Plougastel OB Nat - Sat 28/06/25

[willie reynolds]

Big Test for NIPA Lofts in the Premier OB National -

The NIPA had another severe test of the birds in the seasons Premier Old Bird Nat with the convoy released in Plougastel-Daoulas, Bretagne in France. Just over 1,400 of the members birds were released at7.15am on Saturday 28th June having been held over the day previous. As usual there were a number of outstanding performances with lofts recording more than one arrivals, also many awards including the highly prized Devine Memorial Trophy for the 2 Bird Average which was won by the popular Laurelvale loft of Geoffrey and Clive Topley. East Antrim lofts dominated the leading lofts with the overall winner one o the top distance lofts flying in the area, Arnold Thompson of Ballyclare. The late Davy Suitters would have celebrated big time his Doagh & District finished runner-up in the race to be followed by McMurray & Anderson of Ligoniel. Just over 150 gallant birds were recorded in race time.

NIPA Race/Date
Plougastel OB Nat Saturday 28th June 2025 – Liberated at 7.15am in a Lt Southerlywind. Held over on Friday.

NIPA Open Plougastel OB Nat 291/1414 – 1-1C A Thompspn Ballyclare & Dist 1217, 2-2C D & S Suitters & Sons Doagh & Dist 1202, 3-3C McMurray & Anderson Ligoniel & Dist 1181, 4-1F Ollie Hawthorne Millisle & Dist 1173, 5-1E R Mulligan Monaghan 1164, 6-1A K Shannon Armagh 1150, 7-1B J Eagleson & Sons Ballymea & Dist 1149, 8-2A Diamond Bros & G McLaughlin Coleraine Prem 1145, 9-2E G & C Topley Laurelvale 1142, 10-3E Mullen Bros Edgarstown 1138, 11-1H D Booth Strabane 1134, 12-1D D Aiken Dromara 1132, 13-4E G & C Topley Laurelvale 1132, 14-3A J McConaghie Ballymoney 1132, 15-1G P Murtagh & Son Ballyholland 1130, 16-4C D McElhone Eastway 1128, 17-4A Kevin Carolan Coalisland & Dist 18-5A K Shannon Armagh 1124, 19-5C L O’Neill & Sons Harmony 1117, 20-6C D McElhone Eastway 1117.

NIPA Section A Plougastel 28/123 – K Shannon Armagh 1150, Diamond Bros & G McLaughlin Coleraine Prem 1145, J McConaghie Ballymoney 1132, Kevin Carolan Coalisland & Dist 1125, K Shannon Armagh 1124m Sean Diamond Coleraine Prem 1113m K Shannon Armagh 1035, Paul O’Connor Coleraine Prem 851, L Hanson Coleraine Prem 810, J Campbell & Son Cookstown 678.

NIPA Sect A Clubs

Coalisland & District – Kevin Carolan 1125, Mr & Mrs G Larmour 653, Karl Murphy 605, Mr & Mrs G Larmour 581. Former winner of the race Kevin Carolan back on top in Coalisland.

Coleraine Premier HPS – Diamond Brow & G McLaughlin 1145, Sean Diamond 1113, Paul O’Connor 851, Laurence Hanson 810. Diamond Bros & McLaughlin 7 28
Sean Diamond 7 48 on the day. Paul O’Connor gets a Bronze Diploma.

Cookstown Social – J Campbell & Son 678, J Campbell & Son 621. Cookstown hps 6/25 Plougastel Old bird National.445 miles. Congratulations J Campbell & Son 2 nd & . 4th Centre.1st Club with a pigeon that was 26th Nat last year. 1st J Campbell & Son 678ypm Bronze Award, 2nd J Campbell & Son 621ypm.

Windsor Social – R Gage 862, R Gage 657, R & J Parke 549.

NIPA Section B Plougastel 39/180 – J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena & Dist 1149, S & N Doherty Cullybackey 975, R Gage Windsor Soc 862, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 842, G Holmes Ballymoney 753, D Dixon Ballymoney 743, A C & T Tweed Ballymoney 728, S & N Doherty Cullybackey 703, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena & Dist 676, Alan Darragh Cullybackey 676.

NIPA Sect B Clubs

Ahoghill Flying Club – J Smyth & Son 842, Trevor Whyte 643, Young McManus & Sons 532.

Ballymoney HPS – J McConaghie 1132, G Holmes 753, D Dixon 743, A C & T Tweed 728, D Dixon 564.

