The cross-channel season is a busy one for NIPA lofts, most weeks we have a second race usually one on the land. Bude was race three from across the water and the NIPA had also planned for the annual Yearlng Nat due to be flown from Skibbereen and it was a period of uncertain weather conditions. Skibbereen is hard to get out off even in good weather and with conditions forecast for this particular weekend, a decision was taken to divert this race to the shorter point of Fermoy, and it would host the Yearling National. Race marking had been delayed and birds were collected at the various centres on Saturday evening and then released the next morning Sunday 11th June at 10.20am in a southeast wind. The overall winner was Billy Hutchinson of Ballymoney, J Hutchinson & Son long time racers were to top the NIPA Section B, R D Calvin from Annaghmore was runner-up and winner of Sect E, followed by D Mullan from Strabane & District the winner in the NIPA Sect H. Billy has named his bird “Bregagh Lass” bred and raced by J Hutchinson and sent to the race sitting 7 days on eggs.
NIPA Race/Date
Fermoy (Skibbereen) Ylr Nat Sunday 11th June 2023 – Liberated at 10.20am in a Southeast wind.
NIPA Fermoy Yearling Nat Open 250/2183 – 1-1B J Hutchinson & Son Ballymoney 1625, 2-1E R D Calvin Annaghmore 1614, 3-1H D Mullan Strabane 1611, 4-2H J Ramsey & Son Derry & Dist 1611, D C & P McArdle Armagh 1610, 6-3H J Ramsey & Son 1607, 7-4H Freddie Patterson Strabane 1605, 8-3E R Parkes & Son Armagh 1598, 9-1D I Rollins & Son Hills & Maze 1597, 10-4E D Fegan Lurgan Soc 1596, 11-5E Calvin & Calvin Annaghmore 1595, 12-6E C J & B Ferris Lurgan Soc 1595, 13-7E C J & B Ferris 1594, 14-1G Mr & Mrs G Delaney Dromore 1592, 15-2G Stephen Delaney Dromore 1591, 16-8E D C & P McArdle 1590, 17-9E G Marsden Hills & Maze 1588, 18-5H D Booth Mourne & Dist 1586, 19-2D R Keegan & Son Dromore 1585, 20-2B Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1585.
NIPA Sect A Ylr Nat 27/217 – S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1552, B Morgan Coalisland & Dist 1544, B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1532, S Diamond 1532, S Diamond 1525, A McDonnell Coleraine Prem 1524, K Morton & Sons Cookstown 1521, D Quinn Coleraine Prem 1513, Isbaner Bartec Dungannon 1512, T McCrudden Coleraine & Co Derry 1506.
NIPA Sect B Ylr Nat 34/251 – J Hutchinson & Son Ballymoney 1625, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1585, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1580, J Hutchinson & Son 1568, D Dixon Ballymoney 1565, D & H Stuart Ballymoney 1558, D & H Stuart 1550, M & J Howard Coleraine Prem 1532, S & N Maginty Muckamore 1530, D & H Stuart 1530.
NIPA Sect C Ylr Nat 34/290 – J & D Braniff Glen 1573, Whiteside Bros Eastway 1568, McMurray & Anderson Ligoniel 1568, A & T Agnew Ballyclare 1566, Ed Heaney & Son Ligoniel 1565, J & D Braniff 1565, Ed Heaney & So 1560, C McVeigh & Partners Trinity RPC 1559, P & M Travers Glen 1554, J Burrows Eastway 1549.
NIPA Sect D Ylr Nat 30-282 – I Rollins & Son Hills & Maze 1597, R Keegan & Son Dromore 1585, J Greenaway Hills & Maze 1581, J Greenaway 1576, J Greenaway 1575, I Rollins & Son 1573, Johnston Bros Colin 1565, I Gibb & Sons Glenavy & Dist 1564, J Ward & Son Glen 1563, P & J Boal Dromore 1561.
NIPA Sect E Ylr Nat 64/546 – R D Calvin Annaghmore 1614, D C & P McArdle Armagh 1610, R Parkes & Son Armagh 1598, D Fegan Lurgan Soc 1596, J & E Calvin Annaghmore 1595, C J & B Ferris Lurgan Soc 1595, C J & B Ferris 1594, D C & P McArdle 1590, G Marsden Hills & Maze 1588, D Mawhinney & Son Beechpark Social 1584.
NIPA Sect F Ylr Nat 7/66 – Burgess & Brennan Bangor 1547, Burgess & Brennan 1546, Burgess & Brennan 1546, Burgess & Brennan 1546.
NIPA Sect G Ylr Nat 24/311 – Mr & Mrs G Delaney Dromore 1591, Stephen Delaney Dromore 1590, J Smyth & Sons Drumnavaddy 1568, Mark Maguire & on Newry & Dist 1566, Stephen Delaney 1564, J Smyth & Sons 1547, J Smyth & Sons 1544, S Ogle Drumnavaddy 1541, S Ogle 1540, O Markey Ballyholland 1540.
