Conor McCluskey

Last updated
Conor McCluskey
Personal information
Sport Gaelic football
Position Left corner back
Born 1999 (age 25–26)
Nickname Clucky [1]
Club(s)
YearsClub
 Magherafelt
Club titles
Derry titles 1
Inter-county(ies)
YearsCounty
2018–
 Derry
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles 2
All-Irelands 0
NFL 1
All Stars 1

Conor McCluskey (born 1999) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for the Derry county team and for the Magherafelt club.

Contents

Playing career

College

On 17 March 2017, McCluskey was a corner-back on the St Mary's Grammar School team for the MacRory Cup final against St Colman's College, Newry. St Mary's won the cup for the first time with a 0–19 to 0–13 win. [2] McCluskey started the Hogan Cup semi-final five days later, with St Mary's losing by a point to St Peter's College, Wexford. [3]

Club

In the 2019 season, Magherafelt reached the final of the Derry Senior Football Championship for the first time since 1983. [4] On 20 October, McCluskey was in the half-back line for the final against Glen. McCluskey scored a point in the second half, and Magherafelt held on to win by 0–12 to 0–11. [5] Magherafelt reached the final again in 2020, playing Slaughtneil. McCluskey scored a point but Slaughtneil won the match by four points. [6] McCluskey played in his third county final in 2023, with Magherafalt facing Glen once again. The match was level at half-time, but a strong second half from Glen helped them to the title. [7]

Inter-county

Minor and under-20

On 17 July 2016, McCluskey was at corner back as the Derry minor team faced Donegal in the Ulster final. Donegal were winners by 2–10 to 1–11. [8] Derry lost the All-Ireland quarter-final by eleven points to Munster champions Kerry. [9]

McCluskey played in his second Ulster final in 2017, lining out at full back against Cavan. Derry won the final by 1–22 to 2–12. [10] On 27 August, Derry beat Dublin by three points to reach the All-Ireland final. [11] The final against Kerry took place on September 17, with McCluskey lining out at full-back. McCluskey was replaced at half-time as Kerry's David Clifford led the Kingdom to a comfortable win. [12] [13] McCluskey was named at full-back on the inaugural minor team of the year at the end of the season. [14]

On 24 June 2018, McCluskey was at centre-back for the Ulster Under-20 final against Armagh. Derry were seven-point winners. [15] On 14 July, McCluskey lined out at full back for the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Mayo. [16] Derry were in the Ulster under-20 final again in 2019, facing Tyrone on 14 July. Tyrone won the match by 4–13 to 1–10. [17]

Senior

McCluskey joined the Derry senior panel in 2018. McCluskey made his National League debut on 24 February, coming on as a substitute in a loss to Fermanagh. [18] Derry won the Division 4 title in 2019, but McCluskey didn't feature in the final. [19] On 19 June 2021, McCluskey was at corner back for the Division 3 league final against Offaly. Derry won the match by 0–21 to 1–6. [20] McCluskey made his championship debut on 11 July, coming on as a substitute in a one-point loss to Donegal. [21]

On 1 May 2022, McCluskey made his first championship start as Derry inflicted an eleven-point defeat on reigning All-Ireland champions Tyrone. [22] McCluskey played in the semi-final win over Monaghan as Derry reached the Ulster final. [23] The Ulster final took place on 29 May, with Derry facing Donegal. McCluskey played the entire game as Derry claimed an extra-time victory to win their first provincial title since 1998. [24] Derry's championship came to an end at the semi-final stage, losing by five points to Galway. [25] McCluskey received his first All-Star nomination at the end of the season. [26]

In 2023, Derry secured promotion to Division 1 after winning their first six games, [27] and went on to face Dublin in the Division 2 final on 2 April. Dublin won the match by 4–6 to 0–11. [28] In the Ulster Championship semi-final, McCluskey scored his first championship goal against Monaghan as Derry reached back-to-back provincial finals. [29] On 14 May, McCluskey played the entire game as Derry beat Armagh in a penalty shoot-out, defending their Ulster title. [30] On 16 July, McCluskey started the All-Ireland semi-final as Derry lost to defending champions Kerry. [31] After the All-Ireland final, McCluskey was named on The Sunday Game Team of the Year. [32] McCluskey was also named on the All-Star team for the first time. [33] [34]

In the 2024 league, Derry topped the table, qualifying for the final against Dublin. [35] McCluskey started the final at corner back, and Derry won the league for the first time since 2008 after a penalty shoot-out win. [36]

Honours

Derry

Magherafelt

St Mary's Grammar School

Individual

References

  1. ↑ McMullan, Michael (19 June 2023). "Conor McCluskey confident Derry are in a good place". The Irish News . Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  2. ↑ Crossan, Brendan (18 March 2017). "St Mary's, Magherafelt topple St Colman's, Newry to win first-ever MacRory Cup". The Irish News . Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  3. ↑ "St Peter's College reach All-Ireland football final". The Irish Times . 22 March 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  4. ↑ Wilson, Michael (5 October 2019). "Magherafelt end Banagher fairy-tale in thrilling Championship finale". Derry Journal . Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  5. ↑ O'Kane, Cahair (21 October 2019). "Magherafelt hold on for deserved win in controversial finale". The Irish News . Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  6. ↑ Wilson, Michael (4 October 2020). "Superb Slaughtneil defeat Magherafelt to regain Derry Championship title". Derry Journal . Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  7. ↑ Wilson, Michael (29 October 2023). "Glen overcome sluggish start to seal three-in-a-row in the Derry SFC". RTÉ . Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  8. ↑ "Donegal hold off Derry to secure Ulster minor title". The Irish Times . 17 July 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  9. ↑ McTaggart, Brendan (1 August 2016). "Derry are left high and dry by ruthless Kerry minor outfit". The Irish News . Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  10. ↑ Graham, JP; Mooney, Francis (16 July 2017). "Derry minors too strong for Cavan in Ulster Minor Football Championship final". The Irish News . Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  11. ↑ Mooney, Francis (27 August 2017). "Derry defeat Dublin to reach first minor decider in a decade". RTÉ . Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  12. ↑ Mooney, Francis (17 September 2017). "Unstoppable David Clifford announces his true brilliance in Kerry stroll". RTÉ . Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  13. ↑ Loughran, Neil (28 January 2023). "'To fully get over it, and nearly stop having nightmares about it, you'd like to have another go'". The Irish News . Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  14. ↑ "Electric Ireland Minor Star Football Team". Gaelic Athletic Association . 25 September 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  15. ↑ Mooney, Francis (24 June 2018). "Derry power past Armagh to claim U20 Ulster title". RTÉ . Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  16. ↑ Finnerty, Mike (14 July 2018). "Conroy's late haul hands Mayo U20 final berth after beating Derry". RTÉ . Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  17. ↑ Mooney, Francis (14 July 2019). "Tyrone step on the gas to claim Ulster U20 honours". RTÉ . Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  18. ↑ Bradley, Colm (26 February 2018). "Fermanagh beat Derry in a game of two halves". The Irish News . Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  19. ↑ Graham, Brendan (30 March 2019). "Derry complete flawless Division 4 campaign with league final victory over Leitrim". The 42 . Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  20. ↑ Keane, Paul (19 June 2021). "Dominant Derry power to Division 3 crown". RTÉ . Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  21. ↑ Foley, Alan (11 July 2021). "McBrearty kicks late winner as Donegal squeeze past Derry". The 42 . Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  22. ↑ Bogue, Declan (1 May 2022). "13-man Tyrone stunned as Derry outgun reigning Ulster and All-Ireland champions". The 42 . Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  23. ↑ O'Riordan, Ian (15 May 2022). "Derry beat Monaghan and make statement of further intent". The Irish Times . Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  24. ↑ Bogue, Declan (29 May 2022). "Underdogs Derry beat Donegal in extra-time to win first title in 24 years". The 42 . Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  25. ↑ Crowe, Dermot (9 July 2022). "Damien Comer double does the damage as Galway see off Derry to book place in All-Ireland final". Irish Independent . Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  26. ↑ "PwC All-Stars Football Nominations 2022". Gaelic Athletic Association . 7 September 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  27. ↑ Doherty, Steven (19 March 2023). "Allianz FL D2: Derry earn promotion". Gaelic Athletic Association . Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  28. ↑ Keane, Paul (2 April 2023). "Four-goal Dublin secure Division 2 title in Croke Park". RTÉ . Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  29. ↑ Mooney, Francis (29 April 2023). "Derry power past Monaghan to make Ulster decider". RTÉ . Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  30. ↑ Keys, Colm (14 May 2023). "Odhran Lynch the shoot-out hero as Derry deny Armagh to retain Ulster SFC crown". Irish Independent . Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  31. ↑ Manning, Gordon (16 July 2023). "Champions Kerry back in the All-Ireland final after edging Derry out with late flurry of scores". The Irish Times . Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  32. ↑ "James McCarthy leads the way in Sunday Game Team of the Year". RTÉ . 30 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  33. ↑ "PwC GAA/GPA Gaelic Football All-Star nominations announced". Gaelic Athletic Association . 29 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  34. ↑ "Quintet of Dubs on All-Star football team as 5 counties represented". RTÉ . 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  35. ↑ Wilson, Michael (24 March 2024). "Allianz FL D1: Derry secure final spot and relegate Roscommon". Gaelic Athletic Association . Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  36. ↑ Mac Lochlainn, Rónan (31 March 2024). "Derry outlast Dublin on penalties in epic league final". RTÉ . Retrieved 31 March 2024.
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