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6 NEWS
August 3, 2007 | Gaelic Life
Derry
spring
Under 21
shock on
Antrim
BY ALAN RODGERS
a.rodgers@gaeliclife.com
A SEASON of surprises on the U-
21 hurling front took a further
twist this week when Derry became
the latest team to make
their mark by capturing the Ulster
title.
Just when people were expecting
the fancied Antrim side to fulfil
the promise of their Minor
days, up stepped the Oak Leafers
to record a 2-16 to 1-18 victory. It
puts them through to the All-Ireland
semi-final clash against
Dublin in a few weeks.
But according to Derry’s Hurling
co-ordinator, Joe McGurk, the
memory of past meetings against
Antrim inspired their young stars
to clinch the provincial crown.
“We knew that we’d be on track
if we managed to stay with them
in the first quarter or so. That’s
how things panned out and we’re
delighted with the win,” he said.
“What makes it even more special
is the fact that we were missing
a few players. But the win is a
reward for the work at youth level
and the policy of introducing a
lot of the young players into the
senior squad.
“This win hopefully shows that
Derry are on their way back as
genuine challengers at senior level.
There’s a lot of work going on
at youth level and it’s beginning to
pay dividends,” he added.
Close calls against Galway and
Limerick in the All-Ireland Minor
quarter-finals during the past two
years had many forecasting an
Antrim win.
But Derry’s triumph follows hot
on the heels of the shock in Leinster
which saw Dublin and Offaly
rather than the traditional powers
contest the provincial decider
there.
Now Derry will be aiming to
make their mark against the Dubs
at the penultimate stage in the
All-Ireland. That game is fixed for
August 18.
In a legend’s footsteps
BY ALAN RODGERS
a.rodgers@gaeliclife.com
IRELAND’S top hurlers from the 21st
century will be walking in the footsteps
of the man of the moment, Cu
Chulainn, in the 5th Century BC at the
annual An Poc Fada which takes place
this weekend.
A traditional 5km route around the
Cooley Mountains will see Brendan
Cummins, Davy Fitzgerald and Eoin
Kelly among those bidding to emulate
the legendary young Setanta. The
event takes place tomorrow (Saturday)
and is once again expected to draw a
large attendance for the popular event.
Ulster will be represented by Down
goalkeeper, Graham Clarke and Fermanagh
midfielder, Jason McManus.
But the favourites to win the competition
outright is reiging champion Brendan
Cummins, with Davy Fitzgerald
aiming to regain the title he last won
earlier this decade.
“There’s no corporate boxes on the
Cooley Mountains, so we’re encouraging
people to dress appropriately for
all kinds of weather,” said one of the
organisers, Pat McGinn.
“Over 100 people will be involved in
Ireland’s top hurlers follow the
path trodden by Cu Chulainn in
tomorrow’s Poc Fada
There’s no
corporate
boxes on the
Cooley
Mountains
the running of this event on Saturday.
We always like to get young people involved
and that’s again the case this
year.
“It’s amazing that both Brendan
Cummins and Davy Fitzgerald
have been in the news a
lot this year. So, I’d say
they’ll be anxious to do well
in the Poc Fada,” he added.
As well as the main senior
competition, there will also
be action in the U-16 grade
and camogie, where
Antrim’s Jane Adams is the
Ulster representative.
Others in the event, which
is sponsored by M Donnelly, are James
Skehill, John Grealish and Keith Carr
of Galway, Albert Shanahan, Shane
O’Connor of Offaly and Pat Mulanny of
Laois.
The Poc Fada was re-established in
1961 and relives the legend of the
young Setanta pucking the sliotar
through the Cooley Mountains
without it hitting the ground.
Brendan Cummins currently
holds the
course record and looks set to maintain
his recent dominance of the competition
this year. And, the race for the
title is set to take the very best out of
every competitor over the Annaverna
Mountain.
An Corn Cuailgne ("The
Cooley Cup") is awarded to
the player who takes the
lowest number of pucks.
Ties are broken by the distance
by which the player's
last puck crosses the finish
line.
There is also the comórtas
beirte (pairs competition)
in which the competitors
are randomly assigned partners,
the pair with the lowest combined
score winning An Corn Setanta
("The Setanta Cup") and the
Corn na Craoibhe Rua ("The
Trophy of the Red Mountain").
HUNTING WITH THE HOUND...Tipperary's Brendan Cummins on his way to winning in last season’s Poc Fada.
“This is a unique cultural and sporting
event. While hurling is a team
sport, this is the only occasion in which
the players compete on an individual
basis,” added Pat McGinn.
“Armagh, Louth and Down are the
counties covered by the Cooley Mountains
and the aim of the Poc Fada has
always been to promote hurling in
those areas where it mightn’t be the
main sport.
“The competitors have qualified
from each of the provinces and we’ve a
couple of wild card entries as well. The
Annaverna Mountain course is difficult
and includes a 250ft ravine.
“Each of those will be attempting to
match the legend of Setanta going
across the Cooley Mountains and it’s
great that we can have the top hurlers
in Ireland, as well as those from some
of the weaker counties, competing together.”
Come Saturday night a new champion
will have taken the Setanta Cup
down the mountain, a route followed in
the past by such modern-day hurling
legends as Ger Cunningham of
Cork. Ollie Walsh of Kilkenny and
Pat Hartigan of Limerick.
Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE
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NEWSAGENTS
Main Street, Fintona
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WISHING TYRONE
ALL THE BEST!!
North Antrim golf
classic takes
place next week
YOUTH development will
be one of the main beneficiaries
of the Golf Classic
being organised by
the North Antrim Board
on Sunday August 12
next. It will take place at
Ballycastle Golf Club and
is the brainchild of hard
working chairman Niall
Kearney and PRO Cormac
O’Loan the competition
will be made up of teams
of four. The entry fee of
£160 per team (£40 per
person) includes green
fees and a meal afterwards
in the Ballycastle
Golf Club restaurant.
Anyone interested in taking
part should contact
Niall on 028 21771755 or
Cormac on 028
21758693.