All-Ireland Cic Árd (High Kick) returns for a second year

St Ultan’s GFC are proud to host Ireland’s second ever All Ireland Cic Árd Competition.

To win you 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 cross bar 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.

The Inaugural event was a double for the Sheridan family! Both Joe Sheridan and his sister Mary Sheridan were the respective winners of the St Ultan’s All Ireland High Kick Challenge. Joe kicked the ball 80ft (24.4m) over the elevated cross bar in the men’s competition. Mary achieved a height of 60ft (18.3m)

Joe is a Seneschalstown club man and former Meath player. The High Kick finale in 2024 was a nail-biting affair as Joe and 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; a member of the great Seneschalstown team, in which Mary won eleven Senior Championships and two Leinster championship. Mary has played county football for many years for Meath. This year Mary signed up with St Ultan’s football club to resume her glorious 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.

We are looking to see can these National Records be broken in 2025.

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 and amazing prizes for all the family on the day.

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

Date: Sunday 13th July 2024

Venue: Sean Newman Park, Allenstown, Kells, Co. Meath, A82TY75 Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Registration from 1pm.