Newport SAC hosted their final competition of the season on Saturday, September 7th. This was a teams event which meant that the total number of fish caught by each of the 4 team members were combined together to calculate the overall winners.

The long awaited summer weather finally arrived on Saturday morning and allowed the anglers to mingle on the quayside over a cup of tea before boarding the boats to head out on to the beautiful, calm seas of Clew Bay.

In clear, blue skies and little or no swell, the boats vied for position around the bay, with some opting to move during the designated fishing times to try to gain a better advantage over the others. Lines were up at the designated time of 4.30pm and all boats returned to Newport Quay, where team members met to discuss their respective catches.

The prize presentation took place in the Grainne Uaille (as they were winners of last year’s local shield) and they also sponsored some hot food for the hungry anglers during the presentation). When all scores were tallied up, the winning team ended up 75 points clear of their nearest rivals but the contest for the 2nd and 3rd places was a much tighter affair as the teams were only separated by 4 fish / 20 points.

The winning team trophy was presented by committee member Shane Gilvarry on behalf of J Coffey Construction to ‘The Village Inn’ winning team members Peter Coyne, Padraig Munnelly, Peter McKeown & Paul Murphy. Each member received €100 in prize money as well as an NSAC plaque and winning trophy.

The Village Inn Team were the overall winners of the J.Coffey sponsored Teams competition. The team members were presented with their prizes by Shane Gilvarry Newport SAC on behalf of the main sponsor J.Coffey construction). From left Paul Murphy, Peter Coyne, Shane Gilvarry NSAC, & Padraig Munnelly.

Peter Coyne also claimed the Individual winners trophy following his haul of 30 fish and 180 points. Jason Moran took home the largest fish prize for his 40″ Conger Eel.

As this was the final event of the year, Declan Moran was presented with the league cup as this years club Master Angler.

Declan Moran was the Newport SAC Master Angler for the 2024 season seen here receiving his prize from committee member Shane Gilvarry.

The club also honoured Club President Pat Moran who was presented with an award for his dedication and support to the club for over 60 years. Pat also became the oldest club member to fish in a Newport SAC competition at 86 years young!

The club would like to thank J.Coffey Construction who sponsored the main trophy, Harry & Liz from the Grainne Uaille for sponsoring the food during the presentation, Inland Fisheries Ireland for their continued support and our thanks also to OK Trophies Castlebar for sponsoring the 3rd place Team prizes.

The results are as follows:

Winning Team – Team B (Village Inn)     —     (Total Fish 49 & Total Points 345)

Peter Coyne (30 Fish & 180 Points), Padraig Munnelly (10 Fish & 80 Points), Peter McKeown (9 Fish & 85 Points),  Paul Murphy (0 Fish & 0 Points),

Runner-Up Team – Team C (J. Coffey)     —     (Total Fish 38 & Total Points 270)

Mary Pavey (14 Fish & 110 Points), Eoin Kirby (11 Fish & 75 Points), Sean Kilroy (12 Fish & 60 Points), Jason Moran (1 Fish & 25 Points)

3rd Place Team – Team F (Abbvie)     —     (Total Fish 32 & Total Points 250)

Ed Kirby (12 Fish & 110 Points), Dave Fearson (9 Fish & 65 Points), Paul Ruddy (9 Fish & 65 Points), Padraic Ketterick (2 Fish & 10 Points),

4th Place Team – Team D (Gilvarry’s)     —     (Total Fish 27 & Total Points 185) 

Shane Gilvarry (5 Fish & 25 Points), Joe McManamon (7 Fish & 55 Points), Danny Murphy (9 Fish & 75 Points), Ciaran McGowan (6 Fish & 30 Points)

5th Place Team – Team A (Grainne Uaile)     —     (Total Fish 22 & Total Points 170)

David Moran (8 Fish & 70 Points), Declan Moran (1 Fish & 5 Points), Pat Moran (9 Fish & 75 Points), Thomas Moran (4 Fish & 20 Points)

6th Place Team – Team G (Brodericks)     —     (Total Fish 25 & Total Points 125)

Clodagh Moran (10 Fish & 50 Points), Eoghan Ketterick (10 Fish & 50 Points), Aaron Ketterick (3 Fish & 15 Points), Roisin Moran (2 Fish & 10 Points)

7th Place Team – Team E (Westport House)     —     (Total Fish 13 & Total Points 115)

Sean Fahy (4 Fish & 50 Points), Mick Moran (9 Fish & 65 Points), Francis O’Toole (0 Fish & 0 Points), Robert Healy (Did not fish)

Local Shield:  The local shield was won by the Grainne Uaille TEAM A – This ensures that next year’s presentation will once again take place in the Grainne Uaille.

The Grainne Uaille Team were the local shield winners on the day. Team members from left Declan Moran, Pat Moran, David Moran & Thomas Moran. were presented with their prizes by Shane Gilvarry.

Overall Individual Winner:  Peter Coyne (Total Fish 30 & Total Points 180)

Largest Fish: Caught by Jason Moran (Conger – 40″)

Club Master Angler 2024: Declan Moran.

Skipper of the Day:  Darragh Magee who skippered Mo Chara.

Sea Fishing in Clew Bay