Poc Fada 2025 – O’ Donoghue, Codd and Mahon scrape home with meters to spare
The Annual Poc Fada took place on Saturday last in Cherryfield over a specially designed course. Thankfully the weather played its part by drying up just in time for the first Poc. The early morning rain made the course a little more difficult with the sliotar a little heavier. 18 teams took part, with each team taking an average time of about 50 minutes to complete the course. The teams were mostly made up of a Senior Hurler, a Junior or Intermediate and a Minor. This year we also allowed some “veteran” teams to enter and they showed that their skills are eternal!! Players took their shots in strict rotation and strategy proved essential in getting around the course in the fewest shots. Penalty shots could be added for missing certain targets along the way. Each team was accompanied by a referee whose job it was to ensure rules were adhered to, apply penalties where necessary and to count the shots taken.
Feed back suggested the course was just about right. Five teams went around in 28 shots and the judges had to use the measuring tape to determine the winner…..5.5 metres separated first from second. Conor O’ Donoghue, Malachy Codd and Jamie Mahon dovetailed well to get around the course without getting into too much trouble and proved worthy winners. Jack Lambert, Adam Kelly and Ciarán McCluskey came in second just ahead of Finn McGarry, Liam Mac Phaidín and Conor Fitzgerald. Having a goalkeeper on a team seems to be a help and would suggest puck out strategy and accuracy are a good combination in this event. Congratulations to the winning team and thanks to their referee, Billy Coman for keeping track on them.
Special thanks to all who helped the smooth running of the event. Ned Slattery was on hand to ensure all started in time, our photographer John Kirwan ensured the event was recorded for posterity. Our large group of referees and stewards are essential to the operation and we thank them for their assistance. The course designers, Joe Ryan and Dave Conway deserve special mention and credit for the way the course was put together and the overall smooth running of the event.
Sincere thanks to our Sponsor, Storyhouse. Donal Ashe (pictured with John Kirwan) was on hand in the clubhouse later that evening to present the winners with their trophies. The Adult Hurling Section is indebted to them for their continued sponsorship of the Poc Fada and we wish them every success.
The Poc Fada has been a tremendous success bringing together players from each team in the section, as well as mentors and supporters in a fun event which has been part of our calendar for a number of years. A look through the photos will give some insight into the event, the level of skill involved and the co-operation of club members in running the event. Míle buíochas do gach éinne a ghlac páirt agus do gach duine a chabhraigh linn.
We now look forward to the business end of the championships and wish every success to our teams.
Click here for photos of the event