Cummins is King Poc again

Tipperary’s Brendan Cummins claimed a record eighth M Donnelly All-Ireland Poc Fada title at the Annaverna Mountain in Louth yesterday.

Postponed three weeks ago due to poor weather conditions, Cummins took his fourth title in a row, winning in 54 shots.

In windy conditions, Derry’s Ruairi Convery was three shots back in second, with Laois goalkeeper Eoin Reilly finishing third.

“It means a lot, it’s extra special now, having gone one past Ger Cunningham’s record,” Cummins said.

“It always means a lot to come up here and participate, but to win it certainly makes it really special.”

Cummins beat off stiff competition to take the title, with the field also including last year’s All-Ireland-winning Clare goalkeeper, Patrick Kelly, and Dublin keeper Alan Nolan.

Earlier Waterford’s Patricia Jackman won her sixth All Ireland Camogie Poc Fada title in succession. In the most dramatic contest in years, Jackman, Galway’s Caitriona Daly and Limerick’s Martine McMahon all finished the course in 29 shots, but Jackman’s final shot finished 62 metres over the finish line, with Daly 47m behind and McMahon third.

Meanwhile, Antrim’s Donal McKernan became only the second All-Ireland winner from Ulster at any grade, when he beat last year’s champion Jack Coyne of Galway, to take U16 honours.