Eagle-eyed Ann Marie strikes gold
MEMBERS of Ardee-based CúChulainn Archers enjoyed a very busy few weeks in the lead up to Easter, both at home and abroad.
Competing at the Leinster Open, Ann Marie Murray took gold in the Women’s Compound, Brandon Dollard won the Men’s Recurve Cadet category and John Dollard came fifth in the Senior Men’s Compound.
At the same time, seven members of the club were travelling to the USA to compete in the final leg of the Indoor World Cup in Las Vegas, namely Brendan Forde, Fiachra Judge, John Keenan, Adria Quinn, Deirdre Rogers, Éamonn Rogers and Michelle Williams.
The USA leg of the World Cup takes place in the prestigious South Point Casino, with 3,500 archers taking part, and it is unique in that all archers compete against each other regardless of sex or age, with World champions and Olympic gold medallists all competing against everyone else!
Éamonn Rogers came highest of the Irish there, with the third highest score in flight 2, having scored 300 out of 300 and having dropped only five points in total over the course of the competition.
In their categories Adria Quinn was 17th, Fiachra Judge 19th, Deirdre Rogers 29th and John Keenan 30th.
Next up was the Indoor Nationals, held in the Sports Campus Ireland, Blanchardstown, where Brandon Dollard came away with an individual bronze medal and John Keenan, Éamonn Rogers and John Dol- lard won bronze in the Men’s Compound Team event.
In the individual category, Éamonn exited in the quarter-finals and Fiachra Judge, John Keenan and John Dollard were all knocked out at the last-16 stage.
Of CúChulainn’s Recurve archers, Brendan Forde qualified in 17th place, with Shay Barry and Brandon Dollard - this time competing as a Senior - qualifying jointly in 33rd Brendan was knocked out in the last-16 stage by the eventual winner, while Shay was unlucky enough to come up against ex Olympian Joe Malone.
Brendan, Shay and Brandon went on to compete in the Recurve Team Event and lost out after a thrilling edge-of-the-seat match, in a one-arrow shootout.
In the individual category, CúChulainn’s Compound Women Ann Marie Murray, Adria Quinn and Christina O’Sullivan were knocked out in the quarter-finals, with Christina losing out to her clubmate Deirdre Rogers who went out of competition in the bronze medal match Ann Marie, Christina and Deirdre went on to finish first in the Women’s team event.
CúChulainn Archers meet every Wednesday from 745 to 945pm in the Community Centre in Blackrock and every Saturday from 10am to noon in the Parish Centre, Hale Street, Ardee Beginners are always welcome, and courses are held at both venues regularly throughout the year
For more information, contact cuchulainnarchers@hotmail.com. LOUTH Mavericks pay their first home game of the season this Sunday, April 8th at Dundalk Rugby Club against a very strong UCD Team.
The Mavs are embarking on their first season in the Shamrock Bowl Conference which is the top division in the IAFL.
They lost their first game against Trinity College Dublin, but will be hoping that home advantage can help them get off the mark against another student side this weekend.