Will the Sheridan's defend their Cic Árd titles?

GAA

St Ultan’s GFC will host Ireland’s second ever All-Ireland Cic Árd competition in Sean Newman Park Bohermeen on Sunday 13th July (2pm) where the Sheridan siblings Joe and Mary will bid to defend the titles they won at the first competition.

To win a player must get the football over the crossbar which will rise up to a possible height of at least 98 feet (30 metres) or possibly even higher.

The crossbar and posts are a standard Gaelic football goalpost which is 21 feet wide (9.92 metres). This is quite a challenge to achieve maximum height and manage to keep the ball between the posts. In essence the Gaelic football equivalent of the famous Puc Fada.

At the inaugural event Joe Sheridan kicked the ball 80ft (24.4m) over the elevated cross bar in the men’s competition, while Mary Sheridan achieved a height of 60ft (18.3m).

The High Kick finale in 2024 was a nail-biting affair as Joe and St Ultan’s club man Gary Rogers were the last two competitors having both achieved a height of 78ft (23.8m). After the final round of kicks Joe was declared the winner with a triumphant kick of 80ft (24.4m) to be crowned Ireland’s first GAA High Kick champion.

In the Ladies final, Mary Sheridan, who won 11 Senior Championships and two Leinster championships with Seneschalstown. This year Mary has signed up with St Ultan’s to resume her football career. Mary also played for Ireland in the Australian Rules games.

The ladies’ competition was hugely competitive and went down to the wire. Both Mary and Linda Smyth kicked 58ft (17.7m) On the last round of the kicks Mary kicked over 60ft (18.3m) to be crowned Ireland’s first Ladies All Ireland High Kick champion.

Local business Tara Steel & Engineering are the main sponsors of this great competition. A beautiful bespoke trophy which was commissioned and handcrafted by Tara Steel will be presented to the ladies and men’s winners together with a €1,000 prize to both the men’s and ladies winners.

There will also be an underage Cic Árd competition, point kicking competitions, adults challenge race, penalty kick competitions, kids obstacle course and lots more fun activities for all the family on the day and amazing prizes.

Cost of entry for the main event for adults is €20 and all kid’s events are free.