Historic wins for Irish Ladies and Men at the Tronixpro, World shore angling championships, Wexford, Ireland, 2016 – 18/11/16.

The victorious Mens and Women's Teams
The victorious Mens and Women’s Teams with their managers. Their haul of Gold Medals makes them worthy winners of Catch of the Week

Irish men and women made history last Thursday night in World Shore Angling Championships – both mens and ladies teams secured Gold for Ireland – double world champions – ladies at their first attempt!

Last week the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers (IFSA) clubs and membership welcomed 18 different countries to the southeast coast of Ireland for the 33rd Tronixpro World Shore Angling Championships. This major International event held between the 12– 19 November, 2016 attracted approximately 250 competitors and 100 team officials from around the world and was comprised of 11 Ladies Teams and 18 Mens teams. Countries competing included Belgium, Croatia,  Cyprus,  England,  France,  Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Poland, Italy,  Netherlands,  Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Tunisia, Wales, Portugal and of course Ireland.

The Grauvell Irish men’s team came out on top against the 17 other nations over four days of angling. The Irish team held 1st over days one and two and fell back to 2nd for day three. They fought back admirably on the final day to take the gold. There was also an individual gold for Alan Mulcahy, silver for Harry McKee, with Paul Tyndall and Joe Byrne in the top 20.

The Vaas Ladies team took first place after the first day against the ten other ladies teams. They then held onto gold position for the remaining three days. There was individual silver for Lisa Gormley, bronze for Anne Whitty, 9th for Jane Cantwell, Janet Snoddy was in the top 30 overall.

Ladies team:

  • Anne Whitty Captain, Bannow Bay SAC (Wexford)
  • Jane Cantwell, Wexford Garda SAC
  • Janet Snoddy, Glengormley and District SAC (Antrim)
  • Lisa Gormley, Glengormley and District SAC (Antrim)
  • Pat Short, Bray Sea Anglers (Wicklow)
  • Linda Manton, Lisdoonvarna/Fanore SAC (Clare)

Manager Jim Snoddy, Glengormley and District SAC (Antrim)

Senior (Mens) team:

  • Martin Howlin, Wexford SAC
  • Alan MulcahyRinnashark SAC (Waterford)
  • Harry McKee Jnr, East Antrim Surfcasters SAC
  • Joe Byrne, Kilmuckridge SAC (Wexford)
  • Paul Tyndall, Ballybrack SAC (Dublin)
  • Tim O’Sullivan, Galway Bay SAC

Manager John OBrien, Tramore/Waterford SAC

How it all happened

It all kicked off with a wonderful opening ceremony on Saturday 12th November which began with a parade of all competing nations which will see the flags of each nation hoisted and carried from Clayton White’s Hotel to the National Opera House, Wexford. It was followed by a ceremonial event at the Opera House attended by the Mayor, Local Councillors and TDs.

This World Shore Angling Championships which operated a Catch and release policy and showcased the best Ireland has to offer to Shore Anglers as competitors  battled to catch a wide variety of fish including Whiting, bass, dabs, flounder, turbot, dogfish and other species. The event had a significant economic impact on not only the town of Wexford but the country as a whole and is a wonderful showcase for Wexford, IFSA and the sport of angling as a whole.

The IFSA are delighted they have been chosen to host this event as it is both a great honour and a great opportunity to promote the southwest and indeed Ireland and its tourism product as a whole. This championship will be supervised by IFSA officers, stewards and volunteers. The IFSA would like to acknowledge the help and support of Inland Fisheries Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Wexford  County Council, National Opera House, Gardaí, Coastguard/RNLI, and our many sponsors, this event would not be possible without their support.