Ulster Federation prizewinners

It is always a great night’s craic and banter and yours truly will be attendance to take a few pics and report on the night’s events.

Highlight of the evening is the presentation of the highly coveted “Millar Gold Cup”, presented to the top IHU member in all organisations from the St Malo O/B Derby. This year’s winners were the East Coast Fed & Malahide & Dist partnership of Gerry O’Reilly & Sons.

The following is a full list of the season’s award winners, who will receive their awards on the 4th.

Congratulations to all the major award winners.

Ulster Federation Award & Cup Winners 2015

Miller Gold Cup Winner: G O’Reilly & Sons - Malahide & Dist

U/F St.Malo OB Derby Winner: H Jennings & Son - Lagan Valley RPC

U/F O/B Fancier Of The Year: A&AFerran - 129pts - Grosvenor

U/F Y/B Fancier Of The Year: J & D Braniff - 109pts - Wheatfield

Best Aver all Derbies: H Jennings & Son - Lagan Valley RPC

2 Bird Aver St. Malo: J & D Braniff - Wheatfield

Skibb/St.Malo: J & D Braniff - Wheatfield

Hughes Cup: H Jennings & Son - Lagan Valley RPC

St Malo - 1st East: D Jackson

Skibb.Pen/St Malo: J & D Braniff - Wheatfield

2 Bird Average Penzance: McAuley/Kells & Bowles - Shankill

Skibb Y/B Derby Winner: McGann Bros - Brittannia

Skibb Y/B Derby Runner Up: D McShane & Son - Lagan Valley RPC

Talbenny Y.B Derby: J & L Smyth - Grosvenor

Talbenny Y.B Derby Runner Up: A & A Ferran - Grosvenor

Penzance Championship Winner: McAuley/Kells & Bowles - Shankill

Skibb O/B Championship Winner: SP Haughey & McDowell - Brittannia

Skibb Fed Winner: SP Haughey & McDowell - Brittannia

Fermoy 5 Bird Winner: B Taylor - Ballymacarrett

Penzance Fed Winner: McAuley/Kells & Bowles - Shankill

1st Talbenny Fed Winner: A & A Ferran - Grosvenor

2nd Talbenny Fed Winner: J Jackson - Glen Invitation

Bude Fed Winner: A & A Ferran - Grosvenor

Merit Award: W Savage - West Belfast

Merit Award: T Kearney - Fortfield

French Award Winner: J Ward & Son - Grosvenor

NIPA AGM

The NIPA AGM was held at the weekend. Mr Robert Reid, Carrick & Dist, was duly elected as the new President of the NIPA, to begin a new two year term of office, from outgoing president Mr Alan Darragh, Cullybackey.

Only two Resolutions had been listed on the agenda for NIPA, and both carried in the vote. Resolution 1 Submitted by NIPA Committee. Delete NIPA General Rule 38 in its entirety and replace with a new Rule 38. Any fancier who has his/her suspension lifted by any recognised racing pigeon organisation or union and wishes to apply to a member club of the NIPA for membership. The NIPA Club must make representation to the NIPA for permission to accept him/her as a member. For 64, against 8. Resolution 2 Submitted by Ards HPS and Newry & District HPS. Delete NIPA General Rule 78 in its entirety and replace with a new General Rule 78. The entry for Penzance/Sennen Cove Classic race be limited to 20 birds per member and this race be flown in conjunction with the NIPA Penzance/Sennen Cove race ie. this race reverts to be a Duplicate Race. For 49, against 25.

Voting for the Race Programmes were as follows. For Old Birds No 1 had 368 votes and No 2 had 548 votes. For Young Birds No 1 had 552 votes and No 2 had 361 votes.

The following carried in the vote.

