NCFFI, Waterways Ireland-Junior Canals Championships 2011

28^th of May saw this year’s Junior Canals Championship sponsored by Waterways Ireland take place on the Royal Canal, Co. Kildare. The venue, the canal, just outside the town of Kilcock was prepared by Royal Enfield Coarse Angling Club in the days running up the event.

While the weather was not ideal with morning temperatures just 10 Degrees and a very strong westerly wind this however did not prevent 26 young eager anglers between the ages of 7 and 17 turning out in an attempt to become National Junior Canal Champion 2011.

Luckily the rain held off for the day and this allowed Paul McCloone from Inland Fisheries Ireland to deliver a presentation to both young and old on Bio security in angling in addition to this, just like the 2010 Junior All Ireland, all competitors were obliged to dip both their Keep-nets and Landing nets. Bio security in angling is something the NCFFI have placed very highly within our five year plan and following the recent IFI presentation held at their HQ in Swords, Co. Dublin in which NCFFI Chairperson and National Children’s Officer, Mr Pat Dalton, was invited to attend he heard of the dangers and preventive measures from Dr. Joe Caffery (IFI) and Meg Modley (USA) on the latest invasive species to reach our waterways, the Asian Clam. The NCFFI are currently working in conjunction with IFI for Protocols on Bio security that following adoption by our members will apply to both match and pleasure anglers alike.

The Junior Canals Championship’s were well supported by our member clubs, including one of our most active in angling development, Carlow Coarse Angling Club, who brought with them many junior anglers and a number of nationally qualified Angling Council of Ireland coaches in addition to this coaches and helpers from other NCFFI member clubs gave coaching and assistance where needed, the NCFFI had both keep-nets and whips on stand-by if required.

By the time of the ‘All-In!’ everyone was ready at their pegs in Under 18, Under 14 or Novice sections. The Novice section contained the largest number of anglers with 11 junior’s competing, this section also included 5 junior ladies with the youngest being Emma McStraw of Carlow CAC aged just 7, the ladies were strongest in this section with them earning 3 of the top 4 positions, Emma managed second in her section with 440g just behind section winner Darryl Mason aged 10 with 680g with Lauren Walsh and Kelsey Warburton both aged 14, 3^rd and 4^th respectively.

Under 14 was completed by 7 anglers and saw overall winner and Junior Canal Champion 2011, Robert Smithers, coming from this section. Robert (13) weighed in over 30 roach for 800g with Amy McGee (13) 2^nd and Jack Sutton (10) 3^rd in their section both from the Royal Enfield CAC.

Under 18 was one of the most hotly contested sections with Lewis Parr (15), Carlow CAC, and Mark Connolly (14), Cavan CAC, with only 10g separating them both, Lewis piped Mark with 760g to win the Under 18 section, Aaron Kelly (15) rounded off the top three with 460g.

Although the fishing was tough everyone enjoyed the day and no one went home empty handed, NCFFI president Oliver McGauley was on hand to present all the winners and competitors with their prizes, we would like to thank our main sponsor Waterways Ireland who made the day possible, we would also like to thank McCarthy’s of Prosperous Co. Kildare, Southside Angling Centre, Cork Street, Dublin, C&J Angling Longmile Road, Dublin and last but not least Carlow Coarse Angling Supplies, Co. Carlow for all their support in keeping angling alive.

The NCFFI would also like to thank everyone who turned up to help out the coaches, the parents, Paul McCloone (IFI), Royal Enfield CAC in particular Fergus Crowe, Shane Kavanagh and Ambrose Devlin, NCFFI committee members Sean Ward and John Connolly for preparing the venue and making sure the day went without fault and most importantly the 26 junior anglers for making the day a success.

The next NCFFI Junior events is the Small Stillwater Championship which will be held on Oaklands Lake, New Ross on the 11^th of June, for information and bookings contact Der Casey 00353 86 0568430.

Results:

Novice: 1^st Darryl Mason 680g. 2^nd Emma McStraw 440g. 3^rd Lauren Walsh 370g. 4^th Kelsey Warburton 320g.

Under 14: 1^st Robert Smithers 800g. 2^nd Amy McGee 740g. 3^rd Jack Sutton 410g. 4^th Alex McGee 350g.

Under 18: 1^st Lewis Parr 760g. 2^nd Mark Connolly 750g. 3^rd Aaron Kelly 460g.