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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Handball in Clonduff takes its roots from the hours spent in the "alleys" at St Colman’s College (or Violet Hill). Everyone it seemed who went to Violet Hill spent some time in the Alleys. First thing in the morning, off the bus, the mid morning break, the lunchtime break, or if one was a boarder then it was hours in the evening. The surprise is that it took so long for Handball to take root in Clonduff.

Clonduff's handball team competed in the Down Junior League from the mid 1980s made and comprise such players such as Andrew Carr, Mark Matthews, Gerry McEntee, Jim Harland, Tony Wilson and Gerry Brown. Gerry McEntee and Jim were both originally from Belfast where the game was traditionally strong and they brought valuable experience to the Clonduff Handball scene.

It was during the late 1980s that the coaching began to bear fruit with Clonduff beginning to win titles in singles and doubles from U12 through to U16. Tony Wilson collected the U18 doubles title partnering Oliver Mynes from Shamrocks in the 1987/88 season.
The game got a boost in 1989 with the completion of the handball court behind Clonduff Youth Club. Esteemed players such as Billy Silcock and Stevie Madden were invited to the opening to play an exhibition match. Sean McEntee, a future President of Irish handball, presented the trophies on the day. It was a major occasion for handball in the club and could have heralded a new era but the structures within the club were not in place and consequently interest waned and the juvenile scene dissipated. Individuals though were still playing the game.
In 1992 the juvenile scene returned and Clonduff won the Co Feile na nGael U14 competition, the first time in its history that it was won by any team other than Downpatrick. That team (Damian Smyth, Tom Grant, Paul Shields and Padraig Matthews) went on to compete in the Feile in Salthill, Galway. That year, Paul Shields won an Ulster U14 doubles title playing as a member of a Downpatrick based Down select, the first juvenile Ulster Title to come to the club.

Following another slump, the game received another much-needed boost with the arrival of Des McNeil into the parish in 1998. A native of St John's, Des devoted the necessary energy into re-establishing coaching structures within the club and putting in place procedures, which would see the eventual re-opening of the handball court that had been closed for a number of years.

This saw the beginning of the most successful and prominent period in the history of the club. Des recruited lads who had previously played at underage level and those individuals who were looking for 'life after football'.

In 1999 Tony Wilson won the Down singles title with Gary Morgan taking the Down Division 2 'B' title. The same year Paul Girvan, partnering Tony Wilson, won the Ulster Junior Doubles going on to reach an All-Ireland final, losing narrowly. Tony also won the Junior singles making it a clean sweep for Clonduff at this grade. Two teams competed in the Down Division 1 League and the C team won the Division 2 title. The team consisted of Colin Shields, Gary Morgan and Paul McCusker. It was at this time that the club had its strongest playing population with Tony Wilson, Gerry McEntee, Paul Girvan, Colin Shields, Gerard McNeil, Niall Quinn, Jim Harland, Paul McCusker, Gary Morgan, John and Paul Murphy making up the senior selection.

Clonduff joined the North Ulster League at Division 2 level having secured the Down First Division title in 2001. The team consisted of Jim Harland, Gerry McEntee, Tony Wilson and Paul Girvan. This following season the Club was boosted by the addition of Dona1 Armstrong (World 'B' Singles title holder), Martin Toner from Loughmacrory in Tyrone who was teaching locally, and Paul Shields.

Paul Shields claimed the Down Singles title that year. Unfortunately Clonduff did not fulfil a number of their Ulster League fixtures for that year. This was a major blow to the club as a lot of work had gone into getting Clonduff this far. In 2003, however, Paul Shields won the Ulster Junior title in Gort na Mona..
It was these successes and renewed interest that resulted in the formation of a Clonduff Handball sub-committee in January of 2004. The committee was as follows: Paul Shields (Chairman), Des McNeil (Secretary), Colin Shields (PRO), Sean McNally and Jim Harland (Treasurer). Additional members were Gerard McNeil, Tony Wilson and Paul McCusker. It wasn't until the 2004/2005 season that Clonduff re-entered the Ulster League again at Division 2. However, this year saw a renewed impetus in Handball and more players available to play. The team won Division 2 by the slimmest of margins beating Gort na Mona 'B' into second place. The successful team was: Colin Shields, Eddie Clancy, Des McNeil, Sean McNally, and Paul Shields. 

Clonduff also achieved their first All-Ireland title this year with Des McNeil parterning Dan McCartan to win the Diamond Masters 'B' title in Mullingar -  a tremendous achievement for a club with such a small playing population!

Juvenile coaching had re-commenced in the club in February 2004 with invaluable work being done by Colin Shields, Des McNeill, Eddie Clancy and Paul Shields. Clonduff again starting competing in and winning Feile and Down Championships - the most notable of which is Shane Milligan who has won 5-in-a-row juvenile titles as of 2013. Paul Shields relinquished his Co title in 2013 which he has held for the past twelve years.

