We are visiting those lofts who won Old Bird races this season, both as an acknoledgement of their success, and seeking a little bit of information on their methods, etc. It may help those who have not yet achieved that coveted 1st. Prize. We probably will not get around to ALL successful lofts, but will be adding a few more each week as the season progresses.


ALAN KNOWLES of COOLOCK & DISTRICT
Alan is very pleased with his season so far, and why wouldn't he be! Wins out of Thurles (84 mls.), Pilmore Beach (125 mls.), Rosscarbery (173 mls.), Barleycove (201 mls.) and twice out of Sennen Cove (230 mls.). He keeps a number of strains, including Soontjens and Willy Thas of Mille, Belgium, and uses the Roundabout System. Training is up to twelve miles. He is a strong believer in putting cider vinegar in the drinking water.


BILL O'MARA of DUBLIN NORTH EAST
Bill is no stranger to the 'winner's enclosure' and 2009 is no different, with wins out of Thurles (84 mls.), Rosscarbery (173 mls.) and Pilmore Beach (125 mls.). In that Thurles win he topped the Irish South Road Federation, over 9,600 pigeons competing. Having blended a number of different strains to his own liking, Bill now races what can only be described as 'his own' strain. Using the Roundabout System, he trains to about twenty miles, three times a week.


ROBERT DOWDALL & SON of EAST WALL & DISTRICT
This loft topped their club out of Mallow (132 mls.) and Talbenny (119 mls.) Robert got his stock from local Dublin sources - Gerry McCourt and Jos Reilly's Cannon Lillis Lofts, which he races using Widowhood. the traditional Widowhood System is followed regarding feeding, training etc. Robert advises to do what he did - get your stock birds from the best local sources.


SEAN MOHAN of NORTHSIDE & DISTRICT
Sean topped his club out of Rosscarbery (172 mls.) and Talbenny (121 mls.). He races his Janssen-based birds on the Natural System, and believes in training his birds hard - five days a week, up to thirty miles. He believes that proper feeding is the key to success, and that many fanciers over-feed.


GERRY DALY & SON of DONNYCARNEY
Gerry's loft has really come into form in the past few weeks. He won out of Sennen Cove (229 mls.) and then out of St. Malo (382 mls.), topping the Irish South Road Federation in that one. His pigeons are Janssen based, and he uses the Roundabout System. He does not break the pigeons down and only gives medication when needed. Every Wednesday Gerry mixes 'Actimel', minerals and grit in with the feeding. Gerry is also doing very well in the Irish National Flying Club, taking 40th Open in the Yearling National, and also an early bird in the King's Cup.


DAVID & JEAN MURPHY of RATHFARNHAM RPC.
This partnership has had wins this year out of Pilmore Beach (116 mls.), twice out of Mallow (128 mls.) and Rosscarbery (164 mls.). Their team of Busschaert/Janssen pigeons respond well to the mixture of Widowhood and Roundabout System they employ. They adhere to the Widowhood feeding system, breaking them down early in the week, etc. They feel very strongly on the treatment of canker, stressing that the internal canker can have devastating effects without any visible signs.
The pigeon Jean is holding is '31', the Rosscarbery winner, which has Tommy Moorehouse bloodlines - Tommy who is the anticipated winner of the INFC King's Cup 2009. David is holding the cock that has has two wins this year, last year AND the year before.


JOHN CLEARY & SONS of EAST WALL
This loft won out of Rosscarbery (170 mls.) in what was the fastest race of the season. The team consists of Delbars, Janssens and Henri Van Neste, raced Natural System. They are trained about three times a week to around thirty miles. They are lightly fed in the morning, getting the rest of their feed in the evening. John treats his pigeons regularly for canker etc., and emphasises that keeping the pigeons in top form is the key to success.


CHRISTY KEOGH of DUBLIN HOMING CLUB
When it comes to long distance racing, Christy Keogh is your man! He won St. Malo (382 mls.) again this year, with the pigeon he is holding. Of Gordon Kilpatrick/John Catherwood bloodlines, this was her second time flying St. Malo. Christy also flies Staf van Reets, using the Widowhood and Roundabout System. He trains his birds every second day. He considers that the foundation of his success is the fact that, at the end of the moult, he treats his pigeons for everything, thus having them in good health for the start of the next season.


