The birds were marked on Saturday 18th August at the Barrow Valley Club. Remember that this One-Loft race was embedded within the Irish Homing Union NFC's young bird race so responsibility for marking and convoying the 107 One-Loft pigeons was their responsibility. Personally I think that all pigeons sent to the final race in ANY one-loft race should be INDEPENDENTLY marked and convoyed, as in this case. Now it's expected that the total number of pigeons released at Barleycove will be in the region of 6000, so our pigeons were always going to get pulled around by different batches heading to different counties!

The weekend's weather was windy, grey, and wet for the most part! At least Sunday proved to be a dry day! The birds were released at 10am into a lively North/Northwest wind and we knew straightaway that the birds would have to work very hard. The flip-side of a harder race is the greater likelihood of single arrivals, with the valuable prizes on offer not being divided by seconds or part thereof. Also, being part of a huge convoy makes it so much more unlikely for batches of pigeons to arrive together as anyone who competes in National racing will readily testify.

Once again a fabulous BBQ was organised by Paddy and Ursula Moore. This kept the large number of fanciers in attendance well fed as they awaited the early pigeons, and if the free BBQ wasn't enough Francis and Marguerite had filled the cold cabinet with beers and soft drinks. All this hospitality really supports the event and helps everyone have a great race-day experience.

Various sages were guessing the arrival time of the first pigeon. We'd heard on the grapevine that pigeons had dropped into Dungarvan just after the two-hour mark, so arrivals between 13:15 - 14:00 seemed probable? In the event the first bird to arrive was spotted at around 14:05 and it was a Blue W/F Cock entered by the True Blue Syndicate with the pigeon being bred by Brian Emmet of Dublin. Whilst not trapping instantly this cock did at least respond to Francis' urging and was timed at 14:06:32. Based on the Hot-Spot races, this cock perhaps wouldn't have been an 'expected' pigeon, and this seems to be borne out by the fact that it was unpooled! However this pigeon picks up the first prize of €5000 plus a DELL Laptop Computer supplied by the main race sponsor, PBO Solutions. Congratulations to Brian, to whom Francis spoke with later in the day. I understand he was DELIGHTED to hear the news of his win, and so he should be! Enjoy!

The next pigeon to arrive was a nice Chequer cock entered by The Smith Family and bred by Des Smith. However, this cock was not too interested in trapping and after a couple of minutes being sat in front of the trap he was unluckily beaten to second place by a better trapper. Very bad luck indeed for this syndicate, costing them €500 in prize money, but that's pigeon racing! This blow was perhaps softened by the fact that it was at least very well pooled thus picking up €656 to add to its prize money of €1250. This cock was also 4th in the Clonakilty Hot-Spot race so was a 'form' pigeon!

Third to arrive but, most importantly, second to trap, and picking up €1750 in prize money, was another unpooled pigeon this time entered by the Roselawn Syndicate and bred by Peter Whelan. I'm sorry to be short on information for this good hen and I'll try to expand on ALL the leading pigeons when I get the chance.

Fourth to arrive and trap was a White Grizzle hen entered by the FASK Syndicate and bred by Frank Archibald. Another well pooled pigeon this hen picks up a combined total of €1250 for her efforts! This hen was also 3rd in the Clonakilty Hot-Spot race so was another 'form' pigeon!

Two Belgian rung pigeons bred by Luc Culemans landed closely together, with the Blue Pied pigeon entered by the Bude's Best Syndicate trapping just ahead of a big Blue entered by Phillip Kinsella. Some of you may be aware that Luc bred last year's winning pigeon so I reckon there'll be no shortage of people banging on Luc's door to get hold of some winners for next year.

The 5th pigeon was well pooled picks up a tidy combined total of €946, which will go some way to alleviate the travelling, accommodation, and bar bills of the four likeable Cornish fanciers making up this syndicate. Phillip's 6th placed pigeon picks up €600 in prize money alone.

Just a short word for Paul Kelly's good hen '004' who had won BOTH of the 'Hot-Spot' races. Now, regardless of how she did this is a SERIOUSLY good hen. I spoke to Paul at basketing and he was rightly keeping his feet firmly on the ground, being hopeful rather than expectant. Well, she didn't score today but timed very creditably in 20th position. Paul's till a few Euros ahead of the game from the 'Hot-Spot' races thus cushioning any disappointment in this race.

Speaking as a BRIT, I'm qualified perhaps to observe that the Irish boys gave us a proper pasting this time around! These things happen in pigeon racing Boys, and what we've got to do is get straight back in the saddle and have another crack at them! A spirit of adventure plus a little bit of luck on the day is all that's required for us to take a fair proportionate share of the magnificent prizes on offer.

The pigeons arrived steadily, rather than quickly, throughout the rest of the day. 49 returned on the day with a further thirty-odd the next day. These birds all had a hard race and doubtless will be handled gently for a few days. However there are another couple of 'National' races on the horizon and it's possible that a good many of the One-Loft pigeons will be sent back to these races. Those pigeons that remain will be auctioned later this year (date and venue to be confirmed).

A total of €13098 in prizes and pools was raced for and, overall, the event has to be considered a success. Some syndicates were of course luckier than others in terms of their entries making it through to the Barleycove race. Francis and Marguerite, and their support network of family, friends, and other local fanciers, did a great job managing the pigeons and I hope that a good many of you support the race again next year.

As far as this website, and other communications, are concerned we have already heard and taken on board some constructive criticism. We already have some ideas on how to improve information creation and distribution via this and other websites, e-mails, perhaps even SMS messaging? Please remember though that a careful balance has to be struck between the cost of a glitzy all-singing-and-dancing website, entry fee levels, and prize money payable. That said we will always do our very best to improve all aspects of the event to make it an enjoyable experience for all competitors.

(Paul O'Leary)