Now in its 24th year, the competition took place across three different venues in county Wexford on the east coast - Ballinoulart, Kilgorman and Ballinesker beaches. A total of 23 anglers, including a number of former world champions, turned out to fish for the individual €500 first prize, while also to fish for was a two and four man competition, along with a superpool and prizes for the longest round and flatfish on each day of the competition.
The first two days of competition saw anglers take on Balinoulart and Kilgorman. Then venues threw up some superb sport, with flounder, bass, rockling, dabs and whiting all coming to the beach.
A number of Irish anglers were well in contention going into day three. Among the names being mentioned for the individual title were Dublin Anglers Dave Roe and Ian Knight. Joe Byrne from Courtown was also favoured but had some ground to make up and UK International, Richard Yates was also in with a chance.
In the four man team event, Martin Howlin, Dave Roe, John O’Brien and Joe Byrne, reported as one of the strongest four man teams possible, were thought to be in an unassailable position. While in the two man team event, Joe Duggan and James Ryan were in contention, Ian Knight and Peadar Taite and Dave Roe and Joe Byrne were also well in the running.
On the final day the competition went right down to the wire, even in the last half hour it was too close to call. In the individual event Dave Roe and Joe Byrne each shared two zone wins and a third place, but in the end it was Dave Roe who took the title with the better number of fish. Ian Knight from Dublin took third place.
The two-man team event saw Dave Roe and Joe Byrne who fished together took the title, with Ian Knight and Peadar Taite coming in second place. Third were Joe Duggan and James Ryan.
As expected, the four man team of Martin Howlin, Dave Roe, John O’Brien and Joe Byrne won the title. Jack Keegan, Ian Knight, Stephen Glynn and Peadar Taite finished in second place and third place went to Alan Yates, John Wells, Clive Richards and Chris Clarke all from the UK.
Winner of the Individual Title, Dave Roe (centre) with second placed Joe Byrne (right) and Ian Knight (left) who finished in Third Place.
