JOURNEY’S END – WITH JORDAN HUGHES

LARNE & DISTRICT PRESENTATION NIGHT

What an excellent night was had by all for Larne & District HPS prize giving and Christmas do. Joined by the newly formed E.A.A. for their prize giving and Christmas dinner. Joined by family and friends filling the room close to 100 people for the excellent food from MC MASTERS and the great group these 2 ladies were excellent.

Would like to thank Larne and District for this great evening, the work from members to have the room ready, the bar staff, club chairman Joe and his wife for finishing touch. Thanks to all donations for raffle prizes especially Hodges butchers and Hagan's fruit shop. 

Congratulations to all the prize winners this year in the Larne and district club. It was an excellent year of racing. Great crack on hamper nights hard work throughout.

With thank to all members for continued hard work and for racing although all help where they can I believe the work of Michael Donnelly, Alistair Stuart Mcnaghten, and especially Paul Harvey with every week's results and his end of year his sorting out all prize winners to each cup etc. 

Club would also like to thank Danny or local mla and maeve Donnelly a local councillor.

With Danny helps through I believe previous years through COVID etc to keep club in right direction and grants etc to keep the club Alive I believe. Was great to have him and his wife present and Danny to present trophies to deserved winners. 

As you will see in the pics the great night, the list of winners.

Great looking fresh bar as you see in pictures thank to Rab Mills and little help from myself.

We also congratulate the winners in the E.A.A 

With 3 brand new trophies donated by members many thanks to them. And I believe Jonny Baxter will have a good write up for E.A.A. So, I'm keeping it short. 

Club would also remember the sad loss of Ady Beggs early in the year. A great member great flier and good friend to all in the club. And well known over the country. 

Also due to health reason 2 members having to finish up in the sport willy McWhirter and Rab Mills. But both will stay on board as club member. 

On that note if any person out there is a boy or girl or adult looking for a hobby/ past. And pigeon racing might be something you'd like to find out about don't be scared to contact any member of Larne and district hps or any club I'm sure members will be only to happy to chat, advice, loft visits etc or come visit the club during the racing season .

Thanks to everyone who attend last night. Hope you all enjoyed the night. And look forward to the new season. Also contact Larne and district hps if you're looking to book a party or event with fresh looking bar.

Jamie McGarel

Larne & District PO

Results & Trophy Winners 2024

Old Birds

Kilbeggan – Crawford & Robinson – Ferguson Mem. Cup

1^st Roscrea – Crawford & Robinson – Arklow Cup

2^nd Roscrea – Rea & Magill – Rainey Mem. Cup

1^st Fermoy – Rea & Magill – Joe Goodall Mem. Cup

2^nd Fermoy – K&S Doherty – Girvin Mem. Cup

Skibbereen – C. Campbell – Minnis Armstrong Mem. Cup

1^st Dale – R&M Robinson – McCluggage Cup

2^nd Dale – Crawford & Robinson – Magill Trophy

Bude – R. Mills & Son – D. Donnelly Mem. Cup

4^th Fermoy – Rea & Magill – Whiteside Trophy

Fermoy 5 Bird – G K & I Moxham - Avg Trophy

Penzance – A S McNaghten – Penzance Cup – Fisherman’s Shield

Plougastel – M. Witherspoon – O.B Derby Cup, Isa Robinson Trophy  

Best Average Bude & Penzance – Owen Donnelly Mem. Cup – R. Mills & Son

Best Single Bird Average 2^nd Dale & Bude – Snoddy Shield & Claim for RPRA Meritorious Award – Rea & Magill

Best Average 2 Dale Races & Bude – Ferguson Mem. Cup – R. Mills & Son

Best Average 2^nd Dale & Plougastel – Baxter Mem. Cup- M. Witherspoon

Best Average Dale, Bude & Penzance – R. Anderson Mem. Cup – R. Mills & Son

Best Average all Old Bird Channel Races in NIPA – Channel Average Cup – M. Witherspoon

