New York-based Offaly man flies home and lands biggest fish

PADDY Hogan flew home from New York and landed the heaviest fish of the day in the annual Jim Hogan Memorial Cup competition.

The open pike angling competition is organised each year by Tullamore & District Angling Club in memory of the late Jim Hogan so it is fitting that his New York-based son Paddy took the biggest accolade on Sunday on the Grand Canal.

The club's Pat Foran said: “This is the club's biggest pike angling event of the year and is fished in memory of Jim Hogan, who was a well-known angler in the Tullamore club. Although Jim is no longer with us, he still lives on in the memory of his friends and family today.”

A total of 41 anglers took part and most caught fish, resulting in a total pike catch on the day of 61.

Along with the single heaviest pike, an impressive 24lb 8oz, Paddy caught three others and the combined weight of 39lb 8oz earned him the prize of overall winner too.

The second heaviest fish weighed 11lb 4oz and was caught by Charlie Lawlor. The third, a 10lb pike, was landed by David Hogan.

The club returned to the Newtown Bar for the prize-giving ceremony afterwards and the anglers enjoyed hot food and refreshments.

That night, the club also awarded the Gordon Bushell Memorial Shield for the heaviest pike of 2023.

“Ger Murray won this with an excellent pike weighing 13 lbs 3oz. Ger caught this fish at the 2023 Hogan Cup competition, which helped him win the Hogan Cup trophy,” said Pat Foran.

The Joe Lambe Memorial Shield for the best bag of 2023 was awarded to Eamon Hogan, who had 62 lbs 11oz in pike over the 2023 competitions.

“Eamon has had a great fishing season and is a regular name in our fourth competition winner announcements. Well done, Eamon.”

During 2023 Tullamore Angling Club members caught a total of 251 pike.

“The club would like to thank the Hogan family for sponsoring the event and supplying the beautiful prizes to be raffled off to ensure everybody left with something,” added Pat.

“Paddy and Johnny Hogan travel from New York to fish for the event and bring one of their American friends, Mr Bill Casey, over for the occasion. It was great to have Bill attend again, as he always makes the trip over and enjoys the Irish banter.

“It was wonderful to have our overseas guests in Tullamore, and we wish them a pleasant and safe stay in Ireland in the next few weeks.

“The club would like to extend a huge special thanks to the Hogan family and The Newtown bar for making the event successful.

“The club would also like to thank all our committee members and competition officers who have worked hard behind the scenes to keep the show going. Also, a huge thanks to all our members, new and old, who support the club with their attendance.”

Tullamore and District Angling Club will host its next and last pike competition until October on Sunday, February 25.