Homer's Odyssey
Cullybackey HPS Season 2023 –
The Cullybackey HPS remain one of the top competitive clubs in the local Mid Antrim area, for many years they have had the largest membership, although that includes a number of non-flyers. Recently they added to the number of flying lofts when three members arrived from Ahoghill. Alan Darragh has been the ace racer for many seasons and was usually the loft to lift the famous Russell Family Cup which was presented annually to the clubs Highest Prize-winner. Alan has the Irish Nat FC record with 7 x 1sts and that includes three wins in the Yearling National and of course he brought the famous Kings Cup to Cullybackey winning in 1986 from Jersey with Independent Ranger. Former Chairman Jimmy Greer was to add to that by also bringing the Kings Cup home winning 1st Open INFC Messac in 2004.
Old Bird Season -
The 2023 racing season commenced on Saturday 15th April with the opening race from Tullamore in County Offaly. The NIPA released the birds at 10.45am in light southerly winds and an excellent race followed. Gary Gibson who had a top card in Cullybackey including 1st & 2nd club on 1726. Gary's winner a dark yearling hen won 1st Club & 3rd Combine from Gowran park last season and is bred by D, C & P McArdle of Armagh, breeding being their Van Den Brande family.
Cullybackey HPS 10/283 – G Gibson 1726, 1724, M/M Robinson 1720, G Gibson 1714, 1707, C & R McIntyre 1701, J & J Greer 1691, C & R McIntyre 1687, G Gibson 1687, 1684. Well done to Gary Gibson on taking 1st and 2nd today, great start to the season. We'll done to all in the result.
The second NIPA race of the season was from Roscrea, one of the oldest Towns in Ireland situated in County Tipperary. Liberation took place on Sunday 23rd April at 10am in light north westerly winds and just like the week previous another excellent race was to follow with little or no loses. Behind the top two ext best and 3rd & 4th Combine was Gary Gibson of Cullybackey with two birds doing 1339. Gary timed a yearling mealy widowhood hen from his Donckers family.
Cullybackey HPS 11/311 – G Gibson 1339, 1339, M/M Robinson 1305, G Gibson 1302, 1294, M/M Robinson 1290.
Alan Darragh best from 2nd Roscrea - The third NIPA race of the season was again flown from Roscrea in County Tipperary. Liberation took place on Friday 28th April at 13.15pm in westerly winds. Cullybackey fancier Alan Darragh was best in the area with his good two-year-old chequer hen and also won 1st Mid Antrim Combine on velocity 1477. Alan's winner timed at 14.08pm was flying 145 miles to the Swallow Brae Lofts in Galgorm. The hen won many prizes last season including 2 x 1st Club and 4th, 7th, 11th & 13th Combine.
Alan Darragh from Cullybackey, 1st MAC 2nd Roscrea.
Cullybackey HPS 15/527 – A Darragh 1477, 1464, M/M Robinson 1451, G Gibson 1439, A Darragh 1420, 1420.
Mid Antrim Combine 2nd Roscrea 62/1875 - A Darragh Cullybackey 1477, Surgenor Bros Kells 1465, A Darragh Cullybackey 1464, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1453, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1453, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1451, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1445, H Boyd Kells 1442, A Barkley & Son Kells 1440, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1439.
The NIPA racing season continued with their fourth race from the town of Fermoy on the River Blackwater in County Cork. Birds were liberation on Sunday 7th May at 10.30am in southerly winds with the outcome a very fast race. Laurence and Heather Robinson had their first win in Cullybackey on 1909 with a 3yo blue hen bred down from Willy Van Herck birds from P & J Boal of Dromore. This steady hen has been placed 1st and 2 & 3rd club and 6th, 10th & 16th Combine already this season.
Mr & Mrs Robinson of Cullybackey HPS, big winners in MAC 2023.
Cullybackey HPS 10/344 – Mr & Mrs Robinson 1909, C Moore 1886, Mr & Mrs Robinson 1882, G Gibson 1878, McAlonan Bros 1872, G Gibson 1872.
The fifth race of the season was again flown from Fermoy in County Cork. Birds were liberation on Saturday 13th May at 11.20am in southerly winds and just like last weekend another fast race followed with excellent returns. Chris Moore the Cullybackey winner was runner up in the Combine on 1614 with a yearling blue hen. She's 3/4 Jackie Traynor of County Durham and 1/4 Jeff Greenaway's "Back to Back" Chris's feeding comes from Furbie’s and he's very grateful for the training provided by Sam Murphy.
