Homers Odyssey - Meetings Update
New Regulations for racing in 2025 -
Just prior to the racing season of 2025 we have been hit by important changes regarding the transport of birds on a new European directive which will result in changes on both the transporter and the role of drivers. NIPA chief Fred Russell published the following.
Hi Everyone
I must bring you all up to date regarding new Eu regulation regarding Tachographs’. which has come into place in 2025. It will also be introduced into the UK in 2026.
The Nipa have been doing their utmost to have our fleet of Transporters receive exemptions from this new Law, we were very hopeful that we would receive a favourable outcome, unfortunately last week we received the news that we did not want to hear we did not qualify for any exemptions.
The Nipa will have to fit new Digital Tachograph’s heads to our fleet of Transporters at a cost of around £7000.00. When fitted this will place a conundrum into our situation regarding the transportation of our pigeons.
Our drivers will have to work within EU driver’s rules and Working Time Directive Rules.
With the new digital Tachograph head units installed into our fleet, all our drivers will have to use their Digital card as we would fall into the scope of EU regulations, the difference now is that digital cards cannot be disposed of, and the record of work is available to read at any time from DVA OR VOSA or other subsequent bodies.
The Nipa has no other option but to adopt these new changes, which if carried out correctly will result in the NIPA OPERATORS LICENSE remaining legal and our Drivers to remain absolutely legal while carrying out the work set. The Nipa will have to hire additional drivers possibly three to four.
The only option open to us if you require your pigeons to be collected and arrive at the race point for a Saturday release the Nipa will have to introduce for all races Collection Points. At present we are still looking at these and you will all be informed as soon as possible.
I hope you find this information useful and take on board the responsible thinking behind it I wish you all a successful season ahead.
Yours in Sport Fred Russell CEO Nipa.
This may well put an end to ordinary club collections as we all remember them change was resisted for years and I can just hear the reaction of the “Old Hands” although not so many of them left now.
INFC Marking Centre discussion -
Another subject that came up recently prior to setting up arrangements for the AGM of the Irish National Flying Club was the long-standing discussion on a race marking centre in Dublin. Included with correspondence was going back to 1979 an entry penned in the Minute Book when the late David Campbell was Chairman and the late Martin Russell was Secretary, both signing same. It was in fact a report on what was termed an Open Discussion meeting held in Glenavy on Saturday 13th October 1979. The Chairman D Campbell opened the meeting at 2.30pm and stressed the point that this was a discussion only meeting a no vote and no vote would be taken. 66 members were present.
A Pamphlet setting out a detailed analysis of 1979 race marking centres was circulated to all present. The Chairman stated that the Committee were far from happy with the ridiculous arrangements as at present and voiced fears that even more centres would be established at the next Annual General Meeting.
After almost two hours discussion it was established that the overwhelming opinions of those present. “The Committee should carry out a study of available accommodation and have the authority to establish race marking/clock centre locations for 1980 season and at the next AGM’s any Motions dealing with Centres should be Ruled Out of Order!”
The Chairman thanked the members for their confidence placed in the Committee and closed the meeting at 4.30pm. He also made a request for the Committee to remain behind The Chairman then addressed the Committee and considering what had taken place it was agreed that the following Statement would be issued to the press. It was included on the next page.
INFC Press Statement
As advertised – An Open Discussion meeting was held in Glenavy on Saturday 13th October the main topic being Race Marking/Clock Stations. Opinions expressed were unanimous : the Committee (elected annually to run the affairs of the club) should establish Centre Locations and nominate the personnel in Charge of Same. As such the Committee have decided to carry out an in depth study of suitable accommodation and inform the membership of arrangements for the 1980 season. Therefore motions referring to Centres, Location, Marking etc will not be included on the AGM Agenda. If this procedure is questioned dissidents will have occasion for redress at the forthcoming RPRA (Irish Region) or IHU Annual General Meetings. Signed by Committee 1079.
An interesting report that few have seen ad even less including me remember. Don’t know the history at this time no doubt there was good reason for concern. Today it don’t look very democratic. It was in this same era that I tried to have the RPRA and IHU Committee reps elected at the AGM of the INFC, officials were up in arms and told be no resolution would be included on the AGM Agenda. I won the day on that one but when the vote was taken at the AGM my Motion was hammered. Reading through some of the old AGM Reports penned by the late James Martin I noticed both Chairman and Secretary had only recently elected to office. The whole attention at that time although not mentioned was a Centre in South of Ireland. I am amazed the question is unresolved over the last 50 years. In his latest report Patron Ronnie Johnston thinks its maybe time for change, I think the same. There was a big opportunity during the time Eugene Fitzgerald was President, but the years roll on. History also shows the biggest scandal to hit the sport was in The North which ran with far too much trust.
INFC now have a Secretary based in both North & South Sections, change is maybe just around the corner. The main and only Marking Station for the last number of years was Danescroft Equestrian Centre in Lisburn, not sure it has been confirmed for future use.
Irish National Flying Club - A meeting of the INFC management committee will be held in the Bannville House Hotel, Banbridge Co Down on Saturday 12th April 2025 commencing at 10.00am. Please make every effort to attend. Bannville Hotel, 174 Lurgan Road, Banbridge. BT32 4NR.
Mid Antrim update - Due to an objection MAC Chairman Robin Service has ordered that the AGM be reconvened to be held in the Ballymena & District HPS clubrooms on Wednesday 16th April at 7.30pm. Every club was represented at the earlier meeting and hopefully we get another full attendance.
Included on the agenda a Resolution from Ballymena & District HPS. Propose that any new member applying to join the Mid Antrim Combine be vetted by the Delegates of the existing member clubs, to have a Ballymena address and are not permitted to double duplicate to compete. Meeting date Wednesday 16th April at 7.30pm.
NIPA 2025 Race Programme as per website entry en23rd March
OLD BIRDS:
19/4/25 Kilbeggan
26/4/25 Roscrea
3/5/25 Cloughmartin
10/5/25 Fermoy
17/5/25 Grenagh (6039)
24/5/25 Dunmanway OB Inland Nat
24/5/25 Kinsale (6040)
31/5/25 Dale
7/6/25 Dale
7/6/25 Fermoy 5 Bird
14/6/25 Bude
14/6/25 Dunmanway Yearling Nat
21/6/25 Penzance & Classic
21/6/25 Cloughmartin
27/6/25 St Malo/ Plougastel
YOUNG BIRDS:
19/7/25 Kilbeggan
26/7/25 Kilbeggan
2/8/25 Roscrea
9/8/25 Cloughmartin
16/8/25 Fermoy
23/8/25 Kinsale & 5 Bird
30/8/25 Dale YB Nat
30/8/25 Roscrea
6/9/25 Grenagh
13/9/25 Dunmanway YB National.
Training will be underway in preparation and good to see that Chris Young has joined the local ranks of training service, far fewer lofts mow needing support. I had some fun for a long time, not all tosses were perfect mind you, but always tried our very best.
A little reminder of the big winners at the opening race of the old bird season in 2024 – Remember in the new season we need info on the winners especially 1st Section NIPA included when possible, holding the winner at the loft. Contact and a photo are se easy now, not like when u needed a photographer, don’t miss out.
The 2024 race season for Mid Antrim and the Mighty NIPA started last weekend on what had been the best weather day for many weeks, the convoy were released in Kilbeggan Co Westmeath on Saturday 20th April at 10.00am. Birds cleared very well, no wind at release site and returns in the opening event were excellent. The shorter flying lofts dominated the NIPA Open result with the top winners based in the City of Newry.
Locally the best birds in the NIPA Sect B were timed in Muckamore HPS with the Maginty Family scoring 1st & 2nd.
Muckmore HPS (8 sent 230) – 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, S & N Maginty 1540, 1539, 1513, 1513, 1509, 3 S & J Bones and T Yates 1529.
Ahoghill Flying Club (5 sent 115) – 1, 2, 5, 6 Young McManus & Sons 1521, 1471, 1455, 1454, 3, 4, J Smyth & Son 1470, 1463.
Cullybackey HPS (9 sent 280) – 1 G Gibson 1521, 2, 5, A Darragh 1490, 1477, 3, 4, M/M Robinson 1477, 1477, 6 J & J Greer 1467.
Crumlin & District (5 sent 111) – 1, 3, R & S Hope 1514, 1479, 2 McConville Bros 1509, 4, 5, 6 Fleming Bros 1457, 1456, 1456.
Rasharkin & District (8 sent 140) – 1, 3, H Cubitt 1510, 1479, 2 W McFetridge 1483, 4, 6, J Millar & Son 1475, 1460, 5 F Barkley 1472.
