NIPA Race Report 1st Dale by Homer - 16-06-26 - Elimar Pigeon Services Limited

Details: Published: 16 June 2026; Hits: 49

NIPA Race Report - 1st Dale by Homer

NIPA 1st Dale – Top 3 for Dean Grieves of Crossgar

The NIPA have released in Dale Pembrokeshire at 11.00am in a South-Southwest wind in full sunshine on Friday 29th May the race having been brought on day due to weather problems. It was the opening race of the old bird cross channel programme which will finish in France in late June and early July. What a result it was for Dean Grieves of Crossgar three birds together to take 1st, 2nd and 3rd Open NIPA 10,750 birds competing and winning velocity 1694ypm.

Dean Grieves 1st, 2nd and 3rd Open NIPA 1st Dale

NIPA Race/Date

1st Dale Friday 29th May 2026 – Liberated at 11.00am in a South-Southwest wind

NIPA Open 1st Dale 534/10,750 –

1-1F D Grieves Crossgar 1694, 2-2F D Grieves 1694, 3-3F D Grieves 1693, 4-1C K& D Hagans Larne & Dist. 1653, 5-4F Gordon Bros & Sons Cloughey 1652, 6-5F W Leckey Ards 1649, 7-6F D McNabb Downpatrick 1637, 8-7F R Straney Downpatrick 1637, 9-8F Burgess & Brennan Bangor 1636, 10-9F K Murray Killyleagh Cent 1631, 11-10F W Leckey 1628, 12-11F Phillips Bros Bangor 1623 13-12F P Flanaghan Downpatrick 1623, 14-2C K & D Hagans 1615, 15-3C J & R Baxter Glenarm &Dist. 1612, 16-4C Rea & Magill Larne & Dist. 1608, 17-13F Burgess & Brennan 1608, 18-14F McCartan & Woodsides Crossgar 1606, 19-1D I Gibb & Sons Glenavy & Dist. 1604, 20-15F W Leckey 1600.

NIPA Section A 1st Dale 52/666 – S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1490, J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1483, B Morgan Coalisland & Dist. 1471, M McPhillips Coalisland & Dist. 1466, J Hanson 1464, S Diamond 1463, J Hanson 1459, 1458, A O’Hare Loughgall 1458, B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1456.

NIPA Sect A Clubs

Coalisland & District – 17/291. B Morgan 1471. M McPhillips 1466. K Murphy 1453. D Abbott 1451. R Corey 1451. D Carolan 1451.

Coleraine Premier HPS – 16/249. S Diamond 1490. J Hanson 1483, 1464. S Diamond 1463. J Hanson 1459, 1458.

Sean Diamond (r) 1st Sect A and 1st Coleraine Triangle with Jason Parke of Windsor Social. Sean Diamond races with Coleraine Premier HPS.

Cookstown Social – 7/145. K Morton & Son 1428. J Campbell & Son 1424, 1416. G & S Smith 1415. K Morton & Son 1404, 1403.

Dungannon & District – 4/38. J J Sampson 1405, 1230.

Windsor Social – 6/79. M Simpson 1467. R & J Parke 1441. M Simpson 1369, 1359. R & J Parke 1305, 1302.

NIPA Section B 1st Dale 76/1473 – Ryan Hope Crumlin & Dist. 1445, G Gibson Cullybackey 16549, A Darragh Cullybackey 1542, J Whyte Ahoghill 1537, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena & Dist. 1534, S Murphy Cullybackey 1529, Blair & Rankin Ballymena & Dist. 1525, G Gibson 1521, A Darragh 1520, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1520, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1512, Blair & Rankin 1506, Ryan Hope 1503, C & M McCook Ballymoney 1503, Young McManus & Wons Ahoghill 1502, A & M Boyle Ballymoney 1501, A Darragh 1500, 1500, 1499, Ryan Hope 1498.

NIPA Sect B Clubs

Ahoghill Flying Club – 7/124. J White 1537. Young McCmanus & Son’s 1502. J Symth & Son 1482, 1481. Young McManus & Son’s 1467,1456.

