Fourth race of delayed young bird season faces strong head winds

The fourth race of the delayed young bird season was flown from Gowran Park in County Kilkenny, some 542 members sent 16,509 birds, which was slightly up on the week previous.
Tough day into the West from Gowran Park, the Section H winner Alan Kelly from Omagh & DistrictTough day into the West from Gowran Park, the Section H winner Alan Kelly from Omagh & District
Tough day into the West from Gowran Park, the Section H winner Alan Kelly from Omagh & District

A head wind was forecast and that’s exactly what we got, the convoy was released in a Lt Northerly wind but it got stronger over the route. It was especially difficult for the longer flyers including birds into the far North West and Londonderry. The best birds were again timed around the City of Newry with best overall going to Sands and Rice of the Ballyholland HPS, a fantastic racing loft who the week previous from Roscrea had 1st Section G and 2nd Open NIPA.

NIPA Open Gowran Park 542/16,509 –

1-1G Sands and Rice Ballyholland 1286, 2-2G J F McCabe and Son Newry and Dist 1281, 3-3G O Markey Ballyholland 1280, 4-4G R Williamson Newry and Dist 1273, 5-1E J Douglas and Son Lurgan Soc 1270, 6-5G O Markey 1269, 7-2E G Douglas Wilton Cross 1269, 8-6G S Ogle Drumnavaddy 1268, 9-7G J J McCabe Millvale 1267, 10-3E S Curran Lurgan Soc 1266, 11-4E S Curran 1266, 12-5E C and H Beattie Gilford 1264, 13-8G A Feeney and Son Gilford 1264, 14-9G Donnelly Bros Newry City 1263, 15-6E Allan McDonald Portadown and Drumcree 1262, 16-7E Rafferty and Toman Gilford 1261, 17-8E Rafferty and Toman 1259, 18-10G A Feeney and Son 1259, 19-9E C and H Beattie 1257, 20-10E Rafferty and Toman 1257.

Claire holding the winner for G & C Simmons in Edgarstown (Portadown)Claire holding the winner for G & C Simmons in Edgarstown (Portadown)
Claire holding the winner for G & C Simmons in Edgarstown (Portadown)

Best in each NIPA Section:

Section A 43/1138 – Tadhg Kelly Coalisland 1203, Brendan Morgan Coalisland 1196, Brendan Morgan Coalisland 1194; Section B 90/2556 – Sefton Thompson Crumlin 1244, Fleming Bros Crumlin 1229, Fleming Bros Crumlin 1221; Section C 93/2532 – S and J Bones and Yates Muckamore 1238, S and J Bones and Yates Muckamore 1231, A and T Agnew Ballyclare 1230; Section D 56/1928 – Jeff Greenaway Dromore 1244, Lavery Bros Hiills and Maze 1230, Johnston Bros Colin HPS 1228; Section E 119/4666 – J Douglas and Son Lurgan Social 1270, Geoff Douglas Wilton Cross 1269, Sean Curran Lurgan Social 1266; Section F 32/760 – R Shaw Corrigs 1241, G and P Brown Corrigs 1201, McCartan and Woodsides Killyleagh and District 1195; Section G 582315 – Sands and Rice Ballyholland 1286, J F McCabe and Son Newry and District 1281, Owen Markey Ballyholland 1280; Section H 51/614 – Alan Kelly Omagh and District 1138, Stevie Englington Cookstown 1113, Glen Quinn Omagh and District 1104.

NIPA Race/Date

Gowran Park – Saturday 29/08/20, liberation 9.00am in Lt North wind

John & Mark Milliken had the winner in Rasharkin & DistrictJohn & Mark Milliken had the winner in Rasharkin & District
John & Mark Milliken had the winner in Rasharkin & District

NIPA Sect A Clubs

Coalisland and District 12/422 – Eamon Grew 1214, Tadhg Kelly 1203, B Morgan 1196, 1194, Tadhg Kelly 1186, Karl Murphy 1181. Good win for Eamon Grew and well done to Tadhg Kelly winning 1st NIPA Section A; Coleraine Premier HPS 12/325 – A McDonnell 1127, L Hanson and Son 1120, D Coyle and Son 1111, 1109, 1109, L Hanson and Son 1107. Mr Premier takes the Red Card today, well done Anthony McDonnell; Coleraine and County Derry – Kenny Darragh 1156, W and W Murdock 1155, 1116.

