DAVID BLACK
NORTHERN IRELAND
I would like to start this third update on the Single Bird Challenge with a little bit more about the history of the Kings Cup. As mentioned before the Kings Cup was first competed for in 1932 and the winner was a Mr Hawthorne from Ligoniel, his winning bird was a black cock called "His Majesty". Some of the more famous winners in the early years were J. M. K. McGuigan who won the Cup in 1934 and E. A. Robinson in 1933 and 1937. Mr Robinson lived at Shaw's Bridge and was the Robinson of Robinson and Cleaver's department store. Mr McGuigan lived in Malone House before it was donated to the City of Belfast and then at Cadogan Park off the Malone Road, it was at this address that he was visited by a very famous pigeon fancier in the late 50's , a certain Roy Rodgers, who was playing at The Grand Opera House at the time. During the war racing was suspended but in 1943 a race was flown from Penzance and was won by a Mr J Smith of Belfast. The 1948 Kings Cup was flown from Rennes and was won by Samuel Robinson, 37 Mount Street Belfast, with a dark check hen, ring number IUUF 46 10516 called "Duchess of Darkness". The race was very difficult, with only 12 birds home in three days the winning velocity was 615 yards /min. The "Duchess of Darkness" was so named because of her determination to reach home on the day when she won 4th prize from Penzance. The race was a terrible smash and 10516 arrived home after dusk to be timed at 11.48pm on the day, there were only 4 birds timed in Cregagh H.P.S. her velocity was 599 yards/min, flying 16 and a half hours on the wing, 3 weeks later she won the Kings Cup. Incidentally the following year you could have bought a youngster from her for £5. In the history of the King's Cup only one lady fancier has ever won, a Mrs E. E. Frazer from Belfast in the 1947 race from Le Bourget. It is this great history which makes the Kings Cup the greatest prize in Irish pigeon racing and the fact that it only comes round once a year. The 2011 winner will instantly become part of this history and maybe this year's winner will be a Single Bird Challenge entry as well.
Here's the latest batch of entries for the Single Bird Challenge. Again there are some fantastic birds included this week, of which the following are the pick, Sam Corrigan, last year's French Diploma winner with his 8th Open Vannes 10, B.W. Hoey, Ballymun, 4th Open Vannes 10, D. Mulholland, Skerries, 15th Open Yearling National, Hector Cordner, Annaghmore, with "Muriel's Girl" an outstanding yearling last year with 73rd Open Yearling National, 101st Open Penzance Classic and 42nd Open Vannes, D. Croskery & Son, Annsborough, with their Hall of Fame winner "White National", 140th Open Vannes 06, 63rd Open Portsmouth 07, 193rd Open Vannes 09 and 88th Open Vannes 10, McCartan & Woodsides' "Lisnamore Queen", 24th Open Portsmouth, 72th Open Vannes, 75th Open Vannes. In fact there are several birds that made the prizes in last year's King's Cup.
With the deadline drawing near anyone who has not yet sent their entry can either call me on 07876157706 or email
T. Mallon & Sons, Ashfield, Dark Ch Tip Hen, GB 07 B 27129, 50th Open Vannes 10.
Jim Butler, Banbridge, Black Ch Cock, GB 09 B 03392.
Brian Snowden, Blue Ch Hen, GB 08 H 45738.
Michael Conlon & Sons, Banbridge, Black Hen, GB 09 B 03264, “Twin's Choice”, 40th Open St Malo Friendship Nat 09.
