Gary makes French connection in Mid-Antrim

LIBERATION in Plaudren (France) has been confirmed as 7.30am on Saturday 3rd July in a Lt North wind to be SW around Penzance and strengthen on the route home.

Birds were released in sunshine and blue skies. 741 members sent 2,512 birds competing for 35,775 in pools and prizes. The INFC Blue Riband Kings Cup race was delayed on Friday due to a band of very heavy rain in France. A bird reported into Bray in Co Wicklow at 16.49pm set the pace and this one proved to be a winner for Reilly & Martin on 1263, runner-up Ron Williamson of Bondhill was doing velocity 1238.

Around 120 arrivals were confirmed on the day and over 400 by Sunday afternoon, a very good success. Lofts in the Top 10 should contact Homer with details, and others winning Trophies or Diplomas etc. This will all help for the official race report, we do need all the help we can get.

Muckamore Centre – G McKenna Eastway 1144, G McAllister & Sons Randalstown 1134, R Gray Kingsmoss 1130, B McGauley Fortfield 1120, W Reid Cullybackey 1116, R McIlroy & Son Carrick & Dist 1116, H Boyd Kells & Dist 1107, Smyth Bros Ballymena & Dist 1099, R Corley Coalisland 1077, Speirs & Campbell Cookstown 1073, J Burrows Eastway 1069, J Braniff Fortfield 1060, McKee & Steele Larne & Dist 1009, G & C Lowry Glengormley 1004, A & N Lewis Doagh & Dist 989, R Duddy Ballyclare 889, A Darragh Cullybackey 869, W McClure Kells & Dist 852, A Darragh 849, A McDonnell Coleraine Prem 845, Grattan Bros Eastway 845, W McClure 840, D Dixon Rasharkin 828, J Harkness Glenavy 828, J Devlin Ballymena & Dist 827, A Thompson Ballyclare 825, W McCaw Ballymoney 823, T Picken & Son New Antrim 820, A & E Bell Muckamore 819, A & E Bell 819, T H Gibson Ballyclare 817, J & S Graham Kingsmoss 815, J & N Simpson Broughshane 813, W McCaw 812, R Duddy 808, C & L Woodside Ballyclare 807, E & D McClurkin Ligoniel 794, M/M Magill Muckamore 792, J Anderson Cullybackey 791, W Reid Cullybackey 771, R Telford & Son West Belfast 764, R Duddy 763, R J Elliott Ballymoney 759, J Braniff 752, G K Porter Glenavy 751, M/M D Suitters Doagh & Dist 749, D Jackson New Antrim 743, D Jackson 742, D Dixon 742, E Logan Ballyclare 741. Details subject to correction.

A fantastic result for Gary McAllister & Sons from Randalstown who were runner-up in the Muckamore Centre having timed at 20.33hrs flying 505 miles to record velocity 1134. He records 1st Club and 1st Mid Antrim Combine. The France Ace flyer Willard Reid fresh from success at St Malo was best again in Cullybackey recording velocity 1116 timed at 21.01hrs flying 514 miles followed by Harry Boyd 1st Kells & Dist and Smyth Bros 1st Ballymena & District. Just 4 Mid Antrim birds on the day.

Mid Antrim Combine Plaudren – G McAllister & Sons Randalstown 1134, W Reid Cullybackey 1116, H Boyd Kells 1107, Smyth Bros Ballymena 1099, A Darragh Cullybackey 869, W McClure Kells 852, A Darragh 849, W McClure 840, D Dixon Rasharkin 828, J Devlin Ballymena 827, T Picken & Son New Antrim 820, J & N Simpson Broughshane 813, J Anderson Cullybackey 791, W Reid 771, D Jackson & Son New Antrim 743, D Jackson & Son 742, D Dixon 742, J McNeill & Son Randalstown 732, D Jackson & Son 707, S Steele Cullybackey 704, J & N Simpson 692, J Millar Randalstown 678, W Reid 668, C Young Ahoghill 619.

Mid Antrim Clubs Plaudren Kings Cup

Randalstown HPS – G McAllister & Sons 1134, J McNeill & Son 732, J Millar 678.

Cullybackey HPS – W Reid 1116, A Darragh 869, 849, J Anderson 791, W Reid 771, S Steele 704, W Reid 668.

Kells & District HPS – H Boyd 1107, W McClure 852, 840.

Ballymena & District HPS – Smyth Bros 1099, J Devlin 827.

New Antrim Amalgamated – T Picken & Son 820, D Jackson & Son 743, 742, 707.

Broughshane & District – J & N Simpson 813, 692.

Ahoghill Flying Club – C Young 619.

Many thanks to all who send birds last week, it was something new as far as I was concerned.

This week training is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Birds can be left with Danny Dixon (Dunloy) for collection at 8.30am then Ballymoney HPS Clubrooms at 9.00am, calling on way back at Rasharkin (Main St), Cullybackey HPS, Galgorm/Gracehill (Royal Court) and Ahoghill Flying Club approx 10.00am. Further calls will be made in Randalstown and Antrim by arrangement. Tel: 07538 238364.

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