Adie covers NI including Mid Antrim
Mid Antrim presentation - Rasharkin & District & Mid Antrim Combine annual Dinner & Presentation to be held in Ballymoney Royal British Legion 3 Course Turkey & Ham or Roast beef dinner, to be served at 7.30pm on Saturday 8th November Followed by music by Tom Laverty . Contact Jackie Steele Tel: 07359 323262 to book tickets at £25 each. It is hoped all winners will endeavour to attend the presentation and collect their awards.
MAC Cup & Trophy winners 2025 –
2nd Talbenny & Penzance Individual Bird Meritorious Award - Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey GB22A24973 Velo 1378
Mr & Mrs Robinson of Cullybackey won the Beat Ave Dale (2) & Penzance.
Bryan Eagleson Memorial Cup - Best Average All Old Bird Channel Races Excluding Nipa OB National - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena & District Velo 1399
Old Bird Inland Points - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena & District 296 points
Old Bird Inland Average - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena & District velo 1506.84
Champions League - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena & District
Old Bird Knockout - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena & District
Old Bird Channel Points - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena & District 253
Johnston and Mervyn Eagleson ace racers in Ballymena & District, big winners in MAC.
Tommy Shanks Memorial Cup - Champion Old Bird Of The Year - T Whyte Ahoghill GB24A24181 - 61 Points
Trevor Whyte of Ahoghill win the Champion Old Bird of the year in MAC.
Old Bird Average - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena & District 1418.54
Old Bird Cross Channel Average - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena & District 1313.70
William McIlhagga Memorial Cup - 1st Mid Antrim Combine NIPA OB National - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena & District velo 1149 1st Section & 7th Open NIPA
Les Mairs Memorial Cup - Old Bird Points Fancier Of The Year - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 549 points
New North Cup - Best Average Bude & Dale YB National - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena & District 1349.25
Herbinson Cup- Young Bird Average - D Dixon Rasharkin 1576.46
YB Knock Out - J Smyth & Son Ahoghill
Jimmy Smyth of Ahoghill brought the McGugan Cup back to Mid Antrim for 1st Open INFC Rosudgeon YB Grand Nat.
Champion Young Bird Of the Year - D Dixon Rasharkin GB25B18206 - 91 Points
Top season for Danny Dixon including winning in the Blue Riband YB Grand National, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th Open INFC
Combined Average - D Dixon Rasharkin 1371.50
Young Bird Points - D Dixon Rasharkin 470
Adams Cup - INFC Points - D Dixon Rasharkin
Old Bird Points Club Shield - Cullybackey 96 Points r/u Ballymena & District 93 Points
Young Bird Points Club Shield - Shared between Ahoghill 59, Ballymena & District 59 & Cullybackey 59 points.
MAC awards 2025 – Winning Diplomas
20/04/25 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
26/04/25 1st Roscrea 55/1700
J Whyte Ahoghill 1798
Joshia Whyte from Ahoghill Flying Club won the 1st Roscrea Old Bird.
Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 1795
Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1794
J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1790
J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1790
03/05/25 2nd Roscrea 55/1768
G & A Eagleson Cullybackey 1278
George Eagleson from Cullybackey won 2nd Roscrea Old Bird.
