Over 20 stars of Gaelic Football will compete for the prestigious All-Ireland title at the 8th annual MBNA Kick Fada competition, which will take place on Saturday, September 8th at Bray Emmets GAA Club, Bray, Co. Wicklow.  Reigning champion, and star of Mayo's inter county team, Fintan Ruddy will be back to defend his title and to attempt to break the current All Ireland and World record of 72 metres, achieved by four time MBNA Kick Fada champion Mark Herbert from Kildare.  Football's equivalent to the Poc Fada, the MBNA Kick Fada competition, tests the abilities of the countries best footballers to kick for distance and accuracy.  The 2007 MBNA Kick Fada competition was launched today (14 August, 2007) at Herbert Park, Dublin where parents and children took part in a mini Kick Fada event hosted by MBNA and "kicked off' by Dublin boss Paul Caffrey. Families attending the MBNA Kick Fada final in September will also have the opportunity to test their skills at the old art of distance kicking.  The child from the winning family team will then have the honour of presenting the winner's trophy to this year's MBNA Kick Fada All Ireland champion. The inter-county players and former greats will shoot it out in two divisions - Senior men and Senior ladies.  The champion male and female kickers will receive a Eu1,500 holiday voucher and an MBNA Kick Fada All Ireland medal, with the overall winning kicker receiving the MBNA Kick Fada Champion Trophy.  MBNA Kick Fada All Ireland final and is once more hosted by Bray Emmets GAA Club at their new grounds in Old Connacht Avenue, Bray.  The event is free to the public and all are welcome. Suzanne Holmes, Communications Manager, MBNA Ireland said at the launch: "This competition is completely unique and over the past eight years has tested the skills of the country's greatest Gaelic footballers.  Since our arrival in Ireland almost 10 years ago, MBNA has been committed to supporting GAA through this sponsorship and other initiatives including the NUI Maynooth Scholarship Scheme which has benefited many All Stars and All Ireland winners in recent years. This success of this competition is testament to the commitment of Bray Emmets GAA Club who have provided top class organisation and facilities over the years and I have no doubt that we'll put on another great day of family entertainment on 8th September." Also commenting, P.J. Cunningham of Bray Emmets said: "MBNA Kick Fada is as much about putting on a top class community event as the competition itself and we've seen the crowds grow year on year to witness the best of Ireland's Gaelic footballers' battle it out for the title. We're delighted MBNA remain on board as our sponsor as they have helped raise the profile to a level deserving of the competition and have been a true partner to the club in that regard since we got this going eight years ago." MBNA will also announce the latest inductee to the MBNA Kick Fada Hall of Fame later this month.  That person will join a list of legends which include Peter Nolan (Offaly), Donie O'Sullivan (Kerry), Dermot Earley (Roscommon) and Jimmy Keaveney (Dublin). Tweet

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