Moran and Sammon angle their way to victory
Patrick Sammon was the overall junior winner of the Newport Sea Angling Club's 58th festival and received the Margaret Moran Memorial Trophy from the Moran Family, including Peter Moran, Simon, Fiona, Oisin, Fionn and granddaughter Erin. Patrick had six fish and 85 points on the day.
The 58th Annual Newport Sea Angling Festival took place in the beautiful surrounds of Clew Bay recently, with over 60 anglers taking to the seas over the two day event with the junior members out on Saturday, August 3, followed by the Senior anglers on Sunday, August 4.
There was a great buzz of excitement as the young anglers, filled with freshly cooked sausage rolls, boarded the boats at Newport Quay to begin their day’s fishing. The committee were back in action again early Sunday morning providing tea and sausage rolls for all the senior anglers just before they boarded the boats and also headed out to sea.
The weather conditions for the junior anglers was fair but the recorded catches were low. This was in sharp contrast to the conditions on Sunday for the senior anglers who had to brave the wind and the heavy rain for the afternoon. However, the fish count on most boats was good.
There were prizes on offer in a range of categories including novice Junior, main juniors category, largest fish, ladies category, seniors category, junior master angler and best skipper. The prize presentation took place in Nevin’s Bar which was packed to capacity.
Club chairman Sean Fahy got the proceedings underway against a backdrop of a slideshow of images taken at recent club events. Local angler Declan Moran was announced as the overall winner of the competition with a total of 36 dogfish and 2 Bulhuss (230 points total). Declan received the much sought after Tom Moran Memorial Cup – a cup dedicated to his late father who passed away in 1997 and was among the early founding members of the club as well as a local skipper. The main junior section winner was Patrick Sammon with a total of six fish and 85 points. Patrick received the Margaret Moran Memorial Cup and ensured the cup came back to Ross. Margaret was both a former club secretary and a sea angling mentor to Patrick when he was young.
A prize for the largest ray category was won by Peter Coyne who landed a stingray on board the Finnaun (which was the first time a Stingray has been landed in this event). Laoise Fynes was also announced as the Junior Master Angler for the season.
Congratulations from all at Newport Sea Angling Club to each of the winners and thanks to all those who took part in the competition over the weekend.
The club would also like to thank the skippers for their help over the two days, all the staff of Nevin’s Bar, those who presented prizes and anyone who helped to make the day a memorable occasion for all who took part, including the sponsors.
Trophy sponsors: Tom Moran Cup - Bella Moran and Family (Main Trophy sponsor), Sue Steer (Novice Category sponsor), Peter Moran (Junior Trophy sponsor), Kilroy Trophy - Josephine/Sean Kilroy, Jayne O'Malley Cup - Martin/Mary O'Malley Main Sponsors: Clr Brendan Mulroy (main club sponsor), Mary’s of Mulranny (competition sponsor), Nevin’s Bar (competition sponsor), Inland Fisheries Ireland (main club sponsor), Bord Iascaigh Mhara (main club sponsor), Attracta's Laundrette, Futura Flooring, Sheridan’s Centra, Kelly's Butchers, Newport Pharmacy, Patricia's Fashions, Tracks and Treasures, The Towers, Hotel Newport, Bridge House Beauty Salon, Moynish Guest House, Gerry Grealis - Avondale House, Alan Leneghan, Corcoran's Drapery, Market 57, Print Addiction, Sweeney’s of Achill, Jim Pressley, Mulranny Motors, The Bridge Inn, Westport House Adventure Park, O'Malley Transport.
The results of the NSAC 58th Annual Festival Competition were as follows:
Seniors Category: 1, Declan Moran, 38 fish, 230 points; 2, Paul Murphy, 21 fish, 105; 3, Kieran McGowan, 17 fish, 105; 4, David Nevin, 10 fish, 100 5, Jessica Loftus, 14 fish, 95; 6, Francis O'Toole, 18 fish, 90; 7, Sean Kilroy, 11 fish, 85; 8, Jim Pressley, 8 fish, 85.
Best Senior Lady: 1, Siobhan Melvin, 14 fish, 70 points; 2, Niamh Tester, 12 fish, 60.
Largest bullhuss: Declan Moran (40"). Largest ray: Peter Coyne (26" x 40"). Largest conger: Niamh Murphy (46.5").
Juniors Category: 1, Patrick Sammon, 6 fish, 85 points; 2, Leah Moran, 3 fish, 60; 3, Holly Magee, 10 fish, 50; 4, Cian Moran, 5 fish, 45; 5, Liam Moran, 3 fish, 45.
Junior League (Master Angler): 1, Laoise Fynes.
Junior Novice: 1, John Moran, 6 fish, 50 points; 2, Dmytro Krys; 9 fish, 45; 3, Paul Moran, 4 fish, 20.
Best skipper: Tom Moran, The White Water II.
