News Archives | Page 2 of 22 | National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland

Revised Constitution Adopted by Special Resolution

February 11, 2026/in News/by NCFFI pro

The National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland is pleased to confirm that members adopted a revised Constitution by Special Resolution at an Extraordinary General Meeting held on Wednesday, 11 February.

The revised Constitution places the Federation on a strong legal and governance footing, ensuring compliance with company law and reflecting good governance practice appropriate to a volunteer-led National Governing Body. It provides greater clarity around governance and decision-making while supporting the Federation’s continued development.

The National Committee would like to thank members for their engagement and support throughout this process. With the revised Constitution now in place, the Federation looks forward with confidence to the Annual General Meeting later this month and to continuing its work in promoting and developing coarse angling across Ireland.

Teamwork Triumphs! Team Ireland the 2025 Celtic Cup in England

October 13, 2025/in News/by NCFFI pro

Teamwork Triumphs! Team Ireland the 2025 Celtic Cup in England.

Float Team Manager Jason Ward gives us an inside look at their 2025 Celtic Cup win on the River Weaver.

“After two good days practice, where we learned loads about a very tricky venue, that was very much out of sorts, we were confident going into the first day of competition. Team Ireland ‘Black’ were looking good on the ‘Dredger’ section of the river, with a 1st for and 2nd in section for . But the other side of the river was trickier for us, with struggling in a really bad area and suffering due to a late re-pegging putting him on an un-fished peg. This put the tram on 20 points with a mountain to climb.

The good news however, was that Team Ireland ‘Grey’ consisting of , , and put in a really solid performance to score 13 points, putting them in striking distance of Team Wales ‘Red’ (8 points) and Team Scotland ‘White’ (12 points).

A BIG shout out to our three young anglers who made up Team Ireland ‘White’; , and – under the rules of competition, if any of them came higher in a section that their Team Ireland ‘Grey’ counterpart, then their score counts. This is applied to ensure all the anglers have something to fish for – a rule that was to prove critical for us on Day 2!

Day 2 – with significant work to do the focus was on the Grey team, but the whole squad were fully focused as they knew they could play a massive role if able to take points off the leading teams. The venue picked up somewhat and fish started to show in areas, making for a great technical match and an ideal training ground for the FIPsed events we fish at international level.

On ‘Dredger’ we had Leigh on A9 next to Dean on B1 – a fluke of the draw, but fortunately both were on fish and went on to win their sections. With the other team members doing their bit suddenly the 5 point gap was gone and Team Wales and Team Ireland were tied going into the two ‘Oak Tree’ sections!

Mary had struggled, but James Wellwood was fishing a superb match in C section, and his results could replace Mary’s. At the weigh0in Team Wales ‘Red’ were leading the section, but then Vincent pipped them by a few grammes, and critically, James then beat Vincent by the same margin to take the section. Team Ireland were now leading by 2 going down the final section. We knew Team Wales ad this section but not their ‘Red’ team angler, although we knew he had a tench which we thought would have put him second. However, Jamie Murray had fished brilliantly to beat him, catching some quality roach, pushing him to third. Phil has struggled but had a decent perch and a few small fish for 600g. This put him in 5th with 4 still to weigh we knew if anyone beat him Team Wales would be champions. When the next best weight was 500g, we knew we had tied and it would all be down to weight! Fortunately we had managed to beat Team Wales on both days by just over 2kg in total, and had won it – a fantastic result for the entire squad!

Analysing the results you can see how every member played their part, in a match that ultimately came down to grammes in every section. Individually we also had great success; Vincent (3 point total) was pipped to 1st place on weight, with Leigh (4 points) taking 3rd on his Team Ireland debut, and Jamie (also 4 points) coming in 4th.

Huge thanks to all the anglers who took part – the match is fished in great spirits and really does prepare our anglers for World and European championship, blending youth with experience to develop all involved.

Massive thanks to Ben Roberts Wales Float Fishing Team for all his help in organising and hosting the event, and to my Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling counterpart, Gus Brindle for all his assistance.

