Comber Open 2001

The Comber Rifle Club is renowned throughout Ireland and the UK as being the toughest range in either island to shoot on. Situated so close to the shore, tidal winds are an enormous challange, and the topography of the range means that wind conditions can change from moment to moment and one firing point can have a totally different wind direction from another only a few feet away. As a result, the 50m Open held in Comber each year is perhaps the most challenging Ireland has to offer and it is little surprise that shooters from Comber such as Olympian Gary Duff, are heavily featured amongst Ireland's best.

Comber Rifle Club

DURC competeted in this year's Comber Open with a squad of five shooters. Logistics proved to be a stumbling block, with far too much equipment for one car. The conditions were typical for Comber - changing winds, changing light levels and occasional torrents of rain.

All of the DURC shooters acquitted themselves well, except perhaps for myself, though I had more than my fair share of problems - the sights for my rifle were accidentally not packed so I had to jury-rig a sights setup, and to add insult to injury I was bitten by some insect and had an allergic reaction to the bite.

Steven managed to display a total lack of impediment however, and made it to the finals round, though he didn't place for a medal.

John Keeney and Ray Reilly

Steven Watterson reflecting between cards during the finals

The finals; and John and Steven relaxing after a long day of shooting