Cumann Lúthchleas Gael - Gaelic Athletic Association

       
Winners of 9 SFC titles - 1930, 1944, 1945, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1957, 1980, 2000; 2 Senior Ladies FC - 2006, 2007; 1 Sen Camogie title 2007
 

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Camogie
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Current Football
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Back in time
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Hurling
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Ladies Football
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Cultural & Social
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The Big Stage
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Awards  Night
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Handball
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Miscellaneous
 
 
Click to view my photosThe Poc Fada  was held for the third time on the Cock and Hen Mountain as part of The Boley Fair Festival on Monday 14th July 2008.
It consisted of both Senior and Junior competitions for hurlers and Camogs from the local area.  The senior men's competition winner was Clonduff and South Down player, John Murphy of Rostrevor  with Paul McAleenan of Leitrim in second place,  a single puck adrift.  The Junior competition was won by Clonduff U14 player, Shay Murnin of Cabra.  The presentation was carried out by Clonduff veteran (and Captain) Damien Farnon .      
The Senior Ladies event was won by Kitty Fegan while Megan O'Reilly won the Juvenile Ladies 
The event was the brainchild of some members of the Senior Hurling Club for the 2006 Boley Fair. The Senior Hurling captain in 2008, Damian Farnon has chiefly been responsible for the Junior and Senior routes and 2008 was no exception. Not only did he lay out the routes but he also accompanied many of the juniors around the course - the youngest competitors were two eleven-year-old girls, one of whom actually finished the course and the other one lost her ball!  Well done Damian and well done to all those who took part.
 
Down Primary Schools representatives who provided the entertainment at half time in the Down v London game in Casement Park on 1st June 2008. Clonduff and St Patrick's representative is Lorcan Branagan is centre front row
 
Down Senior Hurlers at a training session in Clonduff Park May 2008. The coach is former QUB and Antrim star Johnny Tosh
 
Primary School Féile 2008 held in Burren on Saturday 5th April 2008. Clonduff St Patrick's was the best represented with two teams - P6 and P7 and they are pictured among other participants in their distinctive yellow shirts
 
The Down Minor Hurling team that won the Ulster B League in 2007. Clonduff's Danny Nugent played at left corner back on the team and is pictured on the extreme left in back row. This team went on to win the All Ireland 'C' Final, by which time Arthur McConville had joined the team and together with Danny played in that final.
 
The Minor Hurling team that reached the County B Final in 2007-  Back row left to right Arthur McConville, Shane Murray, Kevin Parr, Mark Downey, Kealim O'Hare, Paul Bloomfield, Liam McParland (capt), Danny Nugent, J J Gilmore, Jayme Lynch: Front row left to right Eamon Matthews, Gavin O'Hagan, Niall Tumilty, Conor Tumilty, Christopher Young, Darren O'Hagan, Hugh Murphy, Christopher Brown:  Managers Damien Farnon, Sean Cairns, Kieran Smith  
 

