Don't be surprised if the shadowy spirit of Setanta himself - that's the genuine article, not the gangly Cork impostor currently bearing his name! - is hovering enviously over a certain county Meath village on Sunday 26th October, predicts An Fear Rua…

That's the date the famous Kilmessan hurling club, recently crowned champions of Royal Meath in senior hurling for the 26th time, will be holding their annual Poc Fada event for 'Over 40s'. About fifty to sixty stalwarts of the past, and some of the not so distant past, are expected to go to the post in this entertaining and exciting event.

Puckers, supporters and spectators will gather in the village in the car park of Thorne's pub between twelve noon and one o'clock before facing into the undulating and testing course. It may not be the Cooley mountains, but the man who wins this event will be no slouch at the poc fada.

The course is a bit over a mile long and slopes uphill all the way from Carlin's field, over the daunting 'water hazard' of the River Skeine, up through Quinn's and Collier's land and onwards to the club ground, nestling on the lower slopes of the Hill of Tara. No doubt, the legendary Setanta himself may have had a few pucks over the same ground from time to time, before pucking a sliothar into the gob of Culann's fierce hound, thus earning him his new name of Cú Chulainn.

'Par' for the course is about twenty-five or twenty-six pucks, finishing with an accurate puck between the posts at either end of the ground. Former Kilmessan manager and coach, Martin Curran, will be seeking his third trophy in succession, but he will be hard-pressed by the likes of Seán Horan, Dom Montague and Finbar O'Brien.

Afterwards, there will be a presentation in the club house - with free kegs of beer promised - and there will be 'wan almighty do'.

The Kilmessan Poc Fada is a unique event among the hurling clubs of Ireland. It's a fantastic day out and is built on a great community effort by everyone in the parish. AFR strongly recommends it to GAA aficionados from far and wide.

Help will be needed on the day with stewarding, 'spotting' of wayward sliothars and, of course, sponsorship for contestants. Proceeds from the event go back into the further development of the club and the event is sponsored by Drumloe Properties and Larson contractors.

If you're interested in taking part, or knowing more about the event, contact:

Nicky Horan (Yes, that Nicky Horan!) at 087-9973563
James Battersby at 086-8871428