Cookstown Social – G and S Smith 1161, 1161, 1161, 1149, 1145, 1145; Castledawson – Lynn and Leacock 1039, S McFlynn 906; Dungannon – M Pawlak 1078, 1074, Bartek Isbaner 1069, E Bleeks 1064, K Shannon 1064, Bartek Isbaner 1059; Windsor Social 8/222 – R and J Parke 1201, Kenny Glass 1158, 1158, R and J Parke 1144, T Scott and Son 1140, R and J Parke 1127. Well done to R and J Parke winning today’s race from Gowran Park. The breeding of the winner is Van Herck, a youngster purchased from Robert Rea, Larne by Jason’s wife Rhonda. Well done Rhonda!

NIPA Sect H Clubs

Alan Darragh returned to winning ways in Cullybackey HPSAlan Darragh returned to winning ways in Cullybackey HPS
Alan Darragh returned to winning ways in Cullybackey HPS

Amelia Earhart 8/119 – Jimmy Quigley and Son 922, Ray McMonagle 912, 874, 867, 844, Jimmy Quigley and Son 813. A brilliant result this week for Jimmy Quigley, just edging out Ray, to take the top spot. Brilliant racing too by Ray with 6 birds in the Top 10; Derry and District 6/71 – D Canning 951, 912, A McCrudden 888, J and G Ramsey 876, L and M Moran 875, J and G Ramsey 839. Well done Danny super flying; Foyle RPS 6/66 – Sean Malone 928, Barry Hart 880, Sean Malone 878, Barry Hart 816, Paul Maxwell 767, Sean Malone 766. This week’s winner being a bird bred by Michael Rabbett and gifted to me!

Limavady – Ronnie Witherow 993, 977, 963, 958, 919, 899; Londonderry PRS - Londonderry RPS 1/8 – L Flanagan and Son 1011, 958, 919. Well done Leo, tough race today and a good winner; Maiden City 8/78 – P McLaughlin 927, 862, 852, R Lyle 840, 818, 810. It was a very hard race for this year’s youngsters, with plenty awol at strike off. Well done to the Club Secretary taking the top three spots and making it two wins back to back. Well done Pat, also three good birds for R Lyle.

Omagh and District – Allen Kelly 1138, Glen Quinn 1104, Allen Kelly 1100, 1099, 937, 908; Strabane and District – Jay Walsh 1100, Declan McNulty 964, 964, 946, Thomas Ferguson 918, Declan McNulty 911. Well done jay on another hard race for young birds his winning bird is coming down from Kenny Armstrong 1st Open winner, Also very well done to Declan McNulty with a fantastic team performance, and also well done to Tommy Ferguson winning £65 in the pools. All 12 Birds recorded in Strabane has made in the section result Mass lib 16,509 Birds. NIPA has not put up members or birds for Section H. Confirmation 51/614.

NIPA Sect B Clubs

Town & Country the recent Hotspot 5 winner at North Coast Classic. See textTown & Country the recent Hotspot 5 winner at North Coast Classic. See text
Town & Country the recent Hotspot 5 winner at North Coast Classic. See text

Ahoghill Flying Club 8/310 – J Smyth and Son 1145, M/M Robinson 1140, Young McManus and Sons 1117, A Shields 1112, Young McManus and Sons 1107, 1105; Brooke Supplies 2 Bird Club - Young McManus and Sons 1107, M/M Robinson 1093; Ballymena and District HPS 9/238 – R Service and Son 1185, J Eagleson and Sons 1166, R Service and Son 1162, 1160, Blair and Rankin 1155, 1155. Another win for club Chairman and Treasurer Robert and Robin Service and their fifth in total for the season. They timed their blue cock at 12.53pm flying 157 miles to Drumtara. Sire is a full brother to their good 5 x 1st cock and he also bred their 1st Section B winner from the Yearling Hens National 2in 018. The dam is nestmate to the mother of last week’s 1st club and 3rd MA Combine pigeon. Top flying from the Service lofts.

Ballymoney HPS 7/285 – D Dixon 1201.6, 1201, 1, J McDowell and Son 1145, Brown and Stewart 1106, 1106, J McDowell and Sons 1088. In what was a hard race from Gowran Park the winner for Danny Dixon is a direct son of “Heartbreaker” when paired to a daughter of Superke, he had a great card as well.

