The Killybegs Mariners SAC held a closed beach competition at the weekend as 17 anglers competed to lift the Joe De Burca Cup. Temperatures were balmy for the time of year, and the anglers lined up on the beach with the wind at their backs and a good surf to the fore.

Flounders and Turbot were quickly coming ashore, including a few double shots, with some of the turbot breaking the 30cm mark.

And at the final totting up, it was Daragh McGuinness who claimed the trophy with 4 turbot and 3 flounder bagging him 269 points. Cara Boyle came in second with 193 points, while John Cunningaham won the largest flattie prize with a 39cm flounder.

The Mariners also published their records list for 2023, as 27 new records were established across a range of species, moving the bar ever higher for next year’s record hunters.

Next up for the Mariners is their annual charity event to be held at Rossnowlagh Beach on the 28th December. This year they are raising money for the Donegal to Galway cancer bus service run by the Good & New charity and also for the RNLI Bundoran Lifeboat Station.

If you would like to make a donation to the fund please use the PayPal link below and use friends and family option: