Clonduff overcame Newry Shamrocks 1-13 to 2-9 this afternoon to claim the Co. Down Junior Hurling Championship. In what have been a turbulent few months for the club, captain Sean Downey took time during his winner's speech to pay tribute to Pearse Branagan.
At only 23-years old, the Clonduff club-man Branagan died suddenly in June. Suffering a cardiac seizure, Branagan's untimely death left an indelible mark on the community.
Speaking to the Irish News in June, a former coach and teammate of Brannagan's John Murphy described the 23-year-old as an "absolute gentleman. It's the biggest shock I ever had in my life, it's unbelievable. Myself and everybody in the club is devastated for him and the wider family.”
After today's win, an understandably shaken Downey took the opportunity to remember Pearse Branagan.
"I don't think we'd be here today ... this year we pulled together really well as a team, and we did this for Pearse."
Clonduff captain Sean Downey pays tribute to Pearse Branagan and invites Pearse’s girlfriend Ellen McCrilly to lift the Hurling Intermediate Hurling Cup pic.twitter.com/EVmTJquoFX
— Official Down GAA (@OfficialDownGAA) September 23, 2018
In a touching gesture, Downey also invited Branagan's girlfriend Ellen McCrilly up to lift the trophy alongside him.
Clonduff captain Sean Downey pays tribute to Pearse Branagan and invites Pearse’s girlfriend Ellen McCrilly to lift the Hurling Intermediate Hurling Cup pic.twitter.com/EVmTJquoFX
— Official Down GAA (@OfficialDownGAA) September 23, 2018
Picture credit - @OfficialDownGAA
