Benamore YB - Tuesday 2nd September
Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2025 8:44 am
NIPA Open Success for Ballyclare Partnership -
The townland of Benamore in Roscrea was the destination for the NIPA transporters
following the postponement of the previous weekends racing due to very poor
weather conditions. The 6,000 plus pigeons were lifted at pre-arranged collection
points on Monday for a likely Tuesday Liberation, and true to the forecast the convoy
hadn’t long to wait until they liberated into a light Southwest wind at 10.00am with
the expectation being, that it was to be a fast race. Leading the charge this week
within the NIPA is the Ballyclare partnership of A & T Agnew, formidable racers every year at Club, Section and NIPA Open Level. Jordan will as always, have a detailed report on this NIPA Open Winner which falls within his area off coverage.
Hard to believe we have entered September with the end off the Y/Bird programme
only weeks away, with many fanciers glad to see the end of it I would think. Each
year seems to get harder with the Y/Bird racing with so much work required with the
rearing and subsequent training, education and the hardest part keeping them healthy.
Moving forward and planning ahead, I was due to be on the late shift at work on both
the NIPA and INFC Dinner dates but have them now booked off. It is my plan to
attend both; I would ask that any Club holding a prize distribution in the NIPA
Sections that Homer and myself cover A, B, E, and H to please send through all info and photos and moreover Shows if your Club are having some in the closed season, keep in touch and send info through, details are at the end of the report. Also keep chevking our website, www.pigeonnetwork which is updated almost daily.
NIPA Benamore Y/Bird Tuesday 2 nd September 2025 – 240 members sent 6,342
pigeons. Liberated at 10.00am in a light Southwest Wind.
NIPA Open Result – 1st
(1C) A & T Agnew, Ballyclare & District 1810; 2 nd (2C) D McElhone & Daughter,
Eastway 1803; 3 rd & 4 th (1D) & (2D) O & M Monaghan, Colin HPS 1802, 1801; 5 th
(3C) Bingham, Seaton & Dow, Ligoniel & District 1800; 6 th (4C) T Rodgers, Larne &
District 1800; 7 th (5C) McMurray & Anderson, Ligoniel & District 1798; 8 th (1B)
Gary Gibson, Cullybackey 1797; 9 th (3D) John Gregory & Sons, Colin 1797; 10 th (1E)
Sean Curran, Lurgan Social 1795; 11 th (2B) Young & McManus & Sons, Ahoghill
1794; 12 th (2E) P Duffy, Armagh 1790; 13 th (4D) K Johnston, Derriaghy 1789; 14 th
(6C) McMurray & Anderson 1789; 15 th & 16 th (1A) & (2A) G & S Smith, Cookstown
Social 1788, 1788; 17 th (3E) Thompson & Lunn, Newry City Invitation 1787; 18 th
(5D) J Gregory & Sons 1787; 19 th (3A) G & S Smith 1787; 20 th (6D) J Gregory &
Sons 1786.
G & S Smith with NIPA Section Success Yet Again
G & S Smith are having a powerful season, hoping
to finally get a catch up with the partnership to bring some info on their terrific season in the next few weeks. This
week they take the first six in the Club and Section with the first three arrivals
finishing 15, 16 th and 19 th Open NIPA.
NIPA Section A Result Benamore Y/Bird 14 members sent 317 pigeons – 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd ,
4 th , 5 th , 6 th G & S Smith, Cookstown Social 1788, 1788, 1787, 1779, 1779, 1778, 7 th B
Morgan, Coalisland & District 1775, 8 th & 9 th G & S Smith 1765, 1764, 10 th B Morgan
1757.
NIPA Sect A Clubs
Coalisland & District – 3/54 1 st , 2 nd , & 3 rd B Morgan 1775, 1757, 1719, 4 th R
McElhatton 1713, 5 th B Morgan 1688, 6 th P McElhatton 1657.
Coleraine Premier HPS – 6/162 1 st B & D Coyle 1752, 2 nd , 3 rd & 4 th Sean Diamond
1737, 1736, 1735, 5 th B & D Coyle 1727, 6 th Russell McAlary 1709.
Cookstown Social – 3/60 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th , & 6 th G & S Smith 1788, 1788, 1787,
1779, 1779, 1778.
Windsor Social – 4/72 1 st R & J Parke 1750, 2 nd Mervyn Simpson 1738, 2 nd & 3 rd R &
J Parke 1655, 1631, 5 th & 6 th Kenny Glass 1611, 1604.
Section B Success for Gary from Benamore
Cullybackey’s Gary Gibson leads the pack in Section B from Benamore this week
topping the Club and finishing 1 st Section B NIPA and 8 th Open against 6,342 pigeons. This current Section winner for the Gibson loft is a Darkness youngster sent starting
to look at pairing, Sire is the Red Emperor line of Sticker Donckers, this cock has
bred no less than 10 x 1 st Prize winners with 3 different hens. Dam of the Section
winner for Gary is a pigeon called ‘Megan’ bred by Derek Parr, she herself is a
previous winner of 1 st Club, 1 st Mid-Antrim Combine, 1 st Section B and 25 th Open Talbenny Y/Bird National in 2021. ‘Megan’ is Dam and G/Dam of countless winners since retiring to the stock loft including no less than 4 winners from Skibbereen and was Dam to the Best O/Bird last year at Club Level. Well done Gary, a loft having a super 2025.
