Irish eyes are really smiling this week following the success of Irish Sea Anglers at the Irish Winter Shore Angling Festival which was held on 26th, 27th and 28th January 2012. The three day event; which is in its 24th year, was fished this year on the beaches at Ballinoulart, Kilgorman and Ballinesker in Co. Wexford.
This prestigious angling festival which saw nearly 10,000 euros paid out in prizes this year persuaded sea anglers to travel from all over Ireland and the UK to challenge for the titles on offer. The 23 anglers from the United Kingdom were indeed a formidable lineup and had a number of previous World Champions and International Anglers in their ranks. These included well known anglers Alan Yates, Chris Clarke, Bill Lingfield and Gordon Thornes to name but a few and all were hoping to take home one or more of the titles.
Individual, 2 man team and 4 man team titles were all up for grabs as well as a number of pools for longest round fish, longest flat fish and a special super pool category.
Days 1 and 2 at Balinoulart and Kilgorman produced some great fishing with flounder, bass, rockling, dabs and whiting being among the species taken. Fishing was tough though and the weather also contributed to the difficult and testing conditions. The water was coloured but yet fish were taken at regular intervals by many anglers. A number of Irish anglers were well in contention going into day three and left themselves with a chance of taking one or more the three titles on offer. Among the names being mentioned for the individual title were Dublin Anglers Dave Roe and Ian Knight. Joe Byrne from Courtown was also favoured but had some ground to make up and UK International, Richard Yates was also in with a chance. In the four man team event, Martin Howlin, Dave Roe, John O’Brien and Joe Byrne, reported as one of the strongest four man teams possible, were thought to be in an unassailable position barring a disaster on the final day. In the two man team event, Joe Duggan and James Ryan were in contention, Ian Knight and Peadar Taite featured and reluctant favourites Dave Roe and Joe Byrne were also well in the running.
Results
It was no surprise to learn that things went right down to the wire on the final day, even down to the last half hour. The last change of tactics among those in contention was critical. The final half hour saw anglers running to cast, change traces and and get fish measured, witnessed and signed off. You could feel the tension in the air.
The final results show how close it was in the individual event title. Dave Roe and Joe Byrne each shared two zone wins and a third place but Dave Roe, took the title with the better number of fish. Ian Knight from Dublin took third place in the individual event.
In the two man team event Dave Roe and Joe Byrne who fished together took the title, with Ian Knight and Peadar Taite coming in second place. Third in the two man team event were Joe Duggan and James Ryan.
As expected, the four man team of Martin Howlin, Dave Roe, John O’Brien and Joe Byrne won the title, Jack Keegan, Ian Knight, Stephen Glynn and Peadar Taite finished in second place and third place went to Alan Yates, John Wells, Clive Richards and Chris Clarke all of whom had travelled from the UK.
At the presentation in Sean Ogs Hotel in Kilmuckridge on Saturday evening, George McCullough, Chairman, European Federation of Sea Anglers Ireland congratulated all of the winners on their great results and said he looked forward to seeing them again at future events. Mr McCullough also thanked all of the Irish and travelling UK anglers for their support which contributed to the success of yet another event. He also had a special word of thanks for Stephen Glynn and Ken Forsyth for setting out the angling pegs in each of the zones and the staff and management at Sean Ogs hotel and holiday accommodation in Kilmuckridge for looking after the group yet again. Mr McCullough also thanked sponsors Viking Tackle and Malcolm Scullion from Bass Boots for their support.
Winding up the proceedings Warren Doyle, Secretary, European Federation of Sea Anglers Ireland, added his congratulations to all of the winners and said he “looked forward to the 25th Annual Festival in 2013″. Mr Doyle said ” I hope that next years 25th Anniversary event will be even bigger and better and we will do everything possible to secure the necessary funding and sponsorship to ensure that it is”. He also thanked everyone for their continued support.
William Walsh, Eastern River Basin District Director of Inland Fisheries Ireland congratulated the European Federation of Sea Anglers Ireland on yet another successful event. He then congratulated all of the winners on their achievements and all of the other participants for their efforts. He extended a warm welcome to all of the visiting anglers from England, Wales and Northern Ireland and thanked the many Irish sea anglers for their continued support for the event. Mr Walsh said, ” competitions such as the Irish Winter Shore Angling Festival play an important part in encouraging and stimulating overseas tourism. They make an important and vital contribution to local, rural and coastal communities and economies. Revenues and economic activity arising from such events are vitally important in supporting and sustaining jobs and businesses in small local and coastal communities, especially in the current economic climate and particularly at this time of year”.
