The highly anticipated Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie Championship Finals is taking place as a triple-header on Sunday, August 11, the finals will showcase the pinnacle of camogie talent at the iconic Croke Park. Cork captain Molly Lynch pictured ahead of the upcoming senior decider against Galway.
By Cian O’Connell
"It is an unbelievable competition, it is so unique,” Cork senior camogie team captain Molly Lynch says about the M. Donnelly All-Ireland Poc Fada.
Lynch relishes competing in Louth, securing a fourth title in a row on Monday afternoon. “The first time I did it was in 2017 and it has come up in profile every year,” she adds.
“I don't think it gets the recognition it deserves. Every year there is more coverage of it, which is brilliant, it is so unique. I didn't think I'd ever be on the side of a mountain, hitting it over and back. It is unlike any other competition around the world, it is brilliant.
“Yesterday, it was definitely the toughest conditions I've done up there with a very strong crosswind and very heavy fog on the way back. I suppose that adds to the appeal of it, you never really know what you're going to face until you're up there in the morning.”
In recent years Lynch has gleaned plenty of Poc Fada experience in the Cooley Peninsula. "You nearly know the course inside out at this stage, but it is still really tough,” she responds.
“My first three shots weren't great, but that is when your experience kicks in. You just concentrate on the next one, take it one strike at a time. That is where it really stood to me yesterday.”
Cork's Molly Lynch in action during the 2024 M. Donnelly GAA All-Ireland Poc Fada Finals at Annaverna Mountain in the Cooley Peninsula, Ravensdale, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
So, how does Lynch tailor his training ahead of the Poc Fada, while balancing Cork and Sarsfields commitments? “What I do is we have a second pitch, Buck Learys, there is always a strong breeze up there which is great. So, I go up there hitting the ball up and down the pitch.
“I usually do it about 60 or 70 times because the max it has taken me is 30, so I double that, to have 60 shots in my locker if I need it.
“You're looking for consistency more than distance, I will try to land 10 balls within a five metre circuit on the pitch because you need to hit 20 or 25 shots consistently up there. That is what I'm looking for - pure concentration. I'm just focusing on it one strike at a time.”
Two years ago Lynch’s sister, Lucy, triumphed in the U16 competition. “Lucy did it in 2022, she is focusing on athletics at the moment, taking a break from camogie and the Poc Fada, but she was up there yesterday,” Lynch says.
“She loves the competition. It is nearly a family day out for us every year. You get to know people up there too. It is the same people organising it, the work that goes in is just incredible. So, they are a really great bunch of people.”
Lynch’s schedule is hectic at the moment, being part of a Cork panel busy preparing for Sunday’s Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie decider against Galway at Croke Park. “It is brilliant, these are the weeks you train for,” Lynch says. “We are so lucky to get to play in All-Ireland finals, everybody is so looking forward to the weekend.”