Saturday 23rd May 2026The Mid Ulster Federation successfully held its very first Old Bird Derby race on Saturday from Dungarvan and it proved an outstanding success with tremendous support from members across all four centres.
A superb entry of 2,428 birds from 53 members competed in the Derby race which produced excellent competition throughout the federation and a very impressive federation result sheet packed with quality performances from every centre.
Birds were liberated at 11:00am into favourable southerly conditions and racing was extremely competitive right across the federation with velocities reaching over 1860ypm.
Taking top honours and becoming the first ever Mid Ulster Federation Old Bird Derby winner was Davy Calvin of Hoggs Centre with a tremendous performance recording a winning velocity of 1862.586ypm.Davy also recorded 2nd Federation and several additional top federation positions in another outstanding team performance which highlighted the tremendous strength currently within the Calvin loft.
The Derby winner, Blue Hen GB25S35568, is bred from one of Davy’s outstanding stock hens — the exceptional “Champion Mealy Rocket” GB22X12021, a pigeon that had already proven herself at the very highest level before being retired to stock at the end of last season.
“Champion Mealy Rocket” recorded a tremendous racing career including:
2nd Open NIPA Roscrea against 23,286 birds 1st Section E Roscrea
4th Open NIPA Dale 6th Open NIPA Fermoy 25th Open NIPA Dale against 10,950 birds 83rd Open Skibbereen YB NationalFurther highlighting the strength of the family, Davy’s 2nd Federation pigeon — Chequer Hen GB25S35565 — is a direct grandchild of the same champion hen.
3rdFederation went to Thompson & Lunn of Bleary Centre with an excellent blue hen recording 1861.750ypm.
4th Federation was secured by Ronnie Williamson of Hoggs Centre on 1857.004ypm continuing his excellent early season form.Hoggs Centre once again showed exceptional depth throughout the federation result with Davy Calvin, Ronnie Williamson, Glen Buckley & Son, Philip Boyd, R Buckley and S & E Buckley all featuring prominently in the top federation positions.
Bleary Centre produced another tremendous performance in the federation with Thompson & Lunn leading the way while G & S McMullan once again filled the federation sheet with multiple high positions. D & K Mallan, Sammy Ogle and W McDowell also featured strongly throughout the result.
Armagh Centre winner was Anthony Geraghty who produced an excellent performance to take 9th Federation. Anthony’s winning pigeon is bred down from pigeons obtained from the famous FBI Flanders Collection. P Duffy, G & A Campbell, G Stevenson & Son, Kelly Bros and R Parkes & Son all recorded strong performances in another very competitive Armagh result.
Meadows Centre was topped by Alan Larkin & Sons with a superb performance on 1828.363ypm closely followed by Lee Smyth whose consistent form continues week after week. Geoff Douglas, Joe Brown, Larkin Bros and Sean Cassidy also featured prominently throughout the centre result.
A special mention must go to all members who supported the federation’s first ever Derby race. The tremendous entry and strong competition made the event a major success and gives a great foundation to build on moving forward.
The Mid Ulster Federation would also like to thank all officials, transporters, race controllers, result teams and members who continue to put huge work into making the federation progress each week.
The strength of competition, excellent birdage and support from members continues to show the Mid Ulster Federation moving firmly in the right direction.
