(05 Jan 2009)
Report on “Inaugural St Judes Poc Fada”
By: Niall Ryan
Date: Noon Saturday 13th December
Location: Tymon Park
See Gallery->Adult Hurling->Poc Fada for more photos.
On a dry crisp morning in near perfect conditions, the Inaugural St Judes Poc Fada got underway. The first shots to be played around the course of Tymon Park were by “The Faithful Rebels”, a team made up of hurling stalwarts Declan Feore & Oliver O’Connor.
They toured the course with “The Banner” a team of father and son duo Pat and Evan Griffin. After completing the round in 55 strokes, O’Connor was heard to say “well that was incredible!! I have just participated in a brand new sport, its fantastic!!”
In total there were 25 teams that took part in the competition to shoot a sliothar around the park, through a challenging course of fields, hedgerows, ditches, trees and water. There was a good spread of support from across the club, including representation from the 3 adult hurling teams, as well as the minor hurlers and calorie.
The teams entered had some very entertaining names indeed including “Wet Things” (Ronan Joyce and Vinny Walsh), “Camogie Stars” (Siobhan & Fiona) and the deadly brotherly duo “Skyrockets” (Vinny and Conor Kelly) to name but a few!!
There were some very competitive scores recorded with “Twin Town” (Neil Guinan & Alan Kennedy) catching the eye with 33 strokes, “Scriptor Utd” (Dave o`Hara & Mark Molloy) on 34 strokes and “Offaly”, (Eoghan & Sean O’Connor) on 37 strokes joint score with “Average Joes” (Mark & Alan) and “Golden Vale” (Kevin o`Dwyer & Niall Ryan).
The Max Maguire’s (Ross O’Brien & Timmy McCarthy) were so enthused with the course that having gone out the first time on a score of 44, they played a second round slashing a massive 7 shots off their original score!!
However the score that had the most controversy was that of “Gucks Gadgets” fielding a relatively inexperienced Poc Fada team of Niall Guckian and Kevin McLoughlin. They managed a score of 30, while the minor combo of “Knobs and Knockers” (Mike & Bob) that walked the course with them scored an amazing 31. The outcome of these foursomes left a number of the judges scratching their heads and cries by competitors for a rematch!!
In the end it was agreed that the fairest outcome was to have a raffle draw with each team in with an equal shout! This turned out trumps for “Gucks Gadgets” as they pulled the first prize from the hat. Second place was “The Shenanigan’s” (David Roche & Stephen Reilly) with Bilboa Sally (Pat Quigley & Michael Ryan) 3rd place and the Highlanders (Rob Hyland & Brendan Culhane) in 4th.
Thanks to all the members of the Intermediate hurling team who sponsored prizes on the day as well as corporate sponsors O’Boyle and Mangan Construction (Tomas Mangan), Beacon Hotel (Kevin Hayes) and AF O’Leary (Denis Ryan).
Thanks to Fiachra Feore and Vinny Kelly for work on the course route and its review and also to Kieran Quigley for his excellent map drawing!!.
Finally however great credit is due to Martin Ryan, for bring this fantastic event from Cork to St Judes and for turning it into what will hopefully become an annual event in the calendar of St Judes every December.
It was a fantastic day for the club and all participants were safely backed into the clubhouse bar by 3pm, for what was a very enjoyable evening.
END