Homers Odyssey - Cullybackey 2024
Cullybackey season 2024 Review –
With additional members over the past two seasons Cullybackey HPS would be the largest unit in the Mid Antrim Combine and they have success from the opening race right through to France at the distance.
The 2024 racing season got under way on Saturday 20th April when the Nipa liberated 13,199 birds at 10.00am in clear blue skies and warm sunshine with little wind turning variable enroute. An excellent race followed with little or no losses. Ace flyer's Paddy and William McManus of Ahoghill recorded the best pigeon in the local area on 1521.20 and topped the Mid Antrim Combine with 1,048 birds competing. Their winning yearling blue hen bred from two Henk Simons pigeons was sitting eggs around 10 days. A very close runner up in the Combine on 1521.03 was Gary Gibson who had the winner in Cullybackey. Gary's winner a two-year-old dark Van Den Brande hen racing celibate was from D.C.P McArdle of Armagh.
Cullybackey HPS (9 sent 280) – 1 G Gibson 1521, 2, 5, A Darragh 1490, 1477, 3, 4, M/M Robinson 1477, 1477, 6 J & J Greer 1467.
The second race of the season was from Roscrea in County Tipperary on Saturday 27th April. Liberation took place at 9.30am in excellent conditions with light northerly winds. Taking 1st and 2nd positions in the Mid Antrim Combine this week were Johnston Eagleson & Sons of Ballymena & District with two birds timed at 12.31pm doing 1424ypm. The first hen to time was a two-year-old blue hen sitting eggs and was bred from stock acquired from top racing and breeding lofts of Paddy & William McManus of Ahoghill. The sire is Van Den Brande and is half-brother to Martin Graham's 1st Open Infc Penzance young bird National winner "Sammy's Girl" having the same dam. The second bird timed a two-year-old blue Van Den Bulck hen has won twice before including 3rd Section and 25th Open Fermoy as a youngster. The dam was from Jackie Steele and is down from "Pussy Cat" The Eagleson loft had a great team performance from their birds winning 1st, 2nd, 6th, 9th & 11th Section B and 40th, 43rd, 60th, 67th & 75th Open Nipa with 19,875 birds competing. Alan Darragh was next best in the Combine and placed 3rd Section B on 1423. His winning blue pied yearling hen is bred from a good racing cock that won the section twice on the channel and was also placed from St Malo. Alan also took the top three positions in the Cullybackey club.
Cullybackey HPS (11 sent 399) – 1, 2, 3, 6, A Darragh 1423, 1417, 1413, 1396, 4, 5, G Gibson 1407, 1402.
Jimmy and Jamie Greer are best from Roscrea
Jimmy (r) and Jamie Greer from Cullybackey with their Mid Antrim Combine winner from Roscrea and also 3rd Fermoy.
Due to the poor weather forecast for Saturday the third race of the season was held one day later on Sunday 5th May. The birds were again in County Tipperary for a second race from Roscrea. The convoy liberation at 10.00am in beautiful conditions with light variable winds. Topping the Mid Antrim Combine this week is former 2004 Kings Cup winner Jimmy Greer and his grandson Jamie Greer of Cullybackey who race to their "Tullynahinnion Lofts" just outside Portglenone. The partnership timed their 2yo Mealy cock at 12.52pm to record 1480 and finish 1st Mid Antrim Combine and 3rd Section B. The winning cock was 2nd club as a youngster in 2022 and is bred off birds from clubmate and close neighbour Gary Gibson. The Sticker Donker sire is a grandson of the Golden Pair and the dam from Gary's Van Hercks. This was big Jamie's first ever Combine win and in his own words "I'm still on a high and still don't really believe it. That was one of my goals this year to win a Combine" Jamie is going to race the cock on. Well done lads.
Cullybackey HPS 10/332 – J & J Greer 1480, A Shiels 1462, G Gibson 1459, 1459, C Moore 1453, G Gibon 1450.
Mid Antrim Combine 2nd Roscrea 56/1426 - J & J Greer Cullybackey 1480, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1478, S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1476, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1473, D Magill Harryville 1470, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1468, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1465, A Shiels Cullybackey 1462, S Crawford Harryville 1462, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1461.
The birds were in Fermoy in County Cork for the fourth race of the old bird season on Saturday 11th May. The liberation took place at 9.00am in light south easterly winds increasing as the day went on.
Best bird in the Mid Antrim Combine was timed by Jimmy Smyth & Son of Ahoghill at 12.28pm to record 1685.81 ypm. Jimmy's winning blue yearling hen bred by Philip Boal of Dromore has now won 3 x 1st including this week's 1st Mid Antrim Combine & 8th Section 3050 birds, 1st club, 4th Combine and 9th Section from Roscrea last weekend and 1st club, 5th Combine & 12th Section from Roscrea young birds last season.
Runner up in the Combine was Gary Gibson of Cullybackey on 1685.18 with a cheq w/f Lambrechts x Van Den Brande hen racing on roundabout. The sire has won 2 x 1st and 2nd Harryville Centre from the Skibbereen YB National and the dam is also a winner of two firsts and 3rd Combine Gowran Park.
Cullybackey HPS 13/492 – G Gibson 1685, J & J Greer 1669, G Gibson 1668, 1656, A Darragh 1640, C & R McIntyre 1639.
