Journey's End with Jordan Hughes - 29-07-25

THOMPSON TOPS THE NIPA NATIONAL FROM FRANCE

The Big Old Bird Season Finale for the N.I.P.A. was from Plougastel in North West France. Hampering took place in fanciers allocated Centres on Tuesday the 24^th of June to make the trip across from Ireland into France with a Liberation scheduled for Friday the 27^th of June. The N.I.P.A Race controllers made the great call of holding over until the next day. Our team who look after the birds have put hard hours into the safe welfare of the birds throughout the racing calendars and do a terrific job. A total of 291 Members sent 1,414 Birds to Plougastel for the Annual Blue Ribbon race of the N.I.P.A. Old Bird Season. The Birds were liberated at 7:15AM in a Light South West Wind at the liberation point. It’s never an easy race from France with many factors to consider Weather on route, the Mileage to endure and obstacles along the way and not to mention the channel crossings. The N.I.P.A. Members had a great successful race from Plougastel with plenty of the prizes filled quick.

JOURNEY’S END - N.I.P.A NOTES – SECTIONS C, D, F, & G

The Winning Bird from the N.I.P.A. Blue Riband Race from Plougastel in France belongs to Arnold Thompson of Ballyclare & District H.P.S in Section C.  

Arnold Thompson of Ballyclare. 1st National Winner from NIPA Plougastel OB French National from 1,414 Birds

 Arnold has been newly crowned National French Champion and will have his National Winning bird on the front cover of the annual Ladies Night winner’s booklets in November and also front and centre of all Section C Section Diplomas. Arnold pictured outside his National winning Lofts with the National Winner GB23 B 34754 a 2 year old cheq Hen. Her Sire is from James Clelland out of a 1^st & 2^nd Gold Cup Winner. Dam is a daughter of David Suitters 2014 Friendship National Winner who were also was runner up to Arnold in this year’s race. She was timed across the trap at 7:01PM that evening flying a total of 447 Miles across 2 Channels clocking in a Winning Velocity of 1217ymp. She was paired up in the middle of March and had 4 inland races this year and was sent to France sitting on a four to five day old youngster her first of the year. Arnold is now officially crowned winner of 1^st National 1,414 Birds, 1^st Section C 318 Birds, 1^st EAA, 1^st Ballyclare & District H.P.S. A Full sister of this hen was 11^th National from the Plougastel National last year and another sister was lost in the Kings Cup last year and was going for a Hall of Fame. Arnold was also 52^nd National, 12^th Section C which was funnily enough paired to the now National Winner before the race and also had 4 inland races this year. A super result that will live long in the memory for the super distance flyer.

 Many Congratulations to Arnold Thompson on claiming 1^st N.I.P.A. National from Plougastel.

 Also, Many Congratulations to 2^nd National D&S Suitters & Sons of Doagh & District H.P.S. in Section C.

D&S Suitters & Sons of Doagh & District 2nd National Winners & Mr & Mrs McNeilly only 2 members who timed in race time from Plougastel

And Congratulations to 3^rd National McMurray & Anderson of Ligoniel & District H.P.S. in Section C

McMurray & Anderson of Ligoniel & District, Ligoniel Centre Winners & 3rd National from Plougastel

SECTION C REPORT

The Winner of Section C (62/318) from Plougastel was A. Thompson of Ballyclare & District H.P.S. (See Opening Report for more information) Arnold had the result everyone could wish for in Win another prestigious award of 1^st Section C Winners from France (318 Birds) and Winner of the N.I.P.A. National OB French National (1,414 Birds)

Many Congratulations to 1^st National & Section C Winner Arnold Thompson and Big Congratulations to all Club Winners

East Antrim Amalgamation

Plougastel O/B Derby

28/6/25

When pigeon fanciers talk amongst themselves there would be chat about, good flyers, really good flyers & excellent flyers.

I can tell you without hesitation since I was a nipper the following man’s name was only ever mentioned in “LEGENDARY” flyers

Arnold Thompson is without a shadow of a doubt one of the finest French/National fanciers this country has ever produced.

Every year he is always at the business end of the results in the big races!

This came to pass again in the recent NIPA old bird derby from Plougastel where Arnold did it in style winning The Derby henceforth also 1st sec C NIPA & 1st EAA, what a smashing finish to the old bird season with one of our members landing the big fish!

After a good yarn with Arnold on the phone and a few laughs to may I add he informs me that the winning 2 yr old hen had 4 inland races and was then sent to the derby sitting a 4/5 day old young one (first yb of the year)

It’s sire is from James Clelland of Castlewellan, bred from 1st & 2nd miller gold cup, doesn’t get much better than that!

Dam was a direct daughter of Davy Suitters 2014 friendship national winner, again where would you find better!

Arnold had a powerful finish to the season scoring very heavily in both king’s cup & friendship races respectively!

A full sister to the hen was 11th open in the same race in 2024, another sister was going for a hall of fame this year also.

An incredible effort from one of the sports gentlemen!

Massive congratulations aul son from all your fellow EAA members & beyond!

Enclosed are pictures of the final o/b cup which we know has been won by Davy Campbell of Eastway also the details of his

O/b of the year!

