Grenagh YB - Friday 05/09/25

[willie reynolds]

NIPA Open Success for Stevenson Partnership –

Grenagh on the outskirts of Mallow in County Cork was the race point for the NIPA

on Friday 5 th September as well as a convoy in Dale, South Wales for the NIPA

Y/Bird National. Following a previous weekend of no racing due to terrible weather

conditions, top marks go to the committee/management of the NIPA for the

organisational approach in facilitating three races within 5 days to keep the Y/Bird

programme flowing, not an easy task and well done to all involved from the

committee down to the Club officials and members.



Going to focus on the Grenagh report in this one and do a separate one for the Dale

National. I had a conversation with my father “Homer” the other week just wondering

how many fanciers purchase the BHW or get it via the On-Line version. Everything

now is at the tap of a finger with social media and the online BHW which is available

on a Wednesday, the weekly reports are sent to the relevant web sites at the same time

they are sent to the weekly press including the News Letter on a Wednesday who

have covered the racing pigeon sport in Northern Ireland for years thanks to Homer.

On a personal point off view, I did previously as I do now, execute the race report

asap, firstly the fast majority off us work or in some instances have daily

commitments, I am no different, I remember previously when I done the Scribes job

sitting up all night on a Sunday/Monday am to finish a race report to make sure it was

published on the forthcoming Thursday in both the BHW and RP. Then went onto my

work. Similarly, since taking this over from Homer (Dad), I haven’t changed, fair

play to Joey Vage who has the result on the NIPA website in record time, from that I

work on, in doing the column for the websites and pigeon press, till 3am a couple of

mornings this week after I arrived home at 11.30pm from work. I can only add into

the report what is provided and with each race, I touch base with all or designated

Section Winners one way or another and extended thanks to my contacts who bend

over backwards to get publicity for their fellow winning fanciers looking photos and

info, if not forthcoming the report goes to press without it.

It’s been some years from I visited the lofts of Fiona and the late Bobbie Stevenson in

Dromara, thinking back I recall it was my good friend Philip Boal who done the

driving following success from Skibbereen/Rosscarbery I think. What a result it is for

Fiona and her daughter Julie Ann this week continuing in their endeavours to keep the

pigeons going in memory of Fiona’s late husband and Julie Anns father Bobbie, not

only winning the Club, Section but NIPA Open from Grenagh against 4,000 +

pigeons. Awesome result ladies very well done. Jordan Hughes will no doubt be

following this one up in his report as the corresponding Section and NIPA open

Success scribe.

NIPA Grenagh Y/Bird flown Friday 5th September 2025. 201 members sent 4,379

pigeons – Liberated at 9.30am in a Lt S/West wind. Open Result – 1 st (1D) Mr & Mrs

Stevenson, Dromara 1846; 2 nd & 3 rd (1G & 2G) Eddie McAlinden, Banbridge 1845,

1844; 4 th (3G) J F McCabe & Son, Newry & District 1841; 5 th (4G) W McDowell &

Son, Drumnavaddy 1841; 6 th Gary Marsden 1835; 7 th (1C) Bingham & Seaton & Dow,

Ligoniel & District 1834, 8 th (2C) Higginson & Fasciola, Ballyclare & District 1831;

9 th (2D) K Johnston, Derriaghy 1832; 10 th (5G) John J McCabe, Newry & District

1831; 11 th (3C) Higginson & Fasciola 1831; 12 th (3D) I Rollins & Son, Hills & Maze 1829; 13 th (6G) J F McCabe & Son 1829; 14 th (4D) Herman McAvoy, Dromore 1828;

15 th (5D) Jeff Greenaway, Hills & Maze 1826; 16 th (6D) O & M Monaghan, Colin

1826; 17 th (4C) McMurray & Anderson, Ligoniel & District 1825; 18 th (7G) J F

McCabe & Son 1824; 19 th & 20 th (2E & 3E) Davy Calvin, Bondhill 1824, 1824.



