St Paul’s Sean Og McLaren retained his Ulster Under 16 Poc Fada title when he won Tuesday evening’s competition on Gawkstown Hill, Glenarm, the scene of his Antrim triumph just over a week earlier.
The big La Salle student had two shots to spare over Derry representative Paul McNicholl of Ballinascreen with Oran McAnareney of Ballela Co Down In third place, just metres short of McNicholl. Sean Og, who was beaten by one stroke in last year’s All Ireland final will get his chance to go all the way this time when the All Irelands are held in the Cooley mountains in early August.
In the big battle of the night Conor Woods of Ballycran and Down edged out Antrim veteran Liam Watson on countback, both players competing the course in 25 pocs, but Woods coming out on top in the distance over the finish line but just over 30 metres. When you hear the names Woods and Watson you think of the two American golfing greats and the contest at Hoylake in 2014 when the older Watson outscored the Tiger decisively to come within a putt of winning his 8th Open title. Tuesday’s evening’s contest was a much closer battle with the younger man coming out on top this time, but the good news for all Watson fans is that he will contest the All Ireland final along with Woods in August.
Another man showing age was no barrier was Gearalt Ó Mianáin of Na Magha in Derry, the 49 year old finishing just one poc behind after a great display. Gearalt wore a special jersey in memory of his former club mate Aodhán O’Donnell and he certainly done him proud.
The Ladies competition was played over a shorter course because of the delayed start due to torrential rain and what a finish it produced with the winner Emma Mulvaney of the Castletara team in Monaghan finishing just four metres ahead of Danielle McCourt of Ballyholland Co Down, in what surely must be the tightest ever finish in the history of the competition.
Just like Sean Og McLaren did in the Under 16 Boys, Tierna Kelly of Ballinascreen and Derry did the same in the Under 16 Girls category. Tierna was in top form as he got the better of Antrim champion Eimhear Ward of St John’s Camogie Club Carnlough Antrim, with Scarlett Lennon of Armagh in 3rd.
Aftewards everyone were treated to refreshments down at Pairc Forsythe, the home pitch of competition hosts, Shane O’Neill’s of Feystown, Glenarm, who once again were the perfect hosts. A special thank-you must also go to the O’Kane family for the use of their ground at Gawkstown Hill and to James Burleigh who did great work on his Quad setting up the course and ferrying officials around the course.
2023 Poc Fada winners who will be in the Cooley Mountains in August to represent their clubs and counties. Back L-R, Tierna Keely, Sean Og McLaren, Emma Mulvaney. Front left is Liam Watson who goest through as runner up and overall champions Conor Wood
