The 2021 M. Donnelly GAA All-Ireland Poc Fada Finals were officially launched in Croke Park yesterday.
This year’s competition is an invitational event that will see recent competitors return to Annaverna Mountain on the Cooley peninsula in what promises to be a highly competitive field.
It also marks 60 years of the All-Ireland Poc Fada competition. The very first organised competition saw six Under 16 boys compete at the same location. The four surviving players and their family members have been invited to this year’s celebration which will take place on Saturday, September 25th.
Martin Donnelly has been sponsoring the GAA Poc Fada for 25 years, most recently through his MD myclubshop.ie brand, making it one of the longest unbroke sponsorships in irish sport.
“I am delighted to see the return of this unique sporting event which embodies the broad cultural and historical significance of our unique game of hurling,” said GAA President Larry McCarthy.
“This has been recognised by UNESCO for its intangible cultural heritage, and we are honouring that designation by holding an event which sustains and secures a heritage dating back to Cu Chulainn.”
“We are very grateful to Martin Donnelly for his continued support through MD myclubshop.ie.”
“It’s fantastic to see the All-Ireland Poc Fada Finals return this year in what is always an exciting day in the Camogie calendar,” added Camogie Association President Hilda Breslin.
“I am particularly enthused to see such a star-studded field taking part on what should be a fantastic occasion at the Annaverna Mountain.”
Defending senior hurling champion Cillian Kiely puts his crown on the line against a high calibre field that includes his brother Cathal and players of the calibre of Kilkenny’s Eoin Murphy.
The Kiely’s finished in 1st and 2nd place in 2019 with Cillian finishing with one less poc than his younger sibling, Cathal.
On the Camogie side, champion Caitriona Daly from Galway defends her title against a field that includes recent All-Ireland Intermediate medal winner from Antrim Roisin McCormack.
Abbey Donnelly, from Meath continues a family tradition by following in the footsteps of her father, and grandfather who was a joint winner in 1962. All-Ireland Senior winning goalkeeper Sarah Healy from Galway, a two-time Under 16 winner and Lyndsey Condell from Carlow a two-time winner in 2007-2008 will also compete.
“A powerful and influential network of information and collaboration”
Download our latest membership brochure here.
Sport for Business Partners
