An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir Dec 2017 / Jan 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 38 | By SGT JoE DohERTy, 28 INF BN & ChAIRMAN DFSAC T he 40th Defence Forces Sea Angling Club (DFSAC) competitions were held recently, with the 2017 boat competition winners being the 1 Bde team, compris- ing CQMS Phil Barry, Sgt John Meere, Cpl Tom o'Regan and CQMS Ger Power, and the shore competition being won by 2 Bde, with a team of Sgt Tom o'Neill, Cpl Robbie Slattery, Sgt Gary Condren and Gnr Peter lynch. The winter league will commence shortly and the dates will be released as soon as possible through the club reps in each formation. Membership of the club, which is af- filiated to the Leinster Irish Federation of Sea Anglers, is now open for 2018 and we are inviting anyone interested to come along and give it a go at one of our 'come and try it' events, at which equipment will be provided if names are given to the reps in time. Sea angling became a recognised sport in the Defence Forces in 1976 and the first Defence Forces champion- ships were held in Dungarvan, Co Waterford, in June 1977, where a total of 60 anglers competed and the Western Command team, consisting entirely of 28 Inf Bn personnel, became the first winners. Teams consisted of four members and this format continues today. Each year the competition rotates between the South, West and Curragh, and rivalry between teams has al- ways been very competitive but also fair and friendly. Southern Command/Brigade teams have dominated the boat championships, with 24 team, 20 individual, and 21 overall wins during the 40 years. The shore championships have been more equally divided among the commands/services. In 1991, the DFSAC successfully applied to be affili- ated to the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers (IFSA). This affiliation means that the winners of the DF Boat and Shore Championships qualify to compete in the annual Irish national championships, known as the Master Angler Championships. These championships are used to select the Irish team to compete in the world championships. Three DFSAC members have represented Ireland in the past: CQMS Philip Barry (1 Bde Ord Gp, retired) in 1995, 2001, and 2006; Sgt Michael Barry (CMU Curragh) in 2005, 2012, and 2013; and Sgt John Meere (1Bde Ord Gp) in 2009. In addition to these, Comdt Ailbe O'Sullivan (4 Inf Bn, retd), and Coy Sgt Pat Tobin (4 Fd En- grs, retd) competed in the Inter-Provincial Championships and Home Nations (England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales) Championships. The island of Ireland has for many years been recognised as one of the world's premier sea angling destinations, with coastal waters that thrive with fish. Visiting fishermen can expect something in the region of 80 species, anything from a blenny that weighs a few grams to a six-gilled shark of over 400 kg can be expected! The diverse nature of the coastline is varied and spec- tacular, with miles of awe-inspiring sea cliffs. Competing members of the Defence Forces get different and spectac- ular views of Fort Davis and Fort Dunree when boating out from Crosshaven or Rathmullin pier, and it is easy to see how these sites were chosen as defensive positions. Sea fishing can be divided into three categories: offshore or deep sea angling; inshore angling; and shore angling. Offshore, on which much of Ireland's international sea an- gling reputation has been built, consists of trolling, bottom fishing, wreck fishing, and drift fishing for sharks, usually from purpose-built charter vessels of 9m and over, up to 32km offshore. It is most popular in the west of the country. Inshore angling consists of trolling, bottom fishing and spinning from a self-driven small boat (up to 6m), in bays and sheltered waters, generally less than 5km from land. This is the fastest growing branch of sports fishing in Ireland, and its traditional bases are on the eastern and southern coasts, although its popularity and availability Micky Moore (third from left) is the only DFSAC member to have been with the club since its foundation and is still active although retired.

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