NIPA race report Kilbeggan Ol Bird
Hard test in NIPA first race from Kilbeggan –
With conditions not suitable the NIPA delayed the race marking until Saturday and got a liberation the next morning Sunday 20th April at 10.30am. Conditions were far from perfect with low cloud and the Easterly winds never helping. The race was a bit erratic with big gaps in the arrivals, at liberation it was reported the birds formed many groups and a lot of birds slow to clear the release area around Kilbeggan.
Congratulations to Jinkie and Eileen Calvin on winning 1st Open NIPA Kilbeggan out of 12,640 birds. Winning pigeon was a roundabout hen from J & E Calvin family of VDB pigeons.
The winning bird for J & E Calvin of Annaghmore, 1st Club, 1st Sect E and 1st Open NIPA Kilbeggan.
Runner up was Mervyn Simpson from Windsor Social, best in Section B and tops in Coleraine Triangle, the bird was from a Kit of 10 purchased from Gerald Delaney of Dromore. EDC held over on Saturday and exceeded a mile a minute on Sunday. Winners should send info to the Press Officer’s ASAP after each race and a photo of the 1st Section winners would be appreciated.
Mervyn Simpson from Windsor Social, 2nd Open NIPA Kilbeggan & The winning bird for M Simpson of Windsor Social, 1st Club, 1st Coleraine Triangle, 1st Sect B and 2nd Open NIPA Kilbeggan.
NIPA Race/Date
Kilbeggan OB – Sunday 20th April 2025.Liberated at 1030am in a South SouthEast wind
NIPA Open 1st Kilbeggan 447/12,640 - -1E J & E Calvin Annaghmore 1422, 2-1B Mervyn Simpson Windsor Social 1405, 3-1A J Hasnson Coleraine Prem 1400, 4-2B J Connolly Ballymoney 1400, 5-2A J Hanson 1400, 6-3A LHanson Coleraine Prem 1389, 7-4A S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1388, 8-5A S Diamond 1388, 9-2E Ron Williamson Bondhill 1386, 10-3E Ron Williamson 1386, 11-1C Horner Bros & Son Ballyclare 1384, 12-4E M Bruce & Daughter Markethill 1383, 13-6A Adrian Parke Windsor Soc 1382m 14-7AC Reid Portadown & Drumcree 1380, 15-3B R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1379, 16-8A L Hanson 1379, 17-5E A Geraghty Armagh 1377, 18-6E Stanley West Loughgall 1376, 19-9A B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1376, 20-10A B & D Coyle 1375.
NIPA Section A Kilbeggan 37/1224 – J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1400, J Hanson 1400, L Hanson Coleraine Prem 1389, S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1388, S Diamond 1388, Adrian Parke Windsor Soc 1382, C Reid Portadown & Drumcree 1380, L Hanson 1379, B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1376, B & D Coyle 1375.
NIPA Sect A Clubs
Coalisland & District 13/414 – D Carolan 1351, 1348, B Morgan 1331, 1317m K Murphy 1301, H & J Devlin 196.
Coleraine Premier HPS 12/528 – J Hanson 1400, 1400, L Hanson 1389, S Diamond 1388, 1388, L Hanson 1379.
Jimmy Hanson (r) collects awards at Coleraine Premier, won 1st Section A from Kilbeggan.
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Cookstown Social 8/257 – G & S Smith 1321, 1303, 1302, B McSloy 1285, G Marsall 1262, G & S Smith 1262.
Windsor Social – One from a batch of 10 purchased from Gerald Delaney of Oroory Hill Stud in Dromore.
NIPA Section B Kilbeggan 71/2105 – Mervyn Simpson Windsor Soc 1409, J Connolly Ballymoney 1400, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1379, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1374, Mervyn Simpson 1366, G Gibson Cullybackey 1364m G Gibson 1364, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1361, T & J McDonald 1361, J Connolly 1357.
NIPA Sect B Clubs
Ahoghill Flying Club 6/147 – J Smyth & Son 1374, Young McManus & Sons 1290, J & K Balmer 1269, T Whyte 1269, J Smyth & Son 1249, T Whyte 1238.
