Word came through that the convoy of over 18,500 birds had been released into the blue skies and sunshine. It was a perfect start for the birds.
Wind at the release point was southerly and was to increase the further north the birds travelled which would suit the longer flyers and was the case as they dominated all the early positions. Set in the village of Bushmills we see not only the winner but also the Top 5 of the NIPA all from the Windsor Social club. Bushmills is a small village nestled in the beautiful North Antrim coast famous for the Giants Causeway and the world famous Bushmills Distillery. It’s a beautiful place to visit in very good weather. This small village reminds me of Belgium where you see several lofts in villages all near each other.
Well I’d like to congratulate R J Parke on not just winning the mighty NIPA but taking the top three places from over 18,500b. This is the very first time Jason has ever won the NIPA and what a way to do it. I saw the result posted in their club on the Saturday and thought to myself whoever can beat that velocity will win the NIPA.
It was brilliant news when Joey Vage messaged me to confirm they had took the top three places. By the way Joey you do a fantastic job on getting the results out so quickly, not an easy task.
The partnership consists of father and son Roy the dad and Jason the son but now Jason does all the work helped by his lovely wife Rhonda. This couple are the salt of the earth you get what you see and every time I’ve been down they get the pan on. I think that’s why my-self and Norman Bradley have put the weight on, well Norman anyway. Jason and Rhonda have eight lovely children and he will tell you that he doesn't spend too much time with the bird’s, he just keeps it so simple as he’s always busy with his lovely family.
He was standing waiting on the birds when he looked in the direction of Portballintrae and saw his NIPA winner folding up and racing to the loft. He said this little hen hit the trap that hard he wasn’t sure if he heard the beep we all listen for. He was about to check when two more hens hit the trap and ran in and he heard the bleeps so didn't bother checking to later. Yes all three pigeons where hens.
During the week he was telling me how he races them and told me Jimmy my hens are starting to please me. They are just road trained no loft flying and he feeds them then when they get a drink he claps his hands and they all go into their own boxes and he pulls down a cover until their next training spin. He said to me he actually thinks their paired to him and not the cocks as they drive at him and look to him to be treaded. He said when he sees them do this he knows their right. How right he was.
The winner is a line of pigeons he has got from his good friend Andy Boyle of the same club. Jason asked me to thank Andy for all the top pigeons he has given him and also the guidance in health care of the birds. The winning pigeon is a lovely blue hen of Van Rijn crossed with Lou Wouters and Grondelaer breeding. The bird in second open was a gift from his friend Trevor Scott for helping with a loft and who was 4th Open behind Jason’s three. The lines of this one are the best of his Stickers Donckers and Van den Brandes he acquired from A & R McAuley. Third open was a Herman Beverdam crossed with a Lambrecht.
The Windsor boys certainly had a brilliant start to the season taking the top five in the NIPA with the lofts of Trevor Scott in fourth and good friend Kenny Glass in fifth.
Let’s hope we are reading more open winners coming up to the North Coast soon. Jimmy McSeveney PO.
NIPA Race/Date
Tullamore 21/04/18 – Lib 10.00am wind South West
NIPA Open Tullamore 698/18,564 – 1-1B R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1921, 2-2B R & J Parke 1915, 3-3B R & J Parke 1912, 4-4B T Scott & Son Windsor Soc 1910, 5-5B K Glass Windsor Soc 1905, 6-1A G & S Smith Cookstown 1899, 7-2A G & S Smith 1898, 8-3A D Coyles & Son Coleraine Premier 1893, 9-6B T Scott & Son 1887, 10-7B T Scott & Son 1884, 11-8B T Scott & Son 1882, 12-4A R McAlary Coleraine Premier 1877, 13-5A D Coyles & Son 1876, 14-6A J L Madden Coleraine Premier 1875, 15-7A D Coyles & Son 1875, 16-8A Speirs & Campbell Cookstown 1873, 17-9A Diamond Bros & G McLaughlin Coleraine Premier 1872, 18-9B T & J McDonald 1871, 19-10B K Glass Windsor Soc 1870, 20-10A D Coyles & Son 1866.
Sect in each NIPA Section:-
Sect A 49/1697 – G & S Smith Cookstown 1899, G & S Smith 1898, D Coyles & Son Coleraine Premier 1893.
Sect B 104/2888 – R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1921, R & J Parke 1915, R & J Parke 1912.
