DAVID BLACK
NORTHERN IRELAND
BHW/INFC SINGLE BIRD CHALLENGE
Firstly I would just like to explain to any pigeon fanciers who may be reading this article what the Single Bird Challenge is all about. All entrants must select a single bird that they are planning to send to this year's King's Cup Race, flown every year on the first Friday in July, and they must have their entry in by the 17th of March. The race is open to every fancier in Ireland and is flown from Vannes in north west France, a distance of 480 miles to Belfast.
The winner of the overall race wins the prestigious King's Cup which was presented to the Irish National Flying Club in 1932 by The late King George VI, perhaps better known at the moment as the subject of the Oscar winning film The King's Speech, and the first winner was a Mr Hawthorne of Ligoniel. The winner of the single bird challenge is the nominated bird that finishes highest in the result. The challenge was first flown in 2003 when twenty fanciers were invited to enter as a trial-run, this turned out to be a dream start as the first two birds in the Challenge also happened to be first and second in the King's Cup! The fanciers were Joe Doheny of Dublin and Alan Darragh of Cullybackey. The following year the Challenge was opened to everybody and it has been flown like that every year since.
So far seventy nine birds have been entered with the most notable ones so far being B. Murray's "Sylvia", 24th Open Vannes 2010, Wesley Sawyers' “Mournview Gold Dust”, 15th Open Vannes20 10, McCracken Bros' "Ella", 29th Open Vannes 2010, Owen & Michael Monaghan's "Lily Marlene", 251st Open Sennen Cove Yearling National2009, 63rd Open Vannes 10, Robert Gray's “Treble Six”, 27th Open Vannes 2010, 2nd Single Bird Challenge 2010, Furphy & Cairns' “Wardrobe Queen”, 60th Open Vannes 09, 224th Open Vannes 2010, Edward Niblock's "Tom", 48th Open Vannes 06, 285th Open Vannes 09, 217th Open Vannes 2010, Merit Award winner, P. McCullough & Daughter's “Black Magic”, 71st Open Vannes 06, 58th Vannes 09, M Wilkinson's “May”, 43rd Open Vannes 2010, 3rd Single Bird Challenge 2010, William McCarthy's "Megan", 23rd Open St Malo 2008, 23rd Open St Malo 2009, 9th Open St Malo 2010 and Gold Medal Winner, Gary McKenna's 14th Open Vannes 2010 and Lavery Bros' 16th Open Vannes 2010. Here are all the entries so far, I will be publishing more entries in following weeks:
Noel Lusty, Muckamore, Blue Hen, GB 08 E 31570, "Peggy".
Stephen O’Brien, Sallynoggin, Ch Tipper Hen, IHU 10 S 88514, “Margaret May”.
W. G. Neill, Annaghmore, Red Hen, GB 08 R 48758.
P. Brown & Son, Annsborough, Blue Bar Cock, IHU 10 N 25604, “M.C”.
S.Wilson & Son, Dromore, Blue Ch Hen, GB 09 D 00337.
Kincaid & McCann, Dunedin, Blue Cock, IHU 07 N 30256, “Big Ivan”, 13th Open EDC St Malo 2009.
M. Matthews & Sons, Sallynoggin, Ch Hen, IHU 08 S 100750, “Lilly", 117th Open King's Cup 2010.
Noel Grant & Son, Balbriggan, Ch Hen, IHU 09 S 78970, “Recession”.
William McCarthy, Cabra, Blue Hen, IHU 95 S 075807, "Megan", 23rd Open St Malo 2008, 23rd Open St Malo 2009, 9th Open St Malo 2010, Gold Medal Winner.
Agar Bros., Portavogie, Black Pied Hen, GB 07 P 28706, “Elizabeth”.
J. McMurrough & Son, Corrigs & Dist., Blue Ch Hen, GB 08 C 27487, "Amy".
Walker Bros., Dromara, Blue Ch Cock, GB 07 S 79782.
Joe Galbraith & Sons, Kingswood, Blue Cock, IHU 07 N 26246.
John Dowey & Sons, Tandragee, Black Ch Hen, GB 09 T 06579, 250th Open Vannes 10.
Sam Regan, Ballywalter, Blue Cock, IHU 07 N 23593, "Shoreline Lad", 149th Open Sennen Cove Yearling National 2008.
