20/09/2013
It is with great regret that I must announce the ending of this competition after 14 years. Due to the lack of take up in entries for this year's competition the committee have decided to wind up the competition for good.
We had hoped to make this year's event bigger and better than other years but to do this we needed to get more anglers involved and the numbers just didn't materialize. Why have we had so few entries you might ask ? Recession, clashing with other competitions, advertising, also there has been some talk that because we are not a CPR competition (catch photo release ) some anglers felt they couldn't take part. On that note I would like to say that the welfare of the pike has been the top priority of all involved in this competition over the the last 14 years.
WE have had stewards on the water to weigh fish as soon as they were caught and ample weigh-masters on shore and all fish had been seen to swim away with no undue stress. I will not get into the pros and cons of the various methods of recording caught fish as there are stories of mishandling on both sides that would open the proverbial can of worms and that is not the reason for this piece.
On behalf of the committee ( Michael Quigley ,Kevin Grimes and myself T.J. O Brien ) I would like to thank all the anglers who have taken part in this competition over the years, without you it wouldn't have stayed going for the length it has and for the great enjoyment that you all have given to us ( and some headaches !! ) Thanks to all our sponsors and all the people who helped make this a great competition. A special note of thanks on my own behalf to Michael and Kevin who have been the backbone of this competition over the years and without them the competition would have closed years ago, thanks guys. To my daughter Vanessa who has put long hours into the IT side of things and to my son Gary who helped in any way he could as he grew with the competition. To my wife Noda who handled entries and dealt with anglers questions on the phone and in the shop.
We may run something earlier in the year next year but as for now apologies to all who did go to the trouble of sending in their entries ( which will be refunded ) and we wish you all tight lines for the future.
Slán Go Fóill.
T.J. O Brien.
Tight Lines to all.
