DUFF AT TOP AS SEVENS CHAMPS; GAA SEVENS.

Clonduff 0-11 Longstone 0-8 CLONDUFF completed a magical double at Glenalbyn on Saturday by winning the oneills.com Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Sevens title for the first time in their history.

The success comes just a week after the club claimed the shield for the camogie sevens at the same venue.

An estimated 4,000 showed up for the 37th running of this annual event and, as has become common, it was again dominated by Ulster which provided all eight quarterfinalists.

With five of those coming from Down, it was almost inevitable that the county would provide the winners.

By the time the semi-finals were concluded that was certain with both finalists having travelled from the Mourne county.

Both sides were clearly feeling the effects of a long day by the time the final had come around and, as a result, the game did not have the same pace to it as had been evident in previous games.

Unusually, it was devoid of goals as players were unable to make the bursts into space.

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, who won this tournament two years ago, were well in contention with Mark Poland, Ambrose Rogers and Ryan Kelly scoring points.

Indeed they actually hit the front with a four fine second half points by Barry Doran.

But Clonduff gradually pulled clear, Brown, Fegan, McConville, Darren O'Hagan and Conor Og O'Hagan getting the crucial scores.

CLONDUFF: J Brown 0-3, P McConville, D O'Hagan 0-1, A Carr, J Fegan 0-3, C Og O'Hagan 0-1, E O'Reilly 0-1, F Mc-Conville 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 (3fs), C Poland

CAPTION(S):

BEATEN Down star Rogers POINT Eamonn O'Reilly was on mark for Clonduff in final