NIPA race report old bird Grenagh
Newry birds best in NIPA from Grenagh –
Grenagh in County Cork was the 5th race of the NIPA old bird inland programme, flown one day earlier on Friday 15th May, due to continued weather problems. It was another top result for the Newry area of County Down with John J McCabe winning 1st Club in Newry & District and 1st Open NIPA on velocity 1423 followed by clubmate William Chambers. It was a bigger test again for the longer flyers.
John J McCabe from Newry & District 1st Open NIPA Grenagh & The winner of 1st Open NIPA Grenagh for John J McCabe of Newry & District.
NIPA Race/Date
Grenagh OB Friday 15th May 2026 – Liberated at 10.30am in a Northerly wind
NIPA Grenagh OB Open – 553/18,933
1-1G John J McCabe Newry & Dist. 1423, 2-2G W Chambers Newry & Dist. 1420, 3-1D O & M Monaghan Colin 1417, 4-1E D Mawhinney & Son Beechpark Soc 1415, 5-2D J Gregory & Sons Colin 1414, 6-3D J Gregory & Sons 1414, 7-4D J Gregory & Sons 1413, 8-3G S Ogle Drumnavaddy 1413, 9-4G S Delaney Harmony 1410, 10-1C M/M Reid and H Bigger Carrick Soc 1410, 11-5G McGrath & McParland Drumnavaddy 1410, 12-6G J J McCabe & Son Newry & Dist. 1408, 13-7G J F McCabe & Son 1408, 14-8G S Delaney 1408, 15-5D J Gregory & Sons 1408, 16-6D S G Briggs Lisburn & Dist. 1407, 17-7D J Turner Harmony 1405, 18-8D M Russell Dromara 1404, 19-2C D & J Armstrong & Son Carrick Soc 1404, 30-9G McGrath & McParland 1403.
John Gregory & Sons won the Drumnavaddy Old Bird Nomination race in 2026.
NIPA Section A Grenagh 45/1196 – A O’Hare Loughgall 1319, 1313, 1308, D Abbott Coalisland 1307, A O’Hare 1303, Siobhan McLaughlin Meadows 1302, K Carolan Coalisland 1294, K Morton & Son Cookstown Soc 1292, A O’Hare 1288, B Morgan Coalisland 1288.
Aaron O’Hare of Loughgall had the top three birds in the NIPA Section A. A gift from my good friends DCP McArdles Armagh last year to help me get started up again . Off two of their best racers. Up to recently I’ve joked that they gave me a dud 1st club 9th section two weeks ago, a week off last week then pops up again for 1st section this week
NIPA Sect A Clubs
Coalisland & District 15/456 – D Abbott 1307, K Carolan 1294, B Morgan 1288, M McPhillips 1280, B Isbaner 1276, B McClernon 1276.
Coleraine Premier HPS 12/369 – S Diamond 1274, T McCrudden 1267, P O’Connor 1267, S Diamond 1262, 1261, J Hanson 1244.
Cookstown Social 7/188 –K Morton & Son 1292, 1275, G & S Smith 1269, K Morton & Son 1265, 1263, 1253.
Dungannon & District 4/39 – J Sampson 1069.
Windsor Social 5/175 – R & J Parke 1223, 1203, 1195, 1176, Mervyn Simpson 1175, T Scott & Son 1161.
NIPA Section B Grenagh 84/2452 – A Darragh Cullybackey 1357, Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1346, J Harkness Crumlin 1339, G Gibson Cullybackey 1330, Fleming Bros Crumlin 1325, Ryan Hope Crumlin 1321, G Gibson 1320, A Darragh 317, G Gubson 1315, D Hamilton Crumlin 1313, S & N Maginty Muckamore 1312, Ryan Hope 1311, 1310, A Darragh 1305, A Barkley & Son Kells 1304, G Gibson 1303, Young McManus & Sons 1302, H Boyd Kells 1300, A Darragh 1298, G Gibson 1297.
John Harkness winner in Crumlin - Bred from a Delaney hen paired to a gift cock from Roy Donaldson sprint birds.
NIPA Sect B Clubs
Ahoghill Flying Club 8/224 – Young McManus & Sons 1346, 1302, 1291, JSmyth & Son 1273, 1266, Young McManus & Sons 1266.