Double Delight for Jimmy Hanson

Coleraine’s Jimmy Hanson had the weekend to remember, at the age of 75 he is

racing as determined now as he was 50 years ago. What a performance for the loft

from the Dale Y/Bird National also, on top of this one, yet again winning 1 st Club, 1 st

Section A. The pigeon in question from Grenagh is a pure Sticker Stonkers timed at

13.31 the Dam is a gift from the legendary Danny Dixon when paired to a cock from

Gary Gibsons Golden Pair, nothing else needs added superb racing from Jimmy, think

that is his 8 th Red Card of 2025. Something noted is the weeks I do the reports and the

number of times both lofts are mentioned in supplying quality pigeons that produce

the goods ie. Gary Gibson & Danny Dixon.



NIPA Section A Result Grenagh Y/Bird 9/141 – 1 st J Hanson Coleraine Premier 1698,

2 nd L Smyth Meadows 1691, 3 rd J Hanson 1686, 4 th B & D Coyle Coleraine Premier

1682, 5 th L Smyth 1680, 6 th S Diamond Coleraine Premier 1674, 7 th Siobhan

McLaughlin Meadows 1673, 8 th , 9 th & 10 th S Daimond 1658, 1658, 1658.

NIPA Sect A Clubs

Coalisland & District – 3/31 1 st R McElhatton 1615, 2 nd & 3 rd D Carolan 1614, 1504,

4 th R McElhatton 1493, 5 th D Carolan 1458, 6 th B Morgan 1440.

Coleraine Premier HPS – 7/113 1 st Jimmy Hanson 1698, 2 nd T & J McDonald 1689, 3 rd

Jimmy Hanson 1686, 4 th B & D Coyle 1682, 5 th Sean Diamond 1674, 6 th T & J

McDonald 1661.

Cookstown Social – 1/30 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th G & S Smith 1593, 1572, 1571, 1547,

1518.

Windsor Social – 3/42 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd & 4 th R & J Parke 1700, 1643, 1633, 1624, 5 th & 6 th

Kenny Glass 1598, 1583.



Excellence to the Fore for the Bones Loft

One of the most consistent lofts on the outskirts of the heart of the NIPA Section B is

the loft of S & J Bones in Antrim. Excellence is bred from established lofts. Trevor Yates is to the fore in this partnership, honestly no better loft man to be had. Not for

the first time this weekend I write about the name of Gary Gibson, I have to say any

young fancier setting out to start racing should contact Gary for advice. Honest hard-

working man and has proved his racing credentials from a young age. Now back to

the immediate winner a Blue Cock bred from a hen sourced from Gary Gibson this

being a granddaughter of the Golden Couple, paired to a cock sourced from Rea &



Magill of Larne. The winner of Section B was 1 st Club last week finishing 16 th Section

and 293 rd Open NIPA.



NIPA Section B Result Grenagh Y/Bird 29/501 – 1 st S & J Bones, Muckamore 1816;

2 nd Sefton Thompson, Crumlin & District 1809; 3 rd S & J Bones 1804; 4 th John

Harkness, Crumlin & District 1781; 5 th Young & McManus & Sons, Ahoghill 1778;

6 th Danny Dixon, Ballymoney 1759, 7 th Steele & McNeill, Rasharkin & District 1727;

8 th S & J Bones 1726; 9 th K & K Kernohan & Sons, Ballymena & District 1725; 10 th

Sefton Thompson 1723.

NIPA Sect B Clubs

Ahoghill Flying Club – 4/60 1 st Young, McManus & Sons 1778, 2 nd , 3 rd & 4 th J Smyth

& Son 1669, 1669, 1655, 5 th Young, McManus & Sons 1646, 6 th J Smyth & Son 1644.

Ballymoney HPS – 3/84 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd & 4 th Danny Dixon 1759, 1699, 1698, 1698, 5 th &

6 th John Connolly 1670, 1670.

