Competitors will have the chance to see how they fare against Offaly great Shane Dooley.

Kinnitty poc fada gives chance to beat former and current GAA greats

If you've always suspected you can strike a sliotar better than former Offaly greats like Ger Coughlan, Johnny Flaherty, Mark Corrigan, Michael Duignan or Paudie Delaney, or even current Offaly players Shane Dooley or James Dempsey, Kinnitty GAA Club has come up with the perfect event for you. Competitors can take on both former and current greats at the club's fourth annual poc fada competition at noon on St Stephen's Day just outside Kinnitty village. The now annual event consists of a team of two players taking turns to hit a sliotar along a two mile course along the Walk Road, starting at the junction at Knockbarron and finishing at the edge of Kinnitty village. The aim of the game is to finish the course with the least amount of pucks to the sliotar, and competitors of any age are welcome to try their luck on the day once accompanied by an adult. Prizes this year will include the perpetual trophy, a meal for two sponsored by The Thatch Old World Bar and Restaurant and ash hurls and a cultec hurl donated by local hurley makers Johnny Flaherty and Peader Robinson. The overall winners of the 2012 competition will be presented with their trophy outside Giltrap's pub at 3pm on the day, while prizes will also be given in categories including over 50s, adult women, adult mixed and adult/juvenile if a minimum of four teams enter each category. Winners of this year's event will have the honour of joining a list of previous winners including Christopher Leonard and James Dempsey (2009 and 2010) and Peadar and Tom Robinson (2011). The entry fee for adults is €10, while juvenile and student entry will cost just €5. A complimentary Bushmills hot whiskey or tea/coffee will provided for all participants at Giltrap's at 3pm.