Ballymena & District HPS – J Eagleson & Sons 1149, J Eagleson & Sons 676.

Cullybackey HPS – S & N Doherty 975, S & N Doherty 703, Alan Darragh 676, Alan Darragh 536.

Muckamore HPS – A & E Bell 1072.

NIPA Section C Plougastel 62/318 – Arnold Thompson Ballyclare & Dist 1217, D & S Suitters & Sons Doagh & Dist 1202, McMurray & Anderson Ligoniel & Dist 1181, D McElhone Eastway 1128, L O’Neill & ons Harmony 1117, D McElhone Eastway 1117, D McElhone Eastway 1107 A ^& E Bell Muckamore 1072, J & D Braniff Glen 1059, G Dickey Eastway 1017.

NIPA Section D Plougastel 23/119 – D Aiken Dromara 1132, Ian Donaghy Lisrurn & Dist 982, Ian Gibb & Sons Glenavy 963, Russell Bros Dromara 911, N Black & Son Dromara 816, N Black & Son Dromara 730, G McEvoy Beechpark Soc 719, R Topping & Son Lisburn & Dist 698, S & W English Lisburn & Dist 629, R Benson Derriaghy 617.

NIPA Section E Plougastel 65/341 – R Mulligan Monaghan 1164, G & C Topley Laurelvale 1142, Mullen Bros Edgarstown 1138, G & C Topley Laurelvale 1132, R Cassells Edgarstown 1069, W Gillis & Sons Laurelvale 1060, S O’Brien Monaghan 1059, W Gillis & Sons Laurelvale 1053, G O’Dowd Gilford & Dist 1007, G Buckley & SonAnnaghmore 1006.

NIPA Sect E Clubs

Annaghmore – G Buckley & Son 1006, Tony Devlin 669.

Armagh HPS – Kieran Shannon 1150, Kieran Shannon 1124, Kieran Shannon 1035.1st 2nd & 3rd Armagh HPS. 1st 5th & 8th section A. 6th 18th & 30th Open. The 1st Section winner is a yearling cock sent driving his hen flown steady all season having 1st Dale & Bude before Plougastel. Tmed at 18.25 on Saturday evening followed by 2 loft mates shortly after.

Beechpark Social – Gregory McEvoy 719, Gregory McEvoy 567.

Bondhill Social – Ron Williamson 704, Ron Williamson 691, David Calvin 649, Capper Bros 611.

Edgarstown – Mullen Bros 1138, R Cassells 1069, P Dunlop 995, R Cassells 970, P Dunlop 969, R G & G Donaldson 719, G & C Simmons 681.

Gilford & District – Gregory O’Dowd 1007.Tom Wilson 702.

Laurelvale – G & C Topley 1142, G & C Topley 1132, W Gillis & Sons 1060, W Gillis & Sons 1053, S & N Lester 741, S & N Lester 736, S & N Lester 730,W Gillis & Sons 723, W Gillis & Sons 711, J Funston 628. Laurelvale HPS.A big congratulations to the lofts of G & C Topley Winning all 3 of this Years French races also winning the divine memorial 2 bird average from the Nipa plougastel pictured here holding the winners. Again Congratulations to Geoff and Clive on a fantastic achievement and all the members who timed.

Loughgall -Sam Corrigan 584.

Lurgan Social – J Barr 692, Keelie Wright 690, R Adamson 643.

Monaghan HPS – Richard Mulligan 1164, Stephen O’Brien 1059. Big result for Monaghan, 2 good birds in the France OB National,two great hens from two top lofts. Richard timed his hen at 17.56hrs to win the club, 1st Sect E & 5th Open NIPA. This hen had already been 1st Club in the 1st Dale race. She is a granddaughter of Jeff Greenaway’s Night Rider on the sire side (1st Open NIPA St Malo) and granddaughter of his Blue Savanagh Irish Region award winner and overall runner-up RPRA Sprint Champion of that year. Credit to Jeff for breeding this wonderful hen. Stephen timed his hen at 18.48hrs to take club runner-up 7th Sect E & 26th Open NIPA. She had already scored 3rd Club in 2nd Dale being raced on the Roundabout System. Was paired up for the OB Nat and was sent sitting eggs. Her nestmate is also a winner of 3rd Club Penzance. Both of this hens parents were from the great Dundalk partnership of McKeown & McEvoy. Club members would like to congratulate Richard and Stephen on their respective performances. Well done, Gerry Swift Secretary.

