Killworth Army Camp in Fermoy co Cork was the venue for the seasons fourth inland race for the NIPA, with fantastic weather conditions the convoy were released at 9.00am in a Lt South wind and cleared well. Most of the top winners exceeded a mile a minute to home lofts and returns were good. The top winner was S & J Bones from the Muckamore HPS timing a bird the best of the Soontjen family of birds fromformer Kings Cup winner Blaine McAvoy.
Jason sent me someinfo. Blue hen ihu 24 s 043477 - Purchased in a kit of young birds in 2024 from Blaine McEvoy Ocean view lofts soontjens
This hen is direct of Blaines open winner from Dale. She was raced on roundabout system and kept up to her work by loft manager and race partner Trevor Yates who is holding the hen in the photograph. Winner was timed at 11.54am flying 185 miles out on its own and followed by another early bird in Randalstown timed by Sam Murphy. Former National winner Kevin Henderson of Lurgan Soc was best of the early arrivals in Sect E and Joe Devlin had 1st Coalisland & District and 1st SectionA.
NIPA Race/Date
Fermoy OB Saturday 10th May 2025 – Liberated at 9.00am in a Lt South wind
NIPA Open 1st Fermoy OB 687/22,595 –
1-1B S & J Bones Muckamore 1878, 2-2B S Murphy Cullybackey 1834m 3-1E K Henderson & Son Lurgan Soc 1819, 4-2E G Marsden Hills & Maze 1812, 5-3E J Douglas & Son Lurgan Soc 1807, 6-3B A Darragh Cullybackey 1804, 7-1A H & J Devlin Coalisland & Dist 1804, 8-4B C & M McCook Ballymoney 1803, 9-5B D & H Stusrt Ballymoney 1802, 10-4E D Calvin Bondhill Soc 1801, 11-2A J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1801, 12-3A G & S Smith Cookstown 1797, 13-6B Blair & Rankin Ballymena & Dist 1793, 14-5E J & E Calvin Annaghmore 1792, 15-6E Aiden Mallon Meadows 1791, 16-7E A & R Neill Edgarstown 1789, 18-8E I Blair Armagh 1785, 19-5A J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1785, 20-7B G Gibson Cullybackey 1785.
NIPA Section A 1st Fermoy 56/1691 – H & J Devlin Coalisland & Dist 184, J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1802, G & S Smith Cookstown 1797, J Hanson 1786, 1785, 1779, B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1774, S Diamond Coleraine Prem 173, J Hanson 1770, S Diamond 1769.
NIPA Sect A Clubs
Coalisland & District 15/549 – H & J Devlin 1804, B Morgan 1768, 1755, K Murphy 1754, P McElhatton 1754, B Morgan 1746. 1st Fermoy 10/05/2025
Coalisland & District HPS - H&J Devlin. 1st Sec. A / 7th Open 22,595 Birds Competgin. Vel 1804.219 Parents of winning bird gifted by club mate Michael McPhillips.
Coleraine Premier HPS 17/622 – Jimmy Hanson 1801, 1786, 1786, 1779, B & D Coyle 1774, S Diamond 1773.
Cookstown Social 8/209 – G & S Smith 1797, 1741m 1719, 1713, B McSloy 1690, G & S Smith 1687.
Dungannon & District 5/82 – J & J Sampson 1730, 1671, E Bleeks 1584, 1550, 1496, 1461.
Windsor Social 13/447 – T Scott & Son 1731, R & J Parke 1729, 1726, T Scott & Son 1723, 1722, R & Parke 1711.
NIPA Section B `1st Fermoy 102/3528 – S & J Bones Muckamore 1878, S Murphy Cullybackey 1834, A Darragh Cullybackey 1804, C & M McCook Ballyoney 1703, D & H Stuart Ballymoney 1802, Blair & Rankin Ballymena & Dist 1793, G Gibson Cullybackey 1785, C Henry Ballymoney 1781, Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1779.
NIPA Sect B Clubs
Ahoghill Flying Club 8/261– Young McManus & Sons 1779, T Whyte 1767, J Smyth & Son 1747, T Whyte 1745, Young McManus & Sons 1730, 1729
Ballymoney HPS 23/1009 – C & M McCook 1803, D & H Stuart 1802, C Henry 1781, 1780, 1761, A & M Boyle 1754.
