Clodagh Moran triumphs in renowned Mayo fishing competition
Local angler Clodagh Moran was the overall winner of the 60th Newport SAC Festival Competition and was presented with the Tom Moran Memorial Trophy by David Moran.
The 60th annual Newport Sea Angling Festival was held over the recent August Bank Holiday weekend with local woman Clodagh Moran triumphing.
The weekend of fishing began on the Friday morning when two boats full of junior anglers headed out to sea in search of fish. The local skippers hunted for the best fishing grounds and several, usually reliable, fishing marks were tried and each one ended up producing just a handful of fish. As the day progressed it was obvious that there would be very little between the junior anglers and in the end, it was one single fish that separated the top two anglers.
Local lad Cian Moran was the junior angler festival winner and secured the Margaret Moran Memorial Cup with a total catch of four fish and 60 points. This was Cian’s final year as a junior angler and he will give a lot of the more experienced, seasoned anglers a run for their money next year when he begins fishing in the Seniors category!
Cian also took home the title of Junior Master Angler for 2026 and marks his third time to achieve this award. Runner up was local angler Holly McGee with seven fish and 55 points.
Sunday morning began with a cup of tea and a sausage roll laid on for the senior anglers before the four local 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. Only two fish separated the anglers from second to fourth place which made for an exciting finish to the overall results.
The presentation itself took place in Nevins, Newport where the Nevin family provided a warm welcome for all. At the start of the presentation, the Chairman Seán Fahy, acknowledged the recent passing of Declan Nevin who was a great supporter of the club over the years.
As this was the club’s 60th anniversary, he also complimented the pioneers who started the club back in 1966, the various custodians of the club and the many committee members who kept the flag flying for the last six decades. He thanked the various skippers both past and present who helped to add to the club success and a mention was made to local skipper Reg Roynane who was also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the launch of the ‘Lady Helen’. The Chairman also thanked the many anglers who took to the seas over the years and brought the 'craic', shared the good days and the tall tales of 'the one that got away'. The crowd sang 'happy birthday' to the club while an anniversary cake was produced to mark the club's 60th anniversary. A set of new photo boards displaying photos from each of the junior competitions over the years were unveiled and the club thanked David Moran for his time in putting these together for the club. He also listed out and thanked the various sponsors of the competition for their generous and loyal support.
The presentation itself began.
Clodagh Moran was the proud recipient of the Tom Moran Memorial Cup when she was announced as the overall winner of the 60th 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. Clodagh became the first of Tom’s grandchildren and the first female angler to win the much sought after cup. Clodagh ended the day with a total of 10 fish and 130 points to secure the top spot and her place in history. Congrats to Clodagh from all at the club. Runner up from the Kilalla area was Paul Murphy (11 fish and 115 points) and a very close third place went to committee member Irene Walsh with 10 fish and 110 points. The ladies section (after elimination) was won by Sorcha Moran who received the Jane O’Malley Cup.
The club would like to thank all of their sponsors: Bella Moran and family (main trophy sponsor), Peter Moran (junior trophy sponsor), Kilroy Trophy - Josephine/Seán Kilroy, Sue Steer (novice category sponsor), Cllr Brendan Mulroy (main club sponsor), Cllr Paul McNamara (festival sponsor), Mary’s of Mulranny (competition sponsor), Inland Fisheries Ireland (main club sponsor), Sheridan’s Centra, Newport Pharmacy, Tracks & Treasures, Alan Leneghan, Sweeneys Achill, Attracta's Laundrette, Futura Flooring - Eamonn Callaghan, Newport Post Office, O’Haire Transport, McHugh’s Newport, Kelly's Butchers, Hotel Newport, Bridge House Beauty Salon, Kellys Garage, Westport Hotel Group, Walsh’s Bridge Inn and Patricia's Fashions.
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.
