Acting Chairman Alan Darragh welcomed members and friends to a packed Templeton Hotel in Templepatrick last Friday to celebrate the racing achievements of NIPA members in the past racing season. He invited President of the RPRA (Irish Region) Mr Sammy Thompson to say grace prior to the meal being served. Following the fantastic four course meal, Roast Beef & Yorkshire pudding, he thanked the hotel staff and then introduced the top table. Main guests were Neil Frazer of Frazer Animal Feeds in Banbridge, a major sponsor of the NIPA, from the RPRA we had as was mentioned Sammy Thompson (President) and the Secretary’s Mr & Mrs Robert Reid. They were joined by NIPA President Herbie Boyd who will help present the awards, NIPA Vice Presidents Diamond Carson, Malcolm Livingstone, Owen Donnelly and Joe Kelly and not forgetting NIPA Secretary and Assistant Fred Russell and Gregory McEvoy, all with their respective wives. Mr & Mrs Trevor Topping and son Robert represented the INFC.
The NIPA Presented their awards first, a big presentation with the major awards presented by Herbie Boyd and Neill Frazer followed by the RPRA (Irish Region) awards. Good to see that the majority of the winners were able to attend, a number of those for the very first time.
The National and Classic Winners 2012
B. Fletcher & Son Cup – Rosscarbery Old Bird National won by S & L Drain, Coalisland & Dist. Vel. 1574. Stena Trophy – Fermoy 5 Bird O.B. Championship won by P. Lue & Son, Downpatrick Vel. 1535. J. H. O’Neill Cup – Penzance Classic won by G & A Campbell, Armagh H.P.S Vel. 1414. News of the World Cup, McComb Cup and Pigeon Portal.Com Cup – St. Malo OB National won by M. Wilkinson, Wilton Cross Vel. 1455. D. McNeilly Cup – Runner-up St. Malo OB National won by A.McAteer & Sons, Ballyholland H.P.S Vel.1453. McKeown Cup – Talbenny YB National won by Rea & Magill, Horseshoe Vel. 1473. H. McVeigh Cup – Rosscarbery YB National won by I. Rollins & Son, Hills. & Maze Vel. 1711. Northern Bank Cup – Yearling Hen National won by T. McKinstry, Tandragee Vel. 1398. Northern Bank Cup – Yearling Cock National won by Mark Maguire & Son, Newry & Dist. Vel. 1491. Volvo Trophy – Fermoy 5 Bird Y.B. Championship won by R. Bothwell, Beechpark Social Vel. 1709.
Average Trophy winners 2012
McCluggage Cup – Best Average in all cross channel races including Nationals won by Ron. Williamson, Bondhil Social Vel. 1363. Scania Cup – Best Average OB National & Classic races won by Ron. Williamson, Bondhill Social Vel. 1420. Major Lewis Cup – Best Average in all races England and Wales won by Ron Williamson, Bondhill Social Vel. 1331. Surgenor Cup – BestBaverage 2nd Talbenny, Bude and Penzance won by Ron. Williamson, Bondhill Social Vel. 1381. Harper Cup – Best Average OB & YB cross channel Nationals won by Ron. Williamson, Bondhill Social Vel. 1405. Devine Memorial Trophy – Best 2 Bird Average OB National won by Donnelly Bros, Newry City Inv. Vel. 1407. Dickson Cup – Best Average Bude OB and Fermoy YB won by Ron. Williamson, Bondhill Social Vel.1505. Erwin Trophy – Best Average all National and Classic races won by Ron. Williamson, Bondhill Social Vel. 1438. B. Fox Cup – Highest position obtained by any N.I.P.A. official, committee member or club delegate in OB National race St. Malo won by A. Darragh Cullybackey Vel. 1362. W. E. Diamond Cup – Best Average Talbenny & Rosscarbery YB Nationals won by J. McClurkin, Ligoniel H.P.S Vel. 1561. Agar Cup – First Yearling in OB Classic race won by Ron. Williamson, Bondhill H.P.S Vel. 1376. Waring Trophy – Best Average in all National races won by J. Greenaway, Dromore H.P.S Vel. 1456. New North Trophy – Best Average Penzance OB and Talbenny YB National won by W & J Smyth, Ballymena & Dist. Vel. 1352.
N.I.P.A. Champion Old Bird of the Year 2012 - (J. Moreland Memorial Trophy) won by Gregg Bros & McCandless, Ligoniel. Grizzle Cock GB11L 30828.
N.I.P.A. Champion Young Bird of the Year 2012 - (Irish Region R.P.R.A. Trophy) won by G McEvoy, Beechpark Social. Blue Hen GB12D 32758.
N.I.P.A. President’s Cup for merit and achievement won by Kevin Carolan, Coalisland & District.
Any of the major winners should feel free to submit a report giving details of the bird and the loft for publication and same goes to any photos taken either at the presentation or at the loft. More to follow, call back for updates. HOMER.
Yet again a major winner in the NIPA Ron Williamson of Bondhill.
Winner of the St Malo OB National Maurice Wilkinson of Lurgan with Herbie Boyd (l) and Neil Frazer (r).
Donnelly Bros from Newry City won the Devine Memorial Trophy.
Alan Darragh from Cullybackey won the B Fox Cup for St Malo. (1st Sect & 13th Open).
New starter J McClurkin from Ligoniel won the W E Diamond Cup Best Ave YB Nationals.
Jeff Greenaway from Dromore won the Waring Cup Best Ave in all National Races.
Joe Cromie from Dromara (l) won 1st Open NIPA Fermoy and Paddy Lue Downpatrick won the Fermoy OB Championship.
S & L Drain from Coalisland won the B Fletcher & Son Cup 1st Open Rosscarbery OB Nat.
G & A Campbell from Armagh won the J H O'Neill Cup 1st Open Penzance Classic.
A McAteer & Sons from Ballyholland won the D McNeilly Cup r/u St Malo OB Nat.
The McKeown Cup for the Premier YB Nat Talbenny was won by Rea & Magill Horseshoe.
The H McVeigh Cup for 1st Rosscarbery YB Nat was won by I Rollins & Son, Hills & Maze.
Tom McKinstry from Tandragee won the Northern Bank Cup 1st Yearling Hen Nat.
Roy Bothwell from Wilton Cross in Lurgan won the Volvo Trophy 1st Fermoy YB Championship.
The Presidents Cup for performance and merit was won by Kevin Carolan of Coalisland.
Champion YB of the Year and Irish Region Trophy was won by Gregory McEvoy of Beechpark Social.
Ron Williamson and daughter won most of the Average Cups inc. McCluggage, Scania, Major Lewis, Surgenor, Harper, Agar and Erwin Trophy Best Ave all Nat & Classic Races.