Cullybackey HPS 13/417 – C Moore 1614, M/M Robinson 1594, C Moore 1590, C & R McIntyre 1588, S & N Doherty 1589, A Darragh 1581. Well done to Chris Moore on taking the win today. 1st winner in the new club.
Gary Gibson 1st Combine & 1st Section Skibbereen National - The first classic race of the season was the Skibbereen OB Inland National flown on Friday 19th May. Birds were released at 9.30am in north north westerly winds and had to work hard to make it back to their home lofts. Cullybackey fancier Gary Gibson took the top position in the Mid Antrim Combine timing at 15.04pm flying 258 miles. Gary's winner is 2-year-old blue w/f Lambrechts widowhood hen finished 1st Section B and 60th Open NIPA National. The sire "Blue Steffan" is the father of Sam Murphy's 2 x 1st Mid Antrim Combine and 2 x 1st Section B and 1st Open NIPA Bude winner 2022. He also bred Jimmy Rock's 1st Club, 2nd Mid Antrim Combine & 4th Section B Skibbereen Yearling National pigeon. Dam of the winner is his good inbred Superke Lambrechts hen purchased from Danny Dixon when Gary started back in 2013 and she's dam to last year’s 1st Club winner from Fermoy and Skibbereen young bird national. Mr & Mrs Robinson of Cullybackey were Combine runners up on 1354, and also took 4th spot on 1335. Laurence and Heather timed their good 3yo blue roundabout hen bred down from Willy van Herck birds from P & J Boal of Dromore. This steady hen has five Top 20 Combine positions already season - 2nd Skibbereen 279 birds, 6th Roscrea 1875 birds, 8th Fermoy (2) 1686 birds, 10th Fermoy (1) 1472 birds, & 16th Tullamore 1311 birds. The Robinson's second bird a 4yo blue hen again on the roundabout is also a very steady racer having won good club positions over the past couple of years and she's also down from the Van Herck pigeons with the sire being a gift from Gary Gibson. Their two hens finish 3rd & 7th Section and 91st & 173rd Open.
Gary Gibson holding his Combine & Section winner from Skibbereen.
Cullybackey HPS – Gary Gibson 1361, Mr & Mrs Robinson 1354, 1335, A Darragh 1323, 1308, 1304.
Mid Antrim Combine Skibbereen OB Inland National 36/279 - Gary Gibson Cullybackey 1361, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1354, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1349, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1335, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1334, John Miller Randalstown 1333, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1332, Jimmy Rock Harryville 1331, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1330, Danny Dixon Rasharkin 1325.
Due to poor weather conditions over the weekend the NIPA decided to race mark on the Sunday for a Monday race. Birds were released in Pilmore Beach at10am on Monday 22nd May in north-north westerly winds which turned out a pretty tough race. Gary Gibson was best in Cullybackey on 1156 with a blue w/f roundabout hen bred from a Van Vugt Donckers cock paired to a daughter of Danny Dixon's good 2nd Open cock. The hen's a great grand-daughter of Gary's Golden Couple and was 2nd club & 10th MA Combine in the opening race of the season beaten on the trap by a loft mate.
Cullybackey HPS 16/250 – G Gibson 1156, M/M Robinson 1155, G Gibson 1145, M/M Robinson 1140, J & J Greer 1132, C & R McIntyre 1116. Well done to Gary Gibson on taking the win. A close race between Gary and Mr & Mrs Robinson for the win today. Well done to all on the result on a hard day.
The opening channel race of the season was flown from Talbenny, County Dyfed in South Wales. The NIPA released their 10,665 birds on Saturday 26th May at 8.30am in easterly winds turning south easterly and variable as the day went on. Alan Darragh had the top two in Cullybackey, and 3rd Combine on 1379 with a yearling blue cock bred by John Wheatcroft of Pinxton in England. In total Alan had five birds in the Top 20 of the Combine.
Cullybackey HPS 14/296 – A Darragh 1379, 1372, M/M Robinson 1368, A Darragh 1356, 1349, 1331. Well done to Alan Darragh on winning a tricky race today, and well done to everyone on the sheet.
