The Monaghan Poc Fada Final was held in Cloghan on Sunday afternoon last when the pick of the big hitters turned out to represent their clubs at the county final of the Poc Fada competition. The competition and more recently the national final has been held annually at Annaverna Mountain, Ravensdale, Cooley, County Louth, since 1960, with competitors taking part in Mens Senior, Camogie and U16 grades. There has been a renewed interest in the Poc Fada this year throughout the country and each county has been encouraged by Croke Park to host their own event amongst their clubs in association with the 2013 Gathering.
Oifigenach Iomana, Malachy Trainor got Monaghan's participation launched on Sunday last with representatives from both the Castleblayney Hurling and Monaghan Harps Hurling clubs taking to the field to demonstrate their skills. "It was always going to be a close one to call in the senior grade final with county and Castleblayney goalkeepers Ronan McAteer and Hugh Byrne as well as the Harps ever green Alan Ryan displaying great distance shooting skills. Byrne was first up and launched a real rocket across the field but was outshone by McAteer who finished the first round as the leader. The second round told the tale of the day when Hugh Byrne with his second puck reached well in advance of 80 metres and he was declared the eventual winner after the third round just shading his opponent in what was a great contest".
U16.
In the Under 16 grade Alan Nugent and Cathal Power were the nominees from their respective clubs, Castleblayney and Monaghan Harps and the competition proved to be a great tussle between these players with Nugent striking into the lead after his first puck but Power hit the killer blow when he slammed his second puck over 70metres. .
Both representatives at senior and U16 grade will now compete in the Ulster finals which take place on Divis Mountain, Belfast on Friday 21st June with a chance to qualify for the All-Ireland finals in Cooley later. Tweet

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