Kilbeggan - Sat 18/04/26

[willie reynolds]

NIPA record a mile a minute from Kilbeggan –

Despite the Northwest headwind the birds in the opening old bird race of the year romped home from Kilbeggan with top winners exceeding a mile a minute. The best overall was the top racing loft from Ballyholland in Newry, he has toped the NIPA on numerous occasions. The local 1st Sect B was won by Ryan and Scott Hope from Crumlin & District and following up las season’s performances J Eagleson & Sons from Ballymena & District take 1st Mid Antrim Combine and 1st in the new 2 Bird Club.

Mambo Man
1st Open NIPA Kilbeggan
384 members sent 10,769 Birds
He is a previous winner of
2nd Open NIPA 12,968 Birds beaten by team mate "Born Identity" &
44th Open NIPA 23,289 Birds
Nestmate to "Mambo Zot"
Winner of 1st Ope NIPA Dunmanway Yearling National 2,210 and 0-250 RPRA Irish Region Award Winner 2025
Both grandchildren of "511 Het Elfje" oLuc Vervoortrt anNicole Van Nuffelel bred by Kevin & Kris Rooney
Outstanding team preformance from Kevin & Kris Rooney with 23 of the first 28 positions
2nd & 3rd Open both grandchildren of " Tony" Sire of "Too Hot Toni" fantastic weekend for the lads with winners reported all over the country.

NIPA Race/Date
Kilbeggan Saturday 18th April 2026 – Liberated at 9.30am in a North-West wind

NIPA Open Kilbeggan 384/10,769 – 1-1G Owen Markey Ballyholland 1780, 2-1F K Rooney & Son Annalong 1775, 3-2F K Rooney & Son 1775, 4-3F T & G Black Downpatrick 1775, 5-4F K Rooney & Son 1774, 6-5F K Rooney & Son 1774, 6-5F K Rooney & Son 1774, 7-6F K Rooney & Son 1774, 8-7F T & G Black 1774, 9-8F K Rooney & Son 1773, 10-2G Owen Markey 1773, 11-9F K Rooney & Son 1773, 12-10F K Rooney & Son 1772, 13-11F K Rooney & Son 1772, 14-12F K Rooney & Son 1772, 16-13F K Rooney & Son 1771, 16-14F K Rooney & So 1771, 17-15F K Rooney & Son 1770, 19-16F K Rooney & Son 1769, 19-17F K Rooney & Son 1769, 20-18F K Rooney & Son 1769.

NIPA Section A Kulbeggan 29/911 – B McLernon Coalisland & District 1564, D Carolan Coalisland & District 1531, A O’Hare Loughgall 1531, 1530, B Isbaner Coalisland & Dist 1524, K Morton & Son Cookstown 1522, 1521, 1520, D Carolan 1516, A O’Hare 1512.

NIPA Sect A Clubs

Coalisland & District 9/288 – B McLernon 1564, D Carolan 1631, B Isbaner 1524, D Carolan 1516, H & J Devlin 1512, K Murphy 1502.

Coleraine Premier HPS 10/358 – B & D Coyle 1454, 1453, 1447, 1428, 1428, 1421.

Cookstown Social 9/231 –K Morton & Son 1522, 1521, 1520, 1475, 1475, G & S Smith 1473.

Windsor Social 3/82 – R & J Parke 1411, 1411, 1406, 1401, 1395, 1389.

Ryan ad Scott Hope take top two in Sect B from Kilbeggan.
The first bird was a 3 year old mealy cock bred by myself and my dad Scott Hope he was previously 15th section Grenagh and 323rd open Dale and he is mostly Van den Bulk bred. My 2nd pigeon is a Sticker Donker bred by Geoffrey Dickey, she’s previously been 19th section Kilbeggan, 3rd Section Roscrea, 10th section Roscrea, and 42nd section Grenagh

NIPA Section B Kilbeggan 60/1896 – R & S Hope Crumlin 1551, 1549, S & N Maginty Muckamore 1547, 1539, 1536, R & S Hope 1535, S & N Maginty 1534, 1533, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena & Dist 1532, 1531, Gary Gibson Cullybackey 1530, 1630, 1536, R & S Hope 1525, Fleming Bros Crumlin & Dist 1525, 1523, J Eagleson & Sons 1520, Gary Gibson 1517.

