Gowran Park 22/04/17 -

[willie reynolds]

For the third old bird race the NIPA moved to Gowran Park in County Kilkenny a big convoy of 25,200 birds released at 10.45am in a Lt Variable wind. It should have been a perfect race but weather conditions in Northern Ireland changed with a band of bad weather across the whole of the country and no wind to blow it away. Conditions must have been good enough in Newry where local lofts dominated the result, 1st Open NIPA was won by J F McCabe & Son from Newry & District.

NIPA Open Gowran Park 878/25,206 –
1-1G J F McCabe & Son Newry & Dist 1446, 2-2G T McKinstry Drumnavaddy 1442, 3-3G R Williamson Newry & Dist 1440, 4-4G R Williamson 1426, 5-5G T McKinstry 1424, 6-6G M Maguire & Son Newry & Dist 1409, 7-7G R Williamson 1408, 8-8G Mark Maguire & Son Newry & Dist 1406, 9-9G Sands & Rice Ballyholland 1399, 10-10G P & C Shields Newry & Dist 1398, 11-11G J F McCabe & Son 1389, 12-12G Mark Maguire & Son 1387, 13-13G Mark Maguire & Son 1387, 14-14G R Williamson 1386, 15-15G T Gordon Ballyholland 1386, 16-16G M Maguire & Son 1385, 17-17G J J McCabe Newry & Dist 1381, 18-18G W & J Chambers Millvale 1378, 19-19G J J McCabe 1375, 20-20G J F McCabe & Son 1374.

Best in each NIPA Section –

Sect A 68/2012 – D Carolan Coalisland & Dist 1245, Bond & Diamond Coleraine Prem 1228, G Donaghy Son & Grandson Windsor Soc 1226.
Sect B 134/4180 – S Maginty Muckamore 1324, A Darragh Cullybackey 1287, McFall & McManus Ballymena 1284.
Sect C 171/4566 – W Corbett & Son Ligoniel 1359, M/M G Robinson Carrick Soc 1324, J Burrows Eastway 1310.
Sect D 95/2780 – McKinstry Bros Dromara 1365, J Kelly & Sons Dromore 1365, I Gibb & Son2 1363.
Sect E 172/5734 – J Whitten & Son Edgarstown 1369, A Johnston Lurgan Soc 1368, Fitzpatrick & Hyde Gilford 1364.
Sect F 62/1396 – G & P Brown Corrigs 1326, P Lue & Son Corrigs 1268, C Healy Killyleagh Cent 1257.
Sect G 76/2852 – J F McCabe & Son Newry & Dist 1446, T McKinstry Drumnavaddy 1442, R Williamson Newry & Dist 1440.
Sect H 100/1686 – D Booth Foyle 1120, D Booth 1119, R Witherow Limavady 1110.

NIPA Race/Date
Gowran Park 22/04/17 – Lib 10.45am in Lt Variable wind

NIPA Sect A Clubs

Coalisland & District – E Grew 1287, 1248, D Carolan 1245.

Coleraine Premier HPS 18/524 – Bond & Diamond 1228, D Coyles & Son 1185, Hanson & Harpur 1137, 1127.

Coleraine & County Derry – K Darragh 1168, T McCrudden 1142, Mrs B McCrudden 1113, T McCrudden 1101. Pools Mrs B McCrudden.

Cookstown Social – G & S Smith 1115, 1105, 1104.

Castledawson – Lynn & Leacock 1187, S Watson 1073, Lynn & Leacock 1063.

Dungannon – Ian Blair 1045, 1029, J & J Sampson 976.

Windsor Social 18/484 – G Donaghy Son & Grandson 1226, R & J Parke 1185, T Scott & Son 1170, R & J Parke 1114.

NIPA Sect H Clubs

Amelia Earhart 14/136 - Noel & Ciara Doherty 848, Lexi Mc Closkey 833, Eamonn Quigley 822, Noel & Ciara Doherty 817.

Amelia Earhart Open 2 bird club - 25 members across the 5 clubs have nominated 44 pigeons in the 2 Bird, as follows. Amelia Earhart - 5 entered 10, Maiden City - 3 entered 5, Derry & District - 9 entered 17, Londonderry - 5 entered 8
Foyle - 3 entered 4. £88 collected minus commission leaves £80 pay out as follows.
1st = £40, 2nd = £24, 3rd = £16. Result will follow on Monday night. Can secretaries send me through the velocities of the first 3 pool birds to ameliaearhartrpc@yahoo.com

Derry & District 20/279 – N McGrotty 930, D Canning 901, A McCrudden 893, G & J Ramsey 858.