1st & 2nd Mid Antrim Combine for Alan Darragh of Cullybackey – The second channel race of the season was again flown from Talbenny in South Wales. The NIPA liberated the birds at 8.00am on Saturday 3rd June in light northeast winds. Alan Darragh of Cullybackey had a fantastic race clocking eight birds in the Top 20 of the Mid Antrim Combine including the winner and runner up spot. Alan timed his yearling blue w/f cock at 12.34pm for the 220 mile fly to the Swallow Brae Lofts in Galgorm. This cock bred by John Wheatcroft of Pinxton in England won the club from Talbenny last week finishing 3rd Combine, 5th Section & 39th Open NIPA 10,655 birds. This week the cock is placed 1st Combine, 2nd Section & 13th Open NIPA 8983 birds.
Cullybackey HPS 13/233 – Alan Darragh 1416, 1365, 1360, 1360, 1356, 1344.
Mid Antrim Combine 2nd Talbenny 52/721 - A Darragh Cullybackey 1416, A Darragh Cullybackey 1365, D Dixon Rasharkin 1363, J Miller Randalstown 1360, A Darragh Cullybackey 1360, A Darragh Cullybackey 1360, A Barkley & Son Kells 1357, T Whyte Ahoghill 1356, A Darragh Cullybackey 1356, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1348.
The NIPA were in County Cork for the ordinary Fermoy race and also the duplicated 5 Bird event. The birds were released on Saturday 3rd June at 8.00am in light northeasterly winds. Gary Gibson was best in Cullybackey on 1359 with a blue w/f yearling hen racing roundabout. This hen another from Gary's Donckers family was winning for the second time having won Kilbeggan as young bird and placed 6th Combine.
Mid Antrim Combine Fermoy 41/535 -Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1393, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1377, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1377, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1377, D Dixon Rasharkin 1372, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1367, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1364, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1363, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1361, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1359, G Gibson Cullybackey 1359, G Gibson Cullybackey 1358.
Cullybackey HPS 29/351 – G Gibson 1359, 1358, A Darragh 1347, M/M Robinson 1328, A Darragh 1323, 1317.
Mid Antrim Combine 5 Bird 25/113 - D Dixon Rasharkin 1372, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1367, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1361, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1359, G Gibson Cullybackey 1358, D Craig Harryville 1354, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1350, A Darragh Cullybackey 1347, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1336, H Boyd Kells 1336.
The NIPA racing season continued with the third channel race from Bude in Cornwall. The birds were liberated at 8.45am on Sunday 11th June in light southerly winds. Mr & Mrs Robinson won Cullybackey with a 5-year-old chequer hen Vandenabeele x Deweerdt on roundabout. She has raced well from the channel since a yearly with a few club wins and good section positions.
Cullybackey HPS 6/52 – M/M Robinson 1169, G Gibson 1161, M/M Robinson 1159, 1137, 1097, A Shiels 1088.
Mid Antrim Combine Bude 32/278 - J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1247, T Whyte & Son Ahoghill 1218, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1214, A & C & T Tweed Rasharkin 1178, D Dixon Rasharkin 1172, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1169, D Houston & Son Broughshane 1168, J Miller Randalstown 1165, G Gibson Cullybackey 1161, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1159.
Due to poor weather conditions forecast for County Cork on Saturday the NIPA decided to bring the birds back to Fermoy for their Yearling National. The bird were liberated at 10.20am in a light southeast wind and another good race followed. Jimmy & Jamie Greer had the winner in Cullybackey with a blue hen from the best of the Vermeerbergen-Wilms lines from good friend Keith Kernohan. Their winner is full sister to 3rd club & 24th section and 1st club & 4th Section Gowran Park 2021.
The NIPA were in Cornwall on Thursday the 22nd June for their Penzance and Penzance Classic event. Birds were liberated at 7.15am in light westerly winds and another tough race followed. Laurence & Heather Robinson were the Cullybackey winners on 1303 with a 5yo chequer roundabout hen. She is off a Van Herck cock from P & J Boal of Dromore paired to a Vandenabeele x DeWeerdt hen. She’s been their first pigeon from Penzance since she was a yearling winning club and section prizes each season. This season she wins 3rd Section & 23rd Open Penzance and 2nd Section & 12th Open Penzance Classic.
Cullybackey HPS 11/82 – Mr & Mrs Robinson 1303, A Darragh 1293, McAlonan Bros 1216, A Darragh 1204, 1156, C & R McIntyre 1138.