NIPA Sect B Clubs

Ahoghill Flying Club 6/179 – G Jackson 1526, J SYTH & Son 1484, 1471, J Whyte 1468, Young McManus & Sons 1467, J Smyth & Son 1467.

Ballymoney HPS 18/624 – C Henry 1461, D Dixon 1454, 1447, J Connolly 1438, A & M Boyle 1433, 1428. –

Broughshane & District 3/61 – Marc Neilly 1490, 1469, 1451, John Getty 1388, 1352, 1350.

Ballymena & District HPS 5/168 – J Eagleson & Sons 1532, 1532, 1531, 1520, 1509, 1497.

Cullybackey HPS 8/317 – Gary Gibson 1530, 1530, 1517, 1496, 1493, Alan Darragh 1474.

Crumlin & District 4/168 –Ryan Hope 1551, 1549, 1535, 1525, Fleming Bros 1525, 1523.

Kells & District HPS 5/94 –B Swann & Son 1447, Surgenor Bros 1447, A Barkley & Son 1437, 1425, 1424, B Swann & Son 1416.

Muckamore HPS 7/230 –Knocker & Bill 1547, S & N Maginty 1547, Knocker & Bill 1645, S & N Maginty 1539, 1539, 1536.

Randalstown HPS 4/69 – John Millar 1458, 1456, 1440, Stewart Bros 1417, 1409, 1408.

Rasharkin &District HPS – H Cubitt 1466, W McFetridge 1453, F Barkley 1442, W McFetridge 1435, H Cubitt 1418, W McFetridge 1413.

NIPA Section C Kilbeggan 67/1600 – D McElhone & Daughter West End 1714, 1710, McMurray & Anderson Ligoniel 1696, D McElhone & Daughter 1694, 1603, McMurray & Anderson 1691, B & K Mullan Ligoniel 1691, McMurray & Anderson 1691, 1691, D & J Armstrong & Son Ballycarry & Dist 1689.

NIPA Section D Kilbeggan 48/1534 – Matthew Russell Dromara 1758, O & M Monaghan Colin 1717, J & L Smyth Trinity 1714, P & J Boal Dromore 1707, Matthew Russell 1703, O & M Monaghan 1703, 1700, Russell Bros Dromara 1699, Jeff Greenaway Hills & Maze 1694, 1694.

NIPA Section E Kilbeggan 61/1647 – A Feeney & Son Gilford & Dist 1681, 1655, 1653, 1648, J Barr Lurgan Soc 1648, 1648, A Larkin & Sons Meadows 1643, R Adamson Lurgan Soc 1640, 1639, 1638,

Great result for Alan Feeney of Gilford & Dist with the top four positions in Sect E. The winner is a vandenbrane pigeon that he got from Pat Shields of Newry. He is a grandson of Rowley’s Taffy responsible for over 60 plus Federation wins ,he is a brother to the Alfebet hen that Pat raced, a fantastic hen winning over £2,000 pounds in two weeks for Pat, - he’s a fantastic pigeon .

Annaghmore 3/113– J & E Calvin 1612, 1596, 1589, G Buckley & Son 1588, J & E Calvin 1587, 1584.

Armagh HPS 12/278 – G & A Campbell 1618, G Stevenson & Son 1507, R Parkes &Son 1596, 1583, Kelly Bros 1578, G Stevenson & Son 1573.

Beechpark Social 3/71 – G McEvoy 1636, 1636, 1610, G Lavery 1610, G McEvoy 1605, 1603.

Bondhill Social 1/39 – Ron Williamson 1532, 1523, 1483, 1480, 1478, 1451.

Edgarstown 8/171 – T Wison 1629, McClean & Craig 1624, T Wilson 1605, 1602, 1597, G & C Simmons 1588.

Gilford & District 4/125 – A Feeney & Son 1681, 1655, 1653, 1648, 1638, 1637.

Laurelvale 3/78 – Muldrew & McMurray 1625, 1597, A Craig 1572, Muldrew & McMurray 1560, A Craig 1558, 1483.