Ballymoney HPS – 15/263. C & M McCook 1503. A & N Boyle 1501. D Dickson 1474, 1473. D & H Stewart 1469, 1468.

Broughshane & District – 3/35. J Getty 1456. N Neilly 1436, 1370, 1366, 1334. J Getty 1332.

Ballymena & District HPS – 5/86. J Eagleson & Son’s 1534. Blair & Rankin 1525, 1506. T Johnston & Son 1496. J Eagleson & Son’s 1492, 1484.

Cullybackey HPS – 11/336. G Gibson 1549. A Darragh 1542. K Murphy 1529. G Gibson 1521. A Darragh 1520. Rock & Moore 1520.

Crumlin & District – 11/278. Ryan Hope 1556, 1503, 1498. S Thompson 1496. Ryan Hope 1493. K Carson 1493. The hen that won yesterday from 1st Dale. she has previously been 3rd club 160th open Dale YB Nat 2024, 339th Open Dale OB, 2nd Club 18th Section 226th Open 2nd Dale. Plus 25th,8th,18th,36th sections in up Ireland races plus 26th section from Bude. She is also the dam of 1st Club, 19th Open Dale YB National. Her sire is a Soontjen cock from Jim Newells Sale and the dam is a hen from Reggie & David Moore from Bangor.

Ryan Hope from Crumlin won 1st in the NIPA Sect B from Dale & Winning bird for Ryan Hope from Crumlin. 1st Sect B 1st Dale.

Kells & District HPS – 7/84. H Boyd 1490, 1477, 1474. B Swan & Son 1465. H Boyd 1464. H Turkington 1457.

Muckamore HPS – 9/183. A & E Bell 1490, 1469. A Steele 1468. Knocker & Bill 1465. S & N McGinty 1459, 1456.

Randalstown HPS – 5/79. Stewart Bros 1512. W & W Gilbert 1453. J Millar 1446, 1442. J McNeill & Son 1442. J Millar 1453.

Rasharkin &District HPS – 4/39. F Barkley 1484. H Cubitt 1446, 1404. N F Barkley 1379. J Millar & Son 1320. W McFetridge 1269.

NIPA Section C 1st Dale 86/1669 – K & D Hagans Larne & Dist. 1653, 1615, J & R Baxter Glenarm & Dist. 1612, Rea & Magill Larne & Dist. 1608, Stockman & Robinson Ligoniel & Dist. 1600, G McKenna Doagh & Dist. 1597, J McMaw Carrick Soc 1596, C McManus Ligoniel & Dist. 1590, K & D Hagans 1588, T McNally South Belfast 1577.

NIPA Section D 1st Dale 55/1263 – I Gibb & Sons Glenavy & Dist. 1604, D Johnston Derriaghy 1598, M Lavery South Belfast 1579, J Greenaway Hills & Maze 1552, J & L Smyth Trinty RPC 1540, J Greenaway 1537, P & J Boal Dromore 1534, 1534, 1533, J & L Smyth 1529.

NIPA Section E 1st Dale 101/2590 – W E Feeney Gilford & Dist. 1571, A Craig Lautrelvale 1563, R G & G Donaldson Edgarstown 1563, A Craig 1563, R G & G Donaldson 1561, J Sterritt Portadown & Drumcree 1560, W Williamson Bondhill 1556, W A Feeney 1552, C J & B Ferris Lurgan Soc 1546, W A Feeney 1546.

NIPA Sect E Clubs

Annaghmore – 6/147. J & E Calvin 1493. R D Calvin 1485. G Buckley & Son 1483, 1482. F & D McNeice 1472. R D Calvin 1466.

Armagh HPS – 7/134. K Shannon 1455. G & A Campbell 1451. K Shannon 1444. P Duffy 1442. K Shannon 1416, 1409.

