Team Ireland Float Manager reports on the Celtic Cup
Team Ireland seniors win the second day match and the squad finish third for Bronze.
Picking up from day 2, Jason Ward reports on the Celtic Cup from Scotland.
“Following a tough draw on Day 1, we had ground to catch-up on day 2, and knew a near perfect performance was required to overturn the deficit to the two leading teams.
A cold, but dry morning met the teams, and knowing we were going to pegs 1 and 3 in each section, we were optimistic of an improved result.
So it proved – with the venue improving each day and becoming more consistent across the sections, both the Senior and Youth teams put in fine performances, improving on their tallies from day 1.
The Senior team fished a fine match, with Dean Murray putting in a superb performance to win both A section, and the day, with just under 10kg. Phil Harten was unlucky to be pipped for the win on C section by just 100g, while Mary Tigwell missed out on second on C section by even less (75g!). To complete the scoring Jamie Murray put in a solid performance to claim third in D section.
The 9-point total was enough to claim the victory on the day and bump the team up to outright third. Unfortunately, not enough to overturn the deficit to Scotland White and Wales A (well done all!) but a clear demonstration of the quality and capability of the squad.
The Youth team also improved on their day 1 score, to finish fifth on the day and fifth overall. A massive well done to all the team, who battled all the way through the two days and were more than capable of giving their more senior competitors a great match.
A special mention to our two youngest competitors, Jack Norris (11) and Flynn Clarke (13), who gained admiration from all the other teams for their performances, as well as our other youth team members, who are all under 20 (with special guest Johnny Baily!): James Wellwood, John Mulligan and John Collins – the future is certainly bright when you see the standard this group can fish at.
The venue of Strathclyde Loch was absolutely fantastic, and just got better and better each day – a rarity in this kind competition! – and hopefully there may be a chance of larger events (European or even World Championships) there in the future.
A huge thank you to Gus Brindle (Scottish manager) Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling for all his organisation and effort that made this such a successful few days (the work involved in an event like this is massive!), along with the Scottish Federation, to Ben Roberts (Wales manager) Team Wales Float Fishing Team for his assistance throughout the event, and for finding time to spend working with some of our younger anglers, and to all the competing teams who make this such a great match to fish. The camaraderie and friendships it’s creating are a pleasure to see and be part of.
A special thank you to all the lads, and lass!, that made up the Irish squad (and the supporting parents!) – you were a pleasure to work with over the practice and competition days, and the support you gave each other was great to see.”
Sincere thanks to the support from the sponsors who made the event far more affordable for all involved: Tubertini UK LTD, Marcel Van Den Eynde Ireland, Irish Bait and Tackle Limited, Clarke Civil Works and the NCFFI.
