JOURNEY’S END – NIPA RACE REPORTS – SECTIONS C, D, F, & G
‘BORN LEGACY’ HITS THE MARK FROM THE START
And just like that the quick turnaround from old bird to young bird racing is here. The youngbird season opener went ahead as scheduled with Sections ABCDE&G going for a mass liberation in Kilbeggan with Section H liberating on their own from Kilbeggan in Co. Westmeath and Section F racing from Navan Co. Meath separately. A Total of 193 members of the Mighty NIPA sent a total of 6,002 birds to Kilbeggan and 47 Members from Section F sent 1,405 birds to Navan for the first race of the NIPA young bird racing calendar. On Saturday the 18th of July the NIPA liberated Section H first at 10:15hrs in broken cloud with a light West wind at Kilbeggan. Sections ABCDE&G were then liberated in Kilbeggan at 10:50hrs in a light West wind. And last but not least the Section F convoy were liberated at 11:30 in Navan in a light West wind and therefore officially kicking off the 2026 NIPA youngbird season.
The Winning Bird from the first Young Bird Race of the 2026 NIPA Season belongs to Owen Markey of Ballyholland HPS in Section G.
Owen Markey has yet again emulated his Open Wins in 2026 now winning the first race of the old bird season and now the first race of the youngbird season while also taking 1st Open from the last inland race of the old bird season just a few weeks ago. A flying record that is vastly increasing by the week winning another NIPA Open. The Kilbeggan 1st Open winning pigeon has been named ‘Born Legacy’ and clocked the winning velocity of 1412.150YPM. GB26 B 30710 a blue cock and is a son of ‘Born Identity’ Winner of 1st Open NIPA 12,963 birds x ‘Sister Moviestar’ a full sister to ‘Moviestar’ winner of 1st Open NIPA 20,042 birds and dam to ‘Speedstar 203’. 11th Open is from ‘Turn n Burn’ winner of 1st Open NIPA 13,199 birds x ‘Juliana’ daughter of Jules Jan Mees and 14th & 15th Open are both grandchildren of ‘Whiplash’ x ‘Sister Moviestar’. Owen would like to congratulate all the winners, and for good returns and good luck for the coming weeks.
'Born Legacy' 1st Open NIPA Winner from Kilbeggan 6,002 birds for Owen Markey
Many Congratulations to Owen Markey on Winning 1st NIPA Open Kilbeggan 6,002 birds.
NIPA KILBEGGAN YB TOP 20 OPEN RESULT
1st (1G) OWEN MARKEY, BALLYHOLLAND 1421; 2nd (2G) MARK MAGUIRE & SON, NEWRY & DISTRICT 1413; 3rd (3G) J F MCCABE & SON, NEWRY & DISTRICT 1412; 4th (4G) J F MCCABE & SON, NEWRY & DISTRICT 1412; 5th (5G) J F MCCABE & SON, NEWRY & DISTRICT 1412; 6th (6G) J F MCCABE & SON, NEWRY & DISTRICT 1412; 7th (7G) J F MCCABE & SON, NEWRY & DISTRICT 1412; 8th (8G) J F MCCABE & SON, NEWRY & DISTRICT 1412; 9th (9G) J F MCCABE & SON, NEWRY & DISTRICT 1412; 10th (10G) J F MCCABE & SON, NEWRY & DISTRICT 1411; 11th (11G) OWEN MARKEY, BALLYHOLLAND 1370; 12th (12G) OWEN MARKEY, BALLYHOLLAND 1370; 13th (13G) OWEN MARKEY, BALLYHOLLAND 1370; 14th (14G) OWEN MARKEY, BALLYHOLLAND 1370; 15th (15G) OWEN MARKEY, BALLYHOLLAND 1368; 16th (16G) OWEN MARKEY, BALLYHOLLAND 1367; 17th (17G) OWEN MARKEY, BALLYHOLLAND 1367; 18th (18G) C. O’ HARE & DTR, BALLYHOLLAND 1364; 19th (1C) BINGHAM & SEATON & DOWIE, LIGONIEL & DISTRICT 1363; 20th (19G) HARRY O’HARE, BALLYHOLLAND 1361
Ballyholland New club member 13 year old Harry O'Hare first ever race winning 20th, 49th, 50th and 52nd Open. Harry says he will beat his grandfather Cormac next week. Keepup the good work Harry
SECTION C REPORT
The Winner of Section C (42/1,037) from Kilbeggan was Bingham & Seaton & Dowie of Ligoniel & District HPS. The Ligoniel partnership has hit the ground running winning their club (211 birds) a clean sweep in the Section C result taking the first 10 positions (1,037 birds) and these winners finished 19th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 29th, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, 58th, 60th Open NIPA. (6,002 birds) GB26 X 29016 is a Mealy Cock and his Dam is Flanders Queen the RPRA young bird of the year in 2024. The sire is out of Sheldon Leonard mealy pied cock.