The birds were back in Fermoy in County Cork for the fifth race of the old bird season on Saturday 18th May. The liberation took place at a later time of 13.30pm to allow the mist and fog to clear. The pigeon's having to contend with fresh north westerly winds en route had a hard fly in front of them and many birds not making home at dark spent the night on the roof tops. Thankfully Sunday was a better day giving them a chance to return home. Best bird in the Mid Antrim Combine was recorded by Johnston Eagleson & Sons of Ballymena & District on 1096 ypm, they also had the best bird in the local Town for the past four weeks. The yearling chequer cock was timed at 18.53pm after flying the 201 miles to the loft's on the Cullybackey Road. The sire was a gift from Paddy & William McManus of Ahoghill and is Van Den Brande x a daughter of Danny Dixon's Champion Heartbreaker while the dam is a self-bred Heremans Ceusters x Van Den Bulck. The winning cock is half-brother on the sire's side to last season's 1st Section & 3rd Open Nipa Penzance OB Classic cock. That's the second Combine win of the season for the Eagleson loft have won both the Combine and Section from 1st Roscrea.
Alan Darragh was runner up in the Combine and had the top two birds in Cullybackey the winner doing1096. Alan's winner a 2yo chequer pied cock is off the best racing cock in the loft which has won 7 x 1st including 2 x 1st Combine and 2 x 2nd Combine and 9th, 39th, 90th & 147th Open in National races.
Former race winner Alan Darragh of Cullybackey best in the Mid Antrim Combine from St Allouestre Kings Cup.
Cullybackey HPS 11/412 – A Darragh 1096, 1075, G Gibson 1066, 1061, A Darragh 1058, G Gibson 1041.
Due to poor weather at the weekend the first major race of the season from Skibbereen in County Cork was put back a couple of days and held on Monday 27th May. Birds were released at 10am in south westerly winds and a fast race followed with excellent returns. Danny Dixon of Dunloy had the best bird in the Mid Antrim Combine on 1765 timing at 14.25pm for the 266 miles fly to the Ballymacaldrick Lofts. Sire of Danny's black white flight yearling cock is a son of Dixie Chick when paired to the Alphabet Hen, she's a Van den Brande hen acquired from Pat Shields of Newry. The yearling cock won 5th Section & 37th Open Nipa from the tough Skibbereen YB National last season.
Around the other clubs and Gary Gibson was best in Cullybackey on 1726 with a roundabout Donckers hen. The sire from Derek Parr and the dam from a son of Danny Dixon's 2nd open Fermoy cock and Megan a winner of 1st Mid Antrim Combine & 1st section B Talbenny YB National.
Cullybackey HPS – G Gibson 1726, 1714, 1682, M/M Robinson 1680, G Gibson 1668, M/M Robinson 1658. Well done to Gary Gibson on taking the win today in Cullybackey from Skibbereen taking his tally to 3 wins for the season. Timing his cheq w/f hen at 2 23pm with a velocity of 1726 and finishing 5th and 6th Centre.
Jamie Greer Checks Out With "Double Top"
The third Roscrea race was flown on Monday 27th May with the birds liberated at 10.15am in south westerly winds. Best bird in the local area was timed by Jimmy and Jamie Greer of Cullybackey at 12.37pm to win 1st in the Mid Antrim Combine on 1795. This was the partnership's second Combine win of the season, with both wins achieved with their new star "Double Top" a 2yo mealy cock racing on roundabout. The sire from Gary Gibson is Stickers Donckers and is a grandson of the Golden Pair, and the dam also from Gary is off the best his Van Hercks. Jamie has now retired his double Combine to the stock loft. Well done Jamie, not many double Mid Antrim Combine winners about.
Cullybackey HPS 9/187 – J & J Greer 1795, G Gibson 1789, A Shiels 1781, M/M Robinson 1759, G Gibson 1743, G Gibson 1741.
Mid Antrim Combine 3rd Fermoy 37/601 - J & J Greer Cullybackey 1795.9, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1795.3, G Gibson Cullybackey 1789, F Barkley Rasharkin 1783, A Shiels Cullybackey 1781, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1769, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1766, W McFetridge Rasharkin 1762, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1759, J Whyte Ahoghill 1754.
Mid Antrim Combine - Nipa Dale 01/06/24
Top Result For Alan Darragh Of Cullybackey
The first channel race of the season was flown from Dale in Pembrokeshire in Wales. The birds were liberated on Saturday morning at 9.00am in light northerly winds and as expected a tough race followed. Alan Darragh had the card of the day in the local area timing three early birds in Cullybackey at 14.38pm and two more at 14.39pm to win 1st, 3rd & 4th Mid Antrim Combine 1st, 3rd & 4th Section B and 18th, 28th & 29th Open Nipa with 9439 birds competing. Alan's first bird doing 1159 is a 2yo blue w/f cock bred by John Wheatcroft of England. This cock has an excellent channel record having last season won 1st Club, 3rd Combine, 5th Section and 39th Open Nipa from 1st Talbenny and the following week 1st Club, 1st Combine, 2nd Section and 13th Open from 2nd Talbenny. Alan's second pigeon a 3yo blue hen is a sister to the first bird and his third bird timed a 2yo blue chequer hen won 1st Combine, 1st Section and 9th Open in the 2022 Nipa YB National from Talbenny.
Cullybackey HPS 9/213 – A Darragh 1159, 1154, 1154, G Gibson 1135, 1133, 1132.
Mid Antrim Combine 1st Dale 49/661 - A Darragh Cullybackey 1159, H Boyd Kells 1155, A Darragh Cullybackey 1154, A Darragh Cullybackey 1154, H Boyd Kells 1143, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1140, G Gibson Cullybackey 1135, G Gibson Cullybackey 1133, G Gibson Cullybackey 1132, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1126.