Jimmy Smyth of Ahoghill 1st Combine from Kilbeggan.
Ballymoney HPS 17/665 – J Connolly 1400, 1357, D & H Stuart 1331, A & M Boyle 1315, D Dixon 1308, C Henry 1291.
Ballymoney West Combine 6/189 – C Henry 1291, M Gamble & Son 243, L Neill 1237, Young & Gibson 1209, W Rodgers 1157, N Torrens 887.
Broughshane & District 3/67 – M Neilly 1302, J Getty 1157, M Neilly 1116, T & M Morrow 1061.
Marc Neilly had the winner in Broughshane & Dist. from Kilbeggan.
Ballymena & District HPS 6/205 – Blair & Rankin 1303, S Johnston & Son 1298, J Eagleson & Sons 1270, 1268, 1255, 1247.
Bertie Blair and grandson Jacob 1st Ballymena & Dist. from Kilbeggan.
Cullybackey HPS 8/251 – G Gibson 1364, 1364, M/M Robinson 1347, Rock & Moore 1319, J & J Greer 1308, G Gibson 1298.
Gary Gibson st & 2nd Cullybackey and 2nd & 3rd Combine Kilbeggan.
Crumlin & District 5/90 – Fleming Bros 1215, K Carson & Son 1212, McConville Bros 1210, D Hamilton 1203, McConville Bros 1199.
Kells & District HPS 5/112 – Surgenor Bros 1293, A Barkley & Son 1250, 1233, B Swann & Son 1226, A Barkley & Son 1188, Surgenor Bros 1184. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – B Swann & Son 1226.
Muckamore HPS 8/232 – S & N Maginty 1304, A Steele 1300, 1299, S & N Maginty 1292, 1249, Knocker & Bill 1237.
Randalstown HPS 5/115 – Stewart Bros 1246, 1237, 1216, J Millar 1211, Smylie Bros 1192, N Percy & Son 1081.
Rasharkin &District HPS 7/143 – W & J McLean 1357, J & M Milliken 1304, F Barkley 1266, H Cubitt 1227, W & J McClean 1217, W McFetridge 1200.
Rasharkin & District winner William McLean.
NIPA Section C Kilbeggan 84/2041 – Horner Bros & Son Ballyclare 1384, T McNally South Belfast 1355, K & D Hagans Larne & Dist. 1352, M McManus Eastway 1330, Crawford & Robinson Larne & Dist. 1322, M/M B McNeilly Doagh & Dist. 1303, Higginson & Fasciolo Ballyclare 1300, A Thompson Ballyclare 1299, J & R Blair Ballyclare 1297, Rea & Magill Larne & Dis 1292
NIPA Section D Kilbeggan 51/1649 - J & L Smyth Trinity 1364, P & J Boal Dromore 1344, J Greenaway Hills & Maze 1335, I Gibb & Sons Glenavy & Dist. 1310, D Ferguson Lisburn 1309, J Gregory & Sons Colin 1295, J Gregory & Sons 1284, R Keegan & Son Dromore 1283, I Rollins & Son Hills & Maze 1282, G McEvoy Beechpark Soc 1273
NIPA Section E Kilbeggan 80/2554 – J & E Calvin Annaghmore 1422, Ron Williamson Bondhill 1386, Ron Williamson 1386, M Bruce & Daughter Markethill 1383, A Geraghty Armagh 1377, Stanley West Loughgall 1376, Davy Calvin Bondhill 1363, D C & P McArdle Loughgall 1349, D C & P McArdle 1335, Stanley West 1333.
NIPA Sect E Clubs
Annaghmore 9/265 – J & E Calvin 1422, 1266, 1255m R Buckley 1249, J & E Calvin 1239, R Bickley 1237.
Eileen Calvin from the high-flying partnership of J & E Calvin of Annaghmore.
Armagh HPS 12/320 – A Geraghty 1377, P Duffy 1295m A Geraghty 1294, K Shannon 1290, P Duffy 1280, 1278.
