‘Don’t stop swinging’ – Clonduff end 26-year wait for Down title
Clonduff FC ended a 26-year wait for the Frank O'Hare Cup, claiming the Down Senior Football Championship with a 1-14 to 1-10 victory over Burren at Pairc Esler in Newry. The win represents a significant shift in Down football, as it was the first county final in 15 years not to feature the dominant Kilcoo, whose bid for eight consecutive titles was ended by Burren in the semi-finals.
The match was a closely fought contest, with Clonduff captain Charlie Carr scoring an early goal to establish a 1-6 to 0-4 half-time lead. Despite Burren's Niall Toner scoring a goal in the 41st minute to threaten a comeback, Clonduff held firm to claim victory. Forward Eamon Brown attributed part of the team's success to advice from Mayo's All-Ireland-winning manager Andy Moran to "just don't stop swinging", whilst the players dedicated the triumph to Lorcan Branagan, who died in 2024.
- Clonduff end 26-year drought to claim Down football title
- First Down final in 15 years without powerhouse Kilcoo
- Jersey held up in memory of Lorcan Branagan, who died in 2024
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Gaelic football is an amateur sport played throughout Ireland, with county competitions forming the backbone of the sport. The Down Senior Football Championship is the annual competition for clubs in County Down, and winning it is the most prestigious achievement a club can claim in the region.
Kilcoo has been a dominant force in this championship for the past 15 years, reaching the county final year after year. This sustained success meant other clubs had limited opportunities to win the title themselves. Clonduff, another club in the competition, has not won the championship since 2000, a gap of 26 years.
This year has marked a significant change. Kilcoo was eliminated before the final stage for the first time in 15 years, meaning the championship was open to other clubs. This break in the long-standing dominance of one team creates new possibilities for clubs that have waited years for the chance to compete for the title.