Cummins ousts Clarke to annex fifth Poc Fada title

TIPPERARY Senior goalkeeper Brendan Cummins claimed his fifth M Donnelly All-Ireland Poc Fada title on Saturday evening, in the 50th Anniversary of the event, at the Annaverna Mountain in Cooley, Louth.

In glorious weather conditions, the five-time All Star took the honours ahead of last year’s champion Graham Clarke, finishing the five kilometre course in 50 pocs.

“It’s you against the mountain, ” Cummins said.

“It’s not too dissimilar to golf. It’s the only competition which is individual in the GAA.

“It’s all down to how you perform on the day and thankfully it worked out ok for me. There’s a great following and it was great to see GAA president Christy Cooney present also.”

Cummins also took the pairs title with Down’s Karol Keating, with a combined score of 109 pocs, ahead of Wexford’s Mark Butler and Down’s Graham Clarke who had a combined score of 111 pocs.

Waterford’s Stevie Brenner won the longest first poc title, having five inches to spare over Cummins.

Meanwhile, Waterford’s Patricia Jackman claimed three-in-a-row of camogie titles in 28 efforts.

Jackman, in her sixth year in the competition again proved impressive; finishing ahead of Galway’s Rachel Monaghan, who registered 31 pocs on her first visit to the mountain.

Offaly’s Cillian Kiely claimed the U16 boys title in 24 pocs; two ahead of Munster champion, Cork’s Darragh O’Callaghan of Watergrasshill.

15-year old Kiely will get the chance to retain his title next year, as he is once again eligible in 2012.

Results: M Donnelly All-Ireland Poc Fada: Senior Men’s: 1st B Cummins (Tipperary) 50 pocs; 2nd G Clarke (Down) 54 pocs; 3rd T Haran (Galway) 54 pocs.

Camogie: 1st P Jackman (Waterford) 28; 2nd R Monaghan (Galway) 31; 3rd L Condell (Carlow) 32.

Boys U16: 1st C Kiely (Offaly) 24, 2nd D O’Callaghan (Cork) 25, 3rd S Savage (Down) 28.