South East Ireland
with
Billy Walsh
South Central Super Club
South Central Super Club first Barleycove (21 sent 380) in conjunctions with the first Irish Homing Union National Flying Club saw the consistent Dungarvan partnership of S & J Leahy Na Deise club in Dungarvan taking pole position for the second week running with the winner going on to top the South Leinster federation on 1306 (and provisionally 10th Open IHUNFC). Once again showing the depth of competition with the Super Club. Sean and Jack also taking 2nd spot with their Stickers Doncker family. Derek Walsh 30 miles further on in the Tower Inv in Waterford clocks a Syndicate Loft cheq cock for 3rd on 1303, this pigeon was 8th open National in the corresponding race last year and will make the top 20 National time around. He was followed by a blue Gust Janssen cock which takes 7th Super Club. O Donnell Bros take 4th with Pat Maher clocking for 4th. The pigeon has been in the clock every week for Pat and is a strong contended for Ace pigeon. Ian Harty Na Deise in at 6th with S & J in again at 7th 9th 10th and look a shoe in for the OB average. In the Tower Inv it was Derek Walsh at 1st and 2nd with John Collins clocking one of his Luther Van Dross pigeons followed by the consistent Brendan Buckley at 4th. Brendan was lead hand in the first 3 races and is having an excellent run of late. In the Shamrock Club in New Ross Tony and Oisin Gaffney take top spot with Frencis Kelly clocking three close together for 2nd 3rd 4th. At the Abbeysdie Club it was a first ever win on Irish soil for the New Kid in Town the Flying Dutchman Cees De Snoo, and if you have difficulty pronouncing that then you can try it this way, Cees De Snoo, as he is better known to his friends. The lame Eagle, Jimmy Jazz Singer Maher said I could never again tune his Les Paul Air Guitar if I didn't mention Cees at least once.
Warm congratulations to Anthony Kavanagh up in Carlow on topping the National itself/. Will return to that in a moment.
A Gadsdon & Son direct from After Eight at Irish Night with the Stars in October.
Mick Mulcahy winner of the first Super Club race of the season from Kinsale. - Its John Fanning from Shamrock Club "Hollys Dream" winner of 2 x 1st in 2015 with Grandaughter Holy holding "The Midget" winner from Barleycove.
Back to Barleycove again the following week and, as predicted, after several trips up the aisle as bridesmaid it was a King size bed in the Bridal Sweet for Peter Whelan with an absolute missile doing 2054 to not only obliterate the Super Club; but is yet another week the Super Club winner will also top the South Leinster Federation. This Lambrecht x Roger Persoon 2 yo widowhood cock came roaring in off the Comeragh Mountains like a rank lion and at such pace Peter swears there was a heat haze rising from the meadow. He was so low says Peter he sheared the wool from the back of a grazing sheep. A jubilant Peter, currently conducting interviews from the bridal bed itself, says he has been a very reliable pigeons since a young bird. He has, says Peter, lifting himself onto one elbow, always been up with his leading pigeons, but this is the first time he has brought home the bouquet. Fame will definitely not go to this man's head. However, you should speak to Peter's new sport's management team about photographs.
In 2nd spot with the same terrific cock as in previous weeks is Pat Maher on 1988 and also 1985 for 4th. S & J Leahy clock 3 good pigeons for 3rd 5th and 6th. Ian Harty Na Deise in at 7th with three Waterford pigeons at Tower filling the last three spots. Derek Walsh at 8th at 1905 and 10th at 1899 being split by Bim Connors for 9th also on 1899 these last three take 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Tower Invitation. John Fanning is this weeks winner up in the Shamrock Club. We could do with slightly better info from the Shamrock.
Anthony Kavanagh winner 1st IHUNFC Barelycove 2014 and 2015.
I recently went to visit Anthony Kavanagh in Carlow. Anthony was the winner of 1st Open IHUNFC Barleycove 1. What a cracking cock this pigeon turned out to be. Now named Panda he was in immaculate condition, Tight vent bones like cast iron clamps. Silky feathering. Intelligent eye. Always looking to return to the loft yet without struggling in the hand. Panda was raced on widowhood and had been a steady performer always up with the first birds without ever actually scoring a win. He is 100% Coorman stock obtained from Anthony's good friend Jimmy Hamiton in New Ross.. Anthony made the decision some time ago to keep only one family and it is proving to be a wise choice as this loft also won the Barleycove YB National inc 2014 with a blue Coorman hen. Slightly shorter cast than Panda she is named Jessica after Anthony's young daughter and helper. The hens overall were of the highest quality and, although not raced yet they will enter the battlefield for the channel. and later inland races. Around 20 pair of stock are kept. The 2 national winners both have earned their box in there. I was a little surprised to hear Anthony races the widowhood cocks the "old way" in that they are broken down after the race with barely until Wednesday before being fed a good quality racing mixture. The lofts were neat and tidy, spotless, and fitted into Anthony's small garden perfectly. The picture shows Anthony holding the two national winners with daughter, Jessica, who Anthony tells me is a terrific help with the birds.
Prometheus.