Beechpark Social 4/80 – G McEvoy 1273, D Mawhinney & Son 1200, 1156, G McEvoy 1140, 1125, D Mawhinney & Son 1125.
Bondhill Social 3/225 – Ron Williamson 1386, 1386, Davy Calvin 1363, 1329, 1297, Ron Williamson 1286.
Edgarstown 13/380 – R G & G Donaldson 1274, 1265, G & C Simmons 1243m S & E Buckley 1226, R G & G Donaldson 1210, S & E Buckley 1194.
Gilford & District HPS – A Feeney & Son 1359, Moody Bros 1337, 1311, A Feeney & Son 1265, 1189,Moody Bros 1170.
Laurelvale 3/85– A Craig 1183, 1175, M Milligan & Son 1075, S Fiddes 1069, 1058, M Milligan & Son 1050.
Loughgall 4/232 – S West 1376, D C & P McArdle 1349, 1335, S West 1333, N Weir 1283, D C & P McArdle 1273.
Lurgan Social 13/387 – J Barr 1311, K Henderson & Son 1281, J Douglas & Son 1261, C J B Ferris 1239, 1238, 1203.
Markethill HPS 3/83– M Bruce & Daughter 1383, J & H Mulfrew & McMurray 1233, M Bruce & Daughter 1226, 12221, J H Muldrew & McMurray 1187, M Bruce & Daughter 1143.
Monaghan HPS 7/243 – B Corley 1322, R Mulligan 1265, 1258, B Corley 1253, R Mulligan 1236, 1227. Picture shows from left Barry Gormley, Gerry Swift, Stephen O Brien and Breege Gormley. Gerry and Stephen where joint winners of the new beautiful cup presented to Monaghan homing Pigeon society by the Gormley family in memory of the late Gene Gormley. Gene was a lifelong member of the club and the members where delighted to receive the cup. Gene's main racing interest was in Channel racing and so the family decided it should be competed for over three races from the south of England. Gerry and Stephen shared equal points over these three races last season.
Gene Gormley Memorial Cup presentation for Monaghan HPS.
Portadown & Drumcree 2/36 – C Reid 1380, 1284, J Sterritt 1257, C Reid 1199, 1198, J Whitten & Son 1193.
Column Reid was the winner in Portadown & Drumcree.
Meadows 5/109 – A Larkin & Son 1216, 1205, J Brown 1196, A Larkin & Sons 1163, J Brown 1161, D Pedlow 1155.
NIPA Section F Kilbeggan 38/955 – R Moore & Son Bangor 1257, Phillips Bros Bangor 1239, Lambert & Stewart Bangor 1205, R Moore & Son 1202, Burgess & Brennan Bangor 1197, B Griffiths Ards 1192, R Moore & Son 1192, R Moore & Son 1191, Lambert & Stewart 1190, McCartan & Woodsides Crossgar 1182.
NIPA Section G Kilbeggan 30/926 – J Smyth & Sons Drumnavaddy 1358, C & G Quinn Drumnavaddy 1336, S Ogle Drumnavaddy 1311, S Ogle 1265, J F McCabe & Son Newry & Dist. 1230, McCracken Bros Banbridge 1229, D & K Mallen Drumnavaddy 1226, E McAlinden Banbridge 1198, G Mccullough & Son Newry & Dist. 1192, J Smyth & Sons 1188.
NIPA Section H Kilbeggan 56/1186 – Noel Murray Londonderry 1366, D Booth Mourne & Dist. 1366, D Booth 1365, M/M Rabbett Amelia Earhart 1348, Paul Maxwell Jnr Foyle 1339, T Booth Mourne & Dist. 1333, E McEleney Derry & Dist. 1326, D Booth 1309, F Patterson Strabane & Dist. 1308, L Flanagan Londonderry 1306.
NIPA Sect H Clubs
Amelia Earhart 7/62 – M & M Rabbett 1348, C Fox 1258, M & M Rabbett 1212, Hegarty & McLaughlin 1181, M & M Rabbett 1144, 922.
