European Poc Fada Champion aims to be a “big hit” at the Poc Fada Finals this weekend.

Jake O’ Sullivan originally from Charleville, Cork and currently representing ,

France, County Europe will represent Europe in the Poc Fada Finals of 2012. Jake hopes to become Europe’s first ever winner of the event. The Poc Fada now in its fifty first year traditionally begins at "An Fhána Mór", Annaverna, County Louth, competitors must puck a sliotar with a hurley to the top of Annaverna Mountain, "An Céide," and onwards to "Carn an Mhadaidh"' and after a short break continue down to "An Gabhlán," finishing back at "An

Fhána Mór," Annaverna. The whole course measures 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) with all the

Senior Men competing for the Setanta Cup.

(Jake O’Sullivan gets ready to take a free at the tournament in May 2012 for the Paris Gaels.

Jake had a fantastic year being one of Europe’s top scorers and one of the most accurate free takers in the Championship. It has already been a fantastic year for the Paris Hurling and teams of 2012 with the rejuvenation and performances of the Men’s Hurling team under the stewardship of Manni Kreuer. Jake was a vital part of this hurling rebirth for this great European club with its fantastic tradition of sporting success. The Paris Camogie team won the Camogie Championship of 2012 with victory in 3 out of 4 tournaments. Paris also held the Camogie workshop at the start of the 2012 season and its results paid dividends as we had an extremely competitive and unpredictable Camogie Championship.

Jake will represent Paris, Charleville, Cork, and Europe with pride and do his level best to join the illustrious Cork heroes and legends of the past who took part in the competition, Ger Cunningham Member of the Poc Fada Hall of Fame with (7 titles in a row), Finbar O’Neill (3 in a row) and the great Denis Murphy (1 title).The record currently stands at 48 pucks an average of 104 metres per puck to complete the course held by Brendan Cummins (Tipperary) since 2004. If Jake averages slightly under a puck for every year the tournament has been had he could be in with a shout to win. Let’s all hope Jake uses his skills, strength and knowhow to navigate the tough and tricky course. Also if we cast our eye back to last year Patrick Stritch from Den Haag represented us so well so Jake will have big shoes to fill so let’s pledge our support for Jake to do his best.

Pledge your support to Jake through Facebook (Jake O’Sullivan, Paris Gaels GAA, European County Board Facebook or me Brian Clerkin).

Pledge your support to Jake in email to [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected]

Keep your eyes out for future stories like this, or would you like to have one on your own, get in touch and send information, photos or videos.

Your European PRO ([email protected])

Brian Clerkin