Clonduff's young Hurlers went to An Riocht on Saturday 7th January 2012 with one team (there will be two teams on 14th) for the start of the second indoor Hurling League. The lads all played very well and although all but one player was U10 last year, they were well capable of matching the opposition winning all but one match.  Everyone had a great time and although everyone deserves merit, Padraig Clancy was the stand out player in Week One taking some excellent scores but more importantly his defensive skill in blocking and hooking were very impressive.

Clonduff Hurler Helps St Colman's to Hurling History

Congratulations to St Colman's College who collected their first ever Ulster Hurling title in the Year 11 McFarland Cup. The successful Hurlers are pictured above with team coach Aodhan McCrory (extreme right back row). Clonduff's Declan Rooney (3rd to right of coach) was a vital part of the team. In December Paudie Butler, former National Director of Hurling visited the College to present the boys with their medals. He urged all to redouble their efforts to continue the winning trend and to promote the small ball game remarking, that hurling has a unique and central significance in Irish culture.

Parents, invited guests (including representatives of the boys' clubs) and players thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of celebration and the boys can be justifiably proud of their Ulster Hurling medal.

Betsy Gray Cup Semi Final - Clonduff 1-12 Ballygalget 2-12

Clonduff with the sun on their backs started the first half sluggish and found themselves 1-3 to 0-0 after ten minutes - Ballygalget had brought quite a formidable team across from the Ards and were intent on winning this game at a canter. Clonduff had other ideas though and gradually the backs started to get on top of the 'galget forwards and with the ever-increasing supply of quality ball to the forwards managed to to  outscore their opponents 1-6 0-1 in the next twenty minutes. The Yellows had control in almost every sector of the field. In the second half with Ballygalget reshuffling their panel closed the gap and eventually took the lead, for the next twenty minutes the lead alternated from Clonduff to Ballygalget and back again. A draw looked like the outcome of this Semi -Final but with almost the last play of the game the ball was bundled into the Clonduff net, with everybody waiting for the referee's whistle, as the Clonduff Goalkeeper appeared to be fouled. However, the goal was awarded and Clonduff's hopes of progressing were gone. However it was an excellent display on which to finish a very late season. Well done to all concerned.

Team (pictured above): Liam McParlan, Sean Downey, Paul Bloomfield, Jamie Lowry, Eoin Murphy, Paul McCusker, Francis Quinn, John Murphy, Paudie Mathews, Mark Downey, Shane Murray, Andrew Quinn (capt), Rian Branagan, Shay Murnin, Chris Young, Chris McShane, Hugh Murphy, Ryan McShane, Martin Rooney, Pearse Brannigan

Get well soon to Andrew Quinn who had to be hospitalised following an on-field injury - thankfully it is not more serious.

All Ireland Junior Hurling Sevens 2011

Clonduff Hurlers made another little bit of history when they participated in St Jude's All Ireland Junior Hurling Sevens on Saturday3rd September 2011. Being the only Ulster representative at the Tournament Clonduff were in a group along with teams from Dublin, Offally, Kildare and Limerick. Having been able to watch the four teams play prior to Clonduff's first game questions were asked as to whether they could compete with this level of hurling as the teams confronting Clonduff were all intermediate teams.

Clonduff Panel: Niall Quinn, Sean Downey, Andrew Quinn, Liam McParlan, Christopher Young, John Murphy, Ciarán Smith, Rián Branagan, ,Shane Murray and Damian Farnon. First Aid Noleen Cairns.

Above and right - Charlie Carr one of  Clonduff's talented young Hurlers (yellow socks) taking part in U14 Hurling Development Squad training during the Summer 2011 - five of our young Hurlers participated.

