Conor McCluskey

Conor McCluskey
Personal information
Sport Gaelic football
Position Left corner back
Born 1999 (age 24–25)
Nickname Clucky[1]
Club(s)
Years Club
 Magherafelt
Club titles
Derry titles 1
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
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.

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.