On the 28th of June 2026, Newport SAC hosted the 34th Annual National Junior Competition. On the morning of the competition, all of our Junior anglers set sail to compete for the very first time for the Tommy Gibbons Memorial Cup.  The Cup was donated to the club by Joe Gibbons & family (in memory of his brother Tommy) for the Junior section of the club.   Conditions were forecast with moderate to fresh winds for the day, but spirits were high as the 33 young anglers, ranging in ages from 7 years to 18 years, boarded the boats and headed out into Clew Bay.

Once the boats turned the first corner at the mouth of the Black Oak River, we were hit with strong Westerly gales which persisted for the day and made the angling experience difficult (particularly for the many novices who had never fished before). Although the weather was not kind, all of the anglers arrived back with smiles on their faces. As they chatted amongst themselves on the quayside in the evening, comparing catches and totting up scores, it was obvious to the committee that many of those who got through the difficult conditions on the day, would be back to fish again another day!

The presentation took place in Nevins Bar, Newport and our thanks to the Nevin Family for their support. In his address, the Chairman, Sean Fahy, took a moment to remember Declan Nevin (a great supporter of the club) who had sadly passed away since our last event. He also thanked all those in attendance, the various sponsors, the skippers, the committee, the parents and above all the young anglers who took to the seas earlier that day.

The overall winner of the competition and the very first winner of the Tommy Gibbons Memorial Cup was local angler Cian Moran. Cian ended the day with an impressive haul of 9 dogfish, three ray and a bulhuss giving him a total of 130 points. Congrats to Cian from all at the club!

Cian Moran, overall winner of the 2026 National Junior Sea Angling competition seen here being presented with the Tommy Gibbons Memorial Cup by skipper Joe Gibbons. Cian had 13 fish and 130 points on the day.

Skipper Joe Gibbons was on hand to present his late brother’s Memorial Cup (the Tommy Gibbons Memorial Cup & Replica, and a tackle box sponsored by the Gibbons family.

Cian is in his final year as a Junior Angler, and although he has been Junior Club Master Angler on two previous occasions and won other events over the years, this was his first time to win this particular event (after many close attempts).

Other category winners included James McNulty who won the 8yrs to 13yrs category with 8 fish and 85 points. Holly Magee won the 14yrs to 18yrs category with 2 fish and 30 points.  

Holly Magee was the winner of the 14 to 18 years category with 2 fish & 30 pts
James McNulty was the winner of the 8 to 13 years category with 8 fish & 85 pts.

Helena Fahy was the winner of the Novice section with 7 fish and 90 points and was the recipient of a rod & reel sponsored by Shane Gilvarry. The prize for the largest ray was Helena Fahy who landed a 20inch ray. 

Helena Fahy pictured with Club Chairman Sean Fahy and Joe Gibbons, was the winner of the Novice section with 7 fish & 90 pts. Helena also caught the first fish of the day on board the Finnaun.

Darren Goggins won the largest Bulhuss prize with a 39inch long huss. The prize for the ‘First Fish’ went to Helena Fahy, Rachel Conway and Tyler Donnellan. The Boatman’s prize went to Joe Gibbons who skippered The Finnaun.  (A full list of results is available below).

Darren Goggins pictured with his 39inch huss during the recent Newport Sea Angling Club National Junior Competition 2026
Tyler Donnellan caught the first fish of the day on board the Whitewater II.
Rachel Conway caught the first fish of the day on board Mo Chara skippered by Darragh Magee.

As this year marks the 60th Anniversary since the formation of the club, the committee decided to provide all Junior Anglers with a Newport SAC customised bag, baseball hat, water bottle, pen and keyring (all thanks to generous sponsorship from local Councillor Brendan Mulroy).

The club would also like to thank each and every one of our competition sponsors including main sponsor Joe Gibbons & family, Councillor Brendan Mulroy, Fisheries Ireland, MOWI Ireland, The Marine Institute Furnace, Westport Credit Union, Nevins Bar, Westport Hotel Group, Westport House & Adventure Park, Midwest Furniture, Keane’s Butchers, BIM, Port Chipper, Mayo Movie World, Martin Donnellan, Shane Gilvarry, Avondale House Mulranny, Castlebar Tackle, Marlenes Chocolates, Sweeneys Achill & Market 57,  Without this financial support the event would not have taken place. A very successful day all round and we look forward to the clubs next event!

Results:

The overall winner was Cian Moran with a total of 13 fish and 130 points. Congrats to Cian from all at the club!

Novice Category: 

1st place – Helena Fahy (7 fish – 90 pts) Runner up – Myles Carr (4 fish – 40 pts)    Joint 3rd place – Hugh Molloy & Tibo O’Toole (4 fish – 20 pts each)    Joint 4th place – Rachel Conway & James O’Sullivan Irwin (3 fish – 15 pts each)

8 years to 13 years category:

Winner: James McNulty (8 fish – 85 pts)    Runner up: Darren Goggins  (6 fish – 85 pts)      3rd place: Loughlin Mulchrone (7 fish – 75 pts)   4th place: Tyler Donnellan (3 fish – 60 pts)     5th place: Anthony McNeela  (5 fish – 45 pts)    6th place: James O’Haire Joyce (4 fish – 40 pts)

 14 years to 18 years category:

Winner:   Holly McGee (2 fish – 30 pts)     Runner up: Liam Moran  (5 fish – 25 pts)

First Fish on Boat Winners:

Mo Chara – Rachel Conway,   The Finnaun – Helena Fahy,   Whitewater II – Tyler Donnellan

Largest Ray: Helena Fahy (20 inches)

Largest Huss: Darren Goggins (39 inches)

Boatmans Prize: For best angler average score was Joe Gibbons who skippered the Finnaun

Congrats to all winners and thanks to everyone who took part on the day!

 

 

Go Fishing…

Sea angling in the Sligo / Mayo area