Cumann Lúthchleas Gael - Gaelic Athletic Association

Cumann Chluain Daimh - Clonduff GAA Club

Senior Co Winners - 9 SFC - 1930, 1944, 1945, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1957, 1980, 2000, AI Football 7s 2009;
3 Senior Ladies FC - 2006, 2007, 2008; 2 Senior Camogie Championship - 2007, 2009, AI Camogie 7s Shield 2009; 2 Senior Handball Titles;
2 JHC; 41 County Scór Titles!

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Clonduff Ladies was the brainchild of Onagh Gribben, daughter of inter-county referee, John Anthony, in 2001. The inaugural meeting was attended by 25 girls and after receiving the go-ahead, but not without opposition, they started training in the Winter of 2001under the watchful eyes of Johnny McAleavey, (former Down and Clonduff goalkeeper), John Anthony (whose four daughters were regular players), Stephen Branagan (a Senior player, whose two sisters and four brothers all play for Clonduff team
Under the same management in 2003, the girls began training shortly after Christmas and how that paid off! They picked up the Junior League and Championship double, having gone through the league unbeaten!
In 2004, they took a step up to the Intermediate division and more than held their own. A year later they annexed the Intermediate Championship and League titles.
2006 saw the Ladies in the top division and some felt that the step up would perhaps be a step too far! Twenty-six girls started their training in January - they lost their first Senior League game to long-time Down kingpins, Bryansford. Clonduff played Bryansford in the Championship Semi Final and the game ended in a draw. In the replay Clonduff stepped up a gear and won by 8 points to set up a Final pairing with reigning Champions, Castlewellan. Clonduff, after just five years in existence were crowned Down Senior Champions following their three point win. They went on to win the Senior Championship in 2007 (League also) and 2008). Many of the girls also played Camogie and in 2007 here were eight dual players who were double-double winners have collected the Club's first Senior Camogie Championship!

The core of the team had been together since its inception but it was now time to rebuild and were consequently relegated to the Intermediate division in 2011 and reached the Championship Final in 2012.
The next step, therefore, in the development of the Ladies game in Clonduff was the institution of youth teams which have been in existence since 2004. A number of these girls went on to secure a place on the Senior team.

Paula Gribben played on the Down U16 team that won the All Ireland B Championship in 2006 and won 'Player of the Game' in the Down Senior Final. (Two days before the Down Senior Final she was one of five Clonduff girls on the Down Minor Camogie team that collected the All Ireland B Camogie cup - the Camogie team was coached and managed by Clonduff's Kitty Fegan). Paula was and still is Clonduff's only All Ireland Dual winner.

Michaela Downey became the first ever Clonduff player to be selected for International Rules team in 2006 and is 2009 is awarded an All Ireland All Star and later in the year won Newry & Mourne District Council's Sports Personality of the Year.

Clonduff U14 Ladies Football team that secured their first League win of the season with a very strong performance at home on Sunday afternoon against Teconnaght who had been unbeaten until this game. The final score was Clonduff 5-6 Teconnaught 0-8

Back Row (l to r): Margaret McEvoy, Summer Brannigan, Tamzin Brannigan, Laura Mackin, Clara Cowan, Shannon O'Reilly, Erin Rafferty. Molly Brown, Tierna Mullin, Niamh Fitzpatrick, Ciara O'Reilly, Gemma Dillon; Front Row (l to r): Caitlin Brannigan. Corshenna McCoy, Isabella O'Hare. Kyla Woods, Amy Lowry, Cara Boden (Missing from photo Sinead Woods)

Congratulations to Down Ladies on their one point victory over Armagh in Parnell Park on Saturday 11th May in the Division 3 League Final. Down came from 0-4 to 0-9 down to win 2-6 to 0-10. The Down Ladies will be playing in Division two next season.

Many congratulations to all involved and particularly the Clonduff contingent (pictured below) - trainers Mark Copeland (l), Ryan McShane (r) and  team panellist Colleen McShane.

Clonduff U12 Ladies Football Team 2013

There's keen interest in Ladies Football among the young ladies of the parish. Pictured above is the U12 team and two of their mentors, Katherine Milligan (l) and Sarah Bloomfield (r). Also assisting with this young team is Paul O'Hare and Paddy McCumiskey. They will play their first game away to Rostrevor on Wednesday 1st May.

