Hall of Fame awards etc 2025 update -

[willie reynolds]

INFC Hall of Fame Diploma history -

In 1970 The Irish National Flying Club Introduced a new award for a pigeon timed in the result of 3 x Kings Cup races and named it a “Hall of Fame Diploma”. At that time it was the big prize for Individual Bird performance scoring in the Blue Riband on three occasions. When any of these winners became available at local sales they were like Gold Dust, out and out distance bloodlines. Many of the elite lofts in Ireland have one of these included in their CV. Since that time the Gold Nedal & Diploma for 4 x Times Kings Cup but inly a handful have been won, the Hall of Fame remains a top racing achievement. When it was first introduced in 1970, I believe it was a result of a suggestion of Ronnie Johnston, that some form of award of merit should be given to birds getting into the National Blue Riband Kings Cup result on several occasions. Some great pigeons had put up fantastic performances over a number of seasons but at the end of the day had nothing to show for their courage. The type of birds I was thinking about are a number from my own area in Ballymena ie. “Rennes Queen”, “Laading Lady” and “Wee Albert” raced by the very famous lofts of Smyth Bros and Barr Bros. Rob Smyth of Larne had “National Queen” and “Continental Queen” and do forgive me for others I have not mentioned. It was decided that the Hall of Fame Diploma be awarded to any pigeon which was recorded three times in the Kings Cup prize list and, at the time was the most coveted and the most difficult to win. Race points flown since then have been wide and varied including from the early days the famous names of Nantes, Rheims, Rennes and Les Sables, and even Lerwick.

The full list of winners are listed below.



