Scotland’s team manager, Gus Brindle, praised the squad who came third in challenging conditions in last weekend’s Celtic Cup but declared: “They will have learned a huge amount.”
The coarse fishing event is hosted by Scotland at Strathclyde Park Loch in Lanarkshire in October 2027 and Dunfermline-based Brindle rued the draw which he said didn’t help the Tartan team on either of the two days.
Brindle said: “Most of the guys sat at the wrong end or wrong area of their sections as the bulk of fish were in pockets along the match length.
“They worked really hard and well together. For some, it was the first time they have experienced fishing at this level, and fishing from a platform on a wild Irish lough in very challenging conditions is tough.
“I know they will have learned a huge amount from the experience which will stand them in good stead for the future. “
Brindle argued that the Irish were always going to be difficult to beat on their home lough, especially on a water that had never been match fished before.
He added: “They (Ireland) had clearly done their homework, as had Wales, who had a number of team members out in Ireland fishing the venue in the week leading up to the event.
“Sadly, we didn’t have that luxury and, with only two days of practice, we were a little behind the power curve which lead to me making a tactical error with bait on the first day.”
Despite the result, the Celtic Cup continues to provide an invaluable opportunity for new anglers to experience fishing at international level and learn/develop new skills.
Brindle said: “For me, as team manager, it allows me to identify and work with anglers with potential to represent Scotland at European and world level.”
Finally, he thanked Coarse Angling Ireland NCFFI, Jason Ward, the Irish team manager, for organising and hosting the event, and the Kiltimagh Tourism Association and Mayo County Council for supporting the competition.
TOUGH WORK: Graham McOwat (Crossford). Picture courtesy of Gus Brindle
HARD GOING: David McKenzie (Hamilton). Picture courtesy of Gus Brindle
PROUD: Josh Trueman (Glasgow). Picture courtesy of Gus Brindle
