Grenagh Old Bird - Friday 15/05/26

[willie reynolds]

JOURNEY’S END – NIPA RACE REPORTS – SECTIONS C, D, F, & G
JOHN J MCCABE ‘FINESSE’S’ THE COMPETION FROM GRENAGH

As the weeks are flying in, so is the racing calendar. This week the mighty NIPA were further down
the country in County Cork. With it being an unsettled weekend ahead the race was rescheduled for
Thursday race marking for a release on Friday. A total of 553 NIPA Members sent 15,833 Birds to
Grenagh for the fifth race of the NIPA Old Bird Season. Friday morning the 15 th of May the birds were
liberated at 10:30hrs in a Northerly Wind.
The Winning Bird from the fifth Old Bird Race of the 2026 NIPA Season belongs to John J McCabe of
Newry & District HPS in Section G.
The Armagh Road flyer has topped the NIPA from Grenagh. The 1 st Open winning pigeon has been
named ‘Miss Finesse’ and clocked the winning velocity of 1423.1YPM. GB25 A 62456 is a blue
yearling hen and is bred down from the best of his Leo Van Rijn blood and Stefan Lambrechts via Ian
Gibb. Pictured is 3 of John’s grandchildren Eimhear, Fionn and Lorcan proudly displaying granda’s 1st
Open Winner ‘Miss Finesse’
Many Congratulations to John J McCabe on Winning 1 st NIPA Open Grenagh 15,833 birds.
Also, Congratulations to 2 nd Open Winner William Chambers of Newry & District HPS in Section G.
And Congratulations to 3 rd Open Winner O&M Monaghan of Colin HPS in Section D

NIPA GRENAGH TOP 20 OPEN RESULT

1 st (1G) JOHN J. MCCABE, NEWRY & DISTRICT 1423; 2 nd (2G) WILLIAM CHAMBERS, NEWRY & DISTRICT
1420; 3 rd (1D) O&M MONAGHAN, COLIN 1417; 4 th (1E) D. MAWHINNEY & SON, BEECH PARK SOCIAL
1415; 5 th (2D) J. GREGORY & SONS, COLIN 1414; 6 th (3D) J. GREGORY & SONS, COLIN 1414; 7 th (4D) J.
GREGORY & SONS, COLIN 1413; 8 th (3G) S. OGLE, DRUMNAVADY 1413; 9 th (4G) S. DELANEY,
HARMONY 1410; 10 th (1C) MR&MRS REID & BIGGER, CARRICK SOCIAL 1410; 11 th (5G) MCGRATH &
MCPARLAND, DRUMNAVADY 1410; 12 th (6G) J.F MCCABE & SON, NEWRY & DISTRICT 1408; 13 th (7G)
J.F MCCABE & SON, NEWRY & DISTRICT 1408; 14 th (8G) S. DELANEY, HARMONY 1408; 15 th (5D) J.
GREGORY & SONS, COLIN 1408; 16 th (6D) S G BRIGGS, LISBURN & DISTRICT 1407; 17 th (7D) J. TURNER,
HARMONY 1405; 18 th (8D) M. RUSSELL, DROMARA 1404; 19 th (2C) D&J ARMSTRONG & SON, CARRICK
SOCIAL 1404; 20 th (9G) MCGRATH & MCPARLAND, DRUMNAVADY 1403

SECTION C REPORT
The Winner of Section C (86/2,453) from Grenagh was Mr&Mrs Reid & Bigger of Carrick Social HPS.
Hugh takes top spot in his club (191 Birds) and also is rewarded with winning first prize winner in
Section C (2,453 Birds) overall in the NIPA Open placings Hugh obtained a 10 th prize finish from
Grenagh (15,833 Birds). The Section C Winner GB25 C 19215 is a yearling roundabout cock having

