Galway woman aims to hit the target in New Zealand

THERE is not too many who can declare, with a disarming smile, that shooting is in their blood and, at the very least, not raise an eyebrow or two. Or, indeed, face the possibility of being ferried away by the men in white coats!

Yet, 27-year-old Duniry native Lisa Hoban – who will represent Ireland at the forthcoming ICTSF World English Sporting Clay Championships in New Zealand – is just at ease in making such declarations as she is in handling a Beretta DT10L.

“All my family would be very big into shooting,” says Lisa, a two-time All-Ireland champion and Chairperson of her local gun club, Tynagh & District. “My father, Mattie, and my three uncles – Sean, Gerry and Austin – have been shooting for years, since the year dot!”

Indeed, Gerry has his own shooting grounds in Tynagh, where a young Lisa used to help out for many years, while Austin has shot for Ireland on a number of occasions. “It was kind of Austin who got me into the whole ICPSA, which is the one we have to be a member of to shoot for Ireland,” adds Lisa.

To some degree, Lisa was destined to follow in her father and uncles’ footsteps. “I suppose, it wouldn’t really be something new to me because it is what I have been brought up with all my life. Like, even at my christening, my father and uncles had to go to a county shoot that same day. So, I am quite used to it. It was kind of a sign of things to come,” she laughs.

Understandably, the bubbly national schoolteacher – who tutors junior and senior infants at Cappataggle NS – is excited about heading to the Southern Hemisphere to represent her country at the World Championships, which take place at the Thames Valley Deerstalkers Association (TVDA) Club, Paeroa between February 4 to 6.“I’m honoured to be representing my country,” says Lisa, “and grateful for the opportunity. I hope to do my best.”

Immediately prior to these Championships, the New Zealand and North Island Sporting Clay Championships are being held at the Rotorua Club between January 29 and 31. For this reason, the Irish team, comprising of 11 men and three women, are heading over two weeks before and Lisa says it allows them the opportunity to acclimatise to their surroundings before the big event.

Interestingly, this particular World Championships will be the first of its kind to foray to shores other than the UK and the USA. And, in many respects, there could be no better location. For along with undulating terrain that gives brilliant target setting options befitting a World Championship clay shooting event, the competitors will also be treated to unlimited panoramic views of the beautiful Hauraki Plains. 

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.