Although the UCD Archery team “only” took runners-up position in the 2011 Maynooth IV on March 26, it defended the lead in the league.

2469 valuable points were scored by Justin McCullagh, Anne-Marie Donohoe, Shane Keaveney, Ines Rauch and Kevin Roche. Runners-up in the team league, DCU Archery, are only 51 points behind UCD which is a very narrow margin since it is only about 10 points per team member. Therefore, the last IV in Limerick on April 9 is decisive and will be hard fought.

Similarly competitive are the top rankings in the barebow league. Elaine Chapman came in third place in Maynooth and is currently also in third place in the barebow league. Fourth-placed Ciara Dunne from Maynooth should be no real competitor to her since she is 108 points behind Elaine. However, Elaine has at least a small chance of reaching second place in the league which is 54 points ahead of her, a margin which is not that great in barebow archery.

Kevin Roche defended his ranking in the male recurve category and is still in third place. His chances of reaching second or first place are comparatively small since he would have to make up at least 64 points which seems most unlikely in recurve archery. Kevin’s opponent in fourth place, Rory Thornburgh from UL, is 35 points behind, which should be a comfortable margin for Kevin in Limerick. The team captain only switched from barebow to recurve this season and has shown his great potential in Cork in February already, when he became National Indoor Champion as well as National Student Indoor Champion. Kevin will surely be a strong support for the team in the next seasons.

In female recurve category, both, Anne-Marie Donohoe and Ines Rauch, tightened their rankings, second and first respectively. While Ines is now leading in the league by 107 points, Anne-Marie’s margin to third place is 22 points. Probably not a great margin in recurve archery but still a comfortable position for Anne-Marie in the last IV which should serve her confidence. The second-year archer had a strong season so far and became National Indoor Champion in Cork in her category in February.

Fingers crossed for UDC Archery in Limerick IV which will definitely result in some great individual successes. However, defending first rank in the team league will be a challenge but a most deserved success considering the great performances so far.

(pic DiMascio, text Rauch)

Anne-Marie Donohoe from UCD Archery taking aim.