NIPA Section B Result Benamore Y/Bird 41 members sent 943 pigeons – 1 st Gary
Gibson, Cullybackey 1797; 2 nd Young, McManus & Sons, Ahoghill 1794; 3 rd J & J
Greer, Cullybackey 1786; 4 th F Barkley, Rasharkin & District 1783; 5 th Steele &
McNeill, Rasharkin & District 1770; 6 th J Smyth & Son, Ahoghill 1769; 7 th T Whyte,
Ahoghill 1762; 8 th R & J Parke, Windsor Social 1750; 9 th & 10 th Danny Dixon,
Ballymoney 1749, 1738.
NIPA Sect B Clubs
Ahoghill Flying Club – 5/114 1 st Young, McManus & Sons 1794; 2 nd J Smyth & Son
1769; 3 rd T Whyte 1762; 4 th Young, McManus & Sons 1737; 5 th J Smyth & Son 1728;
6 th Young, McManus & Sons 1720.
Ballymoney HPS – 4/89 1 st , 2 nd & 3 rd Danny Dixon 1749, 1738, 1738, 4 th J Connolly
1708, 5 th & 6 th Danny Dixon 1703, 1690.
Ballymoney West Combine –
Broughshane & District – 3/44 1 st & 2 nd M Neilly 1614, 1597, 3 rd & 4 th J Getty 1567,
1545.
Ballymena & District HPS – 6/108 1 st & 2 nd S Johnston & Son 1721, 1691, 3 rd & 4 th R
Service & Son 1690, 1689, 5 th & 6 th K & K Kernohan & Sons 1686, 1685.
Cullybackey HPS – 6/185 1 st Gary Gibson 1797, 2 nd J & J Greer 1786, 3 rd Rock &
Moore 1723, 4 th Gary Gibson 1706, 5 th A Darragh 1690, 6 th Rock & Moore 1689. Today's result from Benamore in Cullybackey hps.
Well done to Gary Gibson on taking the win today on a very quick day. His winner is sticker doncker.Well done to all in the result. Weekly Nomination winner was J & J Greer.
Crumlin & District – 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th & 6 th Sefton Thompson 1728, 1708, 1707,
1704, 1703, 1702.
Kells & District HPS – 1/17 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th & 6 th Alan Barkley & Son 1713, 1667,
1663, 1655, 1633, 1618.
Muckamore HPS – 3/78 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th & 6 th S & J Bones 1725, 1723, 1720, 1702,
1684, 1683.
Rasharkin &District HPS – 5/78 1 st F Barkley 1783, 2 nd Steele & McNeill 1770, 3 rd W
McFetridge 1723, 4 th Steele & McNeill 1697, 5 th & 6 th Harold Cubitt 1696, 1696.
NIPA Section Delight for Sean Curran
Section E of the Mighty NIPA is extremely hard to win, when you look at the names
just in the top ten of this Section result below you can see why. Sean Curran has been
racing and indeed winning for what seems a lifetime, when I first got involved with
scribing many years ago when the Belgium influence was very minimal, Sean Curran
was already a regular visitor to the continent seeking bloodlines to bring back to
Northen Ireland. Without doubt a very knowledgeable fancier. Sean clocked his
favoured Red Cheq Cock sent feeding a big Y/Bird and looking at his hen again, he
finished 1 st Club Lurgan Social, 1 st NIPA Section E and 10 th Open NIPA. Sire of this Section winner for Sean bred down from a Luc Vervoort hen sourced from Joe Smyth of the Trinity HPS when paired to a Karl Vandebrande cock from Seans old family sourced direct many years ago. Dam was a direct Jos Cools purchased not surprisingly on one off Seans trips to the Continent.
NIPA Section E result Benamore Y/Bird 40 members sent 1,359 pigeons – 1 st Sean
Curran, Lurgan Social 1795; 2 nd P Duffy, Armagh 1790; 3 rd & 4 th Thompson & Lunn,
Newry City Invitation 1787, 1783; 5 th John Greenaway, Bondhill Social 1783; 6 th
Ronnie Williamson, Bondhill Social 1778, 7 th D Mawhinney & Son, Beech Park
Social 1778; 8 th J & E Calvin, Annaghmore 1776; 9 th Davy Calvin, Bondhill Social
1775; 10 th J & E Calvin 1775.
NIPA Sect E Clubs
Annaghmore – 5/152 1 st , 2 nd & 3 rd J & E Calvin 1776, 1775, 1774, 4 th R D Calvin
1765, 5 th P Boyd 1749, 6 th J & E Calvin 1738.
Armagh HPS – 4/112 1 st P Duffy, 2 nd I Blair 1708, 3 rd & 4 th R Parkes & Son 1698,
1674, 5 th I Blair 1671, 6 th I Parkes & Son 1665.
Beechpark Social – 4/119 1 st G McEvoy 1781, 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th & 6 th Davy Mawhinney
& Son 1778, 1743, 1724, 1723, 1723.
Bondhill Social – 4/331 1 st John Greenaway 1783, 2 nd Ronnie Williamson 1778, 3 rd ,
4 th , 5 th Davy Calvin 1775, 1774, 1774, 6 th Ronnie Williamson 1773.
