Clonduff Club Notes - 15th June 2009 Congratulations to 10-year-old Patrick Branagan (son of Paddy and Bronagh) who was selected to play on the Down Primary Schools Hurling team that entertained the crowd at half time in Casement Park during the Down v Derry Ulster Semi-final game. Aaron Devlin who was chosen as 'Player of the Tournament' in the Mitchels Tournament on Saturday 6th June. This a wonderful achievement - to be chosen as the best player from 40 teams 700-800 players. Well Done Aaron! Michaela Downey who continues to add to her list of honours when she was selected by Croke Park as one of the 'Players of the Leagues' in Down Ladies' successful run in Division 2! South Down Hurlers who have reached the Final of the Lory Meagher Cup, defeating Leitrim 2-14 to 1-14 in the Semi Final. Clonduff's John Murphy, Paul McCusker and Fionnbharr Murphy were on the team. Brian Canavan is a selector and Sean Cairns is the 'stick man' Clonduff and The Boley Fair It's almost that time of the year again! The Boley Fair will run from Friday 10th to Tuesday 14th July and Clonduff Club will be organising and staging numerous events including: Saturday 11th July - Boley Juvenile Handball Tournament (Handball Wall, Club Car Park) Sports Fun Day (Clonduff Park) Neighbourhood Challenge Quiz (Clubrooms) Sunday 12th July - Big Breakfast (Clubrooms) Sponsored Fun Run / Walk (starting from Clubrooms) Pub Tug-o-War (Clonduff Park) Comedy Hypnotist (Clubrooms) Monday 13th July - Junior and Senior Poc Fada (Hen Mountain) Senior Citizens Tea Part and Dance (Clubrooms) It's a Boley Knockout (Clonduff Park) Tuesday 14th July - Boley Seven Football and Camogie (Clonduff Park) Clonduff Tournaments Mini Hurling Blitz - Saturday 20th June in Clonduff Park Handball - Clonduff hope to run the annual Boley Handball Tournament on Saturday morning 11th July. For the first time players from Downpatrick and Saval will be invited to participate. It is hoped to hold the tournament in the football field with "one wall" rules (weather permitting). Gary Murray U12 Football Tournament - Saturday 25th July in Clonduff Park Juvenile Hurling Blitz - U8/U10 - Saturday 15th August in Clonduff Park VHI Cúl Camp - Clonduff Park Monday 3rd to Friday 7th August - Application Forms available from team mentors Newry and Mourne Camogie/Hurling Coaching Camp - Clonduff Park Monday 10th to Friday 14th August óg sport report. Og Sport Clonduff under 15's travelled to the Óg Sport annual seven a-side competition in Ardglass on Saturday. After a convincing win over a Leitrim and Dromara select the boys struggled against Loughlinisland but came though by two points. The deciding group game came against physical strong Carryduff outfit who were very committed and displayed no lack of skill. The boys competed well in the second half but it was a case of too little too late. Team Conor Brown, Sean Murnin, P.O Gribben, Eamon Grant, Conor McShane, Rian Branagan, Jamie Curran, Sean Downey, Rory McQuaid and Danny Burns Campa Chormaic comes to Down! Campa Chormaic was founded in 2005 after the death of Tír Eoghain captain Cormac McAnallen. The main aim behind the camp is to stir the interest of the youth in the Irish language and Gaelic games. The intention is to nurture in the children the same passion for Gaelic culture and local history that Cormac had. The first Campa Chormaic outside Tyrone takes place in Castlewellan beginning on Monday 13 July and continuing until Friday 17 July, with classes beginning each day at 10 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. It will cater for children between 10 and 16 years of age. Further information and application forms can be obtained from Ryan Doyle, Rúnaí, Campa Chormaic An Dúin, 17 Doyle's Road, Katesbridge, Co. Down, BT32 5NL; or ring 07799474078, or visit www.campachormaic.com. Saturday 13th June was an unbelievably busy day for Clonduff players, particularly the Youth teams. The U15 boys took part in Óg Spoirt held in Ardglass - they won two of their 3 group games which saw them through to the semi final of the Shield but they were defeated by Carryduff. The Primary School football team took part in the final of the Primary Schools League but they were also defeated - by St Dallan's Warrenpoint. Never mind lads you got to the final - a lot of others didn't! The U12A Camogie team went to Attical where they defeated the homeside in the league. The U8 children (2 teams) took part in the 24-team McGreevy Tournament in Clonduff Park - The A team reached the semi-final of the Cup Competition It could have been busier - the U9_ Football team was scheduled to play in the Ulster Semi Final of the Community Games but for some reason their opponents were not turning up - it's possible our youngsters will now proceed to the All Ireland Finals but we will just have to wait and see. In the evening, the Junior Ladies travelled to Tullylish but they were defeated in a very high scoring game (details below) The fifth annual McGreevy U8 Tournament was staged in Clonduff Park on Saturday 13th June. Whilst the day dawned bright and clear, just as the tournament was about to get under way the rain paid a visit which affected all the first round games but then the sun came out and some people actually ended up with sunburn! All 24 teams (from Down, Tyrone, Armagh and Louth) turned up on time and the tournament started precisely at 10 30 am on all four pitches! There is always a sub-competition among the co-ordinators to see who will finish the group stages first - Sean McGreevy, just as he did last year, blew the opposition out of the water! The top two teams in each group played in the Cup Quarter final (this included the Clonduff A team), the middle two played in the Shield Quarter Finals and the bottom two played in the Plate Quarter Finals (Clonduff B team). Each team got a minimum of six ten-minute games! By the time the finals came around at 3 40 pm 78 games had already been played and the schedule was just ten minutes behind! Drumgath defeated Attical in the Plate Final, Shane O'Neill's of Carrickcruppen defeated Longstone in the Shield Final and Bryansford defeated Clann Eireann of Lurgan in the Cup Final - all three winners being first-time winners at any level of the Tournament! The presentations were made by Seamus McGreevy (brother of the later Brian, a Clonduff player and captain, who died on the field of play in 1957), assisted by Club President Dean Anthony Davies and Club Chairman Brain McGreevy. A great day was had by all and many complimentary comments came the way of the organisers. Of course, an event of this magnitude just does not happen - many volunteers were involved in the organising and running of the tournament - the McGreevy Family, senior and juvenile members of the family and the club as co-ordinators and 'runners'; the club's referees and young whistlers, the ladies in the kitchen keeping the adults happy with tea and sandwiches, Eleanor, Denis, Christina and Catherine in the Burger Bar, Noleen and Goretti in the tuck shop, not forgetting Alistair the overall co-ordinator and compiler of the league tables! It may have been a long day for the youngsters but as well as their own packed lunch they were provided with a McGreevy Family 'Goodie Bag'. Football SFL Longstone 3-10 v Clonduff 3-08 - Clonduff had a good first half performance and led by three points at the break but they allowed the 'Stone to turn it around in the second half! Team : Gary Haughian, Paul McConville, Rory Grant, Francis Quinn, Gary McDonald, Paudie Matthews, John McPolin, Aidan Carr, Mark McPolin, Paul McPolin, Arthur McConville, Plunkett McConville, Finbarr McConville, John Fegan, Shane Ward. Subs, Stephen Branagan, Daniel McPolin, Eamon O'Reilly, Kieran Trainor, Noel McPolin. PRFL - Castlewellan II v Clonduff II - Clonduff played Castlewellan for the first time this year on Sunday afternoon. They travelled to Castlewellan with a much stronger squad confident that they would get a much needed result. After a shaky start the game settled down and Clonduff went into a three point lead which they held to half time. On the restart the Clonduff team continued to put pressure on the home team and played a direct game which resulted in some excellent scores. The visitors had some fine displays from their more experienced players and ran out comfortable winners. Final score. Castlewellan 1.07 Clonduff 2.18. Team and scorers; N Trainor, P Farnon, J Killen, K Trainor (0.2), R Farrell, R Matthews (0.2), N McPolin (0.1), B Branagan, S Branagan, M Farnon (0.2), E Branagan (1. 