B. Murray, Crossgar, Blue Tip Hen, IHU 07 N 12960, "Sylvia", 24th Open Vannes 10.
F. Black & Sons, Strangford, Blue Ch Hen, GB 08 D 17222, “Tom's Choice”, 91st Open St Malo.
Jason Whitten, Edgarstown, Red Hen, GB 10 L 4770, "Red Lass".
Kevin Downey, Dromore, Red Ch Hen, GB 08 D 16245, "Ruby".
Gary McKenna, Eastway, Blue Ch Cock, GB 07 E 70880, 14th Open Vannes 10.
M. Dunne & Son, Balbriggan, Mealy Hen, IHU 10 S 53416.
Ronnie Coleman, Drogheda Invitational, Dark Ch Cock, IHU 09 S 75647, "The Wik".
Brendan Madden, Malahide, Blue Ch Hen, IHU 09 S 93736, “Mary”.
Thomas Madden, Malahide, Blue Hen, IHU 08 S 33685, “The Little Blue Hen”.
T. Shanks & Son, Kells, Blue Ch Pd Hen, GB 06 K 03169, “Old Speckled Hen”, 230th Open Rosscarberry OB Derby 08, 143rd Open Vannes-Plaudren, 11th Single Bird Challenge 09.
E.E. & S. Kavanagh, Arklow United, Ch Hen, IHU 06 S 051496, "Gentle Annie".
Edmond Gilliland, Carrickfergus, Blue Pied Hen, GB 09 C 12960.
Fergus Roche, Stillorgan, Ch Cock, IHU 10 S 12326.
Albert Kelly, Shankill, Dark Ch Cock, IHU 08 S 70818, "Blackie".
M Wilkinson, Wilton Cross, Blur Bar Hen, GB 05 K 45126, “May”, 43rd Open Vannes 10, 3rd Single Bird Challenge.
Lavery Bros, Hillsborough & Maze, Dark Ch Hen, GB 08 H 34277, 16th Open Vannes 10.
P. McCullough &Daughter, Downpatrick, Black Ch Cock, GB 04 D 32829, “Black Magic”, 71st Open Vannes 06, 58th Vannes 09.
Madden Bros., Dublin North County, Blue Pied Hen, IHU 06 S 120225, "Saoirse", 17th Open St Malo ISRF 08.
J. Linden & Sons, Downpatrick, Blue Ch Hen, GB 09 D 03163, "Susie".
Joe Brown, Lurgan, Blue Cock, GB 07 S 97858, “Always Late”.
Mark Brown, Lurgan, Red Hen, GB 08 D 03017, "Vicky".
Leckey Bros & Davies, Newtownards, Blue Pied Hen, GB 06 D 35496.
Edward Niblock, Bessbrook, Blue Bar Cock, GB 03 S 18295, "Tom", 48th Open Vannes 06, 285th Open Vannes 09, 217th Open Vannes 10, won Merit Award.
Gary Hawthorne, Millisle, Ch Pied Hen, IHU 07 N 29716.
John Ramsey & Son, Grosvenor, Blue Ch Hen, IHU 09 N 20381.
C. & G. Adair, Crossgar, Blue Ch Cock, IHU 07 N 13443.
Owen & Michael Monaghan, Colin, Blue Hen, GB 08 C 62274, "Lily Marlene", 251st Open Sennen Cove Yearling National 09, 63rd Open Vannes 10.
Robert Gray, Kings Moss, Blue Ch Hen, GB 07 K 07666, “Treble Six”, 27th Open Vannes 10, 2nd Single Bird Challenge.
John Lacey, Sallynoggin, Blue Cock, IHU 06 S 110523, “Paddy”.
Speirs & Campbell, Cookstown, Ch Hen, GB 08 C 22948, “Breezemount Lass”, 57th Open Vannes 10.
Noel Tuite & Son, Shankill & District, Blue W/F Hen, IHU 07 S 63744.
H. Boyd, Randlestown, Blue Ch Pied Hen, GB 08 R 03023.
Alan Duffy, Wicklow, Blue Bar Cock, IHU 09 S 12560, "Greenhill Reggie".
