2007

Brennan claims Kick Fada crown photos click here

Saturday, 8 September 2007

John Brennan from Carlow fought off stiff competition to be crowned the 2007 MBNA Kick Fada All-Ireland champion. Brennan's winning kick measured 67 metres.

 

A star studded cast of Gaelic footballers including Dublin's Mark Vaughan and Johnny Magee and Monaghan pair Dick Clerkin and John Paul Moane lined out for the 8th annual MBNA Kick Fada which saw another top class display of accurate kicking from distance . World record holder, Mark Herbert of Kildare and defending champion Fintan Ruddy from Mayo couldn't find the form of previous years and bowed out mid way through the competition. Following his win, John Brennan attempted to beat the all Ireland and world record of 72 metres set by Mark Herbert six years ago but was unable to find the distance.

In the ladies final, Irene Munnelly from Wolfe Tones in Navan won with a successful kick from 45 metres. Christine Murphy of Wicklow and Bray Emmets Aisling O'Hanaig shared second place.

Christine Murphy and Aisling O'Hanaig shared second place.

MBNA Kick Fada and Mini All Ireland  

When Mick O'Dwyer took over the reins of Wicklow senior footballers last October, few would have believed that an All Ireland honour would be bestowed upon a member of his squad within the first year. Well this Saturday (08/09/07 the legend himself, Mick O'Dwyer will be in Bray to receive the MBNA Kick Fada Hall of Fame award from Bray Emmets GAA Club. The presentation is just one of the highlights to what promises to be a busy day for the Bray Emmets club.

Bray Emmets GAA club has the esteemed honour of hosting the 8th Annual MBNA Kick Fada and Mini Hurling and Camogie All Ireland at their fantastic grounds up at Old Connaught. The MBNA Kick Fada continues to attract the very best GAA stars from both the men's and ladies codes from the four provinces. Some of these stars may have been bitterly disappointed to narrowly miss out on a team All Ireland medal this year, but this Saturday they have an opportunity to claim an individual All Ireland medal for themselves.

The busy schedule starts out at 11am with the Mini All Ireland getting the show on the road. Numerous teams from around Leinster have been invited to play in this mini All Ireland and for some spectators over the last few years this event has been the highlight of the day. There will be two age groups participating and Bray Emmets U12's and U14's will be gunning to keep this impressive home record intact this Saturday.  

The 8th Annual MBNA Kick Fada two main events promise to be the most exciting in years with a fantastic selection of intercounty stars all vying for this prestigious title. Both of last year's winners, Mayo's Fintan Ruddy and Meath's Gillian Bennett, will be back to defend their titles. The Ladies competition begins at  12.45 pm  and the Mens at 1.30pm. 

As all followers of the 15 man game are well aware it wasn't the new floodlights that light up Croke Park this summer, it was a certain peroxide haired man, Mark Vaughan, who shone brightly throughout the championship. This Saturday, Mark will make the short journey to Bray to see if a Dub can win their first All Ireland medal since 1995. With other stars like Tom Kelly, Liam McBarron and the Magee brothers all "apparently" practicing to all hours of the evening over the weekend, Fintan Ruddy will have to produce his best form to win back-to-back titles.

The Participants include: Paul Hearty (Armagh),   Liam McBarron (Fermanagh), Mark Vaughan (Dublin), Fergal Byron (Laois), Tom Kelly (Laois), Darren Magee (Dublin),   James Masters (Cork),   Aisling O HAnnaidh (Wicklow), Stephen McNicholas (Wicklow), Daithi Regan (Meath), Jonny Magee (Dublin), Pauline Brogan (Donegal), Grainne Nulty (Meath),   Mary Sheridan (Meath),  Joanne Munnelly (Tyrone)

Kick Fada Social Evening A Social evening for all club members will follow the Kick Fada next Saturday.  Bring your own drinks. Music provided. Commences at 8pm.

2006

All Ireland Kick Fada and Mini- All Ireland Hurling Competitions.

Great day was had by all last Saturday when the MBNA Kick Fada and the Mini hurling/camogie All Ireland taking place. Big thank you to all involved in making the day such a huge success from pitch set up to catering, from referees to players.

With a field of 24 runners and representatives from every province, this was far and away the best MBNA Kick Fada line-up ever assembled by Bray Emmets. On a fine day which turned into a sun-baked afternoon, the players responded by treating up to 1000 people present at Old Conna to a fine kicking duel from the longest and most accurate kickers in the country with Mayo's Fintan Ruddy finally emerging victorious with a kick of 62m into a stiffish breeze which blew in from the Sugar Loaf.

In taking the mantle of champion across the Shannon for the first time, he may also have lifted Mayo hearts as they prepare for Sunday's All Ireland final against Kerry in Corke Park. He just had too much distance for four time champion Mark Herbert (Kildare) with Armagh 's Paul  Hearty and Bray Emmet's own Paul O'Keeffe in joint third place.

A world of congratulations too for Bray minor captain Stephen McNicholas who  kicked magnificently and finished ahead of a host of household names including  Westmeath's Gary Connaughton, Cork's James Masters and  Meath's Daithin Regan.

There was heartbreak for the second year in a row for local girl Aisling Ni hAnnaidh who finished second again, this time behind the impressive Meath kicker Gillian Bennett, who slotted over from 48 metres to win a tense duel.

All Ireland Kick Fada and Mini- All Ireland Hurling Competitions

Saturday 9th September 2006.

Kelly striving for third kick fada title
16/08/2006 - 20:26:59

Offaly's Paraic Kelly will defend his MBNA Kick Fada crown at Bray Emmets GAA club on Saturday, September 9.
The Faithfuls' goalkeeper, who won the 2005 event with a kick of 63 metres, will return as he attempts to retain the title for the second successive year.
The Co Wicklow venue will see more than 20 stars of Gaelic football compete at the seventh annual running of the Kick Fada.
Kelly, amongst others, will be attempting to break the current All-Ireland and World record of 72 metres, set by four-time Kick Fada champion Mark Herbert (Kildare).

The Ballyteague man set the mark in 2001.
The 2006 competition was launched at Croke Park this afternoon by reigning champion Kelly and Dublin midfielder Ciaran Whelan.

The senior men's and ladies' champions will receive an MBNA Kick Fada All-Ireland medal, with the overall winning kicker receiving the MBNA Kick Fada champion trophy.

Bertrand Boisse, MBNA Ireland's customer marketing manager, said at the launch: "Over the past seven years some of the biggest names in Gaelic football have turned out for the MBNA Kick Fada to compete for the All-Ireland title, and this year will be no different.
"The competition is a unique test of skill. Bray Emmets' new facilities at Old Conna in Bray are a credit to the club and we look forward to a great family day out next month."

Click here to Link to SportsFile Kick Fada Photos