NIPA race report by Homer - 2nd Dale
Fast race from Dale for the NIPA -
The NIPA were back in Dale (South Wales) for the second cross channel race birdage was well reduced the birds going earlier and released on Friday 5th June more weather problems had been forecast for the weekend. Overall winners were in East Antrim the ever-consistent Crawford & Robinson of Larne & District recorded velocity 1780 just over 60mph to win 1st Open NIPA. Don’t forget to send info and a photo of club winners especially 1st Section NIPA.
NIPA Race/Date
2nd Dale Friday 6th June 2026 – Liberated at 9.20am in a South-west wind
NIPA Open 2nd Dale 344/5,369 –
1 st (1C) Crawford & Robinson, Larne & District 1780; 2nd & 3 rd (1E) & (2E) Alan Craig, Laurelvale 1764 & 1764; 4th (1G) Mark Maguire & Son, Newry & District 1757; 5th (3E) J Barr, Lurgan Social 1756; 6th (4E) Ronnie Williamson, Bondhill Social 1756; 7 th (2G) J F McCabe & Son, Newry & District 1751; 8 th (1B) J Smyth & Son, Ahoghill 1750; 9 th (5E) Sean Curran, Lurgan Social 1749; 10 th (2B) Gary Gibson, Cullybackey 1747; 11 th (6E) McClean & Craig, Edgarstown 1747; 12 th (3B) Alan Darragh, Cullybackey 1746; 13 th (4B) Gary Gibson 1746; 14 th & 15 th (7E) & (8E) Gary Marsden, Hills & Maze 1745 & 1744; 16 th & 17 th (5B) & (6B) J Eagleson & Sons, Ballymena & District 1743 & 1743; 18 th (7B) J Smyth & Son 1742; 19 th (9E) A R Neill, Edgarstown 1736; 20 th (1D) W Joss, Lisburn & District 1736.
NIPA Dale (2) O/Bird Section A Result 34 members sent 388 pigeons – 1 st Siobhan McLaughlin, Meadows 1681; 2 nd B Morgan, Coalisland & Dist. 1669; 3 rd L Hanson, Coleraine Premier 1665, 4 th J Hanson, Coleraine Premier 1664, 5 th B & D Coyle, Coleraine Premier 1660; 6 th T McCrudden, Coleraine Premier 1659, 7 th Siobhan McLaughlin 1656; 8 th B & D Coyle, Coleraine Premier 1655; 9 th Russell McAlary, Coleraine Premier 1646; 10 th J Hanson 1645.
NIPA Sect A Clubs
Coalisland & District – 12/157 1 st B Morgan 1669, 2 nd H & J Devlin 1644, 3 rd & 4 th K Murphy 1636, 1635, 5 th B Morgan 1631, 6 th D Carolan 1624.
Coleraine Premier HPS – 13/131 1 st T & J McDonald 1716, 2 nd L Hanson 1665, 3 rd J Hanson 1664, 4 th B & D Coyle 1660, 5 th T McCrudden 1659, 6 th B & D Coyle 1655.
T & J McDonald win Coleraine Premier and best in Coleraine Triangle from 2nd Dale (r) with Jason Parke 1st in Windsor Social.
Cookstown Social – 6/70 1 st J Campbell & Son 1603, 2 nd K Morton & Son 1600, 3 rd G & S Smith 1593, 4 th & 5 th J Campbell & Son 1571, 1568, 6 th G & S Smith 1556.
Dungannon & District –
Windsor Social – 2/13 1 st R & J Parke 1642, 2 nd & 3 rd Mervyn Simpson 1582, 1543, 4 th & 5 th R & J Parke 1536, 1518, 6 th Mervyn Simpson 1481.
NIPA Dale (2) O/Birds Section B Result 39 members sent 563 pigeons – 1 st J Smyth & Son, Ahoghill 1750; 2 nd Gary Gibson, Cullybackey 1747; 3 rd Alan Darragh, Cullybackey 1746; 4 th Gary Gibson 1746; 5th J Eagleson & Sons, Ballymena & District 1743, 6th J Smyth & Son 1742, 7th T Whyte, Ahoghill 1731, 8th Stewart Bros, Randalstown 1720, 9th J McNeill & Son, Randalstown 1719, 10th J Whyte Ahoghill 1717, M Graham Ballymena & Dist. 1716, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1716, Stewart Bros 1711, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1708, S McConnell Muckamore 1700, C & R McIntyre Cullybackey 1698, J Millar Randalstown 1698, 1698, D Dixon Ballymoney 1696, C & R McIntyre 1695.
