Westmeath's six titles at Leinster Scór na nÓg final

It was a momentous day on Saturday last for Westmeath Scór, as the county took home six of the eight provincial titles available at the Leinster Scór na nÓg final.

The participants along with their supporters made the journey to Summerhill, where the eight acts, fresh from their semi-final success two weeks ago in Tullamore, took to the stage with the hope of claiming glory.

The day’s proceedings began with the Tráth na gCeist (table quiz), where The Downs were up against numerous teams from around the province to be quizzed on their knowledge. Following the provisional round, they qualified in the top three for the stage final.

A nail-biting final ensued where a tie-breaker was needed to separate the mighty Downs team from the Dublin club. Unfortunately, the lads from The Downs were pipped at the post for the title as the Dublin side prevailed but qualified for the All-Ireland final in January.

First to take the stage for the Lake County on Saturday was St Mary’s Rochfortbridge in the figure dancing. They flawlessly danced the ‘three tunes’ and were certainly in the mix to take the gold medals. It wasn’t to be for the Rochfortbridge outfit on this occasion as they were narrowly defeated by the reigning Leinster champions from Ballymore, County Longford.

In the individual competitions, Westmeath was represented by Darragh McCabe in the solo singing and Alanna Corroon in the recitation/storytelling. Darragh, from Mullingar Shamrocks, gave an excellent rendition of the song ‘Only Our Rivers Run Free’. His fantastic performance wowed the judges and he claimed the Leinster title. Alanna, from The Downs, was equally impressive with her performance of the story ‘The Child I Did Not Know’, which earned her back-to-back provincial honours in the recitation/storytelling.

Moate All Whites were next up in the ballad group discipline, where they produced a flawless performance of their two songs ‘Ireland’ and ‘Nature’s Little Symphony’. They continued their long-standing tradition in the category by also securing two in a row Leinster titles for yet another year.

In the novelty act competition, The Downs GAA represented Westmeath, and performed a well-executed display of their act entitled ‘The High Five Code’. The young group had the audience in stitches and got the nod from the adjudicator to take home the Leinster Cup and progress to the All-Ireland final.

Bunbrosna’s musical trio of Anna Dunleavy, Aoife Dunleavy and Béibhínn Nic Gabhann, competed in a top-class instrumental music competition. The three girls hit the right note for the judges when they played a lively jig and reel. The club has been knocking on the door for many years in the discipline and when the Bunbrosna cailíní were announced as the winners, the supporters rejoyced in celebration.

Closing out the evening were the black and amber clad set dancers from The Downs in the rince seit. The group danced figures one and six of the ‘Plain Set’. The rousing footwork produced by the group had them ahead of their opposition to also claim back-to-back Leinster titles.

All roads now lead to the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan on January 25 for the All-Ireland final. It will be the first time in many years that Westmeath will be represented in seven of the eight categories, which is a magnificent achievement for the county.