A BIT OF A CRAIC

by New Kid On The Block

Hi there folks. Well last Friday evening I attended the annual prize giving of the Ulster Federation. Founded in 1896 this is the oldest racing pigeon organisation in Ireland. The event was held in the Balmoral Hotel Belfast and after the meal was over M.C. for the evening was none other than the hard working secretary Mr Jimmy OHara, ably assisted by Mr Paddy ONeill and Mr Andy Mc Farland when giving out the prizes. While giving out the prizes Jimmy made reference to a number of top results put up by members over the past season racing within the Fed including : Spence Bros Old Bird Derby Winner – Super Blue Hen – Four times a French P/winner – Rab Braniff – Wheatfield – Only flew five races and topped the Ulster Federation three times – Joe & Linda Smyth – Grosvenor  HPS – First  and Second Old Bird Derby Penzance and had the best two birds into Ireland from all organizations – A Fantastic Performance – Billy & Eileen Carson – Grosvenor HPS – First and Second Open  in the Y/B Five Bird Championship  - Martin Black – Grosvenor HPS – Timed three birds in the prizes from France – Norman Armstrong – Shankill – Timed four birds from France within an hour on the second day – J & D Braniff – Wheatfield – Only one entry to France and clocked on the day of toss – Paddy O Neill – Timed three from France – Calderwood & Waite – Shankill – The French Specialists – This partnership has a phenomenal French record, having timed from France for the past thirteen years – A fantastic record and one that the partners are very  proud of. – Congratulations All On Your Top Performances

I must say the atmosphere was electric and the banter and craic  mighty amongst the members present. – Highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Millar Gold Cup, presented to the first IHU member with the highest velocity from the Old Bird Derby  from France, won this year by Tom Cahill  who races in the Northend Flying Club, Cork. Tom was present to collect his award along with his good friend Mr Tom Casey from Cork.  Now for the fairytale story. Fanciers please pay attention to the next few lines as not all strays are “ Bad Uns”  Toms winner  from St Malo, France is a two  year old bird handed into Toms  home by a lady from Ballincollig, Cork.  He was badly injured and Tom  gave him eight  stitches.  Now I leave the rest to Tom -   Tom States “ He has been following me around the loft ever since.  When he got better he refused to go home so I brought him to Kilkenny with two  other birds.  When I got home he followed me back to Cork.  I contacted Seamus Lehane and reported the bird.  The owner never contacted me so I transferred him. I find if you are kind to pigeons they will always reward you. I am a long time in  pigeons  to be making predictions but two weeks before the  St Malo race I told my friend, Mark Hegarty,  that I felt I had a good bird for France.  As since I fixed this bird he follows me everywhere I go.  He even looks in the window in the morning when I have my breakfast.  Any good bird I had in my 40 years always had a similar story.  My best bird in the 1980’s was a Mealy Cock, the members called him Strawberry Jack.  He won seven times and had several places, he was lost as a young bird for six weeks. Tom has called his latest winner “ The Pioneer” and having read the birds C.V. he has well and truly earned his perch. 

The Ulster Fed Old Bird Derby was won by Spence Bros – Lagan Valley RPC  – Again a top performance with their super blue hen, this her fourth trip and each time a p/winner from France  – Great Performance -  Another top award was the presentation of the Ulster Federation Fancier Of The Year. This was won, both Old Birds and Young Birds, by the top racing partnership of J & D Braniff – Wheatfield H.P.S.Another fantastic years racing from this formidable partnership.   Also awarded was the I.H.U. meritorious awards, awarded for single bird performances on two top channel events. These two awards were won by Arty O Hanlon – Andersonstown  - and Alex Benson – Lagan Valley RPC - At the end of the evenings presentations it was the presentation of the Inter Society Shield or in other words Top Ulster Fed club. This was won, yet again, by the members of Grosvenor H.P.S and was collected on behalf of the club by Paul McCarthy. Paul & his good wife Kathleen had another super season and topped the Ulster Federation on two occasions including winning the prestigious Y/B Derby from Skibbereen on the last race of the 2009 season. This is one of the most formidable husband/wife racing partnerships in Ireland and their performances over their many years racing are top drawer reading. Before finishing I would like to congratulate all the major winners and p/winners from the 2009 season and wish all fanciers within the Ulster Federation good health and many winners in the 2010 season. I must say that the evening was great craic and banter and the Fed lads really make you welcome. Thanks guys for the hospitality shown and hope I can give you as much coverage in the coming season as last season.

