Dale YB Nat - Friday 5th Sept 25

[willie reynolds]

Young Bird Nat Success for A & N Lewis of Doagh -

Dale in South Wales was the location for the NIPA Y/Bird National, flown on Friday 5 th

September the convoy of 1,888 pigeons sent by 217 competing lofts were liberated at 8.30

am in a West/Southwest wind. Congratulations go to the brothers from Doagh, Co.Antrim.

Anthony & Norman Lewis with an excellent arrival on the day finishing 1 st Club, 1 st Section

C and 1 st National. The brothers timed 4 hours and 2 minutes flying 211 miles. Sire of the

National winner was bred from a pair of Fred Simpson, Doagh. Dam is from the 9 th Open

Scheele Cock when paired to a cock bred down from the Multinational INFC Winner Alan

Darraghs, Yearling National Winner. Jordan Hughes fellow NIPA Press Officer will be

covering this result for the Lewis partnership in all its Glory. Well Done to the brothers from Doagh on a super result.



NIPA Dale Y/Bird National flown Friday 5 th September – 217 members sent 1888 pigeons

liberated at 8.30 am in a West-Southwest Wind. – 1 st (1C) A & N Lewis, Doagh & District

1537 winning £221; 2 nd (2C) D & J Campbell, Eastway 1509 winning £178; 3 rd (3C) D

McElhone, Eastway 1491 winning £348; 4 th & 5 th (1B) & (2B) Danny Dixon, Ballymoney

1470, 1470 winning £117 & £106; 6 th (4C) D & J Campbell 1447 winning £59; 7 th (1G) Noel

Murtagh, Millvale 1443 winning £144; 8 th (1E) Glen Buckley & Son, Annaghmore 1442

winning £123; 9 th (2E) Philip Boyd, Annaghmore 1438 winning £110; 10 th (5C) G McKenna,

Eastway 1423 winning £59; 11 th Ronnie Williamson, Bondhill 1423 winning £825; 12 th (1D)

O & M Monaghan, Colin HPS 1422 winning £83; 13 th (6C) A & T Agnew, Ballyclare 1419

winning £119; 14 th (2G) J F McCabe & Son, Newry & District 1418 winning £63; 15 th (7C)

Gratton Bros, Eastway 1412 winning £304; 16 th (4E) Davy Calvin, Bondhill 1409 winning

£589; 17 th & 18 th (5E) & (6E) Ronnie Williamson 1407, 1407 winning £72 & £45; 19 th (3B)

Scott & Ryan Hope, Crumlin 1405 winning £92; 20 th (7E) Glen Buckley & Son 1402 winning £45.



NIPA Section A Success for Hanson Loft



Jimmy Hanson has been racing for what seems a lifetime with outstanding success flying into

one of the furthest routes within the mighty NIPA 50 years I have been told. Only last year he

topped the Open & Section from Penzance in the O/Birds and wining the Classic with a

pigeon named Little Cheryl after his daughter, Jimmy was heading out to celebrate Cheryl’s

birthday when I phoned him. Jimmy is 75 and racing like a young fella at the top of his game,

admitted when I spoke with him that its hard keeping in front of the young fellas. Seems to be

finding it easy enough, as this weekend he tops the Section A in the Mighty NIPA in both

races from both Dale and Grenagh. This Dale Section Success is down to a Blue Pied flying

243 miles, direct from “Little Cheryl” when paired to cock containing the best of the Alan

Darragh Multi INFC National winning loft sourced from his brother. Well done Jimmy and extended birthday wishes to Cheryl.



NIPA Dale Y/Bird National Section A 16/159 – 1 st Jimmy Hanson, Coleraine Premier 1355;

2 nd B & D Coyle, Coleraine Premier 1342; 3 rd G Quinn, Coalisland 1318; 4 th D Carolan,

Coalisland 1312; 5 th S McLaughlin, Meadows HPS 1306; 6 th G Quinn 1280; 7 th Lee Smyth,

Meadows HPS 1279; 8 th D Carolan 1278; 9 th Lee Smyth 1268; 10 th Lee Smyth 1263.



1 st & 2 nd Section Success for Danny Dixon

Danny Dixon needs no introductions, without any shadow of a doubt, one of the most

consistent fanciers flying to lofts on the outskirts of Dunloy, within Section B of the Mighty

NIPA. Danny has been winning at all levels for what seems a lifetime and furthermore the

pigeons that he has provided to equally win at the highest level for many fanciers all over the

country, his record is second to none, on top of that an ardent sponsor where and when he

can, notably the Mid Antrim Combine over the years. Danny timed 2 excellent arrivals

together finishing 1 st & 2 nd Club, 1 st & 2 nd Mid Antrim Combine, 1 st & 2 nd Section B, 4 th and 5 th

NIPA Y/Bird National Dale. Timing at 13.08pm flying 232 miles the first pigeon through the

trap was a Blue Bar this a direct youngster of ‘Eastern Promise’ winner of 2 nd Open direct

from Derek Nichols, Dam also was sourced from Derek and both the best of the Custers. 2 nd

pigeon directly behind the first arrival was Blue Bar W/F, this pigeon is a full sister to 2 nd

Section & 22 nd National Dale last year, Sire is a son of Dannys famous ‘Heartbreaker’ when

paired to a daughter of the outstanding ‘Aviary Cock’ when paired to his good Joss Cools

Hen. Congratulation’s Danny on what was a couple of good arrivals on the day, flying 232

miles.



