3rd, 4th & HC A Purvis, Reserve O O’Neill & Son, VHC J & N Simpson, Commended H Smyth & Son. Judge G McDowell (Kells). Young Hen T/W – 1st & 2nd A Purvis, 3rd T & E Service, 4th & VHC O O’Neill & Son, Reserve C Kennedy, HC & Commended H Smyth & Son. Judge R Lorimer (Kells). Raffle winner A Purvis. Tuesday 16th Nov – OB & YB Eyesign and YB Mated Pairs.

Harryville HPS: Old Hens T/W (54 birds) – 1st R Alexander & Son, 2nd A McBride, 3rd M Wray, 4th Blair & Rankin, Reserve & HC B Ramsey, VHC & Commended J & B Balmer. Judge D Lowry (Ahoghill). Young Hens T/W (59 birds) – 1st & 3rd B Ramsey, 2nd J & B Balmer, 4th & HC J Millar & Son, Reserve & Commended Blair & Rankin, VHC R H Clements. Judge T Balmer (Ahoghill). Thursday – Young Cock & Old Cock Handled. A meeting has been arranged for Wednesday 24th November at 8.00pm. Members should contact Robert Alexander regarding tickets for the annual dinner and prize night to be held at Countryman Inn this Friday.

Ahoghill Flying Club: Young Cock T/W (60 birds) – 1st, 3rd & 4th A & N Young, 2nd D Stevenson, Reserve W Greer, VHC J & B Balmer, HC J Smyth & Son, Commended T & G Balmer. Young Hens T/W (62 birds) – 1st Balmer Young & Son, 2nd D Stevenson, 3rd & 4th A & N Young, Reserve M/M Robinson, VHC & HC J & B Balmer, Commended J Balmer. Judge N Anderson (Cullybackey). Old Cocks T/W 958 birds) – 1st, 3rd, VHC & HC R Lowry, 2nd W Greer, 4th & Reserve J Smyth & Son, Commended J Orr & Son. Old Hen T/W (64 birds) – 1st & 3rd J Orr & Son, 2nd & 4th M/M Robinson, Reserve Balmer Young & Sons, VHC D Stevenson, HC J Smyth & Son, Commended T & G Balmer. Judges M Wray & C Houston (Harryville). Friday – YC & YH Handled, followed by OC & OH Handled.

Rasharkin & District: Old Cock T/W – 1st H Cubitt, 2nd, Reserve & Commended J Robinson & Son, 3rd & HC A C & T Tweed, 4th Steele & McNeill, VHC J & D Surgenor. Old Hen T/W – 1st, 4th, Reserve, VHC & HC A C & T Tweed, 2nd & 3rd Steele & McNeill, Commended H Cubitt. Judges – D McMullan & L McCaw (Ballymoney).

Ballymoney HPS – Show season will commence on Friday 19th November, classes are YC & YH Through Wires and Old Bird Eye-sign.

Cullybackey HPS: Old Pairs T/W 1st B. Herbinson, 2nd, 3rd & 4th W & N Gilbert, Reserve & Commended J & J Greer, VHC J & B Blamer, N & S Anderson. Young Pairs 1st & Commended J & B Balmer, 2nd J & J Greer, 3rd, Reserve VHC & HC W & N Gilbert, 4th N & S Anderson. Judges: Harry Boyd & Brian Swann (Kells & District). Next Week Young Cocks & Hens Handled.

Springvale Social: Old Bird Eyesign – 1st, 2nd & Reserve V Montgomery, 3rd I Horner, 4th A C McGrugan, VHC R Davidson & Sons, HC & Commended J Scott. Young Bird Eyesign – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & Reserve V Montgomery, VHC A C McGrugan, HC R Davidson & Sons, Commended J Scott. Judge R Wilson (Kingsmoss). Saturday – Old Cock T/W & Handled, Young Cock T/W & Handled.

Age and poor health has forced Ned Marshall of Killyleagh to sell his pigeons, he has been a life-time in the birds and is a former President of the NIPA. Due to continued poor health and some time in hospital he was unable to race in 2010, the loft did enjoy two great seasons before that. In 2008 he won 2nd Club OB Ave and 1st Club Channel Ave and in 2009 1st Club Old Bird Ave, 1st Club Young Bird Ave and 1st Club Channel Ave. What a result he had in 2009, 1st Club Penzance with EDC and 1st Club Penzance with NIPA, in both races won the DTW. A Blue cock won 89th Open INFC Vannes Kings Cup. He was a close friend of the late Louis Massarella and had the best from him including the Corbett Busschaerts, Roland Janssens, Flor Engles and Vandenabeele from Gordon Bros. The sale will be held at Newtownbreda HPS on Monday 22nd November at 7.30pm. Paddy McComb is helping with the sale and can supply further info Tel: 07511111042.

At the end of November a Complete Clearance Sale on behalf of Tommy McMillan, Randalstown will be held in two parts at Chimney Corner Football Club. Many winners and breeders of winners on offer through to France. Confirmed dates are Monday 29th November and three days later on Thursday 2nd December at 8.00pm, both in the Chimney Corner Football Club, Antrim. Contact Tel: 07737 275820.