Mid Antrim Combine Penzance 47/373 - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1344, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1340, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1303, T Whyte Ahoghill 1302, Surgenor Bros Kells 1299, A Darragh 1293, T & M Morrow, Broughshane 1271, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1265, D Dixon Rasharkin 1237, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1231, McAlonan Bros Cullybackey 1216.
Mid Antrim Combine Penzance OB Classic - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1344, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1303, T Whyte Ahoghill 1302, A Darragh Cullybackey 1293, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1265, D Dixon Rasharkin 1237, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1208, A Darragh Cullybackey 1204, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1192, A Barkley & Son Kells 1187.
The final old bird race of the NIPA season was the OB National from St Malo in France. The birds were liberated on Thursday the 22nd June at 6.30am in light northerly winds and like the previous two season a very tough race followed with only 85 birds recorded over the three days of race time. Laurence & Heather Robinson were best in Cullybackey with a 2yo blue cock timed at 12.08pm on the second afternoon to win 3rd Combine, 5th Section & 40th Open NIPA. The cock sent sitting 10 days on eggs was a late bred and only a few tosses as a young bird, one race as a yearling and three inland races this year plus the 1st Talbenny. His sire is a pure White cock gifted to them by their good friend the late Robbie Elliot of Ballymoney and his dam flew France for them a couple of years back and is down off a Grattan Bros pigeon gifted to them by Tommy Grattan. In the Mid Antrim Combine the partnership win both the old bird average and cross channel averages. Seven times National winner Alan Darragh of Cullybackey timed a 5yo chequer pied hen to win 4th Combine, 7th Section & 72nd Open NIPA. This hen is down from the van Wildermeersch pigeons when paired to the lines of Sir George, a pigeon that won 2nd Section from an old bird national.
Cullybackey HPS – Mr & Mrs Robinson 575, A Darragh 372. Two of the best distance lofts in Mid Antrim, Mr & Mrs Robinson previously Ahoghill win their first France race in their new club ahead of the clubs best racer over many seasons Alan Darragh.
Mid Antrim Combine St Malo OB National - Balmer Tom Young & Sons Ahoghill 627, A & C & T Tweed Rasharkin 625, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 575, Alan Darragh Cullybackey 372.
Young Bird Season –
The NIPA commenced their young bird season with the opening race from Kilbeggan in County Westmeath. Liberation took place on Monday 24th July at 9.00am in light north-westerly winds. Mr & Mrs Robinson had the best three birds in Cullybackey the winner doing 1075.
Cullybackey HPS 4/74 – Mr & Mrs Robinson 1075, 1075, 1074, Bamber & Steele 1050, J & J Greer 1045, 1027.
The second young bird race of the season was again from Kilbeggan in County Westmeath. Liberation took place on Friday 28th July at 9.30am in helping southerly winds and the birds romping home with the winning birds doing well over a mile a minute. Jimmy & Jamie Greer had a clear 5-minute winner in Cullybackey with a cheq cock bred from the best of Keith Kernohan's Vermeerbergen-Wilms stock. The sire is full brother to 4th Section Gowran Park 2021 and the dam full sister to 9th Cullybackey Centre Skibbereen YB National 2021.
Cullybackey HPS 9/274 – J & J Greer 1849, G Gibson 1777, A Darragh 1770, 1752, 1726, 1726. Today's Cullybackey Hps winners where J & J Greer. Timing their cheq cock at 11:16:53.
The NIPA moved to Tullamore in County Offaly for their third young bird race of the season. The birds were liberated on Friday 4th August at 9.15am in westerly winds. Gary Gibson had the clear winner in Cullybackey on 1418 timing 7 minutes in front of the next man. His winner a dark Lambrecht hen was bred by Derek Parr.
Cullybackey HPS 11/223 – G Gibson 1418, 1364, A Darragh 1358, 1358, Bamber & Steele 1358, A Darragh 1326.
The Nipa moved to Roscrea for their fourth young bird race of the season. Birds were liberated on Friday 11th August at 8.00am in fresh southerly winds with the winning birds recording well over a mile a minute. Alan Darragh had the top six in Cullybackey with his winner doing 2003.
Cullybackey HPS 8/214 – Alan Darragh 2003, 1956, 1942, 1933, 1933, 1916.
The Nipa continued their racing season with another race from Roscrea in County Tipperary. Birds were released on Sunday 20th August at 8.15am in southerly winds and another fast race followed. Gary Gibson the Cullybackey winner on 1977. Sire is off a direct Van Vugt Donckers cock a g/son of Jackpot x a daughter Danny Dixon's good 2nd Open cock and the dam is a daughter of Gary's Golden Couple hen x to her g/son. A son of 2nd Open cock and the good direct Donckers hen.
