LEINSTER NORTH ROAD FEDERATION NOTES

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1 LEINSTER NORTH ROAD FEDERATION NOTES Early Season Update By Francis Corcoran April 2015 I had just started to get a few short training spins into the cocks while the weather was fine and thought at this rate there should be no problem having them ready for the first race, however with the change in the weather that has taken place over the last few days it has put training on hold immediately, I consider myself lucky, as I can get away while the weather is fine on any given day, but I do know that some had to wait until the weekend to get them started, and it turned out a right miserable day, so bad in fact that those that chanced a short chuck got a bit of a roasting on the day, there were other factors involved, but the less said about them the better, as the more we go on about them the more paranoid we all become. Hopefully the weather will pick up again soon and we can get back on the road with the birds. Had a nice complimentary telephone call from Eleanor of the BHW to let me know that they had received my copy for the forthcoming week and seeking the right pronunciation of some of the place names that I had written about, funny, but I had not given it much thought before and just write them down, automatically thinking that those that read the fancy papers would understand the names, it is a great privilege for me to be able and allowed to promote our area of the world and the fanciers that race in it, also to let people know a little more about the area we come from and live in. Thanks again Eleanor for the kind words. Looking Upstream from Tankardstown Bridge Whilst our for a drive lately, we stopped on Tankardstown bridge just a mile from our

2 home to pass a few minutes in quietness, using my binoculars it was amazing the amount of wildlife viewed in a very short time. First it was three wild Mallard that rose from the river only for one Drake to return and pitch in, not fifty or so yards away from our position. none or very few to be seen, nowadays they are around every corner or perched on every second telegraph pole along the road. Still watching through the binoculars, there were plenty of grey crows to be seen along the bank of the river and in the trees overhanging the river, flighting out over the fields on the opposite bank, I think they are feeding on the worms and snails that are left stranded on the higher ground once the flood water begins to recede. The above may be quite a common sight to readers in the UK as a lot of the wildlife and the lands that they occupy are all well protected, however in this Country hunting, Shooting and Fishing are still widely practised, with vermin control, at the heart of the plan. It is mostly the self-governing approach of hunters and shooters in this country, to wildlife in general, that has the situation as it is today, ie you only have to stop and look to see a wide array of wildlife on display. The View Downstream from the same bridge. Viewing him through the lens I could see a black shape in the background, a mink was working his way along the bank looking for a handy meal, he disappeared into a fallen tree stump that I presume he was using as a base. Further up the river was a white Egret sticking out like a sore thumb, he decided in a flash to take off across the river and keep the company of some cows that were grazing just off the wetlands, I m amazed that these birds survive, as they have absolutely no camouflage whatsoever, they are in fact only a very recent visitor to these parts, less than six or eight years ago you would never see one. The Buzzard is another recent addition to our native wildlife, less that ten years ago there were Settling before the off. Take for instance the approach that the government has taken over the Marsh

3 Harrier situation, a bird that I can hardly remember seeing in all the years that I spent in the field, they have now made them a very endangered species, and how have they decided to help, well they first decided to make certain parts of the countryside a place of special habitat for these birds and although the farmers may be compensated to the tune of a couple of hundred Euro the value of the lands in question has dropped by up to two thousand Euro per acre, that s if you could sell it at all, the effect being that now, no one wants the Marsh Harrier on their lands, a couple of years back most farmers would not know a Marsh Harrier from a Marsh Warbler, but now that they have the effect of devaluing their land they want to avoid them like the plague. Now tell me, what good is that going to do the Hen Harrier? Added to that, they also announced on the evening news recently that they had already spent a staggering fourteen million Euro on the project with little or no improvement to the Harrier population. What with the amount of austerity being imposed on the citizens of this country and the fact that there are people out there that are both homeless and hungry, it s nothing short of a holy shame what they have done, and it hasn t endeared the Hen Harrier to the general public either. I did have my quiet moment by the river, it was very relaxing. It was only when I got home and started writing this that I got into a bit of a rant. Thankfully I m over it now and feeling much better. My lot, on their way We were back on the road again with the birds from Easter Sunday morning and over the next few days we had lovely weather each morning after the fog lifted, which was about the ten o clock mark, it was grand and the birds seemed to appreciate the sun on their backs. The racing will soon be upon us again, our Federation lorry is prepared and ready, thanks must go to Damien Summers, Tommy o Rourke and the rest of the lads for overseeing and completing the work done, to have it in ship shape for the season. May 2015 Whilst on my way to Waterford last weekend, I decided to stop on my way into town and take a photograph of the last remaining item left standing of the Irish Sugar Industry. To me and a lot of other people this has to be one of the saddest sites that we, as previous employees, have to endure each and every time we pass by. The old site is actually situated between my

