Welly-throwing king branches out with Christmas tree victory
Christmas tree throwers did not bargain for the national welly-throwing champion to ride into Ennis on Saturday to claim the 2013 national title.
Limerick farmer John O’Dea arrived late in the day at Ennis’s Lees Road Sports Complex to throw the 1.5m tree a massive 10.2m to capture the trophy.
Mr O’Dea’s winning throw was only 1.5m off the world record set by Klaus Pubnaz, who hurled a tree a distance of 12m at an event in Germany in Dec 2010.
“I got lucky. I had never thrown a Christmas tree before,” said Mr O’Dea. “The tree is difficult to throw and it can get caught in the wind. I studied the technique of others going before me and I gave it a lash.”
Organiser Brian Meaney said: “John’s performance on Saturday brings the competition to a new level and a world record for next year is a realistic target.”
Competitors came from surrounding counties to compete in the charity event for Clare Cystic Fibrosis.
Mr O’Dea’s throw was well ahead of the 7m winning throw by Paul Dignam in the inaugural event last year.
Strong winds and rain sheeted across the sports field on Saturday, but Mr O’Dea insisted his throw was not wind-assisted. “I had to wait for the wind to die down as the wind was blowing across the field,” he said.
The Cappamore man has pedigree when it comes to throwing under pressure.
The paving contractor grabbed the welly-throwing title when he threw 40.5m at the National Ploughing Championships last September and has been part of the Irish sheaf-throwing team.
“Being part of the Irish team was many moons ago,” said Mr O’Dea. “Saturday was for a good cause.”
Ennis town manager Ger Dollard was also one of the hundreds to throw but was a distance from the reckoning.
“My throw was a big improvement on last year,” he said. “It is a fun event, that also raised awareness around recycling for Christmas trees and raises money for charity.”