Cullybackey HPS 7/127 – Gary Gibson 1977, 1938, 1921, 1920, 1903, N & S Anderson 1883.
The young bird racing season continued with the sixth race from Fermoy in County Cork. The Nipa liberated on Saturday 26th August at 8.15am in north westerly winds with the outcome a very tough race. Gary Gibson was best in Cullybackey on 1242. Gary timed one from his Donckers family. The sire won 1st club, 1st Harryville Centre, 2nd Combine and 4th Section from the Fermoy 5 Bird young bird race last season and the dam was 2nd club beaten by loft mate and 4th Combine Roscrea 1445 birds. She's from a son of Fly Mo the nestmate to Danny Dixon's good 2nd Open cock and she's a granddaughter of the Golden Couple.
Mid Antrim Combine Fermoy 50/1205 - S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1278, D Dixon Rasharkin 1262, S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1247, D Dixon Rasharkin 1247, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1246,S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1245, D Magill Harryville 1244, G Gibson Cullybackey 1242, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1234, J McNeill & Son Randalstown 1231.
Mid Antrim Combine Fermoy 5 Bird - K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1246, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1231, A Barkley & Son Kells 1214, A Darragh Cullybackey 1205, A Darragh Cullybackey 1200, G Gibson Cullybackey 1191, Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 1187, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1172, A Barkley & Son Kells 1157, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1156.
Nipa Dale Young Bird National Mid Antrim Combine – The Nipa Dale young bird National was held on Saturday 2nd September. The birds were liberated in Wales at 11.00am in light winds and a very good race was enjoyed by most lofts. Cullybackey fancier Gary Gibson timed the best bird in the local area at 15.51pm to top the Mid Antrim Combine and finish 3rd Section & 28th Open Nipa 2897 birds. Gary's winner a blue wf hen is the same bird that won Fermoy last weekend. She's from his Donckers family. The sire won 1st Club, 1st Harryville Centre, 2nd Combine and 4th Section from the Fermoy 5 Bird young bird race last season and the dam was 2nd club beaten by loft mate and 4th Combine Roscrea 1445 birds. She's from a son of Fly Mo the nestmate to Danny Dixon's good 2nd Open cock and she's a granddaughter of the Golden Couple.
Gary Gibson of Cullybackey with his Dale Mid Antrim Combine winner.
Mid Antrim Combine Dale YB Nat - G Gibson Cullybackey 1358, D Dixon Rasharkin 1356, A & C & T Tweed Rasharkin 1355, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1351, A Darragh Cullybackey 1350, D Dixon Rasharkin 1344, G Gibson Cullybackey 1339, D Dixon Rasharkin 1330, T Johnston & Son Ballymena 1327, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1326.
Cullybackey HPS – Gary Gibson 1358, Alan Darragh 1350, Gary Gibson 1339, Alan Darragh 1323, 1318, J & J Greer 1292.
The Nipa continued their racing season with a comeback race from Roscrea in County Tipperary. Birds were up at 12.30pm in light winds on Saturday 2nd September. Runner up in the Combine and 6th Section, 35th Open was Cullybackey's Gary Gibson on 1608. Gary timed one from his Sticker Donckers family. From a Van Vugt cock paired to a full sister of Danny Dixon's 1st Open Nipa Tullamore winner 17,775 birds.
Cullybackey HPS 10/180 – G Gibson 1608, 1580, A Darragh 1542, 1534, G Gibson 1527, A Darragh 1523.
The NIPA were back in Fermoy in County Cork for their penultimate young bird race of the season. Birds were released on Friday 8th September at 10.40am in light easterly winds. Jimmy & Jamie Greer had their third win of the season in Cullybackey on 1515 timing a blue cheq Braspenning x Staff Van Reet hen. The sire won 1st club & 3rd Combine from Tullamore.
Cullybackey HPS 7/116 – J & J Greer 1515, G Gibson 1496, A Darragh 1443, 1438, 1437, A Shiels 1434.
The final young bird race of the Nipa racing season was flown on Saturday 16th September from Skibbereen in County Cork. The young bird National birds were released at 10.15am in gruelling north easterly winds and a seriously tough race followed with many birds spending the night on the tiles and some loft's failing to time. Gary Gibson had the top two birds in Cullybackey on 974 & 969 and placed 10th & 12th Section and 60th, 70th & 146th Open. Gary's first bird was a dark w/f hen, the sire is an inbred Heartbreaker cock and the dam's from a son of the 2nd Open cock paired to Gary's 1st Section Talbenny YB National hen.