1970 – Nantes



Sutherland & Devoy, Killyleagh



W M Thompson, Muckamore



1971 – Nantes



H Elliott, Lisburn



1972 – Nantes



R Law, Ballymena & Dist



H Hayes, Portstewart



1973 – Nantes



G Burrell & Sons, Lurgan



1974 – Nantes



A Simpson & Son, Randalstown



Reynolds & Creighton, Dollingstown



1975 – Rheims



A McCartney, Crumlin



1976 – Rennes



J Irvine & Son, Ballyclare



1978 – Rennes



P Flannagan, Killyleagh



1979 – Rennes



Hamilton & Burke, Portstewart



B Madden & Son, Dublin



W B Shaw, Newcastle



H Elliott, Lisburn & Dist



G Kilpatrick, Lisburn



1980 – Les Sables



J Shaw & Son, Randalstown



McCartney Bros, Moira



McCartney Bros, Moira



1981 – Les Sables



J O’Neill, Dublin



Connor Bros, Dundrum



S Bunting, Belfast



J McCartan, Annalong



R & W McBride & Son, Lisburn



Smyth Bros, Ballymena & Dist



Smyth Bros, Ballymena & Dist



1982 – Les Sables



G Kilpatrick, Lisburn



W Harrison, Belfast



1989 – Rennes



W Clements & Son, Edgarstown



J Logan, Ballyclare



Gilmour & Beattie, Newtownbreda



1990 – Rennes



W V Troughton, Gilford



S Bell, Dundonald



Gilmour & Beattie, Newtownbreda



1991 – Rennes



W Erwin, Ballymena & Dist



W Catherwood & Son, Ballynahinch



R Kernaghan & Son, Dromore



1992 – Rennes



B & H Marshall, Newtownbreda



V McDonald, Antrim



M Conlon & Son, Banbridge



1993 – Rennes



R McIlvenna, Chimney Corner



R Williamson, Bondhill



G Kilpatrick, Ballymacbrennan



Belshaw & Anderson, Derriaghy



B McKeown & Son, Derriaghy



1994 – Rennes



Hammond Bros, Cookstown



F McMaster, Kircubbin



F Scott & Son, Dromore



Burns Bros, Comber Soc



1995 – Rennes



Mr & Mrs Flanagan, Downpatrick



J Waring & Son, Lisburn & Dist



J Cullen, Dublin



G Killops, Drumcree



N Black & Sons, Dromara



N Black & Sons, Dromara



1996 Rennes



T Marshall & Son, Newtownbreda



W Hardy & Son, Annsborough



J Nelson, Milltown



E Matchett & Son, Edgarstown



1997 – St Nazaire



R McCallum & Son, Ballymena & Dist



D Moore, Cullybackey



B E & L McNeilly, Ballynure



W Tollerton, Dunmurry



Lavery Bros, Hillsborough & Maze



Harper Bros, Dollingstown



Mr & Mrs Swann, Harryville



T Flanagan, Malahide & Dist



1998 – Rennes



A Murray & Son, Dundrum



P J Corcoran, Balbriggan



T Marshall & Son, Newtownbreda



S Corrigan, Loughgall



Gilmour & Beattie, Newtownbreda



K Halliday, Newry



2000 – Redon



E J Campbell, Milltown



2002 – Redon



John Greenaway, Bondhill



2004 – Messac



R Telford, Annaghmore



McCracken Bros, Banbridge



2005 – Messac



L McCall, Wicklow South Road



2006 – Vannes



G Benson, Lisburn



Burns Bros, Comber



S Corrigan, Loughgall



Stewart Bros, Randalstown



2009 – Plaudren-Vannes



P Rock & Son, Skerries



Stewart Bros, Randalstown



2010 – Plaudren-Vannes



J Waring & Son, Lisburn & Dist



D Croskery & Son, Annsborough



W McClure, Kells & Dist



2011 – Plaudren-Vannes



W McClure, Kells & Dist



Rev TAB Sawyers & Son, Banbridge



P McCullough & Daughter, Downpatrick



S Corrigan, Loughgall



G Buckley & Son, Annaghmore



Ward & McIntosh, Downpatrick



N Black & Sons, Dromara



W McCaw, Ballymoney



G & J O’Hare, Crossgar



A Darragh, Cullybackey



R Williamson, Bondhill



2012 – Plaudren-Vannes



W G Neill, Annaghmore



John Greenaway, Bondhill



Adamson & Anderson, Gilford



2013 – Saint Allouestre



M Robinson, Bondhill



W McCaw, Ballymoney



C & L Woodside, Ballyclare



2014 – Saint Allouestre



W English, Lisburn & Dist



J Cullen, Bray Invitation



2015 – Saint Allouestre



Dando & Bennett, Beechpark Social



2016 – Saint Allouestre



E Murtagh & Sons, Individual North



2017 – Saint Allouestre



A McAteer & Sons, Ballyholland



Arnold Thompson, Ballyclare



2018 – Saint Allouestre



McKeown & McEvoy, Castlebellingham



Fintan Moran, Malahide & District



Noel Lusty, Muckamore HPS



2019 – Saint Allouestre



G Benson, Lisburn & District



E. E. & S Kavanagh, Arklow United RPC



Parkin & Cairns, Castlebellingham RPC



J Doheny, Malahide & District



P Dunlop, Edgarstown



2024 – Saint Allouestre



F Moran, Malahide & District



E Murtagh & Son, Individual North



R Duddy, Ballyclare & District



A Thompson, Ballyclare & District



G & C Simmons, Edgarstown



G Buckley & Son Annaghmore



Donnelly Bros, Newry City



N Black & Son Dromara.



2025 Hall Of Fame Awards (Single Bird Three Times In Prizes of INFC Kings Cup)



R. Duddy, Ballyclare & District



GB19 B-33620 ‘RED ROB’ Red Cock



233rd Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2023



214th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024



35th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025



J. Murtagh, Ballyholland



Blue Cheq Hen GB20B-61748



54th Open St. Allouestre King’s Cup 2023



44th Open St. Allouestre King’s Cup 2024



36th Open St. Allouestre King’s Cup 2025



D&H Stuart, Ballymoney HPS



GB19 B-23349 ‘UNIQUE’ Blue Hen



99thOpen INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2023



202nd Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024



12th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025The only Pigeon so far to win 2 x Hall of Fame Diplomas is the great “HERMES” Owned and Raced by Gordon Kirkpatrick.



IRISH National Merit Awards – The most recent Hall of Fame Diplomas were presented at the Stormont Hotel presentation las November, a number of other Merit Awards were presented as well incluning a Merit Diploma for birds recorded twice in the prizes from the old bird France events, The Blue Riband Kings Cup race from St Allouestre and the Friendship National from Plougastel. Winners are listed below.



Kings Cup Merit Awards (Single Bird Twice in Prizes of INFC Kings Cup)



Agar Bros, Cloughey



IHU23 N 02668



‘WONDEROUS SKYE’



Blue Cheq Cock



148th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024



18th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025



Johnston Bros, Fortfield



GB23 C 27241



‘RAMSEY’S ROCKET’



Red Cock



25th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024



25th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025



Ian Gibb & Sons, Glenavy



GB21 B 07347



‘JOYCE’



Blue Hen



10th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2023



46th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025



J. Serplus, Laurelvale



GB20 L 17084



Red Cheq Cock



53rd Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2023



90th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024



Kings Cup Merit Awards (Single Bird Twice In Prizes Of INFC Kings Cup)



O&M Monaghan, Colin



GB21 C 24439



‘SUZANNE’



Blue White Flight Hen



155th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024



48th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025



Gordon Bros & Sons, Killyleagh Central



GB23 X 12732



‘IRON MAIDEN’



Blue Cheq Hen



75th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024



2nd Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025



Adair & McCombs, Crossgar



GB22 C 14148



‘ANNIE’



Black Hen



46th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024



45th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025



P. Rock & Son, Dublin North East



IHU22 S 031644



Cheq White Flight Cock



198th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024



28th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025



Kings Cup Merit Awards (Single Bird Twice In Prizes Of INFC Kings Cup)



P. Lambert, Arklow Utd



IHU21 S 062957



Light Cheq Cock



178th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024



58th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025



McCracken Bros, Banbridge HPS



GB23 B 36644



‘PATRICIA’



Blue Cheq Hen



24th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024



55th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025



A. Thompson, Ballyclare & District



GB22 B 25743



Ash Hen



33rdOpen INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024



4th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025



C&L Woodside, Ballyclare & District



GB22 V 76757



Light Cheq Hen



108th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024



29th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025



Kings Cup Merit Awards (Single Bird Twice In Prizes Of INFC Kings Cup)



S&J McCullough, Beech Park



GB20 B 38543



‘KILWORTH LADY’



Ash Cheq Pied Hen



53rd Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024



30th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025.