Ballymena & District HPS – 4/69 1 st & 2 nd K & K Kernohan & Sons 1725, 1711, 3 rd R

Service & Son 1709, 4 th & 5 th K & K Kernohan & Sons 1665, 1664, 6 th S Johnston &

Son 1662.

Cullybackey HPS – 4/90 1 st Alan Darragh 1667, 2 nd J & J Greer 1665, 3 rd & 4 th Alan

Darragh 1656, 1656, 5 th Gary Gibson 1654, 6 th Alan Darragh 1649.

Crumlin & District – 2/54 1 st Sefton Thompson 1809, 2 nd John Harkness 1781, 3 rd , 4 th ,

5 th & 6 th Sefton Thompson 1723, 1697, 1688.

Muckamore HPS – 3/29 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , & 5 th S & J Bones 1816, 1804, 1726, 1679,

1663, 6 th T Patterson & Son 1653.

Randalstown HPS – 1 st J McNeill & Son 1349, 2 nd & 3 rd Stewart Bros 1236, 1135, 4 th J

McNeill & Son 1069.

Rasharkin &District HPS – 4/40 1 st , 2 nd & 3 rd Steele & McNeill 1727, 1631, 1631, 4 th

& 5 th Harold Cubitt 1563, 1543, 6 th W McFetridge 1533.


Excellent NIPA Section E Success for Gary

In what turned out to be a Strong West Wind it just adds to what an achievement Gary

Marsden has done in winning the Section, to be honest what a superb year and

subsequent years this loft has had, one of the top performers. This weeks Section

winner was the first pigeon back to the loft last week and decided to sit out 3 minutes,

heartbreak when that happens, still end up 153 rd Open. This week different day and

different race flying 203 miles in a strong west wind to record a Section win where

the Marsden lofts are, is some achievement the extreme best of the Leideman Bros in

the bloodlines. Well Done Gary super racing just not this year but over the last

number of years.


NIPA Section E Result Grenagh Y/Birds 50/1,469 – 1 st Gary Marsden, Hills & Maze

1835, 2 nd & 3 rd Davy Calvin, Bondhill Social 1824, 1824, 4 th Gary Marsden 1824, 5 th ,

6 th & 7 th Davy Calvin 1823, 1813, 1813, 8 th Thompson & Lunn, Newry City Inv 1811,

9 th Davy Mawhinney & Son 1806, 10 th Davy Calvin 1805.

NIPA Sect E Clubs

Annaghmore – 6/172 1 st & 2 nd G Buckley & Son 1777, 1775, 3 rd & 4 th J & E Calvin

1772, 1772, 5 th & 6 th Glen Buckley & Son 1766, 1744.

Armagh HPS – 4/85 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th & 6 th P Duffy 1756, 1755, 1742, 1741, 1741,

1730.

Beechpark Social – 5/111 1 st & 2 nd D Mawhinney & Son 1806, 1773, 3 rd & 4 th G

McEvoy 1756, 1755, 5 th D Mawhinney & Son 1740, 6 th M Duggan & Son 1703.

Bondhill Social – 4/261 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th & 6 th Davy Calvin 1824, 1824, 1823, 1813,

1813, 1805.

Edgarstown – 8/235 1 st Tommy McClean 1762, 2 nd David Love 1733, 3 rd & 4 th G & C

Simmons 1733, 1733, 5 th Tommy McClean 1727, 6 th G & C Simmons 1726.

Gilford & District – 3/49 1 st A Feeney & Son 1779, 2 nd G O’Dowd 1769, 3 rd Rafferty

& Toman 1764, 4 th A Feeney & Son 1747, 5 th & 6 th Rafferty & Toman 1736, 1735.

Laurelvale – 2/46 1 st A Craig 1748, 2 nd J H Muldrew & McMurray 1736, 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th , &

6 th A Craig 1720, 1698, 1693, 1682.

Loughgall – 2/94 1 st R Calvin & Daughter 1774, 2 nd D & C & P McArdle 1767, 3 rd R

Calvin & Daughter 1753, 4 th , 5 th & 6 th D & C & P McArdle 1747, 1719, 1675.