NIPA Sect B Clubs
Ahoghill Flying Club – 7/73 1 st & 2 nd J Smyth & Son 1750, 1742; 3 rd T Whyte 1731, 4 th J Whyte 1717, 5 th J Smyth & Son 1648, 6 th T Whyte 1615.
Ballymoney HPS – 11/141 1 st & 2 nd Danny Dixon 1696, 1644, 3 rd J Connolly 1630, 4 th Danny Dixon 1627, 5 th A & M Boyle 1609, 6 th Danny Dixon 1605.
Broughshane & District –
Ballymena & District HPS – 3/60 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd & 4 th J Eagleson & Sons 1743, 1743, 1627, 1627, 5 th & 6 th R Service & Son 1624, 1624.
Cullybackey HPS – 12/180 1 st Gary Gibson 1747, 2 nd Alan Darragh 1746, 3 rd Gary Gibson 1746, 4 th J & J Greer 1708, 5 th & 6 th C & R McIntyre 1698, 1695.
Crumlin & District – 5/104 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd Ryan Hope 1631, 1626, 1624, 4 th K Carson 1606, 5 th & 6 th Ryan Hope 1605, 1605.
Ryan Hope from Crumlin won weekend races from Dale and Fermoy & Crumlin Dale winner, bred by Gerald Delany raced by Ryan Hope.
Kells & District HPS – 1/14 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th & 6 th H Turkington 1528, 1520, 1514, 1504, 1504, 1496.
Muckamore HPS – 5/97 1 st & 2 nd Stephen McConnell 1700, 1657, 3 rd A Steele 1652, 4 th T Patterson & Son 1636, 5 th Stephen McConnell 1605, 6 th Mr & Mrs Magill 1603.
Randalstown HPS – 4/47 1 st Stewart Bros 1720, 2 nd J McNeil & Son 1719, 3 rd Stewart Bros 1711, 4 th & 5 th J Millar 1698, 1698, 6 th Stewart Bros 1681.
Rasharkin & District HPS – 3/21 1 st F Barkley 1609, 2 nd , 3 rd & 4 th Harold Cubitt 1589, 1569, 1568, 5 th Jack Millar & Son 1527, 6 th F Barkley 1502.
NIPA Dale (2) O/Birds Section E Result 79 members sent 1,469 pigeons – 1 st & 2 nd Alan Craig, Laurelvale 1764, 1764; 3 rd J Barr, Lurgan Social 1756; 4 th Ronnie Williamson, Bondhill 1756; 5 th Sean Curran, Lurgan Social 1749; 6 th McClean & Craig, Edgarstown 1747; 7 th & 8 th Gary Marsden, Hills & Maze 1745, 1744; 9 th A R Neill, Edgarstown 1736; 10 th T Wilson, Edgarstown 1731.
NIPA Sect E Clubs
Annaghmore – 5/77 1 st J & E Calvin 1674, 2 nd G Buckley & Son 1647, 3 rd R D Calvin 1646, 4 th J & E Calvin 1644, 5 th F & D McNeice 1613, 6 th J & E Calvin 1612.
Armagh HPS – 7/109 1 st G & A Campbell 1661, 2 nd I Parkes & Son 1640, 3 rd & 4 th G & A Campbell 1640, 1639; 5 th R Parkes & Son 1627, 6 th I Blair 1613;
Beechpark Social – 7/107 1 st M Duggan & Son 1662, 2 nd & 3 rd Davy Mawhinney & Son 1634, 1615; 4 th G Lavery 1610; 5 th M Duggan & Son 1588, 6 th H Lynch & Son 1586.
Bondhill Social – 1/38 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th & 6 th Ronnie Williamson 1756, 1699, 1664, 1630, 1628, 1625.
Edgarstown – 9/174 1 st McClean & Craig 1747, 2 nd A R Neil 1736, 3 rd T Wilson 1731, 4 th D Love 1723, 5 th J Robinson 1709, 6 th D Love 1704.