Foyle RPS – Paul Maxwell 1017, Tony Bradley 824, Teddy Miller 804.

Limavady – R Witherow 1110, 1053, 1052.

Londonderry PRS – L Flanagan & Son 1040, 1001, 864.

Maiden City 17/266 – R & G Martin 975, McGettigan Bros 912, N Cassidy 876, P & M Healy 874. Well done to Roy and Gary topping the club on a very tough day.

Omagh & District – A Kelly 1058, 1056, 920.

Strabane & District 11/145 – Devine & Harpur 928, Glen Quinn 899, Devine & Harper 824, Raymond McAteer 810. Well done lads.

NIPA Sect B Clubs

Ahoghill Flying Club 11/396 – M/M Robinson 1173, Young McManus & Sons 1132, J Smyth & Son 1124, Young McManus & Sons 1120. Brooke Supplies 2 Bird Club – J Smyth & Son 1124, C Young 1008.

Ballymena & District HPS 15/417 – McFall & McManus 1284 SS, W & J Smyth 1229 SS, McFall & McManus 1213, J Eagleson & Sons 1156 SS.

Ballymoney HPS 23/750 – D Dixon 1192, J Hutchinson & Son 1176, D Dixon 1168, Curry & Gilmore 1161.

Ballymoney West Combine 9/323 – J Hutchinson & Son 1176, Curry & Gilmore 1161, D Gage 1135, Brown & Stewart 1130.

Dervock RPS 5/202 - J Hutchinson & Son 1176, S Laverty 1131, D & H Stuart 1076, 1032.

Broughshane & District 8/216 – A Purvis 1159, 1138, J Simpson 1113, D Houston & Son 1078.

Cullybackey 18/591 – A Darragh 1287, 1235, 1200, 1183.

Crumlin & District – G F Lindsay 1220, McConville Bros 1156, J Harkness 1145.

Harryville HPS 11/388 – R H Clements 1174, G Price 1112, 1107, R H Clements 1088.

Kells & District HPS 12/327 – Tully Lofts 1237, H Boyd 1208, C & D Jackson 1167, J Millar & Son 1150. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – H Boyd 1208, C & D Jackson 1085, Gregg Bros 1068, G McDowell 1046, 972.

Muckamore HPS 13/523 – S Maginty 1324, A & E Bell 1277, S Maginty 1214, G Magill 1205.

New Antrim Amalgamated – McFall & McManus 1284, 1213, K Wilkinson & Son 1175, McFall & McManus 1045.

Randalstown HPS 8/257 – Percy Son & Murphy 1213, F & G & J Dickey 1205, W & W Gilbert 1202, Stewart Bros 1176.

Rasharkin & District HPS 9/307 – Steele & McNeill 1203, H Cubitt 1127, J & M Milliken 1125, H Cubitt 1124. Danny Dixon – 1192, 1168.

NIPA Sect E Clubs

Annaghmore – R Telford 1236, T McClean 1236, A McMullan 1232, G Buckley & Son 1225.

Armagh 10/402 – G & A Campbell 1305, D C & P McArdle 1269, J Campbell 1241, P Campbell & Son 1232.

Beechpark Social 10/467 – G McEvoy 1306, R Bothwell 1223, K Downey 1218, C Reynolds 1108. Beechpark 2 Bird - C Reynolds 1108, D Mawhinney & Son 861, C Beattie 847.

Blackwatertown HPS 6/265 – M Duggan & Son 1276, J Brown 1275, Collins & Douglas 1248, J Brown 1205.

Bleary – R Adamson 1317, T Wilson 1302, G O’Dowd 1263.

Bondhill Social – Capper Bros 1199, D Calvin 1155, Capper Bros 1127, 1126.

Edgarstown – J Whitten & Son 1345, 1296, S & E Buckley 1288, J Robinson 1267.

Gilford & District – Fitzpatrick & Hyde 1364, 1309, Adamson & Anderson 1297, Rafferty & Toman 1245.

Laurelvale – Dowey Bros 1289, A Craig 1281, J Trotter 1276, A Craig 1255.

Loughgall – S West 1226, N Weir 1226, 1223, 1213.

Lurgan Social – A Johnston 1368, K Henderson & Son 1323, J Douglas & Son 1308, R Higginson 1295. Congratulations to Gregory Johnston on his first win since joining the Social, and second section to Boot. Well done.

