Tournament Background
The Bryan Cullen Tournament was held in Skerries Harps grounds on 17 August, 2024 – its sixth hosting of the event, originally played in 2017.
The tournament honours the career and achievements of Bryan Cullen as a successful intercounty player at all levels, captaining Dublin to a senior All-Ireland football win in 2011, his juvenile and adult club football career with Skerries Harps and his representation of Ireland in the International Rules series on three occasions.
The tournament also commemorates the huge contribution of Oliver “Skipper” Moore to the GAA in Skerries and Dublin, over a 25-year period, including holding the position of Club Chairman for three terms with a strong focus on juvenile development. Oliver was also a highly respected delegate at Dublin County Board level and was elected as Dublin Junior Board Chairman in 1997, before he passed away suddenly in 1998.
2024 Competition
The teams represented in this year’s competition were:
Faughanvale, Derry
Newtown Blues, Louth
St Kevins/Killians, Dublin
Templeogue/Synge Street, Dublin
Clanna Gael Fontenoy, Dublin
Whitehall Colmcille, Dublin
Skerries Harps, Dublin
The 2024 tournament was played as a 9 aside competition at u16 level for the first time and it proved to be a huge success with end to end attacking football, great excitement and plenty of goals. Feedback from several Clubs was hugely positive regarding the format, the smooth running of the tournament and the hospitality provided.
Skerries were winners of the Oliver Moore Shield, winning a close encounter in the final against Clanna Gael Fontenoy. The Cup winners were last years beaten finalists, Newtown Blues from Louth beating St Kevins/Killians in a thriller. Big congratulations to the Blues who were very appreciative of their winning set of jerseys which were worn with pride following the presentation. Many thanks to our partner, Masita, for designing and sponsoring the winners jerseys.
Club and Community
The tournament continues to focus on Club and volunteers and the competition was played in a sporting spirit by all clubs making the officiating from referees, Ian Howley and Damien Gilmore a little easier.
Our local and regular sponsors continued to support us including, Moriarty’s SuperValu, Conor Mc Gloughlin Catering, Ganson, Masita and Dwyer Electrical. A big thank you to them for helping us make it possible to continue to hold this great event in our calendar each year.
Both the Cullen and Moore families were well represented with Oliver’s son Alan delivering the post tournament speech and Bryan presenting the shield to Oliver’s grandsons,
Alan Óg Moore and Oliver Daughton on behalf of the Harps team.
The organising committee and a large group of volunteers and parents, succeeded in putting on a great gaelic games event ensuring our facilities were looking their best and hosting our friends and visitors with a warm Skerries welcome and with excellent hospitality for the day.
An lá Club go h-iontach, an lá go h-iontach Cumann Luthchleas Gael agus ag tnúth le 2025 !!
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