The more one learns about gaelic games, the more there is to learn. Take Poc Fada or “Long Puck” as example. While reading up on the GAA in Ulster (most of which is in Northern Ireland) I came upon a press release detailing the specifics for Ulster’s Poc Fada Championship. Not knowing what Poc Fada was, I looked it up.

It turns out the Poc Fada represents an individual competition that tests a hurlers ability to hit the sliotar over a long distance. Playing over a 5 km course that often climbs through mountains or other difficult terrain, players must attempt to complete the course with the fewest number of hits or “pucks.”

The Ulster competition finished in a thriller this past weekend, with the finalists being separated by only three yards after hitting 33 pucks over a 5 km course. The winner, as with all GAA regional competitions now advances to the All-Ireland championship that will be held on July 31st.

It also appears that Poc Fada can be contested in a pairs competition (the winners taking home the epically named “Trophy of the Red Mountain”) and that these competitions are popular charity events throughout the year. In fact, there is even a pub named for the competition in County Monaghan.