BUTTERCUP SHOOT….STEEP
AND COLD.
The weather was dry but very cold for Ballyvally’s Traditional March
Field Shoot. The wind added a chill factor which meant that the 81 archers
had to wrap up well for the event. The course was steep and difficult and
well set out by Alwyn Sneddon and his team of Lewis Gamble, Sean Lavery and
George Nesbitt. It was a FITA Arrowhead round of 24 targets with lots of steep
slopes through the trees both uphill and downhill. Judges for the event were
Frank Mulligan, Eddie McClean, Anne Lavery and Patricia Mulligan [day 2]
CUBS IN ACTION; ALEX DOES WELL.
The cubs coped very well with the slopes but probably slept well at night!
The youngest cub 4 year old Alex Convery, scored an admirable 99 on day one
but did not appear for day2!.The best cub score [from yellow pegs] was Matthew
Corbett shooting compound barebow who shot an amazing 503 over the two days.
Best girl was Rebecca Lennon shooting traditional who shot 477. Roald Naeri
was also at the top with 344. In the minor age group under 15, Rebecca Corbett
shot an excellent 504
WHITE PEGS: CRAIG TOPS THE LIST.
In the more advanced section, top score was shot by Craig McCreery who scored
431 shooting compound barebow Frank Lennon had the top boys score for traditional
with 398 while Highest girl’s score for barebow was Katie McClean who
shot 391.Michael Patterson had the highest boy’s barebow score of 235.
Three Senior beginners Andrea Hamilton, George Hamilton and Cathal McEvoy
all shot well and will be promoted soon! U18 boy, Josh Neilly shot an excellent
398 on his first time out.
BLUE PEGS:
Some Juniors shooting the full senior distances did very well. U15 Kyran O’Neill
had the highest freestyle score of 329 while Robert Mallon [393] just edged
out John Gribben [381] for the gold.. Shannon Russell–Cowan shot 280
[traditional] and Rory Shannon 224 [compound unlimited]. In mens trad Damien
Lennon, Ballyvally [315] just edged out Alan Craig, Roe Valley [299] for the
gold while in mens barebow, Gilbert McClelland, Banbridge [568] edged out
Philip Fitzpatrick, Ballyvally [555] Rune Naeri was 3rd on 502. 10 lady barebows
competed in their section and Victoria Kalmaru, Wales shot 534 to win gold
ahead of Audrey Needham, Lough Cuan on 453, Edel Mulligan 405 and Marion Patterson
on 351..Silver medallist from the European Championships, Mark Nesbitt won
the gents freestyle on 620 with Alan Convery 2nd [584] and John Kenny 3rd
on 443. Ciara Dunleavy shot 502 in girls compound unlimited and Tapani Kalmaru,
Wales won the gents compound with 697
EASTER BUNNY SHOOT. 100 ENTRIES IN.
Ballyvally’s second big club shoot will take place on Wednesday 19th
March. It will be shot indoors in Banbridge Leisure Centre and the round will
be a FITA unmarked. As only the first 100 entries can be accepted club members
were urged to get their entries in ASAP before the line is full. The line
is now full with keen club members ready to shoot. This is the “Easter
Bunny” shoot and registration will start at 6.15pm. The round will be
a FITA Field unmarked with club record status and shooting will start at 7.00pm
sharp
“HAVE A GO WITH A BOW” in 2008.
The normal 9 practice sessions have restarted and the next sessions will be
after Easter on Wed 2nd and Thursday 3rd April 2008. Juniors and seniors will
start seriously to practise The N.I. Championships is coming up on 19th and
20th April and it will be hosted by Ballyvally this year..There will be the
Irish National Championships in West Meath as well as the outdoor “Bluebell”at
Loughbrickland, the British Open and the Junior Field Championships in the
UK . Archery as organised by Ballyvally appeals to a wide range of people
from 4 year olds to pensioners and also with a large number of families involved.
. Details of the beginner sessions in Banbridge Leisure Centre can be obtained
by contacting club coach, Frank Mulligan on 406 23748.All equipment supplied
by the club.