Tipperary goalkeeper Brendan Cummins will be back on Annverna Mountain this year to defend his M Donnelly All Ireland Poc Fada title.
The event takes place on Saturday the 1 August and starts at 1pm.
The All Ireland winning hurler, who holds the record for the challenging 5km mountain course, is hoping to claim his fourth All Ireland Craobh na hÉireann title in a row.
Amongst those hoping to take the title away from Brendan Cummins is Clare's Brendan McNamara, the Munster Poc Fada winner and Ulster Poc Fada Champion, Derry’s Ruairi Convery, who lost out to him last year by just two pocs.
Connacht Poc Fada Champion Kerrill Wade of Galway is also fancied to give a good account of himself and Leinster Champion Shane O’Connor from Offaly will also hope to be amongst the top challengers.
Roscommon’s Gerry Fallon, Dublin’s Fintan O Brien, Limerick’s Albert Shanahan, winner in 2001 and 2005, and Down’s Carl Keating are also in the line up.
Well known Wexford Camogie player Mags Darcy is down to compete for the Camogie Poc Fada and she will be joined by Galway's Catriona Daly, Patrica Jackman of Waterford, and Laura McGuinness of Armagh. The camogie contest is pencilled in to start at 12.30pm.
The under 16 Poc Fada sees Noel Fallon from Roscommon, Liam O'Dea from Limerick, Nathan Green from Armagh and Ronan Geoghegan from Louth competing for the title.
World Boxing Champion Bernard Dunne, a regular visitor to the Poc Fada which takes place on Annaverna Mountain near Ravensdale County Louth, is also expected to attend the contest and cross the mountain with the hurlers.
Chairperson of the national Coiste of An Poc Fada, Donie Nealon said that a great day’s completion was expected. ‘This is a very unique sporting event. We can expect a close contest.’