W. Mc Sauley, Forthfield, Blue Ch Hen, IHU 09 N 25110, "Sabrina", 33rd Open Vannes 10.
T. Marshall & Son, Newtownbreda, Blue Ch Hen, GB 08 D 22769, “Linda”, 89th Open Vannes 10, 6th Single Bird Challenge.
D. & C. McArdle, Armagh, Ash Pied Cock, GB 09 A 07104, "Ashbourne", 62nd Open Y/Bird Nat, 251st Open Yearling Nat.
D. & H. Stuart, Blue Ch Pied Hen, GB 08 F 47104, 206th Open Sennen Cove Yearling Nat 09.
G. & C. Simmons, Edgarstown, Blue Cock, GB 08 D 20533.
P. R. Wilson, Kingsmoss, Blue Cock, GB 06 B 31670, "Artie's Boy", 242nd Open Vannes 09.
J. & P. Leathem, Red Grizzle Cock, IHU 09 N 21956, "McCarthy".
McGann Bros., Britannia, Ch Hen, IHU 08 N 30535.
Joseph Galbraith, Kingswood, Blue Cock, IHU 07 N 6731.
W. & N. Gilbert, Individual North, Blue Ch Cock, GB 09 H 00207, “Drumtara Billy Boy", 47th Open Sennen Cove 10.
C. McManus, Corrigs, Blue Ch Hen, GB 09 C 41252.
Burns Bros., Comber, Blue Hen, IHU 08 N 27602, "Patricia".
S Killen & Sons, Cloughey, Dark Ch Cock, GB 09 K 09448, “Kirkistown Dark Boy”.
W. Reid, Cullybackey, Blue Cock, GB 04 C 14713.
Kevin Carolan, Coalisland, Black Cock, GB 07 C 19212.
J. Maguire & Partners, Ch Cock, IHU 08 N 25754, “Third Time Lucky".
Jim Robinson, Edgarstown, Crizzle Hen, GB 07 D 08224.
Alan Hall, Omagh, Ch W/F Cock, GB 08 T 43268.
Sam Corrigan, Loughgall, Blue Cock, GB 06 L 09103, 8th Open Vannes 10.
N. & A. McCavera, Downpatrick, Blue Hen, GB 07 D 33510, "Mollie", 116th Open Vannes 10, 8th Single Bird Challenge.
John McCandless, Coleraine, Pencil Cock, GB 06 C 32340, 72nd Open St Malo 08, 268th Open St Malo 09, in result St Malo 10.
A. & J. Brown, Dunedin, Blue Hen, GB 05 D 37777.
K. Keery, Lisburn, Blue Hen, GB 09 E 41957.
H. Nevin, Coleraine, Blue Cock, GB 07 C 41024.
Michael Hughes, Cabra, Blue Cock, IHU 05 S 071477258th Open Vannes 10.
Mr & Mrs Gregg & Daughter, Gorey, Ch Cock, IHU 07 S 9481.
D. McShane & Son, Lagan Valley. Black Hen, GB 08 E 36137, "Pauline".
Owen Dunbar, Gorey, Blue Bar Cock, IHU 09 S 3730, “Paddy Blue".
John Greenaway, Bondhill, Blue W/F Hen, GB 06 A 38080.
Fintan Moran, Malahide, Blue Ch Hen, IHU 09 S 93989.
B. W. Hoey, Ballymun, Ch Cock, IHU 09 S 106936, 4th Open Vannes 10.
Patrick Whelan, Blue W/F Cock, IHU 06 S 026586, "Skywise".
J. Murphy & Son, Greenhills, Ch Cock, IHU 07 S 23909, "Leo Choice", 100th Open Sennen Cove 09, 45th Open Sennen Cove 10.
Stephen Laverty, Ballymoney, Blue Bar W/F Hen, GB 08 F 49523, “Lofty”.
Brendan Doyle, South End Bray, Black Tip Cock, GB 10 P 11568, “Tom”.
Denis White, Clontarf, Ch Pied Hen, GB 09 C 44785, "Dunluce Girl".
Mackey & Lockhart, Ballylesson, Blue Pied Hen, IHU 08 N 32607.
P. Moore & Son, Bangor, Blue Hen, FR 09 414734, "French Connection".
Ted Mulholland, Lisburn, Dark Ch Cock, IHU 09 N 08533, "Caitlin's Choice".