NIPA Section F Plougastel 15/55 – Ollie Hawthorne Millisle & Dist 1173, D & J Caskey Bangor 1032, Burgess & Brennan Bangor 927, D & J Caskey Bangor 819, J & I Moore Bangor 815, Burgess & Brennan Bangor 765, R Shaw Corrigs 710, J Cochrane Killyleagh Cent 667, H & S Muckle Ards 655, M Ferris & Grandson Millisle & Dist 618.

NIPA Section G Plougastel 27/172 – P Murtagh & Son Ballyholland 1130, J Murtagh Ballyholland 1049, Sam Ogle Drumnavaddy 979, C O’Hare & Daughter Ballyholland 921, J Murtagh Ballyholland 826, C O’Hare & Daughter Ballyholland 720, M/M N S Close Drumnavaddy 706, Donnelly Bros Newry City 665m Donnelly Bros Newry City 665, C McArdle & Son Newry City 661.

NIPA Section H Plougastel 29/70 – Davy Booth Strabane 1134, Paul Maxwell Jnr Foyle 644, Neil McGavigan Strabane 585, D W Lofts Maiden City 583, G McCauley
Strabane 538, Paul Maxwell Jnr Foyle 492, Neil McGavigan Strabane 418.

NIPA Sect H Clubs

Foyle RPS – Paul Maxwell Jnr 644, Paul Maxwell Jnr 492.

Maiden City – D W Lofts 583.

Mourne & District HPS – Davy Booth 1134.

Strabane & District Inv RPC – Neil McGavigan 585, G McCauley 538, Neil McGavigan 418.

Plougastel Feds & Combines –

Coleraine Triangle Plougastel – Diamond Bros & G McLaughlin Coleraine Prem 1145, Sean Diamond Coleraine Prem 113, R Gage Windsor Soc 862, Paul O’Connor Coleraine Prem 851, L Hanson Coleraine Prem 810, R Gage Windsor Soc 657, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 549.

City of Derry Federation Plougastel - Paul Maxwell Jnr Foyle 644,D W Lofts Maiden City 583, Paul Maxwell Jnr Foyle 492.

Foyle Valley Combine Plougastel - Paul Maxwell Jnr Foyle 644, Neil McGavigan Strabane 585, D W Lofts Maiden City 583, G McCauley Strabane 538, Paul Maxwell Jnr Foyle 492, Neil McGavigan Strabane 418.

Mid Antrim Combine - NIPA Plougastel OB National
Johnston Eagleson & Sons of Ballymena win 1st Section B & 7th Open French National

The last race of the NIPA old bird season was the Old Bird National from Plougastel in the northwest of France. The birds were liberated on Saturday 28th June at 7.15am in light south westerly winds and a tough and difficult race followed. Only two birds were recorded on the first day into the Mid Antrim Combine and a further nine birds on the second day. Johnston Eagleson & Sons who have had an excellent season clocked at 18.54pm to win 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 1st Section B and 7th Open NIPA National 456 miles velo 1149. Their winning 4yo blue wf hen has been a steady racing hen winning quite a few prizes including well up the open in last years Dale race and has been twice beaten by loftmates for club wins. Her last race before the National was the tough Bude race 289 miles. Her channel races are in double figures and has never sat a night out in any of these. Her full brother has been a good racing cock having won 2nd, 3rd & 4th Section including 2nd Section Dale last year beaten by loftmate and 3rd Combine Bude this season beaten by two loftmates and 4th Section. Sire is a blue cock purchased from Trevor Simpson & Son Paul from York and is Van Den Bulck x Hereman Ceuster and the Vermeerbergen - Wilms dam was purchased from clubmate Keith Kernohan and is from one of Keith's top stock cocks "Speedy". A brother and a sister of the dam won 1st club & 2nd Section Fermoy and 1st club & 2nd Section Corrin for Keith. The Eagleson loft timed a second arrival at 08.56am on the second morning to win 6th Combine, 9th Section & 98th Open. This 3yo cheq pied cock again had plenty of channel experience and prizes. Sire was from Paddy & William McManus and is a grandson of Danny Dixon's 'Dixie Chic' and the dam is a self bred Hereman Ceuster x their good 'Double Combine Winner'. The Eagleson Loft are twice overall winners of the Nipa Old Bird National race having won 1st Open in 1987 from Guernsey 404 miles with 'Big Harry' and 1st Open in 2001 from Lamballe in France 470 miles with 'Northern Lass' 14 and a half hours on the wing. They have topped the Combine five time this season and have also won 1st Section Dale, 1st, 2nd & 4th Section Bude and 1st Section Plougastel.