Gilford & District – 1 st A Feeney & Son 1744, 2 nd & 3 rd G O’Dowd 1741, 1740, 4 th C
& H Beattie 1740, 5 th G O’Dowd 1740, 6 th A Feeney & Son 1698.
Loughgall – 4/110 1 st , 2 nd & 3 rd R Calvin & Daughter 1766, 1758, 1756, 4 th Sam
Corrigan 1722, 5 th R Calvin & Daughter 1691, 6 th Sam Corrigan 1654.
Lurgan Social – 10/332 1 st S Curran 1795, 2 nd C, J & B Ferris 1772, 3 rd , 4 th & 5 th S
Anderson & Son 1758, 1753, 1753, 6 th Rodney Adamson 1749.
Monaghan HPS – 4/90 1 st Keith Allister 1761, 2 nd & 3 rd Richard Mulligan 1723, 1703,
4 th Keith Allister 1691, 5 th Gerry Swift 1631, 6 th Keith Allister 1630.
Meadows – 6/127 1 st Larkin Bros 1761, 2 nd Alan Larkin & Sons 1749, 3 rd & 4 th
Siobhan McLaughlin 1700, 1694, 5 th Larkin Bros 1691, 6 th Lee Smyth 1690.
Strabane Loft Tops the NIPA Section H Result
Strabane & District Secretary John White had an outstanding pigeon on the day from Benamore ahead off last weeks 5 Bird Open Winner Pat McLaughlin from the
Maiden City, who assisted as always in getting me in touch with John. Flying 128
miles this was the first race for the Cheq W/F Cock timed at 12.27pm into the
Strabane area for John White, he is down from a cock that was won in a bonus ball
raffle, with John taking his pick from none other than Davy Booth’s loft of
youngsters. This cock was paired to a hen down from John’s excellent array of
distance pigeons that he has amassed, something that’s a must flying to the furthest
flying lofts competing within the mighty NIPA. Well done John.
NIPA Section H Result Benamore Y/Bird 13 members sent 228 pigeons – 1 st Mr J
White, Strabane & District 1540; 2 nd Pat McLaughlin, Maiden City 1530; 3 rd PHegarty, Derry & District 1302; 4 th Anthony McCrudden, Derry & District 1242; 5 th
John Cassidy, Londonderry 1177; 6 th P Hegarty 1153; 7 th Payne & McConomy, Derry
& District 1150; 8 th Cooley Bros, Derry & District 1115; 9 th J & G Ramsey, Derry &
District 1105; 10 th D Canning, Derry & District 1097.
NIPA Sect H Clubs
Derry & District – 10/173 1 st P Hegarty 1302, 2 nd A McCrudden 1242, 3 rd P Hegarty
1153, 4 th Payne & McConomy 1150, 5 th Cooley Bros 1115, 6 th J & G Ramsey 1105.
Londonderry RPS – 1/5 1 st John Cassidy 1177.
Maiden City – 1 st & 2 nd Pat McLaughlin 1530, 980.
Strabane & District Inv RPC – 2/50 1 st & 2 nd Mr J White 1540, 763.
Feds & Combines updates Benamore–
Coleraine Triangle Benamore – B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1752, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1750, Mervyn Simpson Windsor Soc 1738, S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1737, S Diamond 1736, S Diamond 1735m B & D Coyle 1727, R McAlary Coleraine Prem 1709, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1690, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1687, B & D Coyle 1686, S Diamond 1684, S Diamond 1665, B & D Coyle 1660, J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1650, J Hanson 1648, B & D Coyle 1607, R McAlary 1600, R McAlary 1600, J Hanson 1581, A McDonnell Coleraine Prem 1572.
Foyle Valley Combine Benamore – John White Strabane & Dist 1540, P McLaughlin Maiden City 1530, P Hegarty Derry & Dist 1302, A McCrudden Derry & Dist 1242, J Cassudy Londondery 1177, P Hegarty 1153, Payne & McConomy Derry & Dist 1140, Cooley Bros Derry & Dist 1115, J & G Ramsey Derry & Dist 1105, D Canning Derry & Dist 1097, A McCrudden 1073, D Canning 1073, J & G Ramsey 1052, A McCrudden 986, P McLaughlin 980, J & G RCamsey 891, 807, 766, John White Strabane & Dist 763, P Hegarty 729, J & G Ramsey 692, P Hegarty 652.
City of Derry Federation Benamore - Pat McLaughlin Maiden City 1530, P Hegarty Derry & Dist 1302, A McCrudden Derry & Dist 1242, John Cassudy Londondery 1177, P Hegarty 1153, Payne & McConomy Derry & Dist 1140, Cooley Bros Derry & Dist 1115, J & G Ramsey Derry & Dist 1105, D Canning Derry & Dist 1097, A McCrudden 1073, D Canning 1073, J & G Ramsey 1052, A McCrudden 986, P McLaughlin 980, J & G Ramsey 891, 807, 766, P Hegarty 729, J & G Ramsey 692, P Hegarty 652.