McKittrick Bros., Blue Cock, GB 05 C 29867.
N. & C. Shiels, Skerries, Ch W/F Hen, IHU 09 S 83026, "Hope".
Francis Gilmore, Comber, Pencil Cock, IHU 08 N 27499, "Roseloft Sam".
T. Harford & Son, Balbriggan, Ch Hen, IHU 08 S 30140, "Chloe", 101st Open Vannes 10.
William Matthews, Ballybrack, Blue Pd Hen, IHU 07 S 6059, “Miss Megan”.
Andrews & Tallant, Shankill, Darker Hen, IHU 10 S 13464.
Molloy & Dumphy, Eastwall, Ch Cock, IHU 08 S 135099.
Eric Kennedy & Son, Newtown & Kilpedder, Blue Ch Cock, GB 08 S 19580, “Pavlo”, 25th Open Penzance 10, 26th Fed Penzance 10.
Donal Barry, Boyne Valley, Silver Mealey Hen, IHU 09 S 130456.
McKeown & McEvoy, Castlebellingham, Ch Cock, IHU 09 S 110129, "Flurry", 12th Fed Talbenny, 27th Open Yearling Nat.
D. Jackson & Son, Kingswood, Blue Cock, IHU 06 N 18603, "Lokestar".
R. Telford & Son, West Belfast, Blue Ch Hen, IHU 07 N 14220, "Mer-Beth", 210th Open Vannes 10.
Nevin Bros., Coleraine, Blue Ch Cock, GB 09 C 39142.
Fitzgerald & Dwyer, Bray South End, Mealey Cock, IHU 10 S 50956, "Pete's Boy"
Daryl Thornton, Drogheda, Blue Hen, IHU 06 S 105230, "Mary".
Reid & Cooney, Balbriggan, Ch Hen, IHU 08 S 32262.
P. K. Abraham, Laurelvale, Ch Cock, GB 07 L 05109.
Houston & McDonald, Moira & Glenavy, Black Ch W/F Cock, GB 10 E 21196.
Ken Tompsett, Comber, Red Cock, IHU 10 N 07148.
Jim Browne & Son, North Side, Blue Ch Pied Hen, IHU 10 S 1269, "Lee".
B. Creaney, Drumcree, Ch Cock, GB 09 D 29660, "Golden Conor".
P. J. Nangle, Carlow, Ch Hen, IHU 09 S 082619, "Polly".
Allen Kelly, Omagh, Blue Ch Pied Hen, GB 06 K 31701.
D. Mulholland & Son, Skerries, Red Cock, IHU 08 S 110738, 15th Open Yearling Nat 09.
Stephen O’Brien, Monaghan, Blue Cock, GB 08 K 16418, 155th Open Vannes 10.
Cooley Bros., Newtown & Kilpedder, Ch Pied Hen, IHU 09 S 68703, "Cool Lady", 72nd Open Friendship Nat 10.
Henry McDowell, Annalong, Blue Ch Cock, IHU 05 N 22822, "Reliable".
Cooley Bros., Foyle, Blue Cock, GB 08 L 31503.
Mr & Mrs J. McMahon, Balbriggan, Pencil Pied Cock, IHU 07 S 65953, "Rondo".
Hector Cordner, Annaghmore, Blue Hen, GB09 R 37775, "Muriel's Girl",
101st Open Penzance Classic 10, 42nd Open Vannes 10, 73rd Open Yearling Nat 10.
Harford & McNally, Balbriggan, Blue Ch Pied Hen, IHU 09 S 78322.
Michael & Una Gorman, Balbriggan, Ch Hen, IHU 09 S 77034.
Jim Serplus, Laurelvale, Blue Ch Hen, GB 08 F 30843.
W. Jackson, Harryville, Mosaic Hen, GB 06 H 02093, "Roma".
S. Jordan, West, Dark Ch Cock, IHU 06 N 7041.
Kinnier & Potts, West Belfast, Blue Ch Cock, IHU 07 N 14476.
