Clin ical Kiely ‘Cills’ off Poc Fada rivals
OFFALY’S Cillian Kiely clinched the M Donnelly All Ireland Poc Fada crown in some style on Annaverna Mountain on Saturday.
The Offaly man’s ability was never in question as he previously won back-to-back U-16 titles, but he proved he could more than mix it with the big boys last weekend.
The Kilcormac-Killoughey clubman had two pocs to spare on multiple champion Brendan Cummins and a further two on Kilkenney ace Eoin Murphy, who started the competition as the bookies’ favourite.
Kiely’s display suggested he can dominate in a similar fashion to Cummins in the years to come. There was little between the pair at An Ceide, but by Carn Na Madaigh, Kiely had eked out a nice lead and he had pulled two pocs clear by the next turn at An Gabhlan, a lead he mainatined to the finish.
Defending champion Tadhg Haran from Galway could only manage a sixth place finish, while Louth’s Ronan Byrne was tenth, taking 57 pocs to traverse what was a relatively dry course this year.
Haran may not have been able to retain his senior title, but there was plenty of joy for the Tribe in the Camogie competitions as Susan Earner claimed the senior crown and Maeve Muldoon won the U-16 title.
The U-16 hurling title was won by Tipp’s Kyle Shelly.