O’Neill romps home a runaway winner in the Easter Two Festival, while the challenge from behind wilted in the arctic conditions of the final day on the wilderness that was Lough Muckno. Dick Caplice reports….
06 April: Never have two Festivals been fished in such an alien ,bewildering and grossly uncomfortable environment, when water levels,wind,cold temps and every conceivable element bar sun, is taken into account.
Muckno had it all, over the last 10 days and despite over 40 visitors attending over the two festivals, it seems likely that these two Festivals are now being withdrawn, due to the uncertainty that accompanies them, including of course the unpredictable weather and icy high water levels, when fishing is never near its best.
Credit to all of our competitors over the last 8 days, when it sometimes descended to pure survival and most of the competitive and enjoyment elements were all but lost, or at best tested to their very limits.
Storm force winds today with massive water swell, forced anglers off seat boxes on certain sections for a time and threatened many with early respite in the comfort of the Old Coach inn. 
Muckno
To their immense credit however, everybody to a man weighed in, some no doubt in the earnest hope that the weather might be affecting their opponents more than them. 
With a big 3kgs today and an average daily weight of 3.5kgs, Rory O’Neill assured himself, a 28th lifetime Festival win and with an extended lead, he was never threatened today.

Steve Harwood battled in deluge conditions on White Island for Just under 3kg, which saw him force his way into 2nd spot overall and overnight incumbent Graham Worley slipped to third, after a valiant effort. 
Mick Carr held on for 4th spot ,which he shared after 4 crazy days, with the ever pleasant, non-complaining Derek Buckley, who made the most of his lot, while battling up 3 spots today, to end in the frame.
Kaye,Winters and Smith did what they always do,in battling hard to the end but just came up short, in that order. 
Our three traveling contestants from Italy did not really feel climatically at home and despite at least one not ever having feeder fished, they competed in a commendable spirit of total camaraderie, above and beyond what the conditions might have allowed, or called for. (ben fatto e vi ringrazio )

  • 1st R O’ Neill
  • 2nd Steve Harwood
  • 3rd Graham Worley
  • 4th joint Mick Carr and Derek Buckley.

Congratulations to the winners all, who shared a fine prize fund of well over €3000 including Main,sections and pools.
Many thanks to Peter and Cathy Nicholson at Irish Tackle and Bait and also to Raymond and staff at the Old Coach Inn, who looked after all our people brilliantly, throughout these testing Festivals.

Report Courtesy of Dick Caplice at https://www.facebook.com/Lough-Muckno-393107817429399/