Saturday, 30th July last, saw not only the renewal of rivalries in this most prestigious event in the hurling calendar, but also in the sporting calendar of County Louth. Poc Fada in it's 44th year took place on a new date but with a well proven formula to test the skills of twelve of our top hurling stars. By Peter Brannigan. Founded in 1961 by an tathar Pol Mac Seain and Cumann Ogra Naomh Moninne based in the Fatima area of Dundalk, the contest is over three miles and 320 yards over the Cooley mountains, from Annaverna to Aghameen. The high point of the mountain terrain being at Carn an Mhadaidh, which concludes the ascent and after a short break competitors tackle the descent. Many of the legendary hurling names have participated for the title since it's inauguration. In the early days names like Kilkenny's goalkeeping great Ollie Walsh were prominent. Ollie was a winner in 1962 and joint winner in 1963, a year incidentally in which the only tie was recorded. Tom Geary a native of Waterford and Dinny Donnelly from Meath made it a three way tie. Nowadays, if any of the participants finish level on pocs the outcome is decided by the distance the final poc rests beyond the finish line. The winners of the initial All Ireland poc fada on 22nd May 1961, on a Whit Bank Holiday Monday, with 52 pocs was Limerick born Dundalk based De La Salle Brother Vincent Godfrey. There were 16 contestants listed to participate in 1961 while the competition since it's renewal in 1981 has been confined to twelve. An poc fada ran for nine consecutive years 1961 to 1969 before going off the calendar for eleven years until revived in 1982 since when it has become an established event, most of the years taking place on August Bank Holiday Monday. The most prolific winners of the event have been the great Cork goalkeeper Ger Cunningham with seven in a row from 1984 to 1990. Galway man Michael Shaughnessy completed three in a row with successes in 1994,1995 and 1996. And in the early years, another Corkman, Finbar O'Neill captured the title, three in a row 1966,1967 and 1968. Albert Kelly from Offaly is another to figure high on the honours list, he having amassed three victories also, unlike the other successful players mentioned, Albert's three victories came in 1992,1993 and again in 1998. Michael Shaughnessy holds one other distinction being successful on eight occasions, in the pairs competition (Comortas beirte), each contestant being paired with another and their combined total making them the winners. The vast majority of winners of an Poc Fada have come from the traditional hurling counties of Cork, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Clare, Limerick, Offaly and Galway, however 2003 brought an historic success when Knockbridge and Louth hurler Paul Dunne conquered a very strong field to become the first Louthman to take the honours. Paul's achievement were remarkable for he was only aware of his place in the twelve on the Thursday prior to the event, coming in to replace Wexford star goalkeeper Damian Fitzhenry. Paul still had to overcome a star-studded line-up which included two times champion Clare's Davy Fitzgerald and Tipperary ace Brendan Cummins. However Paul proved up to the challenge to come out winner in his fifth attempt, having previously gained second place in his first attempt in 1996, subsequently he finished third, fourth and sixth. The year 2001 Poc Fada competition had a uniqueness all of its own, because of the foot and mouth disease it was decided to hold the event at Dowdallshill racecourse, which meant not alone a change from the mountain for the first and only time but also to a flat course. A two and half mile course involving two circuits of the racetrack provided the competition, with a new champion when Limerick's Albert Shanahan took the honours. Shanahan would go on to prove his versatility when gaining his second title in this year's contest. The competition in 2005 is still under the generous sponsorship of Martin Donnelly, a man who has given great support to the event since coming on board as sponsor in 1996, and indeed has given his company's support to hurling and football in other counties. The Poc Fada profile was raised further in 2005 when Uachterain Cumann Luth Cleas Gaedhal, Sean O Ceallaig decided to provide a national chairman in long time supporter Tipperary's Donie Nealon. Former Louth County Chairman Paddy McMahon headed the local committee with central council delegate Pat Hamilton and outgoing coiste chairman Peter Hoey making up the Louth contingent and from Armagh former County chairman John Moley and Coiste secretary of ten years, Pat McGinn, all helped to ensure the continued success of the event. The weather conditions for this year's contest were difficult although not the worst we have seen over the years. The line up for the event was Davy Fitzgerald, Clare, two times winner; Damian Fitzhenry, Wexford; Albert Shanahan, Limerick; Joe McEldowney, Derry; Keith Carr, Galway; Colm Kelly, Roscommon; Ciaran Muldowney, Kilkenny; Graham Clarke, Down; Liam Shinners, Tipperary; Anthony Nash, Cork; John Clooney, Laois; and Niall Quinn, Dublin, the latter creating great interest because although he played inter county hurling for Dublin as a minor, it is of course as a soccer star of Irish international fame that Niall is most renowned. The competition is scored over four sections, and at the first quarter Albert Shanahan, Damian Fitzhenry and Graham Clarke were all level on 19 pocs each. At the half-way mark this trio were still level with 38 pocs and were joined on this mark by Galway's Keith Carr. The third section saw an outright leader in Damian Fitzhenry on 45, closely followed by Albert Shanahan on 46, as well as Graham Clarke, with Keith Carr and Roscommon's Colm Kelly on 47 each, and still in contention with 48 pocs each were Davy Fitzgerald and Tipperary's Liam Shinners. The drama continued all the way to the final poc where Albert Shanahan by the narrowest of margins 58 pocs and 17 metres just deservedly gained the honours over Wexford's Damian Fitzhenry on 58 pocs and 10 metres. Graham Clarke joined third on 59 pocs 35 metres, Keith Carr coming a close fourth on 59 pocs and 10 metres. Colm Kelly occupying the fifth slot and Davy Fitzgerald sixth, Liam Shinners, 7th. Anthony Nash 8th Ciaran Muldowney, 9th' Joe McEldowney, 10th; John Clooney 11th; and Niall Quinn 12th; with a very creditable 70 strokes for a first timer. Damian Fitzhenry and Davy Fitzgerald gained some consolation when winning the comortas beirte with a combined total of 119 pocs, to edge out Keith Carr and Liam Shinners on 121. For the second year running the Martin Donnelly All Ireland camogie poc fada took place and had seven contestants, the same number as 2004. Clare lady, Denise Lynch took the honours with 30 pocs from Carlow's Lyndsey Condell in second. Louth's Vourneen Quigley was third and the contestants were made up by Bronagh Keenan from Armagh, Eimear O'Connor, representating London; Laura O'Brien, Galway; and Louth's Aine McKeown. President of Cumann comogaiochta made the presentation to the winner. President of Cumann luth cleas gaedhal Sean O'Ceillig was present at the event and presented the awards. Ard Stiurthoir Liam Mulvihill was also in attendance for this very successful event and both were delighted to witness the good work of the many volunteers who turn up to assist year in and year out in order the maintain the high standard of efficiency laid down by the hard working committee as they carry on the ideals of a competition nurtured by An tAtair pol and the men and women of Fatima, many of whom are still represented today by members of the Callan, McEneaney, Casey, Mulholland, McGuinness families. Tweet

Most Read Stories