NIPA race report Dunmanway YB Nat - Adie covers Sect A, B E & H
Y/Bird National Success for Gordon Bros & Son
Before I go onto the race report, Ronnie Johnston has touched base reference some sale room sales in the making, it’s my personal preference to be honest, handling, fanciers making a day/night of it seeing what they are buying and taking home on the day, notwithstanding the commandery off the day/night along with some banter. I have added dates to the end of this column. I would ask a good turn out to support the vendors and no doubt many winners will be reported from the excellent sales to be had.
Adding further as I do, Ronnie Johnston will never be replaced in my opinion, top auctioneer and historian, his mind of information reference winning stats, national success, INFC history if he could be cloned it would be a must, an absolute delight to see him in action at the INFC Annual Dinner (has always been my highlight simply he makes the dinner), Ronnie is turning a young 90 and on that note, I would say Legend, he has executed a lifetime of service to the Irish National Flying Club. I took a photo of Ronnie and Homer at the INFC Dinner last year, both have contributed over 50 years each, to a weekly service supporting the Northern Ireland pigeon scene in the weekly publications namely the BHW RP, both are now advancing in age and knowledge, something that should in my opinion be acknowledged.
The last race of the NIPA Young Bird programme was flown from Dunmanway in the market town of County Cork on Saturday 13 th September. It’s been a tough Y/Bird season for the vast majority off lofts, notwithstanding the disastrous weather patterns over recent weeks which have been without any doubt a nightmare for the Race Controllers and after such favourable conditions at the start off the season. The Killyleagh partnership of Gordon Bros Son need no introductions, one of the most consistent lofts every week flying within the Mighty NIPA. With a 20-bird limit for this National event the Gordon Family loft finished 1 st , 3 rd , 4 th , 6 th , 22 nd , 29 th , 84 th , 106 th , 140 th against 2,252 pigeons. The partnership is never shy in spending money, bringing in the absolute best, the Kittle family have been to the forefront off the winning in recent months. 1 st National in this race is the lines of Blizzard Kitano, 3 rd 4 th and 6 th National all being G/Daughters of the Blizzard King Kittel. It’s been a superb year for the loft finishing runner up in the INFC Kings Cup with “Iron Maiden”. NIPA Kilbeggan in the Young Birds is another race that I recall, the loft took the first 15 in the Open against 10,000 + pigeons. Well Done the Gordon Family, it’s 1 st Open for Jordan Hughes to cover this season, yet another Open Winner within his press coverage area.
NIPA Dunmanway Young Bird National flown Sat 13 th September 2025 – 203 members sent 2,252 pigeons. Liberated at 10.15am in a Light Southwest Wind. 1 st (1F) Gordon Bros Son, Killyleagh Central 2042 £253; 2 nd (2F) McCartan Woodsides, Crossgar HPS 2025 £207; 3 rd 4 th (3F) (4F) Gordon Bros Son 1997, 1982, £154, £151; 5 th (1D) C Rooney Sons, Dromara 1980 £599; 6 th (5F) Gordon Bros Sons 1980 £82; 7 th (1C) G McKenna, Eastway 1972 £294; 8 th (2D) J Greenaway, Hills Maze 1965 £108; 9 th (3D) C Rooney Sons 1965 £234; 10 th (4D) O M Monaghan, Colin 1961 £138; 11 th 12 th (1E) (2E) Davy Mawhinney Son, Beechpark Social 1956, 1956, £84 £72; 13 th (5D) B Hogg Sons, Harmony HPS 1956 £54; 14 th (6D) J L Smyth, Trinity RPC 1951 £72; 15 th (1G) S Ogle, Drumnavaddy 1951 £54; 16 th (6F) McCartan Woodsides 1951 £36; 17 th (2G) J Brush, Drumnavaddy 1950 £50; 18 th (3G) J F McCabe Son, Newry District 1950 £326; 19 th (2C) D McElhone, Eastway 1949 £174; 20 th (7D) O M Monaghan 1949 £56;
Mighty Come Back for Smyth Loft
Many moons ago, I recall having to wait to see who won a NIPA Section or Open, furthermore the NIPA result was posted to the Press Officer (Homer) at the time and me being the understudy it was my job to retype it up onto our system for it to be forwarded on to relevant channels for publication. How times have changed, Lee Smyth is one of those names you seem to continually type and not for one minute am I taking him back to those dark ages reference age. When talking to Dad this morning hence finalising this report, I mentioned getting in contact with Lee Smyth with the loft topping Section A, “good fancier” was his answer. Lee has made a comeback after some years away (23) after a very successful racing career. Racing has changed over the years, and I would say far more challenging now than it ever was, credit where it is due for a fancier to come back and pick up where they left off, not swaying away from this segment of the report or fancier another name that comes to mind Johnston Eagleson of Ballymena is another who makes it look easy.
