Despite the overnight torrential rain the sun shone in Clonduff Park on Saturday 10th June when 30 teams of U8 children (that’s almost 400 youngsters) from Down, Derry, Tyrone, Armagh, Louth and Meath converged to compete for The Cup, The Shield and The Plate at the annual Brian McGreevy tournament. There were 9 Ógs teams (including 2 from Clonduff who also had two teams in the main competition) and they played in a separate competition for the plate. The other 21 teams played in group games to decide who played off for the Cup and the Shield – the top two in each of the groups went into the Cup and everyone else into the Shield. It was a real feast of football in the sun and all the children got lots of football. At the end of the day Silverbridge Ógs defeated Ballyholland Ógs in the Plate Final; Clonduff Gaels defeated Burren Gaels in the Shield Final and Ballyholland Gaels defeated Rossa (Magherafelt) in the Cup Final. Many thanks to all the teams who attended and to our Young Volunteers and Young Whistlers who took charge of the games – the Tournament could not have happened without either the players or the referees – over 90 games were played! Thanks to the young people who acted as ‘runners’ bringing the results back to the clubrooms. A special word of thanks to all the supporters particularly the parents of the Clonduff children who supplied the sandwiches, served the teas and helped clean up after in preparation for the function that night. A big thank you also to Eileen Hart who took on the role as official photographer for the day – she did a great job! Goretta, Noleen and Shane. assisted by Geraldine McGaw did the usual excellent job in the Club Shop throughout the day.
