2nd Benamore OB - Monday 04/05/26

[willie reynolds]

Erratic Race on Bank Holiday Monday –

For the third inland race at the start of May we had all sorts of weather problems and the NIPA Committee decided to wait amd the race was arranged to be flown on Bank Holiday Monday from Benamore in County Tipperary the same venue as the week previous. Yjr race turned out a bit erratic, and birds were on the wing a bit longer than was expected. Well done to the Drumnavaddy team of J Snyth & Sons who topped the NIPA with 18,559 birds competing and congratulations as well to D Canning of Derry & District who topped the NIPA from the previous week’s Benamore for a best ever loft performance. Remember to enhance publicity for the race programme we require photos of the various club winners especially those winning 1st Section n the NIPA.

NIPA Race/Date
2nd Benamore Monday 4th May 2026 – Liberated at 9.30am in a Lt North-East wind

NIPA Open 2nd Benamore 564/18,548
1-1G J Smyth & Sons Drumnavaddy 1260, 2-1D Aiken Bros Dromore 1254, 3-1E W A Feeney Gilford 1237, 4-1C Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel 1236, 5-2E W A Feeney 1234, 6-2D J Gregory & Sons Colin 1231, 7-3D J Gregory & Sons 1231, 8-4D J Greenawy Hills & Maze 1228, 9-2C D & J Armstrong & Son Carrick Soc 1225, 10-2G Joe McParland Newry & Dist 1225, 11-3C J & D Braniff West End 1224, 12-3G M/M G Delaney Dromore 1221, 13-5D P & J Boal Dromore 1219, 14-6D J Gregory & Sons 1219, 15-1B H Boyd Kels 1216, 16-7D O & M Monaghan Colin 1214, 17-3E G Marsden Hills & Maze 1210, 18-4C Knocker & Bill Muckamore 1210, 19-8D J Gregory & Sons 1209, 20-5C C McVeigh & Daughter West End 1206.

NIPA Section A Benamore (2) 52/1686 – J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1181, S Diamond Cileraine Prem 1148, B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1141, J Hanson 1140, 1126, 1123, S Diamond 1115, A O;Hare Loughgall 1114, J McMeill Coalisland & Dist 1113L Hanson Colerain Prem 1098.

NIPA Sect A Clubs

Coalisland & District 19/630 – J McNeill 1113, R Corey 1071, M McPhillips 1071, R McElhatton 1067, H & J Devlin 1059, D Carolan 1058.

Coleraine Premier HPS 15/594 – J Hanson 1181, S Diamond 1148, B & D Coyle 1141, J Hanson 1140, 116, 1123.

Cookstown Social 9/262 –G & S Smith 1095, 1085, 1083, 1082, 1077, 1070.

Windsor Social 8/279 – M Simpson 1054, K Glass 1046, M Simpson 1041, T Scott & Son 1031, 1013, 1008.

NIPA Section B Benamore (2) 85/2812 – H Boyd Kells 1216, S & N Maginty Muckamore 1168, Surgenor Bros Kells 1164, A & N Boyle Ballynoney 1163, F Barkley Rasharkin 1159, G Gibson Cullybackey 1153, B Swann & Son Kells 1152, D Hamilton Crumlin 1152, Surgenor Bros 1151, 1150, Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1146, 1146, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1144Gregg Bros Kells 1144, J Hutchinson & Son Ballymoney 1142, Ryan Hope Crunlin 1140, S Murphy Cullybackey 1139, J Harkness Crumlin 1137, G Gibson 1137, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1137.

NIPA Sect B Clubs

Ahoghill Flying Club 7/220 – Young McManus& Sons 1146, 1146, J Smyth & Son 113, J Whyte 1131, Young McManus & Sons 1125, 1115.

Ballymoney HPS 20/816 – A & M Boyle 1163, J Hutchinson & Son 1142, D & H Stuart 1136, 1111, D Dixon 1110, 1103.

Broughshane & District 5/97 –T & M Morrow 1124, A Purvis 1060, M Neilly 1060, J Getty 1043, T & M Moeeow 1027, A Purvis 992.

Ballymena & District HPS 6/239 – J Eagleson & Sons 1144, 1127, 1117, Blair & Rankin 1110, J Eagleson & Sons 1102, Blair & Rankin 1100.

Cullybackey HPS 10/378 – G Gibson 1153, S Murphy 1139, G Gibson 1137, S Murphy 1121, D Craig 1115, M/M Robinson 1113.

Crumlin & District 11/299 – D Hamilton 1152, Ryan Hope 1140, J Harkness 1137, Ryan Hope 1136, D Hamilton 1132, Ryan Hope 1126.

