Dundalk angler helps Ireland secure Four Nations Title

The Four Nations Youth International Trout and Fly-Fishing Competition was held on the 2nd of August on Llyn Clywedog Lake in Wales.

Ireland was going for their third win in a row under the Management of Noel and Eileen Farrar and with the help of Dundalk’s Joshua McGinn they went on the claim the top prize.

The Irish team met for practice before the event and their skills were honed on Lough Lene and Lough Annagh. Flies were tied and preparation was as good as it could be by the team and their coach Denis Goulding.

The two practice days went off without a hitch, yet the evening before the match you could see the nerves in the young anglers faces. But with a huge supporting team of coaches reassuring them and a large travelling support on hand to cheer them on, all was good in the Irish camp.

Match day came and went so fast. Before you knew it, the boats were heading back to shore. It was obvious to all that the scores were going to be tight for the top two places and as Goulding led the Irish Team to the weigh in, there was silence.

Ireland had fought their way back as contenders on both the Junior and Adult scene in recent years and they are now a force to be reckoned with.

Come the final weigh in, all Irish hearts were thumping, but they did not have too. They had done trojan work in the lead up to this match and would be duly rewarded. Ireland had the greatest number of fish and they won.

They ended the competition with a total of 175 fishes caught, which amounted to an impressive 360lb 12ozs. That left them six fish clear of second placed Scotland, whose total weight was 343lb 5ozs. England were third with 152 fish caught, while the hosts bagged 104.

At the Gala Dinner, the Winning Captain Eanna O’Leary was presented with the Bob Church Trophy, while Fintan Carlin was presented with the Lough Sheelin Trophy for the top catch of an amazing 26 fish.

This trip would not be possible without sponsors” stressed Goulding, who is also the PRO of the Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association (ITFFA).   

“A huge thanks must go to Michael Callaghan for securing substantial NARA funding, the magnificent response from ITFFA Central Council, the four provincial board and to everyone that sponsored individual members of the youth team.”

Team Members: Eanna O Leary -Captain, Darragh Duncan- Vice Captain, Thomas Grew, Joshua McGinn, Cormac McCarthy, Darren Sweeney, Lewis Harte – Porter, Zack Barnett, Jack McGuinness, Jacob Griffin, Colm Coyle, Evan McMickan, Fintan Carlin, Stevie Turner.