Pictured above are the Clonduff U12 and U8 Hurlers who took Part in the Ballela Tournament - the U12s were the Winners on Sunday 9th September.
Report by Paul McCusker (Mentor)
On Saturday past the U-12 Hurlers went to Balella to compete in the Ballella U-12 hurling tournament.  It was a great opportunity for the lads to test their skills against two unknown teams as well as the hosts, Balella.
The four teams invited were Balella, Clonduff, Camlough and Sean Tracy’s from Lurgan. First to take the field were Balella and Camlough and it was clear from the start that Camlough were going to be very tough to beat, they overcame Balella with a fine display of physical skilful, hurling in all areas of the field.
Now it was Clonduff’s turn…
From the start it was clear that nothing was going to be given away easily, but the Clonduff lads were fired up for the game and simply out-classed their opponents.  Declan Rooney was very impressive in goal, stopping several shots from the nippy Camlough forwards and used his puck outs very cleverly picking out Brendan Britton and David Quinn.  Jamie Gribben, Noel Grant, Michael Grant and Martin Rooney were excellent in defence while the forward line of Paddy Grant, Darragh Downey, Lorcan Branagan and Michael McArdle never gave an inch to the strong Camlough defence and it was their hard work in not letting Camlough make good clearances that enabled some fine points to be taken by Brendan Britton.
The next Game saw Clonduff face another unknown, Sean Tracy’s from Lurgan.  This proved to be an easier match for the lads who were still riding high from their first encounter. Clonduff rattled the net on 3 occasions and with the introduction of Deane and David Byrne, Charlie Carr and Patrick Brannigan, the fresh legs were just too much for the Lurgan side.
And so to the final Match between Clonduff and Balella.  Clonduff needed to win to claim the tournament.  They had beaten Balella well in the league but this was their home ground and their tournament and they were not going to let it go easily.  Szymon Gorka and Jack McAvoy were introduced into defence and Connor Woods, Kevin Darby and Charlie Carr into attack to add some height into the forward line. The game went right to the wire but the Clonduff lads knew victory was within their grasp and no one was going to take it from them.  The game ended Clonduff 1-3 Balella 1-0.
In the U-8 match Paudraig Clancy, Charlie Kerr, Ross Carr, Dillon Downey, and Brandon Rowe lined out in an amalgamation of Balella and Clonduff against Ballyvarley.  The match was a sheer delight to watch and when Paudraig Clancy broke free and found the back of the net you could here Eddie’s celebrations back home in Limerick.
A great day was had by all, and all the Clonduff lads played with a level of skill and maturity that was a credit to each and every one of them.  It is well worth noting that throughout the entire tournament not a single free was conceded by Clonduff and even when things were going against them they kept their heads and played as a team.  From all the U-12 hurling management we would like to thank all the panel for making this such an enjoyable day.
U-12 Team Michael McArdle, Jack McAvoy, Declan Rooney, Martin Rooney, Lorcan Brannigan, Noel Grant, Michael Grant, Charlie Carr, Paddy Brannigan, Paddy Grant, Szymon Gorka, David Byrne, Connor Woods, Darragh Downey, Kevin Darby, Deane Byrne, David Quinn, Brendan Britton, Jayme Gribben.
U-8 Team Paudraig Clancy, Charlie Kerr, Ross Carr, Dillon Downey, Brandon Rowe.
Boley Poc Fada 2007Click to view my photos
Click on the image on the right to view a slideshow of 2007's event! Eventual wi
nners are pictured with Brian McGreevy (Club Chairman) and other organisers - Damian Farnon, Alistair McGilligan, Marie Walls and Anita Brannigan
Thirty brave souls faced the torrential rain and the Hen Mountain on Monday afterno
on for the 'Poc Fada' run in conjunction with  'The Boley Fair' festival. The event was organised by Damian Farnon and Alistair McGilligan and the administrators were Marie Walls and Anita Brannigan.
Twelve U16s took part over the shorter course. Unfortunately there was only one girl brave enough to do it! Megan O'Reilly completed the course with 23 hits; Christopher Young won the boys' event with 21 hits and Brendan Britton was runner up with 22 hits. The youngest competitor was ten year old Noel Grant who was accompanied round the course by his father! The Senior event was dominated by Minor Hurlers and was won by Darren O'Hagan with 24 hits and joint runners up were Liam McParlan and Paul McAleenan with 25 hits. Five adult ladies took part (three more than last year) and they finished with much better scores than many of the men! Mairín McAleenan (Liatroim) won with 27 hits and joint runners up were the Gribben sisters Paula and Karen with 28 hits.
 