NIPASect H Ylr Nat 24/114 – D Mullan Strabane 1611, J Ramsey & Son Derry & Dist 1607, Freddie Patterson Strabane 1605, D Booth Mourne & Dist 1586, D Booth 1585, D Booth 1568, S Gilmore Mourne & Dist 1566,
NIPA Centre Results Yearling National (those available prior to publication).
Ballymoney Centre – J Hutchinson & Son Ballymoney 1625, J Hutchinson & Son 1568, D Dixon Ballymoney 1565, D & H Stuart Ballymoney 1558, D & H Stuart 1550, 1541, D & H Stuart 1530, 1528, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1521, A & M Boyle Ballymoney 1512.
Loughgall Centre – R D Calvin 1614, D C & P McArdle Armagh 1610, R Parkes & Son Armagh 1598, Calvin & Calvin 1595, D C & P McArdle 1590, P McFadden Monaghan 1582, R Parkes & Son 1579, R McCracken Markethill 1577, R Mulligan Monaghan 1574, D Calvin Bondhill Soc 1564. Congratulations to R D Calvin on winning today. Davy beats his Mum & Dad today to take his 3rd win this year behind Jinkie and Elieen Calvin on 5 wins.
Cullybackey Centre – Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1585, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1580, J Eagleson & Sons 1501, Surgenor Bros Kells 1495, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1490, Surgenor Bros Kells 1485, T Whyte Ahoghill 1483, J Rock Harryville 1475, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1473, J Eagleson & Sons 1469.
Ligoniel Centre – J & D Braniff Glen 1573, Whiteside Bros Eastway 1568, McMurray & Anderson Ligoniel 1568, Ed Heaney & Son Ligoniel 1565, J & D Braniff 1565, J Ward & Son 1563, Ed Heaney & Son 1560, C McVeigh & Daughter 1559, P & M Travers 1554, J & D Braniff 1537.
Newry Centre – Thompson & Lunn Newry City 1572, Mark Maguire & Son 1566, Owen Markey Ballyholland 1540, J F McCabe 1531, Owen Markey 1529, Thompson & Lunn 1521, Mark Maguire & Son 1520, Thompson & Lunn 1517, J F McCabe 1497, Pat McCabe 1494.
Coleraine Centre - S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1552, M & J Howard Coleraine Prem 1532B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1532, S Diamond 1532, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1529, S Diamond 1525, A McDonnell Coleraine Prem 1524, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1519, D Quinn Coleraine Prem 1513, T McCrudden Coleraine & Co Derry 1506.
Portadown Centre – G & C Simmons Edgarstown 1534, A Craig Laurelvale 1526, T McClean Edgarstown 1525, A Craig 152, A Feeney & Son Gilford & Dist 1524, 1516, S & E Buckley Edgarstown 1516, G & C Simmons 1516, C Brown 1508, R Bell & Sons 1506.
Muckamore Centre – S & N Maginty Muckamore 1530, 1521, 1478, N Lusty Muckamore 1461, S & N Maginty 1424, 1420, 1410, D J Thompson Muckamore 1399.
NIPA Feds & Combine update.
Foyle Valley Combine Fermoy Yearling Nat – D Mullan Strabane 1611, J Ramsey & Son Derry & Dist 1611, J Ramsey & Son 1611, Freddie Patterson Strabane 1605, D Canning Derry & Dist 1554.
City of Derry Fed Fermoy Yearling Nat – J Ramsey & Son Derry & Dist 1611, J Ramsey & Son 1611, D Canning Derry & Dist 1554.
Coleraine Triangle Fermo Yearling Nat – S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1552, M & J Howard Coleraine Prem 1532B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1532, S Diamond 1532, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1529, S Diamond 1525, A McDonnell Coleraine Prem 1524, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1519, D Quinn Coleraine Prem 1513, T McCrudden Coleraine & Co Derry 1506, A Parke Windsor Soc 1504, S Diamond 1493, B & D Coyle 1488.