JOS REILLY & KEVIN of EAST WALL
Also known as 'Canon Lillis Lofts', this partnership claims to have the best Gaby Vandenabeele and direct Janssens in the land. Once racing went over 200 miles, this loft came into its own, winning the two Sennen Cove races (227 mls.) and St. Malo (380 mls.).They believe that regular training and not over-crowding in the loft is the key to success.


T. R. & A. COWZER of RIALTO
This partnership scored out of Barleycove (194 mls.) and Sennen Cove (226 mls). They have pigeons from Pow Bros. and Jos Thone. Normally the race Widowhood, but this season, because of some loft reconstruction, they raced Natural System. They feed the widowhood system - breaking down early in the week etc. They treat the birds regularly for canker, and clear the respiratory tracts every Thursday ( before a race) and every Sunday (after a race). They train fairly hard, sometimes twice a day, if they think the pigeons need it.


PAT HOLMES of RIALTO
Pat topped his club out of Pilmore Beach (118 Miles). He got his pigeons from two successful local lofts - Mick Flynn of Sarsfield and John Rooney of Cabra. Racing to the Roundabout System, he feeds 'Gerry Plus' and trains his birds every morning over a short distance (about ten miles). He strongly advocates putting garlic in the water, which greatly helps to condition the pigeons. The pigeon he is holding here has had three 1st prizes, being 2nd. Irish South Road Federation on two occasions.


TYNAN BROS. of RIALTO
This loft scored a hat-trick of wins, from Thurles (78 mls.), Rosscarbery (167 mls.) and Barleycove (194 mls.). They have Soontjens and Staf van Reets, which they race on the Natural System. The pigeons are fed once a day - as much as they want. They train every day to about 30 miles. They only trwat the birds as needed, and give multi-vitamins regularly. They believe that general care and attention, coupled with the regular training is the key to success.


ANTHONY MEEHAN of NORTHSIDE
This is Anthony's first year racing with Northside, and he had a winner out of Rosscarbery (173 mls.). He keeps Louis Cooremans, Busschaerts, Staf van Reets and some Van Loons. Although he races Natural System at present, I get the feeling that will change next year. The pigeons are trained every day and fed with a standard mix. Once a week he puts natural yougurt.


THOMAS DANIEL of SARSFIELD
This very successful loft had two wins - Thurles (76 mls.) and Mallow (129 mls.). His team consists of Marcelis, Staf van Reets and Soontjens. He uses the Roundabout System, does not train his Old Birds at all once the racing starts, and trains the Young Birds lightly. He considers canker as the fanciers worst enemy, and treats his birds for it every three to four weeks.


BILLY HARRIS of DUBLIN NORTH EAST
Here we see Billy holding the two pigeons that have won for him (so far!) this year. He topped his club out of Barleycove (200 mls) and also scored in the first Young Bird race out of Thurles (83 mls.) He has a lovely team of Willy van Herck pigeons which he got from Philip Boal of Dromore, Northern Ireland. Racing on the Roundabout System, when I asked him about training he just grinned and said: "King of the Road" - which means about 30 miles every day. He pays great attention to the respiratory system to keep his pigeons right. His advice? "Keep their heads right and their feeding down."


DANIEL BROS. of DONNYCARNEY
Peter and Charlie won out of Mallow (135 mls.), racing their Soontjen/Janssen bloodlines. They favour Widowhood/Roundabout, and feed the traditional Woodhood system. Sticklers for keeping their pigeons in the peak of health, they treat for canker and clear respiratory system alternatively every two weeks. They also answered "King of the Road" when I asked about training! Their advice for success is to vaccinate YBs before you move them to the YB loft, and to train your YBs hard and feed them heavy.


M & G McCOURT of NORTHSIDE
Mark and Gerry race a team of Soontjens, Busschaerts and Van Loons on the Roundabout System. They have had their usual good season with wins out of Mallow twice (135 mls.), Plimore Beach (124 mls.), Rosscarbery (172 mls) and Sennen Cove (230 mls.) The birds are fed twice a day, and trained about three times a week. Canker and respiratory matters are kept under control. They advise setting achievable targets for the season, and then to go for it! They advise buying from the best local fanciers, and rather than buying, say, ten medium good pigeons, put the same money into one really good pair.


