Clarke is 'King of the Mountain'
August 01, 2010
Down goalkeeper Graham Clarke completed a memorable day for the Mourne County when he won the overall title in the M Donnelly All-Ireland Poc Fada competition at the Annaverna Mountain in Cooley, Co. Louth yesterday.
With the Down footballers dethroning All-Ireland champions Kerry some 50 miles down the M1 in Croke Park, Clarke continued the winning theme by becoming 'King of the Mountain' for the first time.
In ideal weather conditions, Clarke took the honours ahead of Clare's Brendan McNamara, finishing the 5km course in 151 pocs.
However, Clarke missed out on the Comortais Beirte title. Partnered by Tipperary forward Eoin Kelly, he had to be content with second place in the pairs event.
Last year's overall winner Gerry Fallon claimed a stake in the pairs title for the second year in-a-row, as the Roscommon captain teamed up with Galway's James Skehill to win with a final tally of 113 pucks. They had 21 pucks to spare over the second-placed Clarke and Kelly (134).
Meanwhile, Waterford's Patricia Jackman won her second successive Senior Camogie Poc Fada crown in 28 pucks. Fionnuala Carr, daughter of former Down senior football manager Ross Carr, finished second with 29 pucks.
Galway's Owen Treacy was the under 16 boys winner, with a final tally of 26 pucks - two ahead of Munster champion Sean Barry from Waterford.
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