Sect C 154/3753 – A McNaughton Glenarm & Dist 1806, D & J Armstrong & Son Carrick Social 1792, A McNaughton 1785.
Sect D 76/2283 – P McGarrity Crumlin 1737, J Gregory & Sons Colin 1733, I Gibb & Sons Glenavy & Dist 1730.
Sect E 127/3506 – P McFadden Monaghan 1831, P McFadden 1829, Allister & Kruger Monaghan 1796.
Sect F 39/825 – B Griffith Ards 1607, McCartan & Woodsides Killyleagh & Dist 1599, McCartan & Woodsides 1599.
Sect G 63/1932 – R Adamson Bleary 1759, T & K Mawhinney Ashfield 1740, R Adamson Bleary 1737.
Sect H 86/1680 – J Walsh Strabane 1837, D Booth Foyle 1817, D Booth 1817.
NIPA Sect A Clubs
Coalisland & District 9/423 – Sean Hughes 1791, D Carolan 1782, 1729, K Murphy 1772, E Grew 1756, B Morgan 1749.
Coleraine Premier HPS 13/353 – D Coyles & Son 1893, R McAlary 1877, D Coyles & Son 1876, J L Madden 1875, D Coyles & Son 1875, Diamond Bros & McLaughlin 1872.
Coleraine & County Derry – Donny Dysart 1809, T McCrudden 1800, W & W Murdock 1765, Sammy Thompson 1716.
Cookstown Social – G & S Smith 1899, 1898, Speirs & Campbell 1873.
Castledawson – Lynn & Leacock 1781, 1776, S Watson 1748.
Dungannon – I Blair 1760, M Pawlak 1707, 1706, E Bleeks 1702, I Blair 1699, 1696.
Windsor Social 9/341 – R & J Parke 1921, 1915, 1912, T Scott & Son 1910, K Glass 1905, T Scott & Son 1887.
Sect H was won by Jay Walsh of Strabane, the cock and hen were bought from Kenny Armstrong of Omagh, looking forward to a photo of Jay and pedigree of both birds. He tells me there of the Billy lines. Thanks to Declan for info.
NIPA Sect H Clubs
Amelia Earhart 14/174 - Mickey Rabbett 1798, William McCloskey 1777, Lexi McCloskey 1774, Mickey Rabbett 1769, 1768, William McCloskey 1745.
Derry & District 13/215 – D Canning 1805, 1793, J Ebbs 1790, R Gallagher 1775, J & G Ramsey 1764, D Canning 1752.
Foyle RPS – Sean Malone 1782, 1766, 1754, B Hart 1735, P Maxwell Snr 1731, B Page 1709.
Limavady – R Witherow 1778, 1776, 1732.
Londonderry PRS 8/129 – Billy Houston 1769, 1730, Leo Flanagan & Son 1728, Billy Houston 1726, Leo Flanagan & Son 1686, Bob Freeman 1666. Congratulations to Billy taking the top spot in today’s race.
Maiden City 11/191 – N & C Doherty 1770, 1763, F Ramsey 1760, R & G Martin 1759, F Ramsey 1759, Concannon Bros 1755. Very well done to Noel and Cera winning their first race in their new club, 4 positions in the Top 10.
Omagh & District – A Kelly 1794, R Adams 1779, C & C Reid 1738, A Kelly 1726, C & C Reid 1676, K Armstrong 1660.
Strabane & District 14/224 – Jay Walsh 1837, I Deasley 1779, J Walsh 1777, G Quinn 1744, 1743, J Walsh 1722.
NIPA Sect B Clubs
Ahoghill Flying Club 9/374 – Young McManus & Sons 1857, 1832, 1816, 1804, 1803, 1802. Brooke Supplies 2 Bird Club – Young McManus & Sons 1804, J Smyth & Son 1778.
Ballymena & District HPS 10/251 – Blair & Rankin 1825, J Eagleson & Sons 1792, Blair & Rankin 1787, McFall & McManus 1783, Blair & Rankin 1776, McFall & McManus 1769.
Ballymoney HPS 20/556 – J Hutchinson & Son 1850, D & H Stuart 1841, D Dixon 1836, J Connolly 1836, M Gamble & Son 1832, D Dixon 1825.