The second channel race of the season was again from Dale in Wales. Liberation took place on Saturday 8th June at 8.15am in north north westerly winds. Like the previous week it turned out another tough race and again the returns were very good. Best in the Mid Antrim Combine for the third time this season were Johnston Eagleson & Sons of Ballymena & District. They timed their yearling chequer pied hen at 13.38pm flying 222 miles to the lofts on the Cullybackey Road to record 1212ypm, and win 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 1st Section B and 20th Open Nipa 6850 birds. Sire of their latest Section winner is a Lambrecht cock brought in from England and the dam, a double Combine winner is the best of Paddy & William McManus's old lines of Louis Thijs and Van Der Wegen. The dam's cv now reads winner of 2 x 1st Combines and 2 x 3rd Combines and dam of 3 x 1st Combine winners plus many more top ten positions.
Gary Gibson won Cullybackey on 1168 with a dark celibate yearling hen. The sire a son of Danny Dixon's "Champion Heartbreaker" and the dam bred by Davy Jackson, is from his Mullingar Open winner Davy's Pride.
Cullybackey HPS 10/148 – G Gibson 1158, 1167, A Darragh 1165, 1160, G Gibson 1158, S & N Doherty 1156.
The Fermoy race and the 5 Bird event were held on Saturday 8th June. Liberation took place at 9.30am in north westerly winds. Another tough race followed but like Dale the returns were very good. Best bird locally was Shane Johnston & Son of Ballymena & District who timed at 13.53pm flying 202 miles to the lofts at the Doury Road to record 1351. Shane's yearling chequer hen finishes 1st Mid Antrim Combine & 3rd Section B and in the 5 Bird event again 1st Mid Antrim Combine & 2nd Section B. Earlier in the season this hen won 2nd club and 3rd Combine from Roscrea and the hens nestmate won 1st club and 3rd Combine from a young bird race last season. Shane's winner a van herck is bred by good friend Gary Gibson of Cullybackey.
Gary Gibson won Cullybackey from both the Fermoy & 5 Bird with a 2yo blue wf hen sitting eggs. She previously won from Kilbeggan as a youngster and the Fermoy 5 Bird last season. The winning hen is from is Donckers family.
Cullybackey HPS 10/123 – G Gibson 1336, A CDarragh 1333, G Gibson 1295, 1275, A Darragh 1271, 1270.
Due to a poor weather forecast the Nipa Bude race was put back to Tuesday 18th June. The birds were released in north Cornwall at 8.00am in light north easterly winds and a seriously hard race followed with quite a number of lofts failing to time any birds on the day. Top fancier Danny Dixon of Dunloy timed an arrival 16.42pm after the 300 miles fly to his Ballymacaldrick loft's to win 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 1st Section B & 22nd Open Nipa 3971 birds velo 1012. Danny's winner "Eastern Promise" is a 2yo cheq cock bred from direct Herman Custer stock from Derek Nicholls of Premier Lofts. This cock won 2nd Open Nipa from Fermoy as a young bird beaten by a loft mate. Danny topped the Combine in a tough Bude race in 2020 on that occasion his velocity was 1077.
Gary Gibson was best in Cullybackey on 977 with a yearling blue hen, the best of the Willy Van Hercks. The sire and dam both from Robert Rea of Larne, her sire was a winner from Bude and is a son of Pole Dancer, Robert's Talbenny young bird National winner. J
Cullybackey HPS 4/35 – G Gibson 977, M/M Robinson 956, J & J Greer 774, M/M Robinson 718.
The Nipa Skibbereen Yearling National was flown on Tuesday 18th June when the birds were liberated at 9.30am in north north easterly winds. It turned out another tough race with the local velocities in the 1100's. Winning the Mid Antrim Combine for the fourth time this season were Johnston Eagleson & Sons of the Ballymena & District club. They timed their cheq cock at 15.59pm flying 260 miles to the Cullybackey Road loft's to record 1176 ypm. Their first three birds timed winning 1st, 6th & 10th Combine and 4th, 10th & 14th Section were all the same way bred, the second bird won the Combine from 2nd Fermoy and the third bird has been placed 3rd, 4th, 6th, 10th, 16th & 23rd Combine this season. The sire was a gift from Paddy & William McManus of Ahoghill and is Van den Brande x a daughter of Danny Dixon's Champion Heartbreaker while the dam is a self-bred, Herman Custer x a Van Den Bulck granddaughter of Kittel.
Runner up in the Combine was the Kells & District winner Harry Boyd on 1167. Harry who is having a great run of wins at the moment timed a blue cheq hen bred by Sam Ogle. Gary Gibson was best in Cullybackey and placed 3rd Combine on 1161 with a red cock bred from a son of the "Golden Couple" when paired to "Megan" 1st Section Talbenny YB National for Gary and bred by Derek Parr.
Cullybackey Centre – J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1176, H Boyd Kells 1167, G Gibson Cullybackey 1161, J Eagleson & Sons 1153, A Darragh Cullybackey 1153, G Gibson 1153, H Boyd 1148, J Eagleson & Sons 1142, A Darragh 1119, Surgenor Bros Kells 1113.
Mid Antrim Combine - Nipa Penzance & Classic
Darragh Loft best from Penzance
The Nipa Penzance and duplicated Classic were flown on Saturday 22nd June. The 4,011 birds were liberated at 7.00am in light westerly winds. Cullybackey fancier Alan Darragh had a top race timing a number of early birds to his Swallowbrae loft's. Alan's first bird timed at 13.49pm was a yearling blue cock and topped the Mid Antrim Combine finishing 2nd Section & 14th Open Nipa. The sire is coming down from his Yearling National winner when paired to its own Grandmother. The dam is bred from his 4th and 5th Open Yearling National pigeons of 2018. In the duplicated Classic event the cock was also placed 1st Combine, 2nd Section & 4th open Nipa. Bertie Blair had the big winner in Ballymena & District on 1390 and finished runner up in the Combine, 3rd Section and 19th Open. Bertie's winning 4yo blue hen is bred from his own family of birds. This was Bertie's third win of the season. Johnston Eagleson & Sons were best in the Penzance Classic event with their Combine & Section winner from Dale a fortnight ago.