4 home now and my home town of Carlow, so I see it on an almost daily basis. Carlow Sugar Factory Lime Kiln The kiln itself holds a lot of mostly happy memories for me, standing at exactly 238 feet tall, I worked on the very top of it on many, many occasions, as a fitter s helper, and it was always a fabulous place to be no matter what the weather, although I have to admit that after all the sun tans we got up there, summer time was the most enjoyable. The fact that it was impossible to get caught dodging up there was a given, for as soon as a foreman or manager put his foot on the first step of the stairs the vibration let you know that there was someone on their way up. From that point we had approximately ten or twelve minutes to get busy, and apart from the fact that the work done had to be signed off, we were very seldom paid a visit, so unless someone was going to approach the job by helicopter, the sun tanning went on unabated. The winter time however was a different kettle of fish, with howling winds blowing and at that time of year the kiln was in operation, with the running temperatures inside up to eight hundred degrees it was a rough place to be. Some of the extractor fans at the top would have to be balanced at the start of the processing campaign, and I can tell you that was a quite hairy place to be when the whole kiln was vibrating. Happy days. Anyway, onto the Carrickmacross race, when the Federation had sixty members sending eight hundred and twenty five birds. The race itself was brought forward to the Saturday, as it was expected to be the better of the two days, and as it happened, the decision was quite correct, as Sunday was an absolutely horrible day. Also the decision to liberate a bit earlier than expected, Rather than wait for the Northern organisations to pass over, was a good one, we were away bright and early and most birds were safely home and locked up even before some of them had liberated. So, well done the race controller. Certainly credit where credit is due. Arklow RPC. Notes are brief this week from Arklow, however it appears that John Annesley s bird got well away from the bunch to record a great victory on a Velocity of 1583ypm.

5 cock, a Busscheart and he looks a right one. In next was the partnership of Conran & Cullen for 4th place, tough going on the lads down there, with Edwards birds flying out of their skins at the moment. Wexford RPC. News now from Thomas Walsh. Hi Francis, Please find results for Carrickmacross on 09/05/15 when 9 members sent 142 birds. 1st Anthony and Jodie Thomas on a Velocity of 1490, in 2nd Thomas Walsh and son, and 3rd to Michael Carr. This is a great win by Anthony who recently buried his father Adam. John Annesley & Son Arklow RPC winner from Carrigmacross Next up with two together for 2nd and 3rd positions was the partnership of Dempsey & o Keefe. A new name on the result for 4th & 5th is James Roach & G.son. Its nice to see the Arklow boy s holding their own against quite stiff opposition. Well done all. Cill Cheannaigh RPC. It s that man again, Edward Holden, in again for a 1st, 2nd & 3rd position in the Cill Cheannaigh club with three yearling cocks dropping together, Velocity 1502ypm, as opposed to a bunch of Hens last week. I ve included a photo of the winning chequer The late Adam Thomas with Grandaughter Jodie Thomas. Adam was a lifelong supporter of North Road racing and will be missed by all. Michael Carr who turned 90 recently can still show the younger members a thing or two about pigeon racing. Kind Regards, Thomas Walsh, Chairman, North Road Pigeon Club. Newross RPC. 1st Keith Gardiner with a pied yearling hen bred from birds from Ron Mckelvey Newry This hen was having her first ever race. In 2nd Keith Gardiner with a 2 year old blue Staf van Reet cock. And 3rd was Jackie Power clocking his yearling van loon Hen.