Lurgan Social – 10/259 1 st , 2 nd & 3 rd Sean Curran 1778, 1777, 1776, 4 th C, J & B Ferris

1773, 5ht & 6 th Sean Curran 1771, 1764.

Monaghan HPS – 1 st Richard Mulligan 1775, 2 nd & 3 rd Stephen O’Brien 1646, 1646,

4 th , 5 th & 6 th Richard Mulligan 1641, 1633, 1632.

Meadows – 5/140 1 st & 2 nd Alan Larkin & Sons 1770, 1743, 3 rd Larkin Bros 1722, 4 th

Geoffry Douglas 1693, 5 th & 6 th Lee Smyth 1691, 1680.



Section Success for the Ramsey partnership from Grenagh

Samshing result for Jim Ramsey timing a Blue Hen at 14.51 flying 213 miles,

winning the Derry & District Club and NIPA Section H. This hen was a Winner from

Kilbeggan (1) finishing 2 nd Section. The best of the Lambrechts in the Bloodlines from

the late Leslie Madden, Coleraine. Jim was telling me these pigeons have bred

numerous winners for the loft and are trained extremely hard before the first race, the

loft opts to try and stop them after the fifth Y/Bird Race. Well Done Jim excellent

racing, a smashing pigeon finishing 2 x 1 st Club and 1 st & 2 nd Section.



NIPA Section H Result Grenagh Y/Bird 5/33 – 1 st J & G Ramsey, Derry & District

1166, 2 nd P Hegarty, Derry & District 1133, 3 rd Anthony McCrudden, Derry & District

1095, 4 th D Canning, Derry & District 1072, 5 th Anthony McCrudden 1061; 6 th P

Hegarty 1059; 7 th & 8 th J & G Ramsey 1044, 966; 9 th D Canning 925; 10 th P Hegarty

904,

NIPA Sect H Clubs

Amelia Earhart – 1 st M & M Rabbett 786.

Derry & District – 5/33 1 st J & G Ramsey 1166, 2 nd P Hegarty 1133, 3 rd A McCrudden

1095, 4 th D Canning 1072, 5 th A McCrudden 1061, 6 th P Hegarty 1059.

Feds and Combines update Grenagh –

Coleraine Triangle Grenagh – R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1700, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1689, J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1686, B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1682, S Diamson Coleraine Prem 1674, 1658, 1658, 1658, J Hanson 1649, S Diamond 1647, J Hanson 1641, B & D Coyle 1630, 1572, 1569, A McDonnell Coleraine Prem 1552.

City of Derry Federation Grenagh – J & G Ramsey Derry & Dist 1166, P Hegarty Derry & Dist 1133m A McCrudden Derry & Dist 1095, D Canning Derry & Dist 1072, A McCrudden 1061, P Hegarty 1059, J & G Ramsey 1044, J & G Ramsey 966, D Canning 925, P Hegarty 904, M & M Rabbett Amelia Earhart 786, P Hegarty.

Mid Antrim Combine - NIPA Grenagh 05/09/25

The NIPA were in Grenagh for the penultimate race of their young bird season. Birds were released on Friday 5th September at 9.30am in light south westerly winds. Taking the top two positions in the Mid Antrim Combine with two good birds were Paddy & William McManus of Ahoghill on 1778 & 1776. The two birds arrived together at 13.05pm and first to trap was the blue hen that three days earlier won 1st club 2nd MA Combine, 2nd Section and 11th Open NIPA from Benamore. She is bred from a pair of Leideman pigeons brought in at the tail end of last season and her nestmate was actually 2nd Combine from Kilbeggan in the opening race. The second bird timed was bred from a pair of W & F Ebben pigeons. Both birds finished 1st & 2nd Mid Antrim Combine and 6th & 7th Section B. That's 3 x 1st Mid Antrim Combine winners and 4 times Combine runners up this season for the Croft Lofts in Ahoghill.