NIPA Dale Y/Bird National Section B 34/295 – 1 st & 2 nd Danny Dixon, Ballymoney 1470,

1470; 3 rd Scott & Ryan Hope, Crumlin 1405; 4 th J Eagleson & Sons, Ballymena 1370; 5 th Alan

Darragh, Cullybackey 1357; 6 th Blair & Rankin, Ballymena 1357; 7 th Danny Dixon 1354; 8 th

Gary Gibson, Cullybackey 1353; 9 th J McNeill & Son, Randalstown 1349; 10 th Gary Gibson

1348.

The Dale Specialists Top Section E in Y/B National

Glen Buckley and son Ben don’t need any introductions, former INFC National Champions

of the Year with multiple INFC and NIPA successes. It’s no surprise when you just look back

at last years racing and discover that the Buckley loft topped the Old Bird NIPA Open from

Dale in the NIPA twice, awesome flying and with that success not surprising that youngsters

are bred for this race point. The Buckleys have and continue to be formidable flyers of the

Soontjen Strain, which has proved very successful for themselves and fanciers around the

country. Dam of the Section winner is a winner of 2 nd Y/Bird National out of Bude when

paired to a son of their Hall of Fame Winner. Cracking loft for all occasions and well done on your recent success.



NIPA Dale Y/Bird National Section E 59/600 – 1 st G Buckley & Son, Annaghmore 1442; 2 nd

Philip Boyd, Annaghmore 1438; 3 rd Ronnie Williamson, Bondhill 1423; 4 th Davy Calvin,

Bondhill 1409; 5 th & 6 th Ronnie Williamson 1407, 1407; 7 th Glen Buckley & Son 1402; 8 th

Ronnie Williamson 1398; 9 th Davy Calvin 1398, 10 th Gary Marsden, Hills & Maze 1396.



NIPA Section H National Success for Benally Gaongen

Section H within the NIPA consists of Fanciers who fly both the longest and most

challenging routes to time pigeons into, within the Mighty NIPA. This week from the Dale

Y/B National in South Wales congratulations goes to Ben Gaongen who is a member of the

Mourne & District HPS flying to his lofts in Enniskillen a distance of 208 miles. Ben sent 5

hopefuls to the National and timed 4 Superb performances. I must mention that Benally was

and perhaps is the first Filipino to be racing pigeons in Ireland, just started racing last year, he

admits it isn’t easy, the hawks he tells me have him tortured, when you start with 150

youngsters and now down to 20. He did tell me every time they are out, they are attacked, but

a very religious man he keeps his faith when sending his birds each week. He has enjoyed his

racing to date and has belief in what he is doing and even more belief in his family of

pigeons. Ben gives credit to Gerald Delaney who gifted him a good hen and his cousin who

gifted him a Van Loon Cock that was imported from the lofts of Stan Gawel, from Alberta

Canada. Ben great talking with you and congratulations on topping the Club and Section from the Y/Bird National.



NIPA Dale Y/Bird National Section H 4/11 – 1 st Ben Gaongen, Mourne & District 948; 2 nd Eamon Quigley, Derry & District 886.



Feds & Combines update Dale YB Nat –



City of Derry Federation Dale YB Nat – Eamon Quigley Amelia Earart 886.



Coleraine Triangle Dale YB Nat - J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1355, B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1342, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1323, J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1167, 1076, 962, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 927, S Diamond Coleraine Prem 921.


Mid Antrim Combine - NIPA Dale YB National 05/09/25

The NIPA were in Wales on Friday 5th September for their young bird National race from Dale. Birds were released at 8.30am in light south westerly winds. Danny Dixon of Dunloy timed two good pigeons out on their own at 13.08pm to win 1st & 2nd Mid Antrim Combine, 1st & 2nd Section B and 4th & 5th Open Nipa from 217 members sending 1888 birds.

Danny's first bird a blue hen was out of 'Eastern Promise' this cock was 2nd Open beaten by loftmate from Fermoy young birds in 2022 and last season 1st Section from a tough Bude race. Both parents of the first bird were from Derek Nicholl of Premier Lofts and are Heremans Ceusters. Danny's second bird a blue bar white flight hen is a full sister to 22nd Open & 2nd Section from the same race last season. Sire is off a son of 'Champion Heartbreaker' when paired to a daughter of his 'Aviary cock' and good Jos Cools hen. Danny had a further two birds placed in the Open result at 7th & 12th Section and 60th & 80th Open.