Beechpark Social – 9/179. G Lavery 1467. D McWhinney & Son 1466. H Lynch & Son 1454. N Duggan & Son 1453. D McWhinney & Son 1445. H Lynch & Son 1429.

Bondhill Social – 1/82. R Williamson 1556, 1527, 1492, 1489, 1488, 1487.

Edgarstown – 9/231. R G & G Donaldson 1563, 1561, 1523, 1523. McClain & Craig 1517. R G & G Donaldson 1499.

Gilford & District – 10/309. W A Feeney 1571, 1552, 1546, 1511. Mark Ewbanks 1511. G O’Dowd 1510.

Laurelvale – 11/374. Alan Craig 1563, 1563, 1539, 1528, 1526. G & C Topley 1491.

Loughgall – 6/183. D C & P McCardle 1488. A O’Hare 1458, 1454. S Corrigan 1448, 1448. D C & P McCardle 1446.

Lurgan Social – 22/483. C J & B Ferris 1547. D Carville & Son 1533. Ted Furphy 1531. J Douglas & Son 1528. D Carville & Son 1516. C J & B Ferris 1510.

Monaghan HPS – 8/211 – K Allister 1475, 146, 1461, 1430. G Swift 1419. K Allister 1414. We had our first channel race of the season 29/5/26. Below are my 3 hens that took the first 3 places in Monaghan Pigeon Club. All Leo Hermans.

The winning bird in the Monaghan HPS for Keith Allister.

Portadown & Drumcree – 6/102. J Sterritt 1560. A McDonald 1471. J Whitten & Sn 1468. J Gordan 1461.

J Sterritt the winner in Portadown & Drumcree.

Meadows – 8/153. Joe Brown 1505. Larkin Bros 1483. G Douglas 1475, 1471. Joe Brown 1456. Matt McCabe 1442.

NIPA Section F 1st Dale 52/874 – D Grieves Crossgar 1694, 1694, 1693, Gordon Bros & Sons Cloughey 15652, W Leckey Ards 1649, D McNabb Downpatrick 1637, R Straney Downpatrick 1637 Burgess & Brennan Bangor 1636, K Murray Killyleagh Cent 1631, W Leckey 1628.

NIPA Section G 1st Dale 49/1521 – J F McCabe & Son Newry & Dist. 1573, 1573, John J McCabe Newry & Dist. 1564, J F McCabe & on 1562, John J McCabe1562, Sam Ogle Drumnavaddy 1556 J F McCabe & Son 1555, C O’Hare & Daughter Ballyholland 1550, R Carson & Son Banbridge 1536, Nark Maguire & Son Newry & Dist. 1544.

NIPA Section H 1st Dale 63/482 – D Booth Mourne & Dist. 1351, L Miller Limavady 1344, D Booth 1333, T Booth Mourne & Dist. 1325, A Kelly Omagh & Dist. 1314, D Hamilton Maiden City 1414, D Booth 1291, 1289, 1277, 1256.

NIPA Sect H Clubs

Amelia Earhart – 7/30, Andy Mitchell 950.

Derry & District – 12/83. M Moran 1153. J & G Ramsey 1149. M Moran 1000. R Gallagher 978, 971.

Limavady – 9/65. L Miller 1344. A O’Hara 1236. R Witherow 1208. L Miller 1194. K Mullan 1183. L Miller 1155.

Londonderry RPS – 3/17. H McNulty 860.

Maiden City – 9/80. D Hamilton 1313, 1112, 1093, 1048. Concannon Bros 1017. D Hamilton 1014.

Mourne & District HPS – D Booth 1351, 1333. T Booth 1325. D Booth 1291, 1289, 1277.

Omagh & District – 1/07. A Kelly 1314.

Strabane & District Inv RPC – 16/163. D McGraghan 1206. I Deazley 1110. P Walters 1060. F Patterson 1051. N McGavigan 1030. J White 1002.

