INFC race review 2022 by HOMER – Friendship OB National
The third race on the programme was the Friendship National usually flown from France on the weekend following the Grand National Kings Cup.
1st Open & 1st North Sect R Straney Killyleagh Central, Vel 1061 flying 426 miles, winning £206 and the Friendship Cup for the winner.
At 6.00am on Saturday 8th July almost 1,000 racing pigeons from lofts across the length and breadth of Ireland were released in St Malo on the north coast of France, competing in the Irish National Flying Club’s Friendship National. Given the conditions on the day, with the birds flying into a Northwest wind, a difficult race was expected and so it turned out.
At 5.47pm that afternoon a Black Chequer belonging to Bobby Straney, who races in the Killyleagh Central HPS, arrived home and was registered on the lofts electronic timing clock, Given the lack of reports on social media of birds arriving in the North a bird at this time, within 12 hours from release, was considered an early arrival.
On checking arrivals at the clock stations across Ireland that evening it was clear that Bobby’s bird was indeed the winner of the Friendship National in 2022. The race was sponsored by Beatties Bird & Pet Foods Tandragee. 1st 3 bags mixture, 2nd 2 bags mixture, 3rd 1 bag mixture.
INFC Friendship Nat St Malo Open 214/993 – R Straney Killyleagh Cent 1061, F Moran Malahide & Dist. 1057, Hand & Kallmeyer Skerries 1036, 1036, 1034, Donnelly Bros Millvale 1017, Larkin Bros Blackwatertown WE 1007, Burns Bros Comber Soc 1004, A Thompson Ballyclare 981, Norman Thompson Comber Cent 925, M Gillan Newry & District 900, P Murtagh & Son Ballyholland 888, J Murtagh & Son Ballyholland 868, Jim Robinson Edgarstown 858, C O’Hare & Son Ballyholland 858, W McDowell & Son Drumnavaddy 802, J Murtagh & Son 798, A Kelly Skerries 780, Jim Robinson 735, G & J O’Hare Harmony HPS 707.
INFC North Sect St Malo - R Straney Killyleagh Cent 1061, Donnelly Bros Millvale 1017, Larkin Bros Blackwatertown WE 1007, Burns Bros Comber Soc 1004, A Thompson Ballyclare 981, Norman Thompson Comber Cent 925, M Gillan Newry & District 900, P Murtagh & Son Ballyholland 888, J Murtagh & Son Ballyholland 868, Jim Robinson Edgarstown 858.
INFC South Sect St Malo - F Moran Malahide & Dist. 1057, Hand & Kallmeyer Skerries 1036, 1036, 1034, A Kelly Skerries 780, B Cahill Skerries 619, James Graham Monaghan 586, F Moran 561, A Kelly 508, Massey & Duffy Newtown Kilpedder 491.
NIPA (Friendship Nat St Malo) - R Straney Killyleagh Cent 1061, Donnelly Bros Millvale 1017, Larkin Bros Blackwatertown WE 1007, A Thompson Ballyclare 981, M Gillan Newry & District 900, P Murtagh & Son Ballyholland 888, J Murtagh & Son Ballyholland 868, Jim Robinson Edgarstown 858, C O’Hare & Son Ballyholland 858, W McDowell & Son Drumnavaddy 802, J Murtagh & Son 798, Jim Robinson 735, G & J O’Hare Harmony HPS 707, Ronnie Williamson Newry & Dist. 669, A McCrudden Derry & Dist. 610.
Bobby Straney from Killyleagh collects the Friendship Nat Trophy at the INFC presentation & The winner of the Friendship Nat for Bobby Straney of Killyleagh.
East Coast Federation (INFC) St Malo Friendship Nat - F Moran Malahide & Dist. 1057, Hand & Kallmeyer Skerries 1036, 1036, 1034, A Kelly Skerries 780, B Cahill Skerries 619, F Moran 561, A Kelly 508, G O’Reilly Malahide & Dist. 480, B & P McEvoy Castlebellingham 473, C Reid Balbriggan 458, G O’Reilly 438, J Guildea & Son Balbriggan 410, Hand & Kallmeyer 394,
South Leinster Fed (INFC) St Malo – Massey & Duffy Newtown Kilpedder 491, 362, M/M M Gregg & Daughter Gorey RPS 303, Pat Lambert Arklow United Rpc 207.
East Down Combine (INFC) St Malo – R Straney Killyleagh 1061, Burns Bros Comber Soc 1004, N Thompson Comber Cent 925, R Straney 622, Adair & McCombs Crossgar 515, R Straney 509, Paul Brown Kircubbin 508, Adair & McCombs 489, 466, Paul Brown 269, McCartan & Woodsides Crossgar 262.