Mid Antrim Combine - NIPA Benamore 02/09/25
The NIPA were at the new liberation site for the Benamore race on Tuesday 2nd September. Birds were released in light south westerly winds at 10.00am
Gary Gibson of Cullybackey timed the best local pigeon at 12.21pm to win 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 1st Section B and 8th Open NIPA 6240 birds. The sire of Gary's chequer hen is Red Emperor Sticker Donckers. This cock is sire and grandsire to 10 x 1st and the dam is his good hen 'Megan' bred by Derek Parr. She won 1st club, 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 1st Section B and 25th Open Talbenny YB National 2021. She's also mother to the best old bird in the Cullybackey club last season and dam and granddam of 4 x 1st from Skibbereen.
Runners up in the Combine were the Ahoghill winners Paddy & William McManus on 1794 and placed 2nd Section & 11th Open. Their latest winning blue hen was bred from a pair of Leideman pigeons brought in last season. The nestmate was placed 2nd Combine & 10th Section in the opening young bird race of the season from Kilbeggan. That's a dozen or more firsts for the McManus team this season.
Jimmy & Jamie Greer of Cullybackey were next best at 3rd Combine on 1786. The sire is off a direct pair of Vermeerbergen-Wilms and won 2nd combine, 4th section and 40th Open Dunmanway Inland National this season. The dam is from Keith Kernohan and is the lines of the Favourite Pitbull when paired to a Sticker Doncker that is an uncle of Jamie's double Combine winner 'Double Top'.
Freddie Barkley had the winner in Rasharkin on 1783 and finished 4th Section & 24th Open with a Leo Van Rijn blue cock and clubmate Jackie Steele completed the Combine top five with his winner from last week. That's now 3rd, 5th & 9th Combine for this young Lambrecht cock. Shane Johnston & Son took the top two in Ballymena & District, his winner doing 1721 was Lambrecht / Donckers from good friend Gary Gibson. Johnny Barkley was best in Kells & District on 1713 and Marc Neilly best in Broughshane on 1614. The Kells & District club deeply regret the death of Jimmy Surgenor, brother of their esteemed member Geoff.
Mid Antrim Combine - Benamore 27/589
G Gibson Cullybackey 1797, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1794, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1786, F Barkley Rasharkin 1783, Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 1770, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1769, T Whyte Ahoghill 1762, D Dixon Rasharkin 1749, D Dixon Rasharkin 1738, D Dixon Rasharkin 1738, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1737, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1728, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1723, W McFetridge Rasharkin 1723, S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1721, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1720, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1720, A Barkley & Son Kells 1713, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1710, G Gibson Cullybackey 1706, D Dixon Rasharkin 1703, Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 1697, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1696, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1696, W McFetridge Rasharkin 1694, S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1691, A Darragh Cullybackey 1690, R Service & Son Ballymena 1690, D Dixon Rasharkin 1690, R Service & Son Ballymena 1689,, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1689, A Darragh Cullybackey 1688, K & K Kernohan Ballymena 1686, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1686, .K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1685.
Young Bird Points - Benamore
D Dixon Rasharkin 271, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 252, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 228, G Gibson Cullybackey 199 , T Johnston & Son Ballymena 142 , K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 86 A Darragh Cullybackey 84, J & J Greer Cullybackey 84, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 78, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 73.
Young Bird Club Points Shield - Benamore
Cullybackey 47, Ahoghill 45, Ballymena & Dist 42, Rasharkin 39, Broughshane 21, Kells 17, Randalstown 8. Mervyn Eagleson MAC Press Officer.
RPRA (Irish Region) Awards 2025
Secretary Noel Higginson has released the list of the seasons winners through the various NIPA Sections, and also Southern Ireland. Individual bird performance calculated over two cross channel races, 2nd Dale and, a forthight later Penzance.
Section A -Danny Carolan Coalisland & District Vel 1368, Section B – S & N Maginty Muckamore Vel 1448, Section C – J & D Braniff Glen Vel 1411, Section D – Gerard Monaghan Colin Vel 1446, Section E - David Calvin Bondhill Social Vel 1489, Section F – Burgess & Brennan Bangor RPC Vel 1368, Section G – Cormac O’Hare Ballyholland Vel 1478, Section H – David Booth Mourne & District Vel 1264, South Section – Byrne & Bradley Saint Pauls RPC Vel 1293.
Overall winner for 2025 David Calvin of Bondhill Social Vel 1489.420.
Claims are required for the following. Irish Region Mileage Awards 2025 -
0-250 Miles, 251-450 Miles and 450 + Miles. Also Young Fanciers for the same mileafe. Best OB Performance 2025 and the Best YB Performance 2025.
RPRA (Irish Region) Young Fancier of the Year 2025.
Two new awards Jimmy Burrows Memorial Best Single Bird performance 0-250, 250-450 and over 450 miles. Trophy presented by William Knowles Best Overall Bird 0-250, 250-450 and over 450 miles. Any queries contact RPRA (Irish Region) Secretary Noel Higgindon. Deadline for claims is 1st October 2025 and the Irish Region meeting wikk be held in the Ballymac Hotel on Saturday 4th October at 1pm.