Mid Antrim Combine - NIPA 1st Dale 29/05/26:

Gary Gibson (Cullybackey) best from Dale -

The first channel race of the season from Dale in Pembrokeshire, West Wales was flown on Friday 29th May. The convoy of over ten thousand birds was liberated at 11.00am in south south westerly winds.

Gary Gibson of Cullybackey had the best bird in the local area after timing at 15.15pm flying 224 miles to win 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 2nd Section B and 62nd Open Nipa 10670 birds velo 1549. Gary timed a blue yearling cock on widowhood. The sire is a grandson of 'Donker Leo' and his dam is Stickers Donckers from Derek Parr, she is the mother of 'Megan' a winner of 1st Mid Antrim Combine and 1st Section Talbenny YB National in 2021.

Gary Gibson of Cullybackey, 1st Mid Antrim Combine Dale.

Alan Darragh of Cullybackey was runner up in the Combine on 1542 and placed 3rd Section with a 2yo cheq hen that won 3rd Section & 6th Open Nipa Dale last season.

Joshua Whyte was best in Ahoghill for the second week on the trot and placed 3rd Combine & 4th Section on 1537. His winner a yearling mealy hen was bred by Russell McAlary of Coleraine.

Joshua Whyte 1st in Ahoghill from Dale.

Johnston Eagleson & Sons had the Ballymena & District winner on 1534 and placed 4th Combine & 5th Section. Their 2yo blue hen was 2nd Combine & 2nd Section B last season from Bude beaten by a loftmate. Sire was the Van Den Bulck 'Dirk' cock which is sire of 12 x 1st and the dam a self-bred Louis Thijs (Paddy & William McManus) x Lambrecht (Danny Dixon).

Johnston Eagleson 1st in Ballymena from Dale.

Bertie Blair was 2nd & 3rd in Ballymena & District and 5th & 10th Combine and 7th & 12th Section on 1520 & 1506 followed by Randalstown winners Stewart Brothers on 1521. This 3yo Louis Thijs hen has now won 4 x 1st in Randalstown.

Ian Stewart with his Dale winner in Randalstown.

Harry Boyd was best in Kells on 1490 with a 2yo bird that won the club from Cloughmartin last year finishing 2nd Combine. The Sire Van Wildemeersch and dam bred down from 'Night Rider'

Harry Boyd 1st Kells and 1st MAC 2 bird from Dale.

Freddie Barkley was the winner in Rasharkin on 1484 with a 3yo cheq Van De Merwe hen winning for the third time and John Getty opened his account for the season with the Broughshane winner on 1456. The bird won 2nd Dale and Bude into the club last season.

Freddie Barkley with his Rasharkin Dale winner. John Getty best in Broughshane from Dale.

Mid Antrim Combine 1st Dale 43/858 - Gary Gibson Cullybackey 1549, Alan Darragh Cullybackey 1542, Joshua Whyte Ahoghill 1537, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1534, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1525, G Gibson Cullybackey 1521, A Darragh Cullybackey 1520, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1520, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1512, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1506, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1502, A Darragh Cullybackey 1500, A Darragh Cullybackey 1500, A Darragh Cullybackey 1499, T Johnston & Son Ballymena 1496, A Darragh Cullybackey 1493, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1492, H Boyd Kells 1490, F Barkley Rasharkin 1484, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1484, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1482, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1481, A Darragh Cullybackey 1477, H Boyd Kells 1477, D Dixon Rasharkin 1474, H Boyd Kells 1474, D Dixon Rasharkin 1473,, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 147, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1472, A Darragh Cullybackey 1471, A Darragh Cullybackey 1470, A Darragh Cullybackey 1470, A Darragh Cullybackey 1470, A Darragh Cullybackey 1469, G Gibson Cullybackey 1468, G Gibson Cullybackey 1468, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1467, B Swann & Son Kells 1465, H Boyd Kells 1464.

MID ANTRIM COMBINE 2 BIRD CLUB 1ST DALE

1st H Boyd Kells 1490 GB24X14766

2nd Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1473 GB25C14513

Harry Boyd won the 2 Bird from 1st Dale with his Kells & District winner on 1490. His winner has won before including 2nd Combine Cloughmartin last season.