J Whyte Ahoghill 1273
J Whyte Ahoghill 1272
R Service & Son Ballymena 1269
T Whyte Ahoghill 1268
10/05/25 1st Fermoy 59/1762
A Darragh Cullybackey 1804
Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1793
G Gibson Cullybackey 1785
Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1779
A Darragh Cullybackey 1773
17/05/25 Grenagh 51/1444
G Gibson Cullybackey 1335
G Gibson Cullybackey 1330
S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1329
S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1326
G Gibson Cullybackey 1326
23/05/25 Dunmanway OB Inland National 25/255
Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1593
J & J Greer Cullybackey 1592
H Boyd Kells 1573
Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1572
F Barkley Rasharkin 1565
23/05/25 Cloughmartin 38/919
A Barkley & Son Kells 1616
Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1606
A Darragh Cullybackey 1600
A Darragh Cullybackey 1599
A Darragh Cullybackey 1592
02/06/25 1st Dale 43/659
D Dixon Rasharkin 1536
A Darragh Cullybackey 1531
A Darragh Cullybackey 1527
A Darragh Cullybackey 1525
D Dixon Rasharkin 1524
08/06/25 2nd Dale 38/481
J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1396
Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1392
J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1382
D Dixon Rasharkin 1375
D Dixon Rasharkin 1372
08/06/25 Corrin 31/406
Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1602
H Boyd Kells 1582
Surgenor Bros Kells 1571
T & M Morrow Broughshane 1569
T Whyte Ahoghill 1567
08/06/25 Corrin 5 Bird 24/118
H Boyd Kells 1582
Harry Boyd from Kells & District won the OB Corrin 5 Bird.
Surgenor Bros Kells 1571
T Whyte Ahoghill 1567
Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1554
H Cubitt Rasharkin 1549
15/06/25 Bude 31/308
J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1333
J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1301
J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1293
G Gibson Cullybackey 1287
W & W Gilbert Randalstown 1284
15/06/25 Dunmanway Yearling National 22/178
J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1449
R Service & Son Ballymena 1444
R Service & Son Ballymena 1423
G Gibson Cullybackey 1423
Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1412
21/06/25 Penzance 37/308
Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1461
K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1440
G Gibson Cullybackey 1417
R Service & Son Ballymena 1407
A Darragh Cullybackey 1395
21/06/25 Penzance Classic 20/137
K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1440
G Gibson Cullybackey 1417
R Service & Son Ballymena 1407
A Darragh Cullybackey 1395
S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1388
21/06/25 Cloughmartin 25/243
J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1677
H Boyd Kells 1666
T Whyte Ahoghill 1660
H Cubitt Rasharkin 1660
T Whyte Ahoghill 1656
28/06/25 Plougastel OB National
J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1149
S & N Doherty Cullybackey 975
J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 842
D Dixon Rasharkin 743
S & N Doherty Cullybackey 703
28/05/25 INFC Skibbereen OB Inland National
D Dixon Rasharkin 1558
D Dixon Rasharkin 1557
C Moore Cullybackey 1556
D Dixon Rasharkin 1549]
S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1537
18/06/25 INFC Penzance Yearling National
G Gibson Cullybackey 1266
S & N Doherty Cullybackey 1256
A Darragh Cullybackey 1245
C Moore Cullybackey 1228
C Moore Cullybackey 1227
28/06/25 INFC Kings Cup
D Dixon Rasharkin 387
09/07/25 INFC Plougastel Friendship National
J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 839
J McNeill & Son Randalstown 813
J McNeill & Son Randalstown 812
J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 671
A Darragh Cullybackey 609
Young Birds
19/07/25 1st Kilbeggan 23/581
G Gibson Cullybackey 1508
J & J Greer Cullybackey 1494
D Dixon Rasharkin 1491
Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1452
D Dixon Rasharkin 1436
26/07/25 2nd Kilbeggan 39/1285
T Johnston & Son Ballymena 1521
T Johnston & Son Ballymena 1521
Trevor Johnston was 1st & 2nd in the 2nd Kilbeggan YB.
J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1489
Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1479
Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1478
02/08/25 Roscrea 44/1341
J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1657
Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1645
M Graham Ballymena 1636
A Darragh Cullybackey 1626
M Graham Ballymena 1614
10/08/25 Cloughmartin 41/1166
Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1506
Rock & Moore from Cullybackey won Cloughmartin YB.
