The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
The 2020 M. Donnelly GAA All-Ireland Poc Fada Finals were officially launched by Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, John Horan in Co. Louth today.
This year’s competition is an invitational event seeing recent competitors return to the mountain in what promises to be a highly competitive field. Clare will be represented in the Men’s competition by Tubber’s Ronan Taafe.
This year also celebrates one of the longest running GAA sponsorships with Cooraclare native Martin Donnelly sponsoring GAA Poc Fada for 25 years through his MD myclubshop.ie brand- A
Speaking at today’s launch Uachtarán CLG John Horan said “Given all of the difficulties we have experienced with staging events this year because of the pandemic, it is uplifting to see that the significant 60th anniversary staging of An Poc Fada is in the calendar with an invitational field of talent assembled. There is great credit due to the organising committee who over the last number of years have succeeded in greatly reviving the interest in an event which has its roots so deep in our history and consistently draws some of the best of our players to the fabled Annaverna mountain range. Martin Donnelly deserves our thanks for his long standing commitment to supporting this competition and I wish all involved a safe and successful and enjoyable day on the mountain course”.
Defending senior hurling champion Cillian Kiely (Uíbh Fhailí) puts his crown on the line against a high calibre field that includes his brother Cathal and nine time Poc Fada champion Brendan Cummins along with Ronan Taafe.
Galway’s Catríona Daly will be aiming to defend her title in a high calibre field that includes former champions Aoife Murray (Cork), Lyndsey Condell (Carlow), Susan Earner (Galway).
Unfortunately, due to Covid 19 restrictions that have been in place in the months leading up to the event, there is no Under 16 competitions this year.
The M. Donnelly GAA All-Ireland Final proceedings will get under way at 11am on Annaverna Mountain, Ravensdale, Co. Louth on Saturday, September 5th.
