Adie Covers the INFC Presentation - 03-12-25

Adie covers the INFC Presentation

Historic Night at the INFC Annual Dinner

The Irish National Flying Club returned to the plush Stormont Hotel for their Annual Dinner Dance and Prize Distribution on Friday 28 th November 2025. It’s been very much a long- standing relationship with the INFC hosting their Annual Dinner at what is one of Northern Irelands Top Hotels. This year again justified that long-term arrangement with, yet another truly outstanding 4 course meal enjoyed by the 160 who were in attendance.

The highlight for many in the Prize Distribution calendar, the function room was filled with Irelands pigeon elite accompanied I might add with a superb turnout of Ladies perhaps the largest in recent years, which is great to see. I was privileged to be sitting with a man who never seems to age Robin Duddy and wife Pat, the brothers who never fail in most of the National races Gregory Bros, (Tommy & Roger) of Rathnew, Dublin and the Turkington men, Dessie and young Robert who kept the craic alive, a sponge off pigeon knowledge Robert is. Big shout out to the lady of the house Ann, who currently is in hospital, and we wish her a speedy recovery.

2025 was a year of change for the INFC, opting during the year to set up a marking station in Southern Ireland for the first time, making it somewhat easier for the fanciers to get the pigeons away rather than having to travel up to Portadown. Sandyhill Pigeon Supplies was the site agreed, and personally having been to Henry Byrnes shop at Sandyhill on numerous occasions, simply no better man or location. For sure guaranteed endless craic for the fanciers. Hopefully moving forward membership will be increased with this marking station now in place. Furthermore, after a sustained period in office Trevor Topping decided to give up the Secretaries role at the AGM. Emerging as the new Secretary/s was Gary Donaldson from Portadown, former INFC National Champion and to look after the hopefully increasing numbers in the South of Ireland Nigel Gordon was also installed.

INFC President Wesley Sawyers was compere for the evening and just after 7pm welcomed all in attendance and called upon Brendan McLaughlin to say grace prior to the excellent meal being served. I arrived well in advance of the dinner and had a chance to walk the length of the prize table and room, joined shortly after by Secretary Gary Donaldson, who explained in length how the presentation would proceed and how the presentation table had been set out to achieve same, it is such an array of Cups perhaps one of the largest, even Tommy Gregory at my table commented on the vast array and the organisation that goes in to getting it all sorted.

The three-course meal was served without delay by the very professional team that you would expect of a Hastings Hotel, clean plates all round was the order of the night and with prompt service it allowed for the lengthy presentation to begin well on time. To start compere for the evening and current President of the INFC Wesley Sawyers welcomed all in attendance, before going further Wesley mentioned the absence this year of Ronnie Johnston, I have to say even the mention of his name drew a round of applause from all in attendance (Ronnie Johnston is Mr INFC in my opinion, the knowledge, the grace, the elegance, flows from the minute he enters any room, a gentleman in every way and an encyclopaedia with his endless knowledge off the INFC he has served every position within the organisation with utter professionalism . Wesley asked all in attendance to stand for a toast to INFC Patron Ronnie Johnston with a huge round of applause. Introducing the Top Table, it included Secretary Gary Donaldson and Wife Amy, President Wesley Sawyers and Wife Catherine, Alan Bamford and Pauline from Bamfords Feeds (Chief Guests for 2025) and completing the top table Secretary Nigel Gordon. Wesley went on to congratulate the Committee Officials and Committee members for all their hard work over the season including all members who assisted at the race marking over the year describing it, as not one of the easiest weather wise.

Praise also was bestowed on new Secretary Gary Donaldson for his excellent work over the year and indeed with the organising of the dinner and prize distribution assisted by wife Amy and extended thanks also to Roy for his help.

Wesley passed the Mic over to Chief Guest for the evening Alan Bamford, who began with thanking the organization for the invite, congratulating all the winners over the 2025 season.

The Bamford family have now been involved one way or another supporting the INFC for the last 20 years as Alan reflected going back to having a stall at the Kings Hall Charity Show.

