The FIPS – Mer World Shore Angling Championships will be held this November in Péniscola, Spain. Ireland’s eight man team will be taking on the best in the world in a very different type of fishing than they are used to. Luckily the team has a fantastic mix of experienced and really hungry anglers making their World Championships debut. Under the management team of Arklow native Darren Ryan and assistant manager Ruairi Coleman of Swords Angling, hopes are very high of a medal performance.
Manager Darren says it is a great privilege to take over the reins of the men’s senior team, having served an apprenticeship under Joe Carley previously. The team is very strong and a great bunch of lads too, so no stone will be left unturned in preparation and the team hopes to do the federation and country as a whole proud!
Team Captain is J.P. Molloy, representing West Cork and District. J.P. is no stranger to World medals, having taken team Gold and Silver team medals in South Africa. J.P. captained Ireland to gold in South Africa and to a historic win on Chesil Beach, with the Home Nations team, so hopefully the trend continues under his captaincy. Two time Master Angler champion and currently three in a row with the Munster closed.
Timmy O’Sullivan. A man with an encyclopedic knowledge of Angling around Ireland and a good share of Europe too. Individual world champion in Italy, where the team secured silver along with team gold in South Africa. Also a member of the all conquering 2016 team on home soil that took Gold and Silver individual along with team Gold.
Troy Francis. A man making his debut on the world stage who is out to take his impressive form off the match circuit and onto the world stage. Daiwa pairs individual winner, Penn league winner and European Open champion with a lot more to come.
Chris O’Sullivan. Tralee native Chris is also making his debut, having fished the World Pairs here with Ruairi previously and finishing a credible 12th. Seven appearances in the Home Nations including 1 gold and 3 silvers and fresh from 2nd place at the Master Angler in Wexford. Former Jimmy Smith, Munster Open and Connaught Open winner.
Ciaran Fogarty. Another debutant on the world stage and no stranger to the podium. Since returning to match angling from a long break, he has won multiple leinster leagues, Opens and Inter-Provincials while representing Leinster. Second in Youghal at the Master Angler.
Derek Kenrick. Another multiple world Medalist and apart of the South African team that included J.P. and Timmy. Also a member of the 2012 team to the Netherlands that took home bronze. After a worrying turn toward fly fishing. Derek is back and determined to add to the world medal haul.
A seriously talented Team supported and sponsored by Swords Angling Centre and Waterford Angling and Outdoor Centre. If you would like to be a part of this team as a sponsor please contact Team Manager Darren Ryan – you can reach out through the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers Facebook page.