Cullybackey HPS – Gary Gibson 974, 969, Alan Darragh 933, 914, Gary Gibson 906, Alan Darragh 894.
Irish National OB & YB –
The opening race of the Irish National Flying Club's season was the old bird inland National flown from Skibbereen on Tuesday 30th May. Liberation was at 8.30am in easterly winds. Dunloy's Danny Dixon was best in the Mid Antrim Combine on 1275 with a 3yo blue w/f Lambrecht cock timed at 14.37pm flying 266 miles to the lofts. The sire a brother of Heartbreaker and the dam a daughter of Quiverman. In total Danny had four birds in the National result 6th, 11th, 33rd and 86th Open INFCN. Alan Darragh was runner up in the Combine on 1268 and 9th Open INFC with a blue w/f yearling cock. Sire is Alan's good 5 times France cock and the dam won 2nd Open in the Yearling National. Laurence and Heather Robinson of Cullybackey were next best and 10th Open National on 1267 with a blue yearling hen. She was a late young bird last season and only got two races. The sire is Van Herck and was gifted to Laurence by Gary Gibson and the dam was a good racing hen that won good first's including 1st Section Bude. She is half Van Herck from P & J Boal and half Janssen. Chris Moore of Cullybackey also made the Open prizes finishing 31st Open on 1252.
Mid Antrim Combine - INFC Skibbereen OB Inland National - D Dixon Rasharkin 1275, A Darragh Cullybackey 1268, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1267, D Dixon Rasharkin 1266, C Moore Cullybackey 1252, D Dixon Rasharkin 1249, D Dixon Rasharkin 1220, A Darragh Cullybackey 1197, A Darragh Cullybackey 1190, G Gibson 1174.
Wednesday 14th June 2023 is another day Martin Graham of Ballymena will remember for a lifetime. After flying the 329 miles to the majestic lofts on the Old Cullybackey Road his classy blue pied hen timed in at 14.24pm to win the INFC Penzance Yearling National and emulate her sire "Champion Denman" who won the same race back in 2018 when flown from Sennen Cove. This is the second time Martin won 1st Open INFC Yearling National.
Mid Antrim Combine INFC Penzance Yearling National - Martin Graham Ballymena & Dist. 1398, Martin Graham Ballymena & Dist. 1206, Martin Graham Ballymena & Dist. 1176, A Darragh Cullybackey 1083, J McNeill & Son Randalstown 1074, D Dixon Rasharkin 1067, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1066, J Miller Randalstown 1011, C & R McIntyre Cullybackey 910, D Dixon Rasharkin 889, Martin Graham Ballymena 875, D Dixon Rasharkin 821, G Gibson Cullybackey 808, J Wright Ballymena 804, Houston Bros Randalstown 800, D Dixon Rasharkin 792, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 710, D Dixon Rasharkin 701, J McNeill & Son Randalstown 684, A Darragh Cullybackey 683, A Darragh Cullybackey 669, W Livingstone 662, C & R McIntyre Cullybackey 660.
Mid Antrim Combine - INFC St Malo Friendship National -
S & N Doherty Loft wins 1st Combine & 11th Open INFC National
S & N Doherty of Cullybackey, 1st MAC Friendship Nat St Malo.
& Chris and Robin McIntyre of Cullybackey win INFC Merit Award
The final old bird race of the season on the Northern Ireland calendar was the INFC St Malo Friendship National. Birds were liberated on Friday 7th July at 06.00am in light south westerly winds increasing to strong winds in Ireland. Best in the Mid Antrim Combine was the father and daughter partnership of Stephen and Natalie Doherty who fly their birds to Portglenone and race in the Cullybackey club. They timed their 2yo cheq cock sitting 10 days on eggs at 2.56pm flying 477 miles to win 10th North Section & 11th Open INFC National. This season the cock had three races from Fermoy and then just trained with Sam Murphy and had two Balbriggans with Tommy Cairns. Their winner is direct from Aaron Murtagh of Armagh. Chris & Robin McIntyre of Cullybackey timed their 4yo blue cock at 16.22pm to finish 47th North Section & 52nd Open National and win a Merit Award. This pigeon has now been in St Malo three times, 2021 with the NIPA just out of race time, 2022 1st club Cullybackey, 2nd MA Combine & 64th Open INFC Friendship National and this season 2nd club, 4th MA Combine, 47th North Section & 52nd Open INFC Friendship National flying 493 miles. He has also been in the Open and Section result in the last two seasons from Penzance with the NIPA and also in the Section prizes from Talbenny in 2021 and is a full brother to 5 x 1st club winners for the loft.