Alan went on in his very informative presentation to explain how Bamfords found their feet with regards the making of pigeon corn in the 1960’s, the history of pigeon fanciers within his family and indeed the length of time they have been in business and continuing evolution off feeding to meet the fanciers needs, he also spent some time addressing the dwindling numbers and praised a number of initiatives currently in England that are going forward educational wise targeting areas that hopefully will get new members interested in the sport of pigeon racing, it’s a subject Alan spoke very passionately about and he encouraged the RPRA to look further at new ideas to try and encourage future generations into to the sport and indeed encouraged each and every member to engage with the youth and younger where possible to make sure the sport continues.

Alan Bamford was called up by Wesley to present the awards. Firstly, as is statue the former 2024 Kings Cup Winner Dinny Kinsella of the Gorey RPC was called up to present the new and current 2025 Kings Cup winner Johny Murtagh of Ballyholland. The rest flowed from there, simply huge congrats to Secretary Gary Donaldson who executed the presentation as if he had been doing it for years and compere for the evening Wesley Sawyers executed his duties with his excellent usual grandeur.

Johny Murtagh makes history within the INFC not only with his very impressive CV 1st Kings Cup twice, 2 nd Kings Cup, 4 th Friendship National in very recent years, history was made this year as he is the first Kings Cup Winner to be the overall National Champion in the same year 2025. 

The INFC prize winners, the elite where as follows: -

Irish National Flying Club Trophy and Award Winners 2025 King George V Challenge Cup—Saint Allouestre.

Grand National old bird race winner. J. Murtagh, Ballyholland Vel: 875

Nelson Vase – Saint Allouestre O.B.-- 1st RPRA member after winner in the Kings Cup race. P. Boyd, Annaghmore Vel: 773

Gilliland Cup—Saint Allouestre O.B. -- 1st IHU member after winner in the Kings Cup race. Gordon Bros & Sons, Killyleagh Central Vel: 855

East Down Combine Cup--Saint Allouestre O.B.--1st E.D.C. member in the Kings Cup race. Gordon Bros & Sons, Killyleagh Central Vel: 855

Ulster Federation Cup –Saint Allouestre O.B. 1st Ulster Federation member in the Kings Cup race. Johnston Bros, Fortfield Vel: 482

N.I.P.A. Cup—Saint Allouestre O.B--1st NIPA member in the Kings Cup race. J. Murtagh, Ballyholland Vel: 875

Joe Cullen Memorial Cup—Saint Allouestre O.B.-- 1st East Coast Fed. member in the Kings Cup race. J. Guildea & Son, Balbriggan Vel: 666 

Billy Ingle Trophy-- Saint Allouestre O.B.—1st Irish South Road Federation member in the Kings Cup race. P. Rock & Son, Dublin North East Vel: 462

S.L.F. Cup--- Saint Allouestre O.B.—1st South Leinster Fed. member in the Kings Cup race. Gregory Bros, Rathnew Vel: 660

Duddy Extreme Distance Trophy-- Saint Allouestre O.B. Furthest flying member in the King’s Cup open prizes. D&H Stuart, Ballymoney 12th Open 521mls Vel: 530

Harkness Rose Bowl—Saint Allouestre O.B.--Best two bird average Kings Cup. A. Thompson, Ballyclare & District Vel: 568 Joe Doheny Cup—Saint Allouestre O.B. Single bird challenge

Kings Cup race. Agar Bros, Cloughey Vel: 506 Robinson Trophy—Saint Allouestre O.B. 14th position in the Kings Cup. G. Owens, Annaghmore Vel:520

McCloud Cup—Saint Allouestre O.B.-- 1st Yearling in the Kings Cup. Gregory Bros, Rathnew Vel: 660

Ronnie Johnston Challenge Cup - Skibbereen O.B - Inland National. L. Duffy, Blanchardstown Vel: 1718

Gerald Delaney Trophy - Skibbereen O.B - Best section winning velocity after winning section. O. Markey, Ballyholland Vel: 1692

Friendship Cup – Plougastel Friendship National. R. Straney, Killyleagh Central Vel: 1138

British Barcelona Club Trophy - Plougastel Friendship National - 2nd position in the Friendship National. J. Robinson, Edgarstown Vel: 1094

John Millar Logistics Trophy – Plougastel Friendship National - 1st member in the section not winning the open Friendship National. P J Corcoran & Son, Balbriggan Vel: 1052