IRISH REGION Secretary Mr Noel Higginson, 8 Abercorn Square, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim. BT39 9FJ 07518 748717. E-mail noelhigginson24@hotmail.com
Race report by Homer and Adie on Elimar Pigeons click HERE! https://www.elimarpigeons.com/articles/ ... h-11-09-25
Adie McCormick
Mobile: 07921883997
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: Celestiallofts@aol.com
www.pigeonnetwork.com
www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
www.nipapigeons.co.uk
www.elimarpigeons.com
The townland of Benamore in Roscrea was the destination for the NIPA transporters
following the postponement of the previous weekends racing due to very poor
weather conditions. The 6,000 plus pigeons were lifted at pre-arranged collection
points on Monday for a likely Tuesday Liberation, and true to the forecast the convoy
hadn’t long to wait until they liberated into a light Southwest wind at 10.00am with
the expectation being, that it was to be a fast race. Leading the charge this week
within the NIPA is the Ballyclare partnership of A & T Agnew, formidable racers every year at Club, Section and NIPA Open Level. Jordan will as always, have a detailed report on this NIPA Open Winner which falls within his area off coverage.
Hard to believe we have entered September with the end off the Y/Bird programme
only weeks away, with many fanciers glad to see the end of it I would think. Each
year seems to get harder with the Y/Bird racing with so much work required with the
rearing and subsequent training, education and the hardest part keeping them healthy.
Moving forward and planning ahead, I was due to be on the late shift at work on both
the NIPA and INFC Dinner dates but have them now booked off. It is my plan to
attend both; I would ask that any Club holding a prize distribution in the NIPA
Sections that Homer and myself cover A, B, E, and H to please send through all info and photos and moreover Shows if your Club are having some in the closed season, keep in touch and send info through, details are at the end of the report. Also keep chevking our website, www.pigeonnetwork which is updated almost daily.
NIPA Benamore Y/Bird Tuesday 2 nd September 2025 – 240 members sent 6,342
pigeons. Liberated at 10.00am in a light Southwest Wind.
NIPA Open Result – 1st
(1C) A & T Agnew, Ballyclare & District 1810; 2 nd (2C) D McElhone & Daughter,
Eastway 1803; 3 rd & 4 th (1D) & (2D) O & M Monaghan, Colin HPS 1802, 1801; 5 th
(3C) Bingham, Seaton & Dow, Ligoniel & District 1800; 6 th (4C) T Rodgers, Larne &
District 1800; 7 th (5C) McMurray & Anderson, Ligoniel & District 1798; 8 th (1B)
Gary Gibson, Cullybackey 1797; 9 th (3D) John Gregory & Sons, Colin 1797; 10 th (1E)
Sean Curran, Lurgan Social 1795; 11 th (2B) Young & McManus & Sons, Ahoghill
1794; 12 th (2E) P Duffy, Armagh 1790; 13 th (4D) K Johnston, Derriaghy 1789; 14 th
(6C) McMurray & Anderson 1789; 15 th & 16 th (1A) & (2A) G & S Smith, Cookstown
Social 1788, 1788; 17 th (3E) Thompson & Lunn, Newry City Invitation 1787; 18 th
(5D) J Gregory & Sons 1787; 19 th (3A) G & S Smith 1787; 20 th (6D) J Gregory &
Sons 1786.
G & S Smith with NIPA Section Success Yet Again
G & S Smith are having a powerful season, hoping
to finally get a catch up with the partnership to bring some info on their terrific season in the next few weeks. This
week they take the first six in the Club and Section with the first three arrivals
finishing 15, 16 th and 19 th Open NIPA.
NIPA Section A Result Benamore Y/Bird 14 members sent 317 pigeons – 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd ,
4 th , 5 th , 6 th G & S Smith, Cookstown Social 1788, 1788, 1787, 1779, 1779, 1778, 7 th B
Morgan, Coalisland & District 1775, 8 th & 9 th G & S Smith 1765, 1764, 10 th B Morgan
1757.
NIPA Sect A Clubs
Coalisland & District – 3/54 1 st , 2 nd , & 3 rd B Morgan 1775, 1757, 1719, 4 th R
McElhatton 1713, 5 th B Morgan 1688, 6 th P McElhatton 1657.
Coleraine Premier HPS – 6/162 1 st B & D Coyle 1752, 2 nd , 3 rd & 4 th Sean Diamond
1737, 1736, 1735, 5 th B & D Coyle 1727, 6 th Russell McAlary 1709.
Cookstown Social – 3/60 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th , & 6 th G & S Smith 1788, 1788, 1787,
1779, 1779, 1778.
Windsor Social – 4/72 1 st R & J Parke 1750, 2 nd Mervyn Simpson 1738, 2 nd & 3 rd R &
J Parke 1655, 1631, 5 th & 6 th Kenny Glass 1611, 1604.
Section B Success for Gary from Benamore
Cullybackey’s Gary Gibson leads the pack in Section B from Benamore this week
topping the Club and finishing 1 st Section B NIPA and 8 th Open against 6,342 pigeons. This current Section winner for the Gibson loft is a Darkness youngster sent starting
to look at pairing, Sire is the Red Emperor line of Sticker Donckers, this cock has
bred no less than 10 x 1 st Prize winners with 3 different hens. Dam of the Section
winner for Gary is a pigeon called ‘Megan’ bred by Derek Parr, she herself is a
previous winner of 1 st Club, 1 st Mid-Antrim Combine, 1 st Section B and 25 th Open Talbenny Y/Bird National in 2021. ‘Megan’ is Dam and G/Dam of countless winners since retiring to the stock loft including no less than 4 winners from Skibbereen and was Dam to the Best O/Bird last year at Club Level. Well done Gary, a loft having a super 2025.
