LOUGH REE

ATHLONE ANGLERS ASSOCIATION NEWS
contact Eamon Cunningham P.R.O. Athlone Anglers Association Phone
Mob: 087 - 2340815

Photo:  Johnny Tobin accepts the Quinnsworth Cup from Angela Sloane, Captain of The Day, and Keane Moran of the Olive Bar.

JOHNNY'S LONE FISH WINS THE QUINNSWORTH CUP

After the poor fishing the previous week everybody was hopeful that things would have changed and that the competition for the Quinnsworth Cup would be intense and eventful however, this was not to be. There was a good turnout on the morning with twenty four boats full of eager anglers at Gallagher’s Boat Shed and while they waited for the off all were discussing the reasons for the poor fishing the previous week and the hope that things were about to change. Some anglers were so eager that as they approached the river bank they forgot to stop and lift the engine resulting in a rather dramatic arrival on the shoreline.
With the wind blowing from the Northeast the day was bitterly cold and there was no let up all day as the sun failed to break through at all so when lunchtime arrived anglers did not need to be asked twice and all headed to the nearest shoreline where hot stews and big fires were the order of the day. It soon became clear at that point that all the hopes for the day expressed that morning were not going to be realised and that the afternoon was going to be long, cold and fruitless.
The weigh in and presentation of prizes was held that evening in the Olive Bar where Keane Moran and Eamon Cummins were the genial hosts. With all eyes on the windows to see if any anglers were turning up with fish it was starting to look like we might not have any winner at all until Johnny Tobin turned up with bag in hand and as the clock ticked inexorably toward eight thirty it was obvious that this was going to be the only fish caught on the day. With no other fish to weigh Johnny was declared the winner and he was soon on the phone to his brother, Hugh, who would normally have fished with him but had decided against going out to tell him the good news, that he had just missed out on a share of the first place prize money!
Our sincere thanks to Keane Moran and Eamon Cummins of the Olive Bar for their sponsorship of this competition and for their generous hospitality on the night at the presentation of prizes and to Angela Sloane who was the Captain of The Day.