Mr & Mrs Ken Guilden, Balbriggan, Blue Ch Cock, IHU 09 S 79538, "Our Lad", 152nd Open Yearling Nat 10.
Eddie Campbell, Balbriggan, Blue Pd Cock, IHU 08 S 32508, “08”, 105th Open Vannes 09.
E. Mallon & Son, Drumnavaddy, Dark Ch Hen, GB 07 R 01528, 80th Open Vannes 10.
Michael Keane, Cabra, Blue Hen, IHU 10 S 130623, "Keano's King".
Russell Bros., Dromara, Blue Ch, Hen, GB 08 D 23008, "Mandy", 82nd Open Vannes 10.
Carson Lyons, Hillsborough & Maze, Blue Pencil Cock, GB 09 P 27620, “Jack”.
G. & C. Lowry, Kingsmoss, Blue Cock, GB 08 P 37805, 93rd Open 10.
D. & B. Lyness, Lurgan, Black Pied Hen, GB 06 L 24599.
H. Cubitt, Rasharkin, Blue Bar Cock, GB 09 R 07071, "Moneyleck Boy".
D. Croskery, Annsborough, White Hen, IHU 05 N 11429, "White National", 140th Open Vannes 06, 63rd Open Portsmouth 07, 193rd Open Vannes 09, 88th Open Vannes 10, Hall of Fame winner.
P.J. Corcoran & Son, Balbriggan, Blue Cock, IHU 09 S 77998, “Mert".
S. & A. Leitch, Doagh, Ch Pied Cock, GB 07 D 09413.
Joe Devlin, Ballymena, Blue Hen, GB 06 B 01600, 139th Open Vannes 10.
Johnny Richardson, Balbriggan, Dark Ch Hen, IHU 09 S 79681, "Betty".
Joe Orr, Ards, Dark Ch Hen, GB 09 V 18697, "Maggie Berry V".
T. Doran & Sons, Gorey, Ch Pied Cock, IHU 09 S 3739, "Mick".
R. J. Macauley, Coleraine, Blue Ch Hen, GB 07 Z 88097.
D. M. & K. Johnston, Lisburn, Blue Tip Hen, IHU 09 N 08347.
R. McCullough, Derriaghy, Dark Ch Cock, GB 09 D 08529.
Ian Donaghy, Black Pied Cock, IHU 06 N 14886, "Mr Gibb".
W. Bleeks & Son, Coalisland, Blue Ch Hen, GB 08 C 02625, "Louise".
Mervyn Shaw, Armagh, Blue Cock, GB 08 A 04377, "Cameron", 38th Open Talbenny, 19th Open St Malo.
E. Murtagh & Sons, Black Hen, GB 10 L 13962.
P. Campbell & Sons, Armagh, Blue Bar Hen, GB 09 A 07919.
Colin Lavery, Drumaness Mills, Red Cock, IHU 09 N 09671.
Allen McBride, Harryville, GB 07 H 05976, "Dark Knight".
Colum Reid, Charlemont, Black Hen, GB 09 D 29599, "99 Hen".
Gordon Bros. & Sons, Killyleagh, Blue Bar Hen, GB 09 K 19393.
Mick Maguire & Son, Sallynoggin, Blue Hen, IHU 09 S 52441, "Chloe".
J. Calvin, Annaghmore, Black Pied Cock, GB 08 A 31954, "The Magpie".
Sam Matthews & Son, Dublin, IHU 08 S 46760.
Mark Maguire, Millvale, Blue Pied Cock, GB 09 R 18409, “Dani's Pride”.
Malachy Maguire & Son, Millvale, Blue Hen, GB 06 X 70227, “Rose”.
Paddy Elliot & Sons, Andersonstown, Blue Tip Hen, IHU 09 N 19010, "Erin", 190th Open Vannes 10.
Douglas Harbinson, Glenavy, Blue Cock, GB 08 H 28284.
