This article is from page 33 of the 2008-09-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 33 JPG
A MEMBER of the Newmarket- on-Fergus Gun Club was the star of the show as Ireland took part in the Home Countries international tour- nament last week.
Although the Irish lost out to Eng- land, by 40 targets, Seamus Ryan of the Newmarket-on-Fergus club per- formed impeccably.
The two-day event took place at Llandegla shooting grounds in
Wales. Winning his first cap, Ryan stole the show, particularly as he outshone professional shooters Peter Cole and John Winn from England. He outscored the duo, who have fine reputations at international level, and in the process finished near the top of his class.
He finished with a total of 192 targets, which was a single target behind the tournament overall high gun Ian Mullarkey.
According to Pat McCoy of New-
market-on-Fergus Gun Club, Seamus Ryan’s performance was fantastic.
“He did very well against two of the top guns in England. They scored 99 and he scored 100,” said Mr McCoy.
Mr Ryan (53) 1s a native of Limer- ick and was previously a member of the Castleconnell Gun Club in Lim- erick. He has been a member of the Newmarket-on-Fergus club for more than two decades.
He runs a garage Newmarket-on- Fergus and lives in the area. He has
shot for County Clare on several oc- casions over the past few years and his selection on the Irish team was a welcome boost for his dedication over SO many years.
“It was a dream come true for me. I didn’t think I would make the team, having hurt my shoulder in qualify- ing,’ he said.
He hopes to compete for Ireland again next year and also has ambi- tions to participate in the Olympic trench event in 2009.