6 Keith Gardiner Newross Club holding his Winner from Carrickmacross Barrow Valley RPC. Roly Brennan take the first three in the Barrow Valley, his first bird, a yearling Blue cock a brother to his first timer from Frazerburgh last year, next it was the Blue pied cock Roger that has been a really consist ant bird over the years and finally Margaret off the late Terence o Brien. The two bird average was won by Roly Brennan, 2nd was JJ Hurley. In the single bird Snowball which will be flown for on a points system, Roly takes the 10 points with Roger JJ Hurley takes six points, then Michael Ramsbottom takes the final three points with a 2yo Black cock. Roger, 2nd BV club Carrickmacross 1st in the Single Bird Snowball Our Young bird breeder buyer was also held on the Friday evening and with most of the birds going back to their owners there will be a nice little pot of about 450 to be flown for from the Larne young bird race later on in the season. Hacketstown RPC. Peter Lucas again wins in the Hacketstown club, Velocity 1091ypm for this one. Unfortunately I have no news from either Enniscorty RPC or Fethard RPC. For this issue. The Federation result for the first Trim race has now come to hand, and shows Lyn Griffiths of the Wexford North & South Road Club with a stunning victory in this race taking First Section A and the First Five Open Federation positions, two birds on 1787ypm and the next Three on 1778ypm.

7 out of prizes and prize money between the members of the different sections. Next week it s Monaghan and with the weather set to stay calm we will hopefully have a race on the Sunday this time. My own lot are doing ok, my little experiment is still on track, and if the season proceeds in this vein, I will be quite happy. End May 2015 Hacketstown Club Members Peter Lucas, Brian Kennedy, Joe Geery, Eddy McGrath & Tony Byrne Winner of Section B also 2nd & 3rd is Edward Holden of the Cill Cheannaigh Cub. Whilst the Winner of Section C is the Arklow partnership of Dempsey & o Keefe. 2nd Michael o Brien and 3rd Damien Farrell. Edward Holden's Yearling Cheq Cock, winner of Carrickmacross at the weekend. Section A Nom was taken by Joe Sinnott, Wexford. Section B Nom by Edward Holden and Section C Nom by James Clare, Arklow. And finally the Open Nom was won by Joe Sinnott, Wexford. Overall a fair share I will start by clearing up the results of the Federation races thus far and also the result of this weekend s race. From the Trim 2 race held on May 1st, when 53 members sent 790 Birds, it was Edward Holden of the Cill Cheannaigh club that won first Section B and the First three Open positions on velocities of 1520, 1519, & 1518ypm. Whilst section A was won by John Tobin of the Newross club, with Lyn Griffiths, Wexford RPC and Pat Ronan Newross RPC in hot pursuit in 2nd & 3rd section A respectively. Section C was taken by Peter Lucas flying with the Hacketstown Club on a really tough day for the boy s on the east coast. Conran & Cullen won the section B nom. John Tobin won the section A Nom and Peter Lucas won the section C Nom. The Open Nom was won by Jimmy Hurley of the Barrow Valley RPC.Carrickmacross was the venue for the next Federation Race when 60 members sent 795 Birds. They were away at 8:45am with a slight tail wind. Taking the premier 1st Open position in the Federation and First section A was Eddy Dobbs of the Enniscorty club on a velocity of 1554ypm. Eddy s winner bred for him by club secretary Joe Donnelly.

8 Eddy Dobbs Enniscorty RPC holding the winner of the Federation from Carrickmacross. In 2nd Open and winning 1st section C was John Annseley & Son of the Arklow RPC velocity 1535ypm. Third Open position was won by John Dobbs of Enniscorty. 4th Open and 1st Section B was Edward Holden.Section A Nom was won by Thomas Walsh & Son Wexford RPC. Section B Nom was won by Roly Brennan Barrow Valley RPC. Edward Holden with his Federation Winner from Trim 2. Section C Nom was won by John Annseley & Son Arklow RPC. The Open Nom was also won by John Annseley & Son.These single bird Open and Section Nominations are creating a right spread of the prizes throughout the Federation, whilst also creating a more even playing field which in turn is enhancing the competition amongst the membership. Members of Cill Cheannaigh RPC before Marking for Monaghan. Right then, let s move on to this week s club results from the Monaghan race. Any hopes

9 of a race on Sunday were dashed when the weather forecast on Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning indicated that Saturday was going to be the best day of the weekend with little chance of a liberation on the Sunday. The decision was made to race mark on the Friday night for a Saturday race. Again there was a good turnout in our own club with seventeen members sending 279 birds. Saturday morning dawned bright, and with a lot of other organisations preparing to liberate down the country, our man had them away at seven thirty, which everybody seemed pleased about. However it was unfortunate that as the morning moved on the strong westerly wind increased even more in strength, that said, there seem to be a little north in it as well and that might help the situation. Enniscorty RPC. The leading pigeons into Enniscorty were clocked by the Polish partnership of Murkowski & Kolodziej to secure 1st and 2nd Club, a Blue hen on a velocity of 1601ypm was first through the traps followed closely by another Hen, this time a cheq to record 1598ypm. Third club go exfederation treasurer John Dobbs with a Blue Maris x Hofkens cross Cock on 1573ypm. Wexford RPC. Hi Francis. Sorry for the delay, please find Race results below for the Wexford club where 9 members sent 129 birds. 1st 2nd and 3rd Lyn Griffiths and son, velocity 1587ypm. 4th Thomas Walsh and son. Another great performance from Lyn as he continues to dominate Wexford North Road pigeon racing. Kind Regards, Thomas Walsh Chairman & club PRO. Thomas Walsh & Son winners of the Section A nom in the recent Carrickmacross Race. Newross RPC. Well Frank. First 3 in New Ross this week is to Keith Gardiner. Next to clock was Pat Ronan and John Purcell was in there with Keith Gardiner finishing off the top ten. Keith got three together 2 hens and a cock. With the winner been a blue pied hen. Well done Keith. Fethard-on-Sea RPC. Mick & Brandon Nolan had a great race in this one, clocking three in quick succession to secure a 1, 2, 3 in the Fethard club. John Power and Gary Nolan trying hard to catch the front runners and will be there or thereabouts as the races get longer I expect.

10 good form in the last couple of weeks. My bird in 3rd position is a mealy pied yearling cock gifted to me as a youngster by David Doheny of Kilkenny. Barrow Valley RPC. Young Brandon Nolan holding his Winner from Monaghan Cill Cheannaigh RPC. News now from Edward Holden. 1st Edward Holden Velocity 1498ypm. 2nd Conran & Cullen on 1497, & 3rd Edward Holden on 1474ypm. First pigeon is bred from Roly & Roca stock he's a yearling cock that was in the first drop of birds last week finishing 3rd club & is a full brother to my Malin Head Young Bird National winner. Roly Brennan continues to dominate our club and this week secures his fourth win on the trot in this highly competitive club, taking the first three positions on a Velocity of 1493ypm, also second, with two yearling cocks, his third bird on the clock was Roger the Blue pied Staff van Reet cock that has done a lot of damage in all types of competition right up to National level, again this week Roger secures another ten points in the Single Bird Nom that is run over the course of the season giving him the maximum 20 points possible from the two races already flown. JJ Hurly had the next two, Damien Maher, Tom McNally and Corcoran & Keegan made up the top ten in this race that seen 17 members send 279 Birds. Hacketstown RPC. Peter Lucas wins again in this newly formed club also 2nd. His first bird, a Blue Pied Yearling Hen bred from two of his North Coast Classic pigeons that were purchased back last year. Paul o Neill had a 2012 bred Blue hen having only the third race of her career. Arklow RPC. Jimmy Conran & Wattie Cullen winners of the Section B nom in the Trim 2 Race Jimmy Conran s pigeon is a van Reet cross of Mickey Croskery x Gerry Marley lines. He is a cheq yearling cock & has been showing Mick Murphy writes with the following information on their recent Monaghan race. In first position it s the partnership of Dempsey & o Keefe with an SU rung 2yo cheq Pied hen on1439ypm. 2nd and 3rd went to James Clare both 2yo cheq cocks on 1434 & 1424 ypm. 4th position went to John & Mick Murphy a GB rung Yearling cheq hen on 1413ypm. Last week s winner,

11 John Annseley and sons with a yearling blue cock on 1392ypm completes the result for the Arklow boy s. Well that s it for this time. There were a few birds missing on this one, and a few old favourites have bitten the dust and some new birds have shown their metal too, as is the way of the world in pigeon racing. Until next time, any news to Franciscorcoran@alpinelofts.net or Punch. Geoff Hogan, Cill Chainnigh RPC, former Kings Cup Winner with the INFC.

12 Harry Beale staunch supporter of North Road Racing in the Kilkenny area for over fifty years Paul o Neill Hacketstown Club Member

13 Wattie Cullen explains to David Doheny how to spot a good un.

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