NIPA Race Report by Homer - Bantry OB Inl Nat
Fast day in the OB National from Bantry Island -
The OB Inland National is usually flown on week 6 of the programme. Due to weather conditions over the entire season with some races flown early and others delayed. It’s good to report that Bantry in West Cork used for the first time was good enough and winning birds got close to 2000ypm, the winner timed in Drumnavaddy by Brendan McGrath. Grattan Bros from Doagh & Dist. winners in the East Antrin Sect C were runner-up followed by the Sect D winners Joe & Linfa Smyth of the Trinity RPC.
Congratulations Brendan McGrath on winning 1st Section G and 1st open NIPA Bantry Old Bird National last Saturday. Super result Brendan & Montage 1st Open NIPS Bantry OB Inland National.
Best in each NIPA Centre (If your result is not listed send to Homer). Remember as well to send a photo of club winners holding the bird if possible. Section 1st and Centre winners included.
Doagh Centre Bantry – Grattan Bros Doagh & Dist. 1992, D & J Campbell Doagh & Dist. 1933, 1927, G McKenna Doagh & Dist. 1916, 1904, 1887, 1886, Grattan Bros 1880, 1879, G & R Lawrie Ballyclare & Dist. 1875.
Dromore Centre Bantry – J & L Smyth Trinity RC 1979, T Mawhinney Dromore 1971, M Russell Dromara 1912, J & L Smyth 1903, P & J Boal Dromore 1900, 1898, T Mawhinney 1897, J & L Smyth 1896, P & J Boal 1891, T Mawhinney 1889.
Ligoniel & Dist. Centre Bantry – J & D Braniff West End 1974, 1942, D McElhone & Daughter West End 1938, C McVeigh Son & Daughter West End 1927, Bingham Seaton & Dowie Ligoniel 1921, McMurray & Anderson Ligoniel 1912, C McManus Ligoniel 1905, Bingham Seaton & Dowie 1904,McMurray & Anderson 1902, C McVeigh Son & Daughter 1895.
Coalisland Centre Bantry – B Morgan Coalisland & Dist. 1933, K Murphy Coalisland & Dist. 1925, B Morgan 1917, 1901,, K Murphy 1899, 1892, B Morgan 1877, B McClernan Coalisland & Dist. 1868, K Murphy 1855, 1855.
Ahoghill Centre Bantry – Mr & Mrs Robinson Ahoghill 1920, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1912, G Gibson Cullybackey 1902, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1881, Blair & Rankin 1880, A Darragh Cullybackey 1873, R Service & Son Ballymena 1871, A Darragh 1864, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1858, M Graham Ballymena 1857.
Lurgan Centre Bantry – J Barr Lurgan Soc 1911, C J & B Ferris Lurgan Soc 1904, Rafferty & Toman Gilford & Dist. 1899, 1898, R G & G Donaldson Edgarstown 1898, J Barr 1882, Ryan Magee Lurgan Soc 1880, Rafferty & Toman 1879, Siobhan McLaughlin Meadows 1878, C J & B Ferris 1875.
City of Derry Centre Bantry - D Booth Mourne & Dist. 1909, 1909, 1908, Jim Diamond Derry & Dist. 1858, R & G Martin Maiden City 1854, A Kelly Omagh & Dist. 1825, P McLaughlin Maiden City 185, D Booth 1810, P Maxwell Derry & Dist. 1802, D Booth 1800.
Ballymoney Centre Bantry - D & H Stuart Ballymonry 1901, D Dixon Ballymoney 1892, D Devenney Ballymoney 1889, J Connolly Ballymoney 1869, C & M McCook Ballymoney 1868, D Dixon 1858, J Hutchinson & Son Ballymoney 1845, D Dixon 1834,
Coleraine Centre Bantry – S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1884, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1879, B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1868, T McCrudden Coleraine Prem 1855, B & D Coyle 1854, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1833, L Hanson Coleraine Prem 1833, S Diamond 1828, 1828, J Hanso Coleraine Prem 1820.
