M DONNELLY ALL IRELAND POC FADA FINALS 2010 OFFICIAL  LINE UP ANNOUNCED

The M Donnelly All Ireland Poc Fada Finals will take place on Annaverna Mountain Ravensdale this coming Saturday (31st July). The unique sporting and cultural GAA event which is this year once again sponsored by Martin Donnelly (MD) will also see the All Ireland Camogie and Under 16 Poc Fada contests.

2009 Champion Roscommon’s Gerry Fallon will be there to defend his title while the local interest will be provided by Voureen Quigley and Catriona Cantwell in the camogie section and Donall Connolly jr in the U-16 event.

Gerry Fallon faces stiff competition from Ulster Poc Fada Champion Ruairi Convery (Derry), Leinster Champion Eoin Reilly (Laois) Seamus Coffey (Cork) the Munster Poc Fada Provincial winner and James Skehill (Galway) the Connacht Champion. Kilkenny All Ireland winning goalkeeper James McGarry, Wexford’s all Ireland and all star Damien Fitzhenry and Down’s Graham Clarke will also participate in this years Poc Fada which is over a challenging mountain 5km course. Karol Keating (Down), Brendan McNamara (Clare) and Donal O Brien (Mayo) will also be attempting to win the prestigious all Ireland medal for this event. Meaths Neil Hackett is also participating this year.

Waterford’s Patricia Jackman will be back on the famous mountain course to defend her Camogie All Ireland title against the challenges of Connaught Champion - Stephanie Gannon (Athenry, Galway) , Leinster Champion - Voureen Quigley (Kilkerley, Louth), Munster Champion - Jacqui O'Connor (St Ibarrs Shelmeliers, Wexford) ,Ulster Champion - Fionnuala Carr (Down), Armagh Champion - Bernie Murray (Cullyhanna) and Louth Champion - Catriona Cantwell (St. Annes).

The hurlers in this year’s Under 16 Poc Fada are Patrick Nugent Antrim, Sean Barry Waterford, Owen Tracey Galway and Dónall Connolly (Jnr) Louth

Chairperson of the national Coiste of An Poc Fada, Donie Nealon said that a great days completion was expected. “This is a very unique sporting event. We can expect a close contest” said the former Tipperary star hurler and Munster Council secretary. Louth’s Pat Hamilton who serves as secretary of the National Poc Fada Committee reminded all those intending to attend the event that they should come prepared for the rugged mountain course. He also appealed to any local GAA Hurling, Camogie and Football Clubs wishing to assist at the event to contact him.

The full line out will be announced and draws for the Comortas Beirte (Pairs) contest will take place on Wednesday next 28th July at the M Donnelly All Ireland Poc Fada launch in Croke Park.

This year once again an appeal is being made by the organisers to all clubs and individuals with an interest in this unique sporting event to come along on the day and help out with the days. Anyone wishing to take on a role should contact Josie Maguire ( josiemaguire@hotmail.com   0871329120 or Pat Mc Ginn ( patmcginn@hotmail.com ) 02830839134. All involved should ensure that they are on the mountain by 12noon.

The Camogie and Under 16 Competitions start at 12.30pm with the senior Poc Fada commencing at 1pm

M DONNELLY ALL IRELAND POC FADA 2010 HURLERS

 Graham Clarke: The Down goalkeeper who plays his hurling with the Ballygalget Club   is back on the mountain for this year’s event. Graham has given great service and commitment to hurling and the Poc Fada contest here on Annaverna.

    * Gerry Fallon: The 2009 Champion who plays his hurling with Roscommon Club Oran is expected to put up a strong challenge to retain his title.
    *  Eoin Reilly: The Leinster Poc Fada Champion from Laois  is a member of the Portalaoise Club. He visits the 5km mountain course for the first time and is hopeful that he will make a strong challenge.
    *  Donall O Brien: The Connacht representative is from Mayo and plays his hurling with Ballyhaunis. He faces the 5km Poc Fada mountain course for the first time
    *  Brendan Mc Namara: The Scariff hurler from County Clare returns to the mountain and would be expected to be challenging for the all Ireland title.
    * Seamus Coffey: The Cork hurler is currently the Munster Poc Fada Champion. He is  a member of the University College Cork Hurling Club and visits the mountain for the first time
    *  Ruairi Convery: The Ulster Poc Fada Champion who is a member of the Swatragh Club in Derry returns to the mountain for the second time.. Ruairi is hopeful that he can go one better than his second place of two years ago this year.
    * Karol Keating: The Portaferry hurler from County Down competes in his first Poc Fada and the Ulster Poc Fada runner up hopes to give a good account of himself over the 5km mountain course. Goes out sixth in this year's field.
    * James McGarry:  Back to the mountain for a second time the highly accomplished and respected Kilkenny hurler who plays with his local club Bennettsbridge,  will no doubt be determined to make a strong showing.
    * Damien Fitzhenry: The Wexford and Duffry Rovers hurler makes a welcome return to the moutain and he is expected to make a strong bid to capture the All Ireland Poc Fada title. Damien has been a great supporter of this All  Ireland event for many years
    *  James Skehill: The Connacht Poc Fada 2010 Champion is from the Cappataggle Club. He makes a welcome return to the Annaverna mountain and is expected to make a strong showing.
    * Neil Hackett: The Meath hurler plays with the St Peters Dunboyne Club, takes on the 5km all Ireland Poc Fada course for the very first time. Neill would hope to put up a strong challenge to lift the all Ireland title at his first attempt.

 
 
M DONNELLY ALL IRELAND POC FADA 2010
Gerry Fallon (Roscommon)

Ruairi Convery (Derry)

Eoin Reilly (Laois)

Seamus Coffey (Cork)

James Skehill (Galway)

James McGarry (Kilkenny)

Damien Fitzhenry (Wexford)

Graham Clarke (Down)

Karol Keating (Down)

Brendan McNamara (Clare)

Donal O Brien (Mayo)

Neil Hackett (Meath)

Camogie

Patricia Jackman (Waterford) 2009 Champion

Stephanie Gannon (Galway)

Voureen Quigley (Louth)

Jacqui O'Connor (Tipperary)

Fionnuala Carr (Down)

Bernie Murray (Cullyhanna, Armagh)

Catriona Cantwell (St. Annes, Louth)
Boys Under 16
Patrick Nugent (Antrim)
Sean Barry (Waterford)

Owen Tracey (Galway)

Dónall Connolly Jr. (Louth)