Seventy anglers for Lough Lene Leinster national qualifier round
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Some competitors out on the water at Lough LeneImage 2 of 10
The leinster qualifier champion Gerry Heaslip from Dublin Trout Anglers AssociationImage 3 of 10
Chris Oliver from Navan, Kieran Flynn from Kells.Image 4 of 10
Gerry Heaslip from Tallaght, Stuart Marry from Balbriggan.Image 5 of 10
Kevin Dunne from Clane, Rodney Iceton from Wicklow.Image 6 of 10
Liam McKnight from Moate.Image 7 of 10
Pat Noonan from Tipperary, Tom Hipwel from Dublin.Image 8 of 10
Stewart McGrane from Wicklow, Alan Doherty from Dublin.Image 9 of 10
John Maguire from Summerhill , Simon Yorke from Moate, Tommy O’Loughlin from Multyfarnham , Jenny Casey from Clane.Image 10 of 10
Brendan Murray Leinster secretary, Martin McGowan Leinster treasurer, and first place winner Gerry Heaslip from Dublin Trout Anglers Association.Almost 70 anglers took part in the Leinster national qualifier took place at Lough Lene on Saturday week last, August 16. Sign-in was at 10am and all boats were in to shore at 6pm, ahead of the weigh-ins 15 minutes later, which showed that just 23 of the 64 Anglers caught fish, leading to a draw to decide seven additional qualifiers and four substitutes.
The competition, held under IFFA rules and run on a catch-and-release basis, and the top 30 anglers will now advance to the national competition scheduled for early next year at Lough Conn in Mayo, .
The winner of the qualifier was Gerry Heaslip from Dublin Trout Anglers Association, who landed three fish and gained 197 points. Second was Stuart Marry (who shared a boat with Heaslip) on three fish and 195 points, and in third place was Pat Noonan on 190 points.
The day started overcast and most fish were caught in the morning, including the winning catch. Strong sunlight, and strong winds made fishing conditions more difficult as the day went on.
The committee thanked all who participated, as well as the Leinster committee. Martin McGowan, the Leinster treasurer, said: “On behalf of all the anglers that fished today, I would like to thank Brendan Murray for all the work he puts in to these events. I would also like to thank Tom Fagan and Lough Lene Angling Association.”
The next competition in Lough Lene is the Chairman’s Pairs Charity Competition in aid of Westmeath Hospice on September 28 (11am-5pm).