Clonduff u-14 hurlers finished off their year with an excellent performance at the Dermott McCabe Tournament in Castlewellan on Saturday 24th September 2024.
Featuring clubs from several counties, the tournament provided a great opportunity for Clonduff to face new teams, including some playing at the very highest level in the country at that age group.
Following a strong group performance that saw wins against Bredagh from Down and Davitt’s from Antrim, the team progressed to the cup semi-finals to face St. John’s from Belfast, who have been one of the strongest senior club hurling teams in Antrim over the last few years. In an enthralling semi-final, the lead swung back and forth throughout, until a late goal and two points in the closing minutes secured a hard fought victory for Clonduff which saw them reach the overall final of the tournament.
The lads then faced an extremely tough final against Lismore of Waterford, who are the current Waterford u-14 hurling champions and the home club of Waterford hurling legend Dan Shanahan. Despite the daunting task of facing such a strong team, the lads performed brilliantly in the final and, although they eventually came out losers on a very respectable scoreline of 2-5 to 0-3, they showed that they were well capable of competing with the very best in the country and playing at that very high level will ensure that they will continue to develop and improve as they progress.
The club would like to thank Castlewellan GAC for their invitation to the tournament, which was excellently organised throughout.
Clonduff team: Rory Magee, Ryan McMurray, Mark McCoy, Ryan Gallagher, Dáithí Barber, Seán Óg Cowan, McKenzie Sheffield, James Shields, Killian Cuthbert, Ronan Greene, Shea Murray, Austin Matthews, Tom Cranney, Jack Magill.
