Ten years ago (maybe even five) 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 so the lads got the Jerseys signed, a perfect end to a perfect weekend…well almost, it was great to see Clonduff there!
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.
