This report on the Five Nations International held back in September from their Organising Committee:
The Five Nations Fly Fishing Championships were successfully completed in Ireland again this year. Based in The Mills Inn Ballyvourney, Macroom, Co. Cork which is in the epicentre of some excellent wild brown trout fishing in counties Cork and Kerry.
TAFI (Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland) granted the honour to host this International to us and Macroom Angling Club in their Centenary year who were delighted to organise the event along with Gougane Barra Club, Kanturk Anglers, Lough Lein Anglers of Killarney Salmon and Trout.
The venues as before were in Gougane Barra Lake, Allow River in Kanturk and Lough Lein Killarney, with two sections (East and West). The clubs involved along with Mallow Trout Anglers provided all the controllers and sector judges, a total of 45. The whole event was coordinated by Don O’ Leary an international organiser along with the committee of Caroline Breen (Ballyvourney), Denis Cronin (Macroom), Maurice Willis (Mallow), Michael Twohig (Kanturk), Tim Corbett (Kanturk), Tom Lofts (Kanturk), Pat Lehane (Gougane Barra), Finbarr Lucey (Gougane Barra), PJ O’Brien (Mallow) and Richard Willis (Mallow). Two nations were unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances but seven teams still participated. The event was very well supported by Inland Fisheries Ireland, Cork County Council, Udaras na Gaeltachta, Keary’s Car Sales, Jons JCL, Dermot Casey Tree Care, The Bridge Bar Mallow, Twohig’s Supervalu and Jones Engineering.
This event is a great boost to the economy of the local area and participating venues as it introduces the overseas participants, as well as those from many counties in Ireland, to the area and what it offers. Local Buses were used to ferry the anglers between venues and to and from the airport. The Mills Inn staff were highly praised for the friendly atmosphere provided and the relaxed and efficient service. Anglers have indicated that they will return to the area again for some leisure due to the variety of opportunities it provides. The organising committee received many messages of support from the teams even “as Gaelige” from the France team offering their positive reaction to the fantastic week of fishing, hospitality and good food.
Our fisheries in Cork and Kerry are up there with the best in the world and all are Wild Brown Trout venues. Everyone was impressed and in awe of beautiful location in which we fish.
The Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland and our organising committee would like to thank Inland Fisheries Ireland, National Parks and Wildlife Killarney, Controllers, Boatmen, Kanturk Anglers, Gougane Barra Anglers, Lough Lein Anglers, Killarney Salmon and Trout Anglers, Macroom Anglers for their help and co-operation in hosting this event.
Congratulations to the winners and all participants and thank you to the visiting anglers for their co-operation throughout the event.
This is a very important international competition in the annual fishing calendar and will grow in the next couple of years. Next year teams are looking forward to travelling to the north east of England. Once more we would like to thank all our sponsors who were of great help to us.
Ireland had a very good result with Ireland White Team in First place, England in Second Place and Ireland Green in Third place:
- Ireland White – Campbell Baird (Captain), Shane Callen, Michael Drinan and Sean Kirwan.
- England – Lee Cartmail (Captain), Del Spry, Chris Micallef, and Joel Beeney
- Ireland Green – William Tanner (Captain), Gerry Molloy, Dinger Murphy and Paudie Fahy.
Individual medals:
- Gold Shane Campbell
- Silver Campbell Baird,
- Bronze Michael Drinan
Longest Fish Shane Callan