Mid Antrim Combine Penzance 34/278 - A Darragh Cullybackey 1416, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1390, A Darragh Cullybackey 1381, H Boyd Kells 1348, A Darragh Cullybackey 1347, A Darragh Cullybackey 1347, A Darragh Cullybackey 1346, G Gibson Cullybackey 1329, G Gibson Cullybackey 1328, T Whyte Ahoghill 1328.
Mid Antrim Combine Penzance Classic 26/165 - A Darragh Cullybackey 1416, A Darragh Cullybackey 1381, H Boyd Kells 1348, A Darragh Cullybackey 1347, A Darragh Cullybackey 1347, A Darragh Cullybackey 1346, G Gibson Cullybackey 1329, G Gibson Cullybackey 1328, C & R McIntyre Cullybackey 1318, C Moore Cullybackey 1314.
The final inland race of the old bird season was flown on Saturday 22nd June from Fermoy in County Cork. The strings were cut and the birds released at 7.30am in southerly winds. Johnston Eagleson & Sons had the best two birds in the local area winning 1st & 2nd Mid Antrim Combine and 1st & 6th Section B on 1829 & 1814. The first bird timed at 10.43am was a 2yo blue hen winning the Mid Antrim Combine and Section B for the second time this season having won it in late April from Roscrea. This hen also won the club from 1st Fermoy and was placed 10th in the Combine. The hen has been named "William's Choice" after William McManus of Ahoghill who selected the parents from his stock loft a couple of years ago. The sire is a stunning blue Van Den Brande cock and the dam is Lambrecht x Paddy & Williams best Karel Laenen cock which is responsible for dozens of winners. The loft's second bird timed was a yearling chequer Van Den Bulk hen bred from one of their top stock cocks "Dirk". That's 5 x 1st Combine wins and 3 x 1st Section wins for the Eagleson loft this season.
Mid Antrim Combine Fermoy 33/292 - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1829, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1814, Surgenor Bros Kells 1807, H Boyd Kells 1794, T & M Morrow Broughshane 1793, T & M Morrow Broughshane 1792, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1790, R H Clements Ballymena 1788, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1785, A Darragh Cullybackey 1782.
Nipa Plougastel OB National - Mid Antrim Combine 28/06/24
Top Ten National Finish For Laurence & Heather Robinson Of Cullybackey
M/M Robinson 1st Plougastel OB Nat 1st Section B and 1st Mid Antrim Combine & The winner of 1st Club & 1st Mid Antrim in the OB National from Plougastel for Mr & Mrs Robinson.
The Nipa old bird National was held from Plougastel in France on Friday 28th June. Liberation took place at 7.00am in light north westerly winds and like all this year's channel races another tough race followed. Only two birds were clocked in the Cullybackey Centre by close of first day. The first of these was to the husband and wife team of Laurence & Heather Robinson who race in Cullybackey Flying Club. The partnership timed their 5yr old blue hen at 19.35pm to record 1060 and win 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 1st Section B and 9th Open Nipa National 1371 birds. The winning hen has raced powerful well other the channel and among her many prizes have been 5th Section & 9th Open Nipa Bude and last season 91st Open from the St. Malo Friendship National. This season she had three inland races and then 1st Dale. She was racing the early part of the season on roundabout and then put down on eggs and sitting 12 days going to Plougastel. Her sire was a gift from Tommy Grattan and the dam Vandenbeele from top Kells racer Harry Boyd. Another top result for a very consistent loft especially on the channel and they look like winning the Section B cross channel averages for the second year running.
Stephen & Natalie Doherty of Cullybackey had the only other bird timed on the night in the Cullybackey Centre doing 1021. Their 2yo blue hen now named "Glencar Queen" timed at 20.10pm, was sitting eggs about 12 days and had a couple of young ones slipped two days before basketing. The sire is a son of Stephen's good Jan Aarden cock from Cedarwood lofts that bred 24th and 287th Open in the INFC Penzance Yearling National this season when paired to a direct N Black & Sons of Dromara hen from their Fiona lines. The dam is from E Murtagh and Sons and is a double granddaughter of Dinkey's Delight 8th Open Kings Cup and also helped win the Harkness Rose Bowl. Also in her breeding is Manny's girl which has flown the Kings Cup four times and has also won the Hall Of Fame. Stephen & Natalie have only been in the pigeons for three seasons and only set their stall out for channel and National racing. They have had a number of good results already, some being 235th & 237th Open INFC Sennen Cove Yearling National 2022 at their first attempt, 25th Section Talbenny YB National Nipa 2022, 1st Mid Antrim Combine & 11th Open INFC St Malo Friendship National 477 miles 2023, 14th & 19th Section, 143rd & 191st Open Dale, 24th, 71st,199th, 261st & 285th Penzance Yearling National 2024 and now 2nd Section B & 14th Open Nipa Plougastel OB National 2024. Once again many thanks to Mr & Mrs Connolly of Portglenone for allowing us the use of their field where the loft's are erected.
S & N Doherty 2nd Club Plougastel OB National, scoring well at distance.
Chris Moore of Cullybackey also clocked early on the second morning at 06.24am to win 6th Section & 66th Open National. Chris's 2yo chequer cock is Koopman bred from pigeons he acquired from the late Jackie Traynor of County Durham. It was sitting 10 days on eggs, was well raced down Ireland and got 2nd Dale plus private training.
