The St Vincent’s GAA Dave McCarthy Memorial Poc Fada was held on December 28 and was described as “a fantastic day” with over 60 teams participating.

There were four sections – male adult and juvenile, and camogie adult and juvenile – at the annual event, named after Dave McCarthy, a former Lord Mayor of Cork and a stalwart of St Vincent’s GAA club for many years.

Club PRO John Daly told The Echo: “It’s great to remember and recognise the great man in this way.”

A former Fianna Fáil, then independent, councillor who was elected lord mayor in 1997, Mr McCarthy passed away in 2011 at the age of 66 after a long battle with cancer.

“This has become more of an annual club gathering rather than a fundraiser, and was enjoyed by all on the day. We were blessed with the weather this year so this added to the attendance,” said Mr Daly.

“This wouldn’t happen without the organising committee of Wayne Murphy and Jason Daly ably supported by the underage and camogie committees. A special thanks to all who participated and made this another memorable long puck.”

Winning Trio at the St. Vincent's GAA Dave McCarthy Memorial Poc Fada were Darren O'Regan, Kane Murphy and Ryan Phelan. Picture: Mike EnglishWinning Trio at the St. Vincent’s GAA Dave McCarthy Memorial Poc Fada were Darren O’Regan, Kane Murphy and Ryan Phelan. Picture: Mike English

This year the adult winners were Kane Murphy, Ryan Fielding and Darren O’Regan who won in a playoff against the second place team of David Collins, Keith Sorenson and Adam Sorenson with David Butler, James Price and Alec Long not far behind in third.

The juvenile male winners were Adam Daly, Lucas Tynan and Cian Mc Carthy, narrowly pipping Darragh O’Connor, Coady Maher and Evan Power.

MIRACULOUSLY

Mr Daly added that “miraculously”, footballer Wayne Long won the longest puck with a superb strike.

The camogie section was also hotly contested with adult winners of Michelle Gould, Aoife Gould and Chloe Murphy defending their title, while the runner up spot went to Leah Cambridge, Claire O’Connor and Emma Dunlea. Niamh Ring won the longest puck.

Cormac McDonnell in action at the St Vincent's annual Dave McCarthy Puc Fada at Kerry Pike, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan. Cormac McDonnell in action at the St Vincent’s annual Dave McCarthy Puc Fada at Kerry Pike, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan.

The camogie juvenile winners on the day were Ava Kelly, Ellie Long and Lauren O’Mahony narrowly pipping Lilly O’Neill, Kara Murphy and Faye Spillane, and the juvenile long puck went to Megan O’Mahony.

The club congratulated everyone who took part in the event, saying: “It was a great day for it and fantastic to see so many teams take part with a great atmosphere on the course and back at Hollymount House for the presentations.”

Niamh Ring in action at the St Vincent's annual Dave McCarthy Puc Fada at Kerry Pike, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan. Niamh Ring in action at the St Vincent’s annual Dave McCarthy Puc Fada at Kerry Pike, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan.

They thanked Brian Morely for the music, the organising committee, the ladies committee who looked after the soup and sandwiches, and all the stewards on the course keeping everyone safe.

Janice and Isabel Duggan with Pippi, Mia and Lacy who took part in the St Vincent's annual Dave McCarthy Poc Fada at Kerry Pike, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan. Janice and Isabel Duggan with Pippi, Mia and Lacy who took part in the St Vincent’s annual Dave McCarthy Poc Fada at Kerry Pike, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan.