By Stephen Leow
Each year, Camp Perry hosts the largest National Matches in the world. Due to the popularity of this event, competitors travel from all over the country to participate.
Four members from the East Coast Sport Shooting Club in Ireland are competing in the 2008 Smallbore Rifle Prone Competition. Dave Cooney, Anthony Fagan, Gerard Power and Patrick O’Brien boarded two different planes, rented a car, and after about 10 hours of traveling, they finally arrived at Camp Perry.
The group of Dublin residents consists of both returning and new competitors to Camp Perry. Cooney’s first trip to base was in 1971, while Fagan is a first-time contender on Camp Perry’s range; both have been involved in the sport of shooting for about 40 years.
The friendships that correlate with the National Matches are what the group enjoys most about Camp Perry. “There’s a genuine friendship here. Since 1971, I’ve established many, many good friends and some of them have come up to see me this week,” said Cooney between squadding times. “People are very, very friendly.”
Although the firearm laws and regulations are different in Ireland than the United States, the four men are knowledgeable and supportive of the 2nd Amendment in the United States Constitution. For example, in Ireland, for each rifle that a person owns, there is a maximum of 100 rounds of ammunition that they can possess.
“We agree with the 2nd Amendment and it should be kept that way,” said Fagan.
The four men will depart for Dublin on July 26. Cooney is currently a member of the National Rifle Association and is anticipating his retirement and future residence in Florida.
Jim Ward is originally from Scotland, but currently lives in London, England. He arrived at base late Thursday, July 17, and will leave on Saturday, July 26. His first time at Camp Perry was eight years ago, and like most other competitors, the welcoming environment attracts him to this area of the country.
Jim Ward
“It’s just so friendly, that’s why I keep coming back,” said Ward during his fifth trip to Camp Perry.
As a member of the Horsham Rifle Club in England, Ward’s attraction and participation in the shooting sports began when he was 13 years old. As a current competitor in the smallbore prone matches, he said that the wind and rain don’t affect his shooting very much, but the heat and humidity at Camp Perry distract him the most.
Ward traveled to post alongside his rifle which was custom made with different parts assembled in the United Kingdom. “Everyone’s come to see my rifle. It’s probably the most unique rifle in the world,” said Jim. On the range his rifle is definitely one of the easiest to recognize with its distinct design and color.
Of the 537 total competitors in the 3-position and prone smallbore rifle matches, these five men represent the only contenders outside of the United States. Even though the matches took place in Ohio, the most shooters came from Pennsylvania, with 87 entries.
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