I.T.F.F.A. YOUTH GRAND SLAM

I.T.F.F.A. Youth Team Make History on Grafham Water, Winning Gold and Completing the Grand Slam for the first time in the history of Youth Fly Fishing.

On behalf of the I.T.F.F.A. I would like to congratulate the Youth team in their historical victory on Grafham Water in the Youths Four Nations International. This result has never been seen or heard of since the conception of the Four Nations Fly Fishing International. To complete the Grand Slam in Severe heat, flat calm conditions, using heavy sinking lines makes the win even sweeter. For years the tactics employed during these conditions were foreign to The Irish Angler, not anymore!!.

The work that Manager Julie Gerry and Assistant Jenny Casey put into this event was extraordinary, raising funds and making sure everything was in place for the Irish Contingent during the trip. Enough cannot be said about these two individuals.

To the coaches Denis Goulding and Andrew Duncan , well done on a well worked plan. Many thanks to our boatmen and women that boated on practice days on Graftham, James Doherty, John Reidy, Kevin Dining, Jenny Casey, Connor O Mahony, Julie Gerry and Richard Johnston . Also, thanks again to John, Connor, Richard, and James that helped Andrew and I get the team boxes ready prior to that match.

Special mention to Steve Smalley of Gocatchfish sponsored all the teams’ medals and photography of the event.

Match day itself was very very warm, 28 degrees and a bare ripple. But the plans were drawn, and the team were excited to get to it. We watched fish being caught and lost from out viewing area at the lodge. And eventually as time ticked by, there seemed to be only two teams in contention. Scotland and Ireland, well from what we could see. Eventually it was time for the teams to come in.

At the weigh in Ireland looked to retain The Bob Church Trophy , Catching 24 fish to Scotland’s 21 fish. But it was a nervous weigh in as Scotland had bigger fish, but Ireland crept over the line with a 2lb 10ozs weigh margin.

The Grand Slam Irish Team

Fintan Carlin

Thomas Grew

Zack Barnett

Jacob Griffin

Evan McMicken

Jack McGuinness

Lewis Harte Porter

Darragh Duncan

Caedin Doherty

Shay Murphy

Colm Coyle

Kyle O 'Mahony

Jack Reidy

Noah Johnston

Harry Mc Guinness

The official result was as follows.

1st IRELAND -24 fish – 48lb 4ozs.

2nd SCOTLAND - 21 fish – 45lb 10ozs

3rd ENGLAND - 15 fish – 35lb 10ozs

4th WALES – 9 fish – 9 fish – 19lb 7ozs

Best Overall Basket – Michael Ewing- 5 fish – 10lb 4ozs- England

Best Trout – James Penwright – 4lb 40zs - England

Best Baskets

England – Michael Ewing – 5 fish – 10lb 40zs

Ireland – Darragh Duncan - 5 fish – 9lb 14ozs

Scotland – Rory Stuart – 4 fish – 8lb 2ozs

Wales – Aled Jones – 2 fish – 5lb 9ozs

Best National Team Trout

Ireland – Fintan Carlin – 3lb

England – James Penwright – 4lb 4ozs

Scotland – James Coull – 4lb oz.

Wales – Aled Jones - 4lb oz.

Reserve Trophy – Johnny Moesel 1 fish – 2lb 9ozs

Well done to our Captain Fintan Carlin on a great job as captain and catching the heaviest trout on the Irish team. Well done to Darragh Duncan Top Irish Rod and only missing out on the Brown Bowl by ounces. Congratulations to Thomas Grew who i am sure is the only youth Angler ever to win 4 Gold medals back to back. Finally congratulations to the15 team members on a well deserved win, we could not of asked for anymore from any one of you. Enjoy the moment.

MICHELLE PENWRIGHT

At this point i would like to express the Four Nations thanks to Michelle Penwright, without her work behind the scenes organising the event, it really would never have happened. I cannot express enough, it really would not of happened. Thank you so much Michelle we are all greatly indebted to you.

YOUTH TEAM SPONSORS.

Occasions like this do not just happen, there are a lot of companies and people to thank.

NARA- Team Sponsorship

FULLING MILL (Tom Sullivan)- Fluorocarbon leader, Flys and Team Hats

IAIN BARR FLY FISHING- Flys

CHUCK AND DUCK- Fly Tying Material

BLOB AND BUZZER - Fly Tying Material

STEPHEN COLLINS- Fly Tying .

AIRFLO.

FARIO- Hooks and Bungs

I really must also thank those that tied flys for the team.

Aidan Rush

Andrew Rea

Adrian Whelan

John Mullins

Lukasz Ryz

Jim Glynn

Stephen Browne

Graham Lonergan

Gary Smith

Conor O Mahony

Darren Duffy

Dave Egan

Kevin Mc Clean

Brian Canty

Kevin Sheridan

John Reidy

Eamonn Gavin

Joseph Conway

Terry Walsh

Andrew McGuinness

And all the team members that tied for the team also.

Many thanks to Tommy Fagan and the Lough Lene Committee for the use of their facilities during practice and qualifiers. K.A.C., D.T.A.A., C.T.S.A.A, for the use of their boats and all the Parents and Anglers that give up their time to boat for qualifiers, practice days, and bring the kids, so they have an opportunity to fish with like-minded people.

To the I.T.F.F.A., their Provincial Committees and clubs for donations to the team and to everyone who bought raffle tickets to support the team, we really appreciate your support

As you can see it’s not just a twenty-person squad, it’s a huge group of people that all stood together to make this happen for the young fly anglers of Ireland.

Every one of you take a bow.

If I have left anyone out, apologies .

Denis Goulding

I.T.F.F.A. PRO