only his 4 th race ever. Reason being is Hugh doesn’t do darkness system anymore. So he got two
races as a youngbird and two this year. He is bred down from Mr Gibb his 2 nd Open Yearling National
Cock being Lambrecht when paired to a Lambrecht hen of Ian Gibb.
Congratulations to Section C Winners Mr&Mrs Reid & Bigger and Congratulations to all Club Winners
Ballycarry & District: (7/145): 1 st J. Robinson 1313; 2 nd J. Robinson 1309; 3 rd J C Reid 1307; 4 th J C Reid
1306; 5 th W. Degnan & T. McKee 1299; 6 th S. Beattie & Dtr 1294
Ballyclare & District: (12/441): 1 st Higginson & Fasciola 1315; 2 nd A&T Agnew 1315; 3 rd G&R Lawrie
1308; 4 th A&T Agnew 1306; 5 th A&T Agnew 1306; 6 th G&R Lawrie 1305
Carrick Social: (7/191): 1 st Mr&Mrs Reid & Bigger 1410; 2 nd D&J Armstrong & Son 1404; 3 rd G.
Robinson 1400; 4 th D&J Armstrong & Son 1398; 5 th D&J Armstrong & Son 1391; 6 th D&J Armstrong &
Son 1391
Doagh & District: (11/356): 1 st D&J Campbell 1383; 2 nd D&J Campbell 1377; 3 rd D&J Campbell 1348; 4 th
D&J Campbell 1345; 5 th A&N Lewis 1339; 6 th N. McAllister 1339
Glenarm & District: (7/159): 1 st G. McWhirter 1260; 2 nd G. McWhirter 1257; 3 rd McMullan Bros 1256;
4 th G. McWhirter 1244; 5 th McMullan Bros 1240; 6 th McMullan Bros 1230
Kingsmoss: (8/143): 1 st W. Gault & Son 1341; 2 nd W. Gault & Son 1284; 3 rd W. Gault & Son 1282; 4 th
Knowles & Hill 1279; 5 th R&C Johnston 1268; 6 th R&C Johnston 1261
Larne & District: (16/434): 1 st K&D Hagans 1331; 2 nd C. Campbell 1321; 3 rd C. Campbell 1320; 4 th K&D
Hagans 1314; 5 th K&D Hagans 1314; 6 th Crawford & Robinson 1314
Ligoniel & District: (11/306): 1 st Bingham & Seaton & Dowie 1381; 2 nd W. O’Boyle 1353; 3 rd C.
McManus 1347; 4 th B&K Mullan 1333; 5 th McMurray & Anderson 1328; 6 th C. McManus 1327
West End: (2/70): 1 st J&D Braniff 1347; 2 nd J&D Braniff 1346; 3 rd D. McElhone & Dtr 1324; 4 th D.
McElhone & Dtr 1319; 5 th J&D Braniff 1314; 6 th J&D Braniff 1310
East Antrim Amalgamation
Grenagh 15/5/26
Another stiff test for the convoy out of Grenagh this week as north west winds prevailed testing
every loft along the line. It was Hugh Bigger & indeed the Carrick club who dominated the result
taking the top 7 positions. Hugh’s winner this week finishing 1st sec c & 10th open NIPA is coming
down of his ace in the pack national cock lines (son national cock x Lambrechts hen from Ian Gibb)
So another super performance, one that Hugh himself said he was surprised with as the cock in
question only had 2 ybs races and this was only his 2nd old bird race. Hugh says with Arsenal winning
the league at the weekend to he’s in great form and wants to buy beers for everyone. Good man
yourself. Good luck to you all racing this week in the Derby & comeback races respectively
Jonny Baxter EAA Press Officer
East Antrim Amalgamation Result: 1 st Mr & Mrs Reid & Bigger 1410; 2 nd D&J Armstrong & Son 1404;
3 rd G. Robinson 1400; 4 th D&J Armstrong & Son 1398; 5 th D&J Armstrong & Son 1391; 6 th D&J
Armstrong & Son 1385; 7 th Mr&Mrs Reid & Bigger 1383; 8 th D&J Campbell 1377; 9 th D&J Campbell
1369; 10 th G. Robinson 1350; 11 th G. Robinson 1348; 12 th D&J Campbell 1345; 13 th D&J Campbell
1341; 14 th W. Gault & Son 1339; 15 th A&N Lewis 1339; 16 th N. McAllister 1339; 17 th D&J Campbell
1338; 18 th G. McKenna 1338; 19 th K&D Hagans 1331; 20 th D&J Campbell 1329
59 Members Sent 1,655 Birds

SECTION D REPORT
The Winner of Section D (57/1,876) from Grenagh was O&M Monaghan of Colin HPS. The
Monaghan’s topped their club of Colin (241 Birds) the lads also clocked the winning velocity in

