Declan Moran of Newport Sea Angling Club reports from the recent Daniel Peacock Memorial / National Junior Competition:
Newport SAC hosted the Daniel Peacock Memorial / National Junior Competition on Sunday, 2nd of July 2017. The competition was fished in Clew Bay and over 40 junior anglers, aged between 8 and 18 years of age, took part in this year’s event.

All 42 junior anglers who participated in the competition.
All 42 junior anglers who participated in the competition.

The day began with a sausage roll and a hot cup of tea for the parents and anglers before all of the young junior anglers (and mentors) boarded the boats and headed out to sea. Conditions were fresh but the weather improved as the day went on.
Niall McLoughlin pictured holding a dogfish caught during the Daniel Peacock Memorial.
Niall McLoughlin pictured holding a dogfish caught during the Daniel Peacock Memorial.

The early part of the day was relatively quiet but fishing improved as the day went on and there was very little between the boats in the end.
Aoibhin Horan-Cowley seen here reeling in a fish on board the Finnaun
Aoibhin Horan-Cowley seen here reeling in a fish on board the Finnaun.

The juniors were welcomed back on to the pier in the evening by their parents and the prize presentation was held in Hotel Newport. A big thank you to Michelle and the staff, who were on hand with hot food and sandwiches for all in attendance.
As always, a great display of prizes was on offer, thanks to a combination of the Peacock Family’s generosity, the clubs hard working trophy officers and our generous sponsors. The club wishes to thank each and every one of our sponsors, the skippers, stewards, committee and anyone who generally helped to make the day special for the juniors in whatever way they could. Our thanks also to all skippers who gave a reduced rate on the day for their boat hire, to the parents who helped out and the hotel and staff for providing the venue for the presentation.
James Moran, overall winner of the Daniel Peacock Memorial Angling competition seen here being presented with his prize by Matthew Peacock, Richard & Sue Steer on behalf of the Peacock family.
James Moran, overall winner of the Daniel Peacock Memorial Angling competition seen here being presented with his prize by Matthew Peacock, Richard & Sue Steer on behalf of the Peacock family.

The prizes were presented by Maura Forrestal from the Newport branch of the Credit Union, Hilda Kavanagh from Kavanagh Coach Hire, Matthew Peacock and Richard & Sue Steer, representing the Peacock family.
Some of the prize winners at the Daniel Peacock Memorial & National Junior Competition.
Some of the prize winners at the Daniel Peacock Memorial & National Junior Competition.

Every one of the juniors started and finished the day with smiles on their faces. Almost every junior caught fish and no one went home empty handed. All entrants received a Newport SAC mug and a trophy sponsored by Coastal Zone Services, in recognition of their participation.
The results of the Daniel Peacock Memorial/National Junior Competition were as follows:
Overall Winner
James Moran with a total of 20 fish and 100 points.
8 to 13 years:
1st Place: Chloe McNally (80 pts)
Runner up: Isobel Sammon
3rd place: Cian Moran
4th place to 8th as follows: Darragh O’Grady, Sean Sammon, Niall McLoughlin, Christopher McGee & Ellie MacDonnell
14 years to 18 years:
1st Place: Grace Moran (80 pts)
Runner up: David Loftus
3rd place: Jessica Loftus
4th place to 6th as follows: Tomas Moran, Clodagh Moran, Callum Kennedy 
Novice Girl
1st Place: Shauna Moran
Runner Up: Holly McGee
3rd place: Aoibhin Horan-Cowley
Novice Boy:
1st place:  Shane Durcan
Runner Up: Darragh McDonnell
3rd place: Felix Zeray
Team events
Team event winners were Team One with a total of 165 points: James Moran, Danny Murphy, Isobel Sammon.
Team event runners up were: Darragh O’Grady, Sean Sammon, Grace Moran.
Individual Boat Winners
The Barracuda: James Moran
Finnaun: Grace Moran
White Water: Shauna Moran
Bunowen: Shane Durcan
Largest Ray: Isobel Sammon & Shane McGee (21” wingspan)
Largest Bulhuss: Callum Kennedy (43” in length)
Largest Conger: Chloe McNally (43.5” in length)
Boatmans Prize
Darragh McGee who skippered the White Water on the day.
The club would like to thank all sponsors for their generosity, as without their support, the competition would not have taken place. In particular we would like to thank our main sponsors Coastal Zone Services, The Peacock and Steer families, The Credit Union, Hotel Newport, Oliver Kelleher Trophies, Port West, Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Westport Credit Union, Allergan SAC, Inland Fisheries Ireland, BIM, Marine Harvest, AIB Westport, Clew Bay Marine Services and Mid West Furniture Kilmeena. Other sponsors who also contributed were Mulranny Park Hotel, RBM Fisheries Westport, Mayo Movie World Castlebar, Ann Taylor, Marnie Institute Furnace, Casey Cars Castlebar, Celine Murray / Mangans Cash & Carry, Kavanagh Coach Hire, Aisling’s Newport, Chambers Newsagents, O’Malley Transport, Keem Bay Fisheries.
For a full list of sponsors and for further information, visit www.newportseaanglingclub.com.