MBNA Kick Fada champion Padraig Kelly (Offaly) goes in search of a hat-trick of titles here at Bray Emmets Old Conna grounds on Saturday 9th knowing that he will face the most formidable line-up ever assembled on final day - all eager to knock him off his pedestal. Goalkeeping rivals Paul Hearty (Armagh), Fergal Byron (Laois) and Gary Connaughton (Westmeath) are acknowledged long kickers who will seriously fancy their chances  while four time champion Mark Herbert (Kildare) has overcome injury and is raring to claim back his crown. It is with great joy we welcome Mark back for he was the initial trailblazer in this competition and his 72 metre kick to win the  second Kick Fada in 2001 is likely to stand as the record for many a long year Offaly's Ciaran McManus had his best ever championship season  from long range and will be looking to translate that into victory while  Dublin's Darren Magee, Ray Cosgrove and Mark Vaughan will be hoping for end of season consolation after their county's  agonising defeat to Mayo last Sunday week Of course it could be a Masters weekend to remember if Cork's scoring ace James outkicks all comers with the trusted boot which led his side to Munster Final victory this year The dark horses for the competition may come from Kildare as Mick Wright showed great form before going out last year and former Sunderland youth star Shane Harte who almost won the competition last year before being edged out by  Kelly With the Bray senior footballers  playing in the county semi-final against St Pat's tomorrow, the local interest will rest on the shoulders of minor captain Stephen McNicholas and Intermediate goalkeeper Paul O'Keeffe, who in the past has challenged for ultimate honours Local favourite Aisling O hAnnaidh will be hoping to turn a number of near misses into victory in the Ladies competition but she faces a number of serious rivals, with the Meath pair of Mary Sheridan and Grainne Nulty the ones to beat A new and innovative development of the Kick Fada day is the running of the MBNA Mini all Ireland hurling games around the pitches at Old Conna. Teams from as far apart as Cork, Wexford and Tipperary will be taking part in a wide variety of age groups with the Camogie girls taking part for the first time.     LIST OF PARTICIPANTS PADRAIG KELLY - HOLDER (Offaly) MARK HERBET (Kildare) Paul Hearty (Armagh) Liam McBarron (Fermanagh) Mark Vaughan (Dublin) Mick Wright (Kildare) Fergal Byron (Laois) Shane Harte (Kildare) Enda Murphy (Kildare) Shane Duffy (Monaghan) Ciaran McManus (Offaly) Tom Kelly (Laois) Darren Magee (Dublin) Gary Connaughton (Westmeath) James Masters (Cork) Paul O'Keeffe (Wicklow) Stephen McNicholas (Wicklow) Daithi Regan (Meath) Jonny Magee (Dublin) Mick O'Keeffe (Dublin) Tweet

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