Well done to R&J Parke on taking the club result from Bantry and taking 2nd in the Coleraine Centre result.
NIPA Race/Date
Bantry OB Inland Nat Saturday 25th May 2026 – Liberated at 10.00am in a Lt South/Southwest wind
NIPA Bantry Inland Nat Open 321/3445 –
1-1G McGrath & McParland Drumnavaddy 1993, 2-1C Grattan Bros Doagh 1992, 3-1D J & L Smyth Trinity RPC 1979, 4-2G W McDowell & Son Drumnavaddy 1976, 5-2C J & D Braniff West End 1974, 6-1E T Mawhinney Dromore 1971, 7-2E D C & P McArdle Loughgall 1965, 8-3C J & D Braniff 1942, 9-4C D McElhone & Daughter West End 1938, 10-1A A O’Hare Loughgall 1937, 11-C O O’Neill & Son Glenarm & Dist. 1937, 12-2D J Greenaway Hills & Maze 1936, 13-2A B Morgan Coalisland 1933, 14-5C D & J Campbell Doagh 1933, 15-3D J Gregory & Sons Colin 1933, 16-4D K Johnston Derriaghy 1932, 17-5D J Gregory & Sons 1932, 18-6D J Turner Harmony 1932, 19-3G J J McCabe Newry & Dist. 1930, 20-6C D & J Armstrong & Son Carrick Soc 1930.
NIPA Section A Bantry National 28/299 – A O’Hare Loughgall 1937, B Morgan Coalisland & Dist. 1933, K Murphy Coalisland & Dist. 1925, B Morgan 1917, A O’Hare 1906, 1901, B Morgan 1901, K Murphy 1899, 1892, A O’Hare 1889.
NIPA Sect A Clubs
Coalisland & District – B Morgan 1933, K Murphy 1925, B Morgan 1917, 1901, K Murphy 1899, 1892.
Coleraine Premier HPS –S Diamond 1884, B & D Coyle 1823, T McCrudden 1855, B & D Coyle 1854, Sean claims his second win of the season with a Wayne Doonan yearling. Well done Sean Diamond.
Cookstown Social – K Morton & Sons 1835. 1st club Cookstown hps K Morton, 2nd G&S Smith, 3rd B McSloy.
K Morton & Son 1st Club in Cookstown Social.
Windsor Social – R & J Parke 1879, 1770, 1762, 1761, 1752, 1735.Well done to R & J Parke on taking the club result from Bantry and taking 2nd in the Coleraine Centre result.
NIPA Section B Bantry National 42/406 -Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1920, Ryan Hope Crumlin & Dist. 1916, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1912, G Gibson Cullybackey 1902, D & H Stuart Ballymoney 1901, D Dixon Ballymoney 1892, D Devenney Ballymoney 1889, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1881, Blair & Rankin 1881, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1879.
NIPA Sect B Clubs
Ahoghill Flying Club – J Whyte 1845, J Smyth & Son 1830, Young McManus & Sons 1816, J Whyte 1802, J Smyth & Son 1795, Young McManus & Sons 1795.
Ballymoney HPS – D & H Stuart 1901, D Dixon 1892, D Devenney 1889, J Connolly 1869, C & M McCook 1868, D Dixon 1858.
Broughshane & District – Marc Neilly 1794, 1783.
Ballymena & District HPS – Blair & Rankin 1912, 1880, R Service & Son 1871, J Eagleson & Sons 1858, H Graham 1857, Blair & Rankin 1852.
Cullybackey HPS –Mr & Mrs Robinson 1920, G Gibson 1902, A Darragh 1873, 1864, 1852, G Gibson 1849.
Crumlin & District – Ryan Hope 1916, Fleming Bros 1865, Ryan Hope 1858,
Ryan Hope was the winner in Crumlin& District HPS & Winning bird for Ryan Hope of Crumlin, 1st Club and 2nd NIPA Sect B Bantry.
