Limerick's Colin Ryan regains All-Ireland Poc Fada title
THIRD TIME LUCKY: Senior Hurling winner Colin Ryan of Limerick with the trophy. Pic: Piaras Ă“ MĂdheach/Sportsfile
Limerick's Colin Ryan hailed a sweet win after regaining the M. Donnelly All-Ireland Poc Fada title after three seasons of near misses.
The 2021 winner braved high winds - which rendered almost half of the traditional 5km course unplayable - to make off with the silverware having finished second in each of the last three seasons.
Two of the four sections on the Annaverna Mountain course were bypassed as a result of gale force gusting winds.
But 2018 All-Ireland SHC medallist Ryan, who also lined out in the 2017 All-Ireland U-21 final win with Limerick, held his nerve for a sweet win.
He shoved Offaly star Cillian Kiely into second place, defeating the 2018 and 2019 winner by just 13 metres overall.
Kerry man and Kilkenny hurler Fionan Mackessy, chasing a three-in-a-row of titles after his 2023 and 2024 wins, could only finish third in County Louth.
Ryan's win was all the more impressive as he played at centre-back for his club Pallasgreen in the Limerick IHC on Sunday afternoon.
Asked where the win ranks in his career achievements, Ryan said it's close to the top.
"It's right up there for me," he said.
"You're on your own, compared to playing with the club or in a team. So it's that bit tougher mentally. You're striking by yourself and there's no-one to help you with that strike, or to dig you out of a hole.
"So I put this win right up there in my career. The 2021 win was special but I'd say this was even more special having come second the last three years.
"To get over the line was great because you'd wonder at times would it happen again."
It was Ryan's first win with his young son, Fionn. His partner, Grace, along with family members and friends, were on hand for support.
Ryan completed the course in 25 pucks, the same as Kiely and Mackessy. But the 60 metres he added on from the ball going beyond the first turning point, and the finish line, won it for him.
Powerhouse Kiely could only add on 47 metres and Kerry native Mackessy 35 metres.
Ryan's last puck helpfully hit a rock after crossing the finish line and bounced on several metres, a stroke of good fortune.
"Every bit counts when it comes down to metres," said Ryan.
"I knew coming up for my last shot, we'd heard that Cillian was going well so we knew that if we hit a good one, we could win it. Thankfully I hit a rock! It took a nice little bounce and, look, it's a game of inches. It was great to get that bit of luck."
Tipperary great and 2025 All-Ireland U-20 winning manager Brendan Cummins came up short in his bid for a record 10th title, finishing seventh.
But there was a huge ovation for Cork's Molly Lynch who completed a five-in-a-row of senior camogie wins.
The goalkeeper required just 27 pucks, four ahead of the next competitor, to complete what was a full camogie course.
Former champion Killian Phelan of Kilkenny won the Paul Ward Cup, awarded for the longest single puck on the day.
Westmeath's Conor Raleigh won the U-16 boys title, narrowly edging out Galway's Oran Stratford while Offaly's Siofra Ginty was the outstanding U-16 camogie participant, taking the title with two pucks to spare.
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