Kells & District HPS 7/178 – H Boyd 1216, Surgenor Bros 1164, B Swann & Son 1152, Surgenor Broa 1151, 1150, Gregg Bros 1144. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – B Swann & Son 893, A Barkley & Son 841.

Muckamore HPS 7/278 – Knocker & Bill 1210, S & N Maginty 1168, Knocker & Bill 1162, 1155, S & N Maginty 1107, Knocker & Bill 1083.

Randalstown HPS 5/125 -J Millar 1080, J McNeill & Son 1069, 1019, Stewart Bros 1010, J McNeill & Son 1001, Stewart Bros 992.

Rasharkin &District HPS 5/136 – F Barkley 1159, H Cubitt 1129, J Millar & Son 1096, H Cubitt 1089, J & M Milliken 1047, W McFetridge 1008.

NIPA Section C Benamore (2) 97/3325 – Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel 1236, D & J Armstrong & Son Carrick Soc 1225, J & D Braniff West End 1224, Knocker & Bill Muckamore 1210, C McVeigh & Daughter West End 1206, K & D Hagans Larne 1204, 1203, O O;Neill & Son Glenarm & Dist 1203, J &D Braniff 1199M/M Reid & H Bigger Carrick Soc 1197.

NIPA Section D Benamore (2) 57/2156 – Aiken Bros Dromore 1254, J Gregory & Sons Colin 1231, 1231, J Greenaway Hills & Maze 1228, P & J Boal Dromore 1219, J Gregory & Sons 1219, O & M Monaghan Colin 1214, J Gregory & Sons 1209, P & J Bol 1201, J Gregory & Sons 1198.

NIPA Section E Benamore (2) 93/31 – W A Feeney Gilfore 1237, 1234, G Marsden Hills & Maze 1210, A Craig Laurelvale 1198, T Mawhinney Dromore 1180, Ron Williamson Bondhill 1170, M Duggan & Son Beechpark 1158, C J & B Ferris Lurgan Soc 1153, J Doiuglas & Son Lurgan Soc 1152, G Marsden Hills & Naze 1148.

NIPA Sect E Clubs

Annaghmore 5/157 – J & E Calvin 1119, 1101, 1096, G Buckley & Son 1084, J & E Calvin 1084, F & D McNeice 1071.

Armagh HPS 7/149 – G & A Campbell 1100, 1078, 1073, P Duffy 1063, G & A Campbell 1046.

Beechpark Social 5/83 – M Duggan & Son 1158, G McEvoy 1132, 1090, R Bothwell 1066, G McEvoy 1045, R Bothwell 1030.

Bondhill Social – Ron Williamson 1170, 1109, 1055, 1052, 1042, 1014.

Edgarstown 10/320 – G & C Simmons 1102, R G & G Donaldson 1097, T Wilson 1091, G & C Simmons 1085, R G & G Donaldson 1077, McClean & Craig 1066.

Gilford & District 5/252 – W A Feeney 1237, 1234, 1115, 1101, 1062, Moody Bros 1055.

Laurelvale 10/306 – A Craig 1198, G & C Topley 1111, J & H Muldrew & McMurray 1100, 1084 1071, 1067.

Loughgall 6/377 – A O’Hare 1114, D C & P Mcardle 1087, A O’Hare 1066, D C & P McArdle 1060, 1053, 1049.

Lurgan Social 25/717 – C J & B Ferris 1153, J Douglas & Son 1152, C J & B Ferris 1134, J Barr 1119, 1119, R Adamson 1116.

Monaghan HPS 10/360 – R Milligan 1138, K Allister 1122, 1068, S O’Brien 1067, 1054, 1050.

Portadown & Drumcree 3/120 – J Whitten & Son 1082, J Gordon 1075, 1046, J Whitten & Son 1035, 1029, 1016.

Meadows 6/206 – J Brown 1118, G Douglas 1116, 1074, Siobhan McLaughlin 153, 1041, G Douglas 1040.

NIPA Section F Benamore (2) 64/1949 – Lanbert & Stewart Bangor 1181, D Grives Crossgar 1176, 1175, McCartan & Woodsides Crossgar 1174, T & G Black Downpatrick 1169, Gordon Bros & Sons Clouhhey 1169, Lambert & Stewart 1149, Irvine Bros Killyleagh Cent 1138, J Crossan Downpatrick 1138, D Grieves 1128.

