Homers Odyssey YB Grand National
Irish National FC Blue Riband YB Grand Nat Rosudeon – Jimmy Smyth 1st Open
The INFC Blue Riband YB Grand Nat was sue to be flown on Wednesday 3rd September but with many days of unfavourable conditions was eventually flown from Rosudeon on Tuesday 23rd September Birds have been liberated at 9.00am in clear skies, good visibility and virtually no wind Please note that clock stations will open at 8.30 pm tonight and that the 3 hour rule doesn’t apply today Best to luck to everyone competing Finally we would like to thank our race Sponsors Home Farm Bird Supplies. The race was difficult and just 33 birds were recorded on the day. Hours of Darkness 19.44hrs to 06.50. All clock centres open at 8.30pm for 2nd day arrivals. The Mid Antrim area has a proud history in this event with the local Sect B in the NIPA winning many times. They were best again in 2025 with the overall winner J Smyth & Son from the Ahoghill Flying Club just ahead of double winner Danny Dixon from Dunloy who had the Card of the Day with 5 early birds. With the late date and uncertain weather conditions it was no surprise that the entry would be poor, at under 1,000 birds it could have been an all-time low. Well done to all those who timed birds, it was good this time for the longer flyers into Mid Antrim.
Mid Antrim Combine - INFC Rosudgeon Young Bird National 23/09/25
Jimmy Smyth Of Ahoghill Wins 1st Open INFC Rosudgeon YB National
Jimmy Smyth from Ahoghill holding his YB Grand National winner from Rosudeon.
The Irish National Flying Club held their young bird Grand National from Rosudgeon in west Cornwall on Tuesday 23rd September. The birds were liberated at 9.00am in light easterly winds. A tough race followed with only 30 odd birds timed on the first day. Jimmy Smyth of Ahoghill fulfilled a lifetime ambition of winning a National when he clocked his cheq hen at 16.43pm flying 331 miles to record 1256 ypm and win 1st Open INFC Rosudgeon YB National 133/923. Jimmy has an excellent record over the past number of seasons in this race including 6th Open in 2023, 5th, 26th, 119th & 142nd Open last season and 1st, 38th & 72nd North Section and 1st, 38th & 78th Open this season. Jimmy has also placed 8th Open INFC in the French Friendship National from Lamballe in 2019.
The winner of 1st Open YB Grand Nat for Jimmy Smyth of Ahoghill in 2025, The winner of 5th Open YB Grand Nat for Jimmy Smyth of Ahoghill in 2024 & The winner of 6th Open YB Grand Nat for Jimmy Smyth of Ahoghill in 2023.
Danny Dixon Ballymoney 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th & 7th North Section & 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th & 7th Open. 340 Miles Velo 1228
The De-Scheemaecker Trophy for Best 2 Bird was won by Danny Dixon, winner of the race in 2024.
What more can be said about 4 time national winner Danny Dixon of Dunloy, twice over all winner of this race in 2010 with 'Dixie Chic' and last season with 'Venus' add to that 1st Open NIPA Rosscarbery YB National in 1996 and 1st Open INFC Skibbereen YB National in 1998. Danny's Penzance young bird National results over the past ten seasons have been totally amazing 2015 - 10th Open, 2016 - 6th Open, 2019 - 7th, 14th, 35th, 41st, 42nd, 43rd & 59th Open, 2022 - 9th, 11th, 30th, 70th & 74th Open, 2023 - 47th, 50th & 54th Open, 2024 - 1st, 12th & 13th Open.
This season Danny timed five birds in 35 minutes with the first blue white flight cock timed at 17.08pm. The sire of this cock is a son of 'Dixie Chic' and the dam a great granddaughter of 'Dixie Chic'. The second bird timed is off a son of Wilf Reid’s 'Darkie' and the dam a red hen was sent up to Danny by Pompeii Plunkit from Bray. Sire of the third bird timed was another son of 'Dixie Chic' when paired to a niece of 'Dixie Chic'. The fourth and fifth birds were both bred by Eamon Quigley, the first one is down from his Madam Butterfly pigeons and the second one from a son of Eamon's 'Madam Butterfly' when paired to a daughter of Diamond Carson's Friendship national winner. Another top result for Danny following on from 1st & 2nd Section and 4th & 5th Open NIPA Dale YB National a few weeks ago. Henry Turkington had the only Kells bird on 783 and 35th Open. Henry's bird was in a kit of young birds from Danny Dixon and the breeding is Wildemeersch. Gary Gibson had the only Cullybackey bird on 381 and placed 74th Open. This hen is off Gary's 'Channel Pair' which are the grand parents of Gary's four birds he timed in the Open result in same race last season.
Mid Antrim Combine - 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, D Dixon Rasharkin 1146, H Turkington Kells 783, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 763, G Gibson Cullybackey 381, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 309. Mervyn Eagleson MAC Press Officer.