Ballymoney HPS 19/583 – D Dixon 1279, D & H Stuart 1241, C & M McCook 1237, D Dixon 1229, J Connolly 1223, 1215.
Broughshane & District 5/80 – M Neilly 1276, T & M Morrow 1276, M Neilly 1273, A Purvis 1239, 1231, J Getty 1219.
Ballymena & District HPS 6/202 – K & K Kernohan & Sons 1296, J Eagleson & Sons 1281, R Service & Son 1278, 1278, J Eagleson & Sons 1275, 1274.
Cullybackey HPS 13/457 –A Darragh 1357, G Gibson 1330, 1320, A Darragh 1317, G Gibson 1315, A Darragh 1305.
Crumlin & District 10/319 –1339, Fleming Bros 1325, Ryan Hope 1321, D Hamiton 1313, Ryan Hope 1311, 1310.
Kells & District 6/141 – A Barkley & Son 1304, H Boyd 1300, 1289, 1287, B Swann & Son 1278, Surgenor Bros 1275. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – Surgenor Bros 1258, B Swann & Son 1256, A Barkley & Son 1252, Gregg Bros 1217.
Muckamore HPS 8/254 – Knocker & Bill 1355, S & N Maginty 1312, T Patterson & Son 1269, S & N Maginty 1266, A & E Bell 1248, 1247.
Randalstown HPS 6/105 -J Millar 1285, 1275, N Percy & Son 1253, J Millar 1250, J McNeill & Son 1230, 1229.
Rasharkin &District HPS 4/62 – H Cubitt 1232, F Barkley 1232, H Cubitt 1226, F Barkley 1193, W McFetridge 1126, 1124.
Harold Cubitt took the top spot in Rasharkin from Grenagh
NIPA Section C Grenagh 86/2453 – M/M Reid and H Bigger Carrick 1410, D & J Armstrong & Son Carrick1404, G Robinson Carrick 1400, D & J Armstrong & Son 1398, 1391, 1391, M/M Reid and H Bigger 1385, D & J Campbell Doagh 1383, Bingham Seaton & Dowie Ligoniel 1381, D & J Campbell 1377.
NIPA Section D Grenagh 57/1876 – O & M Monaghan Colin 1417, J Gregory & Sons Colin 1414, 1414, 1413, 1408, S G Briggs Lisburn 1407, John Turner Harmony 1405, M Russell Dromara 1404, John Turner 1399, P & K McCarthy Trinity RPC 1397.
NIPA Section E Grenagh 95/2940 – D Mawhinney & Son Beechpark Soc 1415, W A Feeney Gilford 1396, Al Larkin & Sons Meadows 1384, W A Feeney 1383, 1382, DMawhinney & Son 1374, D C & P McArdle Loughgall 1371, J Whitten & Son Portadown & Drumcree 1367, 1367, C J & B Ferris Lurgan Soc 1366.
Davy Mawhinney won Beechpark Social, 1sr Sect E and 4th Open NIPA Grenagh.
NIPA Sect E Clubs
Annaghmore 5/156 – J & E Calvin 1364, 1363, 1446, F & D McNeice 1344, G Buckley & Son 1340, 1338.
Another outstanding start for J & E Calvin in 2026 with their Miss AUDI Dirk Van Den Bulck speed dynasty from P & D with Blistering Top Performances up to 1st Section & 1st Open NIPA.
Armagh HPS 7/137 – I Parkes & Son 1322, R Parkes & Son 1317, I Parkes& Son 1302, G & A Campbell 1291, 1283, I Parkes & Son 1279. Results for today's race with the NIPA from Grenagh . Taking the Red card this week and backing it up with 3rd 5th & 9th place as well are the lofts of Ivan Parkes & Son Stephen who just beat Roy Parkes & Son who are sitting in 2nd place.
Result for the Mid Ulster Fed race from Tramore . Taking the Red card this week are the lofts of Kelly Bros who also take 5th spot . Other good times were posted by two very consistent lofts in the Fed , Geraed Stevenson and Son Kieth , and A Geraghty . Well done to all who sent today
This week’s Midweek Feature focuses on Glen Buckley & Son of Hoggs Centre following their outstanding victory in the Mid Ulster Federation from Tramore 2.
