RESULTS OF THE WATERWAYS IRELAND CLASSIC FISHING FESTIVAL 2007

The three-day Waterways Ireland Classic came to a close on Friday 18th May with an exciting finish. Ross-on-Wye angler, and first day winner, Richard Hoskins, emerged victorious with a total of 71kgs 700gms. His 7kgs catch on the final day clinched the Classic title for 2007, landing him a prize of £3,000 and a crystal trophy. Close behind in second place was Allan Reid from Omagh, with 65kgs 950gms and he collected £1,500 and a crystal trophy as a reward for his efforts. In third place was another Northern Irish angler, John Walker, from Lurgan, his 64kgs 760gms total for the week netting him £1,000 and a crystal trophy. In fourth place overall was Nottingham visitor, Matthew Hall, with previous winner, Simon Young, from Doncaster in fifth, and four-times World Champion, Bob Nudd, in sixth place.

The early Spring and warm weather of the past few weeks affected the fortunes of the 250 anglers taking part in the 2007 Waterways Ireland Classic. In the run up to the competition it became obvious that the roach population of Enniskillen had spawned and departed for the deeper waters of Lower Lough Erne. The Classic organisers made significant changes to the sections being used for the event, introducing new venues outside of Enniskillen town. It was one of these, Phil's Bay, at Tamlaght, that produced the top 4 weights in the final day of the competition. Two Lurgan anglers, John Walker and Brian McShane, caught 61kgs 760gms and 46kgs 480gms, respectively, from adjacent pegs 14 and 15, on this picturesque and productive lake.

Organised by Fermanagh District Council, the festival is sponsored for the fifth year by Waterways Ireland, the North/South implementation body responsible for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of the inland navigable waterways system.

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Further info from:
Eddie McGovern, Fermanagh District Council on 00 44 28 6632 3110; or
Aoife Morrissy, Marketing and Communications, Waterways Ireland, 00 353 71 9650787 or 00 353 87 9918412.

Date: 21.05.07
PR07010

Angler Richard Hoskins, Ross-on-Wye, overall winner of the 2007 Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival.

Richard Hoskins, Ross-on-Wye, overall winner of the Waterways Ireland 2007 Classic Fishing Festival, receiving his award from Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing and Communications, Waterways Ireland. Included are (back, from left) Eddie McGovern, Fermanagh District Council, festival organiser; John Walker, Lurgan, who finished third overall; John O'Kane, Chairman of Fermanagh District Council and Allan Reid, Omagh, second overall.