Ballymoney West Combine 7/195 – C henry 1781, L Neill 1716, W Rodgers 168, M Gamble & Son 1682, J McConaghie 1630, Curry & Gilmore 1571.
Broughshane & District 5/114 – A Purvis 1681, M Neilly 1680, T & M Morrow 1679, M Neilly 1677, 1675, T & M Morrow 1661.
Ballymena & District HPS 8/280 – Blair & Rankin 1793, 1744, R Service & Son 1737, 1722 1716, Blair & Rankin 1713.
Cullybackey HPS 18/592 – S Murphy 1834, A Darragh 1804, G Gibson 1785, A Darragh 1773, S Murphy 1768, J & J Greer 1754.
Crumlin & District 11/269 – Fleming Bros 1720, R & S Hope 1713, J Harkness 1706, Fleming Bros 1705, R & S Hope 1703, McConville Bros 1699.
Kells & District HPS 6/174 – Surgenor Bros 1734, 1728, H Boyd 1723, Surgenor Bros 1721, H Boyd 1712, Surgenor Bros 1704. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – Surgenor Bros 1721, B Swann & Son 1684, A Barkley & Son 1566.
Muckamore HPS 10/417 – S & J Bons 1878, A Steele 1768, S & N Maginty 1748, 1747, 1741, 1740.
Randalstown HPS 6/142 – Stewart Bros 1735, 1728, 1717, J Millar 1664, J McNeill & Son 1655, 1644.
Rasharkin &District HPS 7/117 – H Cubitt 1765, W McFetridge 1727, Steele & McNeill 1718, 1711, 1710, F Barkley 1708.
NIPA Section C 1st Fermoy 106/3334 – W R McClean Carrick Soc 1762, B & K Mullan Glen 1748, D & J Campbell Eastway 1747, Crawford & Robinson Larne & Dist 1746, K & D Hagans Larne & Dist 1744, Crawford & McDowell Carrick Soc 1744, J Hastings Larne & Dist 1744, M/M R Reid and H Bigger Carrick Soc 1744, C McVeigh Son & Daughter West End 1742, M/M Reid and H Bigger 1742.
NIPA Section D 1st Fermoy 77/2619 – Abernethy & Turner Harmony 1775, H Jennings & ons Hills & Maze 1765, P Farrelly & Son Glen 1764, P & J Boal Dromore 1764, 1762, R Topping & Son Lisburn & Dist 1760, J & L Smyth Trinity RPC 1759, J & J Taggart Hills & Maze 1757, P & J Boal 1756, J McAlorum & Son Trinity RPC 1755.
NIPA Sectuiin E 1st Fermoy 137/5375 – K Henderson & Son Lurgan Soc 1819, G Marsden Hills & Maze 1812, J Douglas & Son Lurgan Soc 1807, D Calvin Bondhill Soc 1792, Aidan Mallon Meadows 1791, A & R Neill Edgarstown 1789, I Blair Armagh 1785, N Weir Loughgall 1776, R Cassells Edgarstown 1775.
NIPA Sect E Clubs
Annaghmore 12/462 – J & E Calvin 1792, P Boyd 1753, 1752, 1751, G Buckley & Son 1749, 1748.
Armagh HPS 14/512 – I Blair 1785, R Parkes 7 son 1757, I Parkes & Son 1733, G & A Campbell 1733, 1726, I Blair 1726. Ian Blair with his Fermoy winnerm1st club 560 birds - 8th sec E 5375 birds 18th open 22595 birds. Ian winning bird was a gift from
Westbury Brothers Pigeons.
Beechpark Social 11/408 – D Mawhinney & Son 1738, M Duggan & Son 1730, 1730, 1729, D Mawhinney & Son 1722, M Duggan & Son 110.
Bondhill Social 4/417 – D Calvin 1801, John Greenaway 1774, D Calvin 1729, 1728, 1728, Capper Bros 1722.
Edgarstown 15/625 – A & R Neill 1789, R Cassells 1775, G & C Simmons 1757, T McClean 1754, A & R Neill 1750, T McClean 1740.
Gilford & District 11/315 – A Feeney & Son 1740, Moody Bros 1724, Rafferty & Toman 1721, 1706, 1706, 1706.
