Final ‘one of best in long time’ says cathaoirleach
Westmeath Scór Na nÓg County Final
Image 1 of 14
MJ Long, Michael Long, Max Long and Jamie McDonnell on stage representing St. Loman’s GAA in the instrumental music group.Image 2 of 14
Scór Iarmhí chairperson Olive Leonard making a presentation to Mary Doolin, who stepped down as secretary on the county committee earlier this year following many years of service.Image 3 of 14
The Downs quiz team receiving their medals from Olive Leonard and Frank Mescall.Image 4 of 14
The Rince Foirne champions St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge with Scór Iarmhí chairperson Olive Leonard and Westmeath GAA chairperson Frank Mescall.Image 5 of 14
Image 6 of 14
Darragh McCabe from Mullingar Shamrocks receiving his medal for solo singing from Olive Leonard and Frank Mescall.Image 7 of 14
Alanna Corroon is presented with the John Cowley Memorial Trophy for her performance in the recitation/storytelling competition by Shane Heraty, who represented the Cowley family.Image 8 of 14
Moate All Whites were the ballad group champions and received the Tommy McCormack Cup from Olive Leonard, Scór chairperson, and Frank Mescall, Westmeath GAA chairperson.Image 9 of 14
Moate All Whites were the ballad group champions and received the Tommy McCormack Cup from Olive Leonard, Scór chairperson, and Frank Mescall, Westmeath GAA chairperson.Image 10 of 14
The Bunbrosna Instrumental group, Anna Dunleavy, Aoife Dunleavy and Beibhín Ní Gabhainn.Image 11 of 14
Noel Lynam and Alice Deacy receiving the Tom McHale shield on behalf of the Downs GAA for club of the year.Image 12 of 14
The Downs set dancers were presented with the Moira Bardon Memorial Cup by Lorrie Bardon along with Olive Leonard and Frank Mescall.Image 13 of 14
St Joseph’s GAA won the Sarah Bardon Perpetual Cup for the best all-ladies set.Image 14 of 14
Fear an Tí for the evening Shane King receiving a presentation from Olive Leonard and Frank Mescall for his work as MC at Sunday’s final.“This year’s final was one of the best Scór na nÓg county finals in a long time,” said Olive Leonard, cathaoirleach, Scór Iarmhí, after an enjoyable Sunday afternoon. An atmosphere of friendly rivalry was evident around the Downs GAA, who were brilliant hosts as always. A packed hall was treated to a stellar spectacle of music, song, dance and drama. Shane King of Ballinagore GAA was Fear an Tí for the evening, and he kept the packed clár moving swiftly.
Tráth na gCeisteanna (Question Time) began the proceedings for the day, a number of clubs having taken part in the qualifying round which was held prior to the stage competitions. The Downs, Ballinagore and St Joseph’s emerged as the top three teams to advance to the stage final. Ballinagore were tied with The Downs going into the final round but it was the host club who eventually prevailed as champions.
Opening the stage competitions in the Rince Foirne (Figure Dancing) were St Joseph’s, St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge, Delvin Hurling and St Loman’s GAA. All teams put in great performances but it was St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge who came out victorious, dancing the ‘The Three Tunes’ and taking home the Joe Longworth Memorial Cup.
In the Solo Singing event, Emma King of Ballinagore, Caoimhe Farrell from St Joseph’s and Nadine Davis representing Delvin, all gave excellent accounts of themselves. It was Darragh McCabe of Mullingar Shamrocks who claimed the title for his club by singing ‘Only Our River Runs Free’. Darragh accompanied himself on guitar.
The Recitation/Storytelling competition was once again a brilliant contest in which current county champion Alanna Corroon of The Downs managed to see off stiff competition from Clíodhna Fitzpatrick (Ballycomoyle Ladies), Ava Carroll (St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge) and Eoghan McKenna (St Loman’s), who all performed well. Alannah’s rendition of ‘The Child I Did Not Know’ impressed the judges and won her the John Cowley Memorial trophy.
Another high standard discipline was the Ballad Group competition, where four polished groups took the stage. Teams from Moate All Whites, Ballycomoyle Ladies, St Joseph’s Ladies and Mullingar Shamrocks sang their hearts out with the hope of claiming a county medal. Each group’s selection of songs really entertained the audience, and after an exciting contest, the county title was awarded to Moate All Whites, completing a three in a row for their club.
Another strong competition was the Novelty Act. In that category, last year’s Leinster Champions The Downs faced St Joseph’s, Ballycomoyle and Ballycomoyle Ladies, and their acts enthralled the audience and had them in stitches. The county title went to The Downs, whose piece ‘The High Five Code’ earned them a place in next weekend’s provincial semi-final.
The Ceol Uirlise (Instrumental Music) was a keen contest between St Loman’s, Bunbrosna, Delvin Football and The Downs. The title was claimed by the Bunbrosna trio of sisters Anna and Aoife Dunleavy, joined by Béibhinn Ní Gabhainn to play the ‘Sport’ jig and ‘The Mossy Banks’ reel.
The night was concluded with rousing footwork in the Rince Seit (Set Dancing) where reigning county champions The Downs emerged victorious at the expense of Ballycomoyle, Bunbrosna and St Joseph’s, who all danced brilliant figures of the ‘Plain Set’ and ‘Claddagh Set’. The St Joseph’s set dancers were awarded the Sarah Bardon perpetual trophy for the best All Ladies set.
The Downs GAA completed their sweep of titles by winning ‘Club of The Year’, receiving the Tom McHale shield.
Westmeath GAA County Board chairman, Frank Mescall, presented all of the winners with their medals along with cathaoirleach Scór Iarmhí Olive Leonard.
The winners of Sunday’s county final go on to represent their club and county in the Leinster semi-finals in Tullamore on Saturday, 16 November, at 5pm. The county will be well represented across the eight disciplines as they progress to the provincial stage of the competition.
Full Results
Figure Dancing: St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge
Solo Singing: Darragh McCabe, Mullingar Shamrocks
Recitation/Storytelling: Alanna Corroon, The Downs
Ballad Group: Moate All Whites
Question Time: The Downs
Novelty Act: The Downs
Instrumental Music: Bunbrosna
Set Dancing: The Downs