Laoise wins National Junior (Daniel Peacock Memorial) Sea Angling Competition hosted by Mayo club
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A group of junior anglers who participated in the 2024 National Junior Competition (Daniel Peacock Memorial) hosted by Newport SAC.Image 2 of 9
Shane Durkan was the winner of the 14 to 18 years category. Shane also received a prize for the largest fish (a ray measuring 52cms).Image 3 of 9
Liam Moran was the winner of the 8 to 13 years category. Liam also received a prize for the largest fish (a ray measuring 52cms).Image 4 of 9
James Hastings was the winner of the novice section with 14 fish and 100 points.Image 5 of 9
Junior anglers James Heanue, Finn Grealis, Leah Moran, Aodhan O’Ruain, Sarah Cheatle, Sean Og O’Ruain, Alan Heanue and Kayden O’Rourke pictured after receiving their beanie hats and club badges sponsored by Sue Steer.Image 6 of 9
A group of junior anglers on board the Finnaun, skippered by Joe Gibbons, with club mentors Sean Fahy and Paul Ruddy on board.Image 7 of 9
A group of junior anglers on board the Lady Helen, skippered by Reg Roynane, with club mentor Declan Moran on board.Image 8 of 9
Junior anglers on board Mo Chara, skippered by Darragh Magee, with club mentors Shane Gilvarry and David Nevin on board.Image 9 of 9
A group of Junior anglers on board the Whitewater II, skippered by Tom Moran, with club mentors Jason Moran and Michael O’Sullivan on board.NEWPORT Sea Angling Club hosted the club's 34th annual National Junior Competition with all junior anglers fishing for the prestigious Daniel Peacock Memorial Trophy. The club's very first competition dedicated to junior members began back in 1992 and has been held every year since.
Thirty-seven young anglers headed out to sea, across four boats, all skippered by local boatmen and accompanied by club committee members as mentors. On offer were a range of prizes including overall winner, eight years to 13 years category, 14 to 18 years category, novice section, largest fish and first fish category.
Former club secretary and grandmother of the late Daniel Peacock, Sue Steer, also sponsored a beanie hat embroidered with the club logo and badge for all participants.
Laoise Fynnes was announced as the 2024 National Junior Champion to rapturous applause and was presented with the Daniel Peacock Memorial Trophy and replica, a rod and reel set and voucher on behalf of the Peacock family by Sue Steer and Ann Taylor.
Laoise had an impressive haul of 26 dogfish and two ray, giving her a total of 170 points.
Other category winners included Liam Moran, winning the 8 to 13 years category with 21 fish and 165 points. Shane Durkan won the 14 to 18 years category with 20 fish and 130 points. James Hastings was the winner of the novice section with 14 fish and 100 points.
The prize for the largest fish was shared between Shane Durkan and Liam Moran with both anglers landing a 52cm ray.
Boatman's prize went to Reg Roynane who skippered the Lady Helen.
Every junior angler caught fish and no one went home empty handed. There was also a large number of raffle prizes for junior anglers, followed by a parents raffle.
The day was a great success and the committee would like to thank all of the anglers who took part, the skippers, stewards, parents (and particularly those who helped out on the day), those who headed out to sea and took photos during the competition, Nevin's Bar for providing the venue and refreshments, Keane's Butchers (providing the morning sausages), the Port Chipper and anyone who helped to make the day so special.
The club would also like to thank all their sponsors, including main sponsor Sue Steer and family, Councillor Brendan Mulroy, BIM, Fisheries Ireland, MOWI Ireland, The Marine Institute, Furnace, Westport Credit Union, Hastings Insurance, Westport Hotel Group, Midwest Furniture, Burrishoole GAA, Ann Taylor, Padraic McCormack, Keane's Butchers, Nevin's Bar, Port Chipper, Eamonn Kennedy, Mayo Movie World, O'Malley Transport, and Doherty's, Mulranny. Without this financial support the event would not have taken place.
Please contact any member of the club if you wish to get involved in helping out at any events throughout the year.
The club is now taking entries for their next competition, scheduled for August 3 and 4 - 58th annual sea angling festival. Contact any member of the committee for more details.
The results of the 2024 Daniel Peacock Memorial / National Junior Competition were as follows.
Overall winner: Laoise Fynes, 28 fish - 170 points.
Novice category: 1st James Hastings (14 fish - 100 pts), 2nd Theo Bronkal (12 fish - 60 pts), 3rd Aoife Fynnes (8 fish - 60 pts), 4th Sean Óg Ó Ruain (8 fish - 60 pts), 5th Kayden O'Rourke (7 fish - 55 pts), 6th Sarah Cheatle (3 fish - 35 pts), joint 7th Tyler Donnellan and Anthony McNeela (5 fish - 25 pts), 8th place Coleman Moran (4 fish - 20 pts), 9th Toby McNeela (2 fish - 10 pts), 10th Alfie Moogan (1 fish - 5 pts).
Eight to 13 years category: 1st Liam Moran (21 fish - 165 pts), 2nd Leah Moran (12 fish - 80 pts), 3rd Jack O'Haire (10 fish - 80 pts), 4th Muirinn Mulchrone (7 fish - 75 pts), 5th John O'Sullivan Irwin (8 fish - 70 pts), 6th Molly Mulchrone (8 fish - 70 pts).
Fourteen to 18 years category: 1st Shane Durkan (20 fish - 130 pts), 2nd Shauna Moran (20 fish - 120 pts), 3rd Sean Nevin (11 fish - 115 pts), 4th Daithi Nevin (17 fish - 105 pts).
First fish on boat winners: The Finnaun - Coleman Moran, White Water II - Finn Grealis, Lady Helen - Laoise Fynnes, Mo Chara - Cian Moran.
Largest ray: Liam Moran and Shane Durkan (52cms).
Boatman’s prize for best angler average score: Reg Roynane, who skippered The Lady Helen.
Congratulations to all winners and thanks to everyone who took part on the day.