Ulster Federation (INFC) St Malo – S McAllister & Sons Lagan Valley 429.
Muckamore Station St Malo Friendship Nat – Arnold Thompson Ballyclare 981, M Witherspoon Horseshoe 641, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 624, Arnold Thompson 600, N Lusty Muckamore 577, R Duddy Ballyclare 570, R Duddy 525, Arnold Thompson 509, C & L Woodside Ballyclare 508, R Duddy 475, Mr & Mrs Magill Muckamore 456, C & r McIntyre Cullybackey 444, W Livingstone Ahoghill 242.
Arnold Thompson from Ballyclare was best in the Muckamore Station, and best bird into East Antrim.
Coleraine Station St Malo Friendship Nat – A McCrudden Derry & District 665, John McConaghie Ballymoney 650, A McCrudden Derry & District 610, W & L McCaw Ballymoney 523, D & H Stuart Ballymoney 503.
East Antrim Combined St Malo Friendship Nat - Arnold Thompson Ballyclare 981, M Witherspoon Horseshoe 641, Arnold Thompson 600, R Duddy Ballyclare 570, R Duddy 525, Arnold Thompson 509, C & L Woodside Ballyclare 508, R Duddy 475.
Jimmy Smyth & Son - Best in the Mid Antrim Combine from St Malo
Jimmy Smyth from Ahoghill tops the Mid Antrim Combine for the second time in four seasons of the Friendship OB National.
The INFC Friendship National was held on Friday 8th July with the birds liberated at 6.00am in calm condition. Jimmy Smyth & Son of Ahoghill FC had the best local bird winning 1st in the Mid Antrim Combine and 29th Open INFC National. Jimmy timed his yearling red hen sitting eggs 10 days at 10.26am on the second morning after her 474 miles fly. The sire is from Glen Smith of Cookstown and the dam from Sam Murphy of Randalstown. Jimmy, always a good supporter of this race won 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 5th North Section and 8th Open INFC when the race was flown from Lamballe in 2019 when only 49 birds were recorded in race time. Runners up in the Combine were Chris & Robin McIntyre of Cullybackey who timed at 20.39pm on the second day flying 493 miles to their Dervock lofts. This 3-year-old blue cock raced roundabout all season and was then paired up for St. Malo and sent on 9-day old eggs. A good racer having been in the section and open prizes from Talbenny last season and Penzance this year. He is full brother to 5 x 1st prize-winners for the brothers including 1st club & 4th Section Talbenny YB National and 1st club & 10th Section Rosscarbery YB National. Last season Chris & Robin had the best bird in the local area from this race winning 15th Open National this season they finish 1st club & 64th Open. In 2019 the loft won 3rd Section B & 10th Open in the NIPA French OB National from St. Malo and only last week in the Kings Cup race from Saint Allouestre they were placed 1st Club & 110th Open. Good consistent flying from the lads. The only other Combine member to be placed in the open result was Ahoghill's William Livingstone who timed at 9.54am on the fourth morning. William's yearling chequer cock sitting on newly hatched chicks is bred down from his old stock that he has inbred over the years and is closely related to last season's 7th Section & 72nd Open NIPA OB National St. Malo. The cock had 1st Talbenny and Bude before being sent to the Friendship. William who races a small team timed in all the INFC channel races this season having been placed 2nd Combine & 108th Open Sennen Cove Yearling National, 5th Combine & 155th Open King's Cup Saint Allouestre and from this race 3rd Combine & 88th Open Friendship National St. Malo. Not many can say they recorded arrivals in all three races this season and considering these results were achieved with a total of 8 birds sent to 3 races. Top racing from a small loft. Mervyn Eagleson PO.
Mid Antrim Combine Saint Malo Friendship National - 1st Jimmy Smyth & Son Ahoghill 624, 2nd Chris & Robin McIntyre Cullybackey 444, 3rd William Livingstone Ahoghill 242.
Newry City Combined – INFC Friendship Nat
This week was the final Race of the Old Bird Season and the last of the French Races. The I.N.F.C St. Malo Friendship National was held on Friday the 8th of July. All Fanciers sent their 20 Bird Limit teams for race marking through the designated I.N.F.C Centre in Lisburn on Monday the 4th of July.
This race is always hailed as the Big Finale of the Year with a total of 214 Members from throughout the Island of Ireland entering 933 Birds competing for £5,888 in pools and prize money.
The Lorry’s embarked on their Journey from Lisburn to the North of France to the Liberation Site in St. Malo. The I.N.F.C Lorry’s arrived on site on Thursday but the weather conditions was not favourable on the channel for the birds crossing so they held the birds over to the Friday. The Race Controlling team gave the all clear Friday morning and Liberated 933 Pigeons at 6:00 AM in calm conditions with northerly wind on route. This race point is approximately 432 miles from club members respective lofts in Newry & Mourne Area. The First Pigeons flight time into the Newry Centre was 12 hours and 31 minutes.
There was a Grand total of 93 Pigeons North and South arrived home over the 3 Days with 15 Birds clocked on the day. 52 the second day and 26 The Final Day. It was a typical race out of France a hard task to do and a big ask for fancier’s birds. Locally there was a Total of 15 Birds clocked in Newry Centre over the 3 Days with 6 Arrivals on the Day. 6 on the second day and 3 on the third day. The Newry Centre done exceptionally well from the 3 National Races from France.
Newry Centre I.N.F.C St. Malo Friendship National Winner is Donnelly Bros of Newry City Invitation
Donnelly Bros - The Donnelly Brothers Richard and John have ended the Old Bird Season on a high Topping Newry Centre. The Brothers had an exceptional Old Bird Season especially from the Channel and French Races and as far as I know the partnership is the only loft to clock on the day in the three French races in all of Ireland north and south a tremendous achievement alone. The Lads timed 3 Birds finishing overall 6th,67th and 78th National, 2nd,52nd and 55th North Section. Taking 1st,11th,13th Newry Centre and while claiming the top 3 Positions in Newry City Inv. Club
Richard Donnelly from Millvale had the best bird in the City of Newry. Richard Donnelly holding his Winning Pigeon ‘Wee Tilly’ 3 Birds Clocked finishing overall 6th, 67th and 78th National. Only Fancier North and South of Ireland to clock on the day in the three French races.
The Brothers Winning Pigeon is a 2 year old Blue Chequer Hen now named ‘Wee Tilly’ She was sent to the race sitting 12 days on eggs. Before this race this hen had been in good racing form this year for them from the channel races. Finishing 50th Open, 13th Section G out of Bude and then 13th Section G in the Penzance Classic Race.
Her Breeding - A granddaughter of our 2nd Open St. Malo hen ‘Smash Hit' when only 10 birds were timed in race time. she carries the bloodlines of N. Black and Son. She was paired to our Merit award winner in the Friendship National ‘Lunch Time’ being 7th and 76th open also narrowly missing out on the prizes one other year. Her Aunt was our first bird out of St. Malo National Race this year being 6th Open in the N.I.P.A being clocked at 10.31pm on the day. She is now a bronze award winner being 18th the previous year from St Malo. Her Sire was a gift bird from our good friend Gregory McEvoy. This cock won 7th North Section in the Skibbereen National I.N.F.C and carries distance blood lines from Rutz Bros.
Micky Gillan - Micky Pictured with his Grandson Liam Proudly holding his winning 3 year old Dark Chequer Cock. Micky is a Small Team man with even Bigger Results. Micky’s Team is precisely picked and accessed each week as he has an unbelievable understanding of his pigeons. With only 3 Birds sent he has every confidence in getting his pigeons home to his loft down the Gosford Road. This Time Last Year Micky Closed the Old Bird Season with a Win from the Friendship National and does so again for a second year on the trot. He finishes the French Races and Old Bird Season in style picking up 11th National, 7th North Section, 2nd Newry Centre and Winning Newry & District H.P.S Club. We think Micky has been christened with a new nickname around the Club as Micky ‘The Final Curtain Man’ Gillan
Micky Gillan with his Grandson Liam proudly holding his winning 3 year old Dark Chequer Cock. Micky Wins 11th National, 7th North Section, 2nd Newry Centre and wins Newry & District H.P.S club in the last Old Bird Race for the 2nd year in a row.
The winning cock had just 3 races before the Race. 2 Inland Races and 1 Talbenny. Just a steady pigeon on his first young bird going to race. Sire is from Gary Inkley, KO Van Dommelen pigeons. Dam was a gift bird given to me as a young bird by good friend Sean Kane from his family of distance pigeons. When going through the books for the parents of the cock Micky to his delight discovered Sean's hen was also the Dam of his pigeon he timed from the King’s cup pigeon this year. We hope to see young Liam take up the sport in years to come following in his grandfather’s footsteps. Jordan Hughes PO.
Newry City Combined St Malo Friendship Nat – Donnelly Bros Millvale 1017, M Gillan Newry & Dist. 900, P Murtagh & Son Ballyholland 888, J Murtagh & Son Ballyholland 868, C O’Hare & Son Ballyholland 858, J Murtagh & Son 798, Ronnie Williamson Newry & Dist. 669, J J McCabe Newry & Dist. 552, T Mooney & Son Millvale 502, J Murtagh & Son 449, Donnelly Bros 426, P Murtagh & Son 419, Donnelly Bros 303, C O’Hare & Son 284, Ronnie Williamson 257.
