Juniors dominate in the first DTL shoot of 2010

Weather conditions were good for shooting and after a slow start a total of 15 squads and 73 shooters took on the four layouts.

Up for grabs on the day was the Noel Carson Cup, a piece of silverware put up by Noel Carson last year. Noel has been a shooter at Rathfriland for years and has been very supportive of the club and of the numerous junior shooters from the area.

So it was fitting that classes AA, A, B and C all saw junior winners in what was a remarkable days shooting.

There were also various local shooters who featured in the prizes. High Gun of the day was Aaron Smyth who added to his growing list of achievements by winning the Noel Carson Cup, shooting 100/298.

Junior shooter Dean Smyth followed that by winning class AA, finishing on 99/295.

More junior success was seen in class A with Mourne shooter David Henning taking first place with his 99/292. Rathfriland shooters Hugh Ervine and George Gracey completed the class A line-up by finishing second and third respectively.

In class B Banbridge shooter Aaron McDowell took first place with 95/276, continuing the trend of junior winners. Harold Henning finally removed his apron, got out of the kitchen and made it count, shooting 93/275 and finishing runner-up in class B.

It was a successful day’s shooting for local competitors but final results were as follows:

High Gun: Aaron Smyth; AA: 1st, Dean Smyth, 2nd, WP Armstrong and Davey Davidson; A: 1st, David Henning, 2nd, Hugh Ervine, 3rd, George Gracey; B: 1st, Aaron McDowell, 2nd, Harold Henning; 3rd, Alan Charleton and Frank McKay; C: 1st, Tony Cullen; 2nd, William McClimond; 3rd, Billy Liggett.

The club would like to thank all those shooters who made the trip to Rathfriland and made the day so successful. Thanks also go to those who helped with the day with refreshments and traps.

Shooters are reminded of the next shoot at Rathfriland, the County Down Championship 100 bird DTL shoot, to be held on Saturday February 13.