Ballyvally archers shine as UK Championships come to Bann

Competitors taking part in the 14th British Barebow Championships in Banbridge Leisure Centre are pictured with Chief Judge Tony McLoughlin and Judges Bernie Scullion and Frank Mulligan ©Edward Byrne Photography INBL1548-272EB-ARCHERY

In six different venues all over the UK, on the same day and at the same time, 70 archers of all ages shot in Banbridge Leisure Centre, part of approximately 300 archers who shot overall in the UK Championships.

The other five venues were in Scotland at Bannockburn Bowman, in Wales’ Pentref Bowman outside Cardiff and in England at Basildon (Essex), Bolden (Tyne and Wear) and Wincanton (Somerset).

In the Banbridge venue, the local host club, Ballyvally Archers did well with great results especially in the cubs sections.

Ballyvally Archery Club President Frank Mulligan (Judge) pictured with a group of competitors at the 14th British Barebow Championships in Banbridge Leisure Centre.©Edward Byrne Photography INBL1548-273EB-ARCHERY

Winners in this category were Aoife McDermott, who shot 310 in girls U8yrs, and Zack Kelly (357 in boys U8yrs). In the Under 10 section, winners were Ethan McKinney (376), Katie Jennings (320), and Aaron McDermott (320).

In the under 12 class, winners were Eleanor Walsh (first with 477), Anna Mehaffey (second with 339) and Taylor Barlow (third with 292). Isha Anwar won the beginner girls class with 389 with Jenna Ferguson second with 243.

Molly Dunne won the girls U14 section with 327 and Hollie Teggart the U16 section with 398. Matthew Beattie was first in the boys’ U14 section with 399 and Tom Mehaffey was first in the boys U16 section with 398.

In the ladies, it was a first and a third for the local club with Angela Cowan third on 366 and Orla O’Connor claiming first on 492. In the gents competition, it was a first and a fourth place finish for Ballyvally with Robert Mallon winning with 527, which could well be a Great British first as well, and William Edwards fourth on 461.

The overall UK results will be available later this week.

HEAD TO HEAD

As the scores were being collated, 64 archers were involved in the traditional head to head knock out.

As the shoot progressed to 32 and then 16, with each archer shooting three arrows on handicap, it finally came down to the last four.

They were William Edwards (gents barebow), Ann Marie Murray (ladies barebow), Glen Thompson (gents trad) and Anna Mehaffey (girls U10).

With Glenn and William eliminated in the semi-final, it was an all female final with only one point difference on handicap. Anna’s nerve held with everyone watching her and she WON. It’s the first time a cub has ever won. Huge congratuations to Anna.