'Double 8' tops Combine from tough Skibbereen
The final young bird race of the season was the Infc Skibbereen young bird National flown on Friday 20th September. Birds were liberated in County Cork at 9.30am in easterly winds and a tough race followed for the youngsters. Best bird in the mid Antrim area was timed by Danny Dixon of Dunloy on 1214 to win 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 21st North Section and 23rd Open 2008 birds. Danny's winner is the same way bred as his 'Centre Cock' being out of a son of 'Dixie Chic' when paired to his good Vandenbrande 'Alphabet hen'. Another top result for Danny who's fresh from winning 1st Open INFC Penzance YB National with 'Venus' last week.
Runner up in the Combine were the Ballymena & District winners Keith, Ken, Callum & Lewis Kernohan on 1155 and finished 81st Open. Their winner was the second bird last week from Nipa Dunmanway National winning 7th Section & 99th Open. This one was in a kit from O'Roory Hill Stud and is Jacobs x Ver Voort / Baadjou. Gary Gibson had the best Cullybackey bird on 1146 and placed 99th, 123rd, 156th & 163rd Open. His winner was bred by club mate Iain McNaghten.
Mid Antrim Combine Skibbereen - D Dixon Rasharkin 1214, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1155, G Gibson Cullybackey 1146, G Gibson Cullybackey 1136, D Dixon Rasharkin 1134, G Gibson Cullybackey 1125, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1098, G Gibson Cullybackey 1092, D Dixon Rasharkin 1083, D Dixon Rasharkin 1074, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1059, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1038, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1035, A Darragh Cullybackey 1031. Mervyn Eagleson PO.
INFC Centre/Stations Skibbereen YB Nat – subject to correction
Coleraine Centre Skibbereen – D & H Stuart Ballymoney 1219, D Dixon Ballymoney 1214, S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1203, D & H Stuart 1164, D Dixon 1134, D & H Stuart 1131, 1120, S Diamond 1114, C McCook Ballymoney 1099, S Diamond 1090, 1088, D Dixon 1083.
Muckamore Centre Skibbereen – D McElhone Eastway 1216, 1214, K Doherty Fortfield 1213, 1197, A & T Agnew Ballyclare 1189, K Doherty 1179, J Burrows Eastway 1168, D McElhone 1160, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1155, K Doherty 1151, A & T Agnew 1148, G Gibson Cullybackey 1146, A O’Hanlon 1143, J Burrows 1138, G Gibson 1136, J & D Braniff 1136, D McElhone 1126, G Gibson 1125, Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel 1125, D McElhone 1115.