Markethill – P McCall 1293, J & H Muldrew & McMurray 1260, M McDowell & Son 1260.

Monaghan 14/476 – Allister & Kruger 1246, 1241, G Swift 1235, P McFadden 1228.

Portadown & Drumcree HPS 12/325 – Hagan & Rowney 1337, 1337, Sloan & Reid 1303, N & S Haughian 1294. 2 Bird Club – Sloan & Reid, N & S Haughian. Another great performance from Martin and Philip taking the first two in what was a very testing race from Gowran Park, with lots of empty perches tonight. Let's hope the missing birds work their way home.

Wilton Cross 12/321 – D Cooper 1285, C J & B Ferris 1275, Matchett Bros 1263, C J & B Ferris 1262

Willie Reynolds
NIPA Press Officer
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
www.pigeonnetwork.com
www.niparacingpigeons.co.uk
www.irishnationalflyingclub.com

Big numbers for the liberation at Gowran Park in Kilkenny.

J Whitten & Son from Edgarstown HPS, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Club, 1st Section E & 25th Open from Gowran Park - winner bred by Wayne Doonan.

McFall & McManus 1st Ballymena & Dist in all 3 races and 1st MAC Gowran Park. .

Alan Darragh wins two in a row in Cullybackey HPS.

Roy Clements 1st in Harryville HPS, the best of Vermeer Bergin stock, the sire bred by Keith Kernohan.

Rasharkin & District HPS winners from today's race in Gowran Park Steele & McNeill.

Coleraine Premier pools winner for Danny and Bobby Coyle. 1st Sect Bude last year.

Raymond McCann of Windsor Social scored big result from Mullingar, 1st Sect A, 1st Triangle & 2nd Open NIPA.

Ballymena lofts best from Gowran Park -

For the third race of the old bird season the NIPA birds were at Gowran Park in Kilkenny over 25,000 birds were released at 10.45am in a Lt Variable wind. Conditions were overcast and the birds encountered problems en-route with parts of Northern Ireland blocked out and a large number failed to make home lofts on the day. No problems in the big Ballymena & Dist with Charlie McManus having the top card and winning the club for the 3rd time this year, also 1st in MAC.

MAC Gowran Park – McFall & McManus Ballymena & Dist 1284, W & J Smyth Ballymena & Dist 1229, McFall & McManus 1213, Percy Son & Murphy Randalstown 1213, F & G & J Dickey Randalstown 1205, Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 1203, W & W Gilbert Randalstown 1202, D Dixon Rasharkin 1192, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1176, K Wilkinson & Son New Antrim 1175, M/M Robinson Ahoghill 1173, D Dixon 1168, A Purvis Associate 1159, W & W Gilbert 1157, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena & Dist 1156.

Mid Antrim Combine Clubs –

Ballymena & District HPS 15/417 – McFall & McManus 1284 SS, W & J Smyth 1229 SS, McFall & McManus 1213, J Eagleson & Sons 1156 SS, W & J Smyth 1147, G & A EAgleson 1134, J Eagleson & Sons 11312, 1128, G Bell 1054, McFall & McManus 1045. Many thanks to James Harris who checked all ETS Clocks on Saturday and set up the result, invaluable contribution. Need to remember all those who helped on Friday evening with race marking. Big effort gets a big result!

New Antrim Amalgamated – McFall & McManus 1284, 1213, K Wilkinson & Son 1175, McFall & McManus 1045, 1012, 993, 974.

Randalstown HPS 8/257 – Percy Son & Murphy 1213, F & G & J Dickey 1205, W & W Gilbert 1202, Stewart Bros 1176, W & W Gilbert 1157, Stewart Bros 1150, F & G & J Dickey 1142, Percy Son & Murphy 1120, Stewart Bros 1076, F & G & J Dickey 1049.

Rasharkin & District HPS 9/307 – Steele & McNeill 1203, H Cubitt 1127, J & M Milliken 1125, H Cubitt 1124, Steele & McNeill 1106, T Whyte 1100. Danny Dixon – 1192, 1168.

Ahoghill Flying Club 11/396 – M/M Robinson 1173, Young McManus & Sons 1132, J Smyth & Son 1124, Young McManus & Sons 1120, T Young & Son 1090, M/M Robinson 1089, Young McManus & Sons 1078, J Smyth & Son 1047, C Young 1016, 1008. Brooke Supplies 2 Bird Club – J Smyth & Son 1124, C Young 1008.