So, onto 2026 and a chance to defend our title on home soil – when we shall look forward to welcoming everyone to the Wild West of County Mayo!”

: Clarke Civil Works , Inland Fisheries Ireland, Tubertini UK LTD , Marcel Van Den Eynde Ireland, Irish Bait and Tackle Limited

Youth Teams Announced for 2026!

October 6, 2025/in News/by NCFFI pro

Youth Teams Announced for 2026

Team Ireland will have full representation at the World Youth Championships in France next year — with squads in all age categories for the first time in years!

Thanks to the hard work of Youth Manager Adrian Browne and the dedication shown at our Development Days, a fantastic group of young anglers are ready to take on the world stage.

U15: Conor Fitzharris, Jack Norris, Charlie Upton, Michal Urbanksi & Tiernan O’Brien (debut)

U20: Flynn Clarke (Debut), Finn McCarhty (debut), Sean Casey (debut), John Mulligan & James Wellwood

Huge congratulations to all those selected — your commitment and passion have earned you this moment!

The U25 team will be revealed soon — watch this space.

And don’t miss the announcement of our next Development Days, coming soon — the perfect opportunity for more young anglers to get involved!

Youth team travel and entry are subsidised by NCFFI, with support from Inland Fisheries Ireland and partners — but we need your help too! Parents and anglers will be fundraising to cover travel costs, and any support or sponsorship is warmly welcomed to help these young athletes represent Team Ireland with pride.

We also warmly welcome support from our membership — anyone available to travel and support the squad in France will make a huge difference for these young anglers.

Launch of the 44th FIPSed World Championship Coarse Angling for Clubs

July 2, 2025/in News/by NCFFI pro

Sponsors & Partners Meet at Inniscarra Reservoir to launch the World Championship Coarse Angling for Clubs

The National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland (NCFFI) successfully bid for and has been awarded the honour of hosting the 44th edition of the FIPSed World Club Championship Coarse Fishing for Clubs by the International Federation of Sport Freshwater Fishing (FIPSed). The event will be hosted in partnership with key supporters and sponsors: ESB, Cork County Council, and Inland Fisheries Ireland, whose backing is vital to the success of this world-class championship shown at the launch today.

At the water’s edge of the Inniscarra Reservoir, Tommy Lawton, National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland (NCFFI) thanked everyone for their ongoing support for angling in the area for what will be the third world championship staged on the venue.

Nuala Moloney, Community Relations & Sustainable Rivers Manager of ESB said:

“ESB is delighted to be supporting the NCFFI and the local Community in the hosting of this very prestigious World Fishing Competition and hopes that the Inniscarra Reservoir and Coachford Greenway which will used to host the event will be enjoyed by locals & visitors alike”

The prestigious event invites the world’s top club teams to compete in the discipline of float fishing. While the NCFFI has been supporting Irish entries for over 40 years—by running national qualifiers and fielding club teams at venues around the world—2025 marks the first time Ireland will host the event. What sets this championship apart is its focus on club-level competition rather than national teams, offering everyday anglers the opportunity to compete on the world stage at this level. Participants represent the very best performers from their home countries’ domestic circuits.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley said:

‘‘Cork County Council is proud to support this world-class angling event at Inniscarra Reservoir. Hosting an international championship of this scale is a real testament to the strength of local collaboration, the quality of our outdoor amenities, and the region’s growing reputation as a destination for sport and recreation. We’re delighted to welcome teams and supporters from across the globe to County Cork and look forward to the positive impact this event will bring to our communities and local economy.’’

25 elite club teams from 16 nations will travel to the region starting Saturday, 19th July, for five days of official training. The championship matches, main event, will then take place on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July.

Adding to the festive spirit, Monday, 21st July, will see the vibrant Parade of Nations through Coachford village. This family-friendly event, open to the public, officially opens the championships and brings together the local community and visiting competitors.

The competition will take place along the Inniscarra Reservoir, including the Coachford Greenway—a 2.8 km linear park with Sport Ireland National Trails status. This multi-use amenity is enjoyed by walkers, joggers, cyclists, rowers, families, and anglers alike. Originally developed to support a World Fishing Championship in 2014, it continues to serve as a valuable legacy for coarse angling in the region and a beloved outdoor space for the wider community.

Suzanne Campion, Acting CEO, Inland Fisheries Ireland said:

“Inland Fisheries Ireland is proud to sponsor the World Championship Coarse Fishing for Clubs. 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. We recognise the importance of supporting these events through financial contribution, expert staff and bio-security. 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!”

The 2025 championship will generate in excess of 2,000 bed nights for the region, providing a welcome boost to local businesses and reinforcing Inniscarra’s reputation as a world-class angling destination.

NCFFI Chair, Jack Tisdall said: “We are thrilled to return to this world class angling facility to host the ultimate competition for club teams which showcases the local angling product to club anglers worldwide to whom the Irish angling scene appeals.

What’s more the federation is delighted to present two top club teams at the Championships. BSI Sensas and CM Lakelands will present a healthy challenge to the visiting club teams, please come along and give them your support as they go for gold”.

Volunteer

The National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland are appealing to members of all communities for their help in stewarding the event. If you would like to get involved please visit Voluntehttps://www.ncffi.ie/wcc25-2/volunteer-wcc25/ for more details.

Contact:

Tommy Lawton Tel: tommylawton4@gmail.com Tel: 086 104 3040

Helen Rainsford Tel: pr@ncffi.ie Tel: 00 44 7711 607200

For further information visit https://www.ncffi.ie/wcc25

Governing Bodies come together in a United Bid for Clean Water in Northern Ireland

April 2, 2025/in News/by NCFFI pro

The NCFFI is proud to be part of a coalition of seven Governing Bodies advocating for the restoration of Northern Ireland’s waterways for sport and recreation. Clean and accessible water is just as essential to our sport as pitches, halls, and courts are to traditional sports. Without it, angling and other water-based activities cannot thrive, and our communities risk losing a vital part of their identity.

Read the Full Press Release,

Governing Bodies come together in a United Bid for Clean Water in Northern Ireland

The Reality in Northern Ireland

Water quality in Northern Ireland is in crisis, impacting angling at all levels:

100% of rivers and lakes in NI failed to achieve ‘good’ overall status in 2024.
NI Water admits to exceeding legal sewage discharge limits, spilling over 20 million tonnes of untreated sewage and wastewater into our waterways annually.
39% of storm overflows are classified as ‘unsatisfactory,’ further polluting our rivers and lakes.
Blue-green algae outbreaks in Lough Neagh and beyond have severely disrupted water quality, recreation, and wildlife.
Fish kills are on the rise—with 3,293 reported in 2024 and already 5,401 in 2025.

How This Affects Coarse Angling Sport

Over 8,800 anglers purchased a coarse angling license in 2023 with the expectation of fishing in clean waters. Instead, pollution is diminishing our sport, forcing event cancellations and reducing fish stocks. Last year, blue-green algae on the Lower River Bann led to the relocation of three youth coaching days, while poor water quality from Lough Neagh continues to harm fishing conditions.

Taking Action

This Wednesday 2^nd April, Barry Scott, Coarse Angling Development Officer and John Taggart will join representatives from other sports at Stormont for the official launch of the Clean Water Sports Alliance, urging MLAs to support this crucial campaign. To strengthen our voice, we need your help.

Please share our social media posts and encourage your members to get involved.
Let us know about pollution issues affecting your club, so we can bring them to the agenda moving forward.

Team Predator – Expressions of Interest

January 3, 2025/in News/by NCFFI pro

Further to the end of Tomek Kurman’s tenure, 10 years at the helm of international predator fishing for Team Ireland, and recent success on the world stage, the NCFFI Executive are preparing to review future team selection rules and the opportunity for new disciplines.

It is our aim for Team Ireland to rank in the top ten nations, to be achieved by presenting Ireland’s best lure anglers with the appropriate management support in place.