Ballymoney West Combine 9/310 – J Hutchinson & Son 1850, Brown & Stewart 1798, L Neill 1783, J McDowell & Son 1775, W Blair 1773, J McConaghie 1749,
Broughshane & District 8/177 – J Simpson 1767, T & M Morrow 1736, 1732, M Neilly 1718, J Simpson 1708, Val Gage 1650,.
Cullybackey HPS 10/286 – A Darragh 1841, 1815, 1800, 1797, M/M Sempey 1744, J McNaghten & Son 1740.
Crumlin & District HPS – McConville Bros 1760, J Harkness 1744, P McGarrity 1737.
Harryville HPS 10/258 – L Mullan 1789, G Price 1770, J Rock 1755, L Mullan 1751, 1751, 1751.
Kells & District HPS 6/131 – G McDowell 1771, H Boyd 1726, 1708, B Swann & Son 1699, Surgenor Bros 1695, H Boyd 1694. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – B Swann & Son 1699, G McDowell 1636, C & D Jackson 1626, Surgenor Bros 1539.
Muckamore HPS 11/346 – S Maginty 1737, S & J Bones 1724, T Patterson & Son 1719, T Fleming 1713, S Maginty 1707, S & J Bones 1703.
New Antrim Amalgamated – McFall & McManus 1783, 1769, 1768, 1729, 1718, K Wilkinson & Son 1674.
Randalstown HPS 7/219 – Stewart Bros 1809, 1808, 1802, H Boyd 1770, N Percy & Son 1769, W & W Gilbert 1746.
Rasharkin & District – J & M Milliken 1851, 1850, W & J McLean 1811, 1806, A C & T Tweed 1786, Steele & McNeill 1775.
Patrick McFadden of Monaghan was the winner of 1st Section E Tullamore with a blue pied cock. Raced as a natural 2015 young bird he got 3 races getting a 4th Club position. 2016 again he got a 4th club. 2017 he flew better, he had a 1st, 2nd and a 3rd club. His half-brother has 6 x firsts and 2 half-sisters have firsts. His sire is a 2012 Soonjen a great racer and dam is half Soonjen half Vandenbelle. She's a winner and her brother and sisters are first prize winners in two Skibbereens. Patrick had a super start to the season, taking 1st, and 2nd Section E along with several more positions in the Section and Open. This bird also won the club DTW. Indeed the Monaghan HPS had a great race, 1st 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th Section. Well done to all, Gerry Swift club secretary.
NIPA Sect E Clubs
Annaghmore – W Neill 1776, J & E Calvin 1773, G Buckley & Son 1752, 1747, P Boyd 1741, F & D McNeice 1730.
Armagh 13/437 – G & A Campbell 1768, D C & P McArdle 1753, D C & P McArdle 1733.
Beechpark Social – D Mawhinney & Son 1755, 1723, K Downey 1713.
Blackwatertown HPS – M Duggan & Son 1722, 1715, Collins & Douglas 1704.
Bleary – R Adamson 1759, 1737, 1737.
Bondhill – David Calvin 1791, 1765, Capper Brps 1740, 1737, 1737, D Calvin 1717.
Edgarstown HPS 11/235 – G & C Simmons 1767, 1747, 1746, O Forde 1727, G & C Simmons 1715, 1694. A great day for me and my dad the winner coming from Larne!!! Rab Rea aka (Rea Rockets).
Gilford & District – A Feeney & Son 1732, Rafferty & Toman 1722, C & H Beattie 1718.
Laurelvale – A Craig 1744, 1724, J Spratt 1723,
Loughgall – Stanley West 1763, 1708, 1708, S Corrigan 1695, S West 1692, 1691.
Lurgan Social – S Curran 1769, 1769, 1766, J Douglas & Son 1758, S Curran 1750, D & B Lyness 1741.
Markethill – A Humphries & Son 1761, B & P Baird 1723, 1695.
Monaghan 12/437 – P McFadden 1831, 1829, Allister & Kruger 1796, P Tierney 1795, P McFadden 1786, P Coughlan 1763.
Portadown & Drumcree – J Whitten & Son 1773, Hagan & Rowney 1741, Larkin Bros 1726, B Creaney 1725, J Whitten & Son 1704, Hagan & Rowney 1703. 2 Bird Club – Hagan & Rowney, S & N Haughian.
Wilton Cross – Toman & Hamill 1775, D Carville & Son 1750, 1747.
