ArdaraandDownstrands GunClub

Today marked a very good day for our wee club.
Pictured is our chairman Donal McMenamin presenting a cheque for €500 to the staff of the Woodhill resource centre in Ardara.

This money was raised at our charity shoot last August and though it took a while to get all moneys in it was worth the wait.

The centre provides a great respite for people with special needs both the Individuals and they’re full time carers.
The monies raised will go towards some summer excursions and day trips.

We would like to again thank those that sponsor us and all those who travel near and far to support the club all year for making days like this possible.

Well done to Dallan Moore Fisher on his victory today in the Novice section of the Northwest DTL League.He claimed all three high gun badges along the way.!! 👏👏

Take note of the new date folks

A mighty night for the wee parish.

Our very own sharpshooter held off stiff competition to claim a prestigious award in the Donegal Star awards,Shaun competed in every discipline of clay shooting that Donegal has to offer and came out on top after the dust and lead had settled

Well done Shaun Gavigan on a fantastic effort.

Also bringing awards back to the town were Downstrands man Patrick Boomer for his monstrous efforts in rowing culminating in a 5th place at the World Coastal Rowing Championships (next stop the olympics!!!)and Ronan Whyte for his mighty achievements throughout the year on the snooker table..no doubt we will see him at the crucible fairly soon..!!

All roads lead to Raphoe Gun Club this Sunday with round 2 of the league taking place.All shooters are required to be there at least 15 mins before scheduled times.

Raphoe are starting their own club leagues this Sunday with a 20 Bird DTL,20 bird sporting and 10 bird pool shoot.Always a great days craic.

Happy new year to all our members,sponsors and all that travel to make our club successful.
We hope you have a very good 2019

A very Happy Christmas to all and Thonks again to everyone who has made 2018 a very successful year for our wee club.

Right folks just a few things to go through after yesterday’s shoot.!!

First off was the Northwest DTL league with ourselves hosting the 1st leg.
3 clubs competed with 4 teams and a number of individuals.Despite the fact that there was a number of past and present International Shooters competing it was local Hotshot Patrick Maloney fresh from blitzing the novice section in the summer league.Patrick took the high gun badge with a perfect 25/75 which wasn’t matched.
In the Novice section Dallan Moore held of David Classon to take the honors with a score of 22/62 from Classon’s 21/59.The Novice section will be as big a contest for the new/younger shooters this year.

In the Open shoot there were 9 straights of 15/45 from PJ Gallen,Bertie Coulter,Nigel Graham,Noel Given,Tommy Allen,Thomas Given,Jim Doherty,Tommy Cunningham and Brian McGilligan.In a very trying shoot off with very Poor light Jim scored a 44 to take top honors from Tommy Allen with a 43 and Pj Gallen in 3rd with a 43.

The Paddy Given memorial trophy was up for grabs on the day and was won deservedly by Thomas Given as he was the only club member to have a maximum.A number of club members were one back on 44 and due to fast fading light conditions straws were drawn by the Given Family members present and 2nd prize went to Cathy Gavigan.

In the sporting end a fantastic score of 10/10 from Martin Treacy took top honors.A further 8 shooters had scores of 9/10 and in a sudden death shoot off Jim Doherty took 2nd place.

In both the DTL and sporting there was a number of off colored clays just to throw a few off...which they did however Damien Gallagher (x2),Christy Milsop (x2),Shaun Gavigan,Adrian Gallagher and Thomas Given all showed they were going to get a spot prize by dusting them.

The club then moved to The Tavern for its presentation and we would like to thank Martina and Davey for their hospitality all year.
Before the prizes were handed out we held a raffle.There were great prizes put forward by Finbar Harkin and Niamh Burke.Brian McGilligan very kindly donated €50 towards the total AND donated a slab of Cartridges for Auction,They were bought for €85 by Adrian Gallagher.€50 was donated by Eileen Teague of Teagues bar in Ardara.In Total €415 was raised..this will be donated to The Friends Of Lucy fund which is a brilliant cause.

As per usual all shooters that were still present got to pick from Santa’s pile...

The club would like to sincerely thank all members who kindly donated prizes and for the help all year.

The club would like to thank Hugh Maloney from Maloney’s filling station for his donations yesterday and all year.
We would like to thank The Corner House bar for sponsoring the DTL high gun prize,Eileen Teague for her donation and Sean Carty from Land and Sea Sports in Bundoran for his prizes.

We would like to Congratulate club stalwart Shaun Gavigan on winning the County Championship this year which in turn leads to him being Awarded the Star award at a function in January.

Take note that tonight’s shooting in Shanaghey is cancelled