Gilford & District – 8/139 1 st W A Feeney 1677, 2 nd Rafferty & Toman 1649, 3 rd Moody Bros 1640, 4 th Rafferty & Toman 1624, 5 th & 6 th G O’Dowd 1618, 1616.
Laurelvale – 10/231 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd & 4 th Alan Craig 1764, 1764, 1728 & 1714, 5 th K & R Black 1704, 6 th Dowey Bros 1651.
Loughgall – 5/105 1 st John McGeary 1642, 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th & 6 th D & C & P McArdle 1628, 1627, 1623, 1622, 1618.
Lurgan Social – 16/250 1 st J Barr 1756, 2 nd , 3 rd & 4 th Sean Curran 1749, 1726, 1702, 5 th C, J & B Ferris 1702, 6 th P Hatchell 1650.
Markethill HPS –
Monaghan HPS – 3/44 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th & 5 th Keith Allister 1589, 1558, 1549, 1548, 1541, 6 th James Graham 1511.
Keith Allister 1st Monaghan HPS Dale Is Blue Cock Previous Winner Of 1st Roscrea 1st Cloughmartin and 1st Penzance.
Portadown & Drumcree – 4/82 1 st J Whitten & Son 1680, 2 nd A McDonald 1594, 3 rd & 4 th J Whitten & Son 1587, 1578.
Meadows – 3/48 1 st & 2 nd Siobhan McLaughlin 1681, 1656, 3 rd Joe Brown 1605, 4 th Alan Carson 1603, 5 th Joe Brown 1598, 6 th Siobhan McLaughlin 1585.
NIPA Dale (2) O/Birds Section H Result 20 members sent 116 pigeons – 1 st & 2 nd Davie Booth, Mourne & District 1552, 1544, 3 rd Paddy Cassidy, Limavady 1539; 4 th Troy Booth, Mourne & District 1531; 5 th L Miller, Limavady 1513; 6 th Davie Booth 1498; 7 th F Patterson, Strabane & District 1491; 8 th Troy Booth 1491; 9 th D Hamilton, Maiden City 1479; 10 th Ronnie Witherow, Limavady 1475.
NIPA Sect H Clubs
Amelia Earhart –
Derry & District – 6/28 J & G Ramsey 1395, 2 nd P Maxwell 1282, 3 rd J & G Ramsey 1157, 4 th & 5 th P Maxwell 1147, 1137, 6 th M Moran 1075.
Foyle RPS –
Limavady – 8/44 1 st Paddy Cassidy 1539, 2 nd L Miller 1513, 3 rd Ronnie Witherow 1475, 4 th Keith Mullan 1219, 5 th Ronnie Witherow 1193, 6 th Glen Duddy 1063.
Londonderry RPS –
Maiden City – 4/25 1 st D Hamilton 1479, 2 nd & 3 rd Pat McLaughlin 1366, 1366, 4 th D Hamilton 1339, 5 th J McConomy 1338, 6 th D Hamilton 1307.
Mourne & District HPS – 2/19 1 st & 2 nd Davie Booth 1552, 1544, 3 rd Troy Booth 1531, 4 th Davie Booth 1498, 5 th & 6 th Troy Booth 1491, 1409.
Davy Booth from Mourne & District had 1st & 2nd Sect H from 2nd Dale.
Omagh & District –
Strabane & District Inv RPC – 1 st F Patterson 1491, 2 nd & 3 rd Noel McConnell 1390, 1121.
Section, Feds & Combines 2nd Dale
NIPA Section C 2nd Dale 72/1044 – Crawford & Robinson Larne 1780, McMurray & Anderson Ligoniel 1707, G McKenna Doagh 1699, G McCann Ligoniel 1698, D & J Campbell Doagh 1697, C McManus Ligoniel 1694, Grattan Bros Doagh 1691, B Mullan Ligoniel 1691, Crawford & Robinson 1687Grattan Bros 1681.
NIPA Section D 2nd Dale 40/696 – W Joss Lisburn 1736, J Greenaway Hills & Maze 1718, D Johnston Derriaghy 1685, O & M Monaghan Colin 1671, Aiken Bros Dromore 1667, D Johnston 1667, 1667, A Hughes Lisburn 1664, G Monaghan Colin 1662, D Johnston 1662.