Back row (l to r) Leona Killen, Paula Gribben, Orla Gribben, Jenna Boden, Paula Cairns, Bridget Quinn, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Aoife Brown, Caoimhe Morgan; Front row (l to r) Therese McStay, Michaella McConville, Petrina Lively, Roisin Mulholland, Leanne McAleavey, Tara McNeill (missing from photo Karen Gribben, Onagh McClorey, Louise Savage)

Colleen McShane (centre) leaving the field after making a substitute appearance for Down Ladies v Wexford in their comprehensive win in Enniscorthy on Sunday 17th February 2013. Down ladies currently sitting joint top of NFL 3 with Armagh with whom Down drew in the first game. Next game away to Sligo. Ryan McShane and Mark Copeland are the Down Ladies Trainers.

New Tops for Ladies Footballers

The new half-zip tops were sponsored way back in September for the Championship Final but only arrived at beginning of December as the girls decided to wait for O'Neill's to release a new range of tops.  They were definitely worth the wait! The sponsors were Attracta Brown Yoga, Kids Yoga and Peter Fitzpatrick Ltd, Leode Quarries. The photo above shows team captain Onagh Gribben (Centre) with with Attracta Brown and Noel Fitzpatrick

The sun shone on Pairc Chluain Daimh on Saturday 29th September 2012 when eight U12 Ladies Football teams converged to compete for the Martin Woods Cup and the Martin Johnston Shield for the very first time.

It was a great festival of Juvenile Ladies Football! The teams were placed in two groups with each team playing the other. Following the group stage the teams went into knock-out stage - the two top teams in both groups competing for the Cup and the bottom two playing off for the Shield. Carryduff and Warrenpoint contested the Cup Final with Carryduff picking up the Martin Johnston Shield. Geraldine's (Dundalk) defeated Rostrevor in the Cup Final. Winners and Runners up in both competitions were presented with medals sponsored by Sean Cowan.

Rather than winners and losers, the day was all about fun, enjoyment and giving the young players a good experience. According to the visiting teams this ideal was surpassed.

Clonduff GAA Club are indebted to all those who helped in any way and particularly the parents of the Clonduff girls for providing a great spread of sandwiches, cakes and other eatables for everybody in attendance; Goretta Cairns for the tuck shop; Sean Cairns for collecting the scores; the Clonduff Senior Ladies - Louise, Joeleen, Therese - for their invaluable help; Marie Cowan for organising the kitchen and Angeline Rafferty for timings. A special word of thanks to our young referees Sarah Bloomfield and Natasha Boyle who took charge of the group games very efficiently and to Mark Copeland and Karen Gribben for taking charge of the Semi Finals and Finals.

The participating teams above are: back (l to r) Kilcoo, Bosco, Geraldine's, Rostrevor, Warrenpoint; Front (l to r) Carryduff, Clonduff, Bredagh.

Click here to view a short slideshow of the day.

Message from Clonduff U12 Ladies Football Mentors

We would very much like to thank the following for all their help towards hosting today's inaugural Clonduff U12 Ladies Football tournament:

Anita Brannigan: programme production, tannoy announcements, score board management Goretta and Sean Cairns for shop, and facılıtıes management, Lorraine Bloomfield guidance and support in clubrooms kitchen, to all parents and players who supplied sandwiches, home-baked produce and treats, parents (Angeline Rafferty, Bronagh O'Reılly, Dee Fitzpatrick, Pauline Brown, Donna Woods, Seona Woods, Amanda Johnson, Debbıe Brown, Marıe Cowan) who helped serve food to visiting teams and mentors

Sponsors: Marty Woods (Cup), Marty Johnson (Shıeld), Sean Cowan (Medals)

Referees/umpires: Sarah Bloomfield, Natasha Boyle Karen Gribben, Mark Copeland, Paul Kelly, Senior Ladies footballers: Louise Savage, Joeleen Branagan and Therese McStay, and to Jerry and Maura Quinn for supplying tannoy.

Sixteen Clonduff U12 Ladies Footballers travelled to Dromıntee on Sunday morning to compete in their annual Tournament.

Playing first against the home side, the game was a close affair with some excellent passages of play from both sides. However, Clonduff looked the more balanced outfit and eventually won through on a score of 2-3 to 1-0. Kılleavy was next and the young Yellas were playing with a confidence now, reeling off scores at ease to run out with a comfortable wın.  

 And so into the final and a replay against Dromıntee. Despite the heavy rainfall and the physical dominance of Dromıntee Clonduff were not found wanting and with the girls raising their game they stood firm to outplay the opposition. The battling qualities were epitomised by a face block by our heroic Captain on the day Kyla Woods. Time and again Kyla frustrated the opposition with timely interceptions while Summer Brannigan, Amy Lowry and Niamh Fearon marshalled the back line with total assurance always vigilant and disciplined on the tackle. This dominance was assisted throughout the three games by Sinead Woods, Tamzin Brannigan, Ellen Lively and Catlin Harper and gave Clonduff a platform to mount endless attacks. The midfield paring of Erin Rafferty and Clara Cowan in the 2nd half in particular took complete control, and Molly Brown finally got through for a goal and a well-taken point. However the predatory instincts of Amy Johnson the aerial supremacy of Tiarna Mullen and powerful attacks of Niamh Fitzpatrick and Cara Boden played a huge part in this Cup win. Finally, Shannon O'Reılly was at her usual best in goals to cap a completely memorable  team performance. Well done Girls! Few can go into the heart of South Armagh and come out the victors but this Clonduff outfit did just that.