Bertie Blair of Ballymena wins 1st Cullybackey Centre & 1st Mid Antrim Combine from Fermoy Yearling National –
Due to poor weather conditions forecast for County Cork on Saturday the NIPA decided to bring the birds back to Fermoy for their Yearling National. The birds were liberated at 10.20am in a light southeast wind and another good race followed. Ballymena fancier Bertie Blair had the best local bird in the Cullybackey Centre, and topped the Mid Antrim Combine. Bertie timing his grizzle widowhood cock at 14.03pm flying 201 miles to Chichester Park in Harryville. This cock had been racing well all season and prizes won include this week's 1st Combine, 2nd Section & 20th Open NIPA, 3rd Combine & 5th Section Fermoy 5 Bird, 7th Combine, 10th Section & 202nd Open NIPA Skibbereen OB Inland National and 9th Combine and 18th Section Fermoy. Sire is a son of Gary Gibson's Sticker Doncker Golden Pair and dam was from clubmate Johnston Eagleson breeding being Pitbull from P & D Breeding Stud x Van den Bulck. Johnston Eagleson & Sons had the next best two birds in the Cullybackey Centre and also 2nd and 7th Combine with their first bird winning 3rd Section and 25th Open NIPA. Both birds are bred from a pair of Van den Bulck's from P & D Breeding & Racing Stud. The first bird a mealy cock won 6th, 8th & 9th Combine as a young bird and the second bird a mealy w/f hen won 3rd Combine & 3rd Section from the Skibbereen YB National last season. Danny Dixon was next best with a chequer cock from a son of Heartbreaker paired to a daughter of the Belgium Lambrecht Quiverman. This cock topped the Combine last month from Fermoy and finished 2nd Section & 34th Open NIPA. Harold Cubitt was best in Rasharkin for the eighth time this season and finished 4th Combine, and 13th Section. Harold's winner has been on great form all season winning five positions in the top twenty of the Combine including 1st Combine in the opening race of the season from Tullamore. This cock is bred from Harold's old family of pigeons. Geoff Surgenor had the top two in Kells & District, the winner a pencil cock was bred off birds from David Cullar of Glenarm. The sire being Jeff Greenaway of Hillsborough bloodlines. Trevor Johnston & Son were best in Harryville and placed 5th in the Cullybackey Centre. This chequer wf cock has now won Trevor 3 x 1st club and a 3rd & 9th Section B. It was bred by his cousin Chris Houston and is Van Den Bulck. Paddy & William McManus had another win in Ahoghill with a Lambrecht cock gifted to them by clubmate and good friend Trevor Whyte and Jimmy & Jamie Greer had the winner in Cullybackey with a blue hen from the best of the Vermeerbergen-Wilms lines from good friend Keith Kernohan. Their winner is full sister to 3rd club & 24th Section and 1st club & 4th Section Gowran Park 2021. Mervyn Eagleson POS
Mid Antrim Combine Fermoy Yearling National 22/140 - Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1585, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1580, D Dixon Rasharkin 1565, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1521, A & C & T Tweed Rasharkin 1504, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1502, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1501, W McFetridge Rasharkin 1500, Surgenor Bros Kells 1495, D Dixon Rasharkin 1493, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1490, Surgenor Bros Kells 1485, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1485, T Whyte Ahoghill 1483, J Rock Harryville 1475, D Dixon Rasharkin 1475, D Dixon Rasharkin 1475, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1473, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1469, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1459, A Barkley & Son Kells 1452, C Moore Cullybackey 1449, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1447, Gregg Bros Kells 1447, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1440, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1439, A Barkley & Son Kells 1438, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1434, Gregg Bros Kells 1423, Gregg Bros Kells 1421.
RPRA (Irish Region) Awards for 2023 - Claims for the Old Bird season to be in writing with the Irish Region Secretary by the 22n July 2023, contact Noel Higginson, 8 Abercorn Square, Ballyclare, Co Antrim, BT39 9FJ. Tel 07518 748717 or e-mail noelhigginson@hotmail.com - Nothing after this date will be considered, please note its earlier than usual. Individual birds in each NIPA Section for the Meritorious Awards, single bird performance over two cross channel races from 2nd Talbenny and Penzance.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: homerbhw@gmail.com
www.pigeonnetwork.com
www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
www.nipapigeons.co.uk
www.elimarpigeons.com
Photo Captions
Billy Hutchinson from Ballymoney HPS, winner of NIPA Yearling Nat trained weekly with Homer.
“Bregagh Lass” winner of 1st NIPA Ylr Nat Fermoy for J Hutchinson & Son.
Bertie Blair of Ballymena with his Mid Antrim Combine winner from Fermoy Yearling National also 2nd Section & 20th Open NIPA National.
Johnston Eagleson of Ballymena 2nd & 3rd Cullybackey Centre, 2nd & 7th Combine, 3rd Section & 25th Open NIPA Yearling National Fermoy.
Danny Dixon of Dunloy 3rd Combine, 5th Section & 46th Open Fermoy National.
Harold Cubitt best in Rasharkin from Fermoy Yearling National. 8 x 1st club wins for Harold this season.
Geoff Surgenor 1st & 2nd in Kells in Fermoy Ylr National.
Trevor Johnston was best in Harryville from Fermoy National plus 5th Cullybackey Centre. The cock has now won 3 x 1st club.
Paddy McManus winner in Ahoghill from Fermoy National.