INFC race results Grand Nat YB -
INFC Open Rosudgeon YB Nat 133//923 – J Smyth 1& Son Ahoghill 256, D Dixon Ballymoney 1228, D Dixon 1216, S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1178, D Dixon 1173, D Dixon 1168,D Dixon 1146, S McLoughlin Crossgar1079, G Buckley & Son Annaghmore 1073, R Williamson Bondhill 1066, R Shaw Corrigs 1057, J Greenaway Hills & Maze 1055, R Williamson 1036, P Boyd Annaghmore 1028, N Black & Son Dromara 1026, J & D Braniff Glen 1007, N Black & Son 998, McCartan & Soodsides Crossgar 997, S Eglington Bondhill 989, McCartan & Woodsides 973, G Marsden Hills & Maze 967, J Greenaway 922, J F McCabe & Son Newry & Dist. 917, D Calvin Bondhill 913, D Calvin 894, Larkin Bros Meadows 879, Donnelly Bros Newry City 873, J Greenaway Bondhill Soc 869, J F McCabe & Son 868, Larkin Bros 854, D & H Stuart Ballymoney 849, M Maguire & Son Millvale 843, J F McCabe & Son 815, A & T Agnew Ballyclare & Dist. 792, H Turkington Kells & Dist. 783, R Williamson 772, A Thompson Ballyclare & Dist. 770, J Smyth & Son 763, G Marsden 762, R Shwa 739, Donnelly Bros 733, A & N Lewis Doagh & Dist. 716, D & J Campbell Eastway 714m D & J Campbell 701, J & E Calvin Annaghmore 675, D Calvin 667, D Calvin 665, A & R Neill Edgarstown 621, D Calvin 616, A & R Lewis 615, G Marsden 611, T Marshall & Son Newtownbreda 608, A Thompson 596, J & D Braniff 595, C O’Hare & daughter Ballyholland 592, J Greenaway Hills & Maze 589, S & J McCullough Beechpark Soc 586, N Black & Son 567, Mr & Mrs McAllister Dromara 561, B Burke Arklow Unted 556, C O’Hare & Daughter 555, D Calvin 555, G & C Simmons Edgarstown535, R Bothwell Beechpark SC %£$< J Murtagh Ballyholland 520, G Hatch Castlebellingham 513, R Williamson 505, McCartan & Woodsides 470, P Byrne Crossgar 467, G McKenna Eastway 428, M & J Byrne & Sons Shelbourne Premier 436, V Flood & Son Dublin NE 415, T & S Molloy Arklow United 384, G Gibso Cullybackey 381, D & J Campbell 363, J Whittaker Gorey 360, H McAvoy Harmony 349, J Smyth & Son 309, S Duffy Wicklow 284, S Breen Blackwater 279.
Jonny Murtagh collecting his 3 bags of pigeon corn he won in the INFC King's Cup1st Open from France. Kindly sponsored by Natural Pigeon Grains Belgium. Also National Champion 2025
North Section YB Grand National 80/652 - J Smyth 1& Son Ahoghill 256, D Dixon Ballymoney 1228, D Dixon 1216, S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1178, D Dixon 1173, D Dixon 1168,D Dixon 1146, S McLoughlin Crossgar1079, G Buckley & Son Annaghmore 1073, R Williamson Bondhill 1066, R Shaw Corrigs 1057, J Greenaway Hills & Maze 1055, R Williamson 1036, P Boyd Annaghmore 1028, N Black & Son Dromara 1026, J & D Braniff Glen 1007, N Black & Son 998, McCartan & Soodsides Crossgar 997, S Eglington Bondhill 989, McCartan & Woodsides 973.
South Section YB Grand National 53/271 – Billy Arklow United 556, Graham Hatch Castlebellingham 513, M & J Byrne & Sons Shelbourne Premier 430, Val Flood & Son Dublin Northeast 415, T & S Molloy Arklow United 384, James Whitaker Gorey RPC 360, Shay Duffy 2Wicklow 84, Sean Breen Blackwater RPC 279.
Billy Burke from Arklow won 1st South Sect in the Blue Riband YB National.
NIPA Open YB Grand National - J Smyth 1& Son Ahoghill 256, D Dixon Ballymoney 1228, D Dixon 1216, S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1178, D Dixon 1173, D Dixon 1168,D Dixon 1146, S McLoughlin Crossgar1079, G Buckley & Son Annaghmore 1073, R Williamson Bondhill 1066, R Shaw Corrigs 1057, J Greenaway Hills & Maze 1055, R Williamson 1036, P Boyd Annaghmore 1028, N Black & Son Dromara 1026, J & D Braniff Glen 1007, N Black & Son 998, McCartan & Soodsides Crossgar 997, S Eglington Bondhill 989, McCartan & Woodsides 973.