The NCFFI invites you to express your interest for a place on Team Ireland along with the opportunity to provide your feedback in relation to international predator angling.

Please submit your interest here

Notice of AGM

November 25, 2024/in News/by NCFFI pro

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Notice is hereby given of the Annual General Meeting of the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland, NCFFI to take place on

Saturday 25th January 2025

at

Parish Centre, Curryhills, Prosperous, Co. Kildare, W91 CAV9

time

11am to 3pm

Appointed delegates from Affiliated and Associated clubs may attend with prior notification.

This notice invites, from affiliated clubs, motions to be received by the Secretary before 28th December 2024. New clubs joined in 2023 to 2024 remain as Associate members until formal adoption by the AGM. Associate members may not vote or submit motions.

A copy of the Agenda, and a list of motions for discussion shall be given to each club not less than 14 days before the date of the Annual General Meeting.

Two members of each Affiliated club are invited to vote at AGM. Club delegates other than officers, will need to bring with them, written authorisation that they are the clubs appointed representatives.

For further information and registration please visit www.ncffi.ie/agm

Team Ireland 2025 – Expressions of Interest

November 5, 2024/in News/by NCFFI pro

International Team Managers Brenton Sweeney and Jason Ward invite you to express your interest for selection for the following events.

Register here before 30th November https://www.ncffi.ie/teamireland/

11/12 April Feeder Master/U25 – Spain

14/15 June Feeder Nations – Lithuania

20/21 June Float Master/Veterans/Disabled – Coruche, Portugal

28/29 June European – Slovakia

06/07 Sep Nation – Bosnia

11/12 Oct Celtic Cup, River Weaver

Note: Applicants must meet the age category requirement where specified by 31Dec24 of the year preceding the championships. Those of Veteran age (over 65) may participate in Masters (over 55). For further information on selection and eligibility visit www.ncffi.ie/teamireland

All Ireland Youth Feeder Championships

October 26, 2024/in News/by NCFFI pro

Eleven young anglers from across the provinces turned out on a wet day for the championship held on Lough Gowna in Co.Cavan. The fishing was not great with roach the prevalent species and just a few small hybrids showing, but it was a good day’s competition enjoyed by everyone.

A bonus 1.5kg bream secured the 3-hour match for this years Under 15 champion Markas Cmuckas who finished with 1.700kg. In second place was Tiernan O’Brien with 0.275g and 3rd Sam Navickas with 0.225kg.

Sarunas Zenkovas won the 4-match to take the title for the Under 25’s with 9 fish for 1.475kg. In second place also with 9 fish for 1.100kg was Deimante Karalaunis and 3rd was Brian Clark with 8 fish for 800g.

Everyone who attended took home terminal tackle items for their efforts with trophies and medals awarded to the winners. The event was facilitated by NCFFI Team Ireland Feeder Manager Brenton Sweeney on the look out for feeder anglers of the future.

Youth Team Ireland 2025 Announced!

October 17, 2024/in News/by NCFFI pro

The NCFFI is delighted to announce that Team Ireland Youth will present in both the Under 20 and Under 15 categories at the World Youth Angling Championships of 2025 in Merida, Spain.

In his commitment to youth angling sport manager Adrian Browne has nurtured a fine group of individuals to enable him to field two youth teams on the world stage next year. The young individuals representing clubs across our membership are;

Under 15: Markas Cmukas, Conor Fitzharris, Jack Norris, Charlie Upton and Michael Urbanski

Under 20: John Browne, Brian Clark, John Collins, John Mulligan and James Wellwood

It’s a pleasure to support these young anglers, most of whom will be making their debut on the world stage. Well done to all those making the team.

Youth Team travel and entry is subsidised by the NCFFI with support from Inland Fisheries Ireland and Irish Bait and Tackle Limited, The younger of the anglers who will be accompanied by their parents who will be looking to raise further funds to fulfill their travel needs and the NCFFI welcomes any support and/or sponsorship for the team.