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Daniel Antonio Andre RIP
On Wednesday 24^th June 2009, Daniel Andre was doing what generations of children before him have done in the Hilltown area during good weather – playing ‘down at the Bann’ near Mussens Corner. Sadly Daniel slipped into a deep pool on the river known as the ‘Mill Pool’. Despite the best efforts of members of the Emergency Services to revive him after he was pulled from the river Daniel died in the early hours of Thursday morning in The Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children having been transferred there from Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry. The community was shocked and stunned at the loss of this sports-mad, fun-loving little boy who endeared himself to everyone with whom he came in contact. He was always smiling and his grin would light up his entire face.
During his Mass of Remembrance his teacher described him as ‘My Little Helper’.  But this wasn’t just the preserve of his P6 teacher, Nigel Trainor. This is one of the many ways in which Daniel will be remembered throughout the entire community and particularly in Clonduff Gaelic Club of which he was a proud juvenile playing member.
Being a very energetic and active child Daniel joined Clonduff GAC  almost four years ago.  He attended weekly coaching sessions where he enthusiastically acquired the basic skills of Gaelic Football.   Daniel’s coaches found him to be a very ambitious player always happy to get his place on the team and play to his full potential at every opportunity.  During his short time with the club he never missed a training session.  He was a happy-go-lucky player arriving at training on time and giving his best during each session.  He was a quiet boy who co-operated well with his mentors. He was an excellent team player fitting in well with all of  the players on the team . . .  (full article)

Clonduff and The Boley Fair
It’s almost that time of the year again! The Boley Fair will run from Friday 10^th to Tuesday 14^th July and Clonduff Club will be organising and staging numerous events including:
Saturday 11^th July –             Boley Juvenile Handball Tournament (Handball Wall, Club Car Park)

                                                 Sports Fun Day (Clonduff Park)

                                                 Neighbourhood Challenge Quiz (Clubrooms)

Sunday 12^th July –                Big Breakfast (Clubrooms)

                                                 Sponsored Walk (from Clubrooms to Goward Dolmen)

                                                 Pub Tug-o-War (Clonduff Park)

                                                 Comedy Hypnotist (Clubrooms)

Monday 13^th July –               Junior and Senior Poc Fada (Hen Mountain)

                                                 Senior Citizens Tea Part and Dance (Clubrooms)

                                                 It’s a Boley Knockout (Clonduff Park)

Tuesday 14^th July –              Boley Seven Football and Camogie (Clonduff Park)
(See www.boleyfair.com for full programme)

Camogie News
Senior League: Clonduff 4-10 v Ballycran 3-07 - The Seniors started the second round of the league last Wednesday night with a home fixture to Ballycran.  Another fine win was achieved although Clonduff will be disappointed they conceded 2 goals in the last five minutes of the game.  The girls play Portaferry in the Championship on Wed 1^st July in Portaferry and will need to eradicate any defensive errors for this game. Scorers: Sara Louise Carr (2-03), Paula Gribben (0-1), Karen Gribben (0-1), Mary Mac (1-04), Ciara Havern (1-0), Lisa McPolin (0-1).
County Minor Fixture: Wexford v Down - Played at Ballyholland on Sunday this game was of no real benefit to either team as Wexford travelled half the Country to play an under-strength Down team absent of most of the Ards contingent and other key players.  Wexford ran out easy winners but credit must be given to the players who did line out and from reports the score line could have been much worse except for the tireless defending of the backline.  Congratulations go to the three Clonduff players Grace Brown, Clodagh Nugent and Hannah O’Reilly who played.
U12 Championship: Warrenpoint  0-00 v Clonduff 8-01 - Clonduff repeated the victory (from the league game the week before) over Warrenpoint in the championship on Monday night.  Clonduff got off to the best start possible with an excellent goal from Petrina Lively and was followed by more scores from the deadly full forward as well as goals from Rachel Harper and Cliodhna Crothers.  A plenty supply of ball was given by Niamh Brown and the midfield trio of Elizabeth Wilson, Caoimhe Morgan and Cassie Fitzpatrick who worked hard throughout the game and reduced any threat from Warrenpoint.  Defensively Clonduff were solid with Clare McGilligan excellent at centre back and Emma McAlinden and Noleen McAlinden simply superb on the wings; this dependable backline was supported by Mary Catherine Murray and Michaela Murphy at full back and goals respectively.  Three subs were brought on in the second half with Sinead McPolin finding the net, Clare O’Hagan unlucky not to get a few scores and Teresa Rooney solid in defence.  The panel also included Chloe Nelson, Emma Gallagher and Sinead Doyle. Scorers: Petrina Lively (5-00), Rachel Harper (1-0), Cliodhna Crothers (1-0), Sinead McPolin (1-0), Cassie Fitzpatrick (0-1).
No.15 Jersey:The U12 number 15 Jersey has been misplaced – anyone knows of its whereabouts please contact Maura or Guinevra.  The Intermediate ‘Hilltown Pharmacy’ number 15 Jersey is also missing – again please contact Maura or Guinevra.
U14 Championship Final: Clonduff v Ballygalget at Castlewellan on Sunday 5^th July at 4.30pm
It has been 6 years since Clonduff last won the U14 Championship when current senior players Sara Louise Carr, Paula Gribben and Lisa McPolin did the double winning league and championship in 2003.  Since then it has been Ards dominance and the current bunch of girls hope to halt that trend on Sunday afternoon in Castlewellan.  The team and mentors have put in a lot of work over the last 4 months and fully deserve the success they are having.  They will be up against tough opposition in Ballygalget and the encounter makes for an interesting contest.  Good Luck to all involved and please come out and support the girls.The Club would like to thank all the Sponsors and donations received for the final: -

