CORK FEDERATION
by Neil Crean
Cork Area News
The highlight of the Federation programme will always be the Kings Cup race and the current race point in is St Alloustre approx 400 miles from Cork.
It is great that the INFC has given us a clock station which is run by Mr Brian O Leary and Neil Crean. Brian is the main figure and donates a lot of valuable hours attending the station to assist members travelling from Dungarvan, Youghal and Mallow especially after timing in. It was great that Brian received praise from these members for the professional and respect manner he gave to each and every one of them a true ambassador of the INFC.
A special mention must be given to Tom Casey, Tom Cahill, Frank Dalton, Michael Crean, Neil Crean, Ger Mulcahy, Anthony Wall and Ritchie Mullane for taking turns in transporting the birds from the Cork Federation, Mallow and Youghal to the marking station in Lisburn all their valuable time donated for free.
The race itself turned out to be a good Kings Cup race especially for Herbie Thorpe of Ashbourne a very well done to him for joining Ireland’s elite.
With the birds liberated at 6:15 a fast race was expected as conditions were very good on route. At 2:16 the first arrival came to both the fed and the Wall Bros this was the first of three arrivals they were to time in the race The first bird was a very consistant bird for the lads having being timed from Penzance where he was 2nd club and 5th Federation then on to the Kings Cup Race where he was 1st Club 1st Section and 1st Open Cork Federation a great season for this game cock which was bred by Tony Ferran.The Lads stated that this cock was a fantastic candidate having returned from a tough Penzance in superb condition.
Winning second open first south section and first Cork Southern pigeon club was the lofts of Noel and Chloe Hegerty of Blackrock, although Noel is the current Cork Federation Treasurer Chloe is no doubt the fancier and at 18 years old assists at both at club and federation level with all duties certainly one to look out for in the future. Noel has always given her every encouragement with any tasks she may wish to pursue. Their arrival was a two year old Blue W/F hen sent sitting.
Wall Bros. with their 3 Birds from The Kings Cup race
Noel & Chloe Hegerty with both their Kings Cup arrivals
Third open was the former Millar Gold Cup Winner Tom Cahill of Cork Northern Flying Club this pigeon has been in the Kings cup race for the last number of years and at 251st open INFC missed out of a diploma by 1 position !!!.This game cock carries the blood of both his Millar Gold Cup Winner and his Sennen Cove national winner he wins 1st club 2nd section and third open Cork Federation.
Both 4th and 5th open went back to the Wall Bros with their Quimper cock from last year being timed at 5:58 pm and their yearling arriving the second morning at 7:11am.The Quimper cock was named 'unlucky' and was also a single bird challenge pigeon. These two pigeons are half brothers from their own Shandon Lass lines. Their overall positions were 2nd and 3rd club and 3rd and 4th section.
Sixth open was also to a very consistent pigeon belong to Keith Ryan of Cork Northern. This game hen has flown Mauchaline and Penzance as a yearling winning the federation from Penzance. She flew Mauchaline again as a two year old and now as a three year old hit the result sheet again from France. She wins second club and sixth open cork Federation.
Tom Cahill Keith Ryan Neil Crean & sons
Seventh open went back to Noel and Chloe Hegerty with a blue two year old cock this gave the Hegertys a 100% record and a great experience of INFC racing .Both father and daughter are looking forward to next season already. He wins second club second section and seventh open.
Eight open went to Neil Crean & Sons this 2 year old dark chequer cock is of Patrick Bros and Pakie Gordon breeding having obtained the mother from former club mate Mark Lynch in 2003 she has bred many pigeons to take positions from the channel events.
8 pigeons were recorded in race time.
Neil Crean