The Bantry winner- This cock was previously 2nd Club,6th section from Gowran this year, he is bred from a Sticker Doncker hen that I got from Geoffrey Dickey which was one of Franks racers she was a dtr of his 38th open St Malo hen, the sire of this bird was a Sid Miles cock from Gerald Delany.
Kells & District HPS –Surgenor Bros 1830, Gregg Bros 1811, 1809. Surgenor Bros 1788, 1769, A Barkley & Son 1736.
Randalstown HPS – Stewart Bros 1881, J McNeill & Son 1839, J Millar 1837, Stewart Bros 1794, J McMeill & Son 1789, J Millar 1782.
Rasharkin & District HPS – J Millar & Son 1827.
NIPA Section C Bantry National 65/735 – Gratten Bros Doagh & Dist. 1992, J & D Braniff West End 1974, 1942, D McElhone & Daughter West End 1938, D & J Campbell Doagh& Dist. 1933, D & J Armstrong & Son Carrick Soc 1930, D & J Campbell 1927, C McVeigh Son & Daughter West Endv 1927, G K & I Moxham Larne & Dist. 1923, 1922.
NIPA Section D Bantry National 35/434 – J & L Smyth Trinity RPC 1979, J Greenaway Hills & Maxe1936, J Gregory & Sons Colin 1933, K Johnston Derriaghy 1932, J Gregory & Sons 1932, J Turner Harmony 1930, J Greenaway 1927, J Gregory & Sons 1926, K Johnston 1919, I Gibb & Sons Glenavy & Dist. 1913.
NIPA Section E Bantry National 57/639 – T Mawhinney Dromore 1971, D C & P McArdle Loughgall 1965, 1915, P Duffy Armagh 1914, R Parkes & Son Armagh 1912, R Mulligan Monaghan 1912, J Barr Lurgan Soc 1911, J Sterritt Portadown & Drumcree 1905, C J & B Ferris Lurgan Soc 1904, McClean & Craig Edgarstown 1902.
Congratulations Timmy and Gillian on winning 1st NIPA Section E from Bantry Old Bird inland National last Saturday.
NIPA Sect E Clubs
Annaghmore – J & E Calvin 1889, P Boyd 1875.
Armagh HPS – P Duffy 1914, R Parkes & Son 1912, P Duffy 1899, G & A Campbell 1894,1887,1865.
Edgarstown – McClean & Craig 1902, R G & G Donaldson 1898, S & E Buckley 1881, 1877, G & C Simmons 1874, R G & G Donaldson 1865.
Gilford & District –Rafferty & Toman 1899, 1898,1879.
Loughgall – D C & P McArdle 1965, A O’Hare 1937, D C & P McArdle 1915, A O’Hare 1906, 1901, D C & P McArdle 1891. Cheq yearling hen bred by Wayne Doonan Cock Crow lofts 1st section A 10th open NIPA old bird inland national Bantry. Last week this hen was 5th section A Grenagh. Flying system not available as I couldn’t get her to fly a minute all last week
Aaron O'Hare from Loughgall topped the NIPA Section A.
Lurgan Social – J Barr 1911, C J & B Ferris 1904, R Adamson 1883, J Barr 1882, Ryuan Magee 1880, C J & B Ferris 1875.
Monaghan HPS – R Mulligan 1912, 1896, 1864.
Portadown & Drumcree – J Sterritt 1905, J Whitten & Son 1886, J Sterritt 1877.
Meadows – S McLaughlin 1878.
NIPA Section F Bantry National 18/164 –W Leckey Ards 1903, Lambert & Stewart Bangor 1893, 1892, D Grieves Crossgar 1883, R Moore & Son Bangor 1876, 1875, W Leckey 1870, R Moore & Son 1870, McCartan & Woodsides Crossgar 1858, K Rooney & Son Annalong 1853.