INFC Clubs St Malo Friendship National
Killyleagh Central – R Straney 1061, 622, 509.
Malahide & District - F Moran 1057, 561, G O’Reilly 480, 438.
Fintan Moran from Malahide & Dist. collects the British Barcelona Club cup for runner-up in the Friendship Nat & Fintan Moran Malahide & District R.P.C. “Mr Reliable” Blue Cock IHU18S – 075713 Lamballe Friendship National 2021 31st Open, St. Malo Friendship National 2022 2nd Open.
Skerries – Hand & Kallmeyer 1036, 1036, 1034, A Kelly 780, B Cahill 619, A Kelly 508, Hand & Kallmeyer 394, A Kelly 308.
Hand & Kallmeyer from Skerries win the Henry Beattie & Son trophy for Best 2 Bird Ave Friendship OB Nat – 3rd and 4th Open INFC.
Millvale – Donnelly Bros 1017, T Mooney & Son 502, Donnelly Bros 426, 303.
Blackwatertown West End – Larkin Bros 1007, H & T & J Larkin 499.
Comber Social - Burns Bros 10.
Burns Bros Comber Social HPS “Wee Bridie” Blue Ch w/f Hen IHU19N-01702 St. Allouestre King’s Cup 2021 6th Open, St. Allouestre King’s Cup 2022 138th Open.
Ballyclare & District – A Thompson 981, 600, R Duddy 570, 525, A Thompson 509, C & L Woodside 508, R Duddy 475.
Arnold Thompson Ballyclare & District H.P.S. Blue Hen GB19B – 34028 Lamballe Friendship National 2021 9th Open, St. Malo Friendship National 2022 45th Open.
Comber Central – Norman Thompson 925.
Newry & District – M Gillan 900, R Williamson 669, J J McCabe 552, R Williamson 257,
Ballyholland – P Murtagh & Son 888, J Murtagh & Son 868, C O’Hare & Son 858, J Murtagh & Son 798, 449, P Murtagh & Son 419, C O’Hare & Son 284.
Edgarstown – Jim Robinson 858, 735, R G & G Donaldson 279.
Drumnavaddy Inv – W McDowell & Son 802.
Harmony HPS – G & J O’Hare 669, L O’Neill & Son 356.
Derry & District – Anthony McCrudden 665, 610.
Laurelvale – G & C Topley 656, J Serplus 452.
Derriaghy – R Benson 654.
Ballymoney HPS – John McConaghie 650, W & L McCaw 523, D & H Stuart 503.
Horseshoe HPS – Mark Witherspoon 641.
Banbridge – McCracken Bros 637.
Lisburn & District – M O’Reilly & Son 632, G Benson 531, M O’Reilly & Son 292, Ian Donaghy 267.
Ahoghill Flying Club – J Smyth & Son 624, W Livingstone 242.
Monaghan – James Graham 586, 365,
Muckamore HPS – N Lusty 577, Mr & Mrs Magill 456.
Crossgar HPS – Adair & McComb’s 515, 489, 466, McCartan & Woodsides 262,
Annaghmore – T McClean 512, G Buckley & Sons 236.
Kircubbin HPS – Paul Brown 508, 269.
Newtown Kilpedder – Massey & Duffy 491, 362.
Bray Invitation – James Cullen 488, 344.
Colin HPS – P & K Braniff 475.
Castlebellingham – B & P McEvoy 473.
Balbriggan – C Reid 458, J Guildea & Son 410.
Cullybackey HPS – C & R McIntyre 444.
Lagan Valley RPC – S McAllister & Sons 429.
Dublin Northeast Rpc – P Rock & Son 425.
Gorey RPS – Mr & Mrs M Gregg & Daughter 303.
Markethill – R McCracken 259, 214.
Richard McCracken Markethill H.P.S. “Drumorgan Jake” Black Chequer Cock GB18X – 17128 Lamballe Friendship National 2021 59th Open, St. Malo Friendship National 2022 92nd Open.
Dromare – N Black & Son 253.
N Black & Son Dromara HPS “Honeysuckle” Pencil Blue Pied Hen GB18D-06256 St. Allouestre King’s Cup 2021 27th Open, St. Allouestre King’s Cup 2022 210th Open.
Bondhill Social – John Greenaway 237.
John Greenaway Bondhill Social H.P.S. Blue Cock GB19B-13280 St. Allouestre King’s Cup 2021 5th Open, St. Allouestre King’s Cup 2022 96th Open.
Hillsborough & Maze – J Kelly & Sons 221.
Arklow United Rpc – Pat Lambert 207.
Homer - Willie Reynolds INFC Press Officer
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