THE PRESIDENT of the GAA Christy Cooney will be in Old Conna, Bray on Saturday Septemebr 11 for the 11th MBNA Kick Fada at which he will also officially open Bray Emmets new facilities -a clubhouse, and four pitches including a state of the art astroturf and lights with an enclosed arena. The President's visit also coincides with the club's 125th anniversary celebrations as a member of the GAA and a special Cut Fada is being introduced to mark the gala occasion.

A number of top exponents of the craft including Glaway's Ger Farragher, Kilkenny captain TJ Reid, Tipperary's Eamonn Corcoran and Dublin's Alan McCrabbe are expected to attend.

But it is the MBNA Kick Fada which will be the main draw with the likes of Dublin player Bernard Brogan heading a star-studded cast of participants. He will face a much sterner challenge in Bray than he got from the Cork defence in the recent All Ireland semi-final when he puts his talents on the line against holder Brian Sheridan and his brother Joe from Meath, former winners Padraig Kelly (Offaly) and Mark Herbert (Kildare) not to mention the local challenge headed by Wicklow's Tony Hannon and Niall Gaffney of Bray Emmets.

The Ladies competition always goes down to the wire and this year local girl Aisling Ni hAnnaidh will be hoping to emulate the feat of of Roundwood kicker Aine McGillycuddy who is the only Wicklow winner in the 10 years of the event.

Aisling will face a stern challenge from last year's winner Suzanne Hughes who is seeking her third title and Meath's Mary Sheridan, sister of Brian and Joe.

Not only is the competition intriguing but it allows the local Wicklow and south Dublin GAA fans a chance to see the stars of the summer in the flesh.

Unlike other competitions requiring distance, the MBNA Kick Fada also requires the added component of accuracy - the goal width is twice that of an ordinary GAA goal - meaning only those with kicking finesse can hope to challenge for the ultimate accolade - King (or Queen in the girls case) of Kickers.

Four time winner Mark Herbert described winning the MBNA Kick Fada as one of the great sporting successes in his life.

'I got a call from the county board asking me to go to Bray on the Saturday in 2000,' said the man from Ballyteigue. 'By that night word had got back to the club that I had won - the result was on RTE and the local radios - and there was great celebration. I became a local celebrity. As the years went on and I won the title more and more, I also found that I got much more recognition around the county, making the Kildare All Stars team. I put that down to winning in Bray.

I would love to have won 5-in-a-row of titles but I got injured the week before and Padraig Kelly won it. Funny but I'm injured again now - knee problem - but I'm hoping it comes right over the next few weeks and maybe I will finally get that fifth title.'

Mark's record kick of 72 metres which he set when winning his second title is still the benchmark for all longkickers. Both Kelly and Paul Hearty (Armagh) came close on 70 metres but none has passed the tall Lilywhite's magnificent 2001 victory.

Fintan Ruddy brought the title across the Shannon in 2006 and claims it gave him a great lift across the county of Mayo. 'I had just given up with the county team that year and after the team was beaten by Kerry in the All Ireland final, one of the players said to me. "It's alright for you Ruddy, you have your All Ireland but we're stil emptyhanded."'