This press release courtesy of the National Coarse fishing Federation of Ireland:

Last weekend saw a major achievement in coarse angling sport as VDE Lurgan CAC were crowned World Feeder Club Champions at the 6th World Feeder Fishing Championships for Clubs. It was a fantastic win for the club who celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2022 whose dedicated anglers presented a sterling display of consistency throughout the competition to see them finish first for Gold with 37 points ahead of the top feeder angling clubs in the world.

Just one point behind were Germany’s Hansetipper Club who took Silver with a great performance on day two. But it was to be a double celebration and a first for Ireland with two podium spots as the CM Lakelands VDE Club team became Bronze Medallists who tied for the third position with 41 points taking the Bronze on weight.

Uniquely the competition also awards the Nations cup won by Ireland and Germany with the Dragon Ringerbaits team in 4th position picking up the cup for England.

Johnny McKinley of VDE Lurgan says:- Words cannot describe how the team and the wider club are feeling as World Champions, having achieved the first ever gold medal for Ireland in a team event. The lads hard work paid off for a stunning performance especially when most of the squad have not fished at international level before. I’d like to thank our sponsors Van Den Eynde Ireland, Matrix and Fieldmotion and all those who helped us on the bank.

VDE Lurgan Coarse Angling Club with Hon. President NCFFI Oliver McGauley, NCFFI Chair Jack Tisdall and Les Harris Proprietor of Lakeside Angling, Castleblayney

County Monaghan was host to the 6th edition of the World Feeder fishing Championships for clubs played out on Lough Muckno at Castleblayney. Hosted by the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland, NCFFI the event presented the opportunity for two clubs to compete against some of the world’s top feeder anglers on home waters.

Twenty-Eight high profile angling clubs representing eighteen nations and some of the world top feeder anglers arrived to Castleblayney to commence training on Monday 17th of April with the competition played out on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd of April.

Feeder action on the superb setting of Lough Muckno with Hope Castle in background

NCFFI Chair, Jack Tisdall says:- This is a fantastic achievement for coarse angling sport in Ireland and my heartfelt congratulations go to our World Championships Team VDE Lurgan, and bronze medallists CM Lakelands VDE. The clubs have presented a superb performance displaying the benefits of club participation in our sport.  I’d like to thank our event sponsors Monaghan County Council and Inland Fisheries Ireland for their financial contribution and the Lough Muckno community group under the direction of Richard Caplice for the hard work and commitment in the refurbishment of the venue, to make it suitable not only for the Championships but as a legacy for the benefit of anglers in the coming years.

This Championships has given the wider Castleblaney area a substantial economic boost over the past 10 days which was well appreciated by the Mayor Aidan Campbell and others in the local community. I also wish to pay tribute to all our dedicated unpaid NCFFI member volunteers who dedicate their time and efforts to the angling cause for the benefit of all anglers on the Island of Ireland. This hard work from our members has in the past few years produced the angling legacy that is very much still visible on Inniscarra Lake and the Lower River Bann. Special thanks goes to Mark Downes and Jan Van Schendel from the FIPSed Technical Committee for their hard work at their first solo championships. 

Team Ireland Clubs, VDE Lurgan together with CM Lakelands VDE. CM Lakelands VDE Anglers, Steven Whyte, James O’Doherty, Michael Buchwalder, Robertas Zilaitis, Rimantas Kondrackas. Squad: Captain: Brenton Sweeney, 2nd Captain Paul Leese, Roger Baker. VDE Lurgan CAC Anglers – Johnny McKinley, David Herron, Philip Jackson, Johnny Keith, Jim McAllister, Kevin Maguire. Squad: Captain Geoffrey McKinley, 2nd Captain Philip Hartin, Steven Wright

A warm welcome from the local community met the teams, as they were joined by Castleblayney Faughs GFC, Castleblayney Hurling Club and pupils from Annalitten National School in the ‘Parade of the Nations’ led by pipers representing local pipe bands as they provided for a colourful display along the main street where local businesses had ‘adopted’ the teams, ahead of the official opening of the championships.

Annalitten pupil Ryan Rice leads the paradewith pipers from Aghnamullen Pipe Band, Graham Memorial Pipe Band, Lsinagreeve Pipe Band and ONeill Pipe Band Clontibret

Previous weeks had seen much rainfall leaving the lough with unusually high-water levels. The week started with mild weather reaching warm temperatures on Friday, but the weather broke with a change in wind direction and the first day of the championships was played out in heavy rain. It was clear early on that it would be an exciting competition with the tactical skills of the teams coming into play.

White Island, Lough Muckno from the air

The first day closed with VDE Lurgan leading, followed by Poland and CM Lakelands VDE in third position. Johnny Keith, Lurgan and Steven Whyte, CM Lakelands both won their sections.  Day two saw the weather settle and Germany move into second position after a top performance by Jens Koshnick. A brilliant performance by Lurgan’s Johnny Keith saw him win his section for the second time for a perfect 2 points and James O’Doherty win his section for CM Lakelands.

The weeklong competition closed with the awards ceremony at the Iontas Theatre followed by a gala dinner at the Glencarn Hotel.  It is estimated the event with over 2000 bed nights for the region has provided a welcome boost to the local economy estimated at €750k, whilst leaving a legacy for coarse angling tourism in the area.

NCFFI Chair, Jack Tisdall Hon. President NCFFI Oliver McGauley, CM Lakelands VDE Brenton Sweeney, Mayor Aidan Campbell, VDE Lurgan Johnny McKinley, Castleblayney Regeneration Annemarie McHugh, Castleblayney Tidy Towns Pat Merrick

A first for international angling in the area renowned for its fishing festivals and warm hospitality, Lough Muckno has been sympathetically developed to offer “parking at your peg” across several locations. The fine angling facility has recently been enhanced with investment from Monaghan County Council under the Outdoor Recreation Scheme, ORIS, supported by the Lough Muckno Festivals Committee. The competition was staged along various sections of Lough Muckno, including Black & White Islands and Concra Wood providing for a stunning setting in this area of natural beauty.

Hungarian Team MAROS Walterland meets their adopted business.

The event was brought to the region by the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland, NCFFI whose volunteers organised the event with support and funding from Monaghan County Council and Inland Fisheries Ireland. The NCFFI wish to express their thanks to all parties involved including Lakeside Angling, Irish Bait & Tackle Services, AJL Drone, The Trailer Café, Paddy Mc Bride, Gregg Boylan and Deidre Power MCC, MJ Flood, Castleblayney Regeneration Committee, Castleblayney Community Enterprise and volunteer stewards from the angling community along with generosity of Coillte and the Concra Wood Golf Club for providing the use of their respective shoreline facilities who all contributed to the magnificent success of the championships.