Derry & District11/219 – E McEleney 1326, L & M Moran 187, M McGrath 1265, P Hegarty 1260, J & H Ramsey 1258, E McEleney 1253.
Foyle RPS 7/176 – P Maxwell Jnr 1339, 1289, S Malone 1259, P Ward 1225, 1126.
Limavady 9/186 – L Miller 1156, R Witherow 1155, R McIlmoyle 1153, T Kealey 1119, R Witherow 1094, 1056.
Londonderry RPS 5/102 – N Murray 1366, L Flanagan 13056, N Murray 1288, 1224, 1223, J Cassidy 1208.
Maiden City 6/191– P & M Healy 1241, 1235, N Cassidy 1227, R Lyle 1140, Concannon Bros 1139, 1122.
Mourne & District HPS 2/83 – D Booth 1366, 1365, T Booth 1333, D Booth 1309, 1286, 1255.
Omagh & District 4/81 – A Kelly 1137, 1098, 1000, M/m Chism 970, A Kelly 908, V Gourlry 883.
Strabane & District Inv RPC 5/86– F Patterson 1308, 1087, 998, 923, 742.
Fed & Combine Results
Coleraine Triangle Kilbeggan – Mervyn Simpson Windsor Soc 1409, J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1400, 1400, 1389, S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1388, 1388, Adrian Parke Windsor Soc 1382, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1379, L Hanson Coleraine Prem 1379, B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1376, 1375, Mervyn Simpson 1366, L Hasnson 1364, 1362, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1361, 1361.
City of Derry Federation Kilbeggan 36/751 – N Murray Londonderry 1366, M & M Rabbett Amelia Earhart 1348, P Maxwell Jnr Foyle 1339, E McEleney Derry & Dist. 1326, L Flanagan & Son Londonderry 1306, P Maxwell Jnr 1289, N Murray 1288, L & M Moran Derry & Dist. 1287, M McGrath Derry & Dist. 1265, S Malone Foyle 1259. Noel Murray was best in the opening race of last season.
Foyle Valley Combine Kilbeggan – N Murray Londonderry 1366, M & M Rabbett Amelia Earhart 1348, P Maxwell Jnr Foyle 1339, E McEleney Derry & Dist. 1326, F Patterson Strabane & Dist. 1308, L Flanagan & Son Londonderry 1306, P Maxwell Jnr 1289, N Murray 1288, L & M Moran Derry & Dist. 1287, M McGrath Derry & Dist. 1265.
Mid Antrim Combine AGM –
The reconvened AGM took place in the Ballymena & District clubrooms on Wednesday 16th April starting at 7.30pm. The meeting had been arranged for the usual date for a Wednesday in Mid-March with members informed and all clubs represented. It was one of the quickest meetings of Mi Antrim that I had ever attended with the whole agenda completed in a short time. when Chairman Robin Service heard there might be an objection from a non-member in that the AGM was not called properly, he immediately ruled the meeting out of order and set a resumed date of 16th April.
The Chairman of Mid Antrim Combine the late Robert Service (r) previously of Harryville HPS and the current Chairman Robin Service of Ballymena & District.
We had a big turnout at the re-arranged meeting with the majority of clubs present and an apology from Randalstown who had mixed up the time of KO. Chairman Robin Service opened the meeting and firstly apologized to the members for having to call them back to conduct an AGM. Business was again conducted very quicky starting with the reading of the previous AGM Minutes which were accepted. The Accounts update after collection of fees at the first AGM and paid membership fees was as follows. At 11/03/24 £ 288.83 and 11/04/25 £249.23.
William McManus was then invited to conduct election of officials for 2025 and all those holding office were returned en-bloc as. President Danny Dixon (Rasharkin & Dist.), Chairman Robin Service (Ballymena & District), Secretary Willie Reynolds (Ballymena & District), Press Officer Mervyn Eagleson (Ballymena & District).
Robin Service returned to the chair and put forward the one resolution proposed by Ballymena & District and needing confirmed on a vote.
“We 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”. Passed infamously on a vote.