Laurelvale 8/255 – Alan Craig 1724, 1699, 1688, 1685, M Milligan & Son 1649, J Funston 1640.
Loughgall 6/353 – N Weir 1776, 1771, 1771, D C & P McArdle 1768, N Weir 1727, R Calvin & Daughter 1725.
Lurgan Social 22/759 – K Henderson & Son 1819, J Douglas & Son 1807, J Barr 1771, S Anderson & Son 1746, S Curran 1745, C J & B Ferris 1738.
Markethill HPS 4/145 – M Bruce & Daughter 1748, J & H Muldrew & McMurray 1724, 1724, G Steenson 1711, J & H Muldrew & McMurray 1710, M Bruce & Daughter 1695.
Monaghan HPS 10/353 – P McFadden 1713, K Allister 1712, 1711, Cooney Bros 1707, K Allister 1702, 1699.
Portadown & Drumcree /181 – J Whitten & Son 1720, 1707, B Creaney 1694, C Reid 1690, 1690. Young Jay takes another win from the club today timing a Hereman Ceuster which has now claimed 4 1st’s and 1st & 2nd Section.Well done to all members in the Top 10.
Meadows 8/333 – Aidan Mallon 1791, A Larkin & Sons 1756, 1705, J Brown 1702, A Larkin & Sons 1697, 1694.
NIPA Section F 1st Fermoy 74/2018 – Phillips Bros Bangor 1727, Morrison Bros Killyleagh & Dist 1696, Lambert & Stewart Bangor 1693, R Moore & Son Bangor 1692, Burgess & Brennan Bangor 1691m C Healy Killyleagh Cent 1690, Lambert & Stewart 1684, W Leckey Ards 1682, Burgess & Brennan 1681.
NIPA Section G 1st Fermoy 56/259 – Gary Hughes & Son Newry City 1773, C McArdle & Sons Newry Vity 1759, J F McCabe & Son Newery & Dist 1743, T Mooney & Son Millvale 1740, John J McCabe Newry & Dist 1739, N Murtagh Millvale 1728, Mark Maguire & Son Newry & Dist 1725, Gary McLoughlin & Son Newry & Dist 1724, M/M G Delaney Dromore 1723.
NIPA Section H 1st Fermoy 79/1451 – D Booth Mourne & Dist 1721, 1710, 1707, Troy Booth Mourne &Dist 1709, D Booth 1709, 1708, 1703, K Armstrong Omagh & Dist 1699, D Booth 1692, 1685.
NIPA Sect H Clubs
Amelia Earhart10/78 – M & M Rabbett 1673, John Healy 1672, Andy Mitchell 1647, M & M Rabbett 1610, John Healy 1601, 1590.
Derry & District 14/257 – D Canning 1668, E Quigley 1657, D Canning 1651, T McCrudden 163, J & G Ramsey 1639, 1624.
Foyle RPS 8/117 – Sean Malone 1674, Paul Maxwell Jnr 1650, Sean Malone 1649, Paul Maxwell Jnr 1633.
Limavady 10/231 – R Witherow 1640, 1640, J McArthur 1631, 1623, R Witherow 1614, 1614.
Londonderry RPS 7/108 – N Murray 1674, L Flanagan 1666, D Wick 1661, 1658, L Flanagan 165, 1649.
Maiden City 12/228 – R McMonagle 1677, 1675, N Cassidy 1675, H & T Bradley 1644, P McLaughlin 1644, 1643.
Mourne & District HPS 2/165 – D Booth 1721, 1710, 1709, Troy Booth 1709, D Booth 1709, 1708.
Omagh & District 4/92 – K Armstrong 1699, A Kelly 1678, 1672, 1667, 1625, 1623.
Strabane & District Inv RPC 12/175 – F Patterson 1673, D Mullen 1672, 1666, 1652, 1652, 1646.
Feds & Combines update 1st Fermoy –
Coleraine Triangle 1st Fermoy 30/1070 – J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1801, J Hanson 1786, J Hanson 1785, J Hanson 1779, B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1774, S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1773, J Hanson 1770, S Diamond 1769, R McAlary Coleraine Prem 1766, B & D Coyle 1763, B & D Coyle 1762, Diamond Bros & G McLaughlin Coleraine Prem 1759, Diamond Bros & G McLaughlin 1759, L Hanson Coleraine Prem 1757, T McCrudden Coleraine Prem 1749, L Hanson 1744, R McAlary 1742, R McAlary 1741, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1740.