Lee Smyth timed a Blue Cheq Cock winning 1 st Club, 1 st Section in the Y/Bird National.
Dam of the winner is a hen bred for stock off a pair of Ron Williamson birds, bought at Ron's UK auction a couple of years back, this hen who is a full sister to Ron's RPRA Award Winner White Nose, and a cock who is a Son of White Nose when paired to 1st NIPA Open winner Lady Louise, making this cock a full brother to The Pencil Cock, who was 2nd Open NIPA twice for Ron recently. Lee paired this pair up, as soon as they arrived home from the auction, with the intention of keeping a full season of their progeny for stock, due to Lee not being anywhere set up for racing ref lofts etc. He ended up with 12 to select from, this original pair has proved to be one of my best investments in my time in the sport, going from my first race of 2025, 2nd Kilbeggan, where the first in the clock was a Black Cock off two of these pigeons paired together. Full brother and sister mating.... that cock winning the club and taking 2nd Section A in what was Lee’s first race back in the sport in 23 years.
This Y/Bird Section Winner from the National has been named Charlie and he was racing home to his hen, the pair on eggs 10 days with his hen 2nd in the clock also picking up 3rd Section in the same race. This hen also being off a hen from that original White Nose pair, proving Lee’s further confidence in this family of pigeons. The Sire of “Charlie” was bred in Glasgow by Martin and Graham Hughs, named by Martin at the time as Hurricane Isaac after Lee’s eldest son Isaac. “Hurricane Isaac” is off a Son of Ronnie Williamsons 3 x 1st NIPA Open winner, “Millennium Superstar” a cock the Martin loft bought directly from Ronnie and enjoyed great success with. Moving forward Lee can see “Hurricane Isaac” playing a big part for him in the stock shed. Lee Congrats and no doubt we will be touching base again reference pigeon success.
GB25V-51254 "Charlie" 1st Scct A pictured here with Lee's son's Isaac and Hugo.
NIPA Dunmanway Young Bird National Section A Result – 1 st Lee Smyth, The Meadows HPS 1750 £37; 2 nd B Morgan, Coalisland 1749 £32; 3 rd Lee Smyth 1736 £30; 4 th B Morgan 1734 £30; 5 th 6 th Lee Smyth 1723, 1723 £25 £25; 7 th G Quinn, Coalisland 1720 £25; 8 th B Morgan 1715 £25; 9 th Lee Smyth 1657 £3; 10 th J Hanson, Coleraine Premier 1550 £42.
Johnny and Laura Top NIPA Section B in NIPA Y/B National
In Section B of the Mighty NIPA from the Dunmanway Y/Bird National top honours went to the Kells loft of A Barkley Son. The loft has had a superb season Johnny Laura timed there winning pigeon at 14.12pm recording a velocity of 1834ypm they top the Club; Mid Antrim Combine and Section B of the Mighty NIPA. Sire of the Section winning pigeon is a pigeon from the late Lexie Mullan of Frans Zwols breeding when paired to a hen that the loft purchased at the Clearance sale for the multi winning lofts from Larne that being Beggs Hall. Very well done Johnny and Laura on a great result.
NIPA Dunmanway Young Bird National Section B Result – 1 st A Barkley Son, Kells District 1834 £46; 2 nd R Service Son, Ballymena 1818 £41; 3 rd S J Bones T Yates, Muckamore 1814 £31; 4 th Blair Rankin, Ballymena 1781 £31; 5 th Danny Dixon, Ballymoney 1766 £31; 6 th J Smyth Son, Ahoghill FC 1754 £26; 7 th Gary Gibson, Cullybackey 1750 £26; 8 th S J Bones Yates 1748 £73; 9 th Blair Rankin 1743 £26; 10 th Danny Dixon 1742 £26.