The draws have been made for the various competitions for the year, the Knock-Out list has been circulated and starts this weekend. Champions League starts this weekend as well at Gowran Park run as usual with a League process followed by the Knock-Out matches with final at Penzance. Updates will follow. The Knock-Out list is also on the Ballymena Facebook page.

All member lofts were listed for the Old Bird Knock-Out the first ever competition of this type for Mid Antrim lofts, to generate a bit of fun and gentle competition among the local fancy. Space will not permit publication of the entire list some of the close matches from Gowran Park included the following. Gibson & O’Neill just ahead of George Bell, Houston Bros beat Billy Ramsey, Percy Son & Murphy beat club-mates in Randalstown Stewart Bros, Chris Young just ahead of Richmond Bros, T & G Balmer in Ahoghill beat club-mates J Orr & Son and Harold Cubitt put out club-mates J & M Milliken who won last season’s Champions League for Rasharkin & District. Next round will be Corrin on 6th May.

Next Round K/O from Corrin (2) – RJ & WJ Reid v G Gilmour, A Purvis v Steele & McNeill, W J McLean v J Eagleson & Sons, Gibson & O’Neill v Houston Bros, W & J Smyth v C Young, J Smyth & Son v T Whyte, F G & J Dickey v Blair & Rankin, J Balmer v W Livingstone, B O’Rawe v Hugh Boyd, J McNeill & Son v J Millar, W & W Gilbert v Percy Son & Murphy, D Dixon v K Wilkinson & Son, Young McManus & Sons v M/M Robinson, W & N Gilbert v McFall & McManus, D Mairs v A C & T Tweed, H Cubitt v T & G Balmer.

Group (a) – J Smyth & Son, McFall & McManus, Stewart Bros, D Dixon and K Wilkinson & Son. Group (b) – M/M Robinson, W & J Smyth, Percy Son & Murphy, and W J McLean. Group (c) – Young McManus & Sons, Blair & Rankin, F & G & J Dickey, and J & M Milliken. Group (d) – C Moore, J Eagleson & Sons, Hugh Boyd, and Steele & McNeill. As usual the League Competition runs in the Inland Programme up to and including Rosscarbery (no comeback races), The Top 2 in each Sect/Group will proceed to the Knock-Out stage, this year the races are Talbenny (2), Bude & Penzance for the Champions League Final.

After Week (1) Gowran Park – Group (a) McFall & McManus 15, D Dixon 8, Stewart Bros 7, K Wilkinson & Son 6, J Smyth & Son. Group (b) W & J Smyth 14, Percy Son & Murphy 12, M/M Robinson 5, W J McLean. Group (c) F G & J Dickey 11, Young McManus & Sons, Blair & Rankin, J & M Milliken. Group (d) Steele & McNeill 10, J Eagleson & Sons 1, C Moore, Hugh Boyd.

Muckamore loft tops Section B -

The race from Gowran Park last weekend was the third of the old bird season, it had the best entry to date with some 25,000 NIPA birds released at 10.45am. Sam Maginty had the best bird in Muckamore for the second week, he timed his winner at 14.04hrs to record velocity 1324 to be best in the NIPA Section B. Returns on the day were poor but most missing birds have turned up the next morning in bright sunshine.

NIPA Sect B Clubs Gowran Park -

Muckamore HPS 13/523 – S Maginty 1324, A & E Bell 1277, S Maginty 1214, G Magill 1205, T Patterson & Son 1193, T & L Yates 1180, A & E Bell 1136, T Fleming 1023.

Cullybackey HPS 18/591 – A Darragh 1287, 1235, S Steele 1105, N & S Anderson 1104, Gibson & O’Neill 1069, McAlonan Bros 1069, E Davidson 1061, D Robinson 1053, Gibson & O’Neill 1051, Reid Bros & McCloy 1028.

Kells & District HPS 12/327 – Tully Lofts 1237, H Boyd 1208, C & D Jackson 1167, J Millar & Son 1150, G McDowell 1088, C & D Jackson 1085, G McDowell 1085, Gregg Bros 1068. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – H Boyd 1208, C & D Jackson 1085, Gregg Bros 1068, G McDowell 1046, 972.

Crumlin & District – G F Lindsay 1220, McConville Bros 1156, J Harkness 1145.