NIPA Section F 2nd Dale 34/547 – R Strain & Son Millisle 1712, R & S Malcolmson Harmony 1667, Burgess & Brennan Bangor 1638, R Straney Downpatrick 1597, K Murray Killyleagh Cent 1592, R Straney 1585, McComb Bros Killyleagh Cent 1581, M Adair Cloughey 1556, G Marshall Comber Cent 1551.
NIPA Section G 2nd Dale 33/767 – Mark Maguire & Son Newry & Dist. 1757, Donnelly Bros Newry City 1755, J F McCabe & Son Newry & Dist. 1751, Mark Maguire & Son 1728, J F McCabe & Son 1724, S Ogle Drumnavaddy 1716, Owen Markey Ballyholland 1712, D & K Mallen Drumnavaddy 1712, J F McCabe & Son 1710, R Carson & Son Banbridge 1707.
Coleraine Triangle 2nd Dale – T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1716, L Hanson Coleraine Prem 1665, J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1664, B & D Colle Coleraine Prem 1660, T McCrudden Coleraine Prem 1659, B & D Coyle 155, R McAlary Coleraine Prem 1646, T & J McDonald 1646, J Hanson 1645, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1642, D Quinn Coleraine Prem 1635, T McCridden 1629, L Hanson 1625, J Hanson 1625, L Hanson 1625, Diamond Bros 1624, B & D Coyle 1620, T McCrudden 1616, J Hanson 1615, 1614, S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1613, B & D Colle 1611, S Diamond 1607, B & D Coyle1606, R McAlary 1602, P O’Connor Coleraine Prem 1600.
Foyle Valley Combine 2nd Dale – F Patterson Strabane & Dist. 1491, D Hamilton Maiden City 1479, J & G Ramsey Derry & Sist 1395, Noel McConnell Strabane & Dist. 1390, P McLaughlin Maiden City 1366, 1366, D Hamilton Naiden City 1339, J McConomy Maiden City 1338, D Hamilton 1307, P Maxwell Derry & Dist. 1282, P McLaughlin 1282, D Hamilton 1279, N Cassidy Maiden City 1204, D Hamilton 1163, J & G Ramsey 1157, P Maxwell 1147, 1137, D Hamilton 1126, Noel McConnell Strabane & Dist. 1121, M Moran Derry & Dist. 1075, P Maxwell 974.
City of Derry Federation 2nd Dale – D Hamilton Maiden City 1479, J & G Ramsey Derry & Sist 1395, P McLaughlin Maiden City 1366, 1366, D Hamilton Naiden City 1339, J McConomy Maiden City 1338, D Hamilton 1307, P Maxwell Derry & Dist. 1282, P McLaughlin 1282, D Hamilton 1279, N Cassidy Maiden City 1204, D Hamilton 1163, J & G Ramsey 1157, P Maxwell 1147, 1137, D Hamilton 1126, M Moran Derry & Dist. 1075, P Maxwell 974.
Mid Antrim Combine - NIPA 2nd Dale 05/06/26
Jimmy Smyth from Ahoghill best from 2nd Dale –
Jimmy Smyth of Ahoghill 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 1st Section B & 9th Open Nipa Dale
The second channel race of the season was again flown from Dale in Pembrokeshire, West Wales on Friday 5th June. The birds were released at 9.20am in south westerly winds and a fast race followed with the early winners recording nearly 60 mph. Jimmy Smyth & Son of Ahoghill were best in the Mid Antrim Combine this week after timing at 13.04pm flying 223 miles to record 1750ypm. The loft finished 1st Section B and 9th Open Nipa 5459 birds.
Gary Gibson of Cullybackey was runner up in the Combine and Section plus 11th Open on 1747. His winner a 4 year old blue cock sent sitting 15 day eggs is Stickers Donckers, bred from a son of the 'Golden Couple'. The cock won 5th MA Combine in the first race of this season from Kilbeggan.