Double Delight for Davy Mawhinney
Section success I would have to say is a normality for Davy Mawhinney & Son, Davy a gentleman I must add in all my time and dealings with him. As for pigeon fancier one of the best for longer than I’ve been at the helm. Davy timed 2 arrivals together both recording velocities of 1956ypm finishing 1 st and 2 nd Club, 1 st 2 nd Section E and 11 th and 12 th Y/B National. First pigeon clocked was a Blue Cock flying 223 miles topping the Club and Section now named “Pete” Sire was bred and gifted to Davy from the National winning loft of D C P McArdle what a record this loft has. Dam already an inspiration has bred countless winners thanks to Davys lifelong friends Jack Walker Paul Astbury from Cannock. This hen contains the extreme best bloodlines of the “Dutch Master” “Rocket Hen”.
The gentleman that is Davy Mawhinney finished 1st and 2nd Section E in the Y/B National Dunmanway.
“Zara” had finished 2 nd Club, 2 nd Section, and 12 th National beaten by her loft mate. This Blue Hen has raced well for Davy this season finishing 5 x times in the NIPA Open Result. Including 8 th Section E and 28 th Open in the Corrin 5 Bird, also finished 7 th in the Dromara Gold Ring and won the 2 nd prize in the Kildress Single Bird Nom for the Dunmanway Y/Bird National. On that note I must congratulate Kildress Plumbing Supplies Ltd for their very kind sponsorship, I would encourage any fancier looking a coal burner, new bathroom or tiles to please support them, based in Cookstown they have proved great supporters of the NIPA. Back to the pigeon in question “Zara” her Sire is a direct son of the famous “Dutch Master” when paired to “The Rocket Hen” again from the Cannock partnership of Jack Walker Paul Astbury. The Dam of “Zara” Davy pulled from his own team to put to stock, containing all the old bloodlines Soontjens, Pink Eyes and the famous 88 Bloodlines. No fancy pedigrees just honest hard working proven family off pigeons. Well done, Davy, great catching up and congrats Adie.
NIPA Dunmanway Young Bird National Section E Result – 1 st 2 nd Davy Mawhinney Son 1956, 1956 £84 £72; 3 rd Gary Marsden, Hills Maze 1933 £288; 4 th G P Lavery, Beechpark Social 1930 £144; 5 th Gary Marsden 1908 £84; 6 th, 7 th Gary Marsden 1901, 1900 £181 £66; 8 th Sean Curran, Lurgan Social 1898 £41; 9 th Gary Marsden 1894 £59; 10 th S Anderson Son, Lurgan Social 1893 £41.
More NIPA Section Success for Paul Hegarty
The loft of Paul Hegarty has proved its worth over recent seasons flying within the furthest flying area of the mighty NIPA. Touching base as I try to do with all Section Winners within Homers remit Paul has flourished me with a superb racing record of this Section Winner a home born Jan Arden the young cock has won from Corrin 2 nd Club, 2 nd Section H and 2 nd Open NIPA 203 miles; 3 rd Club and 6 th Section H from Benamore 213 miles and 2 nd Club, 2 nd Section from Grenagh then add in this week 1 st Club, 1 st Section in the Dunmanway Y/Bird National flying 237 miles. Superb pigeon Paul and Congratulations on yet another superb season.
NIPA Dunmanway Young Bird National Section H Result – 1 st 2 nd Paul Hegarty Derry District 1176 1161 £37 £22; 3 rd J Ramsey Son, Derry District 1052 £14.
Paul Hagerty Derry & Dust, what a season yet again, pictured holding his latest Section winner.
Ronnie Johnston sale dates –
Fred Simpson of Doagh District is having a complete clearance, due to ill health. Fred has the extreme best ref the distance, one of the top lofts containing those bloodlines that need to be retained within Northern Ireland. Sales will take place on Saturday 4 th and Saturday 18 th October in Newtownbreda Clubrooms at 2pm, some of pigeons on sale have flown France multiple times.
C D Smyth Sons Sale - Colin sadly passed away in March, what a partnership they were some 55 years, sadly Dorthey will only retain some favourites a total of 3 pair, everything else is for the hammer. The best of John Gerard, John Patterson Gerald Delaney. Simply a sale is not to be missed on Saturday 11 th October at the Newtownbreda HPS Club Rooms, hopefully one I will attend myself.