City of Derry Federation 1st Fermoy – R McMonagle Maiden City 1677, R McMonagle 1675, N Cassidy Maiden City 1675, S Malone Foyle 1674, N Murray Londonderry 1674, M & M Rabbett Amelia Earhart 1673, J Healy Amelia Earhart 1672, D Canning Derry & Dist 1668, L Flanagan Londonderry 1666, D Wick Londonderry 1661, D Wick 1658,E Quigley Dery & Dist 1657, D Canning 1651, Paul Maxwell Jnr Foyle 1650, L Flanagan 1650, L Flanagan 1649, S Malone 1649, A Mitchell 1647, H & T Bradley Maiden City 1644, P McLaughlin Maiden City 1644, 1643.
Foyle Valley Combine 1st Fermoy - R McMonagle Maiden City 1677, R McMonagle 1675, N Cassidy Maiden City 1675, S Malone Foyle 1674, N Murray Londonderry 1674, M & M Rabbett Amelia Earhart 1673, F Patterson Strabane & Dist 1673, J Healy Amelia Earhart 1672, D Mullen Strabane & Dist 1672, D Canning Derry & Dist 1668, D Mullen 1666, L Flanagan Londonderry 1666, D Wick Londonderry 1661, D Wick 1658, E Quigley Dery & Dist 1657, D Canning 1651, Paul Maxwell Jnr Foyle 1650, L Flanagan 1650, L Flanagan 1649, S Malone 1649, A Mitchell 1647.
Mid Antrim Combine - NIPA 1st Fermoy 10th May 2025
Swallow Brae Loft's Top the Combine from Fermoy
The racing season continued with the fourth race from Fermoy in County Cork. Birds were released on Saturday 10th May at 9.00am in southerly winds variable en-route. Mid Antrim Combine winner this week was the top Cullybackey fancier Alan Darragh timing his 2yo blue Soontjen hen at 12.15pm flying 200 miles to the Swallow Brae Loft's in Galgorm. The hen finishes 3rd Section B & 6th Open Nipa 22,595 birds. Dam of Alan's latest Combine winner has topped both Combine & Section in the past.
Runner up in the Combine on 1793 was the Ballymena & District winner Bertie Blair who won the club by 5½ minutes. Bertie timed a yearling cheq cock racing natural to score 6th Section & 13th Open. The dam was bred from a pair of P & D Vandenbulcks and the sire, a cheq cock has won 5 x 1st Club and 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th and 12th Mid Antrim Combine. Sire Lambrecht from Jackie Steele and dam from late friend George Bell.
Best in Ahoghill were Paddy & William McManus of Young & McManus & Sons on 1779 with a 5yo cheq hen and placed 10th Section & 23rd Open Nipa. This hen bred from the best of their Karel Laenen and Louis Thijs stock has already topped both the Combine & Section from Fermoy in 2021. Harold Cubitt was best in Rasharkin on 1765 with his top racing widowhood cock 'Billy Joe'. This cock has now won seven races and was the 2023 Champion Old Bird Of The Year in both Section B and the Mid Antrim Combine. The cock has topped the Mid Antrim Combine on two occasions from Tullamore and Fermoy and has also won 8th Open Nipa from nearly 15,000 birds. Breeding is down from his own line of birds.
Stewart Bros were back at the top in Randalstown on 1735 with a 2yo Louis Thijs cheq cock. This one is a son of the 'Green Ring Hen' acquired from Paddy & William McManus of Croft Loft's in Ahoghill. Surgenor Bros had the top two in Kells with the winner doing 1734. Sire bred by good friend Bertie Blair and dam a daughter of his good 'Marion' hen. Alastair Purvis got his first win of the season in Broughshane on 1681 with a 4yo cheq Soontjen hen. The sire won 5 x 1st and 1st Mid Antrim Combine and the dam a daughter of 5th Open Skibbereen National.
