Sligo man Kieran Finn is aiming high in his quest to raise awareness and funds for Pieta House, the centre for the prevention of self-harm depression and suicide.
Kieran, who has previously raised over €20k for MS Ireland, Autism Awareness Ireland, and others, has set himself a target of shooting a total of 4,000 clay pigeons over four consecutive days in Ulster, Connacht, Leinster and Munster.
Speaking in advance of the May 19 launch of the National Clay Pigeon Shoot for Pieta House in Castledargan Hotel Ballygawley, Kieran said: “I did not know until recently that 10 Irish people a week take their own lives, or the fact that eight of them are men. In recent years, we have been left broken-hearted in every county in Ireland following the tragic loss of men and women, young and old, who lost their battle with depression.”
Kieran, who is a member of Ballintogher Gun Club and St Michael’s GAA club – also in Ballintogher – revealed that to give himself the best chance possible of shooting at 4,000 clay pigeons over four consecutive days, he has been in special training since September 2015 at Sligo gym ROM, assisted by specialist trainer Terry Quinn.
“I have competed in two World Championships, including South Africa in 2012 but nothing will be as gruelling or as physically and mentally demanding as the challenge I am undertaking for four days, starting on July 29 this year.”
To take on the 4,000 clay pigeon challenge, Kieran needed the help of the specialist team at ROM Gym to gain the 21 pound weight and muscle mass needed to withstand the impact of 103,500 recoil pounds of energy that he will be hit with over the four days.
Kieran’s four-province journey begins in the Irish shooting Sports Grounds, Meenbanivane in Knocknagoshel Co. Kerry on July 29, followed on the 30 in Streete Gun Club in Streete Co. Westmeath, and the Raphoe Shooting Grounds in Raphoe, Co. Donegal on July 31, finishing in Sligo on August 1 in Riverstown at Lough Bo shooting centre where Kieran will target his final 1,000 clay pigeons.
There are a number of ways to make a donation and support Kieran in his efforts to raise awareness and essential funds for Pieta House.
You can contribute directly on Kieran’s sponsorship page (www.justgiving.com/Kieran-Finn) or contact Kieran himself on 086-1578608. And you can find out more on facebook (search ‘national clay shoot for PIETA’).
Sligo shooter plans four-province 4,000 clay pigeons in four days,
