Homer reports on the NIPA Penzance
Penzance & Old Bird Classic success for Sam and Norman Maginty of Muckamore -
Next up in my reports is the annual Penzance/Penzance Classic Race. Sorry about the delay it was at this time we had a period of illness and Rosie had 10 days in hospital. I was down myself with a virus and all told I was about a month out of action. No computer work and I missed reports and info on all the major races at that time. Thankfully we will be ok going forward and I can report we are both getting back to some good order. Many thanks to Mervyn Eagleson who looked after the local publicity at the time and Adie came out of retirement to give me an extended hand with reports regarding the local organisation’s and continues to do so.
The N.I.P.A. Members Race marked in their Centres on Thursday the 19th of June for the trip across the water to Penzance in West Cornwall, England. A total of 413 Members sent 4,741 Birds to Penzance and 232 Members nominated 1,848 Birds in the Penzance Classic. On Saturday the 21st of June the Birds were liberated at 13:00PM in Light Variable Wind.
Norman Maginty 1st in Muckamore and 1st in the NIPA Section B, also 1st Open NIPA Penzance and winner of the Old Bird Classic.
The Open Winning Bird from the Penzance & Penzance Classic Race belongs to S & N Maginty of Muckamore H.P.S in Section B, out on its own. Many Congratulations to Sam S&Maginty on claiming 1st Open from Penzance & Penzance Classic. Also, congratulations to 2nd Open Davy Calvin of Bondhill H.P.S. in Section E and to 3rd Open Cormac O’Hare & Daughter of Ballyholland H.P.S. in Section G, flying in the City of Newry.
Davy Calvin of Bondhill winner in Section E and 2nd Open NIPA Penzance.
NIPA Race/Date
Penzance Old Bird Saturday 21st June 2025 – Liberated at 1.15pm in a Lt variable wind
NIPA Penzance Open 413/4741 – 1-1B S & N Maginty Muckamore 1662, 2-1E D Calvin Bondill 1540, 3-1G C O’Hare & Daughter Ballyholland 1528, 4-1D G Monaghan Colin 1507, 5-1C McMullan Bros Glenarm & Dist. 1487, 6-2D H Jennings & Sons Hills & Maze 1485, 7-2C O O’Meill & Son Glenarm & Dist. 1480, 8-3C D & J Campbell Eastway 146, 9-3D G Monaghan 1468, 10-1A D Carolan Coalisland 1462, 11-2E Ron Williamson Bondhill 1461, 12-2B Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1461, 13-3E Al Larkin & Sons Meadows 1450, 14-4C C McManus Ligoniel 1446, 15-4E G & C Simmons Edgarstown 1444, 16-3B K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena & Dist. 1440, 17-5C W Gilmore Ligoniel 1439, 18-6C J & D Braniff Glen 1439, 19-4D P & J Boal Dromore 1437, 20-5E G & S McMullan Drumnavaddy 1432.
NIPA Section A Penzance 26/227 – Danny Carolan Coalisland & Dist. 1462, B Morgan Coalisland & Dist. 1420, D Carolan 1393, Jack Millar & Son Rasharkin & Dist. 1378, P O’Connor Coleraine Prem 1371, T McCrudden Coleraine Prem 1370, K Murphy Coalisland & Dist. 1357, T McCrudden 1353, K Murphy 1332, J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1417.
Danny Carolan of Coalisland & District 1st sect A Penzance Classic & 1st sect A Penzance club race. Also winner of Sect A Meritorious Award in RPRA.
NIPA Sect A Clubs
Coalisland & District 8/92– D Carolan 1462, B Morgan 1420, D Carolan1393, K Murphy 1357, 1332, D Carolan 1312.
Coleraine Premier HPS 12/107 – Paul O’Connor 1371, T McCrudden 1370, 1353, J Hanson 1317, S Dimond 1312, J Hason 1311.
Cookstown Social 4/23 – G &S Smith 1260, S McFlynn 1203, B McSloy 1036.
Windsor Social 8/46 – R & J Parke 1193m Rudi Gage 1153, E & J McGarry 1141.
NIPA Section B Penzance 70/576 – S & N Maginty Muckamore 1662, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1461m K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena & Dist. 1440, Sefton Thompson Crumlin & Dist. 1424, G Gibson Cullybackey 1417, R Service & Son Ballymena & Dist. 1407, Sefton Thompson 1402, D McMullan Ballymoney 1397, A Darragh Cullybackey 1395, S Johnston & Son Ballymena & Dist. 1388.