Ballymoney West Combine - Dervock PRS 3/61 – D and H Stuart 1085, 10678, D and G McMullan 944.

Broughshane and Dist HPS 7/127 - 1. David Houston and son 1137, 2. David Houston and Son 1114, 3. Valerie Gage 1104, 4. Bob Wylie 1099, 5. Valerie Gage 1094, 6. Bob. Wylie 1069. Golden Ring. Race - 1. David Houston and Son, 2. Bob Wylie, 3. Marc. Neilly, 4. Alastair Purvis, 5. Gary Johnston. Congratulations to Davy on winning both races today in a North wind.

Cullybackey HPS 10/234 – A Darragh 1169, 1160, N and S Anderson 1121, G Gibson 1100, 1100, J McNaghten and Son 1092. Today’s race winner in Cullybackey HPS from a tough Gowran Park is Alan Darragh, with a velocity of 1169.599. Taking the first 2 and placing 5 in the Top 6. Well done Alan, great result.

Crumlin and District – S Thompson 1244, Fleming Bros 1229, 1221, S Thompson 1206, Fleming Bros 1204, 1203. Crumlin dominated the top of the NIPA Sect B, Sefton Thompson the overall winner shared the top places with previous weeks 1st Sect winners Fleming Brothers; Harryville HPS 10/239 – K and K Kernohan 1202, 1172, 1160, R H Clements 1159, J Rock 1159, K and K Kernohan 1150. Two in a row for the loft in form, Keith Kernohan and his dad timed another from their Vermerbergen family of birds, the winner was timed at 12.51pm flying 158 miles into Ballykeel; Kells and District HPS 7/232 – C and D Jackson 1197, 1183, 1180, Surgenor Bros 1177, 1177, S Crawford 1175. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – C and D Jackson 1180, Surgenor Bros 1172, Gregg Bros 1157, 1070, McFarlane and Agnew 965. Two wins on the trot for Davy Jackson, another super card; Muckamore HPS 8/312 – S and J Bones and Yates 1238, 1231, T Patterson and Son 1211, D J Thompson 1199, S and N Maginty 1196, 1189. Congratulations Jason and Trevor on topping Muckamore HPS today from Gowran Park, another super card. Racing in Sect C the loft timed at 12.28pm flying almost 147 miles; Randalstown HPS 6/173 – F and G and J Dickey 1158, J Millar 1125, 1124, 1112, J McNeill and Son 1111, F and G and J Dickey 1104.Two in a row for the Dickey team flying to the Ahoghill Road in Randalstown; Rasharkin and District HPS 12/225 – J and M Milliken 1190, 1116, W McFetridge 1115, Steele and McNeill 1107, N Bradley 1104, W McFetridge 1102. Danny Dixon – 1201, 1201, 1200, 1200, 1197.

Sefton Thompson of Crumlin & District, winner of 1st NIPA Section BSefton Thompson of Crumlin & District, winner of 1st NIPA Section B
Sefton Thompson of Crumlin & District, winner of 1st NIPA Section B

NIPA Sect E Clubs

Annaghmore – G Buckley and Son 1240, 1236, R D Calvin 1223, G Buckley and Son 1214, 1211, P Boyd 1210. Well done G Buckley and Son winning 1st and 2nd; Armagh HPS – E and M Curran 1250, 1249, 1249, 1237, D C and P McArdle 1206, R Parkes and Son 1206. Well don E and M Curran, top four places. News on winner last week, see photo - This is the latest winner from Roscrea. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Danny Dixon as he gave us the parents, the father is a direct Vadenbrande. We introduced Danny’s birds five years ago and in five seasons his birds have played a big part in winning over 60 plus 1st clubs. So, thank you Danny from D C and P McArdle, a true gentleman of the sport.

Beechpark Social – D Mawhinney and Son 1249, 1248, 1239, 1210.

Blackwatertown HPS – Collins and Douglas 1200, 1189, 1189, Joe Brown 1174, Collins and Douglas 1165, R G and G Donaldson 1164. Congratulations Sid and Jennifer on their win today. Making it a double at Fourwinds Lofts today with Geoff 1st in Wilton Cross. Well done all.