Cullybackey HPS – M/M Robinson 1060, S & N Doherty 1021, Chris Moore 727,
NIPA Section B Plougastel 48/179 – Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1060, S & N Doherty Cullybackey 1021, W Rodgers Ballymoney 801, A C & T Tweed Rasharkin & Dist. 798, W Blair Ballymoney 733, C Moore Cullybackey 727, R H Clements Harryville 431.
Cullybackey Centre – M/M Robinson Cullybackey 1060, S & N Doherty Cullybackey 1021, C Moore Cullybackey 727, R H Clements Harryville 431.
id Antrim Combine Plougastel (France) – M/M Robinson Cullybackey 1060, S & N Doherty Cullybackey 1021, A C & T Tweed Rasharkin & Dist. 798, Chris Moore Cullybackey 727, R H Clements Harryville 431.
Young bird season -
The first young bird race of the season was held from Kilbeggan on Saturday 27th July. The Nipa released the youngsters at 12 noon in light westerly winds. Ahoghill fancier's Jimmy Smyth & Son recorded the best two birds in the Mid Antrim Combine after timing at 14.05 & 14.06pm flying 111 miles. Jimmy's two birds also finished 1st & 2nd Section B on 1563 & 1552. The winning bird was from a kit purchased from Derek Parr of Portadown and the second one was in a kit from Mark Milliken of Rasharkin. Jimmy's second Combine win of the season having won from Fermoy in week four. Other club winners included Alan Darragh best in Cullybackey on 1489.
Cullybackey HPS 10/377 – A Darragh 1489, G Gibson 1466, 1466, 1465, A Darragh 1465, 1465.
The second young bird race of the season was again from Kilbeggan in County Westmeath. Liberation was 9.45am in south westerly winds and leading birds took just over one- and three-quarter hours to return to their local loft's. The best pigeon was timed by the popular Ballymena & District fancier Bertie Blair to win 1st Mid Antrim Combine 44/1332 and 1st Section B 76/2398 on velo 1858. Bertie timed his dark cheq cock at 11.32am flying 113 miles to Chichester Park in Harryville. The winning youngster purchased in a kit of six from the Delaney O'Roory Hill Stud is off the best of their Willy Jacobs, Van Den Bulck and Luc Vervoort family's. The sire is a grandson of Willy's Pride and Diamond Princess and dam is off the 34 hen from Luc Vervoort. Another top result from one of the Town's top flyer's Bertie Blair.
Cullybackey HPS 11/225 – A Darragh 1779, 1775, 1774, 1773, 1771, G & A Eagleson 1759. Well done to Alan Darragh on taking the win today and the top five with another great card, marking two wins on the trot with the young birds. Well done to all in the result.
The third young bird race of the season was flown from Roscrea in County Tipperary on Saturday 10th August. Birds were liberated at 8.45am in south westerly winds. Ahoghill fanciers Jimmy Smyth & Son had the best bird in the local area on 1738 and topped the Mid Antrim Combine for the third time this season. Jimmy's chequer cock sitting eggs timed at 11.11am flying 144 miles to the loft was purchased in a kit from Mark Milliken of Rasharkin. Another top result for Jimmy who topped the Combine from Fermoy old birds and a fortnight ago in the opening young bird race from Kilbeggan were the loft took 1st & 2nd Combine and 1st & 2nd Section.
Alan Darragh was best in Cullybackey and placed 5th Combine on 1716 and completed a hat trick of club wins.
Cullybackey HPS 11/332 – A Darragh 1716, 1676, 1652, G Gibson 1632, A Darragh 1624, 1623.
The young birds were back in Roscrea in County Tipperary for their fourth race of the season on Saturday 17th August. The birds were liberated at 10.30am in south westerly winds and like the previous three races a fast race followed. Best in the Mid Antrim Combine this week is Gary Gibson of Cullybackey who took the top seven positions in both the Mid Antrim Combine and Section B 83/2527. Gary got seven birds with a light and timed at 12.47pm flying 145 miles. First bird to time was one of Gary's Doncker family.
Cullybackey HPS 13/411 – Gary Gibson 1860, 1859, 1859, 1859, 1858, 1858.
Mid Antrim Combine 2nd Roscrea 51/1550 - G Gibson Cullybackey 1860, G Gibson Cullybackey 1859, G Gibson Cullybackey 1859, G Gibson Cullybackey 1859, G Gibson Cullybackey 1858, G Gibson Cullybackey 1858, G Gibson Cullybackey 1857, T Whyte Ahoghill 1844, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1844, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1827.
Gary Gibson of Cullybackey with his Combine & Section winner from 2nd Roscrea. The loft also won Dale YB National from South Wales.
The young birds were back in County Tipperary for their fifth race of the season on Saturday 24th August. The new race site in Cloughmartin was being tried for the first time and is around 166 miles to the center of Ballymena. The Nipa birds were liberated at 8.30am in light west to south westerly winds and like all this season's young bird races a fast race followed. Top racing and breeding loft's of Paddy & William McManus of Ahoghill take the Mid Antrim Combine honours this week timing at 11.27am for the 164 mile fly to their Croft Loft's in Ahoghill.
Cullybackey HPS 13/365 – G Gibson 1602, A Shiels 1593, G Gibson 1583, A Darragh 1559, G Gibson 1537, 1537.
NIPA - Mid Antrim Combine Dale 31/08/24
Gibson loft of Cullybackey Best in Mid Antrim Combine from Dale National
The first major young bird race of the season was held from Dale in Wales on Saturday 31st August. Birds were liberated at 9.00am in light east south easterly winds and a tough race followed. Gary Gibson of the Cullybackey club had the best bird in the local area timing at 13.23pm flying 224 miles. Gary's blue pied Stickers Donckers hen sitting eggs finished 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 1st Section B and 17th Open National doing 1501ypm. The sire is bred from co breeding with Thomas Maguire from Dublin and is Flymo line, and the dam is a granddaughter kbdb national ace 'Wonderboy', she is the dam to 12th open nipa and this pair bred Gary's 1st Section from Roscrea a fortnight ago.