NIPA Sect B Clubs
Ahoghill Flying Club 5/28 – Young McManus & Sons 1369, J Smyth & Son 1468, 1350, Young McManus & Sons 1348. J Smyth & Son 1310, 1285.
Ballymoney HPS – D McMullan 1397, J Connolly 1353, A & M Boyle 1341, J Connolly 1323, D & H Stuart 1313, S Laverty 1295.
Broughshane & Distric3/9 – John Getty 1098.
Ballymena & District HPS 5/48 – K & K Kernohan & Sons 1440, R Service & Son 1407, S Johnston & Son 1388, J Eagleson & Sons 1387, 1383, Blair & Rankin 1381.
Cullybackey HPS 29/251 – M/M Robinson 1461, G Gibson 1417, A Darragh 1395, M/M Robinson 1387, S Murphy 1386, M/M Robinson 1376.
Mr & Mrs Robinson had the winner in Cullybackey and were best in Mid Antrim Combine from Penzance.
Crumlin & District 5/39 – Sefton Thompson 1424, 1402, R & S Hope 1345, Sefton Thompson 1315, J & N Lamb 1302, Sefton Thompson 1285.
Kells & District HPS 6/54 – Harry Boyd 1373, Gregg Bros 1305, H Turkington 1264, Gregg Bros 1254, B Swann & Son 1234, Harry Boyd 1230.
Muckamore HPS 5/63 – S & N Maginty 1662, A & E Bell 1359, S & J Bones 1357, S & N Maginty 1338, A & E Bell 1266, S & N Maginty 1246.
Randalstown HPS 5/45 – J Millar 1357, W & W Gilbert 1319, J Millar 1274, W & W Gilbert 1267, J Millar 1217, J McNeill & Son 1182.
Rasharkin &District HPS 2/7 – J Millar & Son 1378, F Barkley 1368, 1284.
NIPA Section C Penzance 79/839 – McMullan Bros Glenarm & Dist. 1487, O O’Neill & Son Glenarm & Dist. 1480, D & J Campbell Eastway 1468, C McManus Ligoniel & Dist. 1446, W Gilmore Ligoniel & Dist. 1439, J & D Braniff Glen 1438, Crawford & Robinson Larne & Dist. 1417, McMullan Bros 1414, & D Braniff 1411, A S McNaghten Larne & Dist. 1410.
NIPA Section D Penzance 24/532 – G Monaghan Colin 1507, H Jennings & Sons Hills & Maze 1485, G Monaghan 1468, P & J Boal Dromore 1437, J & L Smyth Trinity RPC 1419, N Edgar & Son Dromara 1415, H Jennings & Sons 1312, L Magee & Son Lisburn & Dist. 1403, J Kelly & Sons Hills & Maze 1397, J Gtreenaway Hills & Maze 1393.
NIPA Section E Penzance 106/1322 – D Calvin Bondhill 1540, Ron Williamson Bondhill 1461, Al Larkin & Sons Meadows1450, G & C Simmoms Edgarstown 1444, G & S McMullan Drumnavaddy 1432, C Duke & Sons Newry City 1431, Ton Williamson 1430, D Calvin 1427, D Calvin 1425, R Bell & Sons Edgarstown 1421.
NIPA Sect E Clubs
Annaghmore hps 5/46 – G Buckley & Son 1419, R Buckley 1398, 1389, R D Calvin 1383, G Buckley & Son 1360, P Boyd 1358.
Armagh HPS 10/107 – K Shannon 1309, R Parkes & Son 1291, G & A Campbell 1285, R Parkes & Son 1230, 1229, P Campbell & Sons 1225.
Beechpark Social 9/99 – D Mawhinney & Son 1414, S & J McCullough 1351, G McEvoy 1330, 1320, S & J McCullough 1301, G & P Lavery 1285.
Bondhill Social 4/154 – D Calvin 1540, R Williamson 1451, 1440, D Calvin 1427, 1425, 1319.
Edgarstown 34/401 – G & C Simmons 1444, R Bell & Sons 1421, S & E Buckley 1409, R Cassells 1397, T McClean 1393, 1389.
Gilford & District – G O’Dowd 1376, 1369 Rafferty & Toman 1367, G O’Dowd 1362, Rafferty & Toman 1371, Moody Bros 1359.
Laurelvale 9/133 – A Craig 1416, W Gillis & Son 1406, A Craig 1371, 1362, 1362, 1358.
Loughgall 4/44 – D C & P McArdle 1299, S West 1284, D C & P McArdle 1271m 1268, 1242, 1201.