Next best at 3rd Combine & 8th Section was Danny Dixon of Dunloy on 1759 with a blue cheq hen. The sire is a son of the 'Aviary Cock' when paired to Danny's good Jos Cools hen and dam is a daughter of 'Champion Heartbreaker'. Danny had a further 3 birds in the top ten of Combine at 8th, 9th & 10th. The Rasharkin winner Jackie Steele was 4th Combine on 1727 with a Lambrecht cock being off the 'V Cock' which in turn is a son of '02'. The Ballymena & District winners Keith & Callum Kernohan completed the top five in the Combine on 1725. The Kernohan team had a good race with five birds in the top 20 of the Combine. Their winner was joint breeding with clubmate Robin Service. The sire is a son of Willy's Pride x Diamond Princess and dam is a granddaughter of Kriss Van Massenhoven's Box No.2 pair. Keith & Callum's second bird at 6th Combine was Vermeerbergen x Keith's good hen 'Happy Day's' a winner of Mid Antrim Combine Champion Young Bird of the year in 2023 plus 2 x 1st Combine and 1st Section Fermoy 5 Bird. Robin Service was 7th Combine on 1709 and Alan Darragh was best in Cullybackey on 1667 and 13th Combine.

Mid Antrim Combine - Grenagh 18/306

Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1778, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1776, D Dixon Rasharkin 1759, Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 1727, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1725, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1711, R Service & Son Ballymena 1709, D Dixon Rasharkin 1699, D Dixon Rasharkin 1698, D Dixon Rasharkin 1698, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1669, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1669, A Darragh Cullybackey 1667, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1665

J & J Greer Ahoghill 1665, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1664, S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1662, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1661, A Darragh Cullybackey 1656, A Darragh Cullybackey 1656, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1655, T Johnston & Son Ballymena 1655, G Gibson Cullybackey 1654, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1651, A Darragh Cullybackey 1649. Mervyn Eagleson MAC Press Officer.


Complete clearance sale for S & J Bones of Muckamore HPS

Wesley Sawyers is conducting the online sale for the S & J Bones partnership. Jason Has Decided To Call Time On His Racing Career Due To Work Commitments, Jason Had Been Racing In Partnership With

His Late Father Sammy & Good Friend Trevor Yates Until Recent Times. Although Trevor Was Still A Great Help Around The Lofts,

Work Has Taken Over And Trevor His Not As Young As He Thinks He Is. They Have Decided After A Successful Season, Now Is The Time To Bring The Curtain Down On Their Tenure In the Sport. Having Secured A NIPA Open Winner From Fermoy With ‘TREVORS PRIDE’ Along With A Few Section Winners Also, It Seems Appropriate To Go Out Now On A High With An Open Winner To Top The Year.

As A Partnership, They Have Amassed A Decent Collection Of Awards And Accolades Including The J. Campbell Memorial Trophy For 1st Section St Malo OB Nat. 2019 Plus Section C OB Channel Fanciers Of The Year In 2019. They Have Numerous Section Winning Diplomas & Again 2025 Will Be A Highlight When They Lift The S. Calvert Cup For 1st Open NIPA OB Fermoy.

Included in the sale are Section B Winners plus direct children and siblings of all the top performers at Moorview Lofts. STARS OF THE SALE will be the NIPA Open Winner ‘TREVORS PRIDE’, The PROLIFIC Breeder From Gary Gibson, A 2020 daughter off ‘BLUE STEFAAN’ & ‘JESSICA’ down off the ‘GOLDEN COUPLE’, Plus Other SUPERB Breeders From Mr & Mrs McNeilly, Rea & Magill, Whiteside Bros & B&P McEvoy. The bloodlines of Emiel Dillens Via Mick Gallagher & August Bellens Bloodlines From Sean Hunt are sure to attract attention, along with the sprinkling of R. Moore & Son birds that have proved successful for the partnership. Also included is the cream of their 2025 race teams having flown the OB season out and all prize winners in YB team retained after the decision to bring the curtain down on their racing career.

