From left Uachtarán CLG Aogán Ó Fearghaíl, Sponsor Martin Donnelly, Miriam O'Callaghan, Camogie Association Treasurer and Humphrey Kelleher, Chairman of the National Poc Fada Committee, with players, from left, James McInerney, Brendan Cummins, Darren Renehan, and Colm Callanan.
The 2016 M. Donnelly GAA All-Ireland Poc Fada Finals were officially launched in Croke Park on Thursday July 21st..
The All-Ireland Poc Fada Finals in Hurling and Camogie will be held on the Cooley Mountains on Saturday July 30th. This will be the 55th running of the event in this scenic setting in Co. Louth.
The unique Gaelic Games sporting and cultural contest promises to be a great day of sport. The competition will offer Camogie players from Cork, Dublin, Galway and Tyrone an opportunity to win an All-Ireland medal.
At U16 level a similar mix of counties made it through the provincial stages, with contestants from Cork, Down, Galway and Laois emerging.
Uachtarán an Cumann Camógaíochta, Catherine Neary said: “I am looking forward once more to this year’s prestigious Poc Fada Finals, which promise to be an exciting event in the spectacular Cooley Peninsula at the foot of the Annaverna Mountain. The competition over recent years has been quite stiff with only a 'puck of the sliotar' between the competitors and I am sure that this year’s Finals will be no different, with great skill and dedication on show from all competitors whom I wish the very best of luck in this prestigious event. I would also like to sincerely thank Martin Donnelly, a passionate and loyal supporter of the competition and Gaelic Games.”
Speaking at the launch event the GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghaíl 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 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, this 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 20th year sponsoring the Finals in the Cooley Mountains.”
Speaking at the launch Martin Donnelly said: “I’m particularly proud to support this wonderful and exciting competition as this is my 20th year sponsoring the Finals in the Cooley Mountain. I am sure this year’s Finals will be one of the best yet as Brendan Cummins goes for his 10th Poc Fada title and with Patricia Jackman unable to commit this year, we'll see who will be the new Queen of the mountain this year.”
Humphrey Kelleher, Chairman of the National Poc Fada Committee stated: “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. It is incumbent upon us all to pass on to the next generation this intrinsic part of our Gaelic Games culture in a healthy and vibrant state.”
2016 Players
Senior Camogie
Aoife Murray (Corcaigh)
Susan Earner (Gaillimh)
Ciara Donnelly (Tír Eoghain)
Sinéad Skehill (Gaillimh)
Faye McCarthy (Baile Átha Cliath)
Lyndsey Condell (Corcaigh)
U16 Camogie
Anne-Marie Smyth (An Dún)
Sarah Healy (Gaillimh)
Donna Mortimer (Laois)
Mairéad O’Sullivan (Corcaigh)
Senior Hurling
Mark Fahy (Gaillimh)
Colm Callanan (Gaillimh)
Jerry Fallon (Ros Comáin)
Karol Keating (An Dún)
Ruairi Convery (Doire)
James McInerney (An Clár)
Aaron Murphy (Luimneach)
Brian Connaughton (An Iarmhí)
Darren Renehan (Baile Átha Cliath)
Brendan Cummins (Tiobraid Árann)
U16 Hurling
Cathal Kiely (Uíbh Fháilí)
Gearóid O'Connor (Tiobraid Árann)
Dominic McEnhill (Aontroim)
Cormac Philipps (Maigh Eo)
