Sport

Clonduff go the distance as Down clubs dominate

ALL-IRELAND SEVENS: CLONDUFF COMPLETED a magical double at Glenalbyn on Saturday when winning the Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland…

Mon Sept 21 2009 - 01:00

ALL-IRELAND SEVENS:CLONDUFF COMPLETED a magical double at Glenalbyn on Saturday when winning the Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland football sevens title for the first time in their history.

The success comes just a week after the Down club claimed the Shield for the camogie sevens at this venue.

An estimated attendance of 4,000 people showed up for the 37th running of this annual event which was dominated by Ulster, which provided all eight quarter-finalists. Down teams provided five of those, with both finalists coming from the Mourne County.

Clonduff emerged from a very tough group that included Cork giants Nemo Rangers, St Patrick’s from Louth and Roscommon’s Pádraig Pearses.

READ MORE

Having accounted for Clonoe (Tyrone) in the quarter-final by four points, Clonduff faced the challenge of Crossmaglen.

Cross’ were no match for their Down rivals though. Goals from Eamonn O’Reilly and Conor Óg O’Hagan sent Clonduff on their way and though Jamie Clarke hit back for Cross’, it couldn’t prevent them falling to a 12-point defeat.

Awaiting them in the final were a Longstone outfit that had won this tournament two years ago. They beat another Down team, Bryansford, in a cracking quarter-final before prevailing in yet another local derby over Castlewellan, who had beaten defending champions St Gall’s.

The final did not have the same pace to it as had been evident in previous games. Unusually, it was devoid of goals. In the end, it was Clonduff’s ability to kick scores from distance that earned them the honours.

The winners led by 0-4 to 0-3 at the interval, with player of the tournament Jason Brown, John Fegan, Eamonn O’Reilly and Finbarr McConville on target.

Longstone were well in contention at the break though, with Mark Poland, Ambrose Rogers and Ryan Kelly scoring points.

Indeed Longstone actually hit the front with four fine second-half points by Barry Doran. Doran converted three frees and added one magnificent effort off the outside of his right boot.

Kelly had a great goal chance but blasted over and Clonduff made the most of the let-off to gradually pull clear, Brown, Fegan, McConville, Darren O’Hagan and Conor Óg O’Hagan getting the crucial scores to secure an 0-11 to 0-8 success.

CLONDUFF: J Brown (0-3), P McConville, D O'Hagan (0-1), A Carr, J Fegan (0-3), C Óg O'Hagan (0-1), E O'Reilly (0-1), F McConville (0-2), J McPoland, K Trainor.

LONGSTONE:M Doran, C Smith, E Quinn, M Poland (0-1), A Rogers (0-1), R Kelly (0-2), A Trainor, S Doran, B Doran (0-4, three frees), C Poland

Referee:Brian Crowe (Cavan Gaels)