IS THIS A RECORD?
“Robin Hoods” are
a rare commodity. That is why at N.I. Civil Service “Robin Hood”
shoot in January every year, it is a long time since anyone claimed the reward!
In Ballyvally it was a similar situation with only 4 “Robin Hoods”
claimed in the entire year of 2006 and only two claimed last year in 2007…..a
total of 6 in two years! All that changed a few months ago when on a Thursday
night Ross McLoughlin [compound unlimited ] “Robin Hooded” his
own arrow. The tears were still wet on his face when ten minutes later, Amy
Lavery [freestyle] “Robin Hooded” another arrow..yes you’ve
guessed it belonging to Ross McLaughlin!. The next day, Friday Maggie Quaile
[barebow] “Robin Hooded” her own arrow and we had 3 in 2 days.
It was so unusual that we got the local papers in to take this rare photograph.
However, the saga was not yet over. The next week on a Thursday, Emma Weir
“Robin Hooded” an arrow and shortly after, Gareth Nesbitt [compound
unlimited] did likewise giving us 5 “Robin Hoods! The story was still
not over as at the Buttercup Field Shoot at Castlewellan Forest Park Martin
Farrell senior “Robin Hooded” his own arrow at Target 1. Target
1 was not a “bunny”, it was a very steep uphill 45 metre shot
at a big face. With no less than 6 “Robin Hoods” within two weeks,
it this a record? Certainly we have enough smashed arrows to do us for at
least two years! Then Rory Shannon had his third Robin Hood in three years.
Now last week at Ballyvally’s “Bluebell” tournament young
Dean Hamilton “Robin Hooded” his own arrow to make 8 so far this
year!
Robin Hoods
2006
Keith Jenkins / George Hamilton / Rory Shannon / Matthew N. Smith
2007
Michael Masterson / Rory Shannon
2008
Ross McLaughlin / Amy Lavery /Maggie Quaile
Emma Weir / Gareth Nesbitt / Martin Farrell jn /
Rory Shannon
Dean Hamilton May ‘08
Photo of archers in the woods
SUCCESS AT THE BRITISH OPEN FOR BALLYVALLY ARCHERS.
After two excellent day’s shooting at Lord Dunleath’s estate at
Ballywalter, Ballyvally Archers came away with 5 British champions. Peter
Mulligan won his 8th Open Title after returning to his normal barebow style.
Last year he changed to Olympic style for the year and came 2nd .in that style.
In this year’s competition fellow club member, Philip Fitzpatrick ran
Peter tight being in the lead after day 1.With the groups being seeded on
day 2, the competition was very tight with Peter winning his 8th Open and
Philip Fitzpatrick finishing 3rd. as Robert Edwards from Wales just pipped
Philip for 2nd place.Three Ballyvally girl archers did well with Shannon Russell-Cowan
[traditional], Katie McClean [barebow] and Ciara Dunleavy [compound] all winning
gold. In the boys section, Frank Lennon won the boys traditional section thus
giving Ballyvally a 5th British Champion.
LAST ROUND OF INDOOR LEAGUE.
This Wed 28th and Thursday 29th May will see the last matches in the Spring
Indoor League as the club moves outdoors for the summer outdoor league. The
week after on Thursday 5th June will see over 100 Ballyvally archers compete
in the Big Bear Shoot in Banbridge Leisure Centre. As there are only a few
places left on the line, members are asked to have final entries in this week.