M Graham Ballymena 1476
D Dixon Rasharkin 1468
Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1460
Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1460
16/08/25 Fermoy 36/916
Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1303
J & J Greer Cullybackey 1299
G Gibson Cullybackey 1299
G Gibson Cullybackey 1293
D Dixon Rasharkin 1291
24/08/25 Corrin 24/515
J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1692
J & J Greer Cullybackey 1685
D Dixon Rasharkin 1674
T Johnston & Son Ballymena 1673
D Dixon Rasharkin 1673
24/08/25 Corrin 5 Bird
D Dixon Rasharkin 1674
T Johnston & Son Ballymena 1673
Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 1653
T Johnston & Son Ballymena 1646
G Gibson Cullybackey 1641
02/09/25 Benamore 27/589
G Gibson Cullybackey 1797
Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1794
J & J Greer Cullybackey 1786
F Barkley Rasharkin 1783
Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 1770
05/09/25 Grenagh 18/306
Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1778
Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1776
D Dixon Rasharkin 1759
Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 1727
K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1725
05/09/25 Dale YB National 22/213
D Dixon Rasharkin 1470
D Dixon Rasharkin 1470
J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1370
A Darragh Cullybackey 1357
Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1357
13/09/25 Dunmanway YB National 19/189
A Barkley & Son Kells 1834
R Service & Son Ballymena 1818
Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1781
D Dixon Rasharkin 1766
J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1754
23/09/25 INFC Rosudgeon YB National
J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1256
D Dixon Rasharkin 1228
D Dixon Rasharkin 1216
D Dixon Rasharkin 1173
D Dixon Rasharkin 1168
23/09/25 INFC Skibbereen YB National
D Dixon Rasharkin 1543
G Gibson Cullybackey 1535
G Gibson Cullybackey 1529
G Gibson Cullybackey 1525
G Gibson Cullybackey 1512.
Mervyn Eagleson PO.
October Meeting RPRA (Itish Region) – The Autumn Meeting of the RPRA (Irish Region) was held on Saturday 4th October at Ballymac Hotel Stoneyford in Co Antrim starting at 1.00pm. Those attending included – President Sam Briggs Lisburn & District, Chairman Cormac O’Hare, Ballyhilland, Secretary Noel Higginson Ballyclare & District, Alan Larkin The Meadows, Billy Knowles Kingsmoss, Paul Gault Kingsmoss, Robert Turkington Doagh & District, Jim Serplus Laurelvale and Gary Donaldson Edgartown.
Ap0logies recorded for Gerald Delaney and Willie Reynolds.
Chairman Cormac O’Hare opened the meeting and asked the members to stand and observe a minutes silence in respect of those who had passed away including family members since the last meeting.
The Chairman then went through the RPRA Accounts Budget as supplied by CEO Chris Sutton who has turned things around regarding RPRA Finances and also including leadership of our own official Cormac O’Hare who at the last AGM was elected President of the RPRA, probably a first for the Irish Region.
After some discussion the suspension on Tom Nelson was lifted, Prop Billy Knowles and Sec al Larkin. This matter related to Mr Nelson not responding to a stray bird reported to him. A complaint by Cairan McVeigh against Eastway HPS was dealt with nest. Mr McVeigh was informed that his complaint was not a matter for the RPRA but a matter for civil investigation. This item had been dealt with prior to the meeting.
Following a discussion about stray birds collected by Kyle Douglas at Whitby Stray Center and by Gary Jacobs in Cornwall. It was Prop by Al Larkin and Sec by Dam Briggs that a donation of £500 be sent to each of them.
The voting was conducted regarding the Irish Region Mileage Awards for 2025. The decisions were as follows.
Old Birds: 0-250 Miles Owen Markey Ballyholland, 251-450 Miles Rob Straney Killyleagh and Arnold Thompson Ballyclare. Over 450 Miles John Murtagh Ballyholland. Best OB Performance D & J Campbell Eastway also wins the new Jimmy Burrows Memorial Trophy. Best YB Performance Sam Ogle Drumnavaddy.
Young Fancier awards 2025: 0-250 Miles Mullen Bros Edgarstown, 251-450 Miles Mullen Bros Edgarstown. Young Fancier of the Year Millen Bros Edgarstown, Runner-up Ollie Hawthorne Millisle.