Bingham & Seaton & Dowie Section C Winning pigeon
Congratulations to Section C Winners Bingham & Seaton & Dowie and Congratulations to all Club Winners
Ballycarry & District: (5/170): 1st J. Robinson 1270; 2nd J. Robinson 1215; 3rd J. Robinson 1208; 4th S. Beattie & Dtr 1205; 5th S. Beattie & Dtr 1185; 6th B. McCammon 1185
Ballyclare & District: (3/63): 1st A&T Agnew 1213; 2nd A&T Agnew 1212; 3rd A&T Agnew 1212; 4th A&T Agnew 1210; 5th A&T Agnew 1208; 6th A&T Agnew 1194
A&T Agnew Winners of Ballyclare & District H.P.S
Carrick Social: (1/24): 1st W. McClean 1198; 2nd W. McClean 1171
Doagh & District: (4/73): 1st G. McKenna 1268; 2nd G. McKenna 1192; 3rd R. Scott 1185; 4th G. McKenna 1174; 5th R. Scott 1144; 6th R. Scott 1134
Gary McKenna & Grandson Riley Doagh & Dist Winners
Glenarm & District: (3/68): 1st McMullan Bros 1158; 2nd G. McWhirter 1144; 3rd McMullan Bros 1131; 4th G. McWhirter 1128; 5th A&L Robbin 1092
McMullan Bros Glenarm & District Winners H.P.S
Kingsmoss: (4/61): 1st T. Cairns & Son 1247; 2nd R&C Johnston 1224; 3rd R&C Johnston 1204; 4th T. Cairns & Son 1196; 5th W. Gault & Son 1196; 6th W. Gault & Son 1196
Tom Cairns & Son Kingsmoss Winners
Larne & District: (9/227): 1st M. Witherspoon 1259; 2nd J. Hastings 1253; 3rd T. Rodgers 1242; 4th T. Rodgers 1242; 5th T. Rodgers 1241; 6th D. McAuley 1228
Mark Witherspoon Winner from Kilbeggan
Ligoniel & District: (9/211): 1st Bingham & Seaton & Dowie 1363; 2nd Bingham & Seaton & Dowie 1360; 3rd Bingham & Seaton & Dowie 1357; 4th Bingham & Seaton & Dowie 1357; 5th Bingham & Seaton & Dowie 1351; 6th Bingham & Seaton & Dowie 1341
West End: (1/52): 1st D. McElhone & Dtr 1321; 2nd D. McElhone & Dtr 1304; 3rd D. McElhone & Dtr 1303; 4th D. McElhone & Dtr 1296; 5th D. McElhone & Dtr 1296; 6th D. McElhone & Dtr 1287
East Antrim Amalgamation
Kilbeggan Y/B
18/7/26
The first race of the y/b season saw us in Kilbeggan, a tough start for the babies but leading the way with his first EAA victory is Joe Robinson of Ballycarry HPS. Joe tells me he’s back in the game after a 40 year absence, and loving life in Ballycarry, his winner is from lifelong friend billy Whiteside of Whiteside a formidable race outfit in the day and still able to mix it with the best! Both father and mother supplied by billy although the hen is bred by Ciaran McVeigh from his van dyke lines. Father is Billy’s old lines .