Next best were Stephen & Natalie Doherty of Cullybackey who timed the only other bird on the first day at 21.03pm flying 458 miles. The Partnership timed a 2yo cheq hen now named 'Tiny Tears' to win 2nd Mid Antrim Combine, 2nd Section B & 39th Open National. The hen won 200th Open in the INFC Penzance Yearling National last season. Sire is Davy Black x 'Natalie's Girl' and the dam is from E Murtagh & Son, the g.dam being the Hall of fame winner 'Manny's Girl'. Stephen & Natalie timed a second bird the next morning to win 5th Combine, 8th Section & 86th Open and win a Bronze Award. They timed their good 3yo blue hen 'Glencar Queen' that was placed 2nd Section and 14th Open Nipa last season The sire is a son of Stephen's good Jan Aarden cock from Cedarwood lofts that bred 24th and 287th Open in the INFC Penzance Yearling National last season when paired to a direct N Black & Sons of Dromara hen from their Fiona lines. The dam is from E Murtagh and Sons and is a double granddaughter of 'Dinkey's Delight' 8th Open Kings Cup and also helped win the Harkness Rose Bowl. Also in her breeding is 'Manny's Girl' which has flown the Kings Cup four times and has also won the Hall Of Fame. Stephen and Natalie are probably the top French flyers in the Mid Antrim Combine at present and have won 2nd Combine & 2nd Section from Plougastel the past two seasons and 1st Combine & 11th Open INFC St Malo Friendship National in 2023. On top of that they also had five birds in the Open result from the INFC Penzance Yearling National last season with 24th Open the best position and this season four birds in the Open result 2nd Combine & 96th Open for the first bird. Once again Stephen wants to thank Mr & Mrs Connolly of Portglenone for allowing them the use of their field where the loft's are erected.

Jimmy Smyth & Son were best in Ahoghill on 842 and placed 3rd Combine, 4th Section & 51st Open. Details of bird to follow. Danny Dixon of Dunloy timed two birds on the second day to win 4th & 9th Combine, 6th & 13th Section and 68th Open. The sire of his first 5yo blue cock is a son of Wilf Reid’s 'Darkie' when pair to a hen Danny got from a Belgium fancier Gust Van Aert. Danny's second bird a 3yo blue cheq cock is from a half brother of Cuchullian when paired to a daughter of 'Dixie Chic' 1st Open Penzance YB National 2010. Danny was second Open in this race in 2014 with 'Danske Kid'

Alan Darragh also timed two birds on the second day to win 7th & 10th Combine, 10th & 15th Section and 99th Open. Alan's first pigeon a two year old blue cock is bred from the old four times France cock including 1st club from St Malo when paired to a good stock hen that has bred a lot of prizewinners inland and channel right to France. The sire of the second bird is a Vanderheeden cock when paired to a daughter of the 999 hen from his old family of birds and a breeder of many pigeons timed on the channel. Over the years Alan has been 2nd Open twice & 3rd Open in this OB National race.

Trevor Whyte of Ahoghill was placed 8th Combine, 12th Section & 114th Open. His 3yo grizzle cock was bred by clubmates Paddy & William McManus and is Vandenbrande x Alex Docx. Paddy & William McManus of Ahoghill finished 11th Combine & 16th Section with a 3yr old cheq C & C Lambrecht cock, an inbred grandson of 'Superman'. This cock had every water race this year except Penzance and was sent sitting 10 day old eggs. The McManus loft has a top channel record having previously won 4th Open in this race from St Malo a number of years ago, 3rd, 4th & 5th Open Bude in 2021 & 10th Open Penzance Classic in 2022 etc.

Mid Antrim Combine Plougastel OB National 23/98 -
J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1149, S & N Doherty Cullybackey, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 842, D Dixon Rasharkin 743, S & N Doherty Cullybackey 703, J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 676, A Darragh Cullybackey 676, T Whyte Ahoghill 643
D Dixon Rasharkin 564, A Darragh Cullybackey 536, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 532.

Final Points Table Les Mairs Memorial Cup - OB Points Fancier Of The Year
J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 549, G Gibson Cullybackey 376Young & McManus & S, ons Ahoghill 355, A Darragh Cullybackey 314, D Dixon Rasharkin 259, T Whyte Ahoghill 190, R Service & Son Ballymena 145, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 142, S Johnston & Son Ballymena 121, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 120, H Boyd Kells 109
H Cubitt Rasharkin 92, Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 90, Blair & Rankin Ballymena 84, F Barkley Rasharkin 66.

