By way of helping our hard working ISRF PRO Michael Roche I agreed to help when ever I could with covering any fancier’s or highlight any top performance in my area. When Michael ask me if I would do a short write up on a young novice who only lives a few miles from myself I was only too happy to do so. After I made contact with young Sean and arranged a date to call, I asked a few people if they could tell me anything about him and I have to say I only heard good things.

Sean O’ Driscoll is a 21 year old apprentice electrician who lives with his family in Donnycarney on the North side of Dublin City. He flies in the local pigeon club that is within walking distance of his home, which boasts membership of over 40 and is one of the strongest clubs in the ISRF and personally I can only see this club getting better over the years when you look at the strength and quality of their members.

Sean has only been a member of the club since 2010 but its fair to say he had pigeons in his blood as both his uncles are pigeon men. He has grown up helping Uncle Mick O’Driscoll with his birds and he was only too happy to let Sean help out and gave him all the encouragement needed. 

I couldn’t believe how tight space was when entering the back garden I would say its no more than 12 foot from the back door to the front of the loft so every inch was taken up for the Pigeons. The old bird loft is 19 foot long by 8 foot wide with a flat roof divided into 4 sections, one for hens kitted out with individual boxes. Two for cocks and one section with 15 boxes for the stock birds. 

The lofts were covered in a nice bright kind of metal sheeting that can be washed down when needed. It really was very practical and something I might look into myself. The Young Bird loft is 10 foot by 4 foot, again made from wood but with a tiled apex roof enough room for 40 young birds, so no mob flying here!! All young are flown on the darkness system.

Both lofts were built by Sean’s dad to a very good standard, they were very clean and tidy with the birds looking in great condition and were ready for the forthcoming season. Sean only has room for 18 cocks and 18 hens and is only going to race the cocks on widowhood in 2014 and leave hens at home, something I hope he rethinks for the future because with such a small set up I think he should race them on roundabout but as Sean said he is still learning his trade with pigeons and going to work 5 days a week at 6.30am it doesn’t leave enough time to do everything.

All birds are treated for the normal treatments before the season starts and he feels 7 or 8 tosses is enough training for the old birds but likes to get more into the young birds. He always feeds good quality corn which he buys from two local pet shops Derek Murry’s and Sandyhill pet supplies and he enjoys going to both for a cup of tea and a chat about pigeons.

Regarding his stock pigeons he has fallen into the trap most fanciers fall into and that is having too many! Something he intends to get sorted soon. The main families kept are Staf Van Reet’s and Van Loons.Something that impressed me about this young man was even though he only has a small team to pick from he is not afraid to send to all the races including the channel and as we all know the Irish Sea doesn’t be long swallowing up your pigeons. I’m sure most of us remember our first win but I think Sean’s win will stay with him for some time to come, 1st Open Penzance 226 miles with a vel of 1065 so a good steady race. This was only the 3rd so it really was a fantastic performance.

The winner is a lovely Yearling Cheq cock bred by Brian Duffy of Blanchardstown and is of Silver Shadow breeding. I asked Sean if he felt there was anything within the sport he felt unhappy with and he said no it was all grand! I asked if he had any problems with cats or hawks and to my surprise he said the only problem he has is with foxes!!

I asked if there was anyone he admired in the sport and he said his club mates the Daniel Brothers for old birds and Martin Walsh for Channel races. He also wanted to mention his uncle Mick for all he had done for him over the years and a big thank you to Brian Duffy for breeding his first winner.

All in all I really enjoyed my visit to this polite and well grounded young man who is 100% pigeon dedicated. I really wish him well and am sure this is not the last time we will here about Sean O’Driscoll.

So on behalf of myself and Michael best of luck to everyone for the forthcoming season and don’t forget to log onto Pigeonlink.com for more reports and all of your club results.

 Yours in Sport 

Billy Harris