Photo above shows Team Captain Kyla Woods accepting the trophy

Clonduff Ladies gave away two early goals to Ballymartin in the Intermediate Championship Final on Saturday 1st September 2012 in Saval and it was basically these scores that separated the teams at the end. Clonduff were outplayed in the first half and trailed 3-9 to 1-2 at half time but had a great second half but had left themselves too much to do. Final Score Ballymartin 3-12 Clonduff 1-10. Team and scorers: Louise Savage Janine Branagan Coleen McShane Pauline McConville, Jackie Gilmore Jenna Boden Caoimhe Morgan, Paula Gribben (0-5), Onagh Gribben, Kelley Fitzpatrick Roisin Mulholland, Leanne McAleavey, Clodagh Nugent Orla Gribben (1-2), Michaela McConville: subs used: Joeleen Branagan, Karen Gribben (0-3), Tara McNeill, Petrina Lively.

The panel above are: Back row (l to r) Mary McPolin, Christine Grimes, Mark Copeland, Karen Gribben Colleen McShane, Orla Gribben, Pauline McConville, Michaella McConville, Louise Savage, Clodagh Nugent, Paula Gribben, Onagh Gribben (Capt), Kelly Fitzpatrick, Ryan McShane, Ciarán McGreevy; Middle row (l to r) Joanne Brown, Lizzie Barry, Sheenagh McConville, Tara McNeill, Janine Branagan, Leanne McAleavey, Therese McStay, Joelene Branagan, Roisin Mulholland; Front row (l to r) Laura Grant, Jackie Gilmore, Jenna Boden, Caoimhe Morgan, Petrina Lively (missing Aoife Brown)

Below left Team Captain Onagh Gribben is presented with a new set of jerseys by new sponsor Eugene Branagan of E Branagan Joinery. included in the photo are: Ryan McShane (Manager), Eugene Branagan (Sponsor), Jackie Gilmore, Joelene Branagan, Christine Grimes and Onagh Gribben; Below right Carol Curran proprietor Classique Hair Salon presents a new set of polo shirts to Onagh and Ryan.

Clonduff GAA Club thanks sincerely Eugene, Carol and everyone who contributed in any way to the Ladies Football team.

Six Clonduff girls played at half time in the All Ireland Qualifiers Down v Mayo on Saturday 4th August! Croke Park had asked the County to nominate a team of 11 boys and 11 girls to play in the half time games. Down Games Development Officer, Conor O'Toole asked Clubs on Tuesday to nominate six boys and/or six girls as they were giving four clubs the chance of being represented (two would have six girls/boys and two would have five boys/girls). Clonduff took the opportunity of nominating both boys and girls knowing that if one was drawn out the other would automatically miss out. Those who came out of the draw are as follows:

Ladies Gaelic Football is the fastest growing sport in Ireland and so it's proving to be in Clonduff GAA Club, particularly at U12 level where numbers keep increasing on an almost weekly basis. Much credit to the mentors and the girls themselves who have won all their games so far in 2012. With the set-up at this level every girls is guaranteed meaningful game time

Back Row (l to r)  Seanin McGarry, Corshenna McCoy, Molly Campbell, Summer and Tamzin Brannigan, Niamh Fitzpatrick, Molly Brown, Amy Johnson, Tierna Mullin, Sinead Woods, Elena McGarry, Cara Boden, Clara Cowan, Erin Rafferty, Niamh Fearon and Emily Lively. Front Row l(l to r)

Amy Lowry, Kyla Woods, Isabella O'Hare, Aoife McCusker, Sarah Kelly, Alana Donnan, Orla McCusker, Caoimhe Hughes, Ally Magee and Ailish Fearon. 

