Mid Antrim shows, results and dates

Ballymena and District HPS week four show was for the Old Pairs and Young Pieds T/W. The judge was Jamie Greer, from Cullybackey, who is again having a good season in the pen.
Darren Swann (l) penned the Best Old Pair at Ballymena, with judge Jamie Greer.Darren Swann (l) penned the Best Old Pair at Ballymena, with judge Jamie Greer.
Darren Swann (l) penned the Best Old Pair at Ballymena, with judge Jamie Greer.

Ballymena member Darren Swann, fresh from his weekend success at Dublin (1st and 2nd Eye-sign), penned the best of the 45 Old Pairs and won the BIS Special. Chris Moore, from Ahoghill, penned the best Young Pied and club chairperson Nicola Gilbert took home the Raffle.

Old Pairs Through Wires (108 Birds): 1st and reserve Darren Swann, 2nd, 4th and Commended T McFall, 3rd Blair and Rankin, VHC McFall and McManus, HC B Herbison. Young Pieds Through Wires – 1st C Moore, 2nd, 4th, Reserve, VHC and HC T McFall, 3rd D Swann, Commended B Herbison. Young member Thomas McFall is piling up the cards.

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The remaining Monday dates are as follows: 27th November Young Pairs and Old Pieds T/W, 4th December Red Mealy and Grizzle YB and Red Mealy and Grizzle OB Through Wires, 11th December YB Eye-sign and OB Eye-sign. To qualify for show specials a minimum of six birds must be penned.

The Young Pied penned at Ballymena by Chris Moore, another Red Card winner.The Young Pied penned at Ballymena by Chris Moore, another Red Card winner.
The Young Pied penned at Ballymena by Chris Moore, another Red Card winner.

If you require more show information contact Willy Gilbert, telephone: 07761 323459.

Ballymena bird found dead in Ballymoney GB17B-11227. Hawk got it.

The open show will be Monday 1st January and that’s the day the draw will be made for the fireside quiz. Quiz sheets are available from any member or contact Mrs N Gilbert, telwphone 07724 507621. The open show is only available for lofts in the NIPA Sect B due to space problems.

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A Squeaker Sale is to take place before racing, more on this later.

W & N Gilbert (l) from Ballymena were the winners in Kells & District, judge Brian Herbison.W & N Gilbert (l) from Ballymena were the winners in Kells & District, judge Brian Herbison.
W & N Gilbert (l) from Ballymena were the winners in Kells & District, judge Brian Herbison.

The details for the annual dinner and awards for Ballymena and District HPS have been confirmed for Saturday 13th January 2018 and are as follows. Adults are £20 and Children £10. To secure your tickets a £10 deposit (non-refundable) per adult is required. No deposit for children needed.

Anyone wishing to book should contact Nicola, telephone: 07724 507621, or pm the Facebook page. MAC fanciers are also invited to attend and pick up their awards, details of which will be published shortly.

Broughshane and District

Old Hens Through Wires - 1st J J Greer, 2nd J J Greer 3rd A Purvis 4th J Simpson, reserve M Neilly VHC J Getty HC C Kennedy, commended J J Greer.

Ahoghill Old Cocks winner Victor Montgomery with the Kells judges Harry Boyd and Jeff Surgenor.Ahoghill Old Cocks winner Victor Montgomery with the Kells judges Harry Boyd and Jeff Surgenor.
Ahoghill Old Cocks winner Victor Montgomery with the Kells judges Harry Boyd and Jeff Surgenor.
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Young Hens Through Wires - 1st J J Greer, 2nd A Purvis, 3rd T M Morrow, 4th D Houston, reserve N S Anderson, VHC J Simpson, HC M Neilly, commended J J Greer.

James and Jamie Greer from Cullybackey won both classes at Broughshane’s second show night. The club would like to thank the judges Joe Reid and Eddie Arthurs who travelled from Ballycarry and placed the winning cards. The raffle was won by Tom Cole. Once gain the club would like to thank Jamie-Lee Christie who supplied lovely buns and cake for the tea, well done all.

Kells and District HPS

Old Hens (91 Birds) – 1st and Reserve W and N Gilbert, 2nd, 3rd and VHC Alan Barkley and Son, 4th and HC Surgenor Bros, Commended George McDowell. Judge Brian Herbison (Cullybackey). Another good entry penned for the Old Hens class, winners from Ballymena and District were W and N Gilbert.

The Young Pied penned at Ballymena by Chris Moore, another Red Card winner.The Young Pied penned at Ballymena by Chris Moore, another Red Card winner.
The Young Pied penned at Ballymena by Chris Moore, another Red Card winner.

Ahoghill Flying Club

Latest classes were Old Cock and Old Hen Through the Wires.

Results Old Cock T/W – 1st and 2nd V Montgomery, 3rd and HC T McFall, 4th, Reserve and Commended A Neill, VHC W Livingstone.