07), E O'Reilly (0.1), N Brown (0.1), P Withnell (1.0), K Keatings, Sub; S McGreevy, R McShane (0.1), P Shields (0.1), K Branagan, J Fegan. Hurling Senior and U12 games postponed last week due to Cemetery Masses in Parish. Both games to be played at home on Monday night. Clonduff Senior Hurlers 'hammered point home'! In a one-sided game in Clonduff Park on Monday evening, Clonduff scored 2-9 in the first half to Warrenpoint's 0-2 and with team management having an eye on the Ballycran game on Wednesday 17th this allowed them to play 20 players from the large panel . John Murphy, Caolim O'Hare and Fionnbharr Murphy were best on the night with 1 goal an 12 points between them. Final score, Clonduff 2-16 Warrenpoint 0-6. Team/Panel, Niall Quinn, Paul Bloomfield, Damian Farnon (Capt), Danny Nugent, Shane Murray, Paul McCusker, Liam McParlan, Ciarán Smyth, Rory Matthews, Fionnbharr Murphy (0-5), John Murphy (1-3), Caolim O'Hare (0-4), Andrew Quinn, Jamie Lynch (0-2), Gary Smyth (1-0), Jim Murnin, Laurence Murphy, Chris Young (0-2), J J Gilmore, Mark Downey, Colin Brannigan, Paddy Murphy, Conor Tumilty. Next game away to Ballycran Wednesday 17th June - meet at club for 6pm sharp. U12 HL Clonduff v Ballela - the young Clonduff lads had a good win at home in the game played on Monday evening (postponed from Friday). Both clubs also took the opportunity to give their U10 players a game - Clonduff won that one also U8/U10 Hurling Blitz in Clonduff Park on Saturday 20th June commencing at 11 am. Camogie/Hurling The Senior Camogs are playing Ballycran at home on Wednesday 24th June, the Hurling game has been booked into Derryleckagh - 6 45 to 8 45. The U 16 leagues resume on Sunday after the exam break, Clonduff will play St Pats at 5-00pm on Sunday. The U 14 and U 16 tables are on the web site. Ladies Football Clonduff Junior Ladies travelled to Tullylish on Saturday evening (13th June). It was a good game and whilst Clonduff were guilty of some glaring misses they did score 5-5 but the home side scored 7-10. There was not an eleven point difference in the teams - the difference was that the home side was more clinical when they got into scoring positions. Team: Paula Cairns, Christina McConville, Lizzie Barry, Anne Middleton, Bridget Quinn, Clodagh Nugent, Onagh Gribben, Kelly Carvill, Hannah O'Reilly, Karen Gribben, Pauline Trainor, Angeline McPolin, Orla Gribben. Sub used: Ali Britton U16 LFL - Saval failed to field on Sunday morning so Clonduff had a walk-over. Table Quiz in Downshire Arms Hotel Friday 19th June at 9.30pm in Aid of Down Senior Ladies Gaelic Football Team (There are 5 Clonduff girls on the team) Camogie The senior team chalked up their second league win of the season beating Ballycran 2-10 to 0-08 in Ballycran. The U14 team beat An Riocht 3-02 to 2-02 in the championship semi-final and they now play Ballygalget in the county final. The U12 team were also successful against An Riocht winning 3-02 to 1-0 in the championship, they play Warrenpoint in the semi-final. The U 10 girls had a great day on Sunday in the blitz tournament at Cherryvale. Coaching Academies U10 Football - Coaching or games continue on Sunday mornings at 10 30 am. U8 Football - Now started in the field on Sunday Mornings at 10 30 am. All boys and girls welcome to come along - this age groups will be playing at the interval in home games - weather permitting. There are several tournaments organised throughout the county for this age group. U6 Boys and Girls Football - come along to the field with parents or big brothers and sisters - everybody welcome U8 & U10 Hurling - Coaching commencing in field on Monday 11th April at 6 30 pm - everybody welcome! U12 Hurling - Coaching continues every Monday evening at 6 30 pm - new members welcome! U8, U10, U12 Camogie - continues on Tuesday evenings at 5 15 pm. Juvenile Handball Coaching continues on Monday evenings at 7pm in the Handball Alley. Appeal for Memorabilia The club will be hosting a special event later this year to recall a special period in the club history from 1949-1966, County senior football championships in 1949, 1957, Clonduff players Down teams in the Ulster senior football championship in 1959, All Ireland senior Football success in 1960 and '61, Clonduff players in Ulster teams, colleges teams etc in that period. We would welcome the lend of Photographs, scrap books, albums, newspaper cuttings etc from that period, material needed urgently, all will be copied and returned safely. Contact Jerry Quinn, Marie Milligan or Gerry Curran Following the very successful exhibition for Lá na gClub there have been numerous requests to repeat it. This will be done, in conjunction with the local Historical Society during the Boley Fair. If anyone has photos or newspaper articles relating to the Parish, we would be delighted to use them. Photographs will be copied and returned to the owner very quickly - the copies will be used in the exhibition. Clonduff Website www.clonduffgac.net - for the latest club news, photos, etc. Lots of Lá na gClub photos available. Tweet

Most Read Stories