On Friday evening past 24 Clonduff girls travelled to Castlewellan hoping to challenge their town counterparts. However, only 12 of our more senior players were in attendance. Insisting on all our girls getting relevant game time meant that the overall score became irrelevant. In the 1st and 2nd periods the younger girls were predominantly involved along with debutants Ailish Fearon and Emily Lively. Putting up a courageous fight their never say die attitude certainly asked questions of the seasoned campaigners of Castlewellan. Ultimately age difference showed in the end. That said, Clonduff left the final 3rd period to field their most senior girls as one unit and in so doing left the town field with their credibility intact. Matching them and at times out smarting this talented group of Castlewellan girls in every sector Clonduff excelled. Propelled by the appreciative travelling support the yellows finished on a high and with satisfied smiles on their faces. An excellent effort and showing good progress. Keep it up girls.  Full attendance at training is essential to develop your skill level, understanding of the game, and playing in a team.    

(Report and Photo Sean Cowan)

Clonduff U12 girls second outing of the year took them to St Colman's College Newry where they were convincing winners over St John Bosco. All 23 girls got good game time with a middle period used to give the younger players valuable experience.   In goals were Corshenna McCoy and later Cara Boden (1-0) who showed good hands under pressure. Summer and Tamzin Brannigan and Kyla Woods were strong and reliable throughout while Niamh Fearon and Erin Rafferty were outstanding in the half back line. Centre field and half forwards of Niamh Fitzpatrick, Clara Cowan (0-2) and Molly Brown (0-1) worked tirelessly with a steady supply of quality ball to the always available Amy Johnson (3-1), Caoimhe Hughes (1-0), and Tierna Mullin (0-2). An excellent team performance!        

The younger players continue to show steady improvement. Bosco were a stronger opposition than their last game but Clonduff stood up and showed good determination and team work. In backs Molly Campbell, Sinead Woods, Seanin McGarry, Aoife McCusker, worked heroically, while Emma McGreevy and Alanna Donnan showed off their natural talent, with Elle McCumiskey, Elena McGarry, Sarah Kelly and Orla McCusker fought well and all displayed good fist passing and kicking throughout. Well done all.  Training as usual at 7pm on Wednesday - all girls must attend to be sure of place on team.

The U12 Ladies Football team is pictured above in the beautiful surrounds of St Colman's College Newry.

The Clonduff U12 Ladies Football panel (Photo Billy Campbell): Back Row (l to r) Sinead Woods, Kayla Woods, Emma McGreevy, Shauneen McGarry, Clara Cowan, Molly Brown, Summer Brannigan, Niamh Fitzpatrick, Shannon O'Reilly, Tamzin Brannigan, Niamh Fearon, Tiarna Mullen, Amy Johnston, Erin Rafferty; Front Row (l to r) Corshenna McCoy, Elle McCumiskey, Alanna Donnan, Orlaith McCusker, Caoimhe Hughes, Aoife McCusker, Sarah Kelly, Roisin McPolin, Isabella O'Hare, Molly Campbell, (Front) Cara Boden.

Crossmaglen Ladies Sevens (Saturday 25th February 2012) - After beating Tempo in Round 1, the girls fell to Crossmaglen and then Gleneally (group leaders) and entered the shield. It took extra time to separate Clonduff and Moneyglass with the opposition clinching a goal in the 2nd period to progress! Excellent work rate from all the girls and in game one against tempo Megan O'Reilly was named 'Player of the Match' by the official. Every girl worked extremely hard and certainly done did Clonduff proud.

Photo: (Back row) Kelly Fitzpatrick, Therese McStay, Clodagh Nugent, Hannah O'Reilly, Michaella McConville, Leanne McAleavey, (front row: Megan O'Reilly, Caoimhe Morgan, Clare O'Hagan, Petrina Lively, Orla Gribben, Jolene Branagan

During October and November 2011 four Clonduff Ladies footballers (members of the 2011 U12 squad) were invited to train with the Down Ladies U14 Development Squad. This series culminated in an all-Ulster blitz on 19th November  at the Mid Ulster Sports Arena in Cookstown, Co Tyrone when the girls had a chance to don the red and black of Down - (pictured Summer Brannigan, Ciara O' Reilly, Tamzin Brannigan and Clara Cowan) in the two Down teams.

Trials continued over three weekends in December to select a short-listed panel; which has just been announced. Clara has made it through this process and will begin training with the squad on 8th January 2012. This is no mean feat as Clara is still an U12 player in 2012 (as are the twins). Thanks to all four young ladies for representing Clonduff on 'the big stage'

Back row: Tara Mc Neill (0-4), Jane McAleenan (0-2), Elaine Murphy, Leona Killen (5-2), Laura Grant (2-2), Sarah Bloomfield, Kieva Morgan (0-1), Clare O Hagan (1-1), Jenna Boden, Petrina Lively; Front row: Colleen Brannigan, Ciara O Reilly (1-1), Lenna Mc Aleavey - Capt (0-3), Jane Smith (0-2), Vanessa Wilson, Cara McAvoy.

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