Ulster Federation Awards - 2009 Season - Old / Birds Kildare ( 1 )  - A & A Ferran – Grosvenor HPS. Kildare ( 2 ) – R. Braniff & Son  - Wheatfield H.P.S. Thurles ( 1 ) - R. Braniff & Son  - Wheatfield H.P.S. Thurles ( 2 )  - McAuley, Kells & Bowles – Shankill.  Skibbereen  - D. Smyth & Son – Shankill. Talbenny ( 1 ) – B. McKeown – Fortfield. Talbenny ( 2 )  - R. Braniff & Son – Wheatfield. Bude – S & F O Neill – Glen Invitation Penzance – J & L Smyth – Grosvenor HPS. St Malo  - Spence Bros – Lagan Valley RPC.

Young / Birds Navan ( 1 ) –  J. Wallace & Son – Shankill. Navan ( 2 ) –  M. Kelly & Sons – Brittannia. Kildare ( 1 )  - P & K McCarthy – Grosvenor HPS. Kildare ( 2 ) – J O Boyle & Son – Shankill. Thurles  – S. Rice & Son – Fortfield. Fermoy – J & L Smyth – Grosvenor HPS. Talbenny – R & A Gore – Lagan Valley RPC. Mallow – B & E Carson – Grosvenor H.P.S. Skibbereen – P & K McCarthy – Grosvenor H.P.S.

Cup  & Award Winners 2009. Millar Gold Cup Winner – Tom Cahill  - Cork. Dickson Cup ( St. Malo ), Hughes Cup ( St. Malo ), News Of The World Cup ( St. Malo ), Coburn Cup ( 2 Bird Average St. Malo ) – Spence Bros – Lagan Valley. J. Rice Cup ( R/Up St. Malo ) – Harry Jennings & Son – Lagan Valley. Average All Derbies, IHU Cup ( St. Malo & Skibbereen ). H. Maginty Trophy ( Skibbereen, Penzance & St. Malo ), Ligoniel Cup ( Skibbereen )  - Calderwood & Waite – Shankill. Clarke Groves Cup ( 1st East – St. Malo ) – Tom Brown – East End. Rose Bowl ( 1st Talbenny ) – Rab Braniff & Son – Wheatfield. E. Rice Cup ( 2nd Talbenny ) – Benny  McKeown – Fortfield. McNarry Cup ( Bude ) – S & F O Neill – Glen Invitation. Kingswood Cup ( Penzance ). J. Clarke Cup ( 2 Bird Average Penzance ) – Joe & Linda Smyth – Grosvenor. Skibbereen O/B Championship – Dickie Smyth & Son – Shankill. Talbenny Y/ Bird – Robert & Ashley Gore – Lagan Valley. Fermoy 5 Bird – Billy & Eileen Carson – Grosvenor. Skibbereen Y/ Bird – Paul & Kathleen McCarthy – Grosvenor. McKenna Cup ( R/Up Skibbereen Y/B ) – J & D Coburn – Lagan Valley. Kirkpatrick Cup (Best Average Talbenny & Skibbereen Y/B ) – Johnston Bros – Andersonstown. Inter Society Shield ( Top Ulster Federation Club 2009) – Grosvenor. Ulster Federation Fancier Of The Year  O/B & Y/B - 2009 – Joe & David Braniff – Wheatfield.