Cullybackey HPS – Gary Gibson 1501, 1487, J & J Greer 1484, Alan Darragh 1387, Gary Gibson 1342, 1304.
Mid Antrim Combine Dale 32/213 - G Gibson Cullybackey 1501, D Dixon Rasharkin 1494, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1488, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1487, G Gibson Cullybackey 1487, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1487, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1484, W McFetridge Rasharkin 1482, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1450, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1437.
The Nipa were in County Cork for their Fermoy and Fermoy 5 Bird duplicated races on Saturday 31st August. Birds were released at 9.30am in light south easterly winds. The ever popular Bertie Blair of Ballymena & District had the best two birds in the Mid Antrim Combine and finished 5th & 6th Section and 16th & 54th Open Nipa 414/9736 velocity 1532 & 1521. Bertie timed his first two birds at 13.20 and 13.22 pm flying 201 miles to his Chichester loft's in Ballymena.
Gary Gibson was best in Cullybackey on 1498 and finished 4th Combine. Sire is a son of Emperor and the dam, Gary's No1 daughter of the Golden Couple. She is dam to 1st Open Nipa Bude etc. Gary' 5 Bird winner was Lambrechts x Wildermeerch.
Cullybackey HPS 11/220 – G Gibson 1498, 1486, C & R McIntyre 1475, 1474, G Gibson 1468, 1463.
Mid Antrim Combine Fermoy 33/704 - Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1532, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1521, H Cubitt Rasharkin 1499, G Gibson Cullybackey 1498, D Dixon Rasharkin 1490, G Gibson Cullybackey 1486, D Dixon Rasharkin 1486, W & J McLean Rasharkin 1485, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1481, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 148.
Penultimate YB race for Mid Antrim Combine
The penultimate Nipa race of the season was flown from Roscrea on Saturday 7th September. Liberation took place at 14.00pm in light north-westerly winds. Best two birds in the local area were timed by Cullybackey fancier Gary Gibson at 17.01 & 17.02pm to record 1403ypm and win 1st & 2nd Mid Antrim Combine & 1st & 2nd Section B. Gary's winning blue hen was 2nd Section bblm from Roscrea a few weeks ago and is bred from the best of the Willy Van Hercks. This pair have bred 2 x 1st Section winners and 3 x 2nd Section winners and are also the grand parents to 1st and 2nd Section and 2nd Open Nipa. Gary's second bird a blue cock is full brother to his Mid Antrim Combine young bird of the year 2021 and half-brother to his 5th Open Nipa Penzance Classic bird a few season's ago.
Cullybackey HPS 16/245 – G Gibson 1403, 1403, 1347, A Darragh 1342, G Gibson 1334, 1320.
Mid Antrim Combine Roscrea 31/543 - G Gibson Cullybackey 1403, G Gibson Cullybackey 1403, D Dixon Rasharkin 1386, D Dixon Rasharkin 1385, D Dixon Rasharkin 1385, D Dixon Rasharkin 1384, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1384, D Dixon Rasharkin 1367, G Gibson Cullybackey 1347, A Darragh Cullybackey 1342.
The final race of the Nipa pigeon racing season was flown on Friday 13th September. The birds were liberated at 10.00am in southerly winds and a fast race followed. Best two birds at the top of the Cullybackey Centre sheet belonged to the loft on form Bertie Blair of Ballymena & District. Bertie timed two birds at 14.09pm to win 1st & 2nd Mid Antrim Combine, 2nd & 3rd Section B and 66th & 69th Open National velocity 1741. Bertie's first bird a cheq cock is Sticker Doncker. The sire from Gary Gibson and the dam purchased from D C & P McArdle of Armagh is a full sister to their Nipa Skibbereen YB National winner in 2021.
Gary Gibson was best in Cullybackey on 1715 and finished 16th & 19th Section and 153rd & 171st Open. His winning hen won 1st club & 4th Combine from Fermoy and is from a son of Emperor when paired to Gary's No1 daughter of the Golden Couple. She is dam to 1st Open Nipa Bude etc.
Cullybackey HPS – G Gibson 1715, 1710, 1686, 1677, 1677, 1642.
Mid Antrim Combine Dunmanway YB National 20/208 - Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1741.89, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1741.43, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1741.27, D Dixon Rasharkin 1734, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1731, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1730, R Service & Son Ballymena 1725, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1723, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1722, G Gibson Cullybackey 1715.
Irish National FC Season –
Mid Antrim Combine - Infc Skibbereen
The first of the Irish National Flying Club races was flown on Tuesday the 4th June. Birds were liberated at 11.15am in light north westerly winds. Danny Dixon of Dunloy timed the best two birds in the Mid Antrim area on 1367 and 1365 to win 1st & 2nd Mid Antrim Combine and 109th & 111th North Section. Sire of Danny's winning black w/f yearling cock is a son of Dixie Chick 1st Open Infc Penzance YB National when paired to the Van Den Brande Alphabet Hen acquired from Pat Shields of Newry. Danny's winner has an excellent record from Skibbereen having won 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 3rd Section & 144th Open from the Nipa Skibbereen Inland National eight days previous and last season 5th Section & 37th Open from the tough Nipa Skibbereen YB National. Danny's next two arrivals taking second and sixth Combine are off the "Aviary Cock" when paired to his good Jos Cool hen. Alan Darragh was best in Cullybackey and Shane Johnston & Son best in Ballymena & Dist. Mervyn Eagleson Mid Antrim PO.
