M. Donnelly GAA All-Ireland Poc Fada Finals
Launch of the M.Donnelly GAA’s All-Ireland Poc Fada Finals
M. Donnelly GAA All-Ireland Poc Fada Finals
A host of big names were in attendance for the launch of the 2014 M. Donnelly GAA All Ireland Poc Fada Finals at Croke Park.
GAA Uachtarán, Liam Ó Néill and Uachtarán An Cumann Camogaíochta, Aileen Lawlor, and a list of top intercounty hurlers were all in attendance at Croke Park for the unveiling of this year's event.
The eagerly-awaited finals will take place on Saturday the 2nd of August 2014 on Annaverna Mountain, Ravensdale, Cooley, Co. Louth at 11am and will feature what could yet be a 'puck-off' between All-Ireland winners Brendan Cummins and Clare goalkeeper Patrick Kelly and Laois' Eoin Reilly.
This unique GAA sporting and cultural contest promises to be a great day of sport. Tipperary's Cummins is the man of the moment, though, as he is looking to win a record 8th title.
"It's a record I'd love to capture but it's a very competitive event," Cummins admitted. "I know the competition will be very stiff. The fact that GAA president Liam O'Neill will be in attendance really boosts the profile as well."
The provincial Poc Fada Champions Donal O'Brien (Mayo), Eoin Reilly (Laois), Andrew Fahy (Clare) and Ruairi Convery (Derry) and the four provincial runners-up Patrick McKillion (Tyrone), Stevie Brenner (Waterford), Nigel Daly (Galway) and Kevin Walsh (Kilkenny) will compete against Patrick Kelly (Clare), Alan Nolan (Dublin) and Stephen Clynch (Meath)
Patricia Jackman of Waterford will also be attempting to make history by winning her sixth M Donnelly Camogie Poc Fada title in a row. The decorated camogie star will, however, face strong competition from Catriona Daly (Galway), Martine McMahon (Limerick), Stephanie Carthy (Dublin), Louise Dougan (Derry), Aoibheann Murphy (Armagh) and Niamh Mackin (Louth).
The M Donnelly Under 16 All Ireland Poc Fada will see Alan Kelly (Laois), Barry Kenneally (Cork) and Donal McKernan (Antrim) compete again last year's winner Jack Coyne (Galway) for the prestigious title.
Speaking at the launch GAA Uachtarán, Liam Ó Néill said "There are few events in our diary that stand out from the rest of our activities in the same way as the Poc Fada. The Annaverna Mountain is the perfect picturesque setting for truly unique event and with the contestants including some of the highest profile hurlers in our game who are participating at a time of the year when their season reaches fever pitch, in itself says everything about the importance they place on their involvement. I would also like to thank Martin Donnelly for his continued support of the Competition, this year will be the 18th sponsoring the Finals in the Cooley Mountains.
Speaking at the launch Uachtarán An Cumann Camogaíochta, Aileen Lawlor said "Camogie are delighted once again to take part in the annual Poc Fada Finals, this will be our11th year taking part and over the last number of years competition has been quite stiff with only a poc of the sliotar between the contestants,"
Speaking at the launch Martin Donnelly said: "This event is the GAA at its most raw. There are few placed I would rather be than the Cooley Mountains on Saturday. I am delighted to continue support of this wonderful competition, which is a truly unique event, and I am sure this year's final will be one of the best. The interest is really high."
Humphrey Kelleher, Chairman of the National Poc Fada Committee stated: "County boards are starting to really embrace this event and you could see that from the way the respective finals were rolled out all over the country this year. An Poc Fada is one of our finest traditions and we in the GAA, whether it be at club, county, provincial or national level have a responsibility to cherish and develop it to the best of our ability. It is incumbent upon us all to pass on to the next generation this intrinsic part of our Gaelic Games culture in a healthy and vibrant state."
For further information visit www.pocfada.gaa.ie
Senior Finalist Profiles
- Kevin Walsh - Kilkenny
A stalwart of Piltown, Kevin has played hurling since the age of five; he played Harty Cup for De La Salle and made the Kilkenny under 14, minor and U21 teams.
- Alan Nolan - Dublin
Alan, the St Brigid's man, has been on the Dublin panel for years but has had to wait until this season to show the larger public just how good he really is. A razor-sharp shot-stopper his booming puck-outs will challenge Brendan Cummins today.
- Nigel Daly - Galway
Nigel was part of the 2012 Killimordaly team that won the intermediate championship. He can play both outfield and in goals and is accomplished in both positions.
