Colin Ryan falls just short in Poc Fada Finals defence

The defending champion was one of twelve competing at the Cooley Mountains on the bank holiday.

After claiming victory last year, Pallasgreen’s Colin Ryan fell just short in his bid to retain the Poc Fada title in Louth yesterday.

Instead, the trophy heads to Kilkenny as Killian Phelan claimed his first title, finishing just ahead of the defending champion.

At the Annaverna Mountain range in Louth, Ryan headed up a field of twelve that included fellow county man John Chawke who finished second in the Munster Poc Fada last month.

Eventual champion, Phelan, led the pack at the first corner with a score of 12+ 04mt, just ahead of Ryan (13+68m) and Anthony Daly of Galway (13+ 36.5mt).

The Limerick native had closed the gap significantly at the half way point, trailing by just 16mts. By this stage, Chawke had moved into the top four.

But in the finish, the Limerick charge just wasn’t enough as Phelan held on for a maiden victory with Ryan in second.

Elsewhere, Limerick’s Tadhg Boddy finished as runner up in the U16s competition, trailing winner Darragh Smith of Westmeath by 17mts.

Cork sisters Molly and Lucy Lynch took home the Senior and U16s camogie titles respectively.