Cathal Hughes wins the four day Easter Festival on Lough Muckno at Casteblayney.

Dick Caplice, chairman of IADA reports on the four day Easter Festival on Lough Muckno at Castleblayney in Co. Monaghan.

29 anglers fished the four day Easter Festival Match on Lough Muckno at Castleblayney.  The event was held on sections at White, Black and Yellow Islands.  Fishing was very good for the competitors which included four time World Champion Bob Nudd from the UK.  Roach were the dominant species with hybrids also featuring in catches which were mainly taken on long pole and feeder.  The match was keenly contested right up to the last day but World Pairs Champion Cathal Hughes from Galway won the fourth day with a nice catch of 14.600 Kilos to clinch the win and take home over €1500.  Cathal’s winning overall weight was 42.420 Kgs followed by J. Jowett with 39.970 Kgs. and R. O’Neill a close third with 39.330 Kgs.  Bob Nudd finished 8th with 31.720 Kgs.  The fishing will improve further now with water temperatures rising in the coming weeks.