Launch: Cummins aiming for unprecedented ninth Poc Fada title
July 23, 2015
Brendan Cummins with his son Paul at the 2014 M Donnelly All-Ireland Poc Fada finals in Cooley, Co. Louth.
©INPHO/Morgan Treacy.
The 2015 M. Donnelly GAA All-Ireland Poc Fada Finals was officially launched today by GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail in Croke Park.
The All-Ireland Poc Fada finals in hurling and camogie will be held on the Cooley Mountains on Saturday August 1st. This will be the 54th running of the event in this scenic setting in Co. Louth. The unique GAA sporting and cultural contest promises to be a great day of sport.
Holder Brendan Cummins will be attempting to win an unprecedented ninth Poc Fada title and Queen of the Mountain Patricia Jackman will be going for seven titles in a row in the senior camogie section.
For the first time there will be an U16 camogie event held.
There will be three former u16 winners competing in the senior final this year, Aaron Murphy, Limerick (2007) Noel Fallon, Roscommon (2009) Cillian Kiely, Offaly (2011/12).
Hall of Famer Denis Murphy (Cork) will be honoured on the day. Denis won the title in 1965. He won two Munster Senior hurling medals in 1966 and 1969 (as captain) and an All-Ireland senior hurling medal in 1966. Also in 1966 he was honoured with a Cú Chulainn Award (All-Star Award in the day). He was selected on the Munster Hurling Team of the Millennium at left corner back.
This competition will offer hurlers from Sligo, Tyrone, Roscommon, Laois, Offaly, Down, Louth, Limerick and Clare an opportunity to win an All-Ireland medal the very same as the medal that will be won in Croke Park in September.
At U16 level none of the strong counties won through at the provincial stages, with contestants from Kerry, Mayo, Derry and Laois overcoming their illustrious neighbours.
Proceedings will get under way at 11.30am.
Aogán Ó Fearghail said "There are few events in our diary that stand out from the rest of our activities in the same way as the Poc Fada. The Annaverna Mountain is the perfect picturesque setting for a truly unique event.
"With the contestants, including some of the highest profile hurlers in our game who are participating at a time of the year when their season reaches fever pitch, it says everything about the importance they place on their involvement. I would also like to thank Martin Donnelly for his continued support of the competition, this year will be the 19th year sponsoring the Finals in the Cooley Mountains."
2015 PLAYERS
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)
U16 Hurling
Cormac Phillips (Mayo)
Barry O'Mahony (Kerry)
Padraig Delaney (Laois)
Reece McSorley (Derry)
Shaun Murray (Waterford)
Senior Camogie
Aisling Corbett (Clare)
Catherine McGourty (Down)
Catríona Daly (Galway)
Elaine Gallery (Dublin)
Patricia Jackman (Waterford)
U16 Camogie
Ann-Marie Smyth (Ulster)
Sarah Healy (Connacht)
Les Sutton (Leinster)
Áine O'Loughlin (Munster)
