An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir September 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie 8 | 8 | T he Midlands National Shooting Cen- tre of Ireland (MNSCI) in Derrymore, near Blueball in Co Offaly, hosted this year's world championships for Gal- lery Rifle Centerfire and Smallbore in July. The MNSCI is known throughout the world of sports target shooting as a centre of excellence, and in Ireland as the heart of shooting. It is a long-established shoot- ing facility that covers all disciplines of the sport. Rifle ranges varying from 10 to 1,200 yards cater for all firearm calibres and there is a pistol range and also a clay pigeon layout. The facility has hosted national and international competitions and its members have represented Ireland at competitions worldwide. The MNSCI's chairman, John Paul (JP) Craven, served with the FCÁ in the 1980s and has a number of family members serving or recently retired from the De- fence Forces. What struck me first on meeting JP was his no-nonsense approach; he was straight talking and to the point. "Safety is paramount," he told me, and this is backed up by MNSCI's slogan, 'Know Safety = No Injury'. The centre doesn't allow shooters to wear military uniforms, except when worn for historic military shoots or re- enactments, and in those cases the period uniforms must match the firearm in use. "No combats, no tactical shooting; it's a sport shooting centre with no exceptions!" said JP. When I asked about the membership, JP told me that MNSCI members come from all walks of life: farmers, plumbers, engi- neers, IT technicians, doctors, building con- tractors, paramedics, and members of the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána. As we toured the facility it was impos- sible not to be impressed; the design and layout of the different ranges, such as the pistol and the long (1,200 yards) range were excellent and employ the most up- to-date technology. A system of weights is used to raise and lower the targets, which are secured with Velcro to wooden frame. The 600m 'Windmill' range has a revolv- ing target, like a windmill blade, which is very popular with shooters as it simulates a moving target. On July 9th the MNSCI hosted the In- ternational Gallery Rifle Federation (IGRF) World Cup, with international competi- tors attending from around the world, and the 20 clubs from the National As- sociation of Sporting Rifle & Pistol Clubs (NASRPC), which is the governing body for a range of target shooting disciplines in Ireland. The NASRPC Irish Open was also hosted at the centre. In the IGRF World Cup Ireland came first in the team events in Gallery Rifle Centerfire and Smallbore against tough opposition from Germany, Australia, South Africa and the UK, an honour they also held in 2013 after winning the World Cup in the UK. Ireland also won the World Cup individual events in both disciplines (Jeff Kehoe won the Centerfire and Capt Ray Holohan (retd) won the Smallbore) to make it a clean sweep on the first occasion of holding the competition in Ireland. Centerfire (Team) result: 1st - Ireland, 2nd - Great Britain, 3rd - South Africa. Irish team: Jeff Kehoe, Mike Nestor, Pat Grimes, Ray Holohan, Len Regan and Den- nis Cummins (sub). Smallbore (Team) result: 1st - Ireland, 2nd - Great Britain, 3rd - South Africa. Irish team: Ray Holohan, Jeff Kehoe, Daniel O'Flaherty, Mike Nestor, Len Regan and James Connolly (sub). Individual World Champions, Centerfire: 1st Jeff Kehoe (IRL), 2nd Gwyn Roberts (GB) & 3rd Phil Wood. Individual World Champions, Smallbore: 1st Ray Holohan (IRL), 2nd Flippie Van Tonder & 3rd Jeff James Kehoe. The IGRF World Cup and Irish Open was a great success with all of the nations commending the venue, Irish hospital- ity and professionalism of the organisers and Range Safety Officers. The World Cup winning team is now training for the next big international in Leitmar Germany in November and Ireland is already looking forward to travelling to the next IGRF World Cup in South Africa in 2019 to de- fend their title. The Midlands National Shooting Centre of Ireland (MNSCI): www.nationalshootingcentre.ie REPORT AND PhOTOS By SGT WAyNE FITzGERAlD on Target Left is Ireland's Jeff Kehoe Individual Centrefire World Champion and retired Capt Ray Holohan Individual Smallbore World Champion. Photo: igrf.org/NASRPC MNSCI's chairman, John Paul (JP) Craven, who served with the FCÁ in the 1980s.

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