THERE was something of a shooting bonanza at Rathfriland recently with the first shooting of the weekend taking place on Thursday.
This shoot was a continuation of the summer season at Rathfriland. Shooting conditions were pleasant and it showed in the number of shooters in the final.
After a total of 19 lines, 15 shooters made the grade though with three unable to stay for t
he final three shoot-offs were necessary to find a winner.
Shoot-off one was made up of Raymond Graham, Neville Ferguson, Willie Robinson, and Geoffrey Murray. It was a tightly-contested line-up with Neville coming out with the top score.
Shoot-off two consisted of JP Smyth, Noel Carson, Guy Carlisle and Rathfriland shooter George Gracey. From this it was George who managed the best score, nicking just one target.
The final shoot-off was made up of Gordon McDowell, A Graham, Clifford McElroy and junior shooter Graham Quinn. Final results for Thursday night were as follows;
1st, Neville Ferguson; 2nd= George Gracey, Gordon McDowell.
Friday night, July 4 saw the second of the three shoots for the weekend. There was a charity aspect to this event with proceeds going to local causes.
Shooting conditions again were good for shooting with a total of 24 lines shot and with prizes up for grabs competitive shooting was on the cards for all.
Another good number of shooters were present in the final with 15 men resulting in another three shoot-offs. Shoot-off one saw Clifford McElroy, Geoff Dale, Raymond Graham, Sam Haugh and Trevor McGibbon shoot for glory.
From this it was Belfast shooter Trevor who managed the best, shooting another 20/60. Shoot-off two consisted of JP Smyth, Willie Robinson, Hugh Forsythe, Noel Carson and Banbridge shooter Derek McAdam.
It was Mourne shooter Hugh Forsythe who then forced a further final by matching McGibbon's 20/60. The third shoot-off was made up of Ian Chambers, Sandy McConnell, Neville Ferguson, Tom McKew and Stephen Hempkin. Veteran shooter Neville Ferguson further hit the headlines shooting another 20/60.
The scene was set for a tense climax between the three 20/60 shooters in the final. Exciting shooting in fading light conditions saw for an interesting ending, and results were as follows;
1st, Trevor McGibbon; 2nd, Hugh Forsythe; 3rd, Neville Ferguson.
Saturday July 5 saw the weekend of shooting come to a close with the 100-bird Captain's Day shoot at Rathfriland.
Cold and wet weather did not deter many shooters with a great attendance seen once again.
The full article contains 431 words and appears in Banbridge Leader newspaper.
