[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ith preparation for the upcoming intervarsity competition in Galway firmly in the minds eye of the team, DCU Archery maintained firm control of the 6th National Student Indoor Archery Championships held by University College Cork.
The Competition served as a stage for the National Intervarsity Competition as well as hosting some of the best archers the West of Ireland has to offer, pitting them against the students from across the country on the final day.
The Saturday represented a standard intervarsity competition for the DCU contingent. After convening at the Nemo Rangers club in Ballinlough, each member shot a total of 60 arrows Their total score was subsequently added up, resulting in their overall ranking in their respective divisions.
The Sunday witnessed a slight shake up for those used to the previous style of competition. Now the participants were pitted against one another in a knockout-style tournament. Each head to head raced to get to 6 points first and aadvance to the next stage of the tournament.
As the day reached its climax, DCU amassed an impressive medal count both with individual and team accolades. After finishing up in 2nd place in the mixed team competition, DCU came out as the top compound team as well as top recurve team while claiming the top and runners up spots in the Recurve Male competition with Dean Lalor and Fiachra MacDermott booking their place on the podium. This was followed by a series of runners up spots over a host of disciplines including Barebow Female, Compound Male and Compound Female.
As the Intervarsity season comes to its conclusion the focus for DCU is to maintain this momentum and bring the season to its culmination with a strong finish.
Christy Dunne
Image Credit: DCU Archery