OLD BIRD CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 16 KNOCKOUT (winners in capitals)

R Service & Son 0 v A BARKLEY & SON 1418

K & K Kernohan & Sons 1374 v H BOYD 1490

J WHYTE 1537 v M Neilly 1436

A DARRAGH 1542 v F Barkley 1484

Surgenor Bros 1356 v BLAIR & RANKIN 1525

STEWART BROS 1512 v D Dixon 1474

G GIBSON 1549 v Young & McManus & Sons 1502

J EAGLESON & SONS 1534 v J Smyth & Son 1482

OLB BIRD KNOCKOUT LAST 16 (winners in capitals)

Mr & Mrs Robinson 1454 v J SMYTH & SON 1482

G GIBSON 1549 v M Neilly 1436

J MILLAR 1446 v K & K Kernohan & Sons 1374

F Barkley 1484 v STEWART BROS 1512

R Service & Son 0 v BLAIR & RANKIN 1525

J McNEILL & SON 1442 v Bye

H CUBITT 1446 v Surgenor Bros 1356

D DIXON 1474 v Gregg Bros 1433.

LES MAIRS MEMORIAL CUP - OLD BIRD POINTS FANCIER OF THE YEAR - 1st DALE: G Gibson Cullybackey 458, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 261

A Darragh Cullybackey 223, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 180, D Dixon Rasharkin 84, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 80, H Boyd Kells 66, Surgenor Bros Kells 51, F Barkley Rasharkin 42, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 42, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 41.

OLD BIRD CLUB POINTS - 1st Dale

Cullybackey 51, Ballymena 38, Ahoghill FC 36, Rasharkin 33, Kells & Dist. 26,

Randalstown 20, Broughshane 16. Mervyn Eagleson Mid Antrim Combine PO.

Feds & Combines1st Dale –

Coleraine Triangle 1st Dale – S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1490, M Simpson Windsor Soc 1487, J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1483, J Hanson 1464, S Diamond 1463, J Hanson 1459, 1458, B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1456, J Hanson 1454, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1441, P O’Connor Coleraine Prem 1438, S Diamond 1434, B & D Coyle 1431, J Hanson 1429, B & D Coyle 1428, S Diamond 1426, L Hanson Coleraine Prem 1420, Russell McAlary Coleraine Prem 1419, B & D Coyle 1414, Diamond Bros Coleraine Prem 1412, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1402, 1396.

City of Derry Federation 1st Dale – D Hamilton Maiden City 1313, M Moran Derry & Dist. 1153, J & G Ramsey Derry & Dist. 1149, D Hamilton 1112, D Hamilton 1093,, D Hamilton 1048,, Concannon Bros Maiden City 1017, D Hamilton 1014, P McLaughlin Maiden City 1012, M Moran 1000, R Gallagher Derry & Dist. 978, 971, J McGettigan Maiden City 961, A Mitchell Amelia Earhart 950.

Foyle Valley Combine 1st Dale - D Hamilton Maiden City 1313, D McGranagen Stranbane & Sist 1206, M Moran Derry & Dist. 1153, J & G Ramsey Derry & Dist. 1149, D Hamilton 1112, I Deazley Strabane & Dist. 1110, D Hamilton 1093, P Walters Strabane & Dist. 1060, F Patterson Strabane & Dist. 1051, D Hamilton 1048, N McGavigan Strabane & Dist. 1030, Concannon Bros Maiden City 1017, D Hamilton 1014, P McLaughlin Maiden City 1012, J White Strabane & Dist. 1002, M Moran 1000, J White Strabane & Dist. 990, P McNulty Strabane & Dist. 989, I Deazley Strabane & Dist. 984, R Gallagher Derry & Dist. 978, 971, J McGettigan Maiden City 961, A Mitchell Amelia Earhart 950, N McGavigan Strabane & Dist. 926.