Final Points Table OB Inland Points
J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 296, G Gibson Cullybackey 285, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 275, T Whyte Ahoghill 176, A Darragh Cullybackey 158, D Dixon Rasharkin 135, R Service & Son Ballymena 127, Rock & Moore Cullybackey 125, Surgenor Bros Kells 113, H Boyd Kells 100.

Final Points Table OB Channel Points
J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 253, A Darragh Cullybackey 156, D Dixon Rasharkin 124, G Gibson Cullybackey 91, Young & McManus & Sons Ahoghill 80.

Mid Antrim Combine Club Points Shield Final Table
Cullybackey 96, Ballymena 93, Ahoghill 87, Rasharkin 69, Kells 63, Broughshane 25, Randalstown 25.

Mid Antrim Combine 2025 Old Birds Awards –

Best Single Bird Average 2nd Dale & Penzance Meritorious Award - Mr & Mrs Robinson Cullybackey 1378.15 GB22A24973
Bryan Eagleson Memorial Cup Best Average 1st & 2nd Dale, Bude & Penzance - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1399.50
Old Bird Inland Points - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 296
Old Bird Inland Average - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1506.84
Champions League - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena
Old Bird Knock Out - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena
Old Bird Channel Points - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 253
Tommy Shanks Memorial Cup Old Bird Of the Year - T Whyte Ahoghill GB24A24181 61 Points
Old Bird Average - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1418.54
Old Bird Cross Channel Average - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1313.70
William McIlhagga Memorial Cup 1st Mid Antrim Combine OB NIPA National Plougastel - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 1149 1st Section & 7th Open
Les Mairs Memorial Cup OB Points Fancier of the Year - J Eagleson & Sons Ballymena 549. Mervyn Eagleson Race Secretary / Press Officer.

For the remainder of the season Adie will be giving me a hand with results and reports, a blast from the past. Any missing races will be caught up.

Homer report on Elimar Pigeons - click here https://www.elimarpigeons.com/articles/ ... l-22-07-25

HOMER. Willie Reynolds

Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683

Mobile: 07538 238364

Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw

Email: homerbhw@gmail.com

www.pigeonnetwork.com

www.irishnationalflyingclub.com

www.nipapigeons.co.uk

www.elimarpigeons.com













Photo captions

Johnston & Mervyn Eagleson with their 1st & 9th Section, 7th & 98th Open Plougastel Old Bird National birds.
Poto Captions

NIPA Banner on top please

Overall winner of the NIPA Premier OB National from Plougastel, Arnold Thompson f Ballyclare & District.

G & C Topley of Laurelvale, Devine Mem Trophy for best 2 Bird Average.

Kieran Shannon had the top three arrivals in Armagh HPS and won 1st Section A in the NIPA.

Diamond Bros & G McLaughlin of the Coleraine Premier HPS, 1st Coleraine Centre and 2nd in the NIPA Section A.

Monaghan HPS member’s (r) Richard Mulligan 1st Club & 1st Section E with Stephen O’Brien.

Johnston & Mervyn Eagleson with their 1st & 9th Section, 7th & 98th Open Plougastel Old Bird National birds.

Another outstanding season for Davy Booth of Mourne & District, 1st Club, 1st Section H and a good 11th Open NIPA.

J Campbell & Son Bronze Diploma winners in Cookstown.

Eagleson bird, winner of 1st Section B for J Eagleson & Sons of Ballymena& District.

Stephen & Natalie Doherty of Cullybackey with Natalie's son Killian and their 39th & 86th Open National birds.

Jimmy Smyth winner of Ahoghill and 51st Open Plougastel National with two of his grandkids.

Danny Dixon of Dunloy 6th & 13th Section & 68th Open Plougastel National.

Alan Darragh of Cullybackey 10th & 15th Section & 99th Open from Plougastel OB National

Trevor Whyte's grizzle cock 114th Open Plougastel National
Michael Howard Memorial Perpetual Cup presented to the Club by the Howard family , to be flown from YB NIPA Inland National.

William & Paddy McManus of Ahoghill 11th Combine & 16th Section Plougastel National

Michael Howard Memorial Perpetual Cup presented to the Club by the Howard family , to be flown from YB NIPA Inland National.

[willie reynolds]