• GOH Electrical Contractors – Gregory O’Hagan (T-shirts)
• O’Hare’s Supermarket, Mayobridge – Sharon O’Hare (Bags)
• Bloomfield Formwork - Leo Bloomfield (Bags)
• Kieran Tumilty – (Socks)
• Martin and Sheila Lynch (Donation)
• Hugh and Helena Grant (Donation)
• Brian and Madeleine McAlinden (Donation)

Ulster Camogie Championship Finals: Ulster Camogie are running a family fun day to co-inside with the Ulster Finals between Derry and Antrim (Senior) and Tyrone and Monaghan (Junior) at Pairc Esler, Newry Saturday 4^th July.  Face Painting, Balloon Making, Variety Concert and Mini Games will all be on show for what promises to be a great days celebration.  Club will be running a bus to the event for the U12 A and B teams, leaving from Clubrooms at 12 o’clock.  Clare McGilligan has been selected to play in the mini-games competition at half time in the senior match.

U16 Ladies Football League – Bright v Clonduff – The Clonduff girls had a massive win away to Bright to Sunday morning and are firmly placed to challenge for League honours this year, having only dropped one game as have the other team in contention – it may come down to scoring difference but Clonduff have two games in hand.

U16 FC – Rostrevor v Clonduff – Clonduff bowed out of the Championship on Sunday afternoon to Rostrevor who were the stronger team. However, it was mainly Rostrevor’s ability to score goals that was the main difference in the teams.

Camogie News - Week ending Tuesday 23rd June 2003
U12 League: Clonduff 7-01 v Warrenpoint 0-00 - Clonduff played a fairly understrength Warrenpoint team in their return league fixture at Clonduff Park on Saturday morning.  Warrenpoint’s most influential player Amy Frier was unwell and was forced to play the game in goals and therefore Clonduff dominated most of the outfield positions.  Petrina Lively, once again, was on scoring form ably assisted by Sinead McPolin, who scored 3 of Clonduff’s goals.  Midfield worked hard throughout and although defence had little to do they contained any real threat that came there way. Scorers: Petrina Lively (4-01), Sinead McPolin (3-0)
Intermediate League: Ballela 5-06 v Clonduff 0-04 - Clonduff were forced to play on a full length pitch on a hot summers evening and found the going tough against a much younger Ballela side.  The lack of a consistent’ scoring threat still remains a problem for Clonduff and they are now left with only one game remaining in the Intermediate league. It has been a mixed bag this season since the team lost a lot of their players from last year, some moved up to senior with others exam tied for most of the league campaign.  However the team have battled in every game, sometimes travelling with the bare 12 players and unlike others will always fulfil their match commitments.  Scorers: Orla Gribben (0-2), Jolene Brannigan (0-1), Mary McPolin (0-1)
County Fixture: Down 4-16 v Dublin 0-00 - A one sided affair that gave Down a great start to their championship campaign.  Down dominated from the start and although there were some good outfield battles it was Down’s scoring ability and their solid defence that coasted them to victory. Clonduff Club hosted the game and it was great to see all Clonduff players get a run out.  Sara Louise Carr came off at half time with a re-occurring calf injury, Orla Maginn had a good game at half forward and then full forward when Sara Lou retired.  Paula Gribben was solid in the half back line with Fionnuala Carr controlling most of the game from the centre half back position.  Lisa McPolin came on in corner forward and scored a rasper of a goal and looked dangerous on the ball.  Down play Waterford in the next game on the 18^th July (probably in Dublin) which will be a much tougher encounter, Waterford have already beaten Offaly in their first game.  Good luck to the girls and the management in their preparations.
No.15 Jersey: The U12 number 15 Jersey has been misplaced – anyone knows of its whereabouts please contact Maura or Guinevra.                 
Ulster Camogie Championship Finals: Ulster Camogie are running a family fun day to coincide with the Ulster Finals between Derry and Antrim (Senior) and Tyrone and Monaghan (Junior) at Pairc Esler, Newry Saturday 4^th July.  Face Painting, Balloon Making, Variety Concert and Mini Games will all be on show for what promises to be a great day’s celebration.  Club will be running a bus to the event leaving from Clubrooms at 12 o’clock.

U16 HL – St. Pat's: 1-8 Clonduff: 3-10   Clonduff travelled to Ballyvarley to play St Pat's in the league. This was their first match since having a break for exams, yet nonetheless, the standard of Hurling was very high indeed. Clonduff played excellent hurling, the defence was solid through-out the game, and the score-taking in the forwards was brilliant. In the end, Clonduff ran out deserved winners! Team and Scorers: Christopher McShane, Shane Branagan, Eamonn Grant, Jamie Curran 0-1, Shea McPolin, Sean Downey, Shay Murnin 0-1, Conor Pio Gribben 0-1, Rian Branagan 1-7, Conor McShane, Pearce Branagan 1-0, Martin Rooney, Declan Rooney 1-0.   Sub used: Lorcan Branagan. (Report Paddy Branagan)

Handball - Clonduff will run the annual Boley Handball Tournament on Saturday morning 11^th 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). More details to follow.