Beechpark Social 7/204 – D Mawhinney & Son 1415, 1374, G McEvoy 1345, 1342, 1333, 1333.
Bondhill Social 1/69 – Ron Williamson 1357, 1347, 1339, 1321, 1318, 1313.
Edgarstown 7/113 –R G & G Donaldson 134, McClean & Craig 1362, D Love 1361, 1341, McClean & Craig 1329, S & E Buckley 1327.
Gilford & District 10/31 – W A Feeney 1396, 1383, 1382, Nark Ewbanks 1358, W A Feeney 1347, 1340.
Laurelvale 10/366 – A Craig 1323, 1321, K & R Black 1314, J & H Muldrew & McMurray 1306, A Craig 1305.
Loughgall 5/291 – D C & P McArdle 1371, 1227, A O’Hare 1319. D C & P McArdle 1317, 1315, A O’Hare 1313.
Lurgan Social 19/593 – C J & B Ferris 1366, 1359, 1349, R Adamson 1340, J Douglas & Son 1340, D Carville & Son 1338.
Monaghan HPS 10/304 – S O’Brien 1334, R Mulligan 1310, 1310, K Allister 1296, 1291, 1285.
Portadown & Drumcree 7/177 – J Whitten & Son 1367, 1367, J Sterritt 1343, 1323, A McDonald 1305, J Whitten & Son 1296.
Meadows 9/201 – A Larkin & Sons 1384, J Brown 1331, A Larkin & Sons 1322, Larkin Bros 1314, Sobhan McLaughlin 1302, G Douglas 1302.
Very happy with the result today, clocking a very consistent yearling cock for his second win of the year. His sire is a direct Louis Thijs and the Dam is from Peter Fox of Syndicate Lofts a dtr of Macho and Olympic Beauty.
NIPA Section F Grenagh 69/1778 – Gordon Bros & Sons Cloughey 1365, K Rooney & Son Annalong 1362, McCartan & Woodsides Crossgar 1362, D McNabb Downpatrick 1358, Irvine Bros Killyleagh Cent 1358, D McNabb 1357, Patrick McCartan Harmony 1357, D Grieves Crossgar 1351m McCartan & Woodsides 1346, 1346.
NIPA Section G Grenagh 48/2128 – John F McCabe Newry & Dist. 1423, W Chambers Newry & Dist. 1420, S Ogle Drumnavaddy 1413, S Delaney Harmony 1410, McGrath & McParland Drumnavaddy 1410, J F McCabe & Son Newry & Dist. 1408, 1408, S Delaney 1408, McGrath & McParland 1403, F Simpson Banbridge 1402.
NIPA Section H Grenagh 69/1010 – D Booth Mourne & Dist. 1257, A Kelly Omagh & Dist. 1243, D Booth 1235, 1235, 1233, A Kelly 1233, D Booth 1222, K Armstrong Omagh & Dist. 1222, D Booth 1222, 1217.
NIPA Sect H Clubs
Amelia Earhart 5/32 – A Mitchell 1111, 1062, 1041, J Quigley 987, Andy Mitchell 947.
Derry & District 12/187 – P Maxwell 1185, J & G Ramsey 1183, R Gallagher 1136, P Maxwell 1134, 1134, D Canning 1134.
Foyle RPS 4/44 –B Hart 1094, 1080, 1049.
Limavady11/168 –Paddy Cassidy 1137, J McArthue 1111, L Miller 1098, 1094, Paddy Cassidy 1091, R McIlmoyle 1073.
Londonderry RPS 5/35 –L Flanagan 1076, D Wick 1030, 1026, L Flanagan 1011, 992, D Wick 975.
Maiden City 8/112 –P McLaughlin 1105, 1081, D Hamilton 1079, J McGettigan 1078, P McLaughlin 1061, P McGettigan 1058.
Mourne & District HPS 2/126 -Davy Booth 1257, 1235, 1235, 1233, 1222, 1222.
Omagh & District 4/86 – A Kelly 1243, 1233, K Armstrong 1222, A Kelly 1215, 1213, 1207.
Strabane & District Inv RPC 18/220 – DMullen 1201, J White 1180, P McNulty 1139, F Patterson 1126, D McGranaghan 1103, P McNulty 1098.
