The 59th Newport Sea Angling Festival was held over the August Bank Holiday weekend (from the 2nd to the 3rd of August).
Thomas Moran was the proud recipient of the Tom Moran Memorial Cup on Sunday 3rd of August when he was announced as the overall winner of the 59th Newport Sea Angling Festival. The much sought after cup is dedicated to the memory of Tom Moran Snr, a long-standing committee member and local Skipper, who sadly passed away in 1997. Thomas had a total of 9 fish and 170 points on the day to secure the top spot. This is a record 7th time he gets to take possession of his dad’s memorial cup in its 27-year history. Congrats to Thomas from all at the club.
Thomas also won a prize for both the largest Ray (52cms) and largest Bullhuss (100cms). Runner up was Committee member Irene Walsh with 7 fish and 140 points. Paul Moran was the Junior Angler winner and in the ladies’ section, Kathleen Donnellan was the recipient of the Jane O’Malley Cup. See all of the results below and congrats to all winners over the weekend.
The weekend of fishing began on the Saturday morning when two boats full of Junior Anglers headed out to sea in search of fish. This proved to be more difficult than we first thought! In total, 7 different and usually reliable fishing marks were tried and each one ended up producing a just handful of fish.
As the day progressed it was obvious that there would be very little between the anglers and the skippers tried their best to up the catch at each of the various anchor drops. The warmer than usual sea temperatures were mentioned as a possibility for the lack of fish but even the 30m plus deep holes in the bay did not produce the usual bounty of fish on the day.
In the end, young local angler Paul Moran secured the Margaret Moran Memorial Cup with a total catch of 4 fish and 40 points. Paul also caught the largest ray amongst the Junior group with a wingspan of 40.5cms This was only Paul’s second year with the club and marks a great achievement for the young angler.
Sunday morning began with a cup of tea and a sausage roll laid on for the Senior Anglers before the three full boats headed out to sea.
Based on their knowledge from the previous day’s poor returns the skippers really had to think beyond the usual, reliable fishing marks and they did not disappoint. One of the boats ended up with a record 33 bullhuss and 7 ray.
The presentation itself took place in Nevins, Newport where Declan and family provided a warm welcome for all. Towards the end of the presentation, the Chairman Sean Fahy complimented the club President Pat Moran on becoming the oldest angler in the club’s history to participate in a club competition. The junior branch of the club also said goodbye to junior members Daithi Nevin, Patrick Sammon, Shane Durkan and Shauna Moran as this was their final year as junior anglers. We hope to welcome them back as Senior anglers again next year.
Our thanks to each and every one of our sponsors as follows:
Bella Moran & Family (Main Trophy Sponsor), Peter Moran (Junior Trophy Sponsor), Kilroy Trophy – Josephine / Sean Kilroy, Clr Brendan Mulroy (Main Club Sponsor),  Mary’s of Mulranny (Competition Sponsor), Nevins Bar (Competition Sponsor), Inland Fisheries Ireland (Main Club Sponsor), Bord Iascaigh Mhara (Main Club Sponsor), Attracta’s Laundrette, Futura Flooring / Eamonn Callaghan, Sheridans Centra, Newport Pharmacy, Patricia’s Fashions, Tracks & Treasures, Alan Leneghan, Sweeneys – Achill, Westport House Adventure Park, Bridge Inn, Kelly’s Butchers, Hotel Newport, Bridge House Beauty Salon, Castlebar tackle shop, Kellys garage, Castlebar Tackle, Market 57, Marlenes Chocolates.
Thanks also to all who took part, the skippers, all of the sponsors, those who travelled, anyone who helped out over the weekend and the NSAC committee for making it all happen.
We look forward to seeing everyone again on the 21st of September for our next scheduled event!
The results of the 59th Annual Festival Competition were as follows:
| Seniors Category: | Fish | Points | |
| Overall Winner | Thomas Moran | 9 | 170Â (Winner of the Tom Moran Memorial Cup) |
| 2nd Place | Irene Walsh | 7 | 140Â (Winner of the Tyrell O’Malley Cup) |
| 3rd Place | Cormac Bourke | 6 | 125Â (Winner of the Kilroy Trophy) |
| 4th place | Josie Barrett | 6 | 105Â (Winner of the Carraigahowley Cup) |
| 5th Place | Peter Coyne | 9 | 90 (Winner of the Martin O’Grady Cup) |
| 6th Place | Kevin Mortimer | 4 | 85 |
| 7th Place | Anthony Masterson | 7 | 80 |
| 8th Place | Paul Murphy | 4 | 80 |
Best Senior Lady Category:         Fish      Points
Winner  –  Kathleen Donnellan         6       50 (Winner of the Jane O’Malley Cup)
Largest Fish Category:
- Largest Bullhuss   –   Thomas Moran  (100cms)
- Largest Ray      –   Thomas Moran  (52cms)
- Largest Ray (Jnrs) –   Paul Moran  (40.5cms)
| Juniors Category: | Fish | Points | |
| 1st Place | Paul Moran | 4 | 40Â (Winner of the Margaret Moran Cup) |
| 2nd Place | Liam Moran | 6 | 30Â (Winner of the Cunningham Shield) |
| 3rd Place | Patrick Sammon | 2 | 30 |
| 4th Place | Shane Durkan | 2 | 30 |
| 5th Place | Leah Moran | 3 | 15 |
Junior League Category:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Winner   –   Daithi Nevin with a total of 13 points
Junior Novice Participants:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Eoghan Powell & Oisin McLoughlin
Skipper of the Day (Saturday) – Joe Gibbons – The Finnaun
Skipper of the Day (Sunday) –  Joe Gibbons – The Finnaun
Please contact any member of the club if you wish to get involved in helping out at any of our events throughout the year!
We are now taking entries for our next competition which is a Teams event scheduled for 21st of September. Contact Sean on 087 0644601, Declan on 087 6831216 or any member of the committee for more details / to book in.
