KINGSPAN NATIONAL PIKE CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT

The final of the Kingspan National Pike Championship was held on Saturday 12th April on Lough Ross, Moycullen, Co Galway. The competitors were based in the Cloonabinnia House Hotel right on the shore of the lake. Traditionally the venue is kept secret until the morning of the competition and this year was no exception. 54 of the 55 anglers who qualified to take part fished the event, the exception was Sean Markey, Cootehill, who was tied up due to work commitments.

Lough Ross is a long narrow lake with lots of reed-fringed bays with plenty of access ideal for pike fishing. The event was confined to the northeast and southeast shores only to allow for proper stewarding and still allowed the competitors plenty of room. Fishing was patchy in places with the best areas being the southeast corner and a long narrow bay middle ways up the northeast shore, which produced more than half of the total number of fish landed on the day. In all,135 fish were recorded the best fish was 18 lbs 4 oz caught by Terry Sheridan.

The results were as follows:-
1st, Marty Lawlor, Belfast Individuals, 6 fish, 29 lbs 9 ozs
2nd, John Marshall, Keady Pike Anglers, 8 fish, 28 lbs 6 ozs
3rd, George Dillon, Morris Insulations, 6 fish, 26 lbs 10 ozs
4th, Terry Sheridan, North Longford Anglers, 4 fish, 26 lbs 8 ozs
5th, John Chambers, Dublin Pike Anglers, 7 fish, 24 lbs 12 ozs
6th, Michael McKenna, Keady Pike Anglers, 7 fish, 23 lbs
7th, David Dennis, Drogheda & District Anglers, 6 fish, 22 lbs 8 ozs
8th, Alan Mulcahy, Shannonside Anglers, Limerick, 4 fish, 19 lbs 1 oz
9th, Pat Gorman, Tullamore & District Anglers, 6 fish, 17 lbs
10th, John Boyle, North Longford Anglers, 5 fish, 16 lbs 15 ozs

In joint11th place was Gary Quinn, Doms Pike Anglers and Martin Carroll, Ardee Pike Anglers with a weight of 15 lbs 9 ozs.

The presentation took place at the Federation's annual dinner held in Cloonbinnia House. The top-10 anglers will form the Irish Team to fish the Home International Pike Tournament against Great Britain next October. This year the event will be held in England. Each member will receive team clothing and tackle and will have their travel and accommodation costs paid for by the Federation. The tournament was won by the UK Team last year and our side will be all out to regain the title. Five members of the team have no previous international experience, however, the other five members have a vast knowledge of UK waters and we have no doubt that the trophy will be coming home to Ireland next October.