A reel-ly big deal for Cork
One of the world’s most prestigious fishing competitions will be held in Cork this month marking a first for Ireland.
On 26 and 27 July, the 44th FIPSed World Championship Coarse Fishing for Clubs will take place at the Inniscarra Reservoir in county Cork.
Run by the International Federation of Sport Freshwater Fishing (FIPSed), the competition will see 24 elite club teams from 16 nations travel to Cork to compete.
The teams will take part in five days of official training from 19 July before the championship matches and main event on 26 and 27 July.
On 21 July, a vibrant Parade of Nations will be held in Coachford village officially opening the championship which is expected to generate over 2,000 bed nights for the region, providing a welcome boost to the local economy.
Unlike many other international angling competitions, the FIPSed World Championship Coarse Fishing for Clubs focuses on club-level competition rather than national teams with participants representing the very best performers from their home countries’ domestic circuits.
The event will be hosted by the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland (NCFFI) in partnership with ESB, Cork County Council, and Inland Fisheries Ireland.
Speaking at the competition’s official launch this week, Tommy Lawton of NCFFI said: “Having participated with my own club at these championships overseas, I am thrilled that Inniscarra has been selected to host the first staging of this particular event in Ireland.
“This will be the third world championship angling event staged at this renowned facility, and I commend the local community for their ongoing support of angling in the area and our sponsors present today.
“I would like to take the opportunity to wish the two Irish clubs competing the very best in the event,” he added.
The competition will take place along the Inniscarra Reservoir, including the Coachford Greenway, a 2.8km linear park with Sport Ireland National Trails status. The greenway was originally developed to support a World Fishing Championship in 2014.
Suzanne Campion, Deputy CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland, said: “We are delighted that Inniscarra Reservoir will once again showcase the quality of Ireland’s wild coarse fisheries on the world stage having invested considerably in the venue.
“Angling is an important, sustainable economic driver for rural and coastal communities, and the angling sector contributes almost €1 billion to the Irish economy every year and supports over 11,000 Irish jobs.
“These World Championships will provide a significant and welcome boost to the local economy. We wish all the competitors the best of luck!” added Ms Campion.