The Andre Family (l to r) Cara, Luigi, Donna, and Lauren with Ben Maguire the captain of the Ballyholland team that won the inaugural Daniel Andre Memorial U10 Football Tournament.
Twenty five teams assembled in sun-drenched Clonduff Park on Saturday 26th May 2012 for the inaugural Daniel Andre Memorial U10 Football tournament – what a fitting tribute to a sports-mad young Clonduffian who tragically lost his life in June 2009 in a drowning accident about 100m from the Club. We say a big ‘Thank You’ to the clubs from Down, Armagh, Louth and Belfast who participated.
The teams were divided into four groups before going into the knock-out stage with the top two in each group playing off for the Cup which was eventually won by Ballyholland; the middle two teams from each group played off for the shield which Kilcoo won and the bottom teams in the groups played off for the Plate which Drumgath won. However, the day was not about winning trophies and medals – it was about a lot of youngsters enjoying the festival of football in tribute to Daniel Andre.
An event such as this couldn’t take place without the legions of Clonduff volunteers who gave their time and help on Saturday – administrators, referees (some of our Young Referees were taking charge of their first games), pitch co-ordinators, runners, pitch markers, those who put up flags, made tea, burgers, attended the shop, parents who supplied sandwiches and other eatables, etc.
To Luigi, Donna, Lauren and Cara, Daniel will forever be in the hearts and minds of all in Clonduff. Lauren said on our Facebook page “Thanks to all who helped make it such a wonderful day! May we have many more to come!!”
