Laoise Fynnes is the 2024 National Junior Competition/Daniel Peacock Memorial competition winner

NEWPORT SAC hosted the clubs 34th annual National Junior Competition with all Junior anglers fishing for the prestigious Daniel Peacock Memorial Trophy last month. The club's very first competition dedicated to the Junior members began as far back as 1992 and has been held every year since.

On June 30, thirty seven young anglers headed out to sea, spread across 4 boats, all skippered by local boatmen and accompanied by club committee members as mentors. On offer were a range of prizes including overall winner, 8 yrs to 13 yrs category, 14 yrs to 18 yrs category, Novice section, largest fish and first fish category.

Former club secretary Sue Steer and grandmother of the late Daniel Peacock also sponsored a beanie hat embroidered with the club logo and badge for all participants in the competition. When all results were in and tallied up, Laoise Fynnes was announced as the 2024 National Junior Champion to rapturous applause. Laoise was presented with the Daniel Peacock Memorial trophy and replica, a rod and reel set and a voucher on behalf of the Peacock family by Sue Steer and Ann Taylor. Laoise had an impressive haul of 26 dogfish and 2 ray giving her a total of 170 points on the day. Well done to Laoise from all at the club.

Other category winners included Liam Moran who won the 8yrs to 13yrs category with 21 fish and 165 points. Shane Durkan won the 14yrs to 18yrs 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. Boatmans prize went to Reg Roynane who skippered the Lady Helen. Every one of the juniors started and finished the day with a smile on their face. Every single junior angler caught fish on the day and no one went home empty handed. There was even a large number of raffle prizes for every junior angler 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, the stewarts, the parents (and particularly those who helped out on the day), those who headed out to sea and took photos during the competition, Nevins Bar for providing the venue and refreshments, Keane's butchers (for providing the morning sausages), the Port Chipper and indeed anyone who helped to make the day so special and help to make happy memories for the 37 Junior anglers.

Sponsors

THE club would also like to thank each and every one of our sponsors including main sponsor Sue Steer and family, Cllr 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, Nevins Bar, Port Chipper, Eamonn Kennedy, Mayo Movie World, O'Malley Transport, Doherty's Mulranny. Without this financial support the event would not have taken place. A very successful day all round and we look forward to the next event!
Please contact any member of the club if you wish to get involved in helping out at any of our events throughout the year
We are now taking entries for our next competition scheduled for August 3 and 4(58th Annual Sea Angling Festival). Contact any member of the committee for more details.

A group of Junior Anglers who participated in the recent 2024 National Junior Competition (Daniel Peacock Memorial, hosted by Newport SAC.

RESULTS IN FULL

The results of the 2024 Daniel Peacock Memorial/National Junior Competition were as follows:

Novice Category: 1st place – James Hastings (14 fish – 100 pts). 2nd place – Theo Bronkal (12 fish – 60 pts). 3rd place – Aoife |Fynnes (8 fish - 60 pts). 4th place – Sean Óg Ó Ruain (8 fish – 60 pts). 5th place – Kayden O'Rourke (7 fish - 55 pts). 6th place – Sarah Cheatle (3 fish – 35pts). Joint 7th place – Tyler Donnellan and Anthony McNeela (5 fish - 25 pts). 8th place – Coleman Moran (4 fish - 20 pts). 9th place – Toby McNeela (2 fish - 10 pts). 10th place – Alfie Moogan (1 fish - 5 pts)

8 years to 13 years category: Winner: Liam Moran (21 fish - 165 pts). Runner up: Leah Moran (12 fish - 80 pts). 3rd place: Jack O'Haire (10 fish - 80 pts). 4th place: Muirinn Mulchrone (7 fish - 75 pts). 5th place: John O'Sullivan Irwin (8 fish - 70 pts). 6th place: Molly Mulchrone (8 fish - 70 pts).

14 years to 18 years category: Winner: Shane Durkan (20 fish - 130 pts). Runner up: Shauna Moran (20 fish - 120 pts). 3rd place: Sean Nevin (11 fish - 115 pts). 4th place: 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)

Boatmans Prize: For best angler average score was Reg Royanne who skippered the The Lady Helen. Congrats to all winners and thanks to everyone who took part on the day