Tullamore was the venue of the first old bird race of the year, all the early birds were at the top end and the best bird was timed in the local area by Paddy McManus in Ahoghill. Best in Mid Antrim Combine and a good start for last season’s Old Bird Fancier of the Year.
Mid Antrim Combine Tullamore – Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1857, J & M Milliken Rasharkin 1851, J & M Milliken 1850, J & M Milliken 1849, J & M Milliken 1848, D Dixon Rasharkin 1836, Young McManus & Sons 1832, D Dixon 1826, Blair & Rankin Ballymena & Dist 1825, J & M Milliken 1824, J & M Milliken 1823, J & M Milliken 1819, D Dixon 1817, Young McManus & Sons 1816, W J McLean Rasharkin 1811. Stewart Bros Randalstown 1809, 1808, W J McLean 1806, Young McManus & Sons 1804, 1803.
Ballymena & Antrim Clubs Tullamore
Ahoghill Flying Club 9/374 – Young McManus & Sons 1857, 1832, 1816, 1804, 1803, 1802, J Smyth & Son 1778, J Orr & Son 1775, C Moore 1736, M/M Robinson 1714. Brooke Supplies 2 Bird Club – Young McManus & Sons 1804, J Smyth & Son 1778.
Rasharkin & District – J & M Milliken 1851, 1850, W & J McLean 1811, 1806, A C & T Tweed 1786, Steele & McNeill 1775, 1758, D Mairs 1727. Danny Dixon – 1836, 1825, 1817.
Ballymoney HPS 20/556 – J Hutchinson & Son 1850, D & H Stuart 1841, D Dixon 1836, J Connolly 1836, M Gamble & Son 1832, D Dixon 1825, D & H Stuart 1805, J Connolly 1804, M Gamble & Son 1801, Brown & Stewart 1798, L Neill 1783, J McDowell & Sons 1775.
Dervock RPS 5/140 - J Hutchinson & Son 1850, D & H Stuart 1841, 1805, D Devenney 1762, J Hutchinson & Son 1759, S Laverty 1742, D Devenney 1736, S Laverty 1720, D McMullan 1605, 1568.
Cullybackey HPS 10/286 – A Darragh 1841, 1815, M/M Sempey 1744, J McNaghten & Son 1740, J & J Greer 1735, G Gibson 1724, D Robinson 1724, J & J Greer 1721, M/M Sempey 1696, McAlonan Bros 1695, N & S Anderson 1687, McAlonan Bros 1683.
Ballymena & District HPS 10/251 – Blair & Rankin 1825, J Eagleson & Sons 1792, Blair & Rankin 1787, McFall & McManus 1783, Blair & Rankin 1776, McFall & McManus 1769, 1768, J Eagleson & Sons 1758, Blair & Rankin 1758, G Gilmour 1742.
Randalstown HPS 7/219 – Stewart Bros 1809, 1808, 1802, H Boyd 1770, N Percy & Son 1769, W & W Gilbert 1746, N Percy & Son 1686, 1665.
Harryville HPS 10/258 – L Mullan 1789, G Price 1770, J Rock 1755, L Mullan 1751, 1751, 1751, 1750, 1750, A McBride 1744, M D C Magill 1738.
New Antrim Amalgamated – McFall & McManus 1783, 1769, 1768, 1729, 1718, K Wilkinson & Son 1674, 1673.
Kells & District HPS 6/131 – G McDowell 1771, H Boyd 1726, 1708, B Swann & Son 1699, Surgenor Bros 1695, H Boyd 1694, B Swann & Son 1677, Surgenor Bros 1673. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – B Swann & Son 1699, G McDowell 1636, C & D Jackson 1626, Surgenor Bros 1539.
Broughshane & District 8/177 – J Simpson 1767, T & M Morrow 1736, 1732, M Neilly 1718, J Simpson 1708, Val Gage 1650, M Neilly 1647, D Houston & Son 1581, 1551, C Kennedy 1533.
Crumlin & District HPS – McConville Bros 1760, J Harkness 1744, P McGarrity 1737.
Muckamore HPS 11/346 – S Maginty 1737, S & J Bones 1724, T Patterson & Son 1719, T Fleming 1713, S Maginty 1707, S & J Bones 1703, A & E Bell 1691, A Steele 1676.
