Darragh triumphs as birds endure difficult journey from St Malo event

Just four gallant birds made it into Mid Antrim on the day of liberation Friday 24th June at 6.15am.

Alan timed at 8.07pm on the day to win 1st Section B & 11th Open NIPA, and a second bird at 11.00pm. Alan timed four birds all told in the first 2 days of the race.

His winning bird was sent driving his hen and previously had flown Talbenny and then timed from Bude. He was a late bred from two St Malo birds, his nest-mate won Penzance last season.

He would be a grandson of the lofts Yearling Nat winner on one side and the Hall of Fame winning bird on the other.

Willie Livingstone from Ahoghill will be well placed having timed at 9.03pm and will be runner-up in MAC behind J & M Milliken of Rasharkin who have had a Golden Season of top success, their best ever.

NIPA Section B 65/217 – A Darragh Cullybackey 1003, J & M Milliken Rasharkin & Dist 965, W Livingstone Ahoghill 945, A Darragh 828, W & L McCaw Ballymoney 756, D Dixon Ballymoney 750, W & J Smyth Ballymena 683, W Livingstone 645, D Dixon 644, A Darragh 569, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 516, T Shanks & Son Kells 512, A Darragh 430.

Cullybackey Centre St Malo – A Darragh Cullybackey 1003, J & M Milliken Rasharkin 965. W Livingstone Ahoghill 945, A Darragh 828, W & J Smyth Ballymena 683, W Livingstone 645, A Darragh 569, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 516, T Shanks & Son Kells 512, A Darragh 430.

MAC St Malo – J & M Milliken Rasharkin 965. W Livingstone Ahoghill 945, D Dixon Rasharkin 750, W & J Smyth Ballymena 683, W Livingstone 645, D Dixon 644, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 516.

Borough of Ballymena St Malo - A Darragh Cullybackey 1003, W Livingstone Ahoghill 945, A Darragh 828, D Dixon Rasharkin 750, W & J Smyth Ballymena 683, W Livingstone 645, D Dixon 644, A Darragh 569, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 516, T Shanks & Son Kells 512, A Darragh 430.

Members are reminded Race Sheets, Vaccination Sheets, ETS print outs etc. are required to be lodged with Club Secretaries two weeks prior to the Young Bird racing, the opening race is due to be flown on Saturday 16th July.

Homer and Robert Alexander will both start the young bird training weather permitting on Monday 11th July, then Wednesday and Thursday. Tel Robert: 07873 816832. Tel Homer: 07538 238364.

The Blue Riband Kings Cup Grand Nat is due to be flown this week, race marking and the liberation has been delayed due to weather conditions. As I write Monday morning the pigeons have been held over due to fog on the English Channel and in the south west of England.

The recent race from Sennen Cove saw 10 members send 40 birds won by McAlonan Bros of Glarryford timing at 3.59pm with a velocity of 1047 flying 338 miles with a 2015 Red cock. The partners were best in the Cullybackey Centre and had a great finish of 1st MAC, 1st Sect B & 17th Open NIPA 402/2586.MAC Sennen Cove OB Classic – McAlonan Bros Ballymena & Dist 1047, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1037, D Dixon Rasharkin & Dist 1024, W & J Smyth Ballymena & Dist 1007, T Kaczynski Rasharkin & Dist 948, D Dixon 924, Percy Son & Murphy Randalstown 920, H Boyd Randalstown 917, M Graham Ballymena & Dist 879, D Dixon 853, B Ramsey Ballymena & Dist 845, W & W Gilbert Randalstown 836, T R Alexander & Son Ballymena & Dist 823, K Wilkinson & Son 820.