A 95-YEAR-OLD Mayo angler is hoping to cause an upset in today’s finals of the World Cup Trout Angling Championships after qualifying for the decider for the first time after six decades trying.
Tom Ketterick from Castlebar is the talk of the angling world after he qualified in the top 25 per cent from Friday’s heat on Lough Mask.
Mr Ketterick has been competing in the championships in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, for six decades but has left it until his 96th year to make the finals.
And now that he’s there, he’s hopeful he can cause an even bigger upset. “You never know what can happen, there’s luck and skill involved but I’m enjoying it and I’m really looking forward to going out today,” he said. “I wonder am I the oldest fisherman in the country? I’d be curious to find out if there’s anyone as old as me but I’d be close enough to being the oldest.” Mr Ketterick, who lives with his daughter in Ballina, turns 96 on September 5th.
He explained that he drove from Ballina to Ballinrobe – a round journey of more than 80 miles – to compete in the event. Asked for the secret of long life, Mr Ketterick remarked: “I never drank or smoke. I eat plenty of fruit and I go to bed early and get up early. I go to bed around 11 o’clock, unless I’m playing cards.”
Mr Ketterick retired as a salesman only five years ago. He was involved in founding Castlebar Celtic FC in the 1920s and has been a long-time fan of Sligo Rovers, where he is vice-president. As well as attending most of their home games, he finds time to play cards four nights a week.
Denis Kelleher, public relations officer of the Ballinrobe World Cup committee, described Mr Ketterick’s achievement as “utterly amazing”.
“Friday is the roughest day for weather on the lake we’ve had so far,” he said. “In that weather it was some achievement for Tom to even be sitting in the boat, let alone catch a trout.”
Some 564 competitors from Ireland and abroad are taking part in the trout fishing championships.