Ballymoney & Coleraine Clubs Tullamore
Coleraine Triangle Tullamore – R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1921, R & J Parke 1915, R & J Parke 1912, T Scott & Son Windsor Soc 1910, K Glass Windsor Soc 1905, D Coyles & Son Coleraine Premier 1893, T Scott & Son 1887, T Scott & Son 1884, T Scott & Son 1882, R McAlary Coleraine Premier 1877, D Coyles & Son 1876, J L Madden Coleraine Premier 1875, D Coyles & Son 1875, Diamond Bros & G McLaughlin Coleraine Premier 1872, T & J McDonald 1871, K Glass Windsor Soc 1870, D Coyles & Son 1866, K Glass 1855, R & J Parke 1854, R & J Parke 1853.
Windsor Social 9/341 – R & J Parke 1921, 1915, 1912, T Scott & Son 1910, K Glass 1905, T Scott & Son 1887, 1884, 1882, K Glass 1870, 1855.
Coleraine Premier HPS 13/353 – D Coyles & Son 1893, R McAlary 1877, D Coyles & Son 1876, J L Madden 1875, D Coyles & Son 1875, Diamond Bros & McLaughlin 1872, T & J McDonald 1871, D Coyles & Son 1866, J L Madden 1851, T & J McDonald 1849. First win of the season goes to D Coyles and son, also winning the money. Well done Bobby Coyle, great result.
Ballymoney HPS 20/556 – J Hutchinson & Son 1850, D & H Stuart 1841, D Dixon 1836, J Connolly 1836, M Gamble & Son 1832, D Dixon 1825, D & H Stuart 1805, J Connolly 1804, M Gamble & Son 1801, Brown & Stewart 1798, L Neill 1783, J McDowell & Sons 1775.
Ballymoney West Combine 9/310 – J Hutchinson & Son 1850, Brown & Stewart 1798, L Neill 1783, J McDowell & Son 1775, W Blair 1773, J McConaghie 1749, R J Elliott 1688, D Gage 1629, Curry & Gilmore 1623.
Dervock RPS 5/140 - J Hutchinson & Son 1850, D & H Stuart 1841, 1805, D Devenney 1762, J Hutchinson & Son 1759, S Laverty 1742, D Devenney 1736, S Laverty 1720, D McMullan 1605, 1568.
Coleraine & County Derry – Donny Dysart 1809, T McCrudden 1800, W & W Murdock 1765, Sammy Thompson 1716.
City of Derry Tullamore - Danny Canning Derry & Dist 1805, M Rabbett Amelia Earhart 1798, Danny Canning 1793, J.Ebbs Derry & Dist 1790, Sean Malone Foyle 1782, William McCloskey Amelia Earhart 1777, R.Gallagher Derry & Dist 1775, Lexi McCloskey Amelia Earhart 1774, N & C Doherty Maiden City 1770, Billy Houston Londonderry 1769, M Rabbett 1769, M Rabbett 1768, Sean Malone 1766, J & G Ramsey Derry & Dist1764, N & C Doherty 1763, F Ramsey Maiden City 1760, R & G Martin Maiden City 1759, F Ramsey 1759, Concannon Bros Maiden City 1755, Concannon Bros 1755. Well done to all the winners and returns were good also.
Photo Captions
Jason Parke (r) with Trevor Scott big winners in Windsor Social (Coleraine)
Best in Mid Antrim Combine was Paddy McManus (r) with Ahoghill Chairman Tom Young.
Patrick McFadden of Monaghan holding blue pied cock, winner of 1st Section E Tullamore
1st Club, 3rd Sect A & 8th Open raced by D Coyle & son Portrush some 18,000 birds at Tullamore.
Winner of 1st Open NIPA Tullamore for R & J Parke.
Winner of 2nd Open NIPA Tullamore for R & J Parke.
Winner of 3rd Open NIPA Tullamore for R & J Parke.
George McDowell starts the season with a good win in Kells & District.
Big competition in Ballymena with Bertie Blair (r) 2st and Johnston Eagleson runner-up with Rathlin Island.
Alan Darragh had the big early bird in Cullybackey HPS.
Monhagan duo Gerry Swift (l) with Peter Tierney.
Alan Craig won 1st & 2nd in Laurelvale.
G & C Simmons 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th in Edgarstown.
J Whitten & Son had the winner in Portadown & Drumcree.
From the past Dungannon members in April 1970.