The Poc Fada championships are regarded as one of the most prestigious competitions in the Gaelic Games Family.This year was special as it was the 50th Anniversary of Poc Fada. The history of hurling on the Cooley peninsula takes us all the way back to our mythology and folklore long before our history was documented . Some believe it has Greek origins dating back more than 3,000 years. It came to Ireland with migrating celts. From early Irish mythology the tale of the "Tain bo Cuailgne"tells of setanta pucking his sliotar of silver all the way across the cooley mountains as he made his way to Emain Macha , where he went to join the Red Branch Knights-the inspiration got this wonderful and unique event that is held on the Annaverna mountain each year. Similar tales are told about Fionn Mac Cumhaill and his legendary warrior band "Na Fianna" . It is Fionn's faithful and loyal dog " Bran " who is buried at Carn an Mhadaigh(cairn of the Dog),the halfway point on the Poc Fada course. It was great getting the story from Martin Donnelly walking over the mountain,he had stories and tales which showed his love for the competition,also he knew the way Brendan Cummins was going that he could Crete a new record. I was checking out what hurleys the players were using Brendan Cummins - jim o'Brien Stevie Brenner (Waterford) Frank Murphy Tadhg Haran (Galway). Canning Hurley Davy fitzgerald - Willie Bulfin usually uses torpey Patrick Stritch (Holland-European winner) Cultec Christy o'Connor -Clare. - Cultec Graham Clarke 2010 winner -Torpey and Scullion James mc Garry -star ramie downing Hurley Shane Hassett (tipp) Frank Murphy I missed out on a few ,It was fun but at the same time it was a All Ireland and great pride on how they got on .Brendan Cummins was on fire and his fitness helps as well,he ran around the mountain . It was a great day and I like to thank Shay Larkin www.anpocfada.net ,Martin Donnelly www.mdonnelly.ie for promotion www.handcrafthurleys.com I Think once you go to the Poc Fada you are part of a Family , It was also great to meet President of the GAA Christy Cooney and President of the Camogie Joan o' Flynn Brendan cummins won with 50 shoots Patricia Jackman won the Camogie Handcrafthurleys had engraved anpocfada fada hurleys for the organisers and players with the poc fada logo