Best Average all Old Bird Races – Old Bird Average Cup – M. Witherspoon

Best Average Old Bird Inland Races – Royal Tara School of Dancing – Crawford & Robinson

Champion Old Bird – Channel Best Single Bird Points Total – Civic Week Cup – R. Mills & Son

INFC Races

Old Bird Inland National Skibbereen – Nancy Donnelly Cup – G K & I Moxham

Yearling National Sennon Cove – Bobby Rainey Cup – G K & I Moxham

Young Bird Channel National Penzance – Bamber Shield – G K & I Moxham

Young Bird Iland National Skibbereen – McCammon Trophy – G K & I Moxham

Youngbirds

1^st Kilbeggan – A S McNaghten – J. Lennon Sen. Mem. Cup

2^nd Kilbeggan – K&S Doherty – McLaughlin Cup

1^st Roscrea – A S McNaghten – Presidents Cup

2^nd Roscrea – Crawford & Robinson – Dempsey Cup

Cloughmartin – A S McNaghten – Town Hall Cup

1^st Fermoy – Rea & Magill – Gibson Shield

Dale – Crawford & Robinson – Young Bird Derby Cup

Best 2 Bird Avg – J. Lennon Jun. Mem. Cup – Rea & Magill

3^rd Roscrea – Crawford & Robinson – McCluggage Young Bird Cup

Fermoy 5 Bird – Young Bird 5 Bird Trophy – A S McNaghten

Dunmanway – Highways Trophy – T. Rodgers + McLaughlin Mem. Cup

Best Average all Young Bird Races – Young Bird Average Cup – A S McNaghten

Best Average Young Bird Derby Races – B. McWilliams Mem. Cup – Crawford & Robinson

Champion Young Bird Best Single Points Total – Robert Mills Mem. Cup – A S McNaghten

Old Bird & Young Bird Averages

Best Average all OB & YB Programme – Combined Average Cup – M. Witherspoon

Best Average all Inland Races on Programme – Combined Inland Average Cup – A S McNaghten

Best Points all OB & YB Races on Programme – Holden Mem. Cup – Crawford & Robinson

Champion Old Bird Inland Best Single Bird Points Total – John Lee Memorial Cup – Crawford & Robinson

Best Average all Derby Races on programme – John Morris Mem Cup – M. Witherspoon

Best Average Old & Young Bird Derby Races from Rosscarbery – Longmore Cup – G K &I Moxham

Best Average Plougastel & Dale Young bird Nationals – Charlei Magill Mem. Cup – M. Witherspoon 

Larne & District & East Antrim Amalgamation Presentation Night 

 

East Antrim Amal Season Round-up

After a very successful first season, I just thought I would put a small report together detailing the racing year that was. Throughout the year 82 members sent 22,639 birds, competing for £1200 pools & Golden ring money, there were 17 different winners also!

It has to be said that our first season surpassed all expectations with the members excelling from the very first race, returning open winners, section winners & indeed some really top-notch national performances!

The communication from all the clubs & reps has been first class with pool sheets etc all being sent in on time and making the Amal streamlined to run, ideas have been floated along the year and there has been a general atmosphere of good craic & a genuine interest from the wider fancy for the result on a sat night to see who topped the sheet! I have had many comments from different people, but the one that came up most was “it’s great to see the east Antrim up and running again”. 

This brings me to my next point of the organ grinders who got it there, firstly our chairman Alistair Stuart Mcnaghten, he covered most of the groundwork for the start up doing a lot of behind the scenes work that most are not aware of even right up until the pre-dinner where he drove on his own time to Kilrea to collect the race diplomas, as I said all these jobs still need doing and Alister has been at the forefront in meetings and communication from the outset! 

Mark McCormick our secretary has been simply dedicated to the role and has carried the bulk of the workload, results, velocities, pools, golden ring, communications to the clubs, etc. I spoke to mark at the very start and he told me “if I’m going to do the secretary work I want to do it right” he certainly did, even taking the note pad with him on holidays and doing the velocity & result while he was away shows the effort mark has put in for us! 