A super result for Joe & the Ballycarry Club
Well done to all on the sheet
Press officers’ choice for a mention is Tony Rodgers of Larne with a super card flying into Ballygalley on the coast
Jonny Baxter EAA press officer
East Antrim Amalgamation Result
1st J. Robinson 1270 20 Points; 2nd G. McKenna 1268; 3rd M. Witherspoon 1259; 4th J. Hastings 1253; 5th T. Cairns 1247; 6th T. Rodgers 1242; 7th T. Rodgers 1242; 8th T. Rodgers 1241; 9th D. McAuley 1228; 10th Crawford & Robinson 1226; 11th J. Hastings 1226; 12th R&C Johnston 1224; 13th R&M Robinson 1224; 14th A&S McNaughton 1220; 15th A&S McNaughton 1220; 16th J. Robinson 1215; 17th D. McAuley 1214; 18th D. Donnelly & Partners 1213; 19th A&T Agnew 1213; 20th A&T Agnew 1212
27 Members Sent 430 Birds
SECTION D REPORT
The Winner of Section D (25/709) from Kilbeggan was S&W English of Lisburn & District HPS. Sam & Willy win 1st prize in their club (181 birds) the duo also won top spot in Section D (709 birds) their Section Winner finished in the top half of the open placings winning 35th Open NIPA (6,002 birds) Sam & Bonnie pictured holding their Kilbeggan Section D Winner GB26 A 21654 a blue pied hen from McManus & Young from Ahoghill. She was sitting on eggs and was on the darkness.
S&W English Section D Winners from Kilbeggan
Congratulations to Section D Winners S&W English and Congratulations to all Club Winners
Colin HPS: (2/58): 1st J. Gregory & Sons 1314; 2nd J. Gregory & Sons 1314; 3rd J. Gregory & Sons 1313; 4th J. Gregory & Sons 1290; 5th J. Gregory & Sons 1288; 6th J. Gregory & Sons 1286
J. Gregory & Sons Colin H.P.S. Winners
Derriaghy: (3/92): 1st D. Johnston 1278; 2nd D. Johnston 1265; 3rd D. Johnston 1262; 4th D. Johnston 1262; 5th D. Johnston 1259; 6th D. Johnston 1254
Dromara HPS: (2/41): 1st M. Russell 1301; 2nd M. Russell 1299; 3rd M. Russell 1232; 4th M. Russell 1232; 5th M. Russell 1231; 6th Russell Bros 1203
Matthew Russell Dromara HPS Winner
Dromore HPS: (3/68): 1st T. Mawhinney 1315; 2nd T. Mawhinney 1313; 3rd T. Mawhinney 1296; 4th T. Mawhinney 1281; 5th S. Wilson & Son 1281; 6th T. Mawhinney 1268
Glenavy & District: (1/52): 1st I. Gibb & Sons 1303; 2nd I. Gibb & Sons 1290; 3rd I. Gibb & Sons 1274; 4th I. Gibb & Sons 1212; 5th I. Gibb & Sons 1188; 6th G&S Owens 1187
Harmony HPS: D/S
Hillsborough & Maze: D/S
Lisburn & District: (7/181): 1st S&W English 1337; 2nd R. Topping & Son 1335; 3rd Smyth & Adams 1333; 4th R. Topping & Son 1313; 5th A. Houston 1303; 6th Smyth & Adams 1290
South Belfast HPS: (3/60) 1st M. Lavery 1309; 2nd R. Kenna 1301; 3rd M. Lavery 1282; 4th M. Lavery 1281; 5th M. Lavery 1280; 6th M. Lavery 1280
Trinity HPS: (4/155): 1st P&K McCarthy 1313; 2nd P&K McCarthy 1301; 3rd P&K McCarthy 1282; 4th P&K McCarthy 1281; 5th P&K McCarthy 1280; 6th P&K McCarthy 1280
SECTION F REPORT
The Winner of Section F (47/1,405) from Navan was Gordon Bros & Sons of Killyleagh Central HPS. The Gordons have done a clean sweep from the very get go from Navan taking the first 28 in the Section F result and a total of 41 out of the top 50 positions in the section result (1,405 birds) The Gordons Section F Winner BELG26 4170062 is from their Bolt II x Kittel Lines and 2nd Section is from Blizzard x Super Vale Dirk 785 the number one breeder of Pierre Beyl. 2nd Section is a grandson of Liberaal super racer and breeder of Dirk Van Den Bulck. 4th is a full brother to their super racer Supersonic Blizzard who won back to back NIPA Opens in 2024 from 18,000 & 15,000 birds.
Gordon Bros & Son Section F Winner from Navan
Congratulations to Section F Winners Gordon Bros & Sons and Congratulations to all Club Winners.
