All to play for in Champions League for fanciers

The Champions League competition is now a big feature of the Mid Antrim racing season, four lofts from each member club are nominated.
Champions League winners last two seasons, Alan Darragh (l) and Harry McCloy.Champions League winners last two seasons, Alan Darragh (l) and Harry McCloy.
Champions League winners last two seasons, Alan Darragh (l) and Harry McCloy.

The league operates on a points system in the inland races starting at the second race Roscrea and going through to Rosscarbery Nat.

After that we move into the knock-out competition during the cross channel programme starting at Talbenny with the final flown from Penzance.

The Top 4 in each Section qualify for the knock-out stage, 16 lofts feature in 8 matches followed by Quarter Final, Semi Final and the final from Penzance.

Results after the most recent round (Rosscarbery) are: Sect (1) Young McManus & Sons 66 Points, M/M Sempey 49 Points, Scott & Clements 47 Points, R H Clements 22 Points, A C & T Tweed 21 Points, Purvis & Connolly 13 Points, plus H & R McCloy and Houston Bros. Sect (2) D Dixon 75 Points, D Craig 50 Points, J Millar & Son 18 Points, G McDowell 14 Points, A & N Young 6 Points, D Houston & Son 3 Points plus S Steele and Percy Son & Murphy. Sect (3) A Darragh 30 Points, H Cubitt 23 Points, J Rock 22 Points, F J & G Dickey 16 Points, M/M Robinson 15 Points, B Swann & Son 8 Points plus G & A Eagleson and T & E Service. Sect (4) J & N Simpson 71 Points, Steele & McNeill 50 Points, A McBride 47 Points, Surgenor Bros 36 Points, W & J Smyth 20 Points, Reid Bros & McCloy 13 Points, J Smyth & Son 7 Points plus Stewart Bros.

The Knock-out was already set up and matches for Talbenny are as follows: Young McManus & Sons v Jimmy Rock, Steele & McNeill v George McDowell, Danny Dixon v Allen McBride, Mr & Mrs Sempey v F J & G Dickey, Alan Darragh v Scott & Clements, Denis Craig v Surgenor Bros, J & N Simpson v J Millar & Son, Harold Cubitt v R H Clements.

Cullybackey HPS became the first club to retain the title last year when Alan Darragh was the winner, the year before that the winners were Reid Bros & McCloy.

Despite missing two races Alan Darragh has made it through to the knock-out, will he retain the title for Cullybackey?

Related topics: