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EMYVALE
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Eugene Mulligan Memorial Cup.
Emy and District Anglers held the Eugene Mulligan Memorial Fly-fishing competition
on Emy Lake on Sunday August 22nd. This cup and competition is in memory of a leading
member of the club and an expert fisherman. He was also a young man who introduced
many others to take up the sport and was always very encouraging and helpful to beginners.
His death after illness in 1996 was a big blow to the club and his memory lives on
with the members. The cup, donated by the family, was first competed for in 1997
and it was appropriate that his close friend and fishing companion, Enda Fields,
was the first winner.
This year conditions were somewhat difficult but good for fishing.
Heavy rain accompanied by wind was endured before the lake went totally calm. The
action began at 4pm and ended at 8pm. Fish were moving and six competitors returned
with fish. Prior to the weigh-in ladies had prepared a repast of very tasty food
with tea/coffee and this was very welcome. Dick Kiernan had erected a large Marquee
for shelter and the crack was good while the food vanished.
Jimmy McKenna conducted
the weight-in and recorded the weights. Chairman of the Club, Dan Gormley, thanked
all who participated and all who had helped in any way to make the event a great
success. He welcomed Vincent Mulligan Sr. And Jr. To the presentation and invited
them to present the prizes.
The Overall winner for the Heaviest Fish was Brian Corrigan
with a weight of 4lb - 4.4ozs. In second place was Paudge Cassidy with the fish weighing
3lb - 3.4ozs. Third place went to Tommy McCaffrey with a fish of 2lb - 9ozs. Fourth
place went to Dan Gormley with a weight of 2lb - 4.4ozs and fifth place to Martin
McKenna who caught a fish of 1lb - 12.4ozs.
The local club has been very involved
with the development of the lake as a Fly-Fishing facility and their hard work is
beginning to pay dividends. The club is open for membership and with more members
the club will be in a position to progress this development. Obviously from the fish
caught during this competition there are some excellent fish in the Lake and it augers
well for the future. Efforts are also being made to ensure that anyone using the
lake stick strictly to the conditions laid down for fishing and that all users have
purchased a permit.
Above is Stephen Cassidy and Enda Fields from Emy and District Anglers and local youth Cormac Watterson, who was a member of the Ulster Flyfishing team recently.