Lurgan Social 12/98 – D Carville & Son 1411, C J & B Ferris 1395, 1394m 1390, Tony Stevenson 1384, Ryan Magee 1380.
Markethill HPS 3/40 – M Bruce & Daughter 1398, 1287, 1286, J & H Muldrew & McMurray 1216.
Monaghan HPS 7/55 – K Allister 1354, P McFadden 1310, 1294, K Allister 1287, S O’Brien 1279, K Allister 1269.
Portadown & Drumcree 5/60 – Whitten & Son 1416, 1379, A McDonald 1304, 1277, J Gordon 1223, J Whitten & Son 1205.
Meadows – A Larkin & Sons 1450, Joe Brown 1388, A Larkin & Sons 1380, 1369, Larkin Bros 1348, A Larkin & Sons 1346.
NIPA Section F Penzance 31/351 – Burgess & Brennan Bangor 1400, W Leckey Ards 1390, Burgess & Brennan 1387, W & L Robinson Comber Cent 1369, J Crossan Downpatrick 1335, R Staney Killyleagh Cent 1334, D Shaw Bangor 1326, H & S Muckle Arfds 1324, Burgess & Brennan 1323, C McManus Corrigs 1319.
NIPA Section G Penzance 53/813 – c o’Hare & Daughter Ballyholland 1528, J McParland Newry & Dist. 1420, E McAlinden Banbridge 1417, F Simpson Banbridge 1415, Donnelly Bros Newry City 1405, D & K Mallen Drumnavaddy 1396, J Brush Drumnavaddy 1394, Mal Maguire & Son Newy & Dist. 1393, Donnelly Bros1389, C O’Hare & Daughter 1382.
NIPA Section H Penzance 24/91 – D Booth Mourne & Dist. 1301, L Miller Limavady 1235, A Kelly Omagh & Dist. 1214, D Booth 1194, A Kelly 1177, N McGavigan Strabane & Dist. 1147, H Crawford Limavady 1146, R Gallagher Derry & Dist. 1126, E Quigley Derry & Dist. 1120, D Booth 1118.
NIPA Sect H Clubs
Derry & District 10/28 – R Gallagher 1126, E Quigley 1120.
Limavady 4/21 – L Miller 1235, H Crawford 1146, 1100.
Mourne & District HPS – D Booth 1301, 1194, 1118, Troy Booth 1027.
Another top result for Davy Booth in Mourne & District, 1st in the NIPA Section H.
Omagh & District 3/13 – A Kelly 1214, 1177.
Strabane & District Inv RPC 3/7– N McGavigan 1147, J White 1094.
Feds & Combines Penzance –
Coleraine Triangle Penzance - P O’Connor Coleraine Prem 1371, T McCrudden Coleraine Prem 1370, T McCrudden 1353, J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1417, S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1312, J Hanson 1311, S Diamond 1308, T McCrudden 1293,T McCrudden 1290, J Hanson 1254, J Hanson 1251, B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1243, T McCrudden 1237, J Hanson 1217, J Hanson 1212, J Hanson 1209, J Hanson 1195, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1193, Rudi Gage Windsor Soc 1153, E & J McGarry Windsor Soc 1141, Diamond Bros & G McLaughlin Coleraine Prem 1114, D Quinn Coleraine Prem 1109.
Foyle Valley Combine Penzance – N McGavigan Strabane & Dist. 1147, R Galagher Derry & Dist. 1126, E Quigley Derry & Dist. 1120, J White Strabane & Dist. 1094.
City of Derry Federation Penzance - , R Galagher Derry & District 1126, E Quigley Derry & District 1120.
Mid Antrim Combine - NIPA Penzance & Penzance OB Classic
The Penzance and duplicated Penzance Classic races took place on Saturday 21st June. Nipa liberated at 13.00pm in light winds variable en route. The Mid Antrim Combine was won this week by Mr & Mrs Robinson who race in the Cullybackey flying club. Laurence & Heather timed a 3yr old cheq cock at 19.36pm sitting 10 days on eggs. The cock was their first bird home from 1st Dale this year and has been over the channel now quite a few times. The cock also wins 2nd Section B and 12th Open Nipa 4714 birds. The sire was a gift bird from Tommy Grattan and dam is down the P & J Boal Van Herck lines. The Robinson's have a top channel record over the years and only last season won 1st Section & 10th Open Nipa OB French National from Plougastel and have won Section B Channel fanciers of the year in 2023 & 2024. Nest best Keith Kernohan & Sons were best in Ballymena & District and runner up in the Combine on 1440.
