Local boy helps Ireland claim flyfishing gold in Wales

Jack McGuinness from Doon recently won gold as part of the Irish team who competed at the Four Nations Youth International flyfishing competition, held on Llyn Clywedog in Wales.

This was a remarkable achievement for Jack who, at 12 years of age, was the youngest member of the 14-person Irish team which claimed the gold medal success earlier this month.

And even more remarkable was that Ireland have now won three titles in a row which no other home nations team has achieved.

They will be going for the ‘Grand Slam’ when the competition returns to Draycote, England in August, 2024. But before that comes over the horizon, there is the second heat of the qualifiers for the 2024 Ireland team which will take place on Lough Lene, Collinstown, Co. Westmeath on Sunday, September 17.

Jack, who lives close to the Offaly/Westmeath border, is a former pupil of St Colmcille’s National School, Ballinahown, where he finished in June. He will begin his secondary education in Moate Community School at the end of this month.

Following Jack's success with the Irish team in Wales, a homecoming celebration was held in the Mill House, Clara. Jack’s granny Anne McGuinness and his aunts, Patsy Kelly (Clara) and Ber Dunne (Templemore), were among those in attendance.

Jack’s younger brother Harry will also be competing in the heats on Lough Lene next month and both boys are wished the very best of luck in these qualifiers.