Back to back champions: Impressive Granard retain County Longford Sporting Shoot crown

Granard were crowned back to back champions at the Longford Shooting and Conservation Club (LSCC) annual County Sporting Shoot on the 50 target course in Mostrim on Sunday, May 18. 

Mostrim put on a great display of targets across seven stands backed up by the perfect weather conditions throughout the day. 

The LSCC would like to thank everybody in Mostrim that helped out with hosting a fantastic event. Also, special thanks to Herterichs for putting on food and Tommy Reynolds and Seamus Denning for managing the office and scores.

Sixteen teams entered for the chance at becoming the 2025 county champions. All teams took to the course at 10am eager to start. At approximately 1pm the shooting ceased and the scores started to flood into the office.

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The scores were tallied up and checked over and the margins were tight. It looked like there were only two clays separating the top three teams and it wasn’t until the last score came in that the deadlock at the top of the individual standing could be broken. 

Granard did it again and are back-to-back Longford County Champions with a consistent 221ex250 with only the smallest of margins clear of Templemichael and only two targets clear of third place Streete. Granard will go on to represent Longford in the NARGC All-Ireland Shoot later this year. 

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This year’s Junior champions were the Mostrim B team and their impressive display saw them finish 5 targets clear of second place Newtownforbes and Newtowncashel with Legan coming out in third. 

It was looking for a while that there was a deadlock to be decided at the top of the individual standing as there was a number of 46ex50 scores leading the way, that was until the Granard men arrived. At first it was Tommy Lynch with an impressive 48 that might have been enough on another day, but his teammate Raymond Reilly went one step beyond with and very impressive display and won the overall high gun with a 49ex50.

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Other winners included Jack Callaghan winning not just the Under 21 high gun but also the Trainee Licence high gun as well. Super Veterans was won by Peter Clarke while the Veterans was won by Kieran Callaghan. Congratulations to all winners, it was very well deserved.

Thanks to all who took part and helped in any way. The sporting league continues next Sunday in Cashel.