- Eoin Reilly - Laois
Eoin finished second in the 2012 Poc Fada and is one of the favourites for today's title. The St Lazarian's Abbeyleix clubman made his name as Laois senior goalkeeper and makes his third All Ireland Poc Fada appearance here.
- Patrick McKillion - Tyrone
Patrick set a new course record in last year's Tyrone Poc Fada final. He completed the course in 61 pocs at last year's All-Ireland final. He played for Tyrone in the All-Ireland minor C final a few years ago.
- Patrick Kelly - Clare
It's a huge coup to have the Inagh man, a 2013 All-Ireland winner, here today. Kelly made his name at St Flannan's College and while he never played in the minor or under-21 grades at inter-county level, he proved himself to go on and win a Celtic Cross with the Banner last season.
- Stephen Clynch - Meath
Steven has done an awful lot with his career despite being outside of the elite team grouping. He plays mostly at left half-forward for the Royals and has represented Ireland at shinty and played for Leinster in the interprovincial series. One of the best attackers around.
- Andrew Fahy - Clare
Andrew hails from Whitegate in Clare and is taking part in his second All-Ireland Poc Fada final today. He will be hoping to bring the title back to the Banner for the first time since 2002 when Davy Fitzgerald was victorious.
- Donal O'Brien - Mayo
Donal hails from SIlvermines in Tipperary and his father Michael was Tipperary GAA secretary for many years. He currently plays for Ballyhaunis and has been one of Mayo's top hurlers in recent seasons - he also starred with the Tipp intermediate team.
- Ruari Convery - Derry
Ruairi usually plays at wing forward for Derry and is one of the best known hurlers in Ulster. The Swatragh man has been playing at intercounty level for 11 years now and kicked of the year in fine style scoring 1-8 in his first 2014 Kehoe Cup game.
- Stevie Brenner - Waterford
Brenner made his name with Waterford and has also been renowned for his performances in this competition. The De La Salle clubman will be hoping to win the championship and bring the honours back to the south-east - it's been a while since Liam Tobin managed that in 1969.
- Brendan Cummins - Tipperary
The most decorated hurler on today's card, and also one of the most unassuming guys around. His records are well known and today he goes hunting for history in the shape of an eight All-Ireland Poc Fada title.
UNDER 16 Finalists
- Alan Kelly - Laois
Alan hails from Abbeyleix and comes through after winning the Leinster championship in Howth, beating off competition from 11 other rivals. He has already played in goal for the Laois U14 team.
- Barry Kenneally - Cork
Barry is the current u16 hurling goalie with Cork Rebel Og team. He has captained his club to u15 county honours last year and scored the winning point from well inside his own half. He has won numerous county and munster medals with his school Colaiste Threasa Kanturk.
- Donal McKernan - Antrim
The Padraig Sairseal club man has already made his way into Antrim Development Squads and also represented Ulster as provincial champion last year.
- Jack Coyne - Galway
The Castlegar won the Connacht U16 Poc Fada last year at the Connacht Centre of Excellence. He plays outfield for his club.
Camogie Finalists
- Catriona Daly - Galway
Catriona has a serious pedigree; she won two All Ireland U16 A Medals and then continued the progress with an All Ireland minor medal and three Connacht Poc Fada Senior Title. This is her fourth time in the All Ireland Poc Fada.
- Aoibheann Murphy - Armagh
Aoibheann plays club camogie with Ballymacnab Armagh where she plays as a keeper and also a forward. She plays camogie with the Armagh senior team as a forward. She competed in All Ireland Poc Fada in 2012.
- Louise Dougan - Derry
Louise has won an U18 Championship, junior, Intermediate and Senior championship. She frequently received player of the match during Derry's senior championship run in 2012.
- Niamh Mackin - Louth
This is Niamh's third time taking part in Poc Fada. The St Brides player has been captain of her club on many occasions and has been starring in camogie competitions since under eight.
- Stephanie Carthy - Dublin
Stephanie played for the Leinster Interprovincial team 2007-2008. She was an All Ireland runner up at Junior A level in 2012; the same season that she won a National League medal. She was a Poc Fada winner that year in Dublin too which crowned a great year.
- Martine McMahon - Limerick
Martine was the Munster Poc Fada champion in 2012 and that year she finished as runner up in the All Ireland final . She has a Division 2 League medal with Limerick from 2013 and an All Ireland minor B title with Limerick from 2011 as well as an U/16 B All Ireland before that.
- Patricia Jackman - Waterford
What a CV Patricia has. It features five All Ireland Poc Fada titles, an Intermediate All Ireland medal from 2011. She also has three Ashbourne Cups and two Ashbourne All Stars as well as a Munster Colleges title and two county senior crowns.