Annalong: D/S
Bangor RPC: (11/): 1st Phillips Bros 1059; 2nd Phillips Bros 1053; 3rd Lambert & Stewart 1053; 4th Lambert & Stewart 1052; 5th Burgess & Brennan 1051; 6th Burgess & Brennan 1051
Cloughey HPS: (5/92): 1st Gordon Bros & Sons 1351; 2nd Gordon Bros & Sons 1350; 3rd Gordon Bros & Sons 1350; 4th Gordon Bros & Sons 1349; 5th Gordon Bros & Sons 1347; 6th Gordon Bros & Sons 1287
Comber Central HPS: (2/): 1st D. McQuade 999; 2nd G. Marshall 988; 3rd G. Marshall 953; 4th G. Marshall 953; 5th G. Marshall 953
Corrigs:
Crossgar: (5/260): 1st D. Grieves 1228; 2nd D. Grieves 1224; 3rd D. Grieves 1217; 4th D. Grieves 1126; 5th D. Grieves 1118; 6th D. Grieves 1117
Dean Grieves Crossgar H.P.S. Winner
Downpatrick Premier:
Killyleagh Central: (/): Gordon Bros & Sons 1351; 2nd Gordon Bros & Sons 1351; 3rd Gordon Bros & Sons 1350; 4th Gordon Bros & Sons 1350; 5th Gordon Bros & Sons 1350; 6th Gordon Bros & Sons 1350
Kircubbin: D/S
Millisle & District HPS: (6/125): 1st A&E Muckle 1127; 2nd M. Ferris & Grandson 1093; 3rd A&E Muckle 1026; 4th M. Ferris & Grandson 1026; 5th M. Ferris & Grandson 1014; 6th M. Ferris & Grandson 1014
Adam Muckle Millisle & Dist Winner timing a Grizzle. Sire a gift from Joe Orr Ards and Dam is Mealy Sootjen Red star lofts
Newtownards HPS: (3/89): 1st J. Orr 1065; 2nd J. Adair 1060; 3rd J. Adair 1058; 4th J. Orr 1041; 5th J. Orr 1040; 6th J. Adair 1038
J. Orr Winner of Ards HPS
SECTION G REPORT
The Winner of Section G (20/865) from Kilbeggan was Owen Markey of Ballyholland HPS. (See opening report for more info) Owen is the winner from the first race of the youngbird season winning 1st Club (368 birds) winning 1st Section G (865 birds) and sitting proud at top spot winning 1st Open NIPA Kilbeggan plus 11th – 17th Open and many other top positions in the top 300 (6,002 birds)
Congratulations to Section G & Open Winner Owen Markey and congratulations to all club winners.
Ballyholland: (6/368): 1st O. Markey 1421; 2nd O. Markey 1370; 3rd O. Markey 1370; 4th O. Markey 1370; 5th O. Markey 1370; 6th O. Markey 1368
Banbridge HPS: (4/98): 1st E. McAlinden 1324; 2nd R. Carson & Son 1301; 3rd R. Carson & Son 1279; 4th R. Carson & Son 1271; 5th McCracken Bros 1267; 6th R. Carson & Son 1253
Eddie McAlinden Banbridge HPS Winner
Drumnavady: (6/154): 1st C&G Quinn 1286; 2nd J. Brush 1284; 3rd S. Ogle 1283; 4th S. Ogle 1281; 5th J. Brush 1269; 6th S. Ogle 1269
Millvale: (3/135): 1st N. Murtagh 1332; 2nd N. Murtagh 1332; 3rd N. Murtagh 1298; 4th N. Murtagh 1264; 5th N. Murtagh 1263; 6th N. Murtagh 1262
Noel Murtagh Millvale HPS Winner
Newry City: (1/60): 1st Thompson & Lunn 1295; 2nd Thompson & Lunn 1284; 3rd Thompson & Lunn 1266; 4th Thompson & Lunn 1266
Newry & District: (3/170): 1st Mark Maguire & Son 1413; 2nd J F McCabe & Son 1412; 3rd J F McCabe & Son 1412; 4th J F McCabe & Son 1412; 5th J F McCabe & Son 1412; 6th J F McCabe & Son 1412
Mark Maguire & Son 2nd Open & Newry & District Winner
Could all club representatives/race secretaries within my covered sections of C, D, F & G to contact myself to be included in my weekly NIPA race Reports, with Club, Section & Open Winning photos, along with the winning pigeon’s info etc.
Yours in Sport ,
Jordan Hughes
N.I.P.A. Press Officer
JORDAN HUGHES
‘JOURNEYS END’
N.I.P.A PRESS OFFICER
Mobile: 07713808554
Email: jordanhughespro.gmail.com
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