Denis Goulding reports that the 84th I.T.F.F.A. National Angling Championship was fished on Lough Owel Mullingar on Saturday 27th of May 2017…
The competition was fished from 10am until 6pm. The forecast proved right for once, with moderate winds and light but incessant rain for the duration of the competition. The lake had fished well over the previous weeks but a change in weather does not help the fishing. 125 anglers took part in the competition and 63 boatmen.
It wasnt a day to stuck in the middle of the boat, but only for the boatmen we could not of held the competition The lake fished well for some, but it was struggle for most of the anglers, it was hard to hold onto fish once connected to them. Rumours on the lake shore at the end of the competition told of a catch of 5 fish, which was an excellent return on the day. Sure enough the rumours were true and Darren Maguire from the Garrison Club took top honours. Well done to Darren Maguire on winning the National Competition at his first attempt.
Also a big well done to the 12 Anglers that qualified to fish for Ireland next year and to all the anglers, boattmen and officials that took part in the competition. A big word of thanks must go to the Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association and Chairman Ciaran Kenny for allowing the organisation to fish the competition on Lough Owel, The Leinster Committee and The ITFFA executive committee for helping to organise the event with the Lough Owel Club. A special word of thanks Brendan Murray who organised boatmen and stewards for the competition ,A huge task for anyone, but true to form everzthing went smoothly.
The Qualifiers
- 1. Darren Maguire 5 fish weighing 6lbs 11. 8 oz
- 2. Denis Goulding 3 fish weighing 5lbs 5 oz
- 3. Paddy Ward 3 fish weighing 5lbs 2 oz
- 4. John Mulvanney 2 fish weighing 5lbs 1 oz
- 5. Eddie Harte 3 fish weighing 4lbs 15. 6 oz
- 6. Seamus Kelly 3 fish weighing 4lbs 12. 6 oz
- 7. Stephen Browne 3 fish weighing 4lbs 10. 8 oz
- 8. Mike Keady 3 fish weighing 4lbs 9 oz
- 9. Terry Walsh 3 fish weighing 4lbs 9 oz
- 10.Dan Murphy 2 fish weighing 4lbs 6. 8 oz
- 11.John O’Connell 2 fish weighing 4lbs 5. 6 oz
- 12.Sean Crean fish weighing 4lbs 4. oz
Michael Callaghan won the Deacy Cup for the heaviest fish with a trout weighing 3lbs 2.4oz
Orla Walsh won the McBride Cup as top lady angler with a catch of two trout weighing 3lbs 12.4 oz.
Subs. 1 Frank Kelly, 2 Luke O’Connell, 3 Keith Fleming, 4 Dudley Murphy, 5 Dave Egan, 6 Ciaran Reilly
