Ulster Poc Fada titles for Antrim, Armagh and Cavan.
June 21st, 2024
Ruairi Og and Granemore Goalkeepers Conor McAlister and Cairrai Devlin became Ulster Number ones as they became the 2024 Ulster Poc Fada Senior Champions, following the final held in Glenarm yesterday evening.
Unlike last years challenging weather conditions, the weather was good on Thursday evening and 27 competitors and around a hundred made their way onto the mountain for the eagerly-anticipated contest.
The competition featured four categories: Senior and U16 Hurling, and Senior and U16 Camogie.
Cushendall man McAlister emerged as the winner in the Senior Hurling category, completing the course in 24 pocs and 89 yards to defeat Ballygalget’s FInbarr Kelly by 13yards, both progressing to Cooley in August. At the halfway point, the all competitors were separated by just less than 2 pocs, with the top three senior hurlers finishing in eight pocs plus yards.
The Under 16 Hurling competition saw Connor Delaney from Cootehill Celtic, Cavan claim his title as the champion of Ulster. He completed the course in 27 pocs and 72 yards, finishing ahead of Oran McAnarney from Ballela, Down by 27 yards.
In the Senior Ladies category, Cairrai Devlin from Granemore , Armagh secured the title, completing the course in 36 pocs and 109 yards, beating Antrims Cairie Connolly from Loughgiel Shamrocks, by 29 yards.
Katie Donnelly from St Brenda’s Ballymacnab, Armagh, came home in 34 pocs and 62 yards defeating Liatroims Aoibhean Farrel by 33 yards.
Following the event, all participants, spotters and spectators were invited back to the Shane Uí Neill clubrooms for refreshments and the presentation of awards. Each of the four winners received their Trophies, Ulster Medal and a £50 O’Neill’s voucher sponsored by Ulster GAA & Ulster Camogie.
Ulster Vice Chair, and Chairperson of the Hurling Committee, Michael Geoghegan expressed gratitude to Terence Mulvenna and Shane Uí Neill GAC for their hospitality and the fantastic venue.
Congratulations to all off our competitors and from all at Ulster GAA we wish Conor McAlister, Finbarr Kelly, Ciarrai Devlin, Connor Delaney and Katie Donnelly all the very best of luck when they compete against the best in Ireland on Annaverna Mountain, the Cooley Range, Co. Louth, on Monday August 5th. Your details have been forward on and a representative from the national Poc Fada Committee will be in touch with use closer to the event.