SHOOTING Canning takes Silver at BRC Irish International Open Silhouette Shooting Championship

Ireland's Matthew Canning was 'Best of the Irish' at the BRC Irish International Open Silhouette Shooting Championship held in Dublin on May 2nd-3rd. Over the Two Day event Canning was faced with seasoned competition when he stood shoulder to shoulder with the reigning World Champion Marko Nikko of Finland and French Champions Robert Astier, Martin Welter and Luc Walgraeve, not forgetting his fellow club and team members who have always proven to be great competitors during National Championships.

On Day One with the morning session underway Canning got of to shaky start carding a score of 25/40 well below his average and leaving him in 8th place overall. Canning knowing that he has what it takes to claw back into the game dug deep to overcome any nervous tension that lingered within and to give rise to his positive affirmations that he calls upon during every event. The stage was being set for a comeback that no one could think possible except one man alone.

As the International competitors lined out Canning visualised each shot in his mind. Self discipline and well rehearsed rituals of shooting position, sight picture and trigger control all critical elements of the sport were summonsed. As the afternoon session got underway Canning caused a few heads to turn as he carded a more impressive 32/40. This score raised his confidence and mental alertness to another level. The bar had now been set. Canning had that edge that would take him into the final day knowing he had a mountain to climb but his ascent had begun.

Day Two and a chilly but crisp 9:30am start saw Canning line out, his momentum lifted by his previous afternoon's performance. With an insatiable appetite for perfection Canning got of to a great start shooting a perfect 10, hitting target after target. It was only in the latter half of the course of fire that caused him concern as he dropped a few shots but was able to shake it off, recompose himself and carry on to finish and card a respected 33/40.

Topping the board the World Champion Marko Nikko had carded a 35/40 and the French team had also dropped vital shots, reducing the lead dramatically. The leader board was now the focus of everyone's attention.

With all to play for the afternoon session was called to the line. There was no room for complacency each and every target was crucial to secure a position in the top three. It was poetry in motion, a well oiled machine, call it what you will as the spectators looked on wide eyed as competitor's traded each shot for a target, there was no letup. Canning was matching the Finn's and French like for like, focused on one goal at a time and that was to give all his attention to each and every shot.

In the latter half of the detail a few cracks began to show in everyone's performance, a thousand thoughts a second must have been running through their mind as each competitor dropped shots and missed targets. This match was turning out to be the closest fought battle of the competition. This was indeed a clash of the Titans, but who would prove to be the victor, could Canning's result be enough to get him into a top three finish or would he suffer at the hands of the Finns, French or his fellow countrymen?

As the clock ticked down the command to cease-fire was give. Canning had now completed his event. It was time for the score to speak for itself. Two points shy of Finland's Marko Nikko, Canning carding a 34/40, with France's Robert Astier hot on his heels with a score of 33/40.

Canning had clawed his way back into this competition and showed not only to himself but to others that he had the determination, confidence and most important of all, the attitude to continue the fight to the last shot. Ireland's Matthew Canning had secured a top three finish and a Silver Medal position in the Smallbore Hunting Rifle Event.

Commenting on his performance after the result Matthew said "I had got of to a bad start; somehow my focus was affected as this was evident during my first match. After that result I could see where I had gone wrong so I spoke to a friend who put me back on track. My confidence in myself had taken a knock but I knew how to put it right and shoot like I know I can."