Mid Antrim Combine
NIPA Grenagh 15/05/26
Alan Darragh best in Combine & Section from Grenagh –
The pigeon racing season continued on Friday 15th May with a race from Grenagh in County Cork, around 220 miles to the center of Ballymena. The NIPA liberated at 10.30am in northerly winds and just like last weekend a tough steady race followed. Alan Darragh of Cullybackey had the best bird in the Mid Antrim Combine timing at 15.14pm and also won 1st Section B on 1357. Alan's winner a 2yo blue cheq hen was bred at his Swallowbrae Lofts on the Fenaghy Road.
Alan Darragh of Cullybackey topped the Combine & Section from Grenagh
Runner up in the Mid Antrim Combine & Section B were the Ahoghill winners Paddy & William McManus on 1346. Four club wins on the bounce for the ace racers and breeders and this week's winner a 2yo pencil pied cock is another good racing cock having won before including 6th Section & 27th Open Dale young bird National in 2024 and 1st Section & 10th Open Drumnavaddy Gold ring race. The sire is their 3rd Open NIPA 'Bude cock' and the dam won Mid Antrim Combine Champion OB in 2022. Van Den Brande / Louis Thijs.
Paddy McManus best in Ahoghill and 2nd Mid Antrim Combine & Section Grenagh
Gary Gibson of Cullybackey took the next two positions in the Combine 3rd & 4th on velos 1330 & 1320. Other club winners included Johnny Barkley in Kells on 1304 and 8th Combine with a 2 year old Lambrecht hen and Keith & Callum Kernohan with the winner in Ballymena & District on 1296 and also scooped the declared to win in the Ballymena club which had been running since old bird Penzance last season. Their winning 2yo cheq widowhood cock was placed 2nd club & 2nd Mid Antrim Combine last week from Gowran Park and was bought in a kit of young birds from Gerald Delaney's Oroory Hill stud in 2024.
Johnny Barkley best in Kells from Grenagh Callum & Lewis Kernohan winners in Ballymena & District from Grenagh
John Millar was winning Randalstown on 1285 for the third week on the trot with the same yearling cock. Sire is Minderhoud and dam Danny Dixon 'Dixie Chick' lines.
John Millar best in Randalstown from Grenagh
Marc Neilly was best in Broughshane on 1276 with a 2yo cheq widowhood cock. The sire is the 'Van Mechelen Cock' from Paddy & William Mcmanus and the dam from Geoff Dickey was in a kit of ybs in 2021. A full brother won Kilbeggan earlier in season and Harold Cubitt had another winner in Rasharkin on 1232.
Marc Neilly had the Broughshane winner from Grenagh
Mid Antrim Combine Grenagh 49/1321 - A Darragh Cullybackey 1357, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1346, G Gibson Cullybackey 1330, G Gibson Cullybackey 1320, A Darragh Cullybackey 1317, G Gibson Cullybackey 1315, A Darragh Cullybackey 1305, A Barkley & Son Kells 1304, G Gibson Cullybackey 1303, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1302, H Boyd Kells 1300, A Darragh Cullybackey 1298, G Gibson Cullybackey 1297, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1296, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1293, G Gibson Cullybackey 1293, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1291, G Gibson Cullybackey 1290, G Gibson Cullybackey 1290, H Boyd Kells 1289, A Darragh Cullybackey 1289, H Boyd Kells 1287, J Millar Randalstown 1285, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1281, D Dixon Rasharkin 1279, B Swann & Son Kells 1278, R Service & Son Ballymena 1278, R Service & Son Ballymena 1278, M Neilly Broughshane 1276, T & M Morrow Broughshane 1276, J Millar Randalstown 1275, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1275, Surgenor Bros Kells 1275, Surgenor Bros Kells 1274, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1274, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1273, M Neilly Broughshane 1273, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1272, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1269, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1268
MID ANTRIM COMBINE 2 BIRD CLUB GRENAGH
1st K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1296 GB24A43695
2nd D Dixon Rasharkin 1279 GB25B18204
Keith & Callum Kernohan win this weeks 2 bird with their Ballymena club winner a 2yo cheq Delaney cock on widowhood.
