Denis Goulding of the Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association reports from the recent Four Nations International at Llandegfedd Reservoir in Wales.
The Four Nations International was fished on Friday, 23rd of September with all teams working hard during the practice days to find the best method of catching fish. As always, angling pressure on the lake made the task of catching fish extra difficult on the day of the final. Despite this, Ireland performed well under the leadership of Captain Stanley McCart and Coach Joe Quinn.
After several years of trying to claim a gold medal away from home, the Irish team were hopeful during the weigh in as it looked like they might have clinched victory. Ireland had 37 fish with their nearest rivals, Scotland, on 35 fish. Unfortunately, Scotland pinched the trophy from Irelands grasp by just 18.5 ounces.
Meanwhile, the individual trophy, the Brown Bowl, was taken home by Mullingar man Andrew Duncan, who caught seven fish during the match with 12lb, 9.5ozs, winning the Bowl by four ozs from Philip Thompson of England.
Andrew has won nearly every competition which the Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association (ITFFA) have held in the past and it was only a matter of time before Andrew got his name engraved on the Bowl.
More silverware was to return to Ireland however as Joe Quinn, Coach of the Irish Team took home the Officials Trophy, catching three fish during the match.
The ITFFA would like to congratulate Andrew Duncan on his achievement of winning the Brown Bowl, Joe Quinn on securing the Officials Trophy and all 16 anglers who represented Ireland in this International and won silver medals at the event.
The Irish Team Silver Medallists are as follows:
Michael Monaghan (Manager)
Joe Quinn (Coach)
Stanley McCart (Captain)
Andrew Duncan
Tommy O’Loughlin
Basil Shields
Paddy Ward
Arden Pollock
Robert Crichton
Kieran Doyle
Stephen Galvin
Robbie Marshall
Mike Keady
Eamon Keaney
Frank Dempsey
Barry Fox
Autumn Match Results:
Winner: Scotland 35 fish lbs 1.500 ozs
2nd Place: Ireland 37 fish 57 lbs 15.000 ozs
3rd Place: England 30 fish 47 lbs ozs
4th Place: Wales 26 fish 38 lbs 13.000 ozs
Grand Totals:
128 fish lbs ozs Weigh-in totals 100 fish lbs weighing 147lb 1.5ozs
Best Basket:
Andrew Duncan, Ireland 7 fish 12 lbs 9.500 ozs
Heaviest Trout:
Peter Auchterlonie , Scotland2 lbs 1.500 ozs
Individual Top Rods:
England – Philip Thompson 7 fish 12 lbs 5.500 ozs
Ireland – Andrew Duncan 7 fish 12 lbs 9.500 ozs
Scotland – Stuart Marklow 6 fish 11 lbs 3.750 ozs
Wales – Terry Llewelyn 6 fish 10 lbs 13.500 ozs
Official’s Trophy:
Joe Quinn Three Fish: 4 lbs 15.750 ozs
Best Boatman:
No 2, Alan Banwell 13 fish: 23 lbs 9.250 ozs
