Convey that finalist managed to have fun (9)
I believe the answer is:
transport
'convey' is the definition.
(I know that convey is a more specific form of the action the transport)
'finalist managed to have fun' is the wordplay.
'finalist' becomes 't' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'managed' becomes 'ran' (both can mean organised or was in charge of).
'to have fun' becomes 'sport'.
't'+'ran'+'sport'='TRANSPORT'
'that' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for transport that I've seen before include "Move something or someone over a distance" , "cab, perhaps" , "Convey - delight" , "Carry and throw into ecstasy." , "troopship" .)