Mawhinney takes seven wins as Northern lofts dominate event

Rouke and Christy winners BIS & BOS at Dublin Show with Show Secretary Mick O'Driscoll.inbm47-14s

Arriving in the afternoon before the prize presentation, they soon met up with President Eugene Fitzgerald and Show Secretary Mick O’Driscoll.

The place was busy a top sale upstairs always a major attraction and all trade stands many with birds reporting good business. Following the presentation of the show awards we have in the main area the charity sale, auctioneer as usual Kevin Doyle. Charity Cheques presented at the show included 2,000 Euro to St Michael’s House, 1,000 Euro to Laura Lin and 1,000 Euro to Peita House. Very well done to all concerned, pigeon fanciers are always to the fore where charity is concerned across the Island of Ireland.

Lofts from up North again dominated the show classes, 7 x 1sts for T & K Mawhinney (Donaghcloney), 4 x 1sts for Rouke & Christie (Ballymoney), 2 x 1sts for W & N Gilbert (Ballymena) and 1 x 1st for J Douglas & Son (Lurgan). The Mawhinney loft took the cup for Most Points but missed the other two big ones with Best in Show and Best Opposite Sex going to Rouke & Christy, their first time to lift these awards.

North Coast Classic stand at Dublin, from (l) Paul O'Connor, Dave Ward, Dominic Diamond and Terence McCrudden. inbm47-14s

Winners were: Class 1 Old Cock Flown Channel – D Emerson, Class 2 Old Hen Flown Channel – T & K Mawhinney, Class 3 Old Cock Flown – W & N Gilbert, Class 4 Old Hen Flown – T & K Mawhinney, Class 5 Young Cock Flown – T & K Mawhinney, Class 6 Young Hens Flown – T & K Mawhinney, Class 7 AA Hen/Cock Eye-sign – C Maples, Class 8 Old Cock T/W – T & K Mawhinney, Class 9 Old Hen T/W – P McArdle, Class 10 Young Hen T/W – W & N Gilbert, Class 11 Young Cock T/W – T & K Mawhinney, Class 12 Matched Pairs – J Douglas & Son, Class 13 Colour Class – T & K Mawhinney, Class 14 Show Racer Young Hen – Rouke & Christie, Class 15 Show Racer Young Cock – Rouke & Christie, Class 16 Late Bred Hen or Cock – P McArdle, Class 17 Show Racer OC Unflown – Rouke & Christie, Class 18 Show Racer OH Unflown – Rouke & Christie. The judges were – Lee Fribbins, Tom Boland, Gerry Marley, Terry Craggs, Jack Cockcroft, Sonny Galaway, Harry Moore, Jim Fitzpatrick, Alan Spedding, Keith & Matt Arkness, and Mark Johnston. Gifts were presented to fanciers who have assisted at the show over the last number of years.

Ballymoney HPS – The local club make a start to the show season on Friday 28th November with classes for Young Cock & Young Hen Through Wires plus Old Bird Eye-sign. Shows will take place in their own clubrooms at Ballybracks Road, penning from 7.30pm until 8.30pm.

INFC Charity Show – Will take place one week earlier this year, on Saturday 6th December in Lisburn Leisure Centre. Usual stands have booked their space, fancy pigeons and show classes will again be on view. Wesley Sawyers has taken over the role of the Charity Sale auctioneer from Ronnie Johnston who had been involved from the first show. Ballot tickets are with the local clubs, they need returned to Helen Marshall before the show date or at the show itself. Sam Briggs is now the Show Manager and would appreciate any help. If you need any info on the show contact Sam Briggs Tel: (028) 92 676400 or anything to do with Charity Sale contact Wesley Sawyers Tel: 07831 560399. More details to follow nearer the time.

Larne & District HPS – The Annual Monster Show will take place in the local clubrooms on Old Glenarm Road on Saturday 29th November.