Johnston Eagleson & Sons were best in the Cullybackey Centre and finished 3rd Combine, 4th Section and 43rd Open on 1370. Their winning cheq wf cock was from their good Louis Thijs cock from Paddy & William McManus. He is sire of many winners including a hen to win 5 x 1st and Section B Champion Old Bird Of The Year in 2019. The dam is self bred from their Vandenbulck 'Dirk' cock when paired to their good 'Double Combine Winner'

Alan Darragh had the winner in Cullybackey on 1357 and won prizes of 5th, 15th, 17th & 18th Section and 52nd, 102nd, 109th & 113th Open. Alan's winner is from the last son of his 14 year old Soontjen hen. She won the Combine and Section herself and bred him many winners over the years.

Bertie Blair of Ballymena who is a former 1st Open winner of Talbenny YB National in 2019 was 5th Combine on 1357 and 6th Section & 54th Open. Sire Vandenbulck from clubmate Johnston Eagleson and dam Vandenbrande from Paddy & William McManus. Gary Gibson of Cullybackey timed two birds in the money for 8th & 10th Section and 63rd & 69th Open. Anthony McNeill had the Randalstown winner on 1349 and finished 9th Section & 68th Open. Anthony's blue cock is from Ceuster /Donker lines, the sire won 54th Open Infc yearling National and the dam won 99th Open Infc Penzance YB National and 48th Open Infc yearling National.

Jimmy Smyth had the top two in Ahoghill and placed 11th & 14th Section and 77th & 93rd Open. Jimmy also won the Mid Antrim Combine young bird knock out beating clubmates Young & McManus & Sons in the final.

Trevor Johnston of Ballymena was placed 19th Section and 121st Open and clubmate Martin Graham 20th Section. Henry Turkington was best in Kells on 1188 with a blue pied cock bred by Danny Dixon and Harold Cubitt had the Rasharkin winner on 1177.

Mid Antrim Combine - Dale YB National 22/213

D Dixon Rasharkin 1470, D Dixon Rasharkin 1470, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1370, A Darragh Cullybackey 1357, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1357, D Dixon Rasharkin 1354, G Gibson Cullybackey 1353, J McNeill & Son Randalstown 1349, G Gibson Cullybackey 1348, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1342, D Dixon Rasharkin 1340, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1323, A Darragh Cullybackey 1317, A Darragh Cullybackey 1312, A Darragh Cullybackey 1308, T Johnston & Son Ballymena 1304, M Graham Ballymena 1296, A Darragh Cullybackey 1289, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1274, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1266, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1255, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1255, D Dixon Rasharkin 1253, D Dixon Rasharkin 1242, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1236, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1234, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1225, H Turkington Kells 1188, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1187, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1177.

oung Bird Points – (Dale & Grenagh)

D Dixon Rasharkin 397, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 293, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 272, G Gibson Cullybackey 227, T Johnston & Son Ballymena 148, A Darragh Cullybackey 144, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 137, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 97, J & J Greer Cullybackey 93, Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 89.

Young Bird Club Points Shield – (Dale & Grenagh).

Cullybackey 56, Ahoghill 55, Ballymena & Dist 53, Rasharkin 52, Broughsane 21, Kells 19, Randalstown 12. Mervyn Eagleson MAC Press Officer

NIPA Centre Results Dale YB Nat available when going to preee

Doagh Centre Dale – A & N Lewis Doagh & Dist 1537, D & J Campbell Eastway 1509, D & J Campbell 1447, A & T Agnew Ballyclare 1419, Grattan Bros Eastway 1412m D & J Campbell 1395, A & N Lewis 1387, Horner Bros & Son Ballyclare 1375, Higginson & Fasciolo Ballyclare 1371, M/M B McNeilly Doagh & Dist 1363.

Ligoniel Centre Dale – D McElhone & Daughter Eastway 1491, G McKenna Eastway 1423, Bingham Seaton & Dowie Ligoniel 1399, G McKenna 1322, G McCann Ligoniel 1300, J & D Braniff Glen 1299, McMurray & Anderson Ligoniel 1242, D McElhone & Daughter 1211, C McCormick Ligoniel 1204, 1203.

Ballymoney Centre Dale – D Dixon Ballymoney 1470, D Dixon 1470, D Dixon 1354, D Dixon 1340, D Dixon 1253, H Cubitt Rasharkin & Dist1177.

Cullybackey Centre Dale – J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1370, A Darragh Cullybackey1357, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1357, G Gibson Cullybackey1353, J McNeill & Son Randalstown 1349, G Gibson 13481342, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill, J Smyth & Son 1323,A Darragh 1317, A Darragh 1312.

Coleraine Centre Dale – J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1355, B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1342, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1323, J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1167, 1076, 962, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 927, S Diamond Coleraine Prem 921.

Derry Centre Dale – Ben GaongenMourne & District 948, Eamon Quigley Amelia Earhart 886, Ben Gaongen 722, Ben Gaongen582.

Adie McCormick
Mobile: 07921883997
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: Celestiallofts@aol.com

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