Andersonstown fanciers enjoying themselves at the Ulster Fed Prizegiving

Andy McFarland presents the Millar Gold Cup to the victor Tom Cahill - Cork

Arty O Hanlon - Andersonstown - pictured receiving the IHU Meritorious Award

Johnston Bros - Andersonstown - winners of the Kirkpatrick Cup

Billy Carson - B & E Carson - Grosvenor HPS - Winners of Mallow Five Bird Championship

Calderwood & Waite - Shankill - Top French Racers - Winners of Hugh Maginty Cup

Harry Jennings - H. Jennings & Son - Lagan Valley RPC - receiving their award - J. Rice Cup

Ulster Federation Fanciers Of The Year - Joe & David Braniff - Wheatfield - collecting their awards

J & D Coburn - Lagan Valley - pictured receiving the McKenna Cup

Jimbo O Boyle & Son - Shankill - pictured collecting their awards

One for the family album - The victorious Smyth Family - Grosvenor HPS

Paul McCarthy pictured receiving the Inter Society Shield on behalf of the Grosvenor HPS

Rab Braniff - Wheatfield - had a super season - Five Races and Three Fed Wins - Super Racing

Wheatfield members enjoying the night out

Robert & Ashley Gore - Lagan Valley RPC - Winners Talbenny YB Derby

S & F O Neill - Glen Invitation - Winners of the McNarry Cup - 1st Bude

Someting Special - Past & Present Millar Gold Cup Winners - Geordie Gaw , Tom Cahill , Rab Braniff & Paddy O Neill

Stephen Rice - S. Rice & Son - Fortfield - pictured collecting their awards

Spence Bros - Lagan Valley RPC - Ulster Fed Old Bird Derby French Winners receiving their awards from Andy McFarland

The top racing husband & wife duo - Joe & Linda Smyth - Grosvenor RPC - winners of the Penzance Championship

Tom Brown - East End - Winner of the Clarke Groves Cup from St Malo

Top husband & wife racing partnership Paul & Kathleen McCarthy - Grosvenor - had another super season winning the Skibbereen YB Championship

Winners of the Skibbereen OB Championship - D. Smyth & Son - Shankill

Ton Casey - Cork - proudly displays the Millar Gold Cup won by his good friend Tom Cahill

A proud Joe Smyth - Grosvenor HPS - pictured with his mum at the Ulster Federation dinner

Glen Invitation members enjoying the night out

One for the family album - The proud Smyth family - Grosvenor HPS

Just Announced – The Ulster Federation Race Programme 2010 Season :

17th.April Kildare
24th.April Kildare
1st. May Thurles
8th. May Thurles
15th. May Fermoy
22nd.May Skibbereen Championship
29th. May Talbenny
5th. June Talbenny
12th. June Bude
19th June Penzance Championship
25th JuneSt.Malo O/B Derby

10th. July Navan
17th. July Navan
24th.July Kildare
31st.July Thurles
7th. Aug. Thurles
14th Aug. Fermoy
21st. Aug Fermoy (5 Bird)
28th. Aug Talbenny (Y/B Derby) Kildare comeback same day
4thth Sept Mallow
11th. Sept Skibbereen (Y/BDerby)

Before finishing this weeks notes I would like to make the fancy aware of a number of events that will be happening around the country in the coming weeks. I, along with a number of fanciers from most organizations, are arranging a series of Breeder / Buyer Charity events to be held around the country. Venue for the sales at present are Grosvenor HPS  on Thurs 18th March  at 8pm, West Belfast HPS, Bootle Street on Saturday 3rd April (afternoon sale)  Glengormley HPS with also the possibility of Chimney Corner. The race the event will be flown from will be the INFC Skibbereen Y/B National. A presentation night has already been booked with the main theme of this particular event to include a Quiz night, Charity auction  ( already birds have been gifted by some of the leading lofts in the British Isles)  and a series of awards to be presented ( again  some already sponsored, but more on this and how they can be won in later columns ). This series of events needs all the support possible but judging by the response of help and support that I have received from all angles of the fancy in general I can honestly say that I am overwhelmed with their support. Please keep watching the fancy press in the coming weeks as all the info and dates of the sales will be released.

Coming Events : Banbridge British Legion are hosting a Charity Breeder/Buyer sale to be held on Friday 26th March in the British Legion Banbridge. 50% of the total proceeds raised will be flown for with the other 50 % to be presented to the nominated charity, The Blue Dove Hospice, Newry.. For further details or if you wish to donate a youngster to this worthy cause give any of the following numbers a call : Diamond Carson Tel : 07813265311, T. Lennon Tel : 07711409205 or E. McAlinden Tel : 07771813198. Any of these fanciers will be able to give you any info that you require. Please support this worthy cause and have a good night out with the lads.