Ballymena & District ( 4 sent 138) – 1, 2, Blair & Rankin1490, 1482, 3, 3, 5, 6 J Eagleson & Sons 1481, 1478, 1477, 1476.
Kells & District HPS (5 sent 104) – 1, 4, Surgenor Bros 1459, 1424, 2, 3, B Swann & Son 1441, 1425, 5 A Barkley & Son 1416, 6 H Turkington 1413.
Harryville HPS (6 sent 70) – 1, 3, 4, Sam Crawford 1422, 1401, 1398, 2, 5, 6, Rock & Moore 1421, 1391, 1391.
Broughshae & District HPS (3 sent 60) – 1, 2, 3, A Purvis 1391, 1383, 1382, 4, 5, 6 M Neilly 1338, 1329, 1323.
NIPA Section B (72 sent 1794) – S & N Maginty Muckamore 1540, 1539, S J Bones and T Yates Muckamore 1529, Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1521, G Gibson Cullybackey 1521, R & S Hoe Crumlin 1514, S & N Maginty 1513, 1513, D Dixon Ballymoney 1511, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1510, D Dixon 1509, McConville Bros Crumlin 1509, S & N Maginty 1509, S & J Bones and T Yates 1508, Magill & Lavery Muckamore 1505, S & J Bones and T Yates 1501, R & J Parke Windsor Social 1500, S Murphy Muckamore 1496, S & J Bones and T Yates 1495, 1495.
McManus loft (Ahoghill) best from opening race -
The 2024 racing season got under way on Saturday 20th April when the Nipa liberated 13,199 birds at 10.00am in clear blue skies and warm sunshine with little wind turning variable enroute. An excellent race followed with little or no losses. Ace flyer's Paddy and William McManus of Ahoghill recorded the best pigeon in the local area on 1521.20 and topped the Mid Antrim Combine with 1,048 birds competing. Their winning yearling blue hen bred from two Henk Simons pigeons was sitting eggs around 10 days. A very close runner up in the Combine on 1521.03 was Gary Gibson who had the winner in Cullybackey. Gary's winner a two-year-old dark Van Den Brande hen racing celibate was from D.C.P McArdle of Armagh. Next best was Danny Dixon of Dunloy for 3rd and 5th Combine on 1511 and 1509, these two birds took the top two positions in the Ballymoney club. Danny's first bird a two-year-old chequer Lambrecht cock has been in the open prizes in both the INFC Penzance YB National 2022 and INFC Penzance Yearling National 2023 and all being well will be going for the triple crown this season. The sire's a son of Heartbreaker and the dam is down from Superke. Johnston Eagleson & Sons of Ballymena have a cock the same way bred at stock breeding good winners. The Rasharkin winner Harold Cubitt was placed 4th Combine on 1510 with his good double combine winning cheq cock that won the Section B bird of the year and Champion old bird of the year in the Mid Antrim Combine last season. Bertie Blair was best in Ballymena & District and the Town on 1490 and was placed 6th Combine with his good grizzle widowhood cock. This is another cock with a top racing record including 1st, 3rd, 6th, 7th & 9th Mid Antrim Combine and 2nd Section & 20th Open in the Nipa Fermoy Yearling National last season. Sire is a son of Gary Gibson's Sticker Doncker Golden Pair and dam is from clubmate Johnston Eagleson, the breeding being Pitbull from P & D Breeding Stud x Van Den Bulck. Other club winner were Geoff Surgenor in Kells on 1459 with a two year old widowhood cock. Breeding is a David Currell special, Stewart Bros best in Randalstown on 1430, Sam Crawford in Harryville on 1422 and Alistair Purvis with the top three in Broughshane & Dist. with the winner doing 1391. Mervyn Eagleson PO.
Mid Antrim Combine Kilbeggan 45/1048 - Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1521.20, G Gibson Cullybackey 1521.03, D Dixon Rasharkin 1511, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1510, D Dixon Rasharkin 1509, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1490, A Darragh Cullybackey 1490, W McFetridge Rasharkin 1483, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1482, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1481, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1479, D Dixon Rasharkin 1478, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1478, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1477, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1477, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1477, A Darragh Cullybackey 1477, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1476, J Millar & Son Rasharkin 1475, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1472, F Barkley Rasharkin 1472, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1471, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1471, S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1471, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1470, S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1469, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1467, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1465, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1463, A Darragh Cullybackey 1461.
|
Owen Markey from Ballyholland in Newry, |
Paddy (r) and William McManus of Ahoghill
|
HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw>
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