NIPA Section B Result Benamore Y/Bird 41 members sent 943 pigeons – 1 st Gary
Gibson, Cullybackey 1797; 2 nd Young, McManus & Sons, Ahoghill 1794; 3 rd J & J
Greer, Cullybackey 1786; 4 th F Barkley, Rasharkin & District 1783; 5 th Steele &
McNeill, Rasharkin & District 1770; 6 th J Smyth & Son, Ahoghill 1769; 7 th T Whyte,
Ahoghill 1762; 8 th R & J Parke, Windsor Social 1750; 9 th & 10 th Danny Dixon,
Ballymoney 1749, 1738.
NIPA Sect B Clubs
Ahoghill Flying Club – 5/114 1 st Young, McManus & Sons 1794; 2 nd J Smyth & Son
1769; 3 rd T Whyte 1762; 4 th Young, McManus & Sons 1737; 5 th J Smyth & Son 1728;
6 th Young, McManus & Sons 1720.
Ballymoney HPS – 4/89 1 st , 2 nd & 3 rd Danny Dixon 1749, 1738, 1738, 4 th J Connolly
1708, 5 th & 6 th Danny Dixon 1703, 1690.
Ballymoney West Combine –
Broughshane & District – 3/44 1 st & 2 nd M Neilly 1614, 1597, 3 rd & 4 th J Getty 1567,
1545.
Ballymena & District HPS – 6/108 1 st & 2 nd S Johnston & Son 1721, 1691, 3 rd & 4 th R
Service & Son 1690, 1689, 5 th & 6 th K & K Kernohan & Sons 1686, 1685.
Cullybackey HPS – 6/185 1 st Gary Gibson 1797, 2 nd J & J Greer 1786, 3 rd Rock &
Moore 1723, 4 th Gary Gibson 1706, 5 th A Darragh 1690, 6 th Rock & Moore 1689. Today's result from Benamore in Cullybackey hps.
Well done to Gary Gibson on taking the win today on a very quick day. His winner is sticker doncker.Well done to all in the result. Weekly Nomination winner was J & J Greer.
Crumlin & District – 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th & 6 th Sefton Thompson 1728, 1708, 1707,
1704, 1703, 1702.
Kells & District HPS – 1/17 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th & 6 th Alan Barkley & Son 1713, 1667,
1663, 1655, 1633, 1618.
Muckamore HPS – 3/78 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th & 6 th S & J Bones 1725, 1723, 1720, 1702,
1684, 1683.
Rasharkin &District HPS – 5/78 1 st F Barkley 1783, 2 nd Steele & McNeill 1770, 3 rd W
McFetridge 1723, 4 th Steele & McNeill 1697, 5 th & 6 th Harold Cubitt 1696, 1696.
NIPA Section Delight for Sean Curran
Section E of the Mighty NIPA is extremely hard to win, when you look at the names
just in the top ten of this Section result below you can see why. Sean Curran has been
racing and indeed winning for what seems a lifetime, when I first got involved with
scribing many years ago when the Belgium influence was very minimal, Sean Curran
was already a regular visitor to the continent seeking bloodlines to bring back to
Northen Ireland. Without doubt a very knowledgeable fancier. Sean clocked his
favoured Red Cheq Cock sent feeding a big Y/Bird and looking at his hen again, he
finished 1 st Club Lurgan Social, 1 st NIPA Section E and 10 th Open NIPA. Sire of this Section winner for Sean bred down from a Luc Vervoort hen sourced from Joe Smyth of the Trinity HPS when paired to a Karl Vandebrande cock from Seans old family sourced direct many years ago. Dam was a direct Jos Cools purchased not surprisingly on one off Seans trips to the Continent.
NIPA Section E result Benamore Y/Bird 40 members sent 1,359 pigeons – 1 st Sean
Curran, Lurgan Social 1795; 2 nd P Duffy, Armagh 1790; 3 rd & 4 th Thompson & Lunn,
Newry City Invitation 1787, 1783; 5 th John Greenaway, Bondhill Social 1783; 6 th
Ronnie Williamson, Bondhill Social 1778, 7 th D Mawhinney & Son, Beech Park
Social 1778; 8 th J & E Calvin, Annaghmore 1776; 9 th Davy Calvin, Bondhill Social
1775; 10 th J & E Calvin 1775.
NIPA Sect E Clubs
Annaghmore – 5/152 1 st , 2 nd & 3 rd J & E Calvin 1776, 1775, 1774, 4 th R D Calvin
1765, 5 th P Boyd 1749, 6 th J & E Calvin 1738.
Armagh HPS – 4/112 1 st P Duffy, 2 nd I Blair 1708, 3 rd & 4 th R Parkes & Son 1698,
1674, 5 th I Blair 1671, 6 th I Parkes & Son 1665.
Beechpark Social – 4/119 1 st G McEvoy 1781, 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th & 6 th Davy Mawhinney
& Son 1778, 1743, 1724, 1723, 1723.
Bondhill Social – 4/331 1 st John Greenaway 1783, 2 nd Ronnie Williamson 1778, 3 rd ,
4 th , 5 th Davy Calvin 1775, 1774, 1774, 6 th Ronnie Williamson 1773.