OLD BIRD CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE GOWRAN PARK
The top two in each group go through to the last 16 along with the two fanciers with the most points in third place.
In the result of a points tie the highest velocity in the last group match determines who goes through.
The last 16 Knock-Out stage starts at 1st Dale
Group (1) G Gibson Cullybackey 289, H Cubitt Rasharkin 7, J Millar Randalstown 4, R Service & Son Ballymena 0
Group (2) J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 215, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 30, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 0, W McFetridge Rasharkin 0
Group (3) Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 162, Surgenor Bros Kells 51, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 7, A Purvis Broughshane 0
Group (4) D Dixon Rasharkin 34, H Boyd Kells 34, J Whyte Ahoghill 8, T & M Morrow Broughshane 4
Group (5) F Barkley Rasharkin 39, J & J Greer Cullybackey 7, M Neilly Broughshane 5, W & W Gilbert Randalstown 0,
Group (6) A Darragh Cullybackey 109, Stewart Bros Randalstown 5, T Whyte Ahoghill 0, H Turkington Kells 0
Group (7) K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 41, A Barkley & Son Kells 17, N Percy & Son Randalstown 0, J Getty Broughshane 0.
MID ANTRIM COMBINE OLD BIRD KNOCK OUT
Any fancier with a velocity of 1200 or above from Grenagh qualifies for the last 32 of the knock out commencing from the Bantry OB Inland National.
LES MAIRS MEMORIAL CUP - OLD BIRD POINTS FANCIER OF THE YEAR – GRENAGH - Gary Gibson Cullybackey 289, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 215, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 162, A Darragh Cullybackey 109, Surgenor Bros Kells 51, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 41, F Barkley Rasharkin 39, H Boyd Kells 34, D Dixon Rasharkin 34, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 30. Mervyn Eagleson Mid Antrim Combine PO.
Drumnavaddy INHPS Nomination Race Winners
J. Gregory & Son pictured with their winning hen, a yearling raced on the roundabout system. She was previously a prize-winner from the Skibbereen Young Bird National, and this season she has raced with great consistency, being in the clock 4 times from 5 races. In the NIPA Grenagh race against 15,833 birds, she achieved:
* 3rd Section D
* 6th Open
while also winning the nomination race.
Her sire is a full brother to our NIPA Skibbereen YB National winner and was himself a top performer, winning 5th National INFC Skibbereen.
The dam was bred by clubmate Johnny Fusco from his renowned P&D stud stock.
Congratulations J Gregory & Son. David West PO
Feds & Combines Grenagh –
Coleraine Triangle Grenagh – S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1274, T McCrudden Coleraine Prem 1267, P O’Connor Coleraine Prem 1267, S Diamond 1262, S Diamond 1261, J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1244, R McAlary Coleraine Prem 1244, P O’Connor 11244, T McCrudden 1241, L Hanson Coleraine Prem 1233, T McCrdden 1230, T McCrudden 1228, B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1227, T McCrudden 1227,
R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1223, P O’Connon 1218, S Diamond 1214, P O’Connor 1211, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1207, J Hanson 1204.
Foyle Valley Combine Grenagh – D Mullen Strabane & Dist. 1201, P Maxwell Derry & Dist. 1185, J & G Ramsey Derry & Dist. 1183, J White Strabane & Dist. 1180, P McMulty Strabane & Dist. 1139, R Gallagher Derry & Dist. 1136, P Maxwell 1134, P Maxwell 1134, D Canning Derry & Dist. 1134, F Patterson Strabane 1126, A Mitchell Amelia Earhart 1111, Cooley Bros Derry & Dist. 1106, P McLaughlin Maiden City 1105, D McGrangen Strabane 1103, P McNulty Strabane 1098, B Hart Foyle 1094.
City of Derry Federation Grenagh – P Maxwell Derry & Dist. 1185, J & G Ramsey Derry & Dist. 1183, , R Gallagher Derry & Dist. 1136, P Maxwell 1134, P Maxwell 1134, D Canning Derry & Dist. 1134, A Mitchell Amelia Earhart 1111, Cooley Bros Derry & Dist. 1106, P McLaughlin Maiden City 1105, B Hart Foyle 1094.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw>
Email:
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