From Portadown & Drumcree HPS and supported by majority of Sect E Clubs – 9th April Tullamore, 16th April Tullamore, 23rd April Roscrea, 30th April Fermoy, 7th May Corrin, 14th May Rosscarbery Inl Nat, 21st May Talbenny, 21st May Rosscarbery Yearling Cock & Hen Nat, 28th May Talbenny, 28th May Fermoy 5 Bird, 4th June Bude, 4th June Roscrea, 11th June Penzance, 18th June Sennen Cove Classic, 24th June St Malo Nat (France).

From Dromore and Ards HPS, also Existing 2015 Programme – 16th July Area Lib decided by each Sect, 23rd July Area Lib decided by each Sect, 30th July Tullamore (Mass Lib), 6th August Roscrea, 13th August Kilkenny/Gowran Park (New Site), 20th August Fermoy, 27th August Talbenny Nat, 27th August Roscrea Comeback, 3rd September Fermoy, 3rd September Fermoy 5 Bird Championship, 10th September Rosscarbery Nat.

N.I. SPRING FAYRE 2016

The Spring Fayre is being held on Saturday, 19th March 2016 with the event opening at 9am and closing 4.30pm (approximately). Last season’s event was a tremendous success for all who had youngsters to sell, with most sold out. At this event fanciers can purchase their last minute requirements prior to the racing season and avail themselves of youngsters for sale from various stalls. The venue for the event is the Six Mile Leisure Centre in Ballyclare.

The response to this event has been great with a number of stalls booked to date. This is a great event to generate funds for your club or for yourself to help fund your season’s expenses by booking a stall to sell a few youngsters. Many stalls already confirmed. Interested in a stall? If so give us a call as soon as possible on 07737275820.

OBITUARY: Joe Kelly, Londonderry RPS

It is with deep regret and sincere sadness that I inform the fancy of the recent sad passing of Mr Joe Kelly, Londonderry RPS.

Joe was a former President of the NIPA and held the title of life president of the NIPA. Joe loved the sport and his enthusiasm for the “Eyesign” theory, was awesome, and something I will always remember him for.

Sincere condolences to the Kelly family circle at this sad time.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Gilford & District R.P.S. Young Bird Sale. Birds Donated by top fanciers. Date: Thursday 10th March 2016. Venue: Banbridge British Legion at 8 pm (Penning from 6.30pm). Proceeds for the Gilford & District Roof Fund

Banbridge Breeder Buyer Young Bird Charity Sale

Date: Thursday 7th April 2016. Venue: Banbridge Royal British Hall at 8 pm in aid of Newry Hospice. Total proceeds divided as 50% to Hospice, 50% to race which will be flown from Penzance Young Bird National 2016. All fanciers are invited to donate a young bird to this sale. Please note all young birds must be in pens on the night of the sale. For further information please call 07771813198 or 07813265311.

HARMONY HPS GOLD RING RACE

Harmony HPS Gold Ring Race open to all INFC North Section. Race will be INFC Young Bird National. Gold rings are available now. Interested? If so contact John on 07710644880 or Viv on 07802662580 - or Robert & June Kirkwood Corn Supplies. Rings are £10 each. Last year organisers paid out £1,500. This year they hope to pay out more.

Remember if you’re not in you can’t win!

MARKETHILL HPS GOLD RING RACE 2016

The Markethill Gold Ring Race will take place from Talbenny in South Wales. Hampering through your own local centre and to be liberated with the NIPA. £10 per ring, available now from any member of Markethill HPS and also your local corn store. On completion of the race, velocities to be with A. Humphries within four days signed by your Club Secretary. This event last year paid out over £1,000 and organisers hope to surpass this. Phone 07716 585335 for any other information.

EASTWAY HPS GOLD RING RACE 2016

Open to all NIPA Sect C members. Gold rings £10 each. Organisers hope to pay £1000 - depending on rings sold. The race will take place from the inland race point the week before the Talbenny YB Nat (depending on NIPA race programme selected). Rings are available from: Davy Campbell 07403410925; Trevor Griffith 07845990968 or Jimmy Burrows 07769921983.