BLENNERVILLE man Timmy O'Sullivan is to represent Ireland in the Sea Angling world championships in South Africa later this year, following his success in a hotly contested qualifying competition at the weekend.

Up to 30 of Ireland's elite sea anglers descended on Kerry at the weekend to compete for a coveted place in the five man team, and after tough competition the Tralee Bay Sea Angling clubman was one of the five anglers to do exactly that.

Hosted by Tralee Bay Sea Angling Club, the first of three stages of the competition got underway on Saturday morning at Inch Beach match. After several hours there, the competitors made their way to Glenbeigh for the second stage of the competition — a night session at Rossbeigh. Despite the upset of inclement weather late in the evening, conditions improved into the night leaving competitors with comfortable surroundings ideal for angling.

Stage three of the competition saw competitors return to Inch strand on Sunday, before converging at Manor West hotel for the all important tallies and results.

IFSA National Recorder John Martin and National Chairman Tom Lillis were on hand to oversee the compilation of the final scores before announcing the Irish team — which included former world champion, and Blennerville man, Timmy O'Sullivan.

The remainder of the team was made up of experienced anglers from Waterford, Cork and Antrim, who will now fly the Irish flag in the 2010 Sea Angling World Championships in South Africa.

- MARISA REIDY