Sizzling Summerhill – Double FITA
Hats, sunscreen and lots of liquid were the order of the day at the Summerhill Archery Club Double FITA held on the weekend of 13th & 14th July in scorching conditions. Over 80 archers from 16 different clubs competed in 24 different categories in distances ranging from Full FITA to 10 meters. The archers ranged from experienced international competitors to archers shooting in their first competition and the age difference between the oldest and youngest competitors was over 50 years we believe.
Saturday was the slightly hotter of the two days and whilst the conditions saw some archers struggle with the heat a number of personal bests were achieved including several FITA star scores. Sunday started a little cooler with welcome cloud cover and breeze but the temperatures rose in the afternoon when the cloud cover dissipated. A number of personal bests were also achieved on the Sunday including a number of potential record scores (subject to official verification) particularly in the cadet and junior categories.

Sinead Cuthbert took the overall honours in the Ladies Recurve with a 2 day total of 2490 and Lesley McComb of Muckamore Company of Archers shot 2375 to win the Ladies compound category. John Smith of DIT won the mens compound with a total of 2710 with David O’Brien of Dun Laoghaire taking the senior recurve on 2516.
The Blackheath father & daughter team of John & Rachel Foley each took gold in their categories (Male Provisional Fita Recurve and Ladies Cadet Recurve, respectively) with Dublin Archers providing the winners of both male provisional FITA cadet categories in Fiachra Verjans McDermot (Recurve) and Glen Conway in the compound who achieved his first 1300 score whilst scoring 1306 on both days. Other first-time 1300 scores were shot by Fiachra Mac an Bhreithiun (1306) and Phil Evans (1333) in the Men’s senior compound category.
As well as additional category winners from the clubs already mentioned there were also category winners from Athboy, GreenHills, CuChullainn, Liffey Archers, Wicklow Archers and the host club Summerhill for whom nine year old Saoirse Dunlea broke 1100 for the first time and shot personal bests on both days in the girls 10 Meter section.
We would like to thank everybody who attended over the two days and our thanks also to the judge and the club members who helped with the set up and organization of the shoot.
Summerhill are hosting another Double FITA on the 7th & 8th September and entry details will be posted closer to the date. We can’t guarantee that the weather will be as good as this weekend but all are welcome to attend what will be the final shoot before the National Series Final.
Article & Photographs thanks to David & Amy, Summerhill Archers