Mid Antrim Combine 1st Fermoy 59/1762 0 A Darragh Cullybackey 1804, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1793, G Gibson Cullybackey 1785, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1779, A Darragh Cullybackey 1773, T Whyte Ahoghill 1767, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1765, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1754, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1753, A Darragh Cullybackey 1749, A Darragh Cullybackey 1748, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1747, T Whyte Ahoghill 1745, D Dixon Rasharkin 1745, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1744, A Darragh Cullybackey 1739, R Service & Son Ballymena 1737 Stewart Bros Randalstown 1735, Surgenor Bros Kells 1734, A Darragh Cullybackey 1734, A Darragh Cullybackey 1734, G Gibson Cullybackey 1731, D Dixon Rasharkin 1730, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1730, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1729, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1728, Surgenor Bros Kells 1728, W McFetridge Rasharkin 1727, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1724, H Boyd Kells 1723
J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1722, R Service & Son Ballymena 1722, Surgenor Bros Kells 1721, G Gibson Cullybackey 1720, T Whyte Ahoghill 1719, A Darragh Cullybackey 1718, Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 1718, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1717, G Gibson Cullybackey 1716, T Whyte Ahoghill 1716.
Les Mairs OB Points Fancier Of the Year Top 10 (1st Fermoy)
Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 126, G Gibson Cullybackey 102
A Darragh Cullybackey 78, T Whyte Ahoghill 71, J Whyte Ahoghill 60, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 49, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 48, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 39, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 29, J & J Greer Cullybackey 28.
Champions League Groups - Points
(A) J & J Greer 28, D Dixon 23, J Millar 0, H Turkington 0
(B) H Cubitt 21, Stewart Bros 11, S Johnston & Son 10, T & M Morrow 0
(C) Blair & Rankin 39, Surgenor Bros 26, J McNeill & Son 0, J Getty 0
(D) A Darragh 78, J Whyte 60, K & K Kernohan & Sons 4, A Barkley & Son 0
(E) T Whyte 71, J Eagleson & Sons 29, Steele & McNeill 20, W & W Gilbert 0
(F) Young & McManus & Sons 126, G Gibson 102, F Barkley 12, A Purvis 0
(G) J Smyth & Son 49, M Neilly 24, Mr & Mrs Robinson 19, H Boyd 3/
The first two fanciers in each group along with the two best fanciers in 3rd place go through to the last 16 round. If points are equal in any of the groups the highest velocities in the last group matches will decide the winners. The first 32 lofts in the fifth race on Saturday 16th May will qualify for the Knock-out commencing at Dunmanway Inland National.
Club Points Shield - Week 4 – 1st Fermoy
Ahoghill FC 25, Cullybackey HPS 25, Ballymena & District 19, Rasharkin & District 17, Broughshane & DFC 10, Kells & District 8, Randalstown HPS 8. Mervyn Eagleson MAC Press Officer.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds
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Homer report on Elimar 1st Fermoy Old Bird click here - https://www.elimarpigeons.com/articles/ ... y-19-05-25
Jason Bones (l) and race partner Trevor Yates holding 1st Open NIPA.
Sam Murphy from Cullybackey HPS, 2nd Sect B & 2nd Open NIPA.
Photo Captions
NIPA Banner on top please
Jason Bones and race partner Trevor Yates from Muckamore, Trevor holding Blue hen that topped the Mighty NIPA from 1st Fermoy.
The Devlin Family from Coalisland & District won 1st Sect A 1st Fermoy.
Kevin Henderson from Lurgan Social, 1st NIPA Sect E from Fermoy.
Ian Blair had the club winner in Armagh HPS. See text.
Jason Whitten & Son were 1st Club Portadown & Drumcree.
Alan Darragh winner of 1st Mid Antrim Combine & 6th Open Nipa Fermoy.
Bertie Blair with his Ballymena & District winner and 13th Open Nipa Fermoy.
William (l) & Paddy McManus 1st in Ahoghill from Fermoy and 4th Combine.
Billy Joe' 1st in Rasharkin from Fermoy for Harold Cubitt. The cock has now won seven races.
Ian Stewart with his Fermoy winner in Randalstown HPS.
Geoff Surgenor winner in Kells for the fourth race in a row, also 1st Sizzlers 2 Bird Club.
Alastair Purvis had the winner in Broughshane from 1st Fermoy.