The counties Monaghan, Fermanagh, Cavan and Leitrim produced some magnificent fishing for the inaugural match in September 2012.  Yes, it was challenging at times, the weather wasn't always on our side but the fish were and anglers produced some excellent catches. Take a look at the results booklet here  for details of competitors and their catches and read a review on how the Irish champs managed to push the UK's Mark Pollard and Derek Willan into the  Runners-up position.

Phil Jackson and Cathal Hughes, are the current Lakelands & Inland Waterways World Pairs Champions  and took away a cheque for £30,000 and DIAWA tackle. From Craigavon in Northern Ireland and Galway in Ireland they are an example of the successful north/south co-operation! Over the five day period the pair caught 117kg 560g of fish and took the championship by just over 4kgs.

Overall DAIWA Individuals winner Francis Mc Goldrick from Ballyconnell, Co Cavan also took home a prize of over £1500 of DIAWA tackle. Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Colm Breheny, Fáilte Ireland co-sponsor with Waterways Ireland of Ireland’s Lakelands & Inland Waterways said “the World Pairs event, the calibre of the entrants and the fishing that has taken place over the last five days will be a significant turning point in  how wild Angling in Ireland is viewed world over. I would like to thank the participants for such a competitive week; The organising committee and our colleagues in Inland Fisheries Ireland and DCAL Inland Fisheries for preparing great sections and enabling us to promote Irish fishing at the forefront of wild angling worldwide”.

Overall individual winner Francis Mc Goldrick from Ballyconnell, Co Cavan has taken home a prize of over £1500 of DIAWA tackle.

Second place and a cheque for £10,000 has gone to Derek Willan and Mark Pollard. With a catch of 112.990kg they came home ahead of the remaining 130 pairs.

We would like to acknowledge the work of DCAL Inland Fisheries Northern Ireland and Inland Fisheries Ireland in facilitating the event. And thank all competitiors, local clubs and anglers, our match referee, Mr Dick Caplice, local landowners, Ballinamore Tourism and Eddie McGovern and Fermanagh District Council for their support of this event.