Bondhill Social – David Calvin 1234, 1234, 1229, 1229, 1221, 1218.

Edgarstown 11/378 – G and C Simmons 1245, 1239, 1227, M Hughes 1220, David Love 1220, 1218. Pools 1st GandC Simmons, 2nd J Trotter. Me and the aul man buzzing with the win today taking the top 3 and winning the pools. The winner was a gift youngster from top fancier John Trimble of Annalong, Well done to all in the result, hard day.

Gilford and District RPS – C and H Beattie 1264.08, A Feeney and Son 1264.02, Rafferty and Toman 1261, Rafferty and Toman 1259, C and H Beattie 1257, Rafferty and Toman 1254. Well done C and H Beattie, decimal point winner; Laurelvale – Alan Craig 1221, 1211, C Duke and Sons 1182, 1181, Alan Craig 1159, 1159. One on the nose today, well done Alan Craig 1st and 2nd and all in the result; Loughgall – Nelson Weir 1248, Stanley West 1229, Nelson Weir 1207, 1205; Lurgan Social – J Douglas and Son 1270, Sean Curran 1266, 1266, J Douglas and Son 1255, 1255, Sean Curran 1248. Well done to Martin Douglas, first win in the young birds scored at Gowran Park and 1st Sect E.; Markethill – J and H Muldrew and McMurray 1230, R McCracken 1224, 1211, J and H Muldrew and McMurray 1184, R McCracken 1184, 1178. Well done the two Johns on their win today. Reminder Markethill Gold Ring race will take place from Talbenny YB National on September 12. 1st £500, 2nd £250, 3rd £150, 4th £50. Many thanks to all who supported us this year again; Monaghan 11/410 – Keith Allister 1167, Cooney Bros 1165, 1165, 1164, Keith Allister 1164, Richard Mulligan 1157. Monaghan results for Gowran Park. Congratulations this week again to Keith Allister taking the Red Card closely followed by Cooney Bros. This being three on the trot for Keith. Well done to all on a tough fly for the young birds.

Portadown and Drumcree – A McDonald 1262, P Matchett 1221, Larkin Bros 1206, P Matchett 1204, Larkin Bros 1204, A McDonald 1202. 2 Bird Club1. A McDonald, 2. P Matchett. Nom A McDonald. A big congratulations to Allan McDonald on winning today’s race on a great velocity that should be well up in the section! Also well done to the other members in the Top 10; Wilton Cross – Geoff Douglas 1269, 1244, Joe Brown 1240, Alan Larkin 1231, Geoff Douglas 1230, 1189. Form is temporary class is permanent! Congratulations to Geoffrey Douglas on a great 1-2 from Gowran Park. And also well done to all in the result.

RPRA Awards (Irish Region)

RPRA Awards for 2020 – With a restricted old bird programme and with the Penzance birds returned to Ireland for a liberation in Fermoy the Individual Bird Performance in the various NIPA Sections will be the races from Talbenny and Bude.

Claims should be made to the RPRA (Irish Region) Secretary Noel Higginson.

The following are the Mileage Awards - (a) 0-250 Miles (b) 251-450 Miles (c) Over 450 Miles (d) Best Single Bird Performance, Old Birds or Young Birds (e) Young Fanciers over 8 years but under 16 years on 1st January for any of the above awards (who are competing in races in their own right). Age to be stated on application. (f) Best Single Bird Performance as above Talbenny and Bude, Claims from Club Secretaries for this award, winners will be listed in each NIPA Section, ie. A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H.

Application Forms are available from the Region Secretary, Noel Higginson, 44 Green View, Parkgate, Ballyclare, Co Antrim. BT39 OJP. Tel: (028) 94 439481. E-Mail: [email protected]

I have included a photo of the winner of the NCC Hot Spot 5 yesterday it also win the £10 nom at the minute is leading the Ace pigeon it also was third on a previous hotspot winning the £10 nom, Danny Dixon was talking to Rab and Joe and they have decided if it finishes the final race it will put up for auction on Pigeon Chat, it is a pure Rudy Van Reeth.

Combine and Feds Update -

For the fourth young bird race of the season the pigeons were transported to Gowran Park in County Kilkenny. The birds were liberated at 9am on Saturday, August 29 in a light north wind. Rasharkin fancier Danny Dixon again had an outstanding result winning the top five positions in the Mid Antrim Combine in what turned out to be a pretty tough race. His winning dark chequer cock was timed at 13.05pm for the 167mile fly to the lofts in Dunloy.

