Mayo sea angling club hosts National Junior/Daniel Peacock Memorial competition

THE National Junior Competition/Daniel Peacock Memorial sea angling competition, held on Clew Bay, was won by Daithi Nevin.

Hosted by Newport Sea Angling Club, this was a special occasion as it marked the 20th anniversary of the passing of a local club angler and the grandson of former club secretary Sue Steer.

Overall winner Daithi Nevin had an impressive haul of 14 dogfish, two ray and two bulhuss, giving him 160 points.

Sue and her sister Ann were on hand to present the Daniel Peacock Memorial Trophy and replica, and a voucher on behalf of the Peacock family.

Daithi and his family are great supporters of the club and was a worthy winner as he is in his final year as a junior angler (after many close attempts over the years).

Other category winners included Lochlann Mulchrone who won the 8-13 years category with 12 fish and 90 points, Dmytro Krys won the 14-18 years category with 11 fish and 75 points, and Charlie Moran was the winner of the novice section with 2 fish and 30 points.

The prize for the largest ray was Finn Grealis who landed a 52.5cm ray. Daithi Nevin won the largest bulhuss prize with a 105cm long huss. Sean Óg Ó Ruain was the winner of the 20th anniversary special prize and received a rod, reel and tackle box sponsored by Sue Steer. Jack O'Haire was the proud recipient of a left handed reel and rod sponsored by Shane Gilvarry.

The boatman's prize went to Reg Roynane who skippered the Lady Helen.

Day one saw anglers from the novice category head out to sea to battle it out in dull but calm conditions. Fish were scarce, with very little between all anglers at the end of the day. In fact, only 0.5 of a centimetre separated the eventual novice winner, Charlie Moran, Westport, and runner-up Shamie Goggins, Fahy.

On day two it took a while for the fish to pick up the scent of the bait trail from the anglers but after lunch fishing improved for all boats.

Later, at the prize presentations, club youth officer Shane Gilvarry thanked the sponsors, without whom the club could not run the event. The full list of sponsors includes: Sue Steer and family (main sponsor), Councillor Brendan Mulroy (main sponsor), Fisheries Ireland (main sponsor), the Marine Institute, Furnace, Westport Credit Union, Westport Hotel Group, Midwest Furniture, Ann Taylor, Padraic McCormack, Westport House, Castlebar Self Storage, Keane's Butchers, Mayo Movie World, Avondale House, Mulranny, Doherty's, Mulranny, The Port Chipper and Seosamh McNally. Thanks also to Declan Nevin and family for providing the venue for the presentation and refreshments for the children.

The presentation closed on a sad note with the announcement from Sue that this was the final year of sponsoring this particular event. The club would like to take the opportunity to sincerely thank Sue for her commitment and support over the last 20 years. The Daniel Peacock Memorial Cup was a much sought after prize over the years and a fitting tribute to a former club junior angler.

Next year will open a new chapter in the 60-year history of the club and all are looking forward to next year's event. Please contact any member of the club if you wish to get involved in helping out at any of their events throughout the year.

Newport Sea Angling Club is now taking entries for its next competition scheduled for August 2 and 3 - the 59th annual Sea Angling Festival. Contact any member of the committee for more details.

The full list of results is as follows

Overall category: 1st Daithi Nevin with 18 fish (160 points).

Novice category: 1st Charlie Moran (2 fish - 30 pts), 2nd Shamie Goggins (2 fish - 30 pts), 3rd Oisin Martin (4 fish - 20 pts), 4th Darren Goggins (1 fish - 20 pts), 5th James O'Haire Joyce (1 fish - 20 pts), 6th Poppy Goggins (1 fish - 15 pts).

8 years to 13 years: 1st Lochlann Mulchrone (12 fish - 90 pts), 2nd Eoghan Collins (12 fish - 80 pts), 3rd Ethan Conway (8 fish - 70 pts), 4th Brendan Smyth (8 fish - 60 pts), 5th Jacob Jones (6 fish - 60 pts), 6th Jack O'Haire Joyce (7 fish - 55 pts).

14 years to 18 years: 1st Dmytro Krys (11 fish - 75 pts), 2nd Sean Nevin (7 fish - 65 pts), 3rd Holly McGee (7 fish - 55 pts), 4th Shane Durkan (4 fish - 40 pts).

First fish on boat winners: Mo Chara (Saturday) - Noah McNulty, The Finnaun - Shane Durkan, Lady Helen - Jack O'Haire Joyce, Mo Chara (Sunday) - Sean Nevin.

Largest ray: Finn Grealis (52.5 cms). Largest huss: Daithi Nevin (105 cms).

Junior anglers raffle (20th anniversary special prize): Sean Og O'Ruain - fishing rod, reel and tackle box sponsored by Sue Steer.

Junior anglers special prize: Jack O'Haire Joyce - fishing rod and reel sponsored by Shane Gilvarry.

Boatman's prize for best angler average score: Reg Royanne who skippered the The Lady Helen.