Mid Antrim Combine - St Malo Friendship National - S & N Doherty Cullybackey 1566, Henry Turkington Kells 1474, D Dixon Rasharkin 1423, C & R McIntyre Cullybackey 1393, Jimmy Rock Harryville 1358, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1234, Jimmy Rock Harryville 1227, D Houston & Son Broughshane & Dist. 1204, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1099, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1052, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 630, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 473.
Grand National Penzance Young Bird Race Wednesday 6th September 2023. Race Sponsored by Frazers Animal Feeds. 284 members have entered 1950 pigeons and are competing for £15,940.00 in pools and prize money. The pigeons have been released at 07.45am in calm conditions wind on route light southerly. Martin Graham’s fourth National win arrived on Wednesday 6th September when he timed his blue w/f hen "Sammy's Girl" at 14.24pm to win 1st Open INFC Penzance Young Bird National velo1452 after flying 329 miles to the fabulous lofts on the Old Cullybackey Road in Ballymena. Alan Darragh was best in Cullybackey and was well placed with two early arrivals.
Mid Antrim Combine Penzance YB Grand National - Martin Graham Ballymena 1452, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1332, A Darragh Cullybackey 1301, A Darragh Cullybackey 1223, D Dixon Rasharkin 1201, D Dixon Rasharkin 1196, D Dixon Rasharkin 1181, J McNeill & Son Randalstown 1142, J McNeill & Son Randalstown 1076, Balmer & T Young & Sons Ahoghill 1065, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1059, H Turkington Kells 1042, D Dixon Rasharkin 1032, D Dixon Rasharkin 1032, D Dixon Rasharkin 1028, D Dixon Rasharkin 955, J McNeill & Son Randalstown 930, Martin Graham Ballymena 895, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 850, D Dixon Rasharkin 838, Martin Graham Ballymena 831, Joey Wright Ballymena 828, Martin Graham Ballymena 793.
The last race of the season was the Infc Skibbereen young bird National flown on Friday 22nd of September. Danny Dixon of Dunloy had the best three birds winning 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the MA Combine on 1234, 1233 & 1228 and 44th, 46th & 47th North Section 103/872 The dam of Danny's first bird won 6th Open from the Infc Penzance young bird National in 2016 and is a half-sister to Dixie Chic 1st Open Infc Penzance young bird National 2010. The sire is a half-brother to Cuchullian which won this race in 1998. The sire was also well up in the Open result from the Lamballe Friendship National race of 2017.
Gary Gibson of Cullybackey was next best and placed 4th in the Combine. His dark w/f hen won the Cullybackey club in the Nipa Skibbereen National the previous week finishing 6th MA Combine, 10th Section & 60th Open. The sire is an inbred Heartbreaker cock and the dam's from a son of the 2nd Open cock paired to Gary's 1st Section Talbenny young bird National hen.
Mid Antrim (INFC) Skibbereen YB National - D Dixon Rasharkin 1234, D Dixon Rasharkin 1233, D Dixon Rasharkin 1228, G Gibson Cullybackey 1180, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1179, D Dixon Rasharkin 1078, D Dixon Rasharkin 1059, D Dixon Rasharkin 1044, D Dixon Rasharkin 1026, D Dixon Rasharkin 1016. Thanks to Mid Antrim PO Mervyn Eagleson who supplied most of the text.
Homer will be providing the local training as usual starting just before racing in Mid-April, and going as usual to Oxford Island. The old cart has had a refurb and I have the spare one available for sale. Fanciers will be contacted via text message for training. Weather permitting the opening race will be from Kilbeggan on Saturday 20th April.
Champion Jack Kings Cup winner 1997 from St Nazaire for P Rock & Son of Malahide & District.
Malconeys Dream Kings Cup winner 2006 from Vannes for R & S Malcolmson of Newtownbreda HPS and Grand-Sire of 2nd Open St Allouestre King's Cup for Tommy McClean, 72 birds in race time.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw>
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www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
