Trio set sights on Masters
SUNDAY saw the departure of some of CúChulainn Archers’ finest members to literally the other side of the world in order to compete for the next three weeks in the World Masters Games in Auckland, New Zealand.
John Keenan, Deirdre Rogers and Eamonn Rogers are the lucky trio, but while the cat was away, the rest of the club gathered like mice around the chocholate during a fun easter egg shoot down at Butterlys Sports Bar, Irish Street, Ardee on Monday.
The small “field” shoot started normal enough for the new club members, to acclimitise to shooting outdoors in the elements. Split into small groups, the archers shot their 3 arrows at various distances until they’d each visited each target once.
For round 2, the fun began, suddenly obstacles obstructed view, archers had to kneel down for some targets or stand on platforms to shoot down at others, still everyone enjoyed this element.
In Round 3, three arrows to burst one balloon containing a bag of chocolate treats. Chocolate medals were finally awarded on the most rediculous reasons imaginable from best hat, to best spectator, to best driver. The day finished up with a treat of pizza and chips, and although the fun was declared officially over, everyone stayed on to practice more arrows.
James Moloney missed the fun day and instead headed to Scotland for a 3D shoot, and he reported back thus: ‘Over in Scotland at the Border Archery 3D Easter shoot. Scored 820 yesterday and 805 today for a total of 1,625. The winning total for barebow was 1,735.
‘Not sure where I finished up in end, I was fourth after the first days shooting, I’ll find out where I placed overall when all the scores are posted online. 100 3D targets a day, an archery marathon but brilliant fun. Onwards and upwards’.
Fiachra Judge travelled north again the weekend before last to the Ron Bell Memorial Field shoot, held in the beautiful surroundings of Ballywalter Park.
The course was shot throughout the grounds of the stately home with great mention made of the rhodendrum bushes in all colours.
Fiachra was awarded his medal by the judge John Kane on behalf of Lough Cuan Bowmen.
Last weekend, CúChulainn Archers attended the inaugural Northern Ireland Indoor Championships and as usual were one of the largest clubs in attendance.
While the Juniors shot in one end of the hall, senior groups were split into two groups to shoot 60 arrows. The first group shot early in the morning, followed by the 2nd group and the juniors at 11.30, this left the first group with a long break before everyone reconvened for Head to Heads.
Rankings are determined by your 60 arrows score and Head to Heads commence with the top seed shooting against the lower seeds. Juniors (under 21) were awarded medals after the ranking round without shooting the tense head to head competitions.
Head to Heads can be fiercely fought as archers tie scores, dropping one point can be mean the difference between making it through the next round and into the medal position, many a bead of sweat was mopped from a brow and several one arrow shoot offs were inevitable.
Medals were awarded to Brandon Dollard, who shot both in the Junior and the Senior tournaments and Ann Marie Murray, both of whom won bronze. PBs were equaled and beaten for most club members and special mention goes to Fiachra Judge on equalling his own Irish record and to club member Rachael McCoomb on achieving first place in the ladies compound. Rachael’s son Niall also became a Northern Ireland champion in barebow.
CúChulainn Archers can be contacted on 083-8304632.