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Old Hen T/W – 1st and 3rd C Moore, 2nd, VHC and HC V Montgomery, 4th Jimmy Orr, Reserve A Neill, Commended T McFall. Raffle won by T and G Balmer.

Victor Montgomery from Ballyclare took 1st and 2nd in the Old Cocks and for the local club Chris Moore had 1st and 3rd in the Old Hens.

Friday show dates: 24th November Young Cock and Young Hen Handled; 1st December Old Cock and Old Hen Handled; 8th December Young Pairs and Fancy; 15th December Old Pairs and Late Breds; 22nd December Eye-sign Old Bird and Young Bird. Penning between 7pm and 8pm and all fanciers welcome. Tea served during judging.

W & N Gilbert (l) from Ballymena were the winners in Kells & District, judge Brian Herbison.W & N Gilbert (l) from Ballymena were the winners in Kells & District, judge Brian Herbison.
W & N Gilbert (l) from Ballymena were the winners in Kells & District, judge Brian Herbison.

Cullybackey HPS

The show last Saturday was for the young birds judged in the hand by Ballymena fancier Bertie Blair and his good friend Drew Surgenor. Iain McNaghten had 1st and 3rd in the Young Hens while J and J Greer had 3 cards in the Young Cocks and collected BIS.

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Young Cocks Handled – 1st and VHC J and J Greer, 2nd, 4th and Reserve A Darragh, 3rd J McNaghten and Son, HC and Commended McAlonan Bros.

Young Hens Handled – 1st and 3rd J McNaghten and Son, 2nd and 4th J and J Greer, Reserve, VHC and HC T McFall, Commended A Darragh.

The remaining Saturday dates are 25th November Old Cock Handled and Late Breds, 2nd December Old Hen Handled and Fancy T/W, 9th December Old Bird and Young Bird Eye-sign. Open show three in one to be held in the local clubrooms on Saturday 16th December.

Obituary

We had the sad news last Monday evening at the weekly show that the former chairman of the Ballymena and Dist HPS Robert Graham had passed away at his home in Greenmount Terrace surrounded by his loving family.

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Robert had been ill for a period of time and had not raced for several years. He was able to congratulate son Martin after his recent success from France with the only bird in the NIPA Sect B from St Malo with just 16 birds home.

When he lived in Harryville at Brooke Park which in those days was a hot bed of the sport, he had enough lofts to have formed a club in their own right, R Graham and Son, that would be Robert’s late father, were founder members in Harryville. Martin Graham is a third generation racing loft, previously in Harryville he now has top success at his beloved distance and Irish National events through Ballymena and District HPS.

I would think much more is still to come. What a fitting tribute on the day of Martin’s twin sisters anniversary (sadly passed away due to cancer) that he would win 1st Sect B and 7th Open NIPA St Malo Old Bird National and name his latest top performing, two year old Blue Cheq hen champion Brenda-Ann, in memory of his dear sister. Burial for Robert was at Calvary Cemetery in Carnlough, donations in lieu of flowers if desired to either – Cancer Focus NI, Marie Curie or NI Hospice c/o Michael McSparron, Funeral Director, 40 Harbour Road, Carnlough, BT44 0EU.

Sincere sympathy to the entire Graham family circle, at this very sad time.

Obituary

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It is my sad duty to inform local fanciers of the death of Tony Morrison, a Maiden City member. Our thoughts are with his wife and family especially his sons, Andrew and David, with whom he flew in partnership.

Tony flew into a tough location in Buncrana, Co Donegal, but despite this was always competitive, winning on a regular basis despite his poor location. This year he had his young bird team going well, winning the last two races he entered before his illness took hold. Pat McLaughlin, secretary.

Lurgan Social prize

distribution

The Douglas lofts lead the way followed closely by the Geddis avenue Partnership of D and B Lyness. Other winners include the Wrights of Magherlin, Sean Curran of Aghagallon, J P Nelson, the McNeices of the Shore Road, chairman Kevin Henderson, Ron Higginson, Greg Johnston, long standing secretary Seamus Anderson and the Furphy Bros, who have decided to retire from the sport.

Lurgan Social latest show results - 1st M Rice, 2nd M Rice, 3rd K Wright, 4th E Wright, Res A McConville, Vhc K Henderson, Hc M Rice’, C K Douglas. Best young bird K Henderson. Best colour A McConvllle.

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Many thanks to the judges Sammy Ogle and partner. Next week’s classes any age cock or hen plus specials for Best YB and Best Coloured.

Portadown and

Drumcree

Show 2 results: 1st B Creaney, 2nd Larkin Bros, 3rd Sloan and Reid, 4th M Livingstone, VHC J Whitten and Son, HC Sloan and Reid, C Hagan and Rowney. Special best black cheque Hagan and Rowney.

A special thanks to judges J Greenaway, P Boyd and W Capper for their generous special. Next week show is for young bird JTW with special for best grizzle. Members to run show – P and A Larkin and P Matchett.

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