Ronnie Johnston can be contacted on 07789231086.
Feds & Combines Dunmanway YB Nat –
Coleraine Triangle Dunmanway – S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1669, 1616, 1579, 1561, J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1550, S Diamond 1541, J Hanson 1509, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1503, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1501, J Hanson 1490.
City of Derry Federation Dunmanway – P Hegarty1176, P Hegarty1161, J & G Ramsey Derry & Dist., 1052 J Diamond 994, D Canning 813, P Hegarty 795, 795, 754, 749.
Mid Antrim Combine - NIPA Dunmanway YB National 13/09/25
The last NIPA race of the pigeon season was the young bird National from Dunmanway in County Cork. Birds were released at 10.15am in west south westerly winds and a quick race followed. Kells fanciers Johnny Barkley and Laura Surgenor had the best bird in the Mid Antrim Combine and also topped Section B after timing at 14.12pm to record 1834 ypm. The sire of their blue Frans Zwols cock came from the late Lexie Mullan and is a grandson of Tip Top Junior. Dam is a hen purchased at a Beggs & Hall sale.
Johnny Barkley and Laura Surgenor of Kells 1st Mid Antrim Combine & 1st Section B Dunmanway National.
Runner up in the Combine and Section was the Ballymena & District winner Robin Service on 1818. The sire is a cock of Gerald Delaney's and the dam won 1st Combine & 29th Open Infc Skibbereen yb National in 2021 and is the best of Robin's Soontjen lines. Clubmate Bertie Blair was 3rd & 7th Combine and 4th & 9th Section on 1781 and 1743. His first bird was from a gift Busschaert cock from Johnston and Mervyn Eagleson and the dam a daughter of Danny Dixon's Dixie Chick. Danny Dixon was 4th Combine on 1766 with a black cheq wf hen. She's out of a son of 'Aviary cock' paired to a daughter of 'Champion Heartbreaker'. Jimmy Smyth was best in Ahoghill on 1754 and placed 6th & 17th Section and Gary Gibson had the winner in Cullybackey on 1750. Gary's winning Sticker Donckers hen is from a son of his golden hen when paired to her grandsire. The dam is a daughter of Danny Dixon's good 2nd Open Fermoy cock of 2018 and full sister to Danny's Tullamore Open winner in 2022. Freddie Barkley was best in Rasharkin on 1708.
Robin Service of Ballymena 2nd MA Combine & 2nd Section Dunmanway National.
Bertie Blair of Ballymena with grandson Jacob, 4th & 9th Section Dunmanway National.
Danny Dixon of Dunloy 5th, 10th, 11th, 12th & 14th Section B from Dunmanway National.
Gary Gibson best in Cullybackey and 7th, 13th & 16th Section Dunmanway National.
Mid Antrim Combine - 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, G Gibson Cullybackey 1750, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1743, D Dixon Rasharkin 1742, D Dixon Rasharkin 1742, D Dixon Rasharkin 1742, G Gibson Cullybackey 1735, D Dixon Rasharkin 1733, G Gibson Cullybackey 1725, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1724, G Gibson Cullybackey 1722, D Dixon Rasharkin 1720, G Gibson Cullybackey 1712, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1711, F Barkley Rasharkin 1708, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1703, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1696, D Dixon Rasharkin 1696, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1689, G Gibson Cullybackey 1689, A Barkley & Son Kells 1688, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1677, J & J Greer Cullybackey 1676, D Dixon 1675, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1674, R Service & Son Ballymena 1669.
Young Bird Points - Final Table
D Dixon Rasharkin 470, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 298, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 295, G Gibson Cullybackey 275, T Johnston & Son Ballymena 148, A Darragh Cullybackey 144, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 137, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 132, J & J Greer Cullybackey 93, Steele & McNeill Rasharkin 89.
Young Bird Club Points - Final Table
Shared between Ahoghill, Ballymena & District & Cullybackey
Ahoghill 59, Ballymena & Dist. 59, Cullybackey 59, Rasharkin 57, Kells 26, Boughshane 21, Randalstown 12.