Muckamore Clock Station – J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1256, J & D Braniff Glen 1000, G Marsden Hills & Maze 967, A & T Agnew Ballyclare 792, H Turkington Kells 783, A Thompson Ballyclare 770, J Smyth & Son 763, A & N Lewis Doagh & Dist. 716, D & J Campbell Eastway 714, D & J Campbell 701, A & N Lewis 615, A Thompson 596, J & D Braniff 595, G McKenna Eastway 438.
Coleraine Clock Station – D Dixon Ballymoney 1228, D Dixon 1216, S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1178, D Dixon 1173, D Dixon 1168, D Dixon 1146, D & H Stuart Ballymoney 849.
Edgarstown Centre Rosudeon YB Grand Nat – G Buckley & Son Annaghmore 1073, Ron Williamson Bondhill1066, J Greenaway Hills & Maze1055 , Ron Williamson 1036, P Boyd Edgarstown 1028, S Eglington 989, J Greenaway 922, J F McCabe & Son Newry & Dist. 917, D Calvin Bondhill 913, D Calvin 894, Larkin Bros The Meadows 879, Donnelly Bros Newry City869, John Greenaway Bondhill 868, J F McCabe & Son 654, Larkin Bros 843, Mark Maguire & Son Millvale 816, J F McCabe & Son 77772, Ron Williamson , A Thompson, G Marsden.
G Buckley & Son from Annaghmore, INFC National Champion in 2017 and 2024 seasons.
Despite a very difficult race I will feature here the list of the Irish Club results a lot of super birds recorded and many previous winners of the Blue Riband race prominent again.
INFC Clubs Rosudeon YB Grand National
Ahoghill Flying Club – Jimmy Smyth & Son 1256, 763, 309.
Jimmy Smyth and wife from Ahoghill collect the McGugan Cup for 1st Open INFC in the Blue Riband YB National.
Ballymoney HPS – Danny Dixon 1228, 1216, 1173, 1168, 1146, D & H Stuart 849.
Coleraine Premier - Sean Diamond 178.
Crossgar HPS – S McLoughlin 1079, McCartan & Woodsides 997, 973,470, P Byrne 467,
Annaghmore HPS – G Buckley & Son 1073, P Boyd 1028, J & E Calvin 675,
Congratulations Philip Boyd on winning 3rd open King's Cup 2025. Philip wins a bag of corn kindly sponsored by Natural Grains Belgium.
Bondhill Social – Ron Williamson 1066, 1036, S Eglington 989, D Calvin 913, 894, Ron Williamson 772, D Calvin 667, 665,616, 555, Ron Williamson 505,
Corrigs HPS – R Shaw 1057, 739,
Hillsborough & Maze – Jeff Greenaway 1055,Gary Marsden 967, Jeff Greenaway 922, 869, Gary Marsden 762, 611, Jeff Greenaway 589,
Dromara 0 NBlack & Son 1026, 998,567, Mr & Mrs McAllister 561,
Glen HPS – J & D Braniff 1007, 595,
Newry & District - J F McCabe & Son 917, 868, 815
Meadows – Larkin Bros 659, 854,
Newry City Invitation – Donnelly Bros 873,
Millvale - - M Maguire & Son 843,
Ballyclare & District – A & T Agnew 792, Arnold Thompson 770, 596,
Kells& District HPS 0 Henry Turkington 783.
Doagh & District – A & N Lewis 716, 615,
Eastway HPS – D & J Campbell 714, 701, Gary McKenna 438, D & J Campbell 363,
Edgarstown HPS – A & R Neill 621, G & C Simmons 535,
Newtownbreda HPS – T Marshall & Son 608.
Ballyholland – Cormac O’Hare & Daughter 592, 555, J Murtagh 520,
Congratulations to Cormac O'Hare on being elected President of the RPRA Supreme Council. This is the first time in the RPRA's history that a delegate from the Irish Region has been elected President.
Beechpark Social – S & J McCullough 586, R Bothwell 534,
Arklow United – B Burke 556, T & S Molloy 394,
Castlebellingham – G Hatch 513
Shelbourne Premier – M & J Byrne & Sons 436.
Dublin North East – V Flood & Son 415,
Cullybackey HPS – Gary Gibson 381,
Gorey RPC – J Whittaker 360.
Harmony HPS – Herman McAvoy 349.
Wicklow – S Duffy 284.
Blackwater RPS – S Breen 279.
Congratulations E,E and S Kavanagh from Arklow winning 8th and 34th open in the King's Cup.
The proposed race programme for INFC 2026 to be confirmed.
Skibbereen Old Bird Inland Nat Tuesday 26th May, Sennen Cove Yearling Nat Wednesday 10th June, King Cup Grand Nat Nort-Sur-Endre or St Allouestre Friday 3rd July, Friendship Nat Lamballe or Plougastel Fridy 10th July, Sennen Cove YB Grand Nat Wednesday 2nd September, Skibbereen YB Inland Nat Saturday 19th September.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw>
Email:
www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