Mid Antrim Combine Skibbereen OB Inland National - D Dixon Rasharkin 1367, D Dixon Rasharkin 1365, A Darragh Cullybackey 1360, G Gibson Cullybackey 1357, G Gibson Cullybackey 1355, D Dixon Rasharkin 1355, G Gibson Cullybackey 1321, D Dixon Rasharkin 1311, C Moore Cullybackey 1298, A Darragh Cullybackey 1291, S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1287, A Darragh Cullybackey 1278, A Darragh Cullybackey 1272, D Dixon Rasharkin 1271, C Moore Cullybackey 1256, D Dixon Rasharkin 124, D Dixon Rasharkin 1238, A Darragh Cullybackey 1233, M Graham Ballymena 1228, A Darragh Cullybackey 1221, A Darragh Cullybackey 1221, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1211, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1199, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1189, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1166.
Mid Antrim Combine Penzance Yearling National (INFC) – C & R McIntyre 1st MAC
Chris (l) and Robin McIntyre with their Mid Antrim Combine winner and 12th Open National cock.
The first channel National of the Irish National Flying Club was flown on Wednesday 12th June. The 3,086 entries were released at 8.00am in light north westerly winds and another tough channel race followed. Father and son partnership of Chris and Robin McIntyre had the best bird in the Mid Antrim Combine after timing their blue cock at 16.02pm flying 347 miles to the loft's in Dervock. The lads who race in the Cullybackey club and have a good channel record over the years finish 9th North Section and 12th Open National winning £525. Their winning cock sitting on chipping eggs is full brother to 6 x 1st for the loft including their good 5yo blue Merit Award winning cock, a winner of 52nd Open & 64th Open INFC Friendship National 493 miles. He is also a full brother to winners from Talbenny and Rosscarbery young bird National's. Another top result for two decent and likeable fellows.
Cullybackey HPS – C & R McIntyre 1267, S & N Doherty 1223, A Darragh 1179, S & N Doherty 1145, N & S Anderson 1105, Mr & Mrs Robinson 1098, J & J Greer 1093, Mr & Mrs Robinson 1048, A Darragh 1039, S & N Doherty 1035, A Darragh 1028, G & A Eagleson 1027, A Darragh 1024, Mr & Mrs Robinson 1020, A Darragh 1008, S & N Doherty 987, 975, A Darragh 962, 925, G & A Eagleson 921, J & J Greer 911, A Darragh 882, G & A Eagleson 853, A Darragh 811, 808.
MAC Penzance Yearling National - C & R McIntyre Cullybackey 1267, J McNeill & Son Randalstown 1232, S & N Doherty Cullybackey 1223, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1202, A Darragh Cullybackey 1179, J McNeill & Son Randalstown 1170, S & N Doherty Cullybackey 1145, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1119, N & S Anderson Cullybackey 1105, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1098.
INFC Kings Cup St Allouestre - Mid Antrim Combine
The Irish National Flying Club Kings Cup birds were liberated in St Allouestre in France on Saturday 29th June at 6.00am in light westerly winds. Surprisingly no local birds were recorded in the Mid Antrim Combine on the first day considering only 10 miles up the road Arnold Thompson of Ballyclare had three in the clock the first one timed at 20.30pm.
Alan Darragh of Cullybackey, a former winner of this race from Jersey in 1986 clocked e next morning at 08.35am flying 505 miles to win 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 55th North Section & 71st Open on velocity 718. Alan's 3yo cock is a son of his Yearling National winner when paired to a daughter of his 4th & 5th Open Yearling National pigeons.
Mr & Mrs Robinson of Cullybackey were next best timing a 2yo blue cock on the second day to win 92nd North Section & 116th Open velo 616. The cock had a few races as young bird and raced through to Penzance last year as a yearling. This year he had four races up Ireland and 1st Dale. He was racing on roundabout then paired up for France and sent sitting 12 days on eggs. The cock is a half-brother to their 1st Section B & 9th Open Nipa Plougastel OB National hen two days previous being out of the same sire from Tommy Grattan, the dam also came from Tommy.
Chris Moore of Cullybackey timed his 3yo blue Single Bird Challenge hen at 13.23pm on the second day to win 3rd Mid Antrim Combine, 101th North Section & 130th Open velo 582. Chris wrote "This hen is bred in the purple, being a granddaughter of C & L Fryers Gold Medal winner on the sires side and the Dam is again from C & L Fryers and contains both of Laurence's 6th Open King's Cup pigeons, 2012 and 2016 respectively. The Grandmother here has flown France 3 times, to win £3000 in prize money and win 2nd section 60th Open St Malo 2014 and then 6th Open King's Cup in 2016. She is a Daughter of the Gold Medal Winner. I'd like to thank Laurence and Christine for all the great pigeons they gave me plus advice and guidance on how to work them. I'd also like to thank Sam Murphy for training and some "sneaky sneaky" tosses were also provided by Martin Graham and Neill Anderson, also thanks to Alan Darragh for taking my birds to the Marking Station, very much appreciated due to my work commitments".
Mid Antrim Combine Kings Cup St Allouestre - Alan Darragh Cullybackey 718, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 616, Chris Moore Cullybackey 582, Stewart Bros Randalstown 345, Stewart Bros Randalstown 335.
INFC Penzance Friendship National Mid Antrim Combine update -
Randalstown fancier John Miller wins 1st Mid Antrim Combine & 10th Open Friendship National. The final old bird race of the season was the Irish National Flying Club Friendship National from Penzance held on Saturday 13th July. Liberation took place at 8.00am in light northerly winds. Another hard race followed with many birds missing at dark.