Other club winners included G Gibson in Cullybackey on 1417, Derek Millar in Rasharkin on 1378 with the same 3yo Busschaert x Leo Van Rijn hen that won 1st Dale, Harry Boyd best in Kells on 1373, Paddy & William McManus 1st in Ahoghill on 1369 with a yearling Gust Janssen cock bred by Gerry Reynolds of Belfast, John Millar best in Randalstown on 1357 and John Getty in Broughshane with a 3yo mealy cock bred from a Wildermeersh cock from Davy Houston. The Champions League and old bird knock out finals were both won by Johnston Eagleson & Sons of Ballymena & District who defeated Jimmy Smyth of Ahoghill in the Champions league final and Danny Dixon in the Knock out final.
Mid Antrim Combine 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, S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1388, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1387, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1387, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1383, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1381, J Millar & Son Rasharkin 1378, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1376, H Boyd Kells 1373, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1369, F Barkley Rasharkin 1368, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1368, J Millar Randalstown 1357, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1350, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1348, G Gibson Cullybackey 1328, J Eagleson, & Sons Ballymena 1324, W & W Gilbert Randalstown 1319, G Gibson Cullybackey 1312, A Darragh Cullybackey 1311, A Darragh Cullybackey 1310, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1310, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1307, Gregg Bros Kells 1305, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1285, R Service & Son Ballymena 1285, F Barkley Rasharkin 1284, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1281, D Dixon Rasharkin 1279, D Dixon Rasharkin 1374, J Millar Randalstown 1274
Mid Antrim Combine Les Mairs Memorial OB Points fancier of the year top 15 (Penzance & Cloughmartin) - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 512, G Gibson Cullybackey 376, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 344, A Darragh Cullybackey 287, D Dixon Rasharkin 228, T Whyte Ahoghill 176, R Service & Son Ballymena 145, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 142, S Johnston & Son Ballymena 121, Surgenor Bros Kells 113, H Boyd Kells 109, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 101, H Cubitt Rasharkin 92, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 90, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 84
Club Points Shield (Penzance, Penzance Classic & Cloughmartin) - Cullybackey 90, Ballymena 86, Ahoghill 82, Rasharkin 65, Kells 63, Broughshane 25, Randalstown 25.
Mid Antrim Combine - Penzance OB Classic
Kernohan Loft Wins With 'Knock Out' Blow
In the Penzance OB Classic event Ballymena & District loft's had a top result taking 6 of the first 8 positions including the winner. Keith Kernohan and the team scooped 1st Mid Antrim Combine after timing at 19.43pm flying 330 miles to the Ballykeel loft's. Keith and Callum timed their good yearling blue cock 'Knock Out' to also finish 2nd Section & 12th Open Nipa Classic and 3rd Section & 16th Open Penzance. The cock was in the Open prizes in 1st Dale this year and last season as a youngster won 9th Section & 41st Open Dale YB National, 8th Section & 89th Open Roscrea and 12th Section & 117th Open Dunmanway YB National. The sire was on loan from clubmates Johnston Eagleson & Sons and is a Koopman cock from the late Billy Smyth. It won two races on the road and 2nd Combine etc. The dam is the last daughter Keith had from a pigeon he calls 'Doing 90' Belg06/6329290, a son of 'Annemie' super breeder for Vermeerbergen & Van Reet mother of Ollie & Danni sire of 1st Nat. 'Gueret' her dam is inbred to the lines of 'The Daniel' & 'Grote Tom'.
Keith Kernohan with sons Callum (l) and Lewis, ace racers in Ballykeel and winners of 1st MAC Old Bird Classic Penzance.
Gary Gibson was best in Cullybackey and runner up in the Combine on 1417 followed by the Ballymena runner up Robin Service on 1407. Robin timed his 2yo blue cheq cock 'Wee Cyril' at 19.52 to win 4th Section & 36th Open. Sire was on loan from clubmates Johnston Eagleson & Sons and is an Eagleson Busschaert cock down from their old lines of Stormin' Norman and 'Champion Whitecheeks' and the Lambrecht dam is off a son of Black Widow and a sister of Heartbreaker mate to a daughter of Black Widow and Olivia. Other club winners were Derek Millar in Rasharkin, Harry Boyd Kells and Young & McManus & Sons in Ahoghill.
