Awaiting their medals
Someone once said there is no such thing as bad weather just inappropriate clothing! Well the adults had the appropriate clothing but the youngsters didn’t seem to mind! 27 teams from Down, Armagh, Meath and Derry took part in a fantastic morning’s football. The skills on display were unbelievable for these Primary 3 and 4 age children – if they keep this development up they are going to be some serious footballers when they get to their teens never mind adulthood. Many thanks to the mentors from all the clubs for instilling all that is good in Gaelic Football into these future county players!
After the group games four competitions at various grades were on offer – The A teams competed for the Cup and the Shield; the second and third string teams played for the Plate or the Plaque and all players in the eight teams in the finals received medals.
Clonduff, who have 39 children at this age group fielded three teams – Gaels, Ógs and Stars (the Stars were all P3 age). In the final reckoning all three teams got to their respective finals – some achievement! 👏👏👏👏👏
The Clonduff Gaels played Burren Gaels in a very close exciting final with The Yellas just edging it to lift the Cup!
The Shield Final was contested between similarly clad teams – Tullylish and St Paul’s Hollywood – Tullylish turned their jerseys inside out and it paid dividends for them as they beat the citysiders in another closely contested final. Saval Ógs and Clonduff Ógs needed extra time to separate them in the Plate Final – Clonduff, by virtue of their more accurate shooting, were worthy winners. Clonduff’s youngest team – the Stars – were the only ones in that age group and played against Ógs teams in all their qualifying games to make it to the final where they faced Ballyholland Ógs who just proved a step too far – just think what kind of players they will be next year as they are all again eligible! 💪💪💪💪💪
Before the presentation, Caroline Carvill (nee McGreevy) thanked all the teams who help every year to keep her uncle’s name alive through the tournament – he was Clonduff’s Senior Football Captain who tragically died on the field of play in Saval v Carrickcruppen in 1957.
Chairperson Paudie Matthews thanked all involved in organising the tournament, the mentors of all teams, the referees who were mainly the Clonduff Senior Footballers including the Down Captain Darren O’Hagan, the Clonduff parents who provided the sandwiches, buns, etc for everyone to have lunch, the parents who kept the teas/coffees going in the kitchen, Goretta, Noleen and Shane in the Shop, Laureen, Geraldine and Marie in the Burger Bar, the administrators in the clubrooms, the ‘traffic wardens’ and those who helped clean up after the event.
A very successful day indeed!