The annual presentation will again be held in conjunction with Rasharkin & District with various diplomas distributed and cups and trophies retained after photos. An effort will be put in to have a good attendance of winners and officials.
Under Ano Other Business it was agreed the MAC would comply with RPRA Rules, the AGM Notice will be published following the Blackpool Show in January and a reminder sent to all clubs in early March for the usual date. Chairman closed the meeting at 7.45pm and wished everyone a successful season. Homer.
Erratic Start To The Season
Mid Antrim Combine - NIPA Kilbeggan 20/4/25
Jimmy Smyth Of Ahoghill Best From Opening Race –
The 2025 racing pigeon season kicked off on Sunday 20th April. The birds were race marked one day later due to a poor forecast for the Saturday. Liberation in Kilbeggan in County Westmeath took place at 10.30am in south southeasterly winds. The race itself turned out pretty erratic with the birds homing right up till dark and many birds turning in over the course of Monday. The best bird recorded in the local area was to Jimmy Smyth & Son who clocked at 12.53pm to their new home lofts on the Glenhugh Road in Ahoghill. Jimmy's yearling dark cock on roundabout tops the Mid Antrim Combine and finishes 21st Open Nipa with 12,640 birds competing. This cock was the second bird to the loft from the INFC Penzance YB National last season placed 26th Open. The sire flew France for Jimmy and is his own lines and the dam bred by Mark Milliken of Rasharkin has won two races for Jimmy from Dale and the tough Nipa Skibbereen National of 2023. Not a bad start to the season for Jimmy to his new location with a bird broken in over the Winter.
Gary Gibson the Cullybackey winner had the next best two birds in the Combine both doing 1364. Gary's winner a yearling blue cock bred by clubmate Iain McNaughten won the last race of the 2024 season from the INFC Skibbereen YB National when placed 3rd Combine, 81st North Section & 99th Open. Gary was also runner up in the Combine from the opening race last season.
W & J McLean won Rasharkin on 1357. The brother and sister partnership timed a black yearling Lambrecht widowhood cock bred by clubmate Jackie Steele. The sire is Jackie's famous '38' cock and the dam a daughter of Superke.
Around the other clubs and Bertie Blair had the winner in Ballymena & Dist. on 1303 timing a red pied yearling widowhood cock. Sire Van den bulck from John Abernethy and dam Pit Bull from clubmate Johnston Eagleson. A grizzle cock half-brother won a number of races for Bertie and topped the Combine from the Nipa Yearling National two seasons ago.
Marc Neilly had the Broughshane winner on 1302 with a yearling cheq pied widowhood cock. Sire Vandenbrande from Bertie Blair and dam from Johnny Simpson. Geoff Surgenor topped Kells on 1293 with a 4yo blue Van Rijn hen. The sire from Bob McMeekin won 2 x 1st for Geoff and the dam from Crawford & Robinson of Larne. Stewart Bros, Ian and Eric were the winners in Randalstown on 1246.
MAC Kilbeggan 40/1101 - J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1374
G Gibson Cullybackey 1364, G Gibson Cullybackey 1364, W & J McLean Rasharkin 1357, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1347, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1319, D Dixon Rasharkin 1308, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1308, J & M Milliken Rasharkin 1304, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1303, M Neilly Broughshane 1302, S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1298, G Gibson Cullybackey 1298, G Gibson Cullybackey 1298, C & R McIntyre Cullybackey 1297, Surgenor Bros Kells 1293,Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1290, G Gibson Cullybackey 1285, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1270, J & K Balmer Ahoghill 1269,T Whyte Ahoghill 1269, D Dixon Rasharkin 1269, D Dixon Rasharkin 1269, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1268, G Gibson Cullybackey 1267, F Barkley Rasharkin 1266, N & S Anderson Cullybackey 1264, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1262, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1258, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1255, A Barkley & Son Kells 1250, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1249, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1247, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1246, G Gibson Cullybackey 1241, S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1240, T Whyte Ahoghill 1238 Stewart Bros Randalstown 1237, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1237, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1237. Mervyn Eagleson Mid Antrim PO.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw>
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