Loughgall 3/148 - D C & P McArdle 1628, 1611, 1603, 1502, 1594, 1582.

Lurgan Social 15/404 –J Barr 1648, 1648, R Adamson 1640, 1639, 1638, 1638.

Monaghan HPS - R Mulligan 1603, 1602, 1579, 1576, G Swift 1575, K Allister 1545.

Portadown & Drumcree 4/106 – J Whitten & Son 1610, A McDonald 1583, J Whitten & Son 153, 1538,

Meadows 4/74 – A Laarkin & Sons 1643, Larkin Bros 1546, 1530, A Larmin & Sons 1513, Larkin Bros 1509, 1490.

NIPA Section F Kilbeggan 44/1079 – K Rooney & Son Annalong 1775, 1775, T & G Black Downpatrick 1775, K Rooney & Son 1774, 1774, 1774, T & G Black 1774, K Rooney & Son 1773, 1773, 1772,

NIPA Section G Kilbehhan 28/1272 – O Markey Ballyholland 1780, 1773, H McLaughlin & Son Newry & Dist 1766, J F McCabe & Son Newry & Dist 1753, 1753, 1753, 1753, 1752, 1752, 1752.

NIPA Section H Kilbeggan 47/830 – McCord & Turpie Omagh 1342, 1340, 1338, Davy Booth Mourne 1327, A Kelly Omagh 1300, McCord & Turpie 1286, 1286, 1286, Davy Booth 1282, 1282.

Pied hen 1st club 1st sect h and mealie hen 2nd club 2nd section h from Kilbeggan yesterday Both from my John Angwinfamily of pigeons for McCord & Turpie of Omagh & District.

NIPA Sect H Clubs

Derry & District 12/228 – P Maxwell 1264, M Moran 1232, A McCrudden 1216, M Moran 1214, J & G Ramsey 1213, 1195.

Foyle RPS 3/63 – S Malone 1192, B Hart 1154, 1100, 1065, S Malone 1052, 900.

Limavady 7/147 – R McIlmoyle 1260, G Duddy 1258, 1235, R McIlmoylr 1225, 1225, L Miller 1186.

Londonderry RPS 1/2 – R McNulty 1224.

Maiden City 7/142 –R Martin 1230, P McLaughlin 1225, R Lyle 1220, P & M Healy 1218, 1215, P McLaughlin 1158.

Mourne & District HPS 2/91 – Davy Booth 1327, 1282, 1282, 1277, 1265, 1265.

Omagh & District 3/48 –McCord & Turpie 1342, 1340, 1338, A Kelly 1300, McCord & Tirpie 1286, 1286.

Strabane & District Inv RPC 12/109 – Ian Brown 1257, N McConnell 1255, 1253, 1240, 1239, Ian Brown 1238.

Mid Antrim Combine - NIPA Kilbeggan 18/04/26

1st, 2nd & 3rd MAC for Johnston Eagleson & Sons Of Ballymena & District

The 2026 pigeon racing season got underway on Saturday 18th April with the opening race from Kilbeggan in County Westmeath. The NIPA liberated over 10,000 birds at 9.30am in north westerly winds and a good steady race followed. The best three birds in the Mid Antrim Combine were timed by Ballymena & District fanciers Johnston Eagleson & Sons at 11.40am flying 113 miles to the home loft's. The Eagleson loft took the top ten positions in the Ballymena club and had 15 birds in the top 30 of the Combine including 1st, 2nd & 3rd. Their first bird timed a 4yo cheq hen has now won ten positions in the top twenty of the Combine including 1st, 2nd & 3rd Combine. The sire is from Trevor Simpson and son Paul of York and the dam was from Jackie Steele of Rasharkin. The Second bird timed a 2yo blue cock was in a kit from Delaney's O'Roory Hill Stud and the third bird a 3yo cheq pied hen is a daughter of their old 'Double Combine Winner' and is also a full sister to 1st Combine & 1st Section B Dale 2024
Gary Gibson was next best and took the top five positions in Cullybackey. Gary's winner doing 1530 was a 4 year old dark celibate hen. She was bred by DCP McArdle of Armagh and is a previous winner from the first old bird race in 2024 being 2nd Mid Antrim Combine & 5th Section B.
Gordon Jackson was next best winning Ahoghill on 1526 with a dark pied 3yo hen bred by Mark Milliken of Rasharkin. She had a come back race in 2024 and wasn't raced last season.
Marc Neilly was best in Broughshane on 1490 with a 2yo cheq widowhood cock. This bird has now won 6 x 1st having won twice as a youngster and three times last year from Roscrea, Corrin 5 bird and Dunmanway Yearling National and also won bird of the year in Broughshane club 2025. The sire is Marc's good Van Mechelen cock from Paddy & William McManus that has bred him many winners and the dam from Geoff Dickey was in a kit of young birds in 2021.
Harold Cubitt was best in Rasharkin on 1466 with a 2yo blue widowhood cock bred from his good Van loon 14R04079 cock that won 7 x 1st in his racing days but unfortunately passed away over the winter.
John Millar took the top three in Randalstown with the winner doing 1458. His winning 4yo mealy Lambrecht widowhood cock has won Talbenny twice and Brian Swann won Kells on 1447 with a 2 year old Freddie Vanderheede cock.

