2007 proved to be another successful year for the M. Donnelly Poc Fada Craobh na hEireann tournament. The excellent weather conditions brought the crowds out to the mountains and all enjoyed the afternoon. Brendan Cummins added a third title to his name with the popular Tipperary goal-keeper having previously winning in 2004 and 2006. The year got off to a bad start with the untimely deaths of a number of people closely connected to the Poc Fada Competition. One of the founding members and original competitor in the 1960 event Tom Casey from Fatima passed away following an illness. Tom was an ardent Naomh Moninne supporter and had great time for the Poc Fada. A few weeks later Peggy Hoey, wife of Poc Fada President Peter Hoey died unexpectedly. Peggy had a great love of all G.A.A activities and was a regular supporter at all Louth G.A.A Matches and never missed the annual trip to Annaverna Mountain. That same week-end Donal Duffy, the piper who started all the Poc Fada Finals since 1960 passed away. A genial character Donal was thrilled to be interviewed on the Setanta TV Documentary about. the Poc Fada the previous October. The week of the Finals all were saddened to hear of the tragic death of Peter McGee [Ath na Bearna, Bessbrook]. Peter was a skilled Poc Fada Reiteoir and was responsible for the skilled training of "meitheals" in Camlough , with his son also a Scorekeeper. Go ndeana Dia Trocaire orthu. Behind the scenes the National Committee [which included Armagh`s John Moley and Pat McGinn alongside Paddy McMahon and National Secretary Pat Hamilton] met on a number of occasions earlier in the year. The Committee produced a Congress brochure and Chairman Donie Nealon manned the Congress Poc Fada Stand in Kilkenny , which featured the Setanta T.V Documentary from the 2006 Poc Fada. Following a number of Committee Meetings the Committee agreed on Recommendations to put forward to the G.A.A Finance Committee.. Chairman Donie Nealon and Secretary Pat Hamilton met with the Finance Committee at the end of September and were more than satisfied with the outcome of their deliberations. It was envisaged to hold a National U.16 event which went ahead in the Provinces and the Final took place with the Poc Fada Finals. Cumann Camogaiochta na nGael efficiently organised the Camogie Poc Fada and the contestants started the afternoon on the Mountain. With top class catering provided by Glen Woods the needs of the hungry were well met and we look forward to the same fare again in 2008. Liz Howard, Cumann Camogaiocht na nGael President attended and was accompanied by Sheila Wallace and Phyllis Breslin who were delighted to see a full contingent of lady competitors. Donie Nealon ensured the Camogie ran smoothly Croke Park was represented by Munster Chairman Jimmy Gorman who presented the trophies after the Finals and also by Teresa Rehill, a staunch supporter of the Competition. The R.T.E crew from "The Road to Croker" found the going very tough, they were no doubt hindered by the heavy battery fed camera equipment. We were lucky with the weather , our friends at the Cooley Vintage and World Tractor Record Event had terrible weather the next day! Despite their weather problems we congratulate their new World Record. Toyota Ireland upped the ante from 2006 by providing the Committee with the use of a Toyota Hilux as per Meehans Garage. This powerful model certainly caught the eye as it covered the mountain road with ease [fully laden]. A Toyota Land Cruiser [privately owned] solved the transport problem for many by making a number of trips up the Mountain. A light drizzle that morning had made the mountain road slippery but both Toyotas showed their ability and class on the day. [ Memo : . could we coax another vehicle from Toyota Ireland , our very generous Vehicle Suppliers ? ]. The local Committee led by Paddy McMahon ensured that all arrangements were in order on the day. The Mulholland sisters acted as Store-keepers and overnight security consultants on the Mountain. Patsy Mulholland and Jackie Connolly supervised all who needed same at the Start and Finish while Pat Harnetts painting skills were evident on the bright yellow 108 Boulder markers. The McGinn family were to the fore with Pat marshalling the "referees" and Conor Manning the walkie talkies and Microphone at the base. Nobody passed Armaghs John Moley without a greeting on the day. Damien Callan and John Murphy led their Club contingents over the course without losing a single Sliothar. It was a poignant moment when Patrick Ward played a lament on the bagpipes in memory of Donal Duffy. With a break from tradition the Contestants all were piped to the Starting line where Pat Hamilton gave a brief and entertaining ad-lib introduction to each contestant on the Course. It was noted that some of our very well known , high profile goalkeepers had started a new group ... the D.G.A. ask Martin Donnelly who coined the phrase just what it is ? You certainly need a thick skin to go up and compete at Annaverna. What can one say about our valued sponsor Martin Donnelly. Having completed his twelfth year as sponsor he just stated "we'll see for next year". His generosity is well known and we were delighted to see his logo well to the fore during the interviews on the R.T.E programme " The Road to Croker " on the week following the Poc Fada. His hands on approach to the Poc Fada is refreshing and long may it continue. We hope his fellow Clareman and great Poc Fada enthusiast Davy Fitzgerald makes a full and speedy recovery from his recent hand injury and we wish him the very best for the future. L.M.F.M; Dundalk FM, The Argu ; Dundalk Democrat and "Out and About" [also Helena Kirwan with Louth Programmes] along with the press photographers as usual highlighted the M.Donnelly Poc Fada fully and we are grateful for same. County Chairman Paddy Oliver took no prisoners "at the Gate" and thanks are expressed to the two local land-owners who made their fields once again available for the supervised car-parking on the day. Apologies to Sean for the "ones that got away" The expertise of Jim Thornton with the electric fence was seen by all [and felt by some]. Myles O`Reilly acted as chauffeur .. thanks Myles All our Competitors who gave their all over the Course, the Civil Defence [as usual well led by local expert James Neary], Guests and Committee adjourned to the aptly named "Sportsmans" where our host Paul Keane presented a superb buffet for all. No doubt some-one , some-where was left out [apologies] and I would like to thank all who ensured the 2007 M. Donnelly Poc Fada was a great success. PAT HAMILTON 2007 RESULTS & SCORE DETAILS M.DONNELLY CAMOGIE POC FADA FINALS NAME COUNTY Pocs + Metres Lyndsey Condell Carlow 30 + 34 Patricia Jackman Waterford 30 + 8 Fionnuala Carr Down 31 + 51 Caitriona Daly Galway. 31 + 24 Laura McGuinness Armagh 32 + 11 Pamela Nugent London 33 + 8 Mary Hendry '06 Westmeath 34 + 48 Catherine McGee Louth 37 + 20 M.DONNELLY UNDER 16 POC FADA FINALS NAME COUNTY POCS Adrian Murphy Limerick 24 Michael Devlin Antrim 27 Daire McKiernan Louth 32 M.DONNELLY 2007 POC FADA FINALS NAME COUNTY SCORE Poc + Metres Brendan Cummins '06 Tipperary 49 Graham Clarke Down 51 + 6 Shane O`Connor Offaly 52 + 70 Pat Mulanny Laois 52 + 11 Albert Shanahan Limerick 54 + 54 Aidan Ryan Galway 55 + 78 John Grealish Galway 55 + 34 Aidan Power Waterford 55 + 26 Keith Carr Galway 55 + 18 Brendan McNamara Clare 57 + 24 Davy Fitzgerald Clare 57 + 28 Jason McManus Fermanagh 58 + 61 Tweet

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