NIPA Section G Benamore (2) 41/1924 – J Smyth & Sons Drumnavaddy 1260, Joe McParland Newry & Sist 1225, M/M G Delaney Dromore 1221, T Mooney & Son Millvale 1187, 1197, Donnelly Bros Newry City 1186, J F McCabe & Son Newry &Sist 1183, C O’Hare & daughter Ballyholland 1178, McGrath & McParland Drumnavaddy 1172, Sam Ogle Drumnavaddy 1172.

NIPA Section H Benamore (2) 75/1563 – D Booth Mourne & Dist 1062, L Flanagan Londonderry 1037, D Booth 1033, L Flanagan 1033, D Booth 1009, 1004, N Murray Londonderry 1002, 1001, D Booth 993, H McNulty Londonderry 990.

NIPA Sect H Clubs

Amelia Earhart 4/60 –A Mitchell 972, 905, 813, 783.

Derry & District 14/289 – A McCrudden 981, J & G Ramsey 96, A McCrudden 953, J & G Ramsey 926, E McEleny 916, K Payne 911.

Foyle RPS 4/68 – N McGrotty 978, B Hart 831, 829, S Malone 824, 792.

Limavady 13/268 – P Cassidy 978. G Duddy 963, R Witherow 957, L Miller 949, J McArthur 945, 937.

Londonderry RPS 5/82 – L Flanagan 1037, 1033, N Murray 1002, 1001, H McNulty 880.

Maiden City10/192 – J McConomy 978, P McLaughlin 965. N Cassidy 953, P McLaughlin 874, 868, R Lyle 862.

Mourne & District HPS 2/152 -Davy Booth 1062, 1033, 1009, 1004, 99, Troy Booth 977.

Omagh & District 4/137 – McCord & Turpie 969, 929, A Kelly 892, 871, McCord & Turpie 865, A Kelly 860.

Strabane & District Inv RPC 19/315 – Noel McConnell 951, D Mullen 951, 950, 943, 1036, Chris Roach 931.

Mid Antrim Combine
NIPA Benamore 04/05/26
Combine & Section Honours for Harry Boyd Of Kells-

The third race of the 2026 pigeon racing season was flown on Monday 4th May again from Benamore in County Tipperary. The NIPA liberated at 9.30am in light north easterly winds and a tougher than expected race followed. Harry Boyd of the Kells club had the big early bird out on its own to top the Mid Antrim Combine by ten clear minutes and finish 1st Section B and 15th Open Nipa 18548 birds on 1216 ypm. Harry timed a 4yo Soontjen cock on widowhood. Clubmate Geoff Surgenor was runner up in the Combine on 1164 and had another two birds in the top ten of the Combine placed 6th & 7th on 1151 & 1150.

Freddy Barkley won Rasharkin for the second week on the trot with a 2yo Leo Van Rijn cheq hen on 1159. Freddy finished 3rd Combine this week after finishing runner up last week. The Cullybackey winner Gary Gibson took fourth Combine on 1153 with a 2yo year old widowhood hen. The sire is Van Den Bulck x Stefan Lambrecht and dam is a daughter of the golden hen when paired to the 'Superace 494' The winning hen won 4th Combine Infc Skibbereen YB national in 2024 and 2nd Combine Grenagh last season beaten by a loft mate.

Paddy & William McManus won 1st & 2nd in Ahoghill on 1146. Both birds arrived together and first to trap was a 2yo cheq pied hen gifted by friend Gerry Reynolds of Belfast. Johnston Eagleson & Sons took the top three positions in Ballymena & District for their second win of the season. First two birds timed were full brothers, Bulck x Danny Dixon old Lambrecht lines. Marcus Morrow was best in Broughshane on 1124 and John Millar won Randalstown on 1080.

Mid Antrim Combine 2nd Benamore 48/1430 - Harry Boyd Kells 1216, Surgenor Bros Kells 1164, F Barkley Rasharkin 1159, G Gibson Cullybackey 1153, B Swann & Son Kells 1152, Surgenor Bros Kells 1151, Surgenor Bros Kells 1150, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1146, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1146, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1144, Gregg Bros Kells 1144, G Gibson Cullybackey 1137, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1137, J Whyte Ahoghill 1131, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1129, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1127, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1125, T & M Morrow Broughshane 1124, A Barkley & Son Kells 1123, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1117, D Craig Cullybackey 1115, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1115, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1113, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1111, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1110, D Dixon Rasharkin 1110, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1108, T Whyte Ahoghill 1106, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1105, D Dixon Rasharkin 1103, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1102, G Gibson Cullybackey 1100, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1100, J Miller & Son Rasharkin 1096, G Gibson Cullybackey 1096, J Whyte Ahoghill 1093, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1089, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1082, T Johnston & Son Ballymena 1082, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1081.