Banbridge Social are hosting their annual Breeder/ Buyer Sale on Friday 12th March at 8 pm with the birds on view at 7pm. Venue for the event is the British Legion, Banbridge. Contact Gary Mallen, Tel : 028406 69825,Drumnavaddy Invitation are hosting a Breeder/ Buyer Sale on 18th March at 8pm with the birds on view at 7pm. Venue for the event is the British Legion, Banbridge.Further info Tel.  07547802590 or 07593666757.

Chimney Corner Football Club will be hosting a top quality sale of youngsters donated by some of the leading lofts in the country. The sale is to be held on Thursday 8th April at 8 pm with birds on view from 7 pm and the venue is Chimney Corner Football Club, Randalstown Road, Antrim. Youngsters have already been donated by some of the top lofts in the country with all proceeds to Chimney Corner Football Club to help promote the club within the area.

Carrick Social HPS are holding a sale on Friday 26th March at 8 pm with birds on view from 7 pm. The sale will be held in their own clubrooms in Prince William Way, Carrick and a number of youngsters have already been donated by some of the top lofts in the country inc. Rod Sparkes, Five Star Stud, Royal Oak Lofts, John Whittaker, S & F O Neill, J. Lindores & Son & Nicholson etc.  Any further info contact Telephone : 07818800655 Grosvenor HPS are to host a series of Breeder/Buyer sales in their own clubrooms promoted by themselves. The sale dates are 12/03/10, 02/04/10 & 09/04/10. All sales start at 8 pm with the birds on view from 7 pm. All birds must be in the pens – No Cards -. Their will be £2,000 up for grabs - £1,000 Breeder £ 1,000 Buyer to be flown from the last race of the season the INFC Skibbereen Y/B National. ( There may be other prizes depending on the entries ). Interested ??? Contact  02890 628796 or 02890 225948 ( after 6pm ). Doagh & Dist HPS – Breeder / Buyer Sale – 27th March – McConnells Lounge Doagh. Main Race Talbenny Y/B National with the 4th & 5th official NIPA races as Hot Spots with £ 100 up for grabs. Open to Sections B & C NIPA. Cards only – More Details contact John Wilson Tel : 07800706477. Ballycarry & Dist HPS – A Young Bird National sale will be held in the clubrooms on Friday 2nd April at 7.30 pm with the race to be flown from Rosscarberry.1/3 Breeder 1/3 Buyer 1/3 Club Funds. – Section C Only- New for 2010 – A Young Bird Weekly Sale will be held in the clubrooms on Wednesday 7th April at 7.30 pm. To be flown from the first five mass liberation young bird races. Open to Carrick Social, Carrick & Dist & Ballycarry HPS only.

JUST CONFIRMED:
Kiln Lofts are sending over a select draft of approx 50 youngsters from their top winning international bloodlines. Since getting established at a new loft location in Manchester,  Budgie Crawthorne, has set the mark on the racing scene and is a big competitor in the long distance events within the National races and their bloodlines are winning all over the British Isles. On offer will be youngsters , bred from and same way bred , as his present day racing stars. This is your chance to get some young stock to try out on the road.  The sale will be held on Saturday 27th March ( afternoon sale ) with the venue Chimney Corner Football Club , Randalstown Road, Antrim. Further info as regards to bloodlines etc. and any other details  Tel: 07737275820

OBITUARY

BEATTIE, Henry: It is with deep sadness that I report on the passing of someone I would call an icon of the pigeon sport. Henry was one of “The Old Brigade” with a national & derby record that any loft dreams about. An ambassadour of the pigeon sport, his loss will be felt within the island of Ireland and the mainland for long and many a day as his contribution to all sales, whether club or charity, was phenomenal. Sincere condolences to the Beattie  family circle.

ANY FURTHER INFO - CONTACT – New Kid On The Block

Contact Details Tel: 07737275820

Or email : newkidontheblock07@hotmail.co.ukWebsites : www.pigeonportal.com www.elimarpigeons.com