Davy king of mountains after record-equalling win

DAVID FITZGERALD, who will keep goal for Clare in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final against Waterford at Croke Park on Sunday, last night won his second national title at the Poc Fada Finals in the Cooley Mountains, Dundalk.

“Yeah, it was fantastic, absolutely fantastic,” the Sixmilebridge clubman, who won All-Ireland titles with the Banner in 1995 and 1997, said.

“And what made the experience all the better was the fact that I equalled the record, which is 52 pucks for a course, which is around the four-mile mark. So, yeah, it was a great day,” he said.

“I don’t think that I have ever hit the ball as well as I hit it over the course of the day, so, yes, I am absolutely delighted.

Fitzgerald won the title in 1999.

“This is a competition which does not get too much publicity, but I still great a buzz from it. I will be higher going into the weekend game, not that I need to be much higher.

“The conditions were absolutely fantastic and the second stage included some of the most scenic views in all of Ireland.”

But the big question, from a Clare hurling perspective, is whether the massive effort will have any negative effect on him ahead of Sunday’s meeting with the might of the Munster champions, Waterford.

“I came out of it grand. I am a bit tired, but there are no pains and strains. Now this is over, I am concentrating all of my attentions on Sunday,” Fitzgerald said.

“All that matters is that we have to try and win on Sunday but it is going to be one of the most difficult challenges which we will face,” he said.

Aiden Ryan took the silver medal for second place on the mountain, while defending champion Albert Shanahan of Limerick found the going a bit tougher and finished third.