Randalstown fancier John Miller timed two good birds on 1096 & 1046 to win 1st & 3rd Mid Antrim Combine, 2nd & 5th Muckamore Centre, 8th & 30th North Section and 10th & 42nd Open National 1308 birds. John's first bird timed at 16.46pm was a 3yo blue w/f cock bred by Glen Buckley. It had four inland races and both Dale races while racing on widowhood. The tough Dale races took a bit out of him and he had lost a bit of weight. John paired him and built him up with one of the later races in mind. John's second bird timed at 17.00pm was a 2yo blue hen bred by David Campbell of Eastway. She was paired to the 10th Open cock and also had four inland races and both Dale races. The pair were sent sitting around 17 days. A top result for a very popular fancier and secretary of the local club.
Alan Darragh was runner up in the Combine timing at 16.56pm to record 1081 and win 11th North Section & 15th Open with a 3yo blue hen. This hen seems to like the water having been placed 3rd Section B & 29th Open Nipa from 1st Dale also 9th Section B & 55th Open Penzance and 8th Section B & 28th Open Nipa Penzance Classic only weeks earlier.
Chris & Robin McIntyre of Cullybackey were fourth best in the Combine and placed 52nd North Section & 66th Open National. The lads timed a yearling blue cock that won 12th Section & 57th Open in the Penzance OB Classic this season. This cock's nestmate won 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 9th North Section and 12th Open National from the Infc Penzance Yearling National this year winning £525. The nestmate's are full brother to 7 x 1st for the loft including their good 5yo blue Merit Award cock, a winner of 52nd Open & 64th Open INFC Friendship National 493 miles. They are also full brother's to winners from Talbenny and Rosscarbery young bird National's.
INFC Penzance Friendship National MAC - J Millar Randalstown 1096, A Darragh Cullybackey 1081, J Millar Randalstown 1046, C & R McIntyre Cullybackey 1020, D Dixon Rasharkin 1000, C Moore Cullybackey 990, A Darragh Cullybackey 986, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 949, A Darragh Cullybackey 944, D Dixon Rasharkin 914, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 911, D Dixon Rasharkin 902, D Dixon Rasharkin 840, Joey Wright Ballymena & District.
The first of the two Irish National Flying Club young bird National races was flown on Friday 13th September. The convoy of just over 1000 birds was released in Penzance at 8.30am in calm conditions. The best two birds in this year event were timed by former winners of this race. The overall winner Danny Dixon of Ballymoney won it in 2010 with his blue pied Wildermeersch hen 'Dixie Chic' and this year’s runner up Martin Graham won it last season with his blue Louis Thijs x Vandenbrande hen 'Sammy's Girl'.
Mid Antrim Combine Penzance YB Grand National - D Dixon Rasharkin 1515, M Graham Ballymena 1512, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1492, M Graham Ballymena 1490, A Darragh Cullybackey 1486, D Dixon Rasharkin 1485, D Dixon Rasharkin 1485, G Gibson Cullybackey 1475, M Graham Ballymena 1470, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1465, G Gibson Cullybackey 1462, G Gibson Cullybackey 1458, W Livingstone Ahoghill 1446, M Graham Ballymena 1419, M Graham Ballymena 1411, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1320, A Darragh Cullybackey 1288, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1267, G Gibson Cullybackey 1232, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1208.
The final young bird race of the season was the Infc Skibbereen young bird National flown on Friday 20th September. Birds were liberated in County Cork at 9.30am in easterly winds and a tough race followed for the youngsters. Best bird in the mid Antrim area was timed by Danny Dixon of Dunloy on 1214 to win 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 21st North Section and 23rd Open 2008 birds. Danny's winner is the same way bred as his 'Centre Cock' being out of a son of 'Dixie Chic' when paired to his good Vandenbrande 'Alphabet hen'. Another top result for Danny who's fresh from winning 1st Open INFC Penzance YB National with 'Venus' last week.
Mid Antrim Combine Skibbereen - D Dixon Rasharkin 1214, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1155, G Gibson Cullybackey 1146, G Gibson Cullybackey 1136, D Dixon Rasharkin 1134, G Gibson Cullybackey 1125, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1098, G Gibson Cullybackey 1092, D Dixon Rasharkin 1083, D Dixon Rasharkin 1074, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1059, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1038, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1035, A Darragh Cullybackey 1031. Text Mervyn Eagleson PO.
NIPA Awards for Cullybackey -
Racing with the NIPA Alan Darragh won the Meritorious Award in Section B having the Best Individual performance by an individual bird in the cross channel races from Dale and Penzance. Mr & Mrs Robinson won the Les Mairs Memorial Cup for best in Sect B in the France OB National and in Mid Antrim also won the William McIlhagga Cup in the same race. M/M Robinson also won the OB Cross Channel Fancier of the Year in Sect B and Gary Gibson had the Champion Young Bird award.
Irish National Flying Club - A meeting of the INFC management committee will be held in the Bannville House Hotel, Banbridge Co Down on Saturday 12th April 2025 commencing at 10.00am. Please make every effort to attend. Bannville Hotel, 174 Lurgan Road, Banbridge. BT32 4NR.
Mid Antrim update - Due to an objection MAC Chairman Robin Service has ordered that the AGM be reconvened to be held in the Ballymena & District HPS clubrooms on Wednesday 16th April at 7.30pm. Every club was represented at the earlier meeting and hopefully we get another full attendance.
Included on the agenda a Resolution from Ballymena & District HPS. Propose that any new member applying to join the Mid Antrim Combine be vetted by the Delegates of the existing member clubs, to have a Ballymena address and are not permitted to double duplicate to compete. Meeting date Wednesday 16th April at 7.30pm.
HOMER - Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw>
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