Section D this weekend (1,876 Birds) they topped off a great days racing by achieving a fantastic
result in winning 3 rd Open NIPA (15,833 Birds) GB25 S 31071 is a yearling Lambrecht/Pitbull cross.
Her parents are excellent breeders. One sister is a section winner from Fermoy and has 12 NIPA
open prizes, another sister a club winner and she has 15 NIPA open prizes. Another sister was old
bird of the year in section D last year. This section winner herself was also1st club, 2 nd section from
the first Kilbeggan this year. Sire is a Lambrecht from club mates John and Eamon Gregory and dam
is Pitbull from P&D Stud via Jonny Fusco.
Congratulations to Section D Winners Owen & Michael Monaghan and Congratulations to all Club
Winners
Colin HPS: (9/241): 1 st O&M Monaghan 1417; 2 nd J. Gregory & Sons 1414; 3 rd J. Gregory & Sons 1414;
4 th J. Gregory & Sons 1413; 5 th J. Gregory & Sons 1408; 6 th J. Gregory & Sons 1396
Derriaghy: (4/142): 1 st K. Johnston 1343; 2 nd K. Johnston 1342; 3 rd K. Johnston 1324; 4 th K. Johnston
1323; 5 th K. Johnston 1313; 6 th K. Johnston 1312
Dromara HPS: (7/227): 1 st M. Russell 1404; 2 nd M. Russell 1347; 3 rd D. Aiken 1330; 4 th C. Rooney &
Sons 1325; 5 th Russell Bros 1321; 6 th N. Edgar & Son 1318
Dromore HPS: (7/319): 1 st P&J Boal 1397; 2 nd R. Keegan & Son 1394; 3 rd Aiken Bros 1363; 4 th Mr&Mrs
G. Delaney 1361; 5 th P&J Boal 1360; 6 th Aiken Bros 1353
Glenavy & District: (6/202): 1 st I. Gibb & Sons 1381; 2 nd I. Gibb & Sons 1379; 3 rd I. Gibb & Sons 1323;
4 th I. Gibb & Sons 1308; 5 th I. Gibb & Sons 1308; 6 th I. Gibb & Sons 1302
Harmony HPS: (12/394): 1 st S. Delaney 1410; 2 nd S. Delaney 1408; 3 rd J. Turner 1405; 4 th J. Turner
1399; 5 th J. Turner 1395; 6 th S. Delaney 1391
Hillsborough & Maze: (5/329): 1 st I. Rollins & Son 1368; 2 nd I. Rollins & Son 1364; 3 rd J. Greenaway
1360; 4 th J. Kelly & Sons 1359; 5 th J. Greenaway 1359; 6 th J. Greenaway 1354
Lisburn & District: (13/352): 1 st S G Briggs 1407; 2 nd H. Mackin 1337; 3 rd Smyth & Adams 1331; 4 th R.
Topping & Son 1329; 5 th R. Topping & Son 1326; 6 th R. Topping & Son 1326
South Belfast HPS: D/S
Titanic HPS: D/S
Trinity HPS: (5/150): 1 st P&K McCarthy 1397; 2 nd J&L Smyth 1378; 3 rd P&K McCarthy 1367; 4 th J&L
Smyth 1363; 5 th J&L Smyth 1350; 6 th J&L Smyth 1350

SECTION F REPORT
The Winner of Section F (69/1,778) from Grenagh was Gordon Bros & Sons of Cloughey HPS. The
Gordon’s take the top 2 prizes in Cloughey HPS (174 birds) and add a Section Winner for 2026 from
the fifth old bird race of the year (1,778 Birds) overall the section winner won 89 th NIPA Open
Grenagh (15,833 birds) The Gordon’s Section F Winner IHU24 N 00165 is a bred from their best long
distance bloodlines. Her father ‘Mark of Steel’ won 48 th Kings Cup 2023, 112 th Kings Cup 2022, merit
award winner 2023. The hens half brother won 14 th Kings Cup 2024.
Congratulations to Section F Winners Gordon Bors & Sons and Congratulations to all Club Winners.
Annalong: (1/21): 1 st K. Rooney & Son 1362; 2 nd K. Rooney & Son 1345; 3 rd K. Rooney & Son 1338; 4 th
K. Rooney & Son 1334; 5 th K. Rooney & Son 1334; 6 th K. Rooney & Son 1318
Bangor RPC: (10/294): 1 st Burgess & Brennan 1334; 2 nd Burgess & Brennan 1334; 3 rd R. Moore & Son
1322; 4 th J&I Moore 1306; 5 th Lambert & Stewart 1303; 6 th R. Moore & Son 1290
Cloughey HPS: (8/174): 1 st Gordon Bros & Sons 1365; 2 nd Gordon Bros & Sons 1334; 3 rd J&R Young
1326; 4 th C&H Cully 132s; 5 th M. Adair 1320; 6 th J&R Young 1310
Comber Central HPS: (3/52): 1 st W&L Robinson 1312; 2 nd W&L Robinson 1272; 3 rd W&L Robinson
1261; 4 th W&L Robinson 1257; 5 th G. Marshall 1234; 6 th W&L Robinson 1218
Corrigs: D/S

