Many Congratulations to St Patrick’s Primary School who annexed the Schools County Premier Title (11-a-side) for the first time since 1988 (it was 13-a-side then) and their only other ever title – they did reach the County Final on four other occasions including 2011 when they were defeated by the same opposition – the Paul Shields jointly trained Ballyholland Primary School. The boys are coached by Plunkett McConville (Clonduff GAA Club Cultural Officer, Meave McNeill (unfortunately unable to attend on the day and Kitty Fegan deputised for her) together with County Schools Coach Paddy Hardy. St Pat’s started strongly and should have had the game out of sight at half time such was their domination but it just wasn’t happening in front of the posts – indeed they failed to score in the first half and trailed to Ballyholland’s single point. Ballyholland got the first score of the second half and then St Pat’s showed their true character. They scored four points in a row and totally dominated the final quarter to secure the title which they truly deserved on a score of 0-4 to 0-2. There was a 20-min period at half time for the subs many of whom will be on the starting team in 2013 (five of today’s starting eleven will also be available next year).
Following their triumphant return to Hilltown the team and their teachers, Fr Cushenan and a large number of parents and family members were treated to a celebration meal in Clonduff Clubrooms. The food had been cooked by Club members Laurine Harper, Lorraine Bloomfield and Noreen Tumilty; set-up by Teresa Carr, Sean and Shane Milligan and Leo and Sarah Bloomfield and the food was mainly served by the parents – Dads in particular (Clonduff GAA Club just gained a whole host of new volunteers). Anita Brannigan, Clonduff Secretary congratulated the boys and girls and their mentors and spoke of the historic occasion. In reply School Principal, Mrs Kathleen Cousins in congratulating the boys and girls told them of the great footballers in Clonduff through time but very few of them possessed this medal! She thanked Clonduff GAA Club for the use of facilities for training and home games and she particularly thanked the Club for providing the celebration meal for the team and the teachers. She also thanked Plunkett, Meave and Kitty for coaching Gaelic Games in St Patrick’s – she included Paddy Hardy in her thanks. Plunkett McConville spoke of the honour he had in inheriting this great bunch of players – Meave McNeill had been the Football coach for years and he joined the school staff at just the right time to reap the benefit. He also mentioned the Goretti, Noleen and Sean Cairns for their special contribution during the season. The closing words were left to team captain Tom Close who thanked the coaches and the team for their great efforts and Clonduff Club for the meal and everything else.
The team, pictured above with Principal Mrs Cousins, Plunkett and Meave includes Tiarnan Russell, Laurence Brannigan, James Keenan, Kieran Mulholland, Conor Parr, Shane Parr (twins), Tom Close (Capt), Padraig Wilson, Clara Cowan, Charlie Kerr, Eamon Brown, Rory McKernan, Ethan Lyness-Feenan, Owen Murray, Niamh Fitzpatrick, Shay Fitzpatrick, Darragh Fitzpatrick (Triplets), Erin Rafferty, James Carvill, Eugene Lively, Cara Boden, Shane Cairns, Peter McEvoy, Sean McCumiskey, Oisin Tumilty.
