Crucial Mid-Antrim Combine meeting set for Wednesday

After many long years we have reached a crisis for the local fancy and I feel the MAC is in great danger of closing.

Following the AGM Harryville called a special meeting and I understand they decided by a large majority to withdraw from the Mid Antrim Combine, they could very well be followed by others.

When the MAC first got going, it just was the result of the local clubs that made up a Top 20 of the best birds each weekend.

Davy Campbell produced the weekly result and these were widely published.

At that time the founding clubs were Harryville, Ballymena & Dist, Kells, Ahoghill, Cullybackey, Broughshane and Ballymena Championship which later closed.

Years later they joined the RPRA to make things official, and additional clubs joined, Rasharkin which included a lot of Cullybackey members, Randalstown and then finally New Antrim Amal when this club moved down from Antrim.

Over time many cups and trophies were added for competition and that included a Champions League among member clubs, four lofts from each club competing. Points awarded in the early part of the League and then the top lofts going through to knock-out in the cross channel races with the final from Penzance.

No club has ever left in the past, if a few do it may well be Mid Antrim Combine is all over.

Remember the meeting on Wednesday is in Ballymena & District HPS Clubrooms at 8.00pm.

Also remember the deadline date for INFC Membership this year is earlier at 12th April, make sure your Secretary has the Form away.

MID-ANTRIM TRAINING

Homer starts the season training on Easter Tuesday 29th March covering the same route as last season going to Oxford Island.

Probably each Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday when racing starts weather permitting of course, and before racing training on good days. Calling with Danny Dixon in Dunloy around 8.00am, Cullybackey 8.45am, and at Ahoghill Clubrooms 9.30am. Tel or Text Homer: 07538 238364.

Robert Alexander Training – New local service of training with Robert now retired putting the Harry Richmond Trailer back on the road. Birds can be loaded at his home 27 Upper Princess Street between 8.00am and 9.00am, then Herbison Feeds 9.15am to 9.45am and Harryville Clubrooms 10.00am until 10.15am. Tel: 07873 816832.

Frank Dickey Tel: 07596 912221 pigeon training starts Monday 28th March at McCosh’s Garage Ballymena at 7.00am -7.20am then Dunsilly Roundabout 7.30am -7.45am and all usual drops after that, ring Frank for any more info.