Irish team makes history at World Feeder Fishing Championships

History was made on Sunday when Garbolino Team Ireland took the silver medal at the 4^th FIPSed World Feeder Fishing Championships on Inniscarra Lake, Coachford, County Cork.   Ireland has produced medallists in International events over the years but this is the first time the National Team have been on the podium, second to the all-conquering Team England who entered the competition at hot favourites after the five practise days. The Netherlands threatened Ireland’s position throughout the two days of the competition finally finishing with a Bronze, just 6kg separated the second and third positions showing what a close competition it was.

Brenton Sweeney, ireland’s Team Manager says:-

I am absolutely elated for the team to have achieved the silver medal and to have made history with the first team medal for coarse angling for Ireland and the NCFFI.  Personally for me it’s unbelievable in my first year managing the team, the amount of practise and effort put in by the team has paid off and I’m very proud of them.  I would also like to thank our sponsors Garbolino for the premium tackle and Sensas Ireland for their groundbait, but in particular Irish Bait & Tackle the only supplier of fresh bait in Ireland and supporter of all our international teams.

An excited Team England were delighted to see Steve Ringer take the individual Gold medal with Mick Vials also collecting the Bronze. Team Germany’s Felix Scheuermann took the silver just one small fish away from the Gold.  The new World Championship match length looked splendid with the anglers in a row along the bank decorated by the event sponsors Tubertini and Van Den Eynde and has made its place in the history books as the venue for Team Ireland’s first ever podium finish and Team England’s first win in this event and Steve Ringers first gold.  The fishing was excellent and with the 25 anglers at the Garden Centre section Inniscarra Lake produced three quarters of a ton of fish on both days with an average of over 6kg per angler for the competition.

Der Casey, Chairman, NCFFI :-

This was one of the largest projects undertaken by the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland, NCFFI and has produced a legacy for coarse angling in Ireland.  This project which has been three years in the making from planning to the championships, achieved in partnership with the ESB, Inland Fisheries and Cork County Council with initial funding from the Avondhu Blackwater Partnership, has been an outstanding success.  The icing on the cake was the silver medal for our national team. The NCFFI would like to thank all those involved along the way in particular the stewards who travelled from far and wide to help out and to the village of Coachford who displayed the very best of Irish hospitality to the visiting nations.

The village of Coachford was the base for the championships hosting many of the teams and spectators along with all the stewards and organisers.  The community and local businesses ensured the village was draped in colour to welcome the anglers arriving to the championships; from the flying of the flags of the 25 nations at Rooves Bridge to the fabulous ‘Parade of the Nations’ when the streets were lined by supporters and made for a fabulous spectacle.  The emotional Opening and Closing ceremonies took place in the Aghabullogue GAA Complex and the event closed with a splendid gala buffet at the Lee Valley Golf Club for all the competitors.  A fun evening of good food and dancing was had by all.

Dave Baker, Bristol:-

As regular visitors to the angling festivals organised by the village of Coachford we wanted to give something back and volunteered to help steward the event.  We are absolutely delighted to have been part of the championships and wouldn’t have missed it for the world!  The Event organisers NCFFI and the local community should be very proud. 

The sparkling Inniscarra Lake and the new world championship match length has created a legacy for angling in the area and we can expect to see more events at an international level here in the future.

Go raibh maith agaibh.

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