Gilford & District – 1 st A Feeney & Son 1744, 2 nd & 3 rd G O’Dowd 1741, 1740, 4 th C
& H Beattie 1740, 5 th G O’Dowd 1740, 6 th A Feeney & Son 1698.
Loughgall – 4/110 1 st , 2 nd & 3 rd R Calvin & Daughter 1766, 1758, 1756, 4 th Sam
Corrigan 1722, 5 th R Calvin & Daughter 1691, 6 th Sam Corrigan 1654.
Lurgan Social – 10/332 1 st S Curran 1795, 2 nd C, J & B Ferris 1772, 3 rd , 4 th & 5 th S
Anderson & Son 1758, 1753, 1753, 6 th Rodney Adamson 1749.
Monaghan HPS – 4/90 1 st Keith Allister 1761, 2 nd & 3 rd Richard Mulligan 1723, 1703,
4 th Keith Allister 1691, 5 th Gerry Swift 1631, 6 th Keith Allister 1630.
Meadows – 6/127 1 st Larkin Bros 1761, 2 nd Alan Larkin & Sons 1749, 3 rd & 4 th
Siobhan McLaughlin 1700, 1694, 5 th Larkin Bros 1691, 6 th Lee Smyth 1690.
Strabane Loft Tops the NIPA Section H Result
Strabane & District Secretary John White had an outstanding pigeon on the day from Benamore ahead off last weeks 5 Bird Open Winner Pat McLaughlin from the
Maiden City, who assisted as always in getting me in touch with John. Flying 128
miles this was the first race for the Cheq W/F Cock timed at 12.27pm into the
Strabane area for John White, he is down from a cock that was won in a bonus ball
raffle, with John taking his pick from none other than Davy Booth’s loft of
youngsters. This cock was paired to a hen down from John’s excellent array of
distance pigeons that he has amassed, something that’s a must flying to the furthest
flying lofts competing within the mighty NIPA. Well done John.
NIPA Section H Result Benamore Y/Bird 13 members sent 228 pigeons – 1 st Mr J
White, Strabane & District 1540; 2 nd Pat McLaughlin, Maiden City 1530; 3 rd PHegarty, Derry & District 1302; 4 th Anthony McCrudden, Derry & District 1242; 5 th
John Cassidy, Londonderry 1177; 6 th P Hegarty 1153; 7 th Payne & McConomy, Derry
& District 1150; 8 th Cooley Bros, Derry & District 1115; 9 th J & G Ramsey, Derry &
District 1105; 10 th D Canning, Derry & District 1097.
NIPA Sect H Clubs
Derry & District – 10/173 1 st P Hegarty 1302, 2 nd A McCrudden 1242, 3 rd P Hegarty
1153, 4 th Payne & McConomy 1150, 5 th Cooley Bros 1115, 6 th J & G Ramsey 1105.
Londonderry RPS – 1/5 1 st John Cassidy 1177.
Maiden City – 1 st & 2 nd Pat McLaughlin 1530, 980.
Strabane & District Inv RPC – 2/50 1 st & 2 nd Mr J White 1540, 763.
Feds & Combines updates Benamore–
Coleraine Triangle Benamore – B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1752, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1750, Mervyn Simpson Windsor Soc 1738, S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1737, S Diamond 1736, S Diamond 1735m B & D Coyle 1727, R McAlary Coleraine Prem 1709, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1690, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1687, B & D Coyle 1686, S Diamond 1684, S Diamond 1665, B & D Coyle 1660, J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1650, J Hanson 1648, B & D Coyle 1607, R McAlary 1600, R McAlary 1600, J Hanson 1581, A McDonnell Coleraine Prem 1572.
Foyle Valley Combine Benamore – John White Strabane & Dist 1540, P McLaughlin Maiden City 1530, P Hegarty Derry & Dist 1302, A McCrudden Derry & Dist 1242, J Cassudy Londondery 1177, P Hegarty 1153, Payne & McConomy Derry & Dist 1140, Cooley Bros Derry & Dist 1115, J & G Ramsey Derry & Dist 1105, D Canning Derry & Dist 1097, A McCrudden 1073, D Canning 1073, J & G Ramsey 1052, A McCrudden 986, P McLaughlin 980, J & G RCamsey 891, 807, 766, John White Strabane & Dist 763, P Hegarty 729, J & G Ramsey 692, P Hegarty 652.
City of Derry Federation Benamore - Pat McLaughlin Maiden City 1530, P Hegarty Derry & Dist 1302, A McCrudden Derry & Dist 1242, John Cassudy Londondery 1177, P Hegarty 1153, Payne & McConomy Derry & Dist 1140, Cooley Bros Derry & Dist 1115, J & G Ramsey Derry & Dist 1105, D Canning Derry & Dist 1097, A McCrudden 1073, D Canning 1073, J & G Ramsey 1052, A McCrudden 986, P McLaughlin 980, J & G Ramsey 891, 807, 766, P Hegarty 729, J & G Ramsey 692, P Hegarty 652.
