Old Bird Trophy Winners 2017:
Mulgrew Family Cup (Mullingar) - J Hutchinson & Son Ballymoney Vel 1685
G. F. Whiteside Cup (1st Tullamore) - Gordon Bros & Son Killyleagh Central Vel 1786
Gilmour & Beattie Cup (Gowran Park) - J F McCabe & Son Newry & Dist Vel 1446
S. Calvert Cup (Gowran Park) - D Booth Foyle Vel 2166
H McCabe Cup (Corrin) R Williamson Newry & Dist Vel 1757
R Harkness Cup (Corrin) - D Booth Foyle Vel. 1257
Simpson Cup – (1st Talbenny) - D & J Campbell Eastway Vel 1447
Ledlie Cup (2nd Talbenny) - R Williamson Newry & Dist Vel 1396
Vint Cup (Bude) - J & J Scates Titanic Vel 1645
McCrory Cup (Penzance) – J Rock Harryville Vel 1449
Northern Bank Cup (Fermoy) – Cowan & McCartney Dunedin Vel 1763
McIlwaine Cup (Fermoy) - Kennedy & Lyons Hills & Maze Vel 2103
Young Bird Trophy Winners 2017:
Frazers Animal Feeds Cup (1st Area Lib) - J Hall & Son Harmony Vel 1584
Frazers Animal Feeds Cup (2nd Area Lib) - G Murphy Millvale Vel 1359
H A Montgomery Cup (Tullamore) - Higginson & Fasciolo Ballyclare Vel 1990
B Hunter Cup (Roscrea) - R Williamson Newry & Dist Vel 1686
W. V. Troughton Cup (Gowran Park) - G Murphy Millvale Vel 1359
S. Inglis Cup (1st Fermoy) - Sands & Rice Ballyholland Vel 1685
J. P. O’Hagan (Tyres) Cup (2nd Roscrea) - N Edgar & Son Dromara Vel 1680
S. Montgomery Cup (2nd Fermoy) - P Ward Derry & Dist Vel 1951
First Young Bird Race Area Liberations Diplomas:
H Clubs Mullingar – J Quigley & Son Amelia Earhart Vel 1289, B & Part A Clubs Mullingar – J & M Milliken Rasharkin Vel 1478, C Clubs Mullingar – M & T Griffith Eastway Vel 1542, F Clubs Navan- J Hall & Son Harmony Vel 1584, D Clubs – Mullingar- R & J Conlane Kingswood Vel 1510, E & Part A Clubs- Tullamore- A Craig Laurelvale Vel 1572, G Clubs Tullamore - Sands & Rice Ballyholland Vel 1555.
Second Young Bird Race Area Liberations Diplomas:
B & Part A Clubs Mullingar - K Glass Windsor Social Vel 1280, C Clubs Tullamore – G & M Atcheson Ligoniel Vel 1299, H Clubs Mullingar - D Booth Foyle Vel 1236, D Clubs Tullamore – Gregg Bros & McCandless Titanic Vel 1287, E & Part A Clubs Tullamore – Rafferty & Toman Gilford Vel 1347, F Clubs Mullingar - Gordon Bros & Son Killyleagh Central Vel 1322, G Clubs Tullamore - G Murphy Millvale Vel 1359.
Average Trophy winners 2017:
McCluggage Cup – Best average in all channel races including Nationals - Donnelly Bros Newry City Vel 1075
Scania Cup – Best average Old Bird National & Classic races – Russell Bros Dromara Vel 879
Major Lewis Cup – Best average in all races England and Wales – R Williamson Newry & Dist Vel 1441
Surgenor Cup – Best average 2nd Talbenny, Bude and Penzance – R Williamson Newry & Dist Vel 1485
Harper Cup – Best average Old Bird and Young Bird channel Nationals – Russell Bros Dromara Vel.806
Devine Memorial Trophy – Best two bird average Old Bird National - Not Won
Dickson Cup – Best average Bude and Fermoy Young Bird - W & J Smyth Ballymena Vel 1528
Erwin Trophy – Best average all National and Classic races – Russell Bros Dromara Vel.1124
B. Fox Cup – Highest position obtained by any N.I.P.A. official, committee member or club delegate in Old Bird National race - No Claim
W. E. Diamond Cup – Best average Talbenny & Rosscarbery Young Bird Nationals – J Greenaway Dromore HPS Vel. 1305
Agar Cup – First yearling in Old Bird Classic race – D Dixon Ballymoney Vel 1443
Waring Trophy – Best average in all National races – Donnelly Bros Newry City Vel 1079
New North Trophy - Best average Penzance Old Bird and Talbenny Young Bird National -
D & J Armstrong & Son Carrick Social Vel 1400
Halliday Cup- Best Average O B Inland Nat & OB & YB Channel Nat – Russell Bros Dromara Vel 958