F. & J. Crowe, Gorey, Ch Hen, IHU 06 S 102035, "Sarah Jane", 16th Fed Sennen Cove 10, 155th Open Vannes 10.
M & K Browne, Bangor, Red Ch Cock, IHU 09 N 26534.
Edward Matthews, Enniscorthy, Dark Ch Hen, IHU 08 S 61532.
Rafferty & Toman, Gilford, Blue Cock, GB 09 F 17488, “Tommy”, 229th Open Vannes 10.
S. & K. Duke, Crossgar, Blue Ch Hen, IHU 07 N 13672.
John Buckley, Cork Northern, Dark Ch W/F Cock, IHU 06 S 030121, "The Larne Cock", 2nd Fed Larne 08, 2nd Fed Hamilton 09, 16th Open St Malo 10.
Mr & Mrs C Hayes, Ballyclare, Black Pd Cock, GB 07 B 42308.
Myles & McBride, Dundonald, Mealey Cock, GB 08 D 28562, "Our Sandy".
Alan Knowles & Son, Dublin North East, Black Pd Cock, IHU 08 S 52499, “Bronski”.
Furphy & Cairns, Wilton Cross, Grizzle Hen, IHU 08 S 45708, “Wardrobe Queen”, 60th Open Vannes 09, 224th Open Vannes 10.
John Scott, Crumlin, Black Ch Cock, GB 06 C 23436.
Tom Cahill, Blackpool Cork City, Blue Cock, IHU 09 S 121192, " Not Finished Yet".
Tom Mullen & Sons, Horseshoe, Blue Bar Hen, GB 07 H 25420, "Somme Girl", 178th Open Vannes 10.
Ward & McIntosh, Downpatrick, Blue Ch Hen, GB 06 D 36601.
Michael Crean, North West, Blue Ch Hen, IHU 08 S 3215, "Lauren"16th Open North Road National10.
Neil Crean, North West, Ch Pied Hen, IHU 08 S 67042, "Ryan's Daughter".
Damien Fay, Greenhills, Blue Hen, IHU S 92410, "Miss Calioni!".
William McClure, Kells, Dark Hen, GB 05 K 12220.
Christy Keogh, Dublin, Blue Hen, Belg 08 6171806, “Rubie Choice”, 48th Open Talbenny, 43rd Open Sennen Cove, 73rd Open Penzance.
F. Hanna, Lisburn, Blue Ch Hen, GB 09 L 10924, "Lu-Lu".
R. Cannaway, Drumnavaddy, Blue Bar Hen, GB 08 D 01861.
Norman Thompson, Comber Central, Grizzle Cock, GB 08 C 31396.
McCracken Bros., Banbridge, Red Ch Hen, GB 09 B 03129, "Ella", 29th Open Vannes 10.
Rev. Tab Sawyers & Son, Banbridge, Mealy Hen, GB 08 H 45442, “Mournview Gold Dust”, 15th Open Vannes 10.
C. McCardle, Banbridge, Blue Hen, GB 09 B 37045, "Daughter".
Bingham & Seaton, Ligoniel, Ch Hen, GB 08 L 17024.
Lester Audoire, Kilkenny, Dark Ch Pied Cock, IHU 08 S 58189, "Stripes", 1st Fed Sennen Cove 10.
Arthurs & Smyth, Kircubbin, Pencil W/F Cock, GB 07 K 24414, “Braveheart”.
Walter Pickens, Laytown, Ch Cock, IHU 06 S 041439, “Jack”, 5th Open ECF Talbenny 07, 2nd Open ECF Talbenny 09, 14th Open ECF Bude 10, 29th Open ECF St Malo 10.
J. Reilly & Sons, Individual South, Ch Hen, IHU 10 S 61206, "Misty", 36th Open Talbenny 10.
Kieran Hughes, Cabra, Blue Cock, IHU 09 S 72600, “Jamie”, 67th Fed Thurles 10, 72nd Fed Mallow 10, 40th Open Vannes 10.
James McClenaghan, Ards, Blue Cock, GB 06 Z 91634, 105th Open St Malo, 138th Open Friendship Nat, 193rd Open Vannes.
Tommy McClean, Annaghmore, Blue Hen, GB 07 D 28551.
J. & R. Young, Portavogie, Blue Ch Hen, GB 08 P 32184.