Mid Antrim Combine - NIPA Benamore 02/09/25
The NIPA were at the new liberation site for the Benamore race on Tuesday 2nd September. Birds were released in light south westerly winds at 10.00am
Gary Gibson of Cullybackey timed the best local pigeon at 12.21pm to win 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 1st Section B and 8th Open NIPA 6240 birds. The sire of Gary's chequer hen is Red Emperor Sticker Donckers. This cock is sire and grandsire to 10 x 1st and the dam is his good hen 'Megan' bred by Derek Parr. She won 1st club, 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 1st Section B and 25th Open Talbenny YB National 2021. She's also mother to the best old bird in the Cullybackey club last season and dam and granddam of 4 x 1st from Skibbereen.
Runners up in the Combine were the Ahoghill winners Paddy & William McManus on 1794 and placed 2nd Section & 11th Open. Their latest winning blue hen was bred from a pair of Leideman pigeons brought in last season. The nestmate was placed 2nd Combine & 10th Section in the opening young bird race of the season from Kilbeggan. That's a dozen or more firsts for the McManus team this season.
Jimmy & Jamie Greer of Cullybackey were next best at 3rd Combine on 1786. The sire is off a direct pair of Vermeerbergen-Wilms and won 2nd combine, 4th section and 40th Open Dunmanway Inland National this season. The dam is from Keith Kernohan and is the lines of the Favourite Pitbull when paired to a Sticker Doncker that is an uncle of Jamie's double Combine winner 'Double Top'.
Freddie Barkley had the winner in Rasharkin on 1783 and finished 4th Section & 24th Open with a Leo Van Rijn blue cock and clubmate Jackie Steele completed the Combine top five with his winner from last week. That's now 3rd, 5th & 9th Combine for this young Lambrecht cock. Shane Johnston & Son took the top two in Ballymena & District, his winner doing 1721 was Lambrecht / Donckers from good friend Gary Gibson. Johnny Barkley was best in Kells & District on 1713 and Marc Neilly best in Broughshane on 1614. The Kells & District club deeply regret the death of Jimmy Surgenor, brother of their esteemed member Geoff.
Mid Antrim Combine - Benamore 27/589
G Gibson Cullybackey 1797, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1794, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1786, F Barkley Rasharkin 1783, Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 1770, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1769, T Whyte Ahoghill 1762, D Dixon Rasharkin 1749, D Dixon Rasharkin 1738, D Dixon Rasharkin 1738, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1737, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1728, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1723, W McFetridge Rasharkin 1723, S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1721, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1720, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1720, A Barkley & Son Kells 1713, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1710, G Gibson Cullybackey 1706, D Dixon Rasharkin 1703, Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 1697, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1696, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1696, W McFetridge Rasharkin 1694, S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1691, A Darragh Cullybackey 1690, R Service & Son Ballymena 1690, D Dixon Rasharkin 1690, R Service & Son Ballymena 1689,, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1689, A Darragh Cullybackey 1688, K & K Kernohan Ballymena 1686, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1686, .K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1685.
Young Bird Points - Benamore
D Dixon Rasharkin 271, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 252, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 228, G Gibson Cullybackey 199 , T Johnston & Son Ballymena 142 , K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 86 A Darragh Cullybackey 84, J & J Greer Cullybackey 84, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 78, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 73.
Young Bird Club Points Shield - Benamore
Cullybackey 47, Ahoghill 45, Ballymena & Dist 42, Rasharkin 39, Broughshane 21, Kells 17, Randalstown 8. Mervyn Eagleson MAC Press Officer.
RPRA (Irish Region) Awards 2025
Secretary Noel Higginson has released the list of the seasons winners through the various NIPA Sections, and also Southern Ireland. Individual bird performance calculated over two cross channel races, 2nd Dale and, a forthight later Penzance.
Section A -Danny Carolan Coalisland & District Vel 1368, Section B – S & N Maginty Muckamore Vel 1448, Section C – J & D Braniff Glen Vel 1411, Section D – Gerard Monaghan Colin Vel 1446, Section E - David Calvin Bondhill Social Vel 1489, Section F – Burgess & Brennan Bangor RPC Vel 1368, Section G – Cormac O’Hare Ballyholland Vel 1478, Section H – David Booth Mourne & District Vel 1264, South Section – Byrne & Bradley Saint Pauls RPC Vel 1293.
Overall winner for 2025 David Calvin of Bondhill Social Vel 1489.420.
Claims are required for the following. Irish Region Mileage Awards 2025 -
0-250 Miles, 251-450 Miles and 450 + Miles. Also Young Fanciers for the same mileafe. Best OB Performance 2025 and the Best YB Performance 2025.
RPRA (Irish Region) Young Fancier of the Year 2025.
Two new awards Jimmy Burrows Memorial Best Single Bird performance 0-250, 250-450 and over 450 miles. Trophy presented by William Knowles Best Overall Bird 0-250, 250-450 and over 450 miles. Any queries contact RPRA (Irish Region) Secretary Noel Higgindon. Deadline for claims is 1st October 2025 and the Irish Region meeting wikk be held in the Ballymac Hotel on Saturday 4th October at 1pm.
IRISH REGION Secretary Mr Noel Higginson, 8 Abercorn Square, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim. BT39 9FJ 07518 748717. E-mail noelhigginson24@hotmail.com
Race report by Homer and Adie on Elimar Pigeons click HERE! https://www.elimarpigeons.com/articles/ ... h-11-09-25
Adie McCormick
Mobile: 07921883997
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: Celestiallofts@aol.com
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