Come rain or come sunshine, An Poc Fada on the Hen Mountain has become a great tradition in Clonduff Parish on Boley Monday. There was certainly no sunshine and there were plenty of intermittent showers in 2015. It was one of the best turnouts especially among the female competitors with four adult and four U16 females; six male adults and two U16 boys. The start was slightly delayed due to the rain but the sixteen competitors and the 9 or 10 ‘spotters’ eventually set off in great spirits. Of course, the rain came down again as the group reached the base of the first tor! It was too much for the youngest climbers Brendan and Senan Quinn – at least that’s the excuse their father gave when they returned early! Everyone else stayed the course!
First home was the Woods Family, Thomas and Colm who had dad Marty and little sister Laura ‘spotting’ for them over the juvenile course. Very little separated the four girls competing for the first time over the course – the winner by a single hit was guest competitor Lauren Clarke followed Katie McGilligan with Cara Boden and Ali Magee following close behind.
In the Ladies section Guinevra McGilligan and Kitty Fegan finished level with Orla Maginn and Debra Murray on hit behind. Normally what happens in the case of a draw the winner is decided by a long puck decider but as Guinevra had twisted her knee with her last strike on the mountain the two ladies – the current and former Clonduff Camogie Goalkeepers – agreed to share the title.
John Murphy, once again collected the men’s title but only by a single hit ahead of Rhys Ward, Damien Farnon, Andy Quinn and Chris Young.
When everyone was off the mountain Clonduff Youth Officer Shane Quinn presented the trophies to Thomas and Lauren. Chief Organiser of the Poc Fada from its inception, Damien Farnon presented the trophies to Guinevra/Kitty and John.