NIPA Section G Bantry National 31/387 – McGrath & McParland Drumnavaddy 1993, W McDowell & Son Drunavaddy 1976, J J McCabe Newry & Dist. 1930, J F McCabe & Son Newry & Dist. 1918, R Carson & Son Banbridge 1903, J J McCabe 1902, 1900, D & K Mallen Drumnavaddy 1891, Donnelly Bros Newry City 1890, McGrath & McParland 1888.
NIPA Section H Bantry National 29/145 -D Booth Mourne & Dist. 1909, 1909, 1908, Jim Diamond Derry & Dist. 1858, R & G Martin Maiden City 1854, A Kelly Omagh & Dist. 1825, P McLaughlin Maiden City 185, D Booth 1810, P Maxwell Derry & Dist. 1802, D Booth 1800.
NIPA Sect H Clubs
Derry & District – Jim Diamond 1858, Paul Maxwell 1802, J & G Ramsey 1795.
Maiden City – R & G Martin 1854, Pat McLaughlin 1825.
Mourne & District HPS – Davy Booth 1909, 1909, 1908, 1910, 1800.
Omagh & District – A Kelly 1825.
Robinson loft of Cullybackey wins 1st Section Bantry National
NIPA Bantry OB Inland National 23/05/26
The pigeon racing season continued on Saturday 23rd May with the first National race of the season flown from Bantry in County Cork. Birds were liberated at 10.00am in south south-westerly winds with the outcome being a very fast race. Laurence & Heather Robinson of the Cullybackey club had the best bird in the Ahoghill Centre after timing at 13.54pm flying 255 miles to record 1929 and win 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 1st Section B and 29th Open NIPA 3445 birds. The partnership's winning yearling cheq cock had two races as a young bird and all the races this season and was the first bird home from Benamore 2 and Grenagh. It’s off a Van Hercks stock cock when paired to a hen Jeff Greenaway gifted Laurence.
Laurence Robinson 1st Mid Antrim Combine & 1st Section B Bantry National. Pictured with his granddaughter
Runner up in the Combine was Bertie Blair doing 1912. Bertie timed his yearling blue cock at 13.58pm and a mealy hen at 14.02pm to take 1st & 2nd Ballymena, 3rd & 9th Section and 43rd & 145th Open National. Bertie's first bird won Kilbeggan as a youngster last year and 4th Mid Antrim Combine. Sire is a Vranken cock from Paddy & William McManus and the dam a Soontjen hen from Davy Hutchinson.
Bertie Blair and loft manager grandson Jacob. Bertie was best in Ballymena and 3rd & 9th Section and 1st Mid Antrim Combine 2 Bird Bantry
Gary Gibson of Cullybackey was 3rd in the Combine on 1902 with a yearling cheq Sticker Doncker hen finishing 4th Section & 61st Open Bantry National. The hen won 6th Section & 41st Open from 1st Benamore with 17,728 birds and as a youngster 3rd Section & 34th Open Fermoy 10,038 birds, The sire was the best old bird in the Cullybackey club in 2024 and the dam won 1st Section & 17th Open Dale YB National in 2024. Danny Dixon was fourth Combine on 1892 and finished 6th Section & 96th Open followed by Stewart Bros the winners in Randalstown on 1881 with a black yearling De Meyer cock sitting overdue and finished 5th Combine & 8th Section.
Ian Stewart with his Randalstown winner from Bantry
Joshua Whyte had the winner in Ahoghill on 1845 timing a 2yo blue hen bred by Gary Gibson of Cullybackey.
Joshua Whyte 1st In Ahoghill from Bantry
Geoff Surgenor was best in Kells on 1830 with a yearling mealy cock. The sire is a Alex Docx / Vandenbrande from Paddy & William McManus of Ahoghill and the dam a Van Den Bulck from the late Lexie Mullan.
Geoff Surgenor with his Bantry winner in Kells & District.
Derek Millar had the Rasharkin winner on 1827 and Marc Neilly had the best bird in Broughshane on 1794. The same cheq widowhood cock won Grenagh last week, Van Mechelen from Paddy & William McManus x a Geoff Dickey hen.