O`Roory Hill Stud Trophy – Best average O B & Y B Roscarberry Nationals - J Greenaway Dromore Vel 1581
Section Trophy Winners 2017:
Section “A” H. Devine Cup – St Malo – Not Won, Section “B” Leslie Mairs Memorial Cup – St Malo M Graham Ballymena Vel 441, Section “C” J Campbell Memorial Cup- St Malo D McMurray & H Anderson Ligoniel Vel 518, Section “D” H. McVeigh Cup – St. Malo Russell Bros Dromara Vel 705, Section “E” E. & J. McCambley Cup – St Malo – A McDonald Portadown & Drumcree Vel. 691, Section “F” A. Brown & Family Cup – St Malo Not Won, Section “G” Norman Girvan Memorial Cup – St. Malo Donnelly Bros Newry City Vel 694
Section “E” E. & J. McCambley Cup -1st Talbenny - G & A Campbell Armagh Vel 1417
Section “E” E. & J. McCambley Cup - 2nd Talbenny – P Hope Edgarstown Vel 1385
Section “E” E. & J. McCambley Cup - Bude – B & A Beattie Bondhill Vel 1622
Section “E” E. & J. McCambley Cup - Penzance – D Carville & Son Wilton Cross Vel 1441
John Bingo Orme Memorial Trophy 1st Section F Old Bird Inland National - McGimpsey Bros Ards Vel 2007
N.I.P.A. Old Bird Section Fanciers of the Year 2017:
Section A – G & S Smith Cookstown 552 Points, Section B – A Darragh Cullybackey 386 Points, Section C – D McElhone Eastway 464 Points, Section D – I Rollins & Son Hills & Maze 498 Points, Section E – D Calvin Bondhill 474 Points, Section F – C Healy Killyleagh Cent 535 Points, Section G – R Williamson Newry & Dist 534 Points, Section H –D Booth Foyle 645 Points
N.I.P.A. Young Bird Section Fanciers of the Year 2017:
Section A – B Morgan Coalisland 306 Points, Section B – Thompson Bros Crumlin 293 Points, Section C – G & M Atcheson Ligoniel 254 Points, Section D – J. Greenaway Dromore H.P.S 332 Points, Section E - J Douglas & Son Lurgan Social 295 Points, Section F – J Hall & Son Harmony 261 Points, Section G – R Williamson Newry & Dist 341 Points, Section H – D Booth Foyle 238 Points
N.I.P.A Overall Section Fanciers of the Year 2017:
Section A – G & S Smith Cookstown Social 844 Points, Section B –S Maginty Muckamore 561 Points, Section C – D McElhone Eastway 683 Points, Section D – J Greenaway Dromore 848 Points , Section E – D Calvin 592 Points, Section F - C Healy Killyleagh Central 757 Points, Section G – R Williamson Newry & Dist 877 Points, Section H – D Booth Foyle 883 Points
NIPA Section Champion Old Bird 2017:
Section A - K Murphy Coalisland Blue Hen GB 15 S 83717, Section B - Thompson Bros Crumlin Blue Cheq Hen GB 14 A 32757, Section C - D McElhone Eastway Cheq Cock IHU 16 N 23130, Section D - I Gibb & Sons Glenavy Blue Cock GB 16 D 29154, Section E - D Mawhinney & Son Beechpark Blue Hen GB 16 B 15092, Section F - McGimpsey Bros Ards Blue Cock GB 14 A 16117, Section G - Sands & Rice Ballyholland Black Cheq Hen GB 16 A 41015, Section H - A Kelly Omagh Blue Cheq Cock GB 16 D 20336
NIPA Champion Old Bird Overall 2017 (J Moreland Memorial Trophy) - McGimpsey Bros of Ards - Blue Cock GB 14 A 16117.
NIPA Section Champion Young Bird 2017:
Section A - B Morgan Coalisland Blue W/F Cock GB 17 C 10221, Section B - D & H Stuart Ballymoney
Blue Cheq Hen GB 17 B 20694, Section C - Gregg Bros & McCandless Titanic Red Cheq Cock NWHU 17 D 8237, Section D - M Laffin Lisburn Blue Cheq Cock GB 17 L 34129, Section E - Hagan & Rowney Portadown & Drumcree Blue W/F Hen GB 17 X 36419, Section F - J Hall & Son Harmony Blue Hen GB 17 H 33954, Section G - O Markey Ballyholland Blue Cheq Cock GB 17 B 23651, Section H - D Booth Foyle Cheq Pied Cock GB 17 F 19466.
NIPA Section Champion Young Bird Overall (The Irish Region Trophy) Gregg Bros & McCandless Titanic HPS Red Cheq Cock NWHU 17 D 8237.