GERRY SMALL of GALWAY
Gerry is as committed a fancier as you will meet. Racing John Eagleson of Northern Ireland pigeons, he won out of Monaghan (107 mls.) this year. He is a believer in the Natural System, feeding his birds once a day - a mixture of grains and pellets. He does not believe in too much medication, treating only once a year for 'everything'. The pigeons are trained twice a week, and also given quite a bit of freedom around the loft. Gerry advises that you get your hands on a bottle of "Teurlings", a probiotic, and give it to your birds once a week.


HARRY LUPTON of GALWAY
Harry Lupton is one of the 'Father Figures' of pigeon racing in Ireland, and I know that the members of Galway RPC appreciate how privileged they are to have him. He had two great wins this season - Ballycastle (175 mls.) and Hamilton (266 mls.). He got his birds from two great Dublin fanciers, Phil Smith and the late John Gilligan. Harry races his pigeons on the Natural System, and I don't think he will ever change. When I enquired about the training his pigeons get, I was told, with a smile, "If I'm going anywhere, I bring them with me." Harry is a great believer of putting cider vinegar and garlic in the water.


TOMMY MURRAY of GALWAY
Totally committed to his team of Gaby Vandenabelle pigeons, Tommy took first prizes out of Mullingar (70 mls.) and Stirling (280 mls.). A firm believer in the Widowhood System, his birds are fed an ounce-and a half per day, and trained well up to the first race and not at all after that. Very conscious of the importance of having his pigeons in the peak of health, they are treated as he deems necessary. He stresses the importance of having the loft well aired, but not draughty.


ODIE MOORE of DUBLIN NORTH EAST
One of the stalwards of his club, Odie had success out of Talbenny (120 mls.). Racing Widowhood for his Old Birds and Darkness for his Young Birds, he is quite pleased with the performance of his Marcelis/Janssen stock. He believes in schooling his pigeons well, and so they go 30 miles every day. Regular checks are made for the usual ailments, and the pigeons are treated accordingly.


TOM McNALLY of KILDONAGH
Tom had a good win on the channel out of Talbenny (120 mls.). His pigeons are Janssen/Busschaert based, and he races on the Roundabout System. He believes in feeding the birds once a day and controlling the amount they get. He does not "overdo it" with medication while at the same time making sure they are kept in peak form. The pigeons are trained every second day. His advice is to keep trying - success does not come easily.


JOHN HANLEY of KILDONAGH
John certainly took the big one - the French race out of St. Malo (381 mls.) How many heed the sound advice of going to the best local fanciers for stock? John did, and got his pigeons from Dublin Aces John Heffernan, Henry Byrne and Gerry O'Mara. Some of his team are raced Roundabout, others, Natural. He trains them hard, feeds the heavily and avoids medication as much as he can


GERRY O'MARA of KILDONAGH
What can you say only "Phenomenal!". Out of twelve land races, Gerry won ten - all race-points from Thurles (85 mls.) to Barleycove (201 mls.) From a base of Busschaerts, van Loons and some others, Gerry has a strain that he can truly call his own. He races the Roundabout System, feeding the standard widowhood system. His birds are trained twice a week and get the normal treatments for canker etc. Gerry's tip is to go into your loft last thing at night, in the dark, with a torch, and see the droppings. This is the sure way of identifying which pigeons (if any!) have health problems.


MARK HARTNETT of KILDONAGH
Mark had wins out of Thurles (84 mls.) and Sennen Cove (230 mls.). Another successful fancier who "shopped local", he is delighted with the excellent pigeons he got from Alan Best of Dublin.He has dabbled in all the racing systems, and feels that the dedication of the fancier is the most important factor.


DARREN DENT of KILDONAGH
It's nice to win off the channel, and that's what Darren did, with a win from Sennen Cove (229 mls.). Although he does have a few other strains, his main bloodlines are Galloways. He considers the Roundabout System and getting the feeding right as the key to success. He believes in early diagnosis and treatment for any conditions that might knock his pigeons off form.


ANDREW DENT of KILDONAGH
Andrew had wins out of Mallow (136 mls.) and Talbenny (120mls.). He races mainly Sony Galloway pigeons on the Roundabout System. He feeds the birds heavy as he trains them heavy - they go thirty miles every day. He now believes in as little medication as possible - having, as he put it himself, "tried the other way". His advice is to keep it simple, follow a routine and watch your pigeons, and they will let you know.