German Open 2025: A Weekend of Teamwork, Triumphs, and Treasured Moments
The 2025 German Open and IGRF Matches brought together some of the finest shooters in Europe and once again, the Irish squad delivered a performance full of heart, skill, and unmistakable camaraderie. Our German hosts welcomed us warmly as always, and our English, Scottish, Welsh, and South African friends helped turn the event into a reunion of familiar faces and friendly rivalry. Leitmar felt like home, a loud, competitive, joyful home!
The competition was intense. The IGRF match results unfolded with Germany, Great Britain, and Ireland securing 1st, 2nd and 3rd in both events. Our teams showed incredible skill and determination, proudly flying the flag for Ireland. It’s always inspiring to watch our marksmen and women represent us on the international stage.
We might not have topped the podium in the 1500, but when it came to team spirit, camaraderie, and friendship, Ireland was pure gold.
From the first detail to the last, the atmosphere within the Irish camp was something special. Laughter, encouragement, shared pressure, shared pride, and the sense that every shooter, regardless of score, was part of something bigger. You’ll find all the results from the German Open here.
A Squad Growing Stronger Every Year
Irish performances continued to rise across every discipline. From smallbore and lever action to classic, the demanding 1500 matches, and taking “pot luck” in some of the short matches with borrowed M1s and Sports Carbines, a united squad demonstrated depth, resilience, and increasing international confidence.
The classic and M1 carbine matches in particular tested timing, discipline, and control and our Irish shooters rose to the challenge with grit and determination, earning strong results and important PBs throughout.
Top-tier competitors like Gary Newman, Mike O’Grady, Aidan Corry, Nigel Barrett, and Eamonn Gallagher anchored the team with composure and discipline, while newer competitors like Eamon and Gemma Culhane, and Julie Moran fed off the energy around them, contributing to one of the strongest spirted squads yet.
Standout Irish Performances Across the Board
Irish competitors excelled across multiple disciplines over the three-day event. To name a few, Eamonn Gallagher shot a superb 1489-087 in his individual 1500, solidifying his place among Ireland’s top rifle shooters. Aidan Corry followed with a fantastic 1485-086 during the international 1500, marking a year of explosive improvement! Eamon Culhane, Gemma Culhane, Con Dunleavy, and Dave Hayes all hit key personal milestones as these Munster team mates travelled to Leitmar for their first time.
Mick McGrath, with a borrowed Sports Carbine, took home the bronze in the T&P1. Gary Newman picked up medals in 8 different categories. Nigel Barrett brought home silver with another borrowed M1 carbine, and Eugene O’Rourke brought home silver with his lever action in the Multi Target.
Paul Fry, Mike O’Grady and Julie Moran all picked up medals too leaving no one coming home without some bling hanging round their necks like champions!
First Trip – First Medals!
2025 marked a huge milestone for Gemma Culhane, who travelled to Germany for the first time.
She settled into the international atmosphere with confidence and positivity and capped off her debut with team medals thanks to her contributions to some of our best-named Irish squads ever: “The Meme Team,” “Locked and Loaded,” and “Duck, Duck, Oops!” Gemma embraced the camaraderie and competitive spirit instantly, making her first German Open not just successful, but unforgettable.
A Master at Work!
Continuing with our women on the squad, Julie Moran, whose trailblazing last year as the first woman on the team continued to set new standards with gold in the Master Class in the T&P1 topping everyone on the leaderboard! During the IGRF match, she delivered a solid 1451.052 in GRSB, placing her second among the Irish performers on the day. Her leadership, good nature, and precision continues to inspire every shooter around her. Julie also had the honour of presenting Germany’s Jessica Eggers with a her original scorecard from the Irish Open earlier this year when Jessica scored an amazing 1500 out of 1500!
The Irish Team Names We’ll Never Forget!
Ireland certainly fielded some of the most creative, chaotic, and charming team names of the entire event this year — some placed in the medals, some didn’t, all were unforgettable:
A Weekend We’ll Treasure
We came home with medals.
We came home with PBs.
But most importantly, we came home with memories, friendship, and pride.
The 2025 German Open Action Weekend & IGRF Matches once again showed why Ireland continues to grow as one of the most spirited and competitive squads in Europe.
To every Irish shooter who travelled, we say thank you. Your commitment, sportsmanship, leadership, and support for one another is what make this squad truly special.
Bring on 2026!