Derek Millar with his Bantry winner in Rasharkin & Marc Neilly 1st in Broughshane from Bantry
Mid Antrim Combine Bantry OB National - Mr & Mrs Robinson Ahoghill 1920, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1912, G Gibson Cullybackey 1902, D Dixon Rasharkin 1892, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1881, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1880, A Darragh Cullybackey 1873, R Service & Son Ballymena 1871, A Darragh Cullybackey 1864
Gary Gibson's 4th Section B hen from Bantry
J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1858 D Dixon Rasharkin 1858, M Graham Ballymena 1857, A Darragh Cullybackey 1852, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1852, G Gibson Cullybackey 1849, J Whyte Ahoghill 1845, J McNeill & Son Randalstown 1839, G Gibson Cullybackey 1837, J Millar Randalstown 1837, D Dixon Rasharkin 1834, D Dixon Rasharkin 1834, D Craig Cullybackey 1833, G Gibson Cullybackey 1832
J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1832, G Gibson Cullybackey 1832, D Dixon Rasharkin 1830, Surgenor Bros Kells 1830, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1828, J Millar & Son Rasharkin 1827, A Darragh Cullybackey 1827, D Dixon Rasharkin 1820, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 1820, D Dixon Rasharkin 1817, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1816, A Darragh Cullybackey 1814, Gregg Bros Kells 1811, Gregg Bros Kells 1809, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1807, M Graham Ballymena 1805, G Gibson Cullybackey 1804.
MID ANTRIM COMBINE 2 BIRD CLUB BANTRY OB INLAND NATIONAL
1st Blair & Rankin Ballymena 1880 GB25B35055
2nd G Gibson Cullybackey 1849 GB23C22223.
Bertie Blair won the 2 Bird with a yearling mealy hen. The parents are both from Paddy & William McManus, the sire is Van Den Brande and dam a full sister to 'Sammy's Girl'. 1st Open Penzance National.
OLD BIRD CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE
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
Final Group Standings
Group (1) G Gibson Cullybackey 421, R Service & Son Ballymena 14, H Cubitt Rasharkin 13, J Millar Randalstown 7,
Group (2) J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 236, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 41, W McFetridge Rasharkin 8, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 0,
Group (3) Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 169, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 51, Surgenor Bros Kells 51, A Purvis Broughshane 0
Group (4) D Dixon Rasharkin 84, H Boyd Kells 62, J Whyte Ahoghill 14, T & M Morrow Broughshane 4
Group (5) F Barkley Rasharkin 39, M Neilly Broughshane 22, J & J Greer Cullybackey 7, W & W Gilbert Randalstown 0,
Group (6) A Darragh Cullybackey 155, Stewart Bros Randalstown 22, 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.
LES MAIRS MEMORIAL CUP - OLD BIRD POINTS FANCIER OF THE YEAR - BANTRY & BENAMORE: Gary Gibson Cullybackey 421, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 236, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 169, A Darragh Cullybackey 155, D Dixon Rasharkin 84, H Boyd Kells 62, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 51, Surgenor Bros Kells 51, K & K Kernohan & Sons Ballymena 41, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 41. Mervyn Eagleson Mid Antrim Combine PO.
Feds & Combines Bantry National –
Coleraine Triangle Bantry – S Diamond Coleraine Prem 1884, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1879, B & D Coyle Coleraine Prem 1868, T McCrudden Coleraine Prem 1855, B & D Coyle 1854, T & J McDonald Coleraine Prem 1833, L Hanson Coleraine Prem 1833, S Diamond 1828, 1828, J Hanso Coleraine Prem 1820, T McCrudden 1813, L Hanson 1812, J Hanson 1809, T & J McDonald 1808, Diamond Bros Coleraine Prem 1808.
City of Derry Federation Bantry – Jim Diamond Derry & District 1825, Pat McLaughlin Maiden City 185, Paul Maxwell Derry & District 1802.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw>
Email:
www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