Mid Antrim Combine Penzance OB 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, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1387, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1383, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1381, J Millar & Son Rasharkin 1378, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1376, H Boyd Kells 1373, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1369, F Barkley Rasharkin 1368, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1348, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1324, G Gibson Cullybackey 1312, A Darragh Cullybackey 1310,, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1307, R Service & Son Ballymena 1285, F Barkley Rasharkin 1284, D Dixon Rasharkin 1279, D Dixon Rasharkin 1274, H, Turkington Kells 1264, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1263, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1260, A Darragh Cullybackey 1258, J & J Greer Ahoghill 1254, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1250, A Darragh Cullybackey 1243, H Boyd Kells 1229, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1217, G Gibson Cullybackey 1216, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 1193, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1192, A Darragh Cullybackey 1178.
Positions won Open & Section -
K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 2nd Section & 12th Open Nipa
G Gibson Cullybackey 3rd Section & 24th Open
R Service & Son Ballymena 4th Section & 36th Open
A Darragh Cullybackey 6th Section & 45th Open
S Johnston & Son Ballymena 7th Section & 59th Open
J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 8th & 9th Section 60th & 63rd Open
Blair & Rankin 10th Section & 72nd Open
J Millar & Son 2nd Section A & 78th Open
Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 11th Section & 80th Open
H Boyd Kells 12th Section & 84th Open
Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 13th Section & 96th Open
F Barkley 14th Section & 109th Open. Mervyn Eagleson PO Mid Antrim Combine
Penzance Old Bird Classic – Open & Section results
NIPA Penzance OB Classic 232/1848 -1-1B S & N Maginty Muckamore 1661, 2-1E David Calvin Bondhill 1540, 3-1G C O’Hare & Daughter Ballyholland 1528, 4-1D G Monaghan Colin 1507, 5-1C McMullan Bros Glenarm 1487, 6-2C D & J Campbell Eastway 1468, 7-2D G Monaghan 1468, 8-1A D Carolan Coalisland 1462, 9-2E A Larkin & Sons Meadows 1450, 10-3C C McMans Ligoniel 1446, 11-E G & C Simmons Edgarstown 1444, 12-2B K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1440, 13-4C W Gilmore Ligoniel 1439, 14-5C J & D Braniff Glen 1438, 15-3D P & J Boal Dromore 1437, 16-3E G & S McMullan Drumnavaddy 1432m 17-4E David Calvin 1427, 18-5E David Calvin 1425, 19-6E R Bell & Sons Edgarstown 1421, 20-2G J McParland Newry & District 1420.
NIPA Section A Penzance Classic 20/142 – D Carolan Coalisland & Dist. 1462, J Millar & Son Rasharkin 1378, P O’Connor Coleraine Prem 1371, K Murphy Coalisland & Dist. 1332, J Hanson Coleraine Prem 1317, D Carolan 1312, J Hanson 1311, K Shannon Armagh 1309, S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1308, K Murphy 1304.
NIPA Section B Penzance Classic 29/210 – S & N Maginty Muckamore 1661, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1440, G Gibson Cullybackey 1417, R Service & Son Ballymena 1407, D McMullan Ballymoney 1397, A Darragh Cullybackey 1395, S Johnston & Son Ballymena 1388, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1387, 1383, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1381.
RPRA Life Rings notice –
At the RPRA Council meeting on the 30th October it was agreed that the membership be raised to £38 per member. Noel Higginson Region Secretary.
It has come to my notice that fanciers that are not members of the RPRA are getting rings through Clubs. This has to stop and secretaries should only order rings for members of their Club. Would like to thank Cormac O'Hare ,Chairman, the panel, Richard Donnelly, Martin Graham and Gary Marsden for their input into a brilliant evening at the Ballyclare & District HPS moot last Friday night. Also like to thank those fanciers that donated birds for sale and the fanciers that bought them. Thanks to Michael Fasciolo and his partner Celia for providing the Buffet. A total of £2,525 was raised which will go a long way for the work that was done to the Club.. Thank you to all those to who attended. Noel Higginson RPRA Irish Region & Balyclare Secretary.
End of an Era for Willie Blair, Ballymoney - At 90 year old and having raced pigeons since 1953, former Northern Ireland Fancier of the Year, William Blair has decided to call it a day. Many superb performances have been achieved especially at the distance races over the years. The sale of all the pigeons 28 Lots in total will be Held in the Ballymoney HPS Clubrooms on Saturday 8th November at 2pm. Willie only kept a small team of pigeons, you can be assured of 28 gems including a hen that has flown France 5 x Times, also the winner of 1st Section B and 16th Open St Malo 2023. Lynn Neil will be conducting the Auction, no doubt a sale that will gather huge interest as yet another Legend calls it a day.
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 hoed all winners will endeavour to attend the presentation and collect their awards.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw>
Email:
www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
