The 44th FIPSed World Championship Coarse Fishing for Clubs brought an unforgettable week of world-class angling and warm Irish hospitality to Inniscarra Reservoir, County Cork, as 25 elite coarse angling clubs representing 16 nations gathered to compete in the prestigious international event.
Hosted by the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland (NCFFI), the championship opened with a vibrant Parade of Nations through the village of Coachford on Monday, July 21st, featuring the Blarney Brass & Reed Band and local schoolchildren, and concluded with a spectacular Closing Ceremony and Gala Dinner at the Rochestown Park Hotel.
Perfect conditions welcomed the 125 international anglers as they prepared during five days of intensive training ahead of the weekend’s main event. Their efforts were rewarded, with over two tonnes of fish caught and safely released during the two-day championship—underscoring both the richness of the venue and the event’s strong focus on sustainability.
Competition took place across the scenic Coachford Greenway and the river section at Dripsey, where each of the zones delivered excellent sport and ensured a fair, competitive event for all teams.
After two thrilling days of angling, Club Lenza Emiliana Tubertini (Italy) emerged as World Champions—claiming their fifth world title and ninth podium finish. Team Sensas 28 (France) secured a strong second-place finish, with team member Alexandre Caudin, notably a former U25 World Champion at Inniscarra in 2017. HSV De Karper Voerendaal (Netherlands) completed the podium in third place, with a squad that proudly included Anja Groot four-time Ladies World Champion and Ramon Ansing, who first competed at Inniscarra in 2017 as part of the U25s and went on to become European Champion at the 2019 championship held on the Lower River Bann.
Deputising for the Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Ann Marie Ahern had the honour of presenting to the winning team at the Closing Ceremony. She underlined the significance of hosting such a prestigious international competition, stating: “Over 2000 bed nights were realised in the area as a direct result of this event—an incredible boost for local tourism and hospitality.”
Frank Barry, representing fishery owners ESB, emphasised the broader impact: “The impact on the local economy is huge, and the developed Coachford Greenway provides opportunities for everyone—from local businesses to visiting anglers and recreational users.”
Mark Downes, officiating on behalf of FIPSed (Fédération Internationale de la Pêche Sportive en Eau Douce), praised the event as “one of the best match fishing weeks everyone has experienced,” commending both the top-class fishing and “unbelievable hospitality” before bringing the championships to an end.
It was a disappointing result for the two home teams, who finished 19th and 20th, but their participation played a key role in showcasing Irish angling and hospitality on the world stage.
Photo: Karol Kachmarsky
Hats off to the members of the local community who generously volunteered their time to support the event—working as fish counters, traffic marshals, and more. Their dedication, along with the efforts of stewards and weigh teams from the angling community, was instrumental in ensuring the smooth and successful running of the championship throughout the weekend.
This was the first time Ireland has hosted the FIPSed World Championship Coarse Fishing for Clubs, although Inniscarra Reservoir has previously welcomed other world championships in 2014 and 2017. The success of this year’s event was made possible through the collaborative support of local authorities, sponsors, and community partners, including funding from ESB, Cork County Council’s Economic Development Fund, and Inland Fisheries Ireland, with additional support from O’Donovan Engineering and MJ Flood Group.
The NCFFI extends its sincere thanks to all involved and looks forward to welcoming the international angling community back to Ireland in the near future.