Crossgar: (7/265): 1 st McCartan & Woodside 1362; 2 nd D. Grieves 1351; 3 rd McCartan & Woodside
1346; 4 th McCartan & Woodside 1346; 5 th D. Grieves 1344; 6 th McCartan & Woodside 1344
Downpatrick Premier: (13/380): 1 st D. McNabb 1358; 2 nd D. McNabb 1357; 3 rd T&G Black 1330; 4 th
T&G Black 1329; 5 th S. Milligan & Dtr 1327; 6 th S. Milligan & Dtr 1326
Killyleagh Central: (8/175): Irvine Bros 1358; 2 nd Irvine Bros 1343; 3 rd Irvine Bros 1343; 4 th K. Murray
1307; 5 th K. Murray 1298; 6 th Irvine Bros 1284
Kircubbin: D/S
Millisle & District HPS: (9/178): 1 st R. Strain & Son 1261; 2 nd R. Strain & Son 1246; 3 rd A&E Muckle
1235; 4 th R. Strain & Son 1232; 5 th J. Rankin 1329; 6 th J. Rankin 1217
Newtownards HPS: (6/81): 1 st J. Adair 1314; 2 nd W. Leckey 1311; 3 rd J. Adair 1284; 4 th A. Mayne 1252;
5 th J. Adair 1249; 6 th J. Orr 1235

SECTION G REPORT
The Winner of Section G (48/2,128) from Grenagh was John J. McCabe of Newry & District HPS. (See
opening report for more info) J J had the best outcome from Grenagh Winning 1 st Club (628 Birds)
Winning 1 st Section G (2,128 Birds) and Winning 1 st NIPA Open (15,833 Birds)
Congratulations to Section G Winner John J. McCabe and Congratulations to all Club Winners.
Ballyholland: (7/390): 1 st C. O’Hare & Dtr 1396; 2 nd C. O’Hare & Dtr 1396; 3 rd C. O’Hare & Dtr 1377; 4 th
O. Markey 1368; 5 th O. Markey 1366; 6 th O. Markey 1362
Banbridge HPS: (8/261): 1 st F. Simpson 1402; 2 nd R. Carson & Son 1381; 3 rd E. McAlinden 1375; 4 th F.
Simpson 1369; 5 th F. Simpson 1347; 6 th McCracken Bros 1329
Drumnavady: (11/351): 1 st S. Ogle 1413; 2 nd McGrath & McParland 1410; 3 rd McGrath & McParland
1403; 4 th D&K Mallen 1399; 5 th W. McDowell & Son 1398; 6 th S. Ogle 1384
Millvale: (4/162): 1 st T. Mooney & Son 1378; 2 nd T. Mooney & Son 1310; 3 rd N. Murtagh 1297; 4 th N.
Murtagh 1291; 5 th N. Murtagh 1288; 6 th N. Murtagh 1275
Newry City: (3/144): 1 st Thompson & Lunn 1344; 2 nd Donnelly Bros 1300; 3 rd Donnelly Bros 1294; 4 th
Donnelly Bros 1285; 5 th Donnelly Bros 1280; 6 th Thompson & Lunn 1269
Newry & District: (12/628): 1 st John J McCabe 1423; 2 nd W. Chambers 1420; 3 rd J F McCabe & Son
1408; 4 th J F McCabe & Son 1408; 5 th J. McParland 1398; 6 th J. McParland 1396

NIPA NEWS

Drumnavaddy INHPS Nomination Race Winners J. Gregory & Son pictured with their winning hen, a
yearling raced on the roundabout system. She was previously a prizewinner from the Skibbereen
Young Bird National, and this season she has raced with great consistency, being in the clock 4 times
from 5 races. In the NIPA Grenagh race against 15,833 birds, she achieved: 3rd Section D, 6th Open
while also winning the nomination race. Her sire is a full brother to our NIPA Skibbereen YB National
winner and was himself a top performer, winning 5th National INFC Skibbereen. The dam was bred
by clubmate Johnny Fusco from his renowned P&D stud stock.

Could all club representatives/race secretaries within my covered sections of C, D, F & G to contact
myself to be included in my weekly NIPA race Reports, with Club, Section & Open Winning photos,
along with the winning pigeon’s info etc.
Yours in Sport ,
Jordan Hughes
N.I.P.A. Press Officer

JORDAN HUGHES

‘JOURNEYS END’
N.I.P.A PRESS OFFICER
Mobile: 07713808554
Email: jordanhughespro.gmail.com
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