Myself, all I can say is the two boys mentioned above made my job easy, I enjoyed the different phone calls I had with folk telling them they had won the Amal and the details they shared with me! 

I hope you enjoyed reading my reports as much as I enjoyed writing them! 

Thanks to the NIPA for their hard work and updates through the season, these early updates make all the difference to us all! 

To Jordan Hughes, for all the publicity he has given the EAA in their own piece in the homing world every week! Thank you. 

Thank you to the folks who very kindly sponsored the EAA trophies, James Hastings, Robert Mills & Tony Rodgers. 

A mention to Hugh Bigger & Gary McKenna who both put up young birds for the bonus ball. 

The EAA prize distribution was held along side the Larne & District HPS Awards dinner. 

It has to be said with a full house it was a great evening for all, but thanks must go to the Larne members & Joe McGlaughlin for organising a splendid night from start to finish! 

I just want to say to the 82 members who put the trust in us at the start thank you, I think we can all agree it was well worth it, now that it is firmly established I hope to pick up a few more members for the forthcoming season! 

A mention to our trophy winners, Hugh Bigger on what can only be described as his best individual season yet! Hugh took home the Old bird champion cup & the old bird & young bird combined trophy. Simply brilliant wining the open & sections and also finishing highest prize winner in a strong Carrick club! 

He was also awarded the Presidents cup at the NIPA dinner, a great advertisement for the EAA from a great fancier, WELL DONE!

Gary McKenna, taking home the Young Bird trophy, and back to his very best along with the help of his grandson, I had a couple of really good calls with Gary, and it’s the old saying there’s no substitute for experience and if you look over the years Gary’s racing record is up there with the very best of them. Winning 2 Amal young bird races, a notable result was the 2nd Kilbeggan where Gary took the top 4, a smashing card, followed by another win in the 2nd Roscrea! 

WELL DONE Team McKenna! 

Folks all that leaves me to do is wish you all & your families a happy new “pigeon” year! 

Jonny Baxter

EAA PO

Results

Kilbeggan – D&J Armstrong

1^st Roscrea – Crawford & Robinson

2^nd Roscrea – Mr & Mrs Reid & Bigger

1^st Fermoy – Mr & Mrs Reid & Bigger

2^nd Fermoy – Horner Bros & Son

Skibbereen – D&J Campbell

1^st Dale – Mr & Mrs G. Robinson

2^nd Dale – G&R Lawrie

Bude – K&D Hagan

Penzance – J&R Blair

Plougastel – Mr & Mrs Reid & Bigger

Youngbirds

1^st Kilbeggan – A S McNaghten

2^nd Kilbeggan – G. McKenna

1^st Roscrea – C. McVeigh Son & Dtr

2^nd Roscrea – G. McKenna

Cloughmartin – J. Burrows

1^st Fermoy – Higginson & Fasciola

Dale – A&T Agnew

3^rd Roscrea – A&N Lewis

Dunmanway – T. Rodgers

2024 Cup Winners

Combined Champion – Mr & Mrs Reid & Bigger

Old Bird Champion – Mr & Mrs Reid & Bigger

Young Bird Champion – G. McKenna

INFC Skibbereen National Corn Winners

Devine & Hilmi, Skerries are the overall winners. Hopkins & Son Winner of the Irish South Road Fed. John Trimble and Grandson Winner f the North Section and First East Down Combine member. Byrne & Bradley First South Leinster Fed Winner.

Congratulations to all the winners. Many thanks to Bamford’s Top Flight for kindly sponsoring products for the winners 'World of specialist feeds'

Make sure to call into Richard at Home Farm Bird Supplies for the full range of Products for the upcoming 2025 Season.

Yours in Sport,

Jordan Hughes 

N.I.P.A. Press Officer

JORDAN HUGHES

‘JOURNEYS END’

 N.I.P.A PRESS OFFICER

Mobile:  07713808554

Email:  jordanhughespro.gmail.com

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Results & Info Links

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