Clonduff A (above) annexed the Gary Murray Cup on Saturday 22nd June, for the first time since 2004!
Back row (l to r) Kieran Mulholland, Oisin Tumilty, Shane Parr, Tom Close, Rory McKernan, Conor Parr, Charlie Kerr; Front row (l to r) Laurence Brannigan (Player of the Tournament), Cian Rooney, Aidan Markey (Joint Capt), Eamon Brown (Joint Capt), Jamie McDonald
For the third Saturday in June 2013, over 400 children, their mentors, parents and family members representing 24 teams from Down, Armagh, Tyrone, Louth and Kildare converged on Pairc Chluain Daimh, this week for the 38th running of the Gary Murray U12 Tournament. Teams were assigned to four groups and after their five group games were graded for the knock-out stages with with top two in each group contesting the Cup Quarter Finals, the middle two competing for the Shield and the bottom two in each group for the plate.
The weather wasn’t too unkind and there was a terrific array of skills played under Go Games Rules and around 4 pm after 78 games the six teams took the field simultaneously for the three finals – the Plate was contested between Bryansford and Longstone with Bryansford emerging winners; Ballyglas (Ballymartin/Glasdrumman) beat Carrickcruppin in the Shield Final; Clonduff A and Tullylish played a cracking game worthy of the Cup final with the home side emerging winners on a score of 1-2 to 0-2.
Cathal Murray, on behalf of the family thanked all those who had participated and those who were involved in any way in organising the event – he paid special tribute to the young Guest Referees – Francis and Mark Rogan from Kilcoo and Michael McShane from Dundrum, as well as the Club referees, without whose participation there would be no tournament. He spoke of the important role of mentors, parents and family members in shaping the future of such tender talent.
The referees were presented with plaques by members of the next generation of the Murray Family. Cathal then called on his cousin, Eugene O’Hagan on holiday from New York to present the Plate and medals to Bryansford and Longstone; his brother Ciaron presented the Shield and medals to Ballyglass and Carrickcruppin; his brother Damien presented the Cup and medals to Clonduff and Tullylish. The final presentation of the day fell to his Cathal Senior – the Lily Murray Cup for the ‘Player of the Tournament’. An almighty cheer greeted the announcement of Laurence Brannigan as the first ever Clonduff recipient of this accolade.