Mervyn Eagleson MAC Press Officer
NIPA Centre results Dunmanway
Dromore Centre Dunmanway C Rooney & Sons Dromara 1980, C Rooney & Sons 1965 J & L Smyth Trinity RPC 1951, J & L Smyth 1944, M/M Stevenson Dromara 1929. P & K McCarthy Trinity 1916, N Edgar & Son Dromara 1916, N Edgar & Son 1915, M/M Stevenson 1894, M/M Stevenson 1887.
Doagh Centre Dunmanway – D & J Campbell Eastway 1930, Grattan Bros Eastway1928, A & N Lewis Doagh 1908, D & J Campbell 1902, A & N Lewis 1886, A & T Agnew Ballyclare 1881, Higginson & Fasciolo Ballyclare 1869, Higginson & Fasciolo 1864, D & J Campbell 1851, D & J Campbell 1851.
Cullybackey Centre Dunmanway – A Barkley & Son Kells 1834, R Service & Son Ballymena 1818, S & J Bones Muckamore 1814, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1781, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill, 1754 G Gibson Cullybackey 1750, S & J Bones 1748, Blair & Rankin 1743, G Gibson 1735, G Gibson 1725.
Ballymoney Centre Dunmanway – D Dixon Ballymoney 1766, 1742, 1742, 1733, 1729, J Connolly Ballymoney 1720, D Dixon 1726, F Barkley Rasharkin & Dist. 1708, D Dixon 1696, 1675.
Coleraine Centre Dunmanway – S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1669, 1616, 1579, 1561, J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1550, S Diamond 1541, J Hanson 1509, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1503, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1501, J Hanson 1490.
Derry Centre Dunmanway – P Hegarty Derry & Dist. 1176, P Hegarty1161, J & G Ramsey Derry & Dist., 1052 J Diamond 994, D Canning 813, P Hegarty 795, 795, 754, 749.
Ronnie Johnston Sale Season 2025 – Due to ill health Fred Simpson of Doagh & Dist. will have Complete Clearance on Saturday 4th October and Saturday 18th October. C & D Smyth & Sons from Ballylesson in East Down Combine have a major reduction (keeping just 3 pair) on Saturday 11th October, all three sale in Newtownbreda & Dist. HPS Clubrooms at 2.00pm with birds on view from 1.00pm. Ronnie Tel: 07789 231086 and for Fred Simpson info contact Tom Marshall Tel: 07548 212964. Sale Flyer published on www.pigeonnetwork.com in Free Classifieds in the Forum.
RPRA (Irish Region) Awards 2025
Secretary Noel Higginson has released the list of the seasons winners through the various NIPA Sections, and also Southern Ireland. Individual bird performance calculated over two cross channel races, 2nd Dale and, a fortnight later Penzance.
Section A -Danny Carolan Coalisland & District Vel 1368, Section B – S & N Maginty Muckamore Vel 1448, Section C – J & D Braniff Glen Vel 1411, Section D – Gerard Monaghan Colin Vel 1446, Section E - David Calvin Bondhill Social Vel 1489, Section F – Burgess & Brennan Bangor RPC Vel 1368, Section G – Cormac O’Hare Ballyholland Vel 1478, Section H – David Booth Mourne & District Vel 1264, South Section – Byrne & Bradley Saint Pauls RPC Vel 1293.
Overall winner for 2025 David Calvin of Bondhill Social Vel 1489.420.
Claims are required for the following. Irish Region Mileage Awards 2025 -
0-250 Miles, 251-450 Miles and 450 + Miles. Also Young Fanciers for the same mileage. Best OB Performance 2025 and the Best YB Performance 2025.
RPRA (Irish Region) Young Fancier of the Year 2025.
Two new awards Jimmy Burrows Memorial Best Single Bird performance 0-250, 250-450 and over 450 miles. Trophy presented by William Knowles Best Overall Bird 0-250, 250-450 and over 450 miles. Any queries contact RPRA (Irish Region) Secretary Noel Higgindon. Deadline for claims is 1st October 2025 and the Irish Region meeting will be held in the Ballymac Hotel on Saturday 4th October at 1pm.
IRISH REGION Secretary Mr Noel Higginson, 8 Abercorn Square, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim. BT39 9FJ 07518 748717. E-mail
Adie McCormick
Mobile: 07921883997
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw>
Email:
www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
