Cummins claims ninth Poc Fada title

Brendan Cummins on his way to a ninth Poc Fada title on Annaverna on Saturday. Pic: Pat McGinn

Brendan Cummins secured a ninth M Donnelly All-Ireland Poc Fada title, while Waterford’s Patricia Jackman was belatedly crowned winner of the ladies’ event after a 33-hour delay.

Cummins celebrated a fifth title in succession after the 40-year-old completed the course in 57 shots, one ahead of Laois goalkeeper Eoin Reilly.

The former Tipperary shot-stopper was pushed all the way by a strong field, with all 12 competitors having previous experience of the event, including former Under-16 winners Cillian Kiely from Offaly, Noel Fallon of Roscommon and Aaron Murphy from Limerick.

However, Cummins was the only one of the 12-strong field to take the main title previously.

At the first turn, the Grange-Ballybacon clubman was in joint-first place with Sligo’s Keith Raymond on 13 shots, and while Galway’s James Skehill and Clare’s Andrew Fahey also pushed hard for honours, Cummins did enough to take the title for the ninth time since 2004.

Under-16 honours went to Waterford’s Shaun Murray, who won the first ever All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Poc Fada in Croke Park earlier this summer.

Meanwhile, Jackman was eventually confirmed as the 2015 winner after clarity had to be sought by the Camogie Association in relation to the final score.

Initial reports suggested that Jackman had taken honours, on a score of 27 pucks and 34 metres, with Catriona Daly finishing in 27 pucks and 32 metres.

However, Jackman’s score was posted as 28 pucks and 34 metres, leading to Daly believing she had claimed a first ever title.

Clarification was sought with the referee involved and it was confirmed that Jackman’s score of 27 pucks and 34 meters stands, meaning she had two metres to spare over Daly at the finish.

Jackman’s latest title means that she has now gone unbeaten in the competition since 2009, picking up a record seven titles in a row.

The inaugural Under-16 All-Ireland Camogie Poc Fada title was won by Galway’s Sarah Healy.

All-Ireland Poc Fada takes place on Annaverna this Saturday

Gerard Smyth collects his Louth Poc Fada title from County Board chairman Des Halpenny last month. He will be hoping to lift the All-Ireland title when he takes to Annaverna on Saturday

The All-Ireland Poc Fada will take place at Annaverna on the Cooley Mountains this Saturday where holder, ex Tipperary goalkeeper Brendan Cummins, will be seeking his ninth title.

Also this weekend Waterford’s Patricia Jackman will be looking to capture the camogie title for the seventh year running where she will be up against the four provincial champions.

This year’s competition was launched recently by GAA president Aogan O Fearghall and sponsor Martin Donnelly said he was delighted to continue to support this wonderful and truly unique event. The Poc Fada is played out over a 5km course which takes in the wonderful views of Dundalk as well as Carlingford and this year Pearse Óg’s Gerard Smyth will be flying the local flag as Louth bids for its first winner since Paul Dunne in 2003.

There are three former U-16 winners in the field for this year’s senior event where they will be trying their best to dethrone Cummins. They are Aaron Murphy (Limerick 2007), Noel Fallon (Roscommon 2009) and Cillian Kiely (Offaly 2011/12).

The 1965 Poc Fada Champion Denis Murphy from Cork will also be honoured at this year’s event and this is sure to add to the occasion of what is the 54th running of the event.

For the first time there will be a competition on the day for U-16 camogie players where the new four provincial winners will take their place alongside the competitors in the senior hurling, senior camogie and U-16 hurling events.

List of competitors for 2015 Poc Fada:

SENIOR HURLING: Aaron Murphy (Limerick), Andrew Fahey (Clare), Brendan Cummins (Tipperary), Cillian Kiely (Offaly), Eoin Reilly (Laois), Gerard Smith (Louth), Karol Keating (Down), Keith Raymond (Sligo), Noel Fallon (Roscommon), Paddy McKillion (Tyrone), Patrick Kelly (Clare), James Skehill (Galway).

SENIOR CAMOGIE: Aisling Corbett (Clare), Catherine McGourty (Down), Catriona Daly (Galway), Elaine Gallery (Dublin), Patricia Jackman (Waterford).

U-16 HURLING: Cormac Phillips (Mayo), Barry O’Mahony (Kerry), Padraig Delaney (Laois), Reece McSorley (Derry), Shaun Murray (Waterford).

U-16 CAMOGIE: Ann-Marie Smyth (Ulster), Sarah Healy (Connacht), Ciara O’Looney (Leinster), Aine O Loughlin (Munster).

Volunteers sought for Poc Fada

The All-Ireland Poc Fada Championships on Annaverna on Saturday August 1^st was launched at the Dundalk Tourist Office in the Market Square at the weekend.

Local clubs Naomh Moninne and Pearse Óg had their underage players put on an exhibition at the launch, which was attended by a number of local politicians including Gerry Adams, Peter Fitzpatrick, Fergus O’Dowd and Mary Moran.

The event gets underway at 11.30am on the day and volunteers are being sought to assist. Anyone who can help out is asked to call David Murray on 083 0056176 or email communication.pocfada@gaa.ie

Tipperary’s Brendan Cummins will be aiming for his fifth title in-a-row this year and a record ninth in total. Meanwhile, in the ladies section Waterford’s Patricia Jackman is going for seven in-a-row.

All-Ireland Poc Fada to be launched in Dundalk this weekend

Gerard Smyth collects his Louth Poc Fada title from County Board chairman Des Halpenny last month

The All-Ireland Poc Fada on Annaverna on the August Bank Holiday weekend will be launched this Saturday at 3pm at the Dundalk Tourist Office in the Market Square.

Kids will be able to poc a few sliothars about at the Square during the launch and any club members are asked to wear their club gear to the event.

Tipperary’s Brendan Cummins will be aiming for his fifth title in-a-row this year and a record ninth in total. Meanwhile, in the ladies section Waterford’s Patricia Jackman is going for seven in-a-row.

Gerard Smyth from Pearse Og is the Louth title holder after winning the county title last month.

Poc Fada to take place this Sunday

The All-Ireland Poc Fada, which was postponed earlier this month, due to inclement weather, will take place this Sunday on Annaverna Mountain.

Former Tipperary goalkeeper Brendan Cummins will be looking to defend his title as he bids to claim a record-breaking eighth Poc Fada after winning his first back in 2004.

Meanwhile, in the camogie event Waterford’s Patricia Jackman will be going in search of her fifth title.

All-Ireland Poc Fada finals this Saturday

The All-Ireland Poc Fada finals take place this Saturday on Annaverna.

The 53rd running of the event, this year will also mark the 10th anniversary of the Camogie All-Ireland Poc Fada.

Former Tipperary goalkeeper Brendan Cummins will defend his title on Saturday.

Cummins, who is bidding to claim a record-breaking eighth senior title, won his first Poc Fada back in 2004.

In the camogie event, Waterford’s Patricia Jackman will be aiming to win her fifth title.

The event gets underway at 11.30am on the day and all are welcome to come along and support the event.