Henry Beattie & Son Trophy - Plougastel Friendship National - Best two bird average Friendship National. Donnelly Bros, Newry City Vel: 1015

Nelson Corry Trophy - Sennen Cove Yearling National. T. Hobbs, Arklow United Vel: 1519

James McGrugan Memorial Cup - Sennen Cove Yearling National - Section winner not winning the open. T. Mooney & Son, Millvale Vel: 1474

Sam Buckley Memorial Cup – Best two bird average Sennen Cove Yearling National. T&S Molloy, Arklow United Vel: 1509

Charles Ingle Memorial Trophy - 10th Open position Sennen Cove Yearling National. McCartan & Woodsides, Crossgar Vel: 1466

J.M.K. McGugan Perpetual Cup--- Penzance —Y.B. Channel Grand National. J. Smyth & Son, Ahoghill Vel: 1256

William Erwin Memorial Cup- Penzance- 1st Section Not Winning Open In Channel Y.B. National. B. Burke, Arklow Utd Vel: 556

De-Scheemaecker Trophy- Penzance Y.B- Best two bird average in Channel Y.B. National. D. Dixon, Ballymoney Vel:1222

Tom Marshall Trophy—Skibbereen—Y.B. Inland National G. Buckley & Son, Annaghmore Vel: 1624

Framed Diploma – Skibbereen --- Y.B. Inland National section winner. L. Duffy, Blanchardstown Vel: 1540

Irvine Trophy - Best Average O.B. Nationals - Plougastel Friendship and Saint Allouestre Kings Cup J. Murtagh, Ballyholland Vel: 933 J.

Gilmour Memorial Cup - Best average Saint Allouestre O. B. and Sennen Cove Yearling Nationals. J. Murtagh, Ballyholland Vel: 982

A. Darragh Cup - Best average Sennen Cove Yearling & Plougastel Friendship Nationals. Donnelly Bros, Newry City Vel: 1137

Jarvis Cup—Best Average Rosudgeon and Skibbereen Y.B. Nationals. D. Dixon, Ballymoney Vel: 1349

Rhead Trophy Best Average – Saint Allouestre O.B. and Rosudgeon Y.B. Nationals. P. Boyd, Annaghmore Vel: 855

Diamond Cup—Best Average Saint Allouestre O.B. Sennen Cove Yearling and Rosudgeon Y.B. Nationals P. Boyd, Annaghmore Vel: 937

Harkers Trophy—Best Average Sennen Cove Yearling and Rosudgeon Y. B. Nationals. N.Black & Son, Dromara Vel: 1198

Robin Duddy Trophy. Rosudgeon Y. B. Furthest flying member in the Penzance Young Bird channel national open prizes. S. Diamond, Coleraine Premier. Vel: 1178 Flying: 350mls

Charles Hunniford Memorial Trophy --- Best average (North Section) Skibbereen O.B. & Y.B. nationals. R. Parkes & Son, Armagh Vel: 1616

The New North Cup --- Best Average Sennen Cove Yearling, Saint Allouestre Kings Cup, Plougastel Friendship, Rosudgeon Young Bird Nationals. J. Murtagh, Ballyholland Vel: 841

President’s Cup--- Best Average Saint Allouestre Kings Cup, Sennen Cove Yearling, Rosudgeon Y.B. and Skibbereen Y.B. Nationals. P. Boyd, Annaghmore Vel: 999

De-Scheemaecker Trophy--Runner up best averages all races. A. Thompson, Ballyclare & Dist. Vel: 883

Erwin Trophy—Best Average all races. J. Murtagh, Ballyholland Vel: 939 

LADIES

PRIZES WON BY L. Duffy *** T. Hobbs *** J. Murtagh R. Straney *** J. Smyth & Son

*** G. Buckley & Son FRAMED DIPLOMAS SPONSORED BY DANNY DIXON

DUNLOY SAINT ALLOUESTRE SINGLE BIRD CHALLENGE. 1st Agar Bros, Cloughey,

17th Open, Vel: 506 2nd Johnston Bros, Fortfield, 25th Open, Vel: 482 3rd T. McClean,

Edgarstown, 51st Open, Vel: 342.

Adie McCormick

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