Hearty wins Kick Fada title

A spectacular kick of 70 metres earned Armagh goalkeeper Paul Hearty the MBNA Kick Fada title for 2008, following a today's thrilling contest at the Bray Emmets GAA Club.

A spectacular kick of 70 metres earned Armagh goalkeeper Paul Hearty the MBNA Kick Fada title for 2008, following today's thrilling contest at the Bray Emmets GAA Club.

Hearty's effort was just two metres short of the record set by four-time winner Mark Herbert of Kildare in the 2001 competition.

Herbert was unable to take part in this year's event due to a knee ligament injury sustained in club training.

The ninth staging of the event saw Crossmaglen native Hearty beat off stiff opposition which included last year's winner John Brennan of Carlow, Fermanagh All-Star Marty McGrath, Dublin star Mark Vaughan and Offaly goalkeeper Padraig Kelly, who took the title in 2004 and 2005.

With a top-class field, Hearty was pushed all the way in search of the crown. Kelly finished in second spot, while 2006 winner Fintan Ruddy of Mayo claimed third.

Also amongst the competitors were Monaghan team-mates Dick Clerkin and JP Mone, Kildare goalkeeper Enda Murphy and his Westmeath counterpart Gary Connaughton.

Today's Ladies Kick Fada event was won by Meath forward Mary Sheridan. A sister of Meath senior footballer Joe Sheridan, she registered a winning kick of 43 metres.

The Seneschalstown native was just ahead of Naomh Mearnog duo Cliodhna O'Connor and Emma Dunne, who secured second and third spot respectively.

Meanwhile, RTÉ's Micheal O Muircheartaigh, who oversaw the day, was awarded with honorary membership of Bray Emmets GAA club in a presentation after the MBNA Kick Fada had finished.