A really good end to yet another top season from our members folks honestly well done to you all!!

I would like to wish you all the very best for the upcoming y/b season which is almost upon us!

I hope to be writing about more section, open & national winners in our great wee organisation!

Jonny Baxter EAA Press Officer

Gary Marsden 3 out of 3 from France Winning, 2 Silver Awards & a Bronze Award between them.

East Antrim Amalgamation Result: 1^st A. Thompson 1217, 20 Points; 2^nd G. Dickey 1017, 19 Points; 3^rd D&J Campbell 978, 18 Points; 4^th A. Thompson 828, 17 Points; 5^th Gratton Bros 796, 16 Points; 6^th K. Doherty 766, 15 Points; 7^th Mr & Mrs Reid & Bigger 744, 14 Points; 8^th J. McMaw 682, 13 Points; 9^th D&J Campbell 677 12 Points; 10^th G. McKenna 676, 11 Points; 11^th Horner Bros & Son 675, 10 Points; 12^th M. Witherspoon 672, 9 Points; 13^th Mr & Mrs B. McNeilly 614, 8 Points; 14^th C&L Woodside 598, 7 Points; 15^th R&C Johnston 598, 6 Points; 16^th B. McCammon 576, 5 Points; 17^th K S McCloy 560, 4 Points; 18^th W R Moore & Son 534; 3 Points; 19^th Mr & Mrs B. McNeilly 524; 2 Points; 20^th J. McMaw 500; 1 Point

Brian McCammon 1st & 2nd Winner of Ballycarry & District H.P.S. from Plougastel

Jeff McMaw Yearling Cock timed to Win 94th National, 23rd Section C

Robert of R&C Johnston 1st Club Kingsmoss 135th National from Plougastel

SECTION D REPORT

The Winner of Section D (23/119) from Plougastel was Darren Aiken of Dromara H.P.S. Darren also known as P.K. Pigeon King takes 1^st Prize in Section D from the Distance (119 Birds) and a brilliant finish overall in the National places winning 12^th National (1,414 Birds) Darren will be presented with the B. Fox Cup at Ladies Night for the Highest position obtained by any N.I.P.A. official, committee member or club delegate in the Old Bird National race. The Section D Winning bird GB23 B 47033 has been a consistent performer and was obtained from Daniel Magill as a part of six. Was flown on the roundabout system, she showed strong form as both youngbird and yearling. Her preparation for the Plougastel Old Bird National included two Channel races from Dale, One from Bude and the Penzance Classic. She went on to win 1^st Club, 1^st Section D and 12^th Open marking his personal best performance in an old bird national. Darren would like to take this opportunity to thank his fellow club members of Dromara/Dromore and friends in the Pigeon Racing community for their support and guidance its truly appreciated.

Darren Aiken of Dromara H.P.S. 1st Section D , 12th National Plougastel

Many Congratulations to Section D Winner D. Aiken and Big Congratulations to all Club Winners

SECTION F REPORT

The Winner of Section F (15/55) from Plougastel was Ollie Hawthorne of Millisle & District H.P.S. At the young age of 13 years old Ollie has had an unforgettable result in winning Section F from France (55 Birds) and to top that off places 4^th National and being up at the top against the best of distance flyers from across the country (1,414 Birds) The Section Winner from France a 2 year old cheq cock has already scored in club Penzance as a yearling. He is bred from a pair of Darren McFadden Pigeons obtained before Darren had decided to hold his clearance sale. Sire is a Direct Son of Snow Duke, Dam side Mark Bulled legacy/Hana line also owned by Darren McFadden. All his clubmates are delighted for their wee superstar and his Granda Gary.

13 Year old Ollie Hawthorne 1st Section F Winner, 4th National Plougaste 

Many Congratulations to Section F Winners Ollie Hawthorne and Big Congratulations to all Club Winners.

SECTION G REPORT

The Winner of Section G (27/172) from Plougastel was P. Murtagh of Ballyholland H.P.S. The Ballyholland fancier tops the Section from Plougastel. (172 Birds) Having a great record from France  Peter now adds 15^th French N.I.P.A. National to his racing CV (1,414 Birds) Peters Section G Winner is from the very best of his French bloodlines.

Peter Murtagh of Ballyholland H.P.S. Section G Winner, 15th National from Plougastel 

Many Congratulations to Section G Winner Peter Murtagh and Big Congratulations to all Club Winners.

 Big Congratulations to all who timed. I hope you all enjoyed the 2025 N.I.P.A. Old Bird Season and I would like to wish you all the very best in the upcoming Youngbird Season.

D. McElhone & Dtr 3 arrivals from Plougastel winning 16th, 20th, & 22nd National. 

I. Donaghy of Lisburn & District 36th National, 2nd Section D from Plougastel

L. O'Neill & Sons of Harmoy H.P.S. Bird timed to get 19th National, 5th Section C. Full brother off their Merit Award Winner

W. Gilmore of Ligoniel & District 117th National, 28th Section C Pigeon timed from Plougastel

 Yours in Sport ,

 Jordan Hughes

JORDAN HUGHES

‘JOURNEYS END’

 N.I.P.A PRESS OFFICER

Mobile:  07713808554

Email:  jordanhughespro.gmail.com

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