Duddy Bus Trip to Blackpool 2026 - We hope to organise our usual trip to Blackpool for the show on 17th and 18th January 2026. Arrangements will be much the same as they were for the 2025 show , leaving on the Belfast Stenna Line ferry to Cairnryan at 7:30am on Friday 16th January 2026 after the bus trip down from Coleraine direction. We leave Blackpool on the Sunday around 12 noon to catch the ferry home at 7pm.

We will be staying in the Adelaide House and Adelaide Lodge hotels in Adelaide Street just behind the Winter Gardens. £50 (non- refundable ) deposits are required by 30 th November 2025 and the balance of the monies at the end of December 2025 after all costs are finally known. Contacts are :- John McConnaghie Tel: 07753 26816. Robert Turkington Tel: 07710 483063. Alan Shanks Tel: 075034 83328.

Ballyclare & District HPS Moot - Ballyclare & District HPS have organised a Moot for Friday 24th October 2025, venue is the Blue’s Club, 6 Abercorn Drive, Ballyclare BT39 9AE. Excellent night in the making this with an outstanding panel including Martin Graham, Ballymena; Richard Donnelly, Newry, Gary Marsden, Hills & Maze with compere for the evening none other than current RPRA President Mr Cormac O’Hare. A buffet will be served with an Auction of pigeons during the break, including for instance a 2025 Late Bred from Mark Gilbert, youngsters promised from the best in the country including a pair from the double Rose Bowl Winning Loft of Arnold Thompson. An excellent night in the making, priced at £10 per head, payable at the door all enquires contact Noel Higginson Tel: 07518 748717.

Ronnie Johnston as many will know, sadly fell and broke a hip a few months back, although making continuing progress he has a small hook on aviary for sale, made I might add by Jeff Greenaway which he no longer needs due to having to lift it up and down, the best of quality as you would imagine size length wise 3 & ½ Feet, width 1 & ½ Feet and height 3 Feet.

Ronnie Johnston Sale Season 2025 – Due to ill health Fred Simpson of Doagh & Dist will hace Complete Clearance first one was on 4th October and second one on Saturday 18th October. C & D Smyth & Sons from Ballylesson in East Down Combine have a major resuction (keeping just 3 pair) on Saturdy 11th October, all three sale in Newtownbreda & Dist HPS Clubrooms at 2.00pm with birds on view from 1.00pm. Ronnie Tel: 07789 231086 and for Fred Simpson info contact Tom Marshall Tel: 07548 212964. Sale Flyer published on www.pigeonnetwork.com in Free Classifieds in the Forum.

Mid Antrim presentation - Rasharkin & District & Mid Antrim Combine annual Dinner & Presentation to be held in Ballymoney Royal British Legion 3 Course Turkey & Ham or Roast beef dinner, to be served at 7.30pm on Saturday 8th November Followed by music by Tom Laverty . Contact Jackie Steele Tel: 07359 323262 to book tickets at £25 each.

Belmont show 2025 will be starting this year at the Belmont Fair that happens yearly. All proceeds will be going to Newry hospice and it is £1.50 per bird and a £5 entrance fee to enter the fair/show. It is a 3 in 1 old birds and 3 in 1 young birds so entries are capped at 6 per class so 12 Max entries. Contact me or Eamon Wright to enter as we will be taking entries on behalf of Belmont officials. Entries open on 28/10/2025 and close on 13/11/2025. Prizes for first 3 in each class plus Best in show, Best YB and Best Opposite sex. At Belmont on Shorts Rec Club Hollywood Toad Belfast 29th Novembre 2025. Keelie Wright PO.

Adie McCormick

Mobile: 07921883997

Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw

Email: Celestiallofts@aol.com

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Report published on Elimar Pigeons click here - https://www.elimarpigeons.com/articles/ ... h-08-10-25