Kings Cup Hall Of Fame Awards (Single Bird Three Times In Prizes Of INFC



Kings Cup)



R. Duddy, Ballyclare



GB19 B 33620



‘RED ROB’



Red Cock



233rd Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2023



214th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024



35th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025



Kings Cup Hall Of Fame Awards (Single Bird Three Times In Prizes Of INFC



Kings Cup)



J. Murtagh, Ballyholland



Blue Cheq Hen



GB20B 61748



54th Open St. Allouestre King’s Cup 2023



44th Open St. Allouestre King’s Cup 2024



36th Open St. Allouestre King’s Cup 2025



Kings Cup Hall Of Fame Awards (Single Bird Three Times In Prizes Of INFC



Kings Cup)



D&H Stuart, Ballymoney



GB19 B 23349



‘UNIQUE’



Blue Hen



99thOpen INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2023



202nd Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024



12th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025







Kings Cup Gold Medal Awards (Single Bird Four Times In Prizes Of INFC



Kings Cup)



F. Moran, Malahide & District



IHU20 S 005774



‘LITTLE DARLING’



Red Hen



71st Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2022



3rd Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2023



42nd Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2024



52nd Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025



Friendship Merit Awards (Single Bird Twice In Prizes Of INFC Friendship



National From France)



P. Dunlop, Edgarstown



GB21 E 24102



Blue Cheq Cock



10th Open INFC St Malo Friendship Nat 2023



33rd Open INFC Plougastel Friendship Nat 2025



Friendship Merit Awards (Single Bird Twice In Prizes Of INFC Friendship



National From France)



M. Gillan, Newry & District



GB19 C 25815



‘M.G.’



Blue Cheq Hen



14th Open INFC St Malo Friendship Nat 2023



55th Open INFC Plougastel Friendship Nat 2025



J&D Coburn & Sons, Hillsborough & Maze



GB19 V 01986



‘THE OLD FELLA’



Blue Cock



42nd Open INFC St Malo Friendship Nat 2023



122nd Open INFC Plougastel Friendship Nat 2025



A. Thompson, Ballyclare & District



GB20 B 18503



Blue White Flight Cock



33rd Open INFC St Malo Friendship Nat 2022



72nd Open INFC Plougastel Friendship Nat 2025



Friendship Merit Awards (Single Bird Twice In Prizes Of INFC Friendship



National From France)



G. O’Reilly, Malahide & District



IHU21 S 008828



‘RIVERVIEW RELIABLE’



Red Hen



75th Open INFC St Malo Friendship Nat 2023



19th Open INFC Plougastel Friendship Nat 2025



C. McManus, Corrigs HPS



GB21 C 28683



‘EIGHTY THREE’



Cheq White Flight Cock



101st Open INFC St Malo Friendship Nat 2023



34th Open INFC Plougastel Friendship Nat 2025



Friendship Triple Awards (Single Bird Three Times In Prizes Of INFC



Friendship National From France)



A. Thompson, Ballyclare & District



GB19 B 34028



Blue Hen



9thOpen INFC Lamballe Friendship Nat 2021



45thOpen INFC St Malo Friendship Nat 2022



58th Open INFC Plougastel Friendship Nat 2025



Friendship Silver Awards (Single Bird Four Times In Prizes Of INFC



Friendship National From France)



NONE TO DATE



INFC Triple Crown Award (Single Bird In Open Prizes From Channel YB



Nat, Yearling Nat & Kings Cup In Consecutive Years)



McCracken Bros, Banbridge HPS



GB23 B 36644



‘PATRICIA’



Blue Cheq Hen



198th Open INFC Penzance Young Bird National 2023



169th Open INFC Penzance Yearling National 2024



55th Open INFC St Allouestre Kings Cup 2025.







The NIPA awards of Merit were presented at the annual Ladies Night held at the Bannville House Hotel in Banbrodge last November.



Gold Awards 2025 Winning a Gold Medal & Gold Diploma



Tom Wilson Gilford - Blue Tip Hen GB20F-05492



2022 St.Malo - 22nd Open & 8th Section E Vel 623



2023 St. Malo - 20th Open & 7th Section E Vel 681



2024 Plougastel - 31st Open *& 6th Section E Vel 964



2025 Plougastel - 87th Open & 27th Section E Vel 702







Silver Awards 2025



Paul O’Connor Coleraine Premier

Red Cheq Hen GB21V-27293

2023 St Malo - 37th Open & 4th Section A Vel 585

2024 Plougastel - 20th Open & 2nd Section A Vel 1004

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