NIPA Young Fancier of the Year 2017 – (B Fletcher & Son Cup) – Delaney & McCambridge Harmony
Runner Up – (NIPA Trophy) Miss Keelie Wright, Lurgan Social
NIPA President’s Cup – Jack Delaney, Harmony.
National and Classic Winners 2017:
B. Fletcher & Son Cup – Rosscarbery Old Bird National – O Markey Ballyholland Vel 2124
Stena Trophy – Fermoy Five Bird O.B. Championship – B Corley Monaghan Vel 1335
J. H. O’Neill Cup – Penzance Classic – J Rock Harryville Vel 1449
News of the World -- McComb Cup -- Pigeon Portal.com Cup – St. Malo Old Bird National –
Russell Bros Dromara Vel 705
D. McNeilly Cup – Runner-up St. Malo Old Bird National – Donnelly Bros Newry City Vel 694
McKeown Cup – Talbenny Young Bird National – R Francey Eastway Vel 1399
H. McVeigh Cup – Rosscarbery Young Bird National – Mr & Mrs G Delaney Dromore Vel 1289
Northern Bank Cup – Yearling Hen National – G McKenna Eastway Vel 1904
Northern Bank Cup – Yearling Cock National – D & J Campbell Eastway Vel 1906
Volvo – Fermoy Five Bird Y.B. Championship – N Weir Loughgall Vel 1920
Irish Region Meritorious Awards 2017 (Talbenny & Penzance) – Single Bird Performance
Sect A - Hanson & Harpur Coleraine Premier 1305, Sect B - J Rock Harryville 1373, Sect C - A Cooke Ballycarry 1354, Sect D - No Claim, Sect E - S & E Buckley Edgarstown 1418, Sect F - K Murray Killyleagh & Dist 1342, Sect G - R Williamson Newry & Dist 1403, Sect H - No Claim
Overall Winner S & E Buckley Edgarstown 1418
Irish Region Mileage Awards 2017: 0-250 Miles A Hall Omagh, 251-450 Miles Russell Bros Dromara, 450 + No Claim.
Best Y B Performance 2017: Gregg Bros & McCandless Titanic NWHU 17 D 8237
Best O B Performance 2017: McGimpsey Bros Ards GB 14 A 16117
Young Fancier Mileage Awards 2017: 0-250 Ellie Marshall Comber, 251-450 Keelie Wright Lurgan Social, 450 + No Claim.
Young Fancier of the Year 2017: 1st Keelie Wright Lurgan Social, R/up Ellie Marshall Comber
Ladies Night Friday 10th November 2017 in the Templeton Hotel Templepatrick.
Tickets available from Fred Russell. (028) 9269 3913 evenings
All trophy winners not attending Ladies Night to collect their trophy can collect it in the NIPA office, these trophies will NOT be taken to the Ladies Night presentation.
Ladies Night for the Mighty NIPA – With another full house at the Templeton Hotel in Templepatrick on Friday 10th November, the NIPA Chairman Ken Wilkinson welcomed all present and firstly introduced the guests. From Dublin Eugene Fitzgerald the President of the Irish Homing Union and former President of The Confederation and the Irish National Flying Club who had brought along good friend Kevin Bernie. They were joined at the top table by NIPA President Robert Reid and family also RRRA Irish Region Secretary from Carrickfergus, and NIPA Vice Chairman Sammy Thompson from Bushmills, and NIPA Vice Pres Samuel Briggs from Lisburn. Also present the Secretary of The Irish National Flying Club Trevor Topping and family from Lisburn, and Mr & Mrs Beattie from Laurelvale who sponsored the Fermoy 5 Bird Championship. The main sponsor for the 2017 season, and past number of years were Frazer Animal Feeds.
Ken asked the members to stand for a moment in respect of deceased members over the year which included Patron Lyndon Boyle who was a former Chairman and President, Brendan Fox from Lisburn club Chairman for many years and a former President of NIPA and sympathy also extended to the Capper Family who had a sad loss in the last few days.
Sammy Thompson said grace and following an excellent four course meal the NIPA Secretary and Assistant Fred Russell and Gregory McEvoy assisted by Sam Briggs and Robert Reid sorted the big presentation. What a job they had in hand getting everything ready for the big night, invaluable work over many hours and a lot of time setting up prior to the dinner. The Chairman congratulated all the winners and all those who assisted over the past season in both transport and administration.
The full list of winners had been published recently, the major winners included Russell Bros from Dromara who won the Premier Old Bird National from St Malo in France, a very difficult race with just 10 birds home in race time. In this race the partnership won the News of the World Cup, McComb Cup and Pigeon Portal.com Cup and Average Trophy awards including Scania Cup Best Ave OB Nat & OB Classic, Harper Cup Best Ave OB Nat & Talbenny YB Nat, Halliday Cup Best Ave OB Inland Nat, St Malo OB Nat & Talbenny YB Nat and Erwin Trophy Best Ave all National & Classic Races.
