Clonduff Club has played a big part in the staging of the Boley Fair in 2009. Sean Milligan was on the organising committee. On Saturday 11th July, on what should have been the ‘Family Fun Day’ Clonduff U8 footballers (above) kicked off Clonduff GAC’s Boley events when they entertained Bryansford U8 footballers when about sixty children from both clubs took part in a mini blitz – all the children got playing time and were awarded a medal at the end. Unfortunately the weather then intervened and the proceedings for the rest of the day were cancelled. (Click on the image left to view a few more pictures of the U8s and their visitors)
There was a big entry for the Handball Tournament which took place in the Handball Alley the week after the Newry and Mourne sponsored Handball Camp in Hilltown (the coaches were Des McNeill and Paul Shields. The semi-finals and the finals were played on the one-wall court at the club on Monday morning. Those taking part in the U15 competition were (Clonduff unless otherwise stated) Shane Milligan, Ryan Dunne and Conor O’Neill (Downpatrick), Pat Havern and Stephen Digney (Saval), Packie O’Hagan, Conal Brown, John Brown, Conor Brown, Darren Harper, Liam McAleavey, Ruari McQuaid, David Quinn. Ryan Dunne eventually defeated Conal Brown 24:20 in the final. Four lads took part in the U18 competition – Ché Curran and John McAleavey (Clonduff), Eamon Savage and Daniel Connolly (Downpatrick). John defeated Daniel in the Final 22:10.
The Neighbourhood Challenge Quiz in the Clubrooms on Saturday night was one of the biggest ever with eighteen teams participating. The eventual champions were the Goward Dolmens followed by Mark’s Minors plus two in second place. A three-man United Nations team (one from Hilltown, one originally from Tyrone and one originally from Cork) were rewarded for their efforts in taking up the rear!
Sunday morning The Big Boley Breakfast, organised by the Camogs, was one hectic event – the demand was so great the food ran out twice but luckily supply sources were on hand to replenish the larder! Before the breakfast was over a great crowd of young and not so young enthusiasts set out to walk the Old Hilltown to Downpatrick route (now the lane that runs up behind St Patrick’s Primary School) from the Clubrooms to the Goward Dolmen – there was great craic there and back and the weather, whilst not exactly shining on the participants held firm until they all returned safely. Despite the rain a huge crowd turned out to witness the Tug-o-War in Clonduff Park which was eventually won by Doran’s men and The Downshire Arms Ladies. The rain also affected the staging of the Farrell & Farrell sponsored Townlands inaugural Set Dancing competition which moved from The Square to the INF, followed by a big crowd. Five teams took part with Newry Road/Yellow Road the winners and Cabra runners-up.