Junior Hurling Champions 2010

Clonduff Senior Hurlers completed a good weekend for the Club with a two-point win over Ballyvarley in the Junior Championship Final in Ballela on Sunday afternoon (12th September). They scored the first two points followed by three in a row from the opposition but young corner forward, Chris Young finished a great move to the net to move Clonduff into the lead which they never again lost. Clonduff led 1-7 to 0-9 at the break and totally dominated play for the first 15 minutes of the second half and moved into a six point lead. They were pegged back with a Ballyvarley goal. Clonduff replied with a great point but were once again pegged back with two long range frees from Paul O'Neill (who scored all but one of Ballyvarley's scores) to leave just two in it. One other effort hit the post and rebounded to safety. O'Neill had a final chance of a score but it just fell short. Clonduff are County Champions on a score of 1-13 to 1-11! Championship Panel: Niall Quinn, Conor Tumilty, Damian Farnon (Capt), Paul McCusker, Andy Quinn, Shane Murray, Francis Quinn, Paudie Matthews (0-1), Ciarán Smyth, John Murphy (0-6,4f), Liam McParlan (0-1), Jamie Lynch (0-1), Fionnbharr Murphy (0-1), Paddy Branagan (0-2), Chris Young (1-1). Subs used: Mark Downey, Shay Murnin, Eddie Clancy. Other subs: Jim Murnin, Chris Brown, Paul Bloomfield, Ryan McShane, Stephen Burns, Hugh Murphy, Rory Matthews, Shay Murnin, Owen Roe Brogan, Eoin Murphy, Danny Nugent.

Clonduff will play the winners of the Tyrone v Donegal preliminary round in the Ulster Club Quarter Final.

The Club wishes to thank sincerely, the following for their donations to the senior hurling team:  Fegan Hardware, Mini Macs Disco, Mario's, Horseshoe Bar, Rory Matthews, Macs, Leo & Lorraine Bloomfield, Stephen & Joan Burns, Martin & Sheila Lynch, Paudie Matthews,  Kieran Tumilty Signs, Paddy Fegan, Colly Magee, Wineyard Off Licence and Tescos  

U16 Hurling Team 2010

Henry Shefflin takes Primary Schools Hurling Coaching Session in Down

Clonduff Seconds Hurling Team Takes Field for First Time

Senior Hurlers get their Ulster League Campaign off to a Winning Start!

Clonduff Senior Hurlers won their first outing in the 2010 Ulster League against a very physical Antrim club side, All Saints Ballymena on Saturday 6th March. At half time the 'Yellas' led 1-5 to 1-4. During the second half Clonduff increased the tempo to get 4 points clear. A late goal from All Saints left the bare minimum between the sides but Clonduff's rear guard held out for a good win. The final score was 1-11 to 2-7. Team: Niall Quinn, Danny Nugent,  Damian Farnon, Francis Quinn, Andy Quinn, Liam McParlan, J J Gilmore, Kealim O'Hare (0-2),  Ciarán Smith, Jamie Lynch, Paudie Mathews (0-3), Shane Murray (0-1) Chris Young (1-0),  Paddy Branagan (0-5),  Eoin Murphy,  Jim Murnin, Owen Roe  Brogan, Shea McPolin, Shay Murnin, Christopher Brown, Eamon Mathews, Hugh Murphy, Ciaran Downey, Rory Mathews, Laurence Murphy

Awards for Clonduff Hurling Referees!

Clonduff Senior Hurlers take Pre-season Training Lying Down!

Clonduff Hurlers are U16 Shield Winners 2009

All Ireland Féile na nGael 2007
Twenty 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.

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 Fionnbharr 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. 

St Patrick's PS Hurling team who reached the Schools Hurling Final 2004. Front (l to r) Paddy Branniff (Schools Hurling Development Officer), Tony McGreevy, Lee Fitzpatrick, Barry O'Hagan and Maeve McNeill (St Pat's PS teacher/coach). Back (l to r) Shay Murnin, Henry Brown, Patrick Matthews, Des McGarry, Niall McPolin and Niall Tumilty

Clonduff Players to the fore in Down Junior Hurling Team 2000

Paddy Branagan (4th from right front row sitting) captained the Down Junior Hurling team in Div 4 Hurling League. Other Clonduff players were: Paul McCusker (2nd left back row), Sean Curran 4th from right back row), Alistair McGilligan (2nd from right back row), Padraig Matthews (extreme left on ground) and John Murphy (2nd from right on ground)

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