While most of the 250 international archers in Lac La Biche to compete in the 2024 World Archery Field Championships came as members of teams, Sam Delaney is the sole representative from the Republic of Ireland.
During the opening ceremonies for the Worlds, which took place on Monday, Sept. 16, Delaney walked among archers from 28 other countries proudly carrying the tricoloured green, white, and orange flag of his homeland.
“It’s good,” Delaney said, explaining that being the only archer from Ireland to compete in the week-long tournament gave him a sense of national pride.
The 20-year-old resident of Dublin has been competing in the sport of archery for the past five years. He started out shooting barebow and then progressed into target and field archery, which is his favourite type of archery.
As to how he became the only member of the Irish Republic team, Delaney said many of the top archers in Ireland were focused on training for the 2024 World Archery 3D Championships, which will be held in Mokrice, Slovenia from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6.
“I don’t do 3D…that’s why I’m here,” he stated with a smile.
Arrows and records
During the qualifying rounds of the 2024 World Archery Field Championships on Tuesday and Wednesday, Delaney shot 144 arrows at 48 targets
On the first day of the qualifying rounds, he acquired a personal best score of 399, which he says is a national record for Ireland.
The World Archery Field Championships are his fourth international competition. In addition to travelling to England to participate in target competitions, he competed in the 2023 European Field World Championships in northern Italy against the backdrop of the Italian Alps.
Delaney was also in Ploiesti, Romania from July 8-13 for the European Youth Outdoor Championships.
He did well in those competitions, which helped to prepare him for coming to Lac La Biche.
“I placed fifth in Italy last year, so I’m trying to improve on that this year,” he said.
Back home in Dublin as he trained in preparation for the championships in Lac La Biche, Delaney received plenty of support and encouragement from his family. The support has included being given the use of a vehicle to travel to the local archery range, which is a thirty-minute drive from his home – and one that he took several times a week
“My mom puts up with me going to training a lot and taking her car away and everything,” he said with a smile and a laugh.
While archery is slowly growing in popularity in Ireland, it’s nowhere near as prevalent as other sports in the country.
“It’s fairly niche ... considering I’m the only one here,” Delaney said, again with a smile.
Delaney hopes to carry the Republic of Ireland’s hopes into the finals of the 2024 World Archery Field Championships in Lac La Biche on Sunday September 22. The medal round takes place at the Lac La Biche Golf and Country Club.
Spectators are encouraged to cheer on the athletes at the medal finals. Bleachers will be available for seating, along with a beer tent, and other activities and presentations that will officially close the week of world-class competition.
