THE 30TH IRISH WINTER SHORE ANGLING FESTIVAL

East Wexford beaches, Co Wexford, 315 anglers

Anglers from Ireland were joined by competitors from the UK, Germany and Lithuania for the 30th running of this popular three-day festival on the beaches of south-east Wexford, with Tronixpro the main sponsor for the fifth time.

It was a close finish, with two anglers, England international Richard Yates and Paul Whelan, of Dublin, finishing on scores of 77, so fish length decided it.

Winner was Richard, who finally finished first after taking second and third in the past. Ben Arnold, of Worthing, was third, which included a win on a tough Day 1 at Ballinoulart with 27 fish for 629cm, including a 34cm smoothhound.

Fishing on Day 2 was split between Clones Strand and Dodds Rocks, and almost all competitors caught on their first cast. The fishing slowed in the middle of the session, but they came on the feed again towards the end. Day winner was Tony Royall with 24 fish for 645cm.

Going into Day 3 at Ballinoulart, it was Paul Whelan in top spot ahead of Ben Arnold and Simon Dawber. Day winner was Richard Yates with 27 fish for 766cm, with Blackpool’s David Hutchinson catching the event’s biggest fish, a 44cm coalfish. There were 105 anglers fishing each day.

■ Result: 1 Richard Yates, St Margaret’s Bay, 77pts, 1660cm (30pts); 2 Paul Whelan, Dublin, 77, 1006cm (29);

3 Ben Arnold, Worthing, 76, 1276cm (28). Longest fish – David Hutchinson, Blackpool, 44cm coalfish (10pts). Zones (Penn points based on daily entry) – Alan Mulcahy, Waterford, 20 fish; Harry McKee, Dublin, 11; Tony Royal, Brighton, 27; Simon Dawber, Wigan, 23; Ruairi Coleman, Dublin, 13; Gordon Thornes, Connah’s Quay, 16; Phil Simpson, Pensby, 14; Leigh Rogers, Milford Haven, 13 (all 3pts).