Convery collects third title in a row

Derry’s Ruairi Convery had to fight off stiff competition as he claimed his third Ulster Poc Fada title in a row.  Played in perfect conditions over Divis Mountain, just outside Belfast, Convery held his nerve despite challenges from Karol Keating (Down) and Antrim men Brian McFall and Neil McManus.

As the competitors reached the summit of Divis, at 478 metres (1,562ft), McFall had a slight edge over the reigning champion.  However as the competition intensified, and the striking got longer, it was Convery who showed his experience over this course to run out the well deserved winner.

In the Camogie event it was another Derry victory as Kathleen Taggart from the Lavey Club won from Laura McGuinness (Armagh) and Patricia McCarry (Antrim).

Down had a winner in Sean Savage, who collected the Under 16 title after defeating Derry’s Gareth Shaw and Donegal’s Jamie McLaughlin.

In the Over 40’s section Gary Savage (Down) yielded his crown to Antrim’s Collie Murphy.  Poc Fada enthusiasts Ray Durack (Donegal), Mark Sidebottom and Ali McAllister (Antrim) returned to compete in this event and each returned excellent scores.

Results

Senior Hurling – 1^st Ruairi Convery (Derry) 34 pucks; 2^nd Karol Keating (Down) 35 pucks; 3^rd Brian McFall (Antrim) 35 pucks; Neill McManus (Antrim) 36 pucks; 4^th Gareth Johnson (Down) 38 pucks; 5^th Stphen Burns (Donegal) 42 pucks; 7^th Simon Doherty (Armagh) 44 pucks.

Senior Camogie – 1^st Kathleen Taggart (Derry) 51 Pucks; 2^nd Laura McGuinness (Armagh) 54 pucks; 3^rd Patricia McCarry (Antrim) 55 pucks; 4^th Jordan Hynes 9Down) 66 pucks; 5^th Chantelle Grant (Donegal) 79 pucks

Under 16 Hurling – 1^st Sean Savage (Down) 43 pucks; 2^nd Jarleth Shaw (Derry) 44 pucks; 3^rd Jamie McLaughlin (Donegal) 45 pucks; 4^th Francis Short (Armagh) 45 pucks; 5^th Domhnall Moran (Antrim) 46 pucks; 6^th Duibhir Marshall (Tyrone) 48 pucks

Over 40 Hurling – 1^st Collie Murphy (Antrim) 40 pucks; 2^nd Gary Savage (Down) 41 pucks; 3^rd Ray Durack (Donegal) 41 pucks; 4^th Mark Sidebottom (Antrim) 45 pucks; 5^th Ali McAlister (Antrim) 48 pucks