The 98th North of Ireland Band's Association Championship took place at the Market Place Theatre in Armagh on the weekend, where there were both domestic titles and European qualification up for grabs.

Keen fight

In a keenly fought Championship Section, victory — and the invitation to represent the nation at the European Championship in Ostende in 2017, went to 1st Old Boys conducted by Stephen Cairns.

They produced a fine rendition of the set work, 'Comedy Overture' by the rather appropriately named John Ireland, to beat off the strong challenge of Laganvale with Downshire Brass a point further behind.

Regained

It was 1st Old Boys fourteenth NIBA success, as they regained the title they last won in 2013 by a single point.

Such was the standard that reigning champion Murley Silver, who will play at the Europeans in Lille in 2016, had to be content with fourth place. Nathan Thompson, principal cornet of Laganvale took the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.

Fine playing

Adjudicator John Doyle had plenty of fine playing to enjoy throughout the day, commenting on the high standard he had heard, with 1st Old Boys Youth under Jacklin Bingham making it a double celebration as they took the youth title.

Section titles

In the Second Grade there was a victory to Lourdes as they continued their impressive run of form under former Black Dyke cornet player Michael Hannan, whilst the Third Grade title went to St Joseph's Brass directed by Noel Barr.

Poyntzpass took the Fourth Grade honours with 1st Larne Old Boys winning the Fifth Grade.

In a keenly fought Championship Section, victory — and the invitation to represent the nation at the European Championship in Ostende in 2017, went to 1st Old Boys4BR

Results:

Championship Section:
Comedy Overture (John Ireland)

1. 1st Old Boys (Stephen Cairns) — 191
2. Laganvale (Stephen Crooks) — 190
3. Downshire Brass (Michael Alcorn) — 188
4. Murley Silver (William Hill) — 187
5. Strabane Concert (Peter Christian) — 185
6. Third Carrickfergus (Des Graham) — 184

Best Instrumentalist: Nathan Thompson (Laganvale)

Second Grade:
Holywood (Goff Richards)

1. Lourdes (M. Hannan) — 189
2. Drogheda (M. Maher) — 188
3. Roughan Silver (K. Anderson) — 186
4. Arklow Shipping (K. Teers) — 185
5. Ballyduff Silver (W. Hill) — 184
6. CWA Brass (E. Ruddock) — 183

Best Cornet Section: Drogheda
Best Bass Section: Lourdes

Third Grade
Narnia Suite (Geoffrey Burgon)

1. St Joseph's Brass (Noel Barr) — 192
2. Comber Silver (Wesley Thompson) — 191
3. St Mark's Silver (James Parkes) — 189
4. Dungannon Silver (Boris Pinto) — 187
5. Wellington Silver (James Kitchen) — 186

Fourth Grade:
Shalom (Philip Sparke)

1. Poyntzpass (D. Watson) — 185
2. Warrenpoint Silver (Stephen Murray) — 182

Adjudication only: Dynamic Brass (Harold Whan)

Fifth Grade:
Own Choice

1. 1st Larne Old Boys (William Clements) — 170

Youth Brass:
Own Choice

1. 1st Old Boys Youth (Jacklin Bingham) — 187
2. Downshire Youth (Michael Alcorn ) — 185

Overall Band of the Day: St Joseph's Brass (Third Grade)