This Press Release from the Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association:
The Four Nations Youth International was held on the 2nd August on Llyn Clywedog in Wales. Ireland were going for their third win in a row under the Management of Noel Farrar and Eileen Farrar. The team met for practice before the event and their skills were honed on Loughs Lene and Annagh and with Joe Owens and Damien Devine who have done unbelievable work and made such a huge impact in the northwest with the youths under FROGS. Fly’s were tied and preparation was as good as it could be by the team and the coach Denis Goulding.
We had a big contingent traveling to Wales and spirits were high. This trip would not be possible without sponsors, a huge thanks must go to Michael Callaghan for securing substantial NARA funding, a magnificent response from I.T.F.F.A. central council and the Four Provinces and to everyone that sponsored individual members of the youth team.
Once again we would like to thank:
- Tom Doc Sullivan for the quality and quantity of the excellent Fulling Mill line he supplied, without Tom’s and Fulling Mills’ continued support we would not have the means to supply the team with quality line.
- Michael Low from Fario for the superb hooks.
- Robert Ojo for the flies he sponsored each youth team and for flies Iain Barr donated to the Irish Team.
- Michael Maloney of Corduff Travel for looking after us all during the event.
- The Boatmen and women who passed on all their knowledge for our practice days: Tom Sweeney, Dinger Murphy, Michael Mc Carthy, Denis Goulding, Julie Gerry and Andy Duncan.
A special Shout Out to Julie for all her helping during the qualifiers, practice and the event itself, whether it be in meetings or on the water.
The evening before the match you could see the nerves within the team, but with Denis, Andrew, Julie and Noel providing reassurance all was good.
Match Day came and went so fast, before we knew it the boats were heading back to shore. We the scores were tight for the top two and as the coach led the Irish Team to the weigh in there was silence, Ireland had fought their way back as contenders on both the Junior and Adult scene and we are now a force to be reckoned with. Our team were smiling but were their hearts were thumping, but they did not have too. They had done trojan work in the lead up to this match.
Cheryl Bulman read out the results. Ireland had the most number of fish but had they won?
- 4th Wales – 104 fish 214lb 4ozs
- 3rd England -152 fish weighing 310lb 11ozs
- 2nd Scotland -169 fish 343lb 5ozs
- And the Winners- Ireland 175 fish 360lb 12ozs
Ireland had done it, the place erupted, Ireland had secured Gold and had made history under Manager Noel and Eileen of 3 Golds in a row.
At the Gala Dinner our Winning Captain Eanna O’Leary was presented with the winning trophy Bob Church Trophy. Fintan Carlin was presented with Lough Sheelin Trophy for the top catch of an amazing 26 fish. Fintan was also presented with the Welsh Water Authority Trophy for the overall top catch between the Four Nations.
Team Members
- Eanna O’Leary – Captain
- Darragh Duncan – Vice Captain
- Thomas Grew
- Joshua McGinn
- Cormac McCarthy
- Darren Sweeney
- Lewis Harte – Porter
- Zack Barnett
- Jack McGuinness
- Jacob Griffin
- Colm Coyle
- Evan McMickan
- Fintan Carlin
- Stevie Turner
We look forward to competing in Draycote in 2024 and hopefully win the Grand Slam!