There was only four points separating Cathal McDonnell and Fran Nugent going into the final competition of the season, the McCarron Cup fished on Lough Owel. Cathal was sitting comfortably ahead on 37 points for angler of the year against Fran’s 33 points. As it turned out on the day Cathal was safe finishing up 3rd to Fran’s 4th, and finishing with 45 points to Fran’s 40, and being crowned, once again, DTAA Angler of the Year.

Conditions couldn’t have been better in fairness, with the rain holding off, cloud cover, and a moderate west/southwesterly wind providing some nice drifts. Some fish moving but not many caught (just 11 fished weighed in for 24 anglers pulling wets for the most part), with the best chances from the reeds above the Graveyard, down to Cornfields, and well out past the Kettle.

Donal Monahan took the top spot and the McCarron Cup for 2026, pictured below:

Paul Delaney was in second place, with Cathal McDonnell in third spot, ahead of Angler of the Year contender Fran. Full results below:

The leaderboard at the end of the season is as follows:

Congratulations to Cathal!

Heaviest fish for the 2026 season was won by Jim Keeshan who picked up that extraordinary brown trout on Owel late in the day for the Ian Rowand competition

It was a great out and thanks to Competitions Secretary Tom Hipwell for another excellent season of angling events. We had two DTAA intermediate members out on the day, and juvenile member Rory McDonnell fishing with his cousin for the early part of the day. It is heartening to see the young people out fishing. Well done all.

With Donal Monahan not able to make the prize giving later in the Greville Arms Hotel, he was awarded his trophy on the shoreline (see above). The remaining party went to the Hotel for dinner and prize giving:

The McCarron Cup was also a culinary delight with Bear Grylls Hipwell on BBQ duty at the Graveyard for lunchbreak. Delicious sausages, burgers and fillet steak cooked over an open fire, better than barbecue, fried onions, Brennan’s bread: top class.

and some additional scenery: