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Cumann Lúthchleas Gael - Gaelic Athletic Association |
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Michaela Downey wins All Star
award
MICHAELA Downey was
absolutely delighted to receive a 2008 Ladies Football All
Star, becoming the first ladies footballer from Down to be
receive this high-profile award.
On Saturday evening (20th November 2008) the Clonduff
footballer won a place in the half-forward line at a
glittering spectacular at Dublin’s City West Hotel, attended
by Irish president Mary McAleese and Geraldine Giles,
president of Cumann Peil na mBan. The event was hosted by RTE
broadcaster Marty Morrissey and TG4’s Daithi O’Se.
The Newry girl was nominated alongside her namesake and county
defender Eliza Downey.
She was presented with her award by President Mary McAleese
and outgoing President of Cumann Peil Gael na Mban, Geraldine
Giles.
But although Michaela might well be surprised at her award,
few who saw her play would question the wisdom of the judging
panel.
For example in the 2008 All Ireland Qualifiers, that was
televised by TG4, the supremely talented Downey won the Player
of the Match as her Down side narrowly lost by a single point
to the mighty Kerry.
The former Newry Bosco dynamo, who also excels at camogie,
basketball, hockey, squash, badminton and swimming, has star
quality written all over her. She plays football with skill,
speed and strength, specialising in lung-bursting solo runs,
sometimes almost the length of the park. Michaela tackles
hard, has a steely will to win and is a prolific goal-scorer.
(Report Courtesy of The Newry
Democrat)
Michaela was also Down's Joint Player of the Year (2008)
along with her namesake, Eliza Downey. |
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Clonduff Ladies win the Down Senior trophy to make it
Three-in-a-row!
 CLONDUFF
4-09 BREDAGH 1-05
Believing that a good start is half the battle the Clonduff
girls set about an early blitz which literally blew Bredagh
out of the water and left the Belfast girls with no way back
after an opening quarter which had yielded three goals.
Lorraine Maginn had the ball in the Bredagh net after two
minutes and with the wind in their backs Karen Gribben (2) and
Michaela Downey added points to put Clonduff 1-03 up after
five minutes.
With the Downey sisters dominant at centre-half and midfield
respectively the Clonduff forwards enjoyed a good supply of
the ball.
The champions stretched their lead when the Bredagh 'keeper
could only deflect a Jackie Gilmore lob to the net and two
minutes later Lorraine Maginn got her second following a good
run by Michaela Downey and, with the half-time score: Clonduff
3-06, Bredagh 0-3, the challengers had a mountain to climb.
Bredagh certainly enjoyed a lot more possession in the second
half and they contained Clonduff to three points, all from
frees until Michaela Downey found the net direct from a free
kick in stoppage time. The Clonduff 'keeper Elaine McCourt in
great form. Elaine and the Downey sisters have now collected
eleven Down SFC medals!
The photo above shows Vice Captain Colleen McShane and Captain
Karen Gribben with the 'Century Electrical Wholesale' County
Senior trophy and Lorraine Maginn (right) with the Player of
the Match trophy.
This win gave Clonduff their third Senior title in a row.
They easily disposed of the Fermanagh champions in the Ulster
Quarter finals but found the Donegal Champions (Moville) too
hot to handle
Clonduff team and scorers: Elaine McCourt, Clodagh Nugent,
Colleen McShane, Coleen McPolin, Leanne McParlan, Aoibheann
Downey, Joleen Branagan, Jackie Gilmore 1-00, Michaela Downey
1-04, Kelly Carville, Paula Gribben 0-2, Sara Louise Carr
0-01, Christine Grimes, Karen Gribben 0-02 and Lorraine Maginn
2-00. Subs used: Janine Brannagan for Coleen McPolin, Michaela
McConville for Kelly Carville, Lisa Gribben for Karen Gribben
Bridget Quinn for Clodagh Nugent and Pauline Trainor for
Jackie Gilmore. |
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One of Clonduff's newest
referees, Paula Cairns was invited to officiate in the new
initiative "Gaelic 4 Girls" in Croke Park for U14 players on
Sunday 13th July 2008. Despite being on holidays in Sligo,
Paula and her family made the round trip of 340 miles to take
part. Croke Park was laid out in five pitches and Paula was
involved in every game played, either as a referee,
linesperson or Umpire.
Paula is in the centre of
this picture - click on the image to view a slideshow of
Paula's Big Day Out! |
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Down Ladies' Captain (and Clonduff kingpin)
Michaela Downey accepting a set of new kit bags prior to the
Down v Clare League Semi Final, from Amy Nicholson (Bonny's
Caravan Park), Newcastle. Also in the picture is Down and
Bryansford player Natasha Ferris. |
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Clonduff Ladies and their Mentors before the
Championship Final 2007 - the Ladies not only did back-to-back
championships, they also won the Senior League for the first
time.
Back Row: Austin Ward, Karen Gribben, Bridget Quinn, Kelly
Carvill, Lorraine Maginn, Paula Gribben, Elaine (Dot) McCourt,
Aoibheann Downey, Janine Branagan, Colleen McShane, Lisa
McPolin, Paul McShane, Gerard McShane. Middle Row: Johnny
McAleavey, Cathy McParlan, Onagh Gribben, Michaela Downey,
Leanne McParlan, Colleen McPolin, Fionnuala Carr, Jolene
Branagan, Catherine Keenan, John A Gribben. Front Row: Lisa
Parr, Lucia Morgan, Mary McPolin, Michaela McConville, Lizzie
Barry, Jackie Gilmore.