Gary Gibson of Cullybackey, 2nd & 4th Section and 11th & 14th Open Nipa Dale
Alan Darragh was 3rd Combine, 3rd Section and 13th Open on 1746 followed by a second bird for Gary Gibson on 1746 placed 4th Section & 14th Open and then the Ballymena & District winners Johnston Eagleson & Sons on 1743. The Eagleson loft timed a 3yo cheq pied hen to win 5th Section & 17th Open. This hen was 3rd MA Combine in the opening race this season beaten on the trap by two loftmates and she also won 27th Section last week from 1st Dale. A full sister topped the Section from Dale two seasons ago. Sire Lambrecht and dam the 'Double Combine Winner'
Dam of Johnston Eagleson & Sons 2nd Dale winner 5th Section & 17th Open Nipa
Stewart Brothers took the red card in Randalstown on 1720 with a yearling Osman x Busschaert cross feeding a small youngster and Freddie Barkley was best in Rasharkin on 1609. Freddie's 3yo cheq hen on roundabout was winning for the fourth time including last weekend’s Dale.
Ian Stewart of Randalstown with his winner from 2nd Dale 8th Section & 28th Open Nipa
Freddie Barkley best in Rasharkin from 2nd Dale
Mid Antrim Combine 2nd Dale 31/427
J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1750, G Gibson Cullybackey 1747, A Darragh Cullybackey 1746, G Gibson Cullybackey 1746, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1743, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1742, T Whyte Ahoghill 1731, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1720, J McNeill & Son Randalstown 1719, J Whyte Ahoghill 1717, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1711, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1708, C & R McIntyre Cullybackey 1698, J Millar Randalstown 1698, J Millar Randalstown 1698, D Dixon Rasharkin 1696, C & R McIntyre Cullybackey 1695, A Darragh Cullybackey 1693, A Darragh Cullybackey 1682, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1681, A Darragh Cullybackey 1655, A Darragh Cullybackey 1650, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1648, D Dixon Rasharkin 1644, G Gibson Cullybackey 1643, G Gibson Cullybackey 1642, J Millar Randalstown 1636, G Gibson Cullybackey 1635, A Darragh Cullybackey 1633, A Darragh Cullybackey 1632, A Darragh Cullybackey 1631, G Gibson Cullybackey 1630, D Dixon Rasharkin 1627, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1627, D Craig Cullybackey 1625, R Service & Son Ballymena 1624, A Darragh Cullybackey 1621, S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1618, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1618, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1615.
MID ANTRIM COMBINE 2 BIRD CLUB 2ND DALE
1st G Gibson Cullybackey 1746 GB24C18231
2nd J Whyte Ahoghill 1717 GB24A24329
Gary Gibson of Cullybackey won the Combine 2 Bird with a 2yo Van Herck hen sent on the nest. She is half-sister to his 5th Open Penzance Classic cock and full sister to Mid Antrim Combine Champion YB 2021.
OLD BIRD CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Q/F KNOCKOUT 2ND DALE (winners in capitals)
Blair & Rankin 0 v J EAGLESON & SONS 1743
H Boyd 0 v A Barkley & Son 0
A Darragh 1746 v G GIBSON 1747
STEWART BROS 1720 v J Whyte 1717.
OLD BIRD KNOCKOUT Q/F 2ND DALE (winners in capitals)
Blair & Rankin 0 v STEWART BROS 1720
J McNeill & Son 1719 v G GIBSON 1747
J SMYTH & SON 1750 v J Millar 1698
D DIXON 1696 v H Cubitt 1589.
LES MAIRS MEMORIAL CUP - OLD BIRD POINTS FANCIER OF THE YEAR - 2ND DALE, FERMOY & FERMOY 5 BIRD
G Gibson Cullybackey 600, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 354, A Darragh Cullybackey 299, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 209, D Dixon Rasharkin 132, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 93, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 90, H Boyd Kells 87, Stewart Bros 62, F Barkley Rasharkin 56, Surgenor Bros Kells 51, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 45, J Whyte Ahoghill 45, D Craig Cullybackey 44, J & J Greer Cullybackey 42.
OLD BIRD CLUB POINTS - 2ND DALE, FERMOY & FERMOY 5 BIRD
Cullybackey 71, Ballymena 55, Ahoghill FC 52 Rasharkin 44, Kells & Dist. 34, Randalstown 24, , Broughshane 19. Mervyn Eagleson - MAC Press Officer and MAC Race Sec
HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw>
Email:
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