Stephen O’Flanagan of Killinarden Angling Initiative reports on the hugely successful Angling for Mental Health and Suicide Awareness event held at Oaklands Lake at the weekend…

So here we have it! Our report from Saturday’s Suicide and mental health awareness competition.

A group shot

50 anglers showed up on the day to compete in the charity match and it started like any other, loads of commotion, banter and excitement! At 10:30pm rods in was called and fish started going into the nets from the off, plenty of silvers and small bursts of carp. The rain beat us with heavy showers but no one gave up and at 3:30pm rods out was called with a sense of relief lol.

rain
At times we were pelted with rain, but no one gave up…

 

It ended with a very tight finish between the teams with team Sensas winning with 1 ounce, and putting last years winners team Oaklands in second place. Absolutely fantastic day spent with new and old friends.

Results

TEAMS:
1st: Team Sensas Ireland
2nd: Team Oaklands lake
3rd: Team Carrigmacross

Individuals:
1st: Reuben Beatty
2nd: Gordon Hill
3rd: Brian Broomfield

U18:
1st John Kavanagh

John Kavanagah U18s
John Kavanagah U18s

This is where we list all of our thank yous to everyone who supported this event, there has been so much support that it is very hard to know where to star.. But a huge thank you to all the event sponsors.
Sensas Ireland
Southside Angling
Main Irish Angling
Outdoor Depot
Snapbaits.co.uk Fresh Water Predator Fishing
Oaklands lake
Wexford COCO
MacDiarmada Coaches
Coarse Angling Ireland NCFFI
Inland Fisheries Ireland

Bill Brazier from Off the Scale magazine who spent his day taking photos for us. Brilliant man who always shows us great support. Thank you bill.

Also to the ladies from HOPE – Suicide Prevention Drop In Centre Tallaght Who came alond to call rods in and to help with the presentation. It turned out to be a fantastic day of fun and learning.

Pat Cusack said a few words at the event and TBH he choked me up, very moving and truthful speech, well done Pat, Im sure everyone will say the same when I say you got the message of awareness across in a very moving way!

We also want to thank each and every person who came on the day whether to compete or help! you are all amazing people and deserve a huge round of applause for your efforts.

So to finish, thank you to every single person that got behind us and helped us not only raise a great amount of funding but to help raise awareness in the whole stigma of suicide and mental health awareness!

carp

Go fishing…

Oaklands Lake in New Ross Co. Wexford is a fishing paradise for coarse angling. It offers a wide selection of fish. The lake can be fished by people of every level of experience from beginners to professionals.

Adrian Browne
Oaklands Lake,
Marshmeadows,
New Ross, Co. Wexford.

Telephone: +353 (0)51 445348
Mobile: +353 (0)87 6988979

Web: Oakland Lake Fishery

Killinarden Angling Initiative

KAI was set up in March 2014 in Killinarden, Tallaght. Its principle aims are to promote, develop and improve angling in the Killinarden and the greater west Tallaght area and is affiliated with the National Coarse Fishing Federation Ireland. During the summer months the main work of the initiative is taking young people from Killinarden on fishing courses .The Initiative has also been a catalyst in setting up a children’s and Adult fishing club in Killinarden for many of these young people and giving them a hobby they can enjoy for life.

KAI run fishing competitions for juniors and a host of other events feature on the calendar, attracting greater interest to the sport year after year.
Call or text Pat on 085 1192724 or Stephen 085 2131096