Some of the major winners were not present and this would appear to be on the increase, they have redesigned the presentation to cut down on time and I hear they hope to make more changes. I would prefer the individual presentation, even if a second night at a different venue under a different format had to be arranged. Don’t know how a division could be worked out but a big lot has to be pushed into the one presentation at Ladies Night, no doubt it will be discussed further.
Each race produces an NIPA Open winner, very difficult to win 1st Open no matter what part of the country you fly into. Davy Booth who races to lofts in the Strabane Area putting his birds through the Foyle Club in Derry was prominent in the old birds winning 1st Open from both Gowran Park and Corrin and 1st Sect H in a lot of the other races. The opening race of the old bird season was flown from Mullingar the Ballymoney HPS in North Antrim topped the NIPA a race never to be forgot for Billy Hutchinson who with his mother collected the Mulgrew Family Cup. The penultimate race in the old birds prior to France is Penzance, it’s always a major test regardless of the conditions. This year the best bird was timed in the heart of Mid Antrim in the Ballymena based Harryville HPS when Jimmy Rock an Ace Racer in the club not only won 1st Open Penzance but also 1st Open in the duplicate Old Bird Classic. At Ladies Night he lifted McCrory Cup and in the OB Classic the J H O’Neill Cup. In Ballymena & District another Ace Racing loft W & J Smyth won the Dickson Cup for the Best Average Bude OB & Fermoy YB races. Staying with the same club Martin Graham had one of the best results of the year in Mid Antrim timing the only bird in Sect B in the Premier OB Nat from St Malo which turned out a very hard race, he lifted the Leslie Mairs Memorial Cup doing velocity 441ypm.
Let me look now at the Champion Bird award, we list a winner for each NIPA Section and trophies are won for the overall winner. J Moreland Memorial Trophy for OB won by McGimpsey Bros and the Irish Region Cup for YB going to Gregg Bros & McCandless. In the Old Birds Karl Murphy of Coalisland & Dist was winner in Sect A, Thompson Bros from Crumlin & Dist won Sect B for the second year with the same Blue Cheq hen, and Davy Mawhinney & Son of Beechpark were the winners in Sect E. Brendan Morgan of Coalisland & Dist was the YB winner in Sect A. In Sect Fancier of the Year Alan Darragh from Cullybackey had the winner in OB Sect B and Thompson bros won the YB. Brendan Morgan won the YB award in Sect A. David Booth won all three Fancier of the Year awards, Old Bird, Young Bird and Overall Sect H Fancier of the Year. Miss Keelie Wright from Lurgan Social won the NIPA Cup for Young Fancier of the Year runner-up in 2017.
That was a look through the various winners in the NIPA Sect A, B, E & H that collected their awards at the Annual Ladies Night, I have included a few photos. Congratulations to one and all.
Willie Reynolds
NIPA Press Officer
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
http://www.pigeonnetwork.com
http://www.niparacingpigeons.co.uk
http://www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
Photo Captions
Big winners at the NIPA Ladies Night, Russell Bros from Dromara.
Derby & Classic winners with the Special Guest Eugene Fitzgerald and Chairman Ken Wilkinson.
Included Owen Markey, Jimmy Rock, Russell Bros and Gerald Delaney.
David Booth & Family from Strabane won several awards in the NIPA Sect H
including Section Fancier of the Year.
Billy Hutchinson and his mother from Ballymoney won 1st Open NIPA Mullingar.
Jimmy Rock from Harryville, winner of Penzance and the Old Bird Classic.
Billy Smyth (W & J Smyth) Ballymena & Dist winner of the Dickson Cup.
Thompson Bros from Crumlin & Dist won the Sect B Champion Bird in OB,
same bird for two in a row.
Karl Murphy from Coalisland & Dist, Champion Old Bird in Sect A
Brendan Morgan from Coalisland & Dist, Champion Young Bird in Sect A.
Davy Mawhinney from Beechpark Social, Champion Old Bird in Sect E.
Alan Darragh from Cullybackey, OB Fancier of the Year in Sect B.
Jimmy Rock from Harryville had 1st Open NIPA from Penzance,
1st Open OB Classic.
Keelie Wright from Lurgan Social with awards collected at Ladies Night.
Blue Cheq hen Champion "Brenda-Ann ", 1st Sect B St Malo,
raced by Martin Graham, Ballymena.
The fantastic array of Cups & Trophies at NIPA Ladies Night.
Jimmy Hanson from the Coleraine Premier collects Diploma.
Dennis Lyness from Lurgan Social collects Diploma.