Karl to shoot for his country in Germany
GOREY man Karl O’Brien has been selected to represent Team Ireland at the German Open in Target Rifle this week.
Karl was selected along with seven other competitors to represent Ireland in the German leg of the international target shooting competition. He represents Hilltop Shooting Club from Newtownmountkennedy.
This is Karl’s third time to represent Ireland at the open and he said he is very excited about travelling over as it is a great opportunity for him.
‘I started target rifle about seven years ago,’ said Karl. ‘I had joined Hilltop Shooting Club before the Gorey club opened.’
Karl is the son of John O’Brien, who is a former publican of the Coach House, and Karen Pratt, who is a former teacher at Loreto Secondary School in Wexford town. Both of his parents come from Co. Dublin.
The Irish team was picked based on their shooting scores at national competitions held throughout Ireland over the last 12 months.
Competitors shoot at paper targets from varying distances from 10 metres to 50 metres for score, each target has a time limit and different number of shots to be fired. The international competition is called ‘1500’ and individual competitors also travel to compete as well.
Ireland are current world champions in target shooting in both smallbore and centrefire disciplines and also hold the individual world champion titles as well.
The National Association of Sporting Rifle and Pistol Clubs (NASRPC) are the national governing body for target shooting in Ireland and are made up of 20 target shooting clubs around Ireland with 3,500 competing members.
The role of the NASRPC is to support sporting individuals and teams through training and providing safe standards, promoting health and wellbeing and sporting excellence. Target shooting is enjoyed by male and female competitors who compete side by side.
Mick McGrath, chairman of NASRPC, said: ‘We wish all the competitors the best of luck. It is a great honour to represent Ireland and I know each competitor will represent their country and target shooting at the highest level.’