Mid Antrim Combine Kilbeggan 35/9 - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1532, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1532, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1531, G Gibson Cullybackey 1530, G Gibson Cullybackey 1530, G & G Jackson Ahoghill 1526, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1520, G Gibson Cullybackey 1517, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1509, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1497, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1496, G Gibson Cullybackey 1496, G Gibson Cullybackey 1493, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1493, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1492, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1491, M Neilly Broughshane 1490, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1484, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1482, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1477, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1476, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1475, A Darragh Cullybackey 1474, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1473, G Gibson Cullybackey 1472,, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1471, M Neilly Broughshane 1469, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1468, J Whyte Ahoghill 1468, A Darragh Cullybackey 1467, A Darragh Cullybackey 1467, A Darragh Cullybackey 1467, A Darragh Cullybackey 1467, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1467, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1467, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1466, A Darragh Cullybackey 1466, A Darragh Cullybackey 1464, A Darragh Cullybackey 1462, G Gibson Cullybackey 1461.

MID ANTRIM COMBINE 2 BIRD
1st J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1476 - 2 Points
2nd Josh Whyte Ahoghill 1468 - 1 Point
Johnston Eagleson & Sons of Ballymena & District won the Combine 2 Bird with a 3yo cheq cock that has topped the Combine twice from Cloughmartin 2025 and the NIPA Skibbereen Yearling National in 2024.

OLD BIRD CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
The top two in each group go through to the last 16 along with the two fanciers with the most points in third place.
In the result of a points tie the highest velocity in the last group matches determines who goes through.
Group (1) G Gibson 68, R Service & Son, H Cubitt, J Millar
Group (2) J Eagleson & Sons 135, J Smyth & Son 4, Rock & Moore, W McFetridge
Group (3) Young & McManus & Sons, Surgenor Bros, Blair & Rankin, A Purvis
Group (4) D Dixon, T & M Morrow, H Boyd, J Whyte
Group (5) M Neilly 5, F Barkley, W & W Gilbert, J & J Greer
Group (6) Stewart Bros, A Darragh, T Whyte, H Turkington
Group (7) K & K Kernohan & Sons 3, A Barkley & Son, N Percy & Son, J Getty.

LES MAIRS MEMORIAL CUP - OLD BIRD POINTS FANCIER OF THE YEAR
J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 135
G Gibson Cullybackey 68
G & G Jackson Ahoghill 16
M Neilly Broughshane 5
J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 4
K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 3

Mervyn Eagleson MAC Press Officer

Feds & Combines –

Coleraine Triangle Kilbeggan - B & D Coyle Coleraine Prenier 1454, 1453, 1447, 1428, 1428, 1421.

City of Derry Fereration Kilbeggan – P Maxwell Derry & Dist 1264, M Moran Derry & Dist 1323, R & G Martin Maiden City 1230, P McLaughlin Maiden City 1225, H McNulty Londonderry 1224, R Lyle Maiden City 1220, P & M Healy Maiden City 1218, A McCrudden Derry & Dist 1216, P & M Healy 1215, M Moran 13214, M Moran 1214. No result from Amelia Earhart.







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