Pentony achieves gold target against the odds

STAMULLEN native Ivan Pentony was one of two members of Ashbourne Archers who returned home from Tallaght with Leinster Open gold at the weekend.

This is the last main indoor competition before the outdoor season starts and it is a full indoor FITA, consisting of 120 arrows being shot at a selection of target faces at a distance of 18 metres.

The competition was run by Greenhills Archers, and once again they did themselves proud, with all the competitors called to the line on time.

Pentony, stepping up for his second major competition in the club colours and shooting in the senior compound -550 category, had a bad start, while the second half of the competition was going better until he had an equipment failure, with an arrow exploding as it left his bow.

Although hitting the target was not possible, a speaker did suffer the full wrath of the rogue arrow and this looked like the end for Pentony, but instead it seemed to drive him onward with determination.

He finished the second set with a personal best for 30 arrows, 60 arrows and a good baseline for 120 arrows, and at the final tally his score was good enough to claim gold for Ashbourne Archers.

The club’s other gold medal went to Gerry Finnegan, one of their most experienced archers, who was shooting in the men’s masters compound +550 category. He had some tough opposition and some ends were nail-biting to watch, but he was on target with every shot and his experience showed as he slowly edged his way to the front.

For the duration of the competition Finnegan was also providing coaching and encouragement for other archers, some being in the same category as himself, which is not an unusual thing to see at an archery competition.

You can contact Ashbourne Archers on their Facebook page Ashbourne Archers, Boghdoiri Chill Dheaglain, or by email at pro@ashbournearchers.com or coaching@ashbournearchers.com.