MID ANTRIM COMBINE 2 Bird Club BENAMORE (2)
D Dixon Rasharkin 1110 GB25B18204, T Whyte Ahoghill 1106 GB25C11556.

Danny Dixon won the Mid Antrim Combine 2 bird for the second week on the trot. The winner is the same way bred as last week's winner, from a son of Heartbreaker paired to a daughter of the Aviary cock.

OLD BIRD CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE BENAMORE (2)
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.

The last 16 Knock-Out starts at 1st Dale
Group (1) G Gibson Cullybackey 181, H Cubitt Rasharkin 7, R Service & Son Ballymena 0, J Millar Randalstown 0
Group (2) J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 157, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 30, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 0, W McFetridge Rasharkin 0
Group (3) Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 109, Surgenor Bros Kells 51, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 0, A Purvis Broughshane 0
Group (4) H Boyd Kells 21, D Dixon Rasharkin 10, J Whyte Ahoghill 8, T & M Morrow Broughshane 4
Group (5) F Barkley Rasharkin 39, J & J Greer Cullybackey 7, M Neilly Broughshane 5, W & W Gilbert Randalstown 0,
Group (6) Stewart Bros Randalstown 5, A Darragh Cullybackey 0, T Whyte Ahoghill 0, H Turkington Kells 0
Group (7) K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 3, A Barkley & Son Kells 3, N Percy & Son Randalstown 0, J Getty Broughshane 0.

LES MAIRS MEMORIAL CUP - OLD BIRD POINTS FANCIER OF THE YEAR BENAMORE (2)
G Gibson Cullybackey 181, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 157, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 109, Surgenor Bros Kells 51, F Barkley Rasharkin 39, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 30, H Boyd Kells 21. Mervyn Eagleson PO Mid Antrim Combine.

Feds & combines – 2nd Benamore

Coleraine Triangle A Benamore (2) – J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1181, S Diamond Cileraine Prem 1148, B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1141, J Hanson 1140, 1126, 1123, S Diamond 1115, A O;Hare Loughgall 1114, J McMeill Coalisland & Dist 1113L Hanson Colerain Prem 109, 8, 1078, P Klimkowski & Son Coleraine Prem 1077, T McCrudden Coleraine Prem 1076, Diamond Bros Coleraine Prem 1066, L Hanson 1058, T McCrudden 1056, 1055, M Simpson Windsor Soc 1254, S Diamond 1047, K Glass Windsor Soc 1046, Diamond Bros 1043, 1043, M Simpson Windsor Soc 1041, L Hanson 1035, T Scott & Son Windsor Soc 1031, S Diamond 1029, R McAlary Coleraine Prem 1027, P O’Connor Coleraine Prem 1024, B & D Coyle 1021,

City of Derry Federation Benamore (2) – Leo Flanagan Londonderry 1037, :eo Flanagan 1033, Noel Murray Londonderry 1002, Noel Murray 1001, H McNulty Londondrry 990. A McCrudden Derry & District 981, N McGrotty Foyle 978, J McConomy Maiden City 978, A Mitchell Amrlia Earhart 972, J & G Ramsey Derry & District 968, P McLaughlin Maiden City 965, A McCrudden 953, N Cassidy Maiden City 953, J & G Ramsey 926, E McEleney Derry & Dist 916, K Payne Derry & Dist 911, P Maxwell Derry & Dist 905, A Mitchell 905.

Foyle Valley Combine Benamore (2) – Leo Flanagan Londonderry 1037, :eo Flanagan 1033, Noel Murray Londonderry 1002, Noel Murray 1001, H McNulty Londondrry 990. A McCrudden Derry & District 981, N McGrotty Foyle 978, J McConomy Maiden City 978, A Mitchell Amrlia Earhart 972, J & G Ramsey Derry & District 968, P McLaughlin Maiden City 965, A McCrudden 953, N Cassidy Maiden City 953, Noel McConnell Strabane & District 951, D Mullen Strabane & Dist 951, D Mullen Strabane & Dist 950, D Mullen Strabane & Dist 943, D Mullen Strabane & Dist 936, Chris Roach Strabane & Dist 931, J & G Ramsey 926, J White Strabane & Dist 921, E McEleney Derry & Dist 916, K Payne Derry & Dist 911, P Maxwell Derry & Dist 905, A Mitchell 905.







HOMER. Willie Reynolds

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Mobile: 07538 238364

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A lot of very well know "Pigeon Men" photographed at Queen's HPS Pigeon Club annual dinner in Lurgan Golf Club. We think it was in the early 1980's but maybe someone can tell us the exact date? Who all do you know?