All Ireland Féile na nGael 2007
(Click on the picture of the Clonduff Banner, left to view a slide show)
T
wenty years ago (maybe even ten ) the suggestion that a Clonduff hurling team would take part in the national Féile na nGael would have been laughed at but on the weekend of 15th-17th June 2007 it happened and not only did they take part but such was the quality of their performances that the boys were actually disappointed that they did not qualify for the quarter finals.
The excitement began on Thursday afternoon when the bus left Hilltown for Glenmore in the southernmost tip of Kilkenny. Their team won the All Ireland Hurling club final in 1991. The community Hall in the tiny village was the rendezvous point on Thursday evening where a hearty meal was provided and then it was off to the “houses where we are staying”. Thursday evening was about meeting the host families, the people who would be “mammies and daddies “for three days and of course about meeting new friends.
The first game was on Friday afternoon against the host club. In truth our boys did not know what to expect, they conceded goals in the first half but put on a magnificent second half performances scoring four points from play and missing goal chances. Shay Murnin (2) Barry O’Hagan and Brendan Briton were the scorers. Shay Murnin scored the first of these and has the distinction of being the first Clonduff boy to score at National Féile.
That game over, it was round to the hall, more food and on to the bus for the trip to Kilkenny city for the parade. Over some of the narrowest and twistiest roads in Ireland but we got there on time. The rain was pouring down when we got there but thankfully it was over before the parade started. Jerry and Alastair got the banner sorted out, Maura took photos, there were speeches and then we were off. The boys looked fabulous in their new jerseys, as always the banner got lots of favourable comment. Michael O’Murehertaigh on the platform said “it is the best banner I have seen so far”. Thousands of people lined the route and it was along way “we are the yellows, we love the yellows, come on the yellows” was chanted hundreds of times, it got louder as we went along. Well if the others could chant so could we and it was a long walk. It was late when we got back to Glenmore but the craic was good. A bit of a lie-in on Saturday morning and then down to the pitch. The first game was against another Kilkenny side, Carrickshock, It was like a home game in Clonduff Park, all the parents seemed to be there, and the magic of hurling, a man from Mayobridge and a man from Kilcoo supporting Clonduff.  It was some game. Clonduff playing against the wind scored two points from Barry O’Hagan and Niall McPolin but their opponents got two before the break to leave the half time score two points each. Clonduff got n top but missed goal chances at the start of the second half. Then the other side got a point from a free, time was running out. But the boys never gave up and they were rewarded with goals from Shay Murnin and Brendan Britton. The other side got a late goal but it did not matter, Clonduff had won their first ever game at national Féile na nGael. 
Won one, lost one and one to go, against Tooreen from Co Mayo. We had been told that they were good, the winners of this game would go through. It was a fantastic game of hurling, they led 2-02 to 0-1 at half time but we had a shot cleared off the line. But Clonduff never gave up. Goal chances were missed before Shay got a point and Briton had the ball in the net, 2-04 to 1-02. Tooreen beat Glenmore in the next game and shoot out to go through to the semi-final and really Clonduff could have beaten them.
But the excitement was not yet over, the news spread like wildfire, Nicky Brennan the President of the GAA was coming in by helicopter to meet all four teams. He landed in the field across the road, came in and signed sticks and had his photo taken with the teams.
Saturday night was a social night, no details!!. Sunday morning, up for mass with the host families and then into Nowlan Park to see some of the finals. Henry Shefflin was there got the Jersey signed, a perfect end to a perfect weekend…well almost, it was great to see Hilltown. 
The boys who travelled were: Christopher McShane, Shane Branagan, Shay McPolin, Peter Fitzpatrick, Conor Grant, Sean Downey, Niall McPolin, Shay Murnin (capt) Brendan Britton, Conor McShane, Jamie Lowry, Barry O'Hagan, Jamie Curran, Rian Branagan, Pearse Branagan, Martin Rooney, Lorcan Branagan, Conor Pio Gribben, Eamon Grant and Declan Rooney. The mentors who travelled with the team were: Paddy Branagan, Damian Farnon and Jim Murnin. Alistair and Guinevra McGilligan travelled on Friday as part of the mentoring squad. Jerry Quinn was PRO.

   
John Murphy and Paul McCusker, pictured with the Leinster Junior Hurling Cup which Down won after a reply with Longford. The replay was in Pairc Esler on Sunday 10th June 2007 and was the first of three games staged in Pairc Esler that day, all of which featured Clonduff players. John and Paul were the representatives in the Hurling game which Down won 5-11 to 3-11; Fionnuala and Sara Louise Carr, Moya and Orla Maginn and Karen Gribben were the Clonduff representatives on the Camogie team that lost the Ulster Junior final to Derry 1-6 to 0-10; Aidan Carr played at centre half forward on the Senior Football team which lost to Monaghan 1-15 to 2-15, managed by his father Ross (Aidan scored 4 points). Three young Clonduff Camogs Emma McAlinden (St Paul's), Shannon O'Hagan and Roisin Mulholland (St Pat's) played on the Primary Schools team v Derry at half time in the Camogie game. This mini game was refereed by Clonduff's County Minor player, Nicola O'Hagan

John Murphy played at midfield and Paul McCusker played at corner back on the Hurling team. Brian Canavan is involved in the management of the Junior Hurlers.

