Fourth FIPS-ed World Feeder Fishing Championships 2014

726kg of fish were caught on Inniscarra Lake on day one of the 4th World Feeder Fishing Championships on Saturday. Richard Pratt, Arvagh, Co. Cavan put in a spectacular performance on the Garden Centre Stretch with his catch of 20.176kg, the best in the competition placing him first in the individual rankings. With their massive haul of 607 fish Team Ireland take second position on day one.

A superb performance by Team England saw Mick Vials and Steven Ringer with section wins along with a 2nd, 3rd and 4th for Adam Wakelin, Phil Ringer and Dean Barlow. There is just 7kg between the top three teams with Team Netherlands in third position with their catch of 250 fish.

The venue fished well producing an average catch of just less than 6kg per angler for the five hours fishing. With this the fourth year of the event the most attended, the anglers are fishing 5 sections each including one team member from each of the 25 countries taking part. Sections A to D are on the newly developed World Championship stretch with Section E on the well known Garden Centre venue.

During official practise on Friday the reigning World Champion 'Jumbo' Casper Willemse, South Africa said:- "on the right day it will be brilliant to fish, it's going to be one of the best venues in the World!

All the anglers who have been in training all week are impressed with the venue and the hospitality shown to them in this area of Cork. The competition was officially opened on Thursday evening by Claudio Matteoli, FIPS-ed when the event organisers, the NCFFI, National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland and the people of Coachford brought the local community and the angler together for the Parade of the Nations.

Coachford was draped in a fantastic display of colour on a beautiful summers evening as the anglers were led through the village by the Ballingeary Pipe Band each team accompanied by Foroige the local youth club. At the GAA complex the competitors were welcomed by Michael Creed TD and Cork County Mayor Alan Coleman as each nation presented their flag, Team Ireland represented by Corkonian Ken Ince.

It was an enjoyable evening which saw the anglers enjoy the display of traditional irish music and dance along with an introduction to the ancient Irish sport of hurling.