There were plenty of big hitters to the fore yesterday for the launch of the 2017 M Donnelly GAA All-Ireland Poc Fada Finals at Croke Park.
The Finals in both hurling and camogie will be held on the Cooley Mountains on Saturday, August 5th. The competition was first held in 1960 and following a short hiatus from 1970-1980, it returned in 1981 and has been ever-present on the National calendar since.
Defending senior hurling champion James McInerney from Clare puts his crown on the line against a high calibre field that includes All-Star winning goalkeepers Brendan Cummins from Tipperary and Eoin Murphy from Kilkenny. Dublin will be represented by Cuala net minder Fintan O’Brien as his club looks to follow up their victory in the AIB All Ireland Club Championship earlier this year.
Aoife Murray from Cork also returns to defend the Senior titles she captured 12 months ago. The 2015 and 2016 Under 16 camogie winner, Sarah Healy from Galway returns to the mountain but she is taking part in the Senior competition for the first time.
“There are few events in our diary that stand out from the rest of our activities in the same way as the Poc Fada,” said GAA Vice President John Bolger.
“The Poc Fada is a truly unique event held in the picturesque setting of the Annaverna Mountain. It is a real test of skill and stamina. The contestants value the competition highly and given that they participate at a very busy time of the season, both at Inter-County and club level, shows the importance they place on their involvement.”
“I would also like to thank Martin Donnelly for his continued support of the competition, in what will be the 21st year sponsoring the Finals in the Cooley Mountains.”
Donnelly has been involved in Irish sporting sponsorship now for 25 years taking in Clare GAA, the Railway Cup, Cycling, Boxing and more.
“I’m particularly proud to continue my association with the Poc Fada, supporting this wonderful and exciting competition as this is my 21st year sponsoring the Finals in the Cooley Mountain,” he said. This year’s finals promise to be “as good as ever” with James McInerney and Aoife Murray returning to defend their titles against very stiff opposition.”
“This year’s finals promise to be “as good as ever” with James McInerney and Aoife Murray returning to defend their titles against very stiff opposition.”
“I am very pleased that Camogie players are, once again, part of this outstanding competition,” added Joan O’Flynn, Director General of the Camogie Association.
“I am really looking forward to a tremendous contest over the very challenging course. Thanks to Martin Donnelly, whose commitment to the Poc Fada goes beyond that of a standard sponsorship.”
“An Poc Fada is one of our finest traditions and we in the GAA, whether it be at Club, County, Provincial or National level have a responsibility to cherish and develop it to the best of our ability,” concluded Humphrey Kelleher, Chairman of the National Poc Fada Committee.I am particularly delighted that most counties and provinces have held their competition on “mountain courses” this year. That gives the final contestants a real flavour for what they will face on the mountain.”
“I am particularly delighted that most counties and provinces have held their competition on “mountain courses” this year. That gives the final contestants a real flavour for what they will face on the mountain.”