Under Any Other Business Sam Briggs informed the meeting he would be standing down as President. Cormac thanked Sam on behalf of the RPRA for his long years of service including as a Council Member for the Irish Region at the RPRA. With no other business the meeting concluded at 3.00pm.
Duddy Bus Trip to Blackpool 2026 - We hope to organise our usual trip to Blackpool for the show on 17th and 18th January 2026. Arrangements will be much the same as they were for the 2025 show , leaving on the Belfast Stenna Line ferry to Cairnryan at 7:30am on Friday 16th January 2026 after the bus trip down from Coleraine direction. We leave Blackpool on the Sunday around 12 noon to catch the ferry home at 7pm.
We will be staying in the Adelaide House and Adelaide Lodge hotels in Adelaide Street just behind the Winter Gardens. £50 (non- refundable ) deposits are required by 30 th November 2025 and the balance of the monies at the end of December 2025 after all costs are finally known. Contacts are :- John McConnaghie Tel: 07753 26816. Robert Turkington Tel: 07710 483063. Alan Shanks Tel: 075034 83328.
Ballyclare & District HPS Moot - Ballyclare & District HPS have organised a Moot for Friday 24th October 2025, venue is the Blue’s Club, 6 Abercorn Drive, Ballyclare BT39 9AE. Excellent night in the making this with an outstanding panel including Martin Graham, Ballymena; Richard Donnelly, Newry, Gary Marsden, Hills & Maze with compere for the evening none other than current RPRA President Mr Cormac O’Hare. A buffet will be served with an Auction of pigeons during the break, including for instance a 2025 Late Bred from Mark Gilbert, youngsters promised from the best in the country including a pair from the double Rose Bowl Winning Loft of Arnold Thompson. An excellent night in the making, priced at £10 per head, payable at the door all enquires contact Noel Higginson Tel: 07518 748717.
Ronnie Johnston as many will know, sadly fell and broke a hip a few months back, although making continuing progress he has a small hook on aviary for sale, made I might add by Jeff Greenaway which he no longer needs due to having to lift it up and down, the best of quality as you would imagine size length wise 3 & ½ Feet, width 1 & ½ Feet and height 3 Feet.
Belmont show 2025 will be starting this year at the Belmont Fair that happens yearly. All proceeds will be going to Newry hospice and it is £1.50 per bird and a £5 entrance fee to enter the fair/show. It is a 3 in 1 old birds and 3 in 1 young birds so entries are capped at 6 per class so 12 Max entries. Contact me or Eamon Wright to enter as we will be taking entries on behalf of Belmont officials. Entries open on 28/10/2025 and close on 13/11/2025. Prizes for first 3 in each class plus Best in show, Best YB and Best Opposite sex. At Belmont on Shorts Rec Club Hollywood Toad Belfast 29th Novembre 2025. Keelie Wright PO.
Sawyers Pigeon Auctions – Following the very successful Clearance Sale for S & J Bones of Muckamore HPS next up are two more sales for a couple of fantastic racing lofts, McGimpsey Bros from Newtownards racing in the Coastal Sect F in the NIPA and then Mr & Mrs McNeilly of Doagh & District racing in the East Antrim Sect C in the NIPA. Both unfortunately are Entire Clearance Sales, and all three lofts will be badly missed in the racing scene. Check On-line at Wesley Sawyers Auction site for latest news and updates.
Bereavement sale of Roy Bamber, Cullybackey hps. Sale being held in Cullybackey hps club rooms on Saturday 25th of October - Starting 2.00 pm.
For sale is a selection of distance birds. Majority are unraced young birds due to illness during the season. There is also a very small selection of old birds he had for stock. Some breeds are Steel & Litchfield, Mick Donnelly lines, Busschaert.
There is also a selection of: Hampers. Drinkers Feeder. A T3 clock which was fully serviced for the start of the 2025 season with some clock inserts.
Adie McCormick
Mobile: 07921883997
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw>
Email:
www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