Click here to
view a slideshow |
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The Clonduff U14 Ladies Football team that
reached the County B Final in 2007. The team was coached by
Paula Cairns and Peter McAleavey. Back row: left to right -
Laura McGarry, Sarah Bloomfield, Katherine Milligan, Christina
McConville, Catherine Rooney, Aoife Brown, Tanya McAleenan,
Grace Brown. Middle row: left to right - Chelsea Brennan,
Alice Britton, Carrie Smith, Megan O'Reilly, Roisin
Mulholland. Front row: left to right -Laura Grant, Ciara
Kelly, Leanne McAleavey, Jenna Boden, Orlagh Gribben, Niamh
McGreevy |
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| Down Ladies
U16 Footballers won the All Ireland B Championship when they
defeated Roscommon 5-7 to 2-13 in Navan on Saturday 16
September 2006. |
What a
fortnight for 16 year old Paula Gribben! |
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On Friday 1 September Paula was an integral part of the Minor
Camogie team that won the All Ireland B title; on Sunday 3
September she picked up 'Player of the Game' when Clonduff
Ladies won Down Senior Championship; on Saturday 16 September
she played for Down U16 Ladies when they annexed the All
Ireland B Championship |
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| Karen Gribben
Clonduff Ladies Captain 2006 with the Down Senior Trophy
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Younger
sister Paula who won the 'Player of the Game' award during the
Down Senior Final! |
There was
other Gribben Family involvement in Clonduff's success in
Down! Three sisters are playing members (Left to Right) -
Karen, Onagh and Paula, with their father, John Anthony (one
of the Team Mentors) |
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| Down Senior
Football Champions 2006! Clonduff Ladies and their mentors
before collecting the Senior Football title at the first time
of asking when they overcame reigning champions Castlewellan
on Sunday 3rd September 2006! Pictured back row L to R - John
Anthony Gribben, Lucia Morgan, Aoibheann Downey, Lorraine
Maginn, Jackie Gilmore, Liz Barry, Bridget Kearney, Kelley
Carvill, Louise Savage, Elaine McCourt, Colleen McPolin,
Colleen McShane, Sheenagh McConville, Lisa Parr, Michaela
Downey, Catherine Keenan, Rita Kearney (Nurse), Paul McShane
(Trainer). Front row L to R - Johnny McAleavey, Mary McPolin,
Jolene Branagan, Janine Branagan, Christine Branagan, Paula
Gribben, Karen Gribben (Capt), Angeline McPolin, Paula Cairns,
Lisa McPolin, Leann McParlan, Onagh Gribben, Austin Ward. |
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| Down Intermediate
Champions 2005! Back row (l to r) Karen Gribben, Liz
Barry, Paula Cairns, Andrina O'Hare, Catherine Keenan,
Ursula Walls, Colleen McPolin, Bridget Kearney, Kelley
Carvill, Louise Savage, Maria Carvill, Lisa Parr, Onagh
Gribben. Front row (l to r) Karen Simpson, Paula
Gribben, Mary McPolin, Christine Branagan, Jolene
Branagan, Colleen McShane, Janine Branagan, Sara-Louise
Carr and Maria Maginn. |
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| Seamus McParlan
(Mac's Bar) presenting kit bags to the Ladies
Intermediate team prior to the Down Final 2004. The
Ladies (l to r) are: Angeline McPolin, Lorraine
Maginn (Captain), Marie McParlan and Christine Branagan |
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| The First Ladies Team to take the field! This picture
was taken before their first home game in 2002. |
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| Eamon Rooney of E Rooney Coach Hire handing
over a set of jerseys to Onagh Gribben
(Captain). Also in the picture is Club Chairman,
John McPolin |
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| The Junior Ladies pictured in Owen Roe Park, Kilcoo
prior to their comprehensive Junior Championship Final win.
They were a little less sedate after the game! Back row (l
to r) Karen Gribben, Andrea Gribben, Lisa Parr, Lorraine
Maginn, Onagh Gribben, Bridget Kearney, Olivia McPolin,
Grainne Brogan, Fionnuala Walls, Lucia Morgan. Middle Row (l
to r) Colleen McShane, Colleen McPolin, Jackie Gilmore, Rita
Kearney, Louise Savage, Angeline McPolin, Jolene Branagan,
Michelle McPolin, Caroline McCumiskey. Front Row (l to r)
Siobhan McShane, Janine Branagan, Sarah Devlin, Paula
Gribben, Sara Louise Carr (missing Paula Cairns) |
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Onagh Gribben accepts the Down Ladies
Junior Cup following their 3-17 to 0-3 win over Teconnaught
in 2002.
The girls had a magnificent run in 2002. They also went
through the Junior League unbeaten and beat the Donegal
Champions, Termon in the preliminary round of the Ulster
Club series. Unfortunately they succumbed by 4 points to the
Derry Champions in the next round. What a marvellous
achievement in only their second year in existence! |
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© Anita Brannigan
If you wish to make a comment or supply information for inclusion on
this site please
e-mail Anita |
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