Rasharkin & District HPS 9/307 – Steele & McNeill 1203, H Cubitt 1127, J & M Milliken 1125, H Cubitt 1124, Steele & McNeill 1106, T Whyte 1100. Danny Dixon – 1192, 1168.

Ballymoney HPS 23/750 – D Dixon 1192, J Hutchinson & Son 1176, D Dixon 1168, Curry & Gilmore 1161, D Gage 1135, S Laverty 1131, Brown & Stewart 1130, Curry & Gilmore 1090, D & H Stuart 1076, J McDowell & Sons 1063.

Ballymoney West Combine 9/323 – J Hutchinson & Son 1176, Curry & Gilmore 1161, D Gage 1135, Brown & Stewart 1130, J McDowell & Sons 1063, L Neill 1060, W Blair 1026, R J Elliott 1023, J McConaghie 1002.

Dervock RPS 5/202 - J Hutchinson & Son 1176, S Laverty 1131, D & H Stuart 1076, 1032, S Laverty 1013, D Devenney 1012, 984, J Walker 956.

Harryville HPS 11/388 – R H Clements 1174, G Price 1112, 1107, R H Clements 1088, M D C Magill 1072, L Mullan 1071, G Price 1070, R H Clements 1062, A McBride 1062, R Service & Son 1034.

Broughshane & District 8/216 – A Purvis 1159, 1138, J Simpson 1113, D Houston & Son 1078, A Purvis 1048, J Simpson 1047, 1021, T & M Morrow 1011, D Houston & Son 1008, R Wylie 993. Alastair timed a Gabby x Janseen Cock into Aughafatten Lofts in what turned out to be a hard race with many lofts birds still missing.

North West Review -

Big congratulations to Willie Bond & Sean Diamond on winning the Triangle Combine yesterday and finishing 2nd Section A. 68/2012. The winning pigeon is a Newsholme & McArdel Lambrecht cock bought at the NCC Sale for £40. What a bargain that one turned out to be. It was the 3rd race of the old bird season and the best entry to date, over 25,000 birds were released at Gowran Park at 10.45am.

Coleraine Triangle Gowran Park - Bond & Diamond Coleraine Prem 1228, G Donaghy Son & Grandson Windsor Soc 1226, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1185, D Coyles & Son Coleraine Prem 1185, T Scott & Son Windsor Soc 1170, K Darragh Co Derry 1168, T McCrudden Co Derry 1142, Hanson & Harpur Coleraine Prem 1137, Hanson & Harpur 1127, J L Madden Coleraine Prem 1124, J L Madden 1123, Hanson & Harpur 1119, R McAlary Coleraine Prem 1118, J L Madden 1117, Diamond Bros & McLaughlin Coleraine Prem 1115, R & J Parke 1114, Mrs B McCrudden Co Derry 1113, Bond & Diamond 1107, Diamond Bros & McLaughlin 1103, E & D Tosh Coleraine Prem 1096.

Ballymoney & Coleraine Clubs

Coleraine Premier HPS 18/524 – Bond & Diamond 1228, D Coyles & Son 1185, Hanson & Harpur 1137, 1127, J L Madden 1124, 1123, Hanson & Harpur 1119, R McAlary 1118, J L Madden 1117, Diamond Bros & McLaughlin 1115.

Big well done to Bond and Diamond today winning what can only be described as a nightmare of a race. In this day and age with all the weather reports on the Internet I cannot understand why this is still happening. I was talking to a club mate today shortly after the release and I told him this will be a bad race. The sky was all wrong and reports where coming through the gap of the north was closed. Some good pigeons are still missing and returns where terrible all over.

Danny and Bobby Coyle pool winner from yesterday's race that stopped team McDonald from winning the pools three weeks in a row. Trevor said you owe him a drink.This game wee hen was a section winner for the lads last year from Bude. On a bad day yesterday a bit of quality came to the front. Likely hear more of this little hen later in the season.

Windsor Social 18/484 – G Donaghy Son & Grandson 1226, R & J Parke 1185, T Scott & Son 1170, R & J Parke 1114, C Morrow & Son 1094, R & J Parke 1093, 1092, 1092, A & M Boyle 1090, M & T King 1076. Hard racing today well done to Winky Donaghy winning a hard race and good to see new member M & T King getting a bird in the Top 10.

Coleraine & County Derry – K Darragh 1168, T McCrudden 1142, Mrs B McCrudden 1113, T McCrudden 1101. Pools won by Mrs B McCrudden.