Clonduff’s All Ireland Solo Singing Champions 2019 Aoife Trainor got proceedings underway with Ambrán na bhFiann
Clonduff GAA Club again created history on Sunday 21st March 2021 when they recognised the achievements of the player in a Virtual Event via Zoom. Over 70 Clonduffians tuned in and we welcomed the Chairs of the three County Boards – John Devanney (GAA), Helen McAleavey (Camogie) and Stephen Magorrian (LGFA). Proceedings got under way with Amhrán na bhFiann sung by our own All Ireland Solo Singing Champion Aoife Trainor; there were messages of support from Joanne Cantwell of RTE and Connor Phillips of BBC Radio. In her address Club Chairperson Anita Brannigan introduced the new Club President – Fintan Mussen.
The Co Chairs introduced the Award Winners in each code; Camogie Chair Guinevra McGilligan had a special mention for Clonduff’s twelve All Ireland winners on the Down Camogie team. Tommy Kelly introduced the two young players – Padraig Clancy and Aaron Norris who were playing members of St Colman’s All Ireland McGirr Cup winning team.
Halfway through the player awards, we were royally entertained to a musical interlude by the Magee Family – thank you Thomas, Michael and Shea.
The PJ McAlinden Hall of Fame Award took the form of a magnificent interview, brilliantly facilitated by Destination Newry, between our own Ross Carr and the recipient Stephen Morgan a star of the 1950s and 1960s. The Trophy was presented by Bronagh McAlinden and her grandchildren, socially distanced, of course
The biggest surprise of the night, well for the recipient, was for the Hugh McShane Club person of the Year – Sheenagh Walsh. Sheenagh who had played a major part in the presentation. believed it was going to another member – thanks to her family for keeping it under wraps.
The evening ended with a video summary of Clonduff’s activities through the lockdown and on the field followed by the Ross/Stephen interview in full. Most attendees stayed to the bitter end, testimony to the importance of the event.
Award winners were as follows:
- Young LGFA Player of the Year – Éabha Ni Domhnaill
- INF Trophy to LGFA Senior Player of the Year – Orla Gribben
- Young Camogie Player of the Year – Beth Fitzpatrick
- Pat Brown trophy to Senior Camogie Player of the Year – Sara Louise Graffin
- All Ireland Camogie Winners – Fionnuala Carr (joint capt) Sara Louise Graffin, Paula O’Hagan – these three girls were also recognised for their Soaring stars – Cassie & Beth Fitzpatrick, Clare & Katie McGilligan, Jenna Boden, Clara Cowan, Erin Rafferty, Isabella O’Hare, Orla Gribben
- Sean Cairns trophy to Most Improved Hurler of the year– Chrissy O’Hare
- James Matthews trophy for Senior Hurler of the year – Lorcan McAteer
- Brown Bros Cup to Minor Footballer of the year – Conor McCumiskey – Conor’s brother received this award in 2018 and their father received it in 1988
- Young Footballer of the year – Padraig Clancy
- Horseshoe Bar trophy to Thirds Footballer of the year – Anthony Grimes
- Bradley Family trophy to Seconds Footballer of the year – Gary McDonald
- Peter McGinn Cup to Senior Footballer of the year – Tom Close
PJ McAlinden Memorial trophy to and induction into Clonduff’s Hall of Fame – Stephen Morgan. Stephen is pictured in his garden with Ross Carr who, courtesy of Destination Newry had a spell-binding interview with Stephen. Bronagh McAlinden and her grandchildren Katie, Brianna and Sarah presented the award (socially distanced)
The most surprised recipient on the Night was Sheenagh Walsh who was presented live during the show with the Hugh McShane Memorial trophy to Club Person of the Year – Sheenagh who played a major part in preparing the Awards Ceremony believed until the moment Goretta Cairns arrived at the door that the award was going to another member of the organising committee.
It is important to note that all the trophies had been door-stepped prior to the event with the exception of the Club Person of the Year which was door-stepped live.
Thank you to Local small business
Many thanks to the local small business who entered the spirit and donated their delectable delights for the raffle for ‘The Early Bird’ draw. The winners of these fabulous prizes were:
- Delicious bakes from ‘I Bake You Take’ (Conor Pio Gribben) – Winner Ursula Kearney
- Hamper 1 from ‘The Hamper Co’ (Edel O’Reilly) – Winner Padraig Matthews
- Hamper 2 from ‘The Hamper Co’ (Edel O’Reilly) – Winner Orla Morgan
- Cheese Board & Bottle of Wine from ‘Oh So Cheesy’ (Dympna Ward) – Winner Vincent Devlin
- Bottle of Wine from ‘The Wineyard’ (David Lowry) – Winner Noleen Cairns
- Bottle of Wine from ‘The Wineyard’ (David Lowry) – Winner Teenie MacDonald
All in all a great evening was had by all, admittedly without the celebratory meal but people were so delighted to be connected that they just wanted to stay online.
Many thanks to our excellent Fear an Tí on the night Padraig Matthews who is also Vice Chair of Clonduff Club.
