2013 has been a fabulous year for Cavan angler Kenneth O’Keeffe who won the Harry Lafferty Cup for the top Irish angler at the 2013 International Fly Fishing Match. Kenneth who is a member of Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association not only managed to win the title of top Irish angler, he also finished a very impressive third in the overall placings with thirteen trout for almost 29lb. The Cavan based fire-fighter was selected to represent Ireland for the second time following his success at the 2013 International Team Fish Off where he also finished in first position.
This year’s Autumn International Match was hosted by the Scottish Association of National Competition Clubs and took place at the Lake of Menteith on 20th September 2013. Team Ireland was Captained by Jack Spratt and coached by Joe Quinn. Other members of the team included Stephen Browne (Ballina/Cloghans), Seamus Kelly (Ballina/Cloghans), Andrew Duncan (Brosna), Larry Gibb (Bangor), Garry Stewart (Coleraine), Peter Byrne (Ballina/Cloghans), Gerry Dixon (Culfin), Padraig Fahy (Collinamuck), Robert Reilly (Loughrea), Mick O’Farrell (Cahir), Stephen Ellis (Bangor) and Tom Sweeney (Macroom).
The match day was mixed with varying cloud cover and a moderate westerly wind which made angling for these illusive trout extremely difficult and demanded great skill on the part of the angler. Kenneth, who was partnered with English angler Anthony Fox, managed to adjust to the changeable conditions and landed his basket of trout on small dry flies and nymph patterns fished close to the surface.
When the scores were tallied it was Team Scotland who came out on top with 135 trout for just under 300lb winning them the Graham Munroe Hall Memorial Cup. Second place went to Team Ireland with 107 trout for 247lb; third place went to Team Wales with 106 fish for 243lb and Team England finished in fourth place with 99 trout for 234lb. This is a fantastic result for Team Ireland who performed excellently considering that they were competing on unfamiliar water.
Members of the Irish fly angling team reported some of the best angling that they have ever experienced with scores of large rainbow and blue trout being caught throughout the week. For those who intend on visiting Scotland the Lake of Menteith is well worth a visit.
The Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association would like to congratulate Kenneth on this fantastic achievement and we extend our thanks to the Scottish Association of National Competition Clubs who were fabulous hosts.
Joe Keena
PRO ITFFA
Mobile Tel: 086 8722449
Email: [email protected]
