Pigeon Network

No sooner has the racing finished we will shortly move into the presentation season and the many meetings that will make decisions about the new season racing in 2020, it is intended to arrange a Sect B meeting shortly to consider the season just finished and an opportunity to put forward ideas and resolutions for next season. The new Ahoghill Centre worked well and thanks to all those involved at both the Centre and Collection Point in other races. It will be a season to remember with local lofts to the fore in both major races with Mr & Mrs Sempey 2nd Open from St Malo and Blair & Rankin 1st Open from Talbenny. The following are the Mileage Awards - (a) 0-250 Miles. (b) 251-450 Miles. (c) Over 450 Miles. (d) Best Single Bird Performance, Old Birds or Young Birds. (e) Young Fanciers over 8 years but under 16 years on 1st January for any of the above awards. (who are competing in races in their own right). Age to be stated on application. (f) Best Single Bird Performance Talbenny & Penzance, Claims from Club Secretaries for this award, winners will be listed in each NIPA Section, ie A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H. Application Forms are available from the Region Secretary, please send SAE to M/M Reid, Monta-Vista, 131 North Road, Carrickfergus, County Antrim. BT38 7QJ. Late claims will not be accepted, deadline date is 1st October. Hopefully next year application forms are available to download from the RPRA Website.

ATTENTION - THE MEETING FOR THE IRISH REIGON RPRA SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY THE 5th OF OCTOBER IS FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS ONLY AND NOT AS WAS STATED DELEGATES. THANK YOU.

RPRA (Irish Region) Awards 2019 – Single Bird Talbenny & Penzance

Sect A - Diamond Bros & G McLaughlin Coleraine Premier HPS Vel 1540, Sect B - C & D Jackson Kells & District HPS Vel 1535, Sect C- A & E Bell Muckamore Vel 1543, Sect D - I Rollins & Son Hills & Maze Vel 1552, Sect E - B & P Baird Markethill Vel 1572, Sect F - C McManus Corrigs Vel 1421, Sect G - R Williamson Newry & Dist Vel 1497, Sect H - A Kelly Omagh Vel 1119. Overall Winner - B & P Baird Markethill Vel 1572.

RPRA (Irish Region) - Mileage Awards 2019
0-250 Miles D Calvin Bondhill, 251-450 Miles J Greenaway Dromore, 450 + Miles J Murtagh Ballyholland.

Best YB Performance 2019 - Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel GB19X-33410
Best OB Performance 2019 - D & J Campbell Eastway GB18E-19052

RPRA (Irish Region) Young Fancier Mileage Awards 2019

0-250 Miles Ellie Marshall Comber Central, 251-450 Miles Keelie Wright Lurgan Social, 450 + Miles No Claim.

RPRA (Irish Region) Young Fancier of the Year 2019
1st Miss Ellie Marshall Comber Central, Runner-up Miss Keelie Wright Lurgan Social. Achievement Award - Fionn McCabe, Newry & District.

Menu: Fresh Herb & Vegetable broth - Roast Irish Sirloin of Beef - Yorkshire Pudding & Roast Gravy - Seasonal Vegetables - Roasted Herb & Creamed Potatoes - Trio of Desserts - Tea/Coffee & Mints.

Awards will be presented at NIPA Ladies Night Friday 8th. November 2019 in the Templeton Hotel Templepatrick. Tickets £30 available from Fred Russell. Tel: 028 9269 3913 evenings.

All trophy winners not attending Ladies Night to collect their trophy can collect it in the NIPA office, these trophies will NOT be taken to the Ladies Night presentation.

RPRA (Irish Region) Awards presented at NIPA Ladies Night -

The Irish Region (RPRA) awards are presented annually at the NIPA Ladies Night, this year the presentation was carried out by Mrs Yvonne Reid wife of the long-time Irish Region Secretary Robert Reid from Carrickfergus. The Single Bird performance is awarded for best in each NIPA Section and overall winner on this occasion was B & P Baird from Markethill. It would be nice to see this extended to include other affiliated organisations including East Coast Fed (Dublin) and Mid Antrim Combine. I also look forward to getting the info on the birds going forward to be considered for the Blackpool Presentation, our top winners miss out almost every year. With this report I have included Bingham & Seaton who won the Massarella Trophy for Best YB Performance in 2015 with Mighty David.

RPRA (Irish Region) Awards 2019 – Single Bird Talbenny & Penzance

Sect A - Diamond Bros & G McLaughlin Coleraine Premier HPS Vel 1540, Sect B - C & D Jackson Kells & District HPS Vel 1535, Sect C- A & E Bell Muckamore Vel 1543, Sect D - I Rollins & Son Hills & Maze Vel 1552, Sect E - B & P Baird Markethill Vel 1572, Sect F - C McManus Corrigs Vel 1421, Sect G - R Williamson Newry & Dist Vel 1497, Sect H - A Kelly Omagh Vel 1119. Overall Winner - B & P Baird Markethill Vel 1572.

RPRA (Irish Region) - Mileage Awards 2019

0-250 Miles David Calvin Bondhill, 251-450 Miles Jeff Greenaway Dromore, 450 + Miles Johnny Murtagh Ballyholland.

Best YB Performance 2019 - Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel GB19X-33410

Best OB Performance 2019 - D & J Campbell Eastway GB18E-19052

RPRA (Irish Region) Young Fancier Mileage Awards 2019

0-250 Miles Ellie Marshall Comber Central, 251-450 Miles Keelie Wright Lurgan Social, 450 + Miles No Claim.

RPRA (Irish Region) Young Fancier of the Year 2019

1st Miss Ellie Marshall Comber Central, Runner-up Miss Keelie Wright Lurgan Social. Achievement Award - Fionn McCabe, Newry & District. The youngest ever NIPA 1st Open winner.



Dominic Diamond (Diamond Bros) from Coleraine Premier won the award in Section A.


Cheq w/f bred by Russell McAlary, 1st Club, 1st Sect, 4th Open OB Classic
& 8th Open NIPA Penzance, raced by Diamond Bros.


Davy Jackson from Kells & District, best in Mid Antrim and 1st Sect B & 5th Open NIPA Penzance.


“Nee Nee” winner in the NIPA Section B for C & D Jackson of Kells & District.


Ron Williamson from Newry & District won the award in Section G.


Alan Kelly from Omagh & District won the award in Section H.


The overall winners were B & P Baird of Markethill HPS.


Bingham & Seaton from Ligoniel & District had the Best YB Performance in 2019.


Jeff Greenaway from Dromore HPS won the 0-250 Mileage Award.


Johnny Murtagh the Kings Cup winner from Ballyholland won the Over 450 Miles award.


A Merit Award for the youngest 1st Open NIPA winner Fionn McCabe.


Ellie Marshall (l) from Comber won Young Fancier of the Year, Keelie Wright from Lurgan Social was runner-up.


Bingham & Seaton celebrate with the Massarella Trophy at Blackpool in 2016.