Handball is a game played in the football 'off-season' and is a fantastic way of developing a player's sharpness, fitness levels and hand/eye co-ordination. It is our oldest Gaelic Game and therefore it's continued development should be of utmost importance. Players like Paul Brady (Cavan) and Tony Healy (Cork) have shown that it offers our youth an international element. Handball is a game that is spreading internationally but unfortunately, struggling in many areas in its 'homeland'. If we, as a club, are interested in providing the appropriate facilities for our youth then handball must be viewed as an integral part of this.
In 2008 Clonduff  again won the Division II Ulster League and re-gained promotion to the elite division for the 2008/2009 season. In the Divisional Championship Final Clonduff played St. Paul’s III and were heavily handicapped to the tune of 30 points for the Belfast team but in a great team performance, Paul Shields, Eddie Clancy, Colin Shields and Sean McNally outplayed their opponents and won the title with 12 points to spare.

In 2009 Sean McNally, who has won a number of All Ireland Silver titles and competed in the World Championships became Chairman of the Down Handball Association.

Clonduff's .Juvenile Handball section expanded in the winter of 2012 when over 20 young  females joined the Handballing fraternity and great strides were made in a very short time. Clonduff girls competed in Co Championships for the first time in 2013 and also in Feile na nGael the same year.

The 'oldies' are convinced Cups ,Shields and a plethora of medals are what will trigger the desired responce and bring the best performance out in our

juveniles. Not so.    

 Maybe its the fact that Easter is just round the corner and the lure of chocolate awaits. But when Easter Eggs were up for grabs in this final session of winter handball activities the mood among these usually happy go lucky bunch of lads changed to a very mean-focused group of fiercely combative individuals. Suffice to say Game on!

With top-drawer performances from Aidan Quinn, Shane Close, Ben Magee and Ronan Mathews in the early rounds and steady assured play from Jamie McDonald, Joey O'Hare, Darragh Lavery, and the much younger Dan Rafferty questions were being ask of seasoned players like of Charlie Brown, Patrick Cowan and the oldest boy on show Oran Wilson. Great rallies and nail-biting finishes were the order of the night where most of the challenges went down to the wire.

Ultimately Handball was the winner on the night and credit goes to all the boys who displayed patience, discipline and above all a great healthy competitiveness and friendly rivalry.

All the children gratefully received Easter Eggs and were wished the best of luck with the U10s Football and Hurling season which now takes over from the winter handball practice.

Ps. Any parent wanting to continue with handball practice for their child just contact a coach for key and ball. (Report and Photo Sean Cowan)

Girls Handball End of Season Tournament

It was thought that the usual Wednesday night slot for the girls would be sufficient to have an informal handball competition. However, when it was announced that a very large Easter Egg was the 1st prize for the winner suddenly a very serious and determined mentality ensued. With each game going right to the wire and long rallies to determine each point, the girls really showed that the winter training had brought them on a great deal.

Eventually a winner emerged and it came from a very traditional Clonduff Family name (but perhaps not in handball). This year's Champion was none other than Molly Brown and she accepted her prize with mouth watering glee. All girls received Easter Eggs for all their efforts on the night and throughout the year (see picture below).

The games were played with a great spirit indicative of their off-court  friendships.

Well done to all the girl participating and for their commitment throughout the year. 

This was their last session until the Autumn  unless some progress can be made with the outdoor one-wall court. Until then good luck with your respective Camogie and Football season which you all are about to embark upon. The handball exercise will hopefully have kept you all in good shape for the other codes within the Clonduff Club.    

The U12 Girls are pictured above with supervisor Marie Cowan and some youthful supporters. Carol Curran and Bronagh O'Reilly also helped out with supervisory duties. The girls were expertly coached by Colin Shields assisted by Sean Cowan - thanks to everybody who has made a massive effort to bring Handball to the females of Clonduff and the young people in particular.  

Pictured above is Eamon Brown (right) who reached the Primary Schools U13 Handball Final on Saturday 16th February. Eamon was eventually defeated by Philip Doran St Patrick's Saul. The two finalists are pictured with their medals following the presentation ceremony

A big well done to all the boys and girls from St Patrick's Primary School, Hilltown (above) who played so well in the Primary Schools Handball Competition in Saval on Saturday 16th February 2013. They were a credit to themselves, their school, their parents and their coaches. The five young ladies in the group who created history by becoming the first girls from the school to participate in the Schools' Handball/

The children taking part were: Eamon Brown (U13 Singles); Patrick Cowan, Jamie McDonald, Charlie Brown (U11 Singles),  Shane Close & Joey O'Hare, Aidan Quinn & Ben Magee, Darragh Lavery & Ronan Matthews (U11 Doubles). There was no Doubles competition for the girls - all of them (some very young) competed in the U11 Singles: Ella McCumiskey, Eve Matthews, Ellen Shields, Erin Lively, Blaithin Shields 

It was a great day's competition and a wonderful experience. A lot of them will be eligible again next year.

Heartiest congratulations to 16 year old Shane Milligan on once again claiming Clonduff's first title of the new year in any discipline. Shane secured the U17 Handball title in Downpatrick on Friday 18th January 2013 making this his 5th age title in a row, having won each year from U13. This is no mean feat. Shane represented Down in the Ulster Competition.

The young lads, (left), represented Clonduff Handball Club in the County Competitions in Saval on Sunday 13th January 2013 are: back: Patrick Cowan and Joey O'Hare; front Conor Milligan and Darragh Lavery. Conor (U13) and Patrick (U12) won their Singles semi finals 15/2, 15/4 and 15/0, 15/2 respectively and played Downpatrick opponents in the County Final on Wednesday 16th January again in Saval Sports and Leisure Complex (See below). Joey and Darragh encountered very strong opposition in their semi final which they lost but gave a great account of themselves. Patrick, Joey and Darragh just started playing Handball back in November 2012.

The U12 Girls singles and Doubles Finals were also played in Saval on Wednesday night - Clara Cowan (Singles), Erin Rafferty and Niamh Fitzpatrick (Doubles) - These are Clonduff History-makers - the first ever females to participate in Handball competitions having just started training in November 2012.

"A great experience was had by all involved at the County Juvenile Handball Finals in Saval on Wednesday night. Alas, for the Clonduff finalists the greater experience of the opposition won through . However, the fledgling boys and girls from Clonduff will have learned from this contest.
To all who know the game of handball 'service' is key to winning especially at under age level, and the more game time one has the better one becomes at this particular skill. Service apart, much of the rallies were fairly evenly z contested and so gives the Clonduffians encouragement for future challenges. Indeed,friendships were made with the Downpatrick/Saval players and challenge matches are now being arranged. All very positive going forward.

Well done all involved and keep up that Monday and Wednesday night practice. More matches for all in near future." (Sean Cowan)

Photograph courtesy of 'The Outlook'

Heartiest Congratulations to Colin Shields and Eddie Clancy who won the Down County Intermediate Handball Doubles Final beating Ciarán Cunningham and Daniel Connolly in a close final on Saturday 15th December 2012. Final score 5/21, 21/19, 11/6 in the tiebreaker.

And then on Christmas Eve there were three very exciting Down Singles Handball Finals played in Saval with Clonduff players in two of the three finals.

In the Junior Final RGU's John Burns defeated Saval's Jarlath McCarthy 21/10, 21.19. Clonduff's Colin Shields beat Lorraine Havern 21/20, 21/10 in the Intermediate Final. Sean Digney (Saval took the Senior honours beating Clonduff's Paul Shields in a tiebreak.

Well done to the players who served up some really good handball. Many thanks also the the host club Saval and to the referees on the day.

Pictured below are the Shields Brothers - Colin extreme left and Paul extreme right with their respective opponents.

Colin Shields dropped in at the beginning of the night and gave a demonstration to both parents and children on the three main handball strokes.It then was handed over to the supervisors to take the remaining sessions and arrange practice games.

From next week onwards the girls will be divided into small groups for ease of management and to allow for adequate supervised practice sessions. Each small group will have 40 mins on court. The groups are listed below.  More parents - Mothers or Fathers or Both - are needed to help with this age group so come along on the time which best suits please.

7:00-7:40 Supervisors: Carol Magee and A.N. Other   

Ally Magee, Beth Fitzpatrick, Caitlin Harper, Ellen Lively

7:40-8:20 Supervisors: Marie Cowan and A. N. Other 

Cara Boden, Molly Brown, Clara Cowan, Niamh Fitzpatrick

8:20-9:00 Supervisors: Bronagh O'Reilly and A.N. Other

Niamh Fearon, Tiarna Mullin, Shannon O'Reilly, Erin Rafferty, Amy Lowry

Clonduff Girls take up the Handball Challenge

On Monday 12th November 2012 this group of young girls and James turned up for Handball Training. This is the U8/U10 group and their session is 6.30-7.30pm. Well done girls and James. The group includes Orla and Rosie McCann, Ella McComiskey, Eveagh and Clodagh Kelly, Ellen and Blaithin Shields. The mentors for this group are Colin Shields and Des McNeill. Parents supervision: Gavin McCann, Patrick McCumisky, Kieran kelly. 

On Wednesday 7th November Twelve U12 girls became the 'Trail Blazers' for females and Handball in the Clonduff Club. Their training continues every Wednesday from 7-9pm. U10 boys train on Monday nights from 7.30-9pm.

A good first night was had by all the handballers. Des and Colin illustrated the various techniques and had all the children attempting to strike the ball correctly. Well done everybody.

Sean McNally (above with Lorraine Havern, Saval) displaying their Silver Medals won at the World Handball Championships in city West Hotel in October 2012. Below, Conor Brown and Colin Shields pictured at the County Doubles Final v Jim Cunningham and Niall McManus (Downpatrick)

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© Anita Brannigan
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