The cock is a direct son of “Heartbreaker” paired to one of the last daughters of “Superke” Danny’s second bird just decimals behind is out of a daughter of “Denman” Martin Graham’s INFC Sennen Cove Yearling National winner in 2018. The Dixon loft had the top nine positions in the Combine from the second area lib a fortnight ago and has now won 4 x 1st Mid Antrim Combines this season. Last week’s Combine winner Davy Jackson of Kells is again well placed with three birds in the Top 10 and 1st Club for the second week. Mervyn Eagleson PO.

Mid Antrim Combine Gowran Park 51/1375 - D Dixon Rasharkin 1201, D Dixon 1201, D Dixon 1200, D Dixon 1200, D Dixon 1197, C and D Jackson Kells 1197, J and M Milliken Rasharkin 1190, R Service and Son Ballymena 1185, C and D Jackson 1183, C and D Jackson 1180, Surgenor Bros Kells 1177, Surgenor Bros 1177, S Crawford Kells 1175, Surgenor Bros 1172, Surgenor Bros 1167, J Eagleson and Sons Ballymena 1166, R Service and Son 1162, R Service and Son 1160, R H Clements Associate 1159, J Rock Associate 1159, F and G and J Dickey Randalstown 1158, Gregg Bros Kells 1157, Blair and Rankin Ballymena 1155, Blair and Rankin 1155, J Eagleson and Sons 1152, S Crawford 1147, S Crawford 1146, J Smyth and Son Ahoghill 1145, H Turkington Kells 1145, A Barkley and Son Kells 1143

Young Bird Combine Points Week 4 - Danny Dixon Rasharkin 203, C and D Jackson Kells 39, Blair and Rankin Ballymena 32, Harold Cubitt Rasharkin 29, William McFetridge Rasharkin 23, R H Clements Associate 22, R Service and Son Ballymena 21, Jimmy Rock Associate 17.

Young Bird Knock-out -

The Quarter Final matches for Gowran Park this weekend with results are as follows. Danny Dixon (Rasharkin) 1201 v Henry Turkington (Kells) 1145, J Smyth and Son (Ahoghill) 1145 v Stewart Bros (Randalstown), W and J Smyth (Ballymena) 1104 v F and J and G Dickey (Randalstown) 1158, Blair and Rankin (Ballymena) 1155 v R Service and Son (Ballymena) 1185, From Fermoy this weekend the semi-finals are D Dixon v J Smyth and Son and F and J and G Dickey v R Service and Son with final at Talbenny on 12th September.

Coleraine Triangle Gowran Park – R and J Parke Windsor Soc 1201, K Glass Windsor Soc 1158, K Glass 1158, R and J Parke 1144, T Scott and Son Windsor Soc 1140, Kenneth Darragh Coleraine and County Derry 1156, W and W Murdock Coleraine and County Derry 1155, A McDonnell Coleraine Prem 1128, R and J Parke 1127, L Hanson and Son Coleraine Prem 1120, R and J Parke 1119, W and W Murdock Coleraine and Co Derry 1116, D Coyle and Son Coleraine Prem 1111, D Coyle and Son 1109, D Coyle and Son 1109, L Hanson and Son 1107, K Glass 1099, J L Madden Coleraine Prem 1098, M Howard and Son Coleraine Prem 1096, L Hanson and Son 1095.

City of Derry Federation Gowran Park – L Flanagan and Son Londonderry 1011, L Flanagan and Son 958, D Canning Derry and Dist 951, S Malone Foyle 928, Pat McLaughlin Maiden City 927, J Quigley and Son Amelia Earhart 922, L Flanagan and Son 919, D Canning 912, R McMonagle Amelia Earhart 912, A McCrudden Derry and Dist 888, B Hart Foyle 880, S Malone 878, J and G Ramsey Derry and Dist 876, L Moran and Son Derry and Dist 875, R McMonagle 874, R McMonagle 867, P McLaughlin 852, R McMonagle 844, R Lyle Maiden City 840, J and G Ramsey 839, R Lyle 818, B Hart 816, J Quigley and Son 813, R Lyle 810, P and S Campbell Amelia Earhart 809.

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