Dunne faces star line-up in Poc Fada defence

LOUTH hurler Paul Dunne will defend his Poc Fada title in the Cooley Mountain tomorrow in one of the finest events in the history of the competition.

The last three winners, runners-up and third place finishers will all take part in the event held over a 5km course. Well known inter-county hurlers like Clare’s Davy Fitzgerald, Tipperary’s Brendan Cummins, Limerick’s Albert Shanahan and Galway’s Eugene Cloonan will be taking part.

“It was a great honour for me to win the Poc Fada last year,” said Dunne in Croke Park yesterday. “Being from Louth there’s not many chances to win an All-Ireland medal. It was a great boost for Louth hurling.”

GAA President Sean Kelly is anxious that the Poc Fada be incorporated into the association’s plans for an overall expansion of hurling throughout the 32 counties.

“In order for players to reach the highest level at hurling and football they must go to trials as youngsters, play for their club and then their county if they are to reach the top and we want the same to be the case with Poc Fada,” he said.

The ladies’ competition is incorporated into the event for the first time this year.