Team player Ciaran skates to victory in Clew Bay
Ciaran McGowan aboard The Finnaun with his 185lb skate which he caught during the recent Newport SAC teams competition.
Newport Sea Angling Club hosted their final competition of the season on Sunday, September 2. This was a team event which meant that the total number of fish caught by each of the four team members was combined together to calculate the overall winning team score.
The morning of the competition remained dry enough for the Newport SAC committee members and anglers to mingle on the quayside over a cup of tea before boarding the boats to depart for Clew Bay. The anglers took to the boats shortly before 9.30am and they eagerly headed out to sea to begin the day's fishing. Fishing began at 10.30am and all anglers tried their best to land as many fish as possible before the 3.30pm deadline. All boats returned to Newport Quay where team members met to discuss their respective catches and attempt to work out where they may end up in the overall standings.
The prize presentation took place in the Grainne Uaille (as they were winners of last year's local shield). When all scores were tallied up, the winning team ended up 100 points clear of their nearest rivals but the contest for the second and third places was a much tighter affair as the teams were only separated by six fish – or thirty points.
The winning team trophy and prizes was presented by Newport SAC club president Pat Moran on behalf of the competition's main sponsor J Coffey Construction to the Gilvarry’s Pub, Killala and their winning team members Shane Gilvarry, Jim Pressley, Cormac Burke and Ciaran McGowan. Each member received €100 in prize money as well as an NSAC plaque and winning trophy.
Ciaran McGowan also claimed the individual winner’s trophy following his haul of eight fish and 195 points. Ciaran landed a large common skate with a wingspan of 62 inches and an estimated weight of 185lbs on board ‘The Finnaun’. Catching a skate is a rare occurrence and the last time a skate was landed during a club competition was back in 2018.
Sorcha Moran also took home the largest fish prize for her 47.5cm ray.
As this was the final event of the year, and when all calculations were completed, Ciaran McGowan was also presented with the league cup as this year's club Master Angler.
The local shield was won by the Grainne Uaille team, ensuring that next year's presentation will once again take place in the Grainne Uaille while the Skipper of the Day prize was awarded to Joe Gibbons who skippered The Finnaun.
The club chairman Sean Fahy thanked J Coffey Construction who sponsored the main trophy, the second and third placed prizes as well as €600 in prize money. He also thanked Harry and Liz from the Grainne Uaille and Inland Fisheries Ireland for their continued support, the skippers, each of the anglers for taking part and finally the committee for making it all happen.
Next year the club will be 60 years young so would like to invite anyone who wishes to get involved or help out to make contact with any member of the committee.
1st, Gilvarry’s Pub (28 fish, 305 points) – Shane Gilvarry (eight fish and 40 points), Jim Pressley (three fish and 15 points), Cormac Burke (nine fish and points), Ciaran McGowan (eight fish and 195 points).
2nd, The Village Inn 2 (41 fish and 205 points) – James Kenny (four fish and 20 points), Josie Barrett (eight fish and 40 points), Paul Murphy (three fish and 15 points), Peter Coyne (26 fish and 130 points).
3rd, Mary's of Mulranny (27 fish and 175 points) – Mary Pavey (four fish and 20 points), Jason Moran (six fish and 30 points), Josh Pavey (four fish and 40 points), Sorcha Moran (13 fish and 65 points).
4th, PMB QS (27 fish and 170 points) – Sarah O'Brien (nine fish and 80 points), David Moran, UK (11 fish and 55 points), Joseph O'Brien (four fish and 20 points), Michael O'Brien (three fish and 15 points).
5th, Grainne Uaile (27 fish and 135 points) – David Moran (five fish and 25 points), Declan Moran (four fish and 20 points), Pat Moran (seven fish and 35 points), Thomas Moran (eleven fish and 55 points).
6th, The Village Inn 1 (22 fish and 110 points) – Anthony Masterson (10 fish and 50 points), Padraig Munnelly (six fish and 30 points), Jack Murphy (two fish and 10 points), Danny Murphy (four fish and 20 points).
7th, Electro Rent (19 fish and 95 points) – Stephen Moran (three fish and 15 points), Declan Moran (four fish and 20 points), Pat Moran (seven fish and 35 points), Thomas Moran (eleven fish and 55 points).
8th, The Buckfield Inn (eighteen fish and 90 points) – Sean Fahy (four fish and 20 points), Irene Walsh (six fish and 30 points), Joe MacManammon (two fish and 10 points), Sean Kilroy (six fish and 30 points).
