U10s form Guard of Honour for Minor Footballers
Clonduff Minor Boys were in the 2017 County Minor Final which was the curtain raiser to the Senior Final in which Burren were playing Kilcoo in Pairc Esler. And what a game it turned out to be!
Clodagh Kelly the Clonduff player presenting the Collie Curran Cup to County Chairperson Sean Rooney
Burren were the hot favourites but Clonduff gave them a great run for their money! Deep into injury time Clonduff were two points behind when they scored a magnificent goal to take the lead only to have it snatched away again when, from the kickout, Burren moved the ball upfield and finished it expertly to the net. Heartbreak for the lads in Yellow!
Clonduff’s Jamie Curran presented his father’s cup to the Burren Captain Ardan McAvoy.
Niamh McConville the Clonduff U10 player resenting the ball to the referee Shane Lowey and the two captains Ardan McAvoy (Burren) and Ross Carr (Clonduff)
The day’s activities had begun with the U10 boys and girls from both clubs forming a guard of honour for the teams entering the field (Clonduff Girls: Clodagh Kelly, Niamh McConville, Cara Savage, Lily Rafferty, Brianna McClean, Grace Kelly, Zara Kelly, Cadhla Gilbey, Therese Cowan, Caoimhe McConville; Tommy Smyth, Michael Taylor, Owen Flynn, Lónán Mac Domhnaill, Danny McLogan, Callum Greene, James Cunningham, Conor Ward, Tiernan McGrath, Ryan Tweedy, Lorcan Binks, Cian Wilson,); two children, one from each club – Clodagh Kelly for Clonduff – presented the cup to the Chairperson Sean Rooney; two other Children, again one from each club – Niamh McConville for Clonduff – presented the ball to referee Shane Lowey and the two captains – Ardan McAvoy (Burren) and Ross Carr (Clonduff).
All Ireland Winners – Clonduff Ballad Group and Niamh McDowell – with Co Cultural Officer and Secretary on left and Co Chairperson on the right
At half time whilst the U10 youngsters from both clubs played two exhibition games Down’s All Ireland Scór winners of 2017 were honoured with special medals – Clonduff Scór Sinsir Ballad Group (Caroline Carvill, Agnes Murnin, Paul Kelly, Martina Carvill [then Cunningham] and Colleen Walls along with Glasdrumman’s Niamh McDowell (Scór na nÓg Solo Singing).
Our own Plunkett McConville took over as Stadium Announcer duties for the Senior game which was televised by TG4. In the parade of clubs (each club was asked to nominate an U12 player) Erin Morgan was Clonduff’s Down flag bearer. Then Niamh McDowell sang Amhrán na bhFiann accompanied by Mayobridge Band – great performance!
Kilcoo won the Senior game by two points. Congratulations to both winning teams!