 

The Clonduff Senior Hurling panel that made history in 2007! They were the first Clonduff Hurling team to play in an Ulster League. This photograph was taken in Clonduff Park on Sunday 27th May before their Ulster Quarter Final game against Latton, Co Monaghan. Clonduff won that game by 9 points. Team: Back row: Gary Curran, Shane Murray, Arthur McConville, John Murphy, Kieran Smith, Cailim O'Hare, Niall Quinn, Jim Murnin, Eddie Clancy, Rory Matthews, Laurence Murphy, Conor Tumilty. Front row: Damian Farnon, Paul Bloomfield, Ryan McShane, Andrew Quinn, Paul Caldwell, Danny Nugent, Gary Smith,, Neil McGeough, Paul McCusker, Liam McParlan,  Paddy Branagan. Missing from the photo is Fionbharr Murphy who, unfortunately sustained a hand injury in League game.
 

Congratulation to Darragh Downey (Clonduff) who represented Down Primary Schools against Derry Primary Schools during half time in the senior championship match between Down and Derry at Casement Park on Sunday.  Darragh is pictured in the back row and is second from the left. 
   

Click to view my photos
Click on this image and then on 'Play' in the new page to see a short slideshow of photos from the final!

U-14 B Hurling Féile final thriller - Clonduff beat Carryduff in the B final of the Down Feile in Castlewellan on Sunday 22nd April 2007.  Two late goals from Carryduff seemed to have won it but a hopeful long ball into the Carryduff box somehow found the net in the dying seconds.  Clonduff go forward to the All Ireland Finals in Kilkenny at the end of the summer. Congratulation and well done!
Panel: Christopher McShane, Shane Branagan, Niall Crowley, Shay McPolin, Peter Fitzpatrick, Conor Grant, Sean Downey, Niall McPolin, Shay Murnin (capt) Brendan Britton, Conor McShane, Jamie Lowry, Barry O'Hagan, Jamie Curran, Rian Branagan, Pearse Branagan, Martin Rooney, Lorcan Branagan,  Declan Rooney
 
 



Three photos of the 'Meet and Greet' session organised by the Down Hurling Board for youngsters from across the county to come and meet the Down and Cork players after the match on Sunday 18th March 2007.  The Clonduff lads met John Gardiner, Joe Deane and Wayne Sherlock and had their jerseys autographed by Gareth Johnston.    They were taken for their day out by their mentors Damien Farnan and Paddy Branagan.
 
The Clonduff U12 Hurling team who were defeated by a single point in the inaugural Sciath na nÓg competition held in Clonduff Park on Saturday 21st October 2006
 

Clonduff U12 Hurling panel who made history in 2005 when they collected the Club's first ever U12 Hurling trophy by winning the League! Back row: Peter Fitzpatrick, Conor McShane, Christopher McShane, Shay McPolin, Niall McPolin, Jamie Curran; Middle row: Jamie Lowry, Niall Crowley, Declan Rooney, Lorcan Branagan, Martin Rooney, Sean Downey; Front Row:  Rian Branagan, Brendan Britton, Conor Grant (Capt), Shane Branagan, Pearce Branagan, Patrick Branagan. Missing from the photograph is  Shay Murnin
 
Clonduff U16 Hurling panel who reached the Down B Championship Final in 2005. Castlewellan defeated them by 2 points.
 
The 2003 Senior Hurling Panel (and some youthful supporters) pictured with Club Chairman, Johnny McPolin, (red shirt front row)  and team manager Sean Cairns  (on Johnny's left) in Cennaras Chluain Daimh.
 

Triple Winners in 2002!
This team swept all before them in 2002 - they went through the Junior League unbeaten, won the Junior Championship and the Betsy Gray Shield!

 

Feis 7s Runners Up 2000
Back (left to right ) Robert Wilson, Allister McGilligan, Liam Boyle, Damian Farnon, Jim Murnin, Front: (Left to Right): Paul Brown, Finbarr Murphy, Niall Quinn, Paddy Branagan, Paul McCusker

 

The Double Hurling Junior Championship and League winning team - 1996

 

Junior Feis Hurling 7s Hurling Champions 1996

 

Sean Cairns (left) and Jerry Quinn (right) led these young lads to
U16 B Hurling Championship success in 1991. 

 
These lads competed in Clonduff's first Feile na nGael in 1989 in Portaferry. Front (l-r) Sean Simpson, Damien Smith, Declan Wilson, Niall Quinn, John Ward, Martin Gallagher, Michael Gallagher, Francis Quinn. Back (l-r) Barry Burden, Colin Grant, Mark Simpson, James McCartan, Gary Smith, Padraig Matthews, Shane Ward, Paul McAlinden, Stephen Brannigan (Carcullion). Partially obscured by the banner is Shaun Wilson
 

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