Henry Turkington, Kells, CH Hen, GB 08 D 19758.
D. Brown & Anderson, Shankill, Blue Hen, IHU 08 N 24761.
M. Croskery & Son, Annsborough, Blue Tip Hen, IHU 07 N 20307, 214th Open Vannes 09.
M. B. McConville, Crumlin, Blue Ch W/F Cock, GB 06 B 83011, "Fat Fra".
Jim Best, Individual South, Ch Hen, IHU 09 S 125314.
J. & D. Breen, Gilford, Red Grizzle Hen, GB 08 F 11716.
Thompson Bros. & Jameson Bros., Laurelvale, Black Hen, GB 09 L 06964, "Wee Dot", 159th Open St Malo 10.
Alan McDowell, Millisle, Mealy Cock GB 07 F 22586, "Vale Commander".
J. Waring & Son, Lisburn, Blue Ch W/F Cock, GB 08 L 07117.
Richard Cassells, Edgarstown, Ch Hen, GB 08 E 32592.
Michael Kiely, Malahide, Ch Pied Hen, IHU 08 S 56835, “Lucy 2nd”.
Brendan & Stephen Kinsella, Dublin South West. Red Hen, IHU 09 S 4294.
McKernan Bros., Annaghmore, Light Ch Cock, GB 08 C 80759, "Coney Island Boy".
Greg McGlinn, Sallynoggin, Blue Cock, IHU 09 S 43122, “Mac’s Blue 22".
McCartan & Woodsides, Crossgar, Blue Pd Hen, IHU 02 N 2076, "Lisnamore Queen", 24th Open Portsmouth Friendship Nat, 72nd Open King’s Cup Plaudren, 75th Open King’s Cup Vannes, 11th, 21st, 33rd Open EDC Skibbereen OB Classic, 15th Open EDC Talbenny, 19th Open EDC Thurles.
B. B. Fitzsimons, Dublin North East, Ch Cock, NL 1979940, "Barney's Girl".
Oliver Jackson, Bondhill, Blue Cock, GB 07 A 30847, 82st Open Vannes 09.
A. & E. Bell, Muckamore, Blue Pied Hen, GB 08 E 31773.
Bob Allan, Shelbourne, Black Tip Cock, IHU 08 S 119459.
M. Milligan & Son, Laurelvale, Blue Ch Cock GB 07 L 05718, "John Pet".
P & K Braniff, Colin, Blue Ch Hen, GB 06 C 62466, “Mary Kate”, 167th Open, Yearling Nat 07, 245th Open Vannes 09, 59th Open Vannes 10.
Savage Bros., Castledawson, Dark Ch Cock, GB 06 C 24542, "Moyola Lad".
T. Cairns & Sons, Glengormley, Blue Ch Pied Cock, GB 09 F 27577.
F. Simpson, Doagh, Blue Ch Cock, GB 08 D 19610.
H. Boyd, Ch Cock, GB 08 K 05160, 45th Open Vannes 10.
J. & S. Graham, Kingsmoss, Blue W/F Cock, GB 09 K 05293, "The Bouncer", 105th Open Y/Bird Nat 10, 156th Open Vannes 10.
McCormick & Gray, Portavogie, Blue Ch Cock, IHU 06 N 33168, "Rodian", 24th Open Bude, 39th Open Sennen Cove.
R. Topping & Son, Lisburn, Dark Ch Hen, IHU 08 N 33084.
N.Black & Son, Dromara, Black Ch Cock, GB 09 D 27737, “Phoenix Two”, 19th Open Yearling Nat 10.
H. Silcock, Dromara, Blue Ch Hen, GB 08 D 23073, "Lena".
Corrected entries: Noel Lusty, Muckamore, Black Cock, GB 09 E 43793